Let’s return to our evaluation of Keys from the Golden Vault, choosing up the place we left off with the subsequent journey within the anthology, Attain for the Stars. This journey is designed for characters of third degree.
Spoiler Warning
As with all the opposite elements of this evaluation, we’re going to be how this journey progresses and discussing particular components of the journey. I’m not going to be doing a deep dive into each facet of the journey, however just a few spoilers are certain to get out, so should you plan on taking part in on this journey, now could be the time to bail out.
The Hook
A guide referred to as The Celestial Codex has been stolen by Markos Delphi from a scholar named Vasil Talistrome. Vasil employed a earlier crew of adventurers to retrieve the Codex from Markos’ mansion, and divination magic reveals that they’re all lifeless.
Relying on if the PCs work for the Golden Vault, the hooks embrace the Golden Vault recruiting them to retrieve the Codex on behalf of Vasil, Vasil approaching the adventures to see if he can discover extra sturdy adventurers this time round, or the Delphi household might rent the PCs to steal the guide again for Vasil. The household is anxious concerning the impact the guide could also be exerting on Markos.
The Setting
This journey takes place in a distant mansion that has been partially warped by magic from the Far Realm. Relying on the place the PCs discover, and what they do in varied elements of the mansion, a listing of 4 totally different randomly decided Eldritch Surges might set off, warping actuality for the subsequent hour.
The PCs begin off within the wilderness, and the spirit of one of many deceased adventurers within the mansion can cause them to the adventurer’s outdated camp. If the PCs comply with this suggestion, they decide up a participant’s map that they will use to plan their exploration, in addition to be taught the phrase that unlocks the Arcane Locks on the home windows of the mansion.
Heist Tropes
There are two issues that technically make this a heist. The PCs needs to be stealthy, in order that they don’t appeal to the eye of too lots of the cultists or monsters within the mansion as they discover, and they’re employed to steal a guide.
That stated, this feels much more like a normal D&D journey to me than the earlier heists. Quite a lot of this exploration is nearly being cautious, however nonetheless working into magical results or monsters that the PCs might not be capable to keep away from.
Whereas the PCs have been given the duty of stealing the Codex from Markos, after they discover the Codex, they stumble right into a ritual that they may wish to cease earlier than leaving. Technically, they might go away, however then you have got a Far Realm entity inhabiting a brand new physique on the Prime Materials aircraft. Sadly, Markos is aware of the ritual properly sufficient that stealing the Codex doesn’t cease something.
Particulars
Along with Markos, there are just a few cultists within the mansion which are extra involved with cult actions than preventing folks that aren’t a part of the cult, and so they can present some backstory and knowledge. You additionally run into staff and associates of Markos who’ve been warped by the Far Realm, however may be reasoned with if the PCs make an effort.
Creatures
There are a selection of creatures current within the warped mansion. Some are aberrations, some undead, and the aforementioned humanoid cultists. There are additionally just a few animated objects offering some constructs for the PCs to battle or keep away from.
After Motion
If the PCs save Markos, his household pays them the identical quantity as they may in the event that they find yourself needing to kill him. Curiously, whereas Vasil is likely one of the potential employers, he’s by no means introduced up as a personality that rewards the characters.
If the PCs are working for the Golden Vault, they reward additionally consists of . . . drumroll please . . . an unusual magic merchandise. In case you are taking part in this as an marketing campaign, which means your third degree social gathering has three unusual magic objects, which is a reasonably good payout up to now.
Ideas
This feels much more like a “mission” than it does a heist, particularly since retrieving the guide finally ends up being virtually handled like a aspect impact of stopping the ritual that permits a Far Realm entity to be grafted to a lifeless physique.
As a mission to infiltrate a mansion and work together with the characters within the mansion, I prefer it, and I believe it really works properly. As a part of a marketing campaign of heist themed adventures, it’s not probably the most thematically resonant.
When the disembodied ghost head seems to assist the PCs, they’ve to decide on between going to the camp or going straight to the mansion, and I want this had been a significant selection. The journey additionally mentions that you could have the pinnacle comply with them to supply recommendation if the PCs get caught, and I like this concept, however I don’t suppose the pinnacle must be ever current to make the most of this instrument. In any other case, I’m all the time a fan of building up entrance that an NPC could also be there to assist nudge you in the suitable course if you hit a lifeless finish.
Following on with the theme of significant decisions, I might have liked to have seen what sort of response the Golden Vault may need had if the PCs retrieved the Codex however ignored the ritual. There’s additionally a “world constructing” story ingredient that I’m not a fan of within the decision with Markos’ household.
It mentions that if Markos dies, they may pay to have him raised. I should buy {that a} highly effective and rich household can swing this for his or her inheritor. However then it additionally mentions that they may foot the invoice to have the entire lifeless adventurers raised as properly. I don’t like this little bit of world constructing, as a result of it comes from that faculty of thought that folks with sufficient cash have infinite entry to any spellcaster they should forged any spells from 1st to ninth degree, which makes the results of any spell, regardless of how highly effective, really feel prefer it needs to be an anticipated a part of everyday life, at the least for the rich.
It additionally implies that the household has a cleric that may forged a fifth degree spell on retainer to forged increase lifeless as usually as they want, however they employed a celebration of third degree adventurers to resolve this downside.
This isn’t a nasty journey, however it does deviate from the theme we have now seen up to now, and it misses just a few alternatives to create some significant decisions.
