Stonehell: The Plated Mage

 Session 296 was played on 08/17/25

Morgana, wizard 10 (Rob)
Borumar, Triton Thief 11 (Josh)
Blotto, Goblin Fighter 8 (Lanse)
Nick, Fighter 8 (Me)
Koltic, Cleric 9 (Cindy)
Aroon, Fighter 8 (NPC)
Jameth, Fighter 8 (NPC)
Lor’Koth, Dwarf 8 (NPC)

4 Months Later…

Fully rested and recovered, the party sneaks their way into Stonehell, and makes their way carefully down to level 8, at the edge of the giant’s domain, all fully invisible. The prior encountered Stone Giants were not to be found, but a motley looking group of hill giants were on watch next to a small pond. They hear Blotto and see the light he’s carrying, even though they can’t see him. They call out to him, but he answers “Don’t worry about it” and then there’s several flashes of light and flame and a lot of screaming in pain from the giants as fireballs erupt around them. One manages to hit Morgana with a tossed rock before she uses her dagger to dispatch it. The tentacle creature in the pond is happy to take care of the bodies of the giants. 

Heading into the giant’s territory they next encounter some Stone Giants, and tell them they’re off to deal with the Plated Mage. The giants wish the party luck, but seem skeptical that they’ll see them again.

Further along toward the Plated Mage’s lair, they’re accosted by a pair of demon boars, but both are quickly slaughtered before they can do much to the party. The Plated Mage’s lair lay beyond.. But first the need to get in. Of course being the Plated Mage the doors were both mechanically complex and magically reinforced. Trying to open it dispells the invisibility of those members of the party who still had it. Further investigation on the door revealed that it was in fact a false door, and feeling foolish, they move on to the next door. A little more experienced with the Plated Mage’s tricks, they manage to get this one open, revealing a long corridor, with several large bio-mechanical drones and guardian constructs, and at the far end a trio of robed engineer-mages. 

Morgana barely began to try to talk to them before they attacked. A flurry of magical energy, fireballs and lightning bolts from both directions, and there’s mass casualties on both sides. The doors are slammed shut and Morgana activates her ring to zap them back to the bubble on level 6, and then to the manor. 

Healing potions are purchased, and a day to recover is spent in the manor. 

Teleporting back to just outside the Casino, the party returns to the Plated Mage’s door. Morgana dispells magic on it, and using a rope, it’s opened. The scars of the recent battle still mark the hall beyond, though most of the various constructs remains have been removed, though a few bits and pieces are still littering the floor. 4 new drones however are in place on guard duty and quickly move to attack the party. Morgana destroys them, and the party moves deeper, coming to another locked door. Again Dispel Magic at least temporarily opens the door, but beyond it are more of the engineer-mages who unleash fireballs at the party. Morgana’s fireballs are bigger, though Nick and Lor’Koth are happy to have fire resistant magic armor. 

Pressing deeper into the Plated Mage’s lair, they find themselves in a room thrumming with a subsonic beat, pipes and wires running like bizarre rivers along the ceiling and down into strange devices. Morgana drops another Dispel Magic onto the largest of the conduits. As they’re cautiously looking around a voice calls out to them from the far end of the room. One of the engineer-mages tells them the Plated Mage wishes to speak with the party, and further violence and destruction of his property is unnecessary and unwelcome. The party accepts the truce, and they’re led to a large 2 story tall hall. 

The Plated Mage is a 12’ tall construct of nightmarish appearance, and his spiderlike appearance on the upper balcony is heralded with a dry mechanical laugh and a condescending tone as he “welcomes” the party into his laboratory. He’s annoyed by the destruction they wrought and death of several of his apprentices. Morgana and the Plated Mage discuss the Triclopse Giant King. The Plated Mage reveals that the Triclopse King’s visions are clouded, but he isn’t sure by what. Morgana asks how to stop him. “Blind it and kill it.”

The party is escorted from the Plated Mage’s lab after their audience and the doors firmly closed behind them. Borumar (not Blotto!) pees on the door. He then paints a big “X” on the false door. 

Off to deal with the Triclops…