Ptolus - The Vladaam Heist and Hunter's Legacy

The Infiltration of House Vladaam

Under the cover of night, our party embarked on a daring mission to infiltrate the notorious House Vladaam. With the guidance of Nicalon Regelis, a skilled infiltrator from the Knights of the Chord with a personal vendetta against the Vladaams, we scaled the treacherous 150-foot cliff face leading to the mansion.

Inside the mansion's depths, we discovered two prisoners: Thariad Rivelost, a half-elf, and Degar Ravelspell, a dwarf. Their presence in the Vladaam dungeons hinted at the house's continued dark dealings, despite their claims of legitimacy.

A Golden Reward and New Mysteries

Our success was marked by an unusual encounter - a figure made entirely of gold approached us at the inn, offering each of us 2,000 gold pieces as gratitude for a past rescue. However, our celebration was cut short by urgent news from Hirus Feek about the disappearance of Iltumar Shon, who had been forcibly taken from his ransacked home.

The next day brought more developments. Jevicca Norr, our contact from the Inverted Pyramid, took possession of a mysterious hand we had recovered, rewarding each of us with two gems worth 1,000 gold pieces each. Meanwhile, House Vladaam had publicly announced the theft of an important artifact from their mansion - no doubt connected to our recent infiltration.

The Aristocrat's Table and a New Mission

That evening, we received an elegant invitation to The Aristocrat's Table, where we met the distinguished Kath family - Lady Devina Kath, her husband Matrenus, and sister Sallina. They shared a tragic tale of their friend's missing children, Thalia and Marcus Hunter, who had followed in their late father's footsteps as dungeon explorers.

The Hunter siblings, inspired by their father Adatol's legacy as a renowned dungeon delver, had ventured into the treacherous depths beneath Ptolus. Armed with a map from Lady Devina and information about their expedition team, we prepared to enter what locals called Ghul's Labyrinth.

Descent into Ghul's Labyrinth

The labyrinth revealed a trail of violence - broken statues, emptied potions, and fallen adventurers. We found Janix Nieran, one of the nine expedition members, dead with his hands crossed over his chest. A survivor, Unter Jaum, spoke of terrible encounters with dragonne creatures.

Our own battle with three dragonnes proved swift but intense. In their lair, we discovered two more bodies - likely Stilman Goldmour and Ihamin Errendi - along with valuable magical items including a slick +1 chainmail and sonic crossbow bolts.

The Final Chamber

Deep in the labyrinth, after defeating several lamias, we made our most tragic discovery. In a chamber containing a crystal-clear flask and withered heart halves, we found Marcus Hunter's body, bearing signs of severe trauma. The fate of Thalia Hunter, also discovered within the depths, completed the somber tale of the Hunter siblings' final expedition.

Aftermath and Rewards

The Kath family honored our efforts with a reward of 3,000 gold pieces each. In a private meeting afterward, Lady Rill and ZD expressed their gratitude for bringing closure to their friend's family, even if the news was not what anyone had hoped for.

The day's events left us with more questions than answers about the mysterious hand, the Vladaam family's true motives, and the ancient dangers that lurk beneath Ptolus's streets. As we rest and prepare for our next adventure, we can't help but wonder what other secrets lie waiting in the shadows of this remarkable city.

Location: Villa Ilona, Ylämaantie 3005, 54410 Ylämaa
Session Date: March 15, 2024