Session 5: Into the Depths
Quick Reference
Chapter 5 Date Played 2025-12-01 PC [[Elric_Lightborn
Narrative Summary
Following the rescue of Chris from the fire in Overcliff, Elric engages in a public debate with a religious charlatan, turning the crowd and a visiting noble entourage to his side. The noble emissary invites Elric and Chris to her carriage. During the ride, they travel to a hidden location which turns out to be a subterranean Drow tower in Skullport connected to Waterdeep.
Upon meeting the head of the house, Countess Malasira Neshbarath, Elric inadvertently reveals his identity as the “Heir of Varrakis.” This provokes immediate hostility; he is subdued by a sonic weapon and placed in a power-dampening collar within Malice’s chambers. In captivity, Elric enters a deep meditative trance, projecting his spirit to the Ninth Layer of Hell.
There, he is greeted by Alzer and introduced to Dagny Cole (Bones), an imprisoned Progenitor and old friend of Elric’s father. Due to extreme time dilation (one minute in the material plane equals one day in Hell), Elric spends approximately three years training under Bones. He masters Progenitor martial arts and forbidden Sealing Magic, and learns the dark history of his father, Varrakis, and the threat posed by his half-brother, Lazarus.
Key Events
- Elric rescues Chris from execution and debates a religious antagonist
- Noble Emissary invites them to carriage — trap!
- Arrives at House Neshbarath Tower in Skullport
- Reveals lineage as “Heir of Varrakis” — captured immediately
- Collared with power-dampening collar, caged in Malice’s chambers
- Projects consciousness to Ninth Layer of Hell
- Meets Alzer (fellow Progenitor) and Dagny Cole (Bones)
- 3 years subjective training in Hell — martial arts, Sealing Magic
- Learns about Sword of Embers (contains soul of Ember)
- Learns Lazarus is a “Mirror Mage”
- Session ends: Waking up still caged in Malice’s bedroom
NPCs Encountered
New NPCs
| NPC | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| The Emissary | Drow Bard (disguised) | Supporting — led Elric into trap |
| The Chirurgeon | Drow Alchemist/Doctor | Supporting — tended to Chris |
| Malasira Neshbarath (Malice) | Drow Countess | Major Antagonist |
| Ratha | House Slave/Guard | Minor |
| Alzer | Progenitor guide in Hell | Major |
| Dagny Cole (Bones) | Progenitor Mentor | Major — 3 years training |
Returning NPCs
| NPC | What They Did |
|---|---|
| Chris | Revealed to be half-Drow; captured with Elric |
| Bean | Mentioned — sleeping at inn, exhausted |
| Lazarus | Mentioned — “Mirror Mage” threat |
Locations Visited
| Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overcliff | Town | Rescued Chris, debated charlatan |
| House Neshbarath Tower | Drow Stronghold (Skullport) | Where Elric is captured |
| Malice’s Chambers | Prison | Elric caged in Batoran Green Steel |
| Ninth Layer of Hell | Planar Location | 3 years training with Bones |
Items Obtained
| Item | Properties | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power-Dampening Collar | Suppresses Progenitor abilities | Forced onto Elric (worn) |
| Time Knife | Cantrip weapon, ignores armor | Learned from Bones |
| Grimoire of Sealing Magic | Forbidden spells | Studied in Hell |
Character Development
New Stats:
- Wisdom increased to 30
- Strength/Dex/Con boosted via training
New Abilities:
- Time Knife (Cantrip)
- Sealing Magic (Detect Seal, Seal Portal, Seal Item, Seal Magic)
- Contact Entity
- Monstrous Physique
- Plunder Power (theoretical)
New Feats:
- Combat Expertise
- Improved Trip
- Defensive Throw
- Improved Grapple
- Versatile Unarmed
Quests
| Quest | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Escape House Neshbarath | Active | Elric caged, must escape |
| Sword of Embers | New | Contains Ember’s soul |
| Defeat Lazarus | Active | Learned he’s a Mirror Mage |
Notable Quotes
“I’m here to ruin words for you.” — Elric
“You look just like him. Except for the golden eyes… You look terrifying.” — Bones (about Varrakis)
Cliffhanger
Elric concludes his three-year training session in Hell with Bones, having learned crucial information about Lazarus. He is preparing to wake up back in his physical body, which is still trapped in a cage in Malice’s bedroom, with only minutes remaining.
DM Notes