Session C04 — Revel's End Escape and First Steps North

Summary

The party successfully executes their escape from Revel's End Prison, secured payment and supplies from the Warden, and departs across the frozen tundra with the bodies of the Doctor and Cook. While traveling, "Robert Hidswell" reveals his true identity as the legendary drow Jarlaxle Baenre, dramatically assaulting Ithoran and beginning a mentorship in combat. Meanwhile, the party encounters the Stewards of Auril, servants of the Frostmaiden, who offer to track the party's survival as part of a sacred experiment.

Key Events

• Escape Execution: The party successfully completed their elaborate escape plan from Revel's End Prison involving the framing of Neznar and the feign death spells on Haldak and Ithoran
• Warden's Chamber Meeting: Roland, Kefkas, and Selene met with the Warden to negotiate final terms and secure payment
  • Received 4,000 gold pieces (in platinum) as payment for transporting the Doctor and Cook
  • Obtained armor and weapons from the prison armory
  • The Warden warned them not to discuss the chaos that occurred at the prison with anyone
  • Food poisoning concerns prevented additional supplies (due to Haldak's sabotage of all prison food)
• Departure and Travel: The party prepared sleds to carry the bodies of Dr. Velvetina Goldfeather and Horton Gamzee toward Bryn Shander
  • Traveled approximately 13 miles across the tundra toward the Underdark entrance
  • Weather conditions: -11°F, no snow, fast clouds, steady ground (favorable conditions)
  • Successfully established first camp with natural shelter from snow drifts and boulders
• Jarlaxle's Dramatic Reveal: "Robert Hidswell" pulled off his hairpiece, revealing his true identity as Jarlaxle Baenre, the legendary drow adventurer
  • Immediately engaged Ithoran in mock combat to assess his fighting prowess
  • Ithoran fired a harpoon at his uncle but intentionally missed (using inspiration points)
  • Jarlaxle revealed he had poisoned the wine with Lola Thar's Kiss (potent drow alcohol)
  • Promised direct mentorship and combat training for Ithoran
  • Referenced a mysterious "stone" left in his basement that Ithoran was supposed to retrieve
• Kefkas' Intoxication: Jarlaxle gave Kefkas a dose of Lola Thar's Kiss
  • Kefkas failed a Constitution save against the drink's effects
  • Effects include inability to speak clearly, disadvantage on persuasion/deception/spellcasting, and propensity to blurt personal secrets
  • Kefkas' face froze to his armor due to extreme cold
• Sled Dog Mismanagement: Kabu named the sled dogs Huey and Louie (referencing ancient nether deities)
  • Kefkas attempted to command the dogs with "mush" (incorrect command)
  • Dogs went wild and pulled the sled frantically
  • Selene successfully calmed the dogs with a roll of 19 on animal handling
  • Kabu was forbidden from using "mush" again around the dogs
• Encounter with the Stewards of Auril: The party was approached by servants of the Frostmaiden
  • The Stewards had been responding to an ancestral hunting trap when they found the party
  • Their leader planted a bone shard signal upright in the snow (sign of peaceful intent)
  • Selene used prayer to the Frostmaiden and divine inspiration to perceive the leader's true appearance: masked face with ice-blue, magically-affected eyes
  • The Stewards explained they track living creatures that persevere in the Frostmaiden's eternal realm
  • They offered to conduct an "experiment" to observe the party's survival using magical items for tracking
  • Offered protection if the party accepted the tracking items
  • Mentioned they also hunt mammoths and yetis in the region
  • Negotiation regarding acceptance of tracking items was ongoing at session end

NPCs Encountered

Loot / Discoveries

• 4,000 gold pieces (in platinum) — payment from the Warden, held by Roland
• Equipment from armory: Minor Pickaxe (resized for Kabu), long bows, rapiers, and other standard weapons and armor
• Lola Thar's Kiss — potent drow alcohol with severe intoxication effects
• Jarlaxle Baenre's blade — drow weaponry retrieved from the Warden's chamber
• Understanding of drow culture and weaponry — through exposure to Jarlaxle
• Magical tracking item (offered by Stewards, not yet accepted) — would allow the Stewards to observe party survival and status

Party Notes

• Roland carries the 4,000 gold pieces for distribution and serves as primary negotiator with the Warden
• Kefkas is severely intoxicated with speech impairment and facial damage from freezing; rendered unreliable for strategic communication
• Kabu demonstrates natural leadership in negotiation and shows reverence for the Frostmaiden; manages sled dogs (though now forbidden from commanding them with voice)
• Ithoran is now under direct mentorship from his uncle Jarlaxle and uncertain about combat readiness; the feign death spell will end, requiring awareness of his revival timing
• Haldak remains under feign death spell, unaware of the party's escape success or current situation
• Selene demonstrates strong connection to the Frostmaiden through prayer and divine vision; can perceive magical phenomena; expressed strong distaste for the Underdark
• The party is now traveling at 2 miles per hour with Selene's ability (doubled from base 1 mph with sled dogs)
• Lireal remains largely unestablished in party dynamics; her presence and background are not yet fully integrated

Threads Opened / Advanced

• Resurrection Quest: The party must transport Dr. Velvetina Goldfeather and Horton Gamzee to Bryn Shander (approximately 9.5-10 days away) to access Raise Dead magic. Cost of 4,000 gold is already secured.

• Jarlaxle's Mentorship and Family Mystery: Jarlaxle has revealed himself as Ithoran's uncle and commits to direct combat training. References to childhood training, a mysterious "stone" in his basement, and cryptic knowledge about family matters suggest deeper family plot threads. Mentions of working with "Gum-Gum" suggest other mysterious associates.

• The Stewards' Observation: The Stewards of Auril offer magical tracking in exchange for passive observation. The party must decide whether to accept tracking items. The presence of the Frostmaiden's servants suggests divine interest in the party's survival and actions in the Icewind Dale.

• The Underdark Journey: The party's destination is the Underdark entrance (approximately 13 miles from first camp). Selene's ranger abilities will be useless there, and she has expressed hatred of the Underdark. The purpose of this journey remains to be revealed.

• Haldak's Sabotage Consequences: All prison food was poisoned by Haldak, preventing supply acquisition. This will affect the party's resource management during the Underdark journey.