Session 2 - Death House: Attic

Members Present

• Chancho
• Mikhail Dawnbringer
• Ryea
• Seraphine Silverveil
• Urgath

Summary

The party reached the top of the central stairs in Death House, where they were immediately confronted by a suit of animated armor that detached from the wall and attacked them. Though the battle was brief, the armor was thoroughly destroyed, left in broken pieces scattered across the floor. The ranger Chancho ventured alone into an elegant bedroom filled with dust and cobwebs, discovering childlike elements among the ornate furnishings—a doll, a cradle, stained-glass windows depicting natural themes, and most notably, a crib covered in a black shroud.

When Chancho opened a closet door, a terrifying banshee emerged—a ghostly female figure with streaming hair, glowing eyes, and a tattered nightgown. Her screams echoed through the house as she flew toward him, and the party rushed to engage. Mikhail unleashed a brilliant radiant light that blasted the banshee, causing her to stagger and cringe, though the spell's power inadvertently struck several party members as well. The banshee retaliated by stretching out her arm and draining the life force from both Chancho and Urgath, leaving them feeling dramatically weaker. After a fierce exchange of attacks, Seraphine's whispered spell caused the banshee to scream one final time before fading from existence, leaving only wisps of gown and small bones on the floor.

Exploring further, Mikhail discovered a large mirror in the bedroom that showed signs of frequent movement. When he lifted it from the wall, it revealed a hidden door painted with a mysterious red symbol—a large eye with a serpent's tail leading downward. Though the party attempted to identify the symbol through their knowledge of religion and history, they could only vaguely recall seeing it in books among hundreds of religious symbols. Using a key they had found earlier, they unlocked the door and ascended a winding staircase into what appeared to be the servants' quarters, a less ornate section of the house.

Mikhail explored a small bedroom that had once belonged to a butler, finding an old uniform that crumbled to dust when touched. He then unlocked a nicer door with ivy and berry carvings, revealing a children's room. Inside were two child-sized beds, a bricked-up window, a colorfully painted toy chest, and a large dollhouse that was a perfect replica of the house itself. Most disturbing were two small piles of bones in the center of the room, surrounded by tattered but familiar clothing and a stuffed doll—the remains of Rose and Thorne, the children the party had met outside.

As the bones were disturbed, the ghostly figures of Rose and Thorne materialized. Rose, the older sister, questioned why the party was disturbing them, expressing confusion about their claim to have met downstairs, insisting she had been dead in this room for a very long time. She explained that their father had locked them in the room for safety from a "beast in the basement" and never returned, leaving them to starve. Thorne remained quiet, hiding behind his sister and clutching his stuffed animal with occasional sniffles. Rose mentioned their baby brother had gone to the basement weeks before they were locked upstairs and was never seen again.

The party examined the dollhouse, which revealed every detail of Death House including the hidden door behind the mirror and, most importantly, a previously unnoticed staircase leading down to the basement. Rose explained they were forbidden from using those stairs due to a monster that would "bite their feet off." As the party discussed leaving to confront the basement monster, Thorne frantically whispered to Rose, and she insisted they could not leave the children alone. Rose attempted to mentally influence Mikhail and Ryea, and while Mikhail resisted, Ryea succumbed, becoming terribly scared and insisting the party should stay.

Mikhail used a booming, intimidating voice to break the mental hold on Ryea, causing a mist to fade from her. Feeling violated by the mental intrusion, Ryea immediately retaliated by casting a crackling beam of energy at Thorne, initiating combat. The battle was fierce—Thorne attacked Chancho, causing his skin to wither where the ghost touched him, while Rose attempted to strike Mikhail but was deflected by his glowing armor. Mikhail unleashed another blast of blinding radiant light that caused both ghost children to fall to the floor. Ryea's continued assault caused Thorne to crumble into ghostly dust, prompting Rose to shriek "You killed my brother again!" before expressing hope that the monster in the basement would eat them all. She then sighed and fell to the ground, fading away.

After the children's ghosts dissipated, Chancho attempted to burn their bones with flint and tinder. The party moved into an adjacent storage room filled with sheet-covered furniture, where Seraphine discovered a large wooden trunk. Inside was a skeleton wrapped in old, blood-stained sheets—a body that had been actively killed and carefully hidden away. As Seraphine examined it, the skeletal figure rose from the trunk, shoving her aside. The ghastly man, covered in slashing wounds, attacked the party.

Another battle ensued, with Mikhail's radiant light once again proving effective against the undead. Ryea's mental assault gave the ghost disadvantage, and Seraphine's whispered spell caused it to hold its head in pain and attempt to back away, though it was cornered against the wall. The ghost focused its attack on Mikhail, reaching out with withering fingers, but his magical protections caused the ghost's own fingers to wither as it pulled back. After a final toll of funereal bells from Ryea, the ghostly figure moaned and fell apart, ending the combat.

The party discovered that the storage room contained the secret door leading to the basement stairs, as indicated by the dollhouse. They discussed their next steps, acknowledging that while they had defeated the powerful ghosts, they had used many of their resources. The children's fear of the basement monster, combined with the strength of the ghosts they had already faced, suggested that whatever awaited them below would be far more dangerous. As they contemplated taking a long rest before venturing into the basement, they stood at the threshold of the greatest danger Death House had yet to reveal.

Memorable Moments

"You killed my brother again!"
— Rose

Rose's ghost shrieks at the party after they destroy Thorne's ghost for the second time

Mikhail's Radiance of the Dawn spell blasts the banshee but also accidentally damages half the party, draining temporary hit points and causing chaos.

First major combat of the session goes awry when the cleric's powerful spell hits allies

The dollhouse reveals a perfect replica of the Death House, including hidden doors and a secret staircase to the basement that the party hadn't discovered yet.

Examining the dollhouse in the children's room provides crucial information about the house's layout

Ryea, feeling violated by Rose's mental possession, immediately casts Witch Bolt on the ghost child Thorne, initiating combat with the children.

After being possessed and freed, Ryea retaliates against the manipulative ghost children

"Did you eat your brother?"
— Mikhail

Mikhail's blunt question to Rose after learning the children starved to death in the locked room

Scenes

Chancho Explores an Elegant Bedroom

Chancho ventures alone into an elegant, dust-filled bedroom with childlike elements, discovering a black-shrouded crib.

• Chancho enters a dusty, cobweb-filled bedroom with elegant furnishings including a large bed, end tables, a wardrobe, and a mirror.
• The room contains childlike elements such as a doll, a cradle, and grim stained-glass windows depicting natural themes.
• Chancho notices a crib covered in a black shroud near the bed, and the woodwork features carvings of ivy leaves and berries.

Banshee Attack in the Bedroom

Chancho opens a closet door, unleashing a terrifying banshee that attacks the party, leading to a chaotic combat encounter.

• Chancho opens a closet door, revealing a terrifying, ghostly banshee - a female figure in a tattered nightgown with glowing eyes and streaming hair.
• The banshee screams and howls as it flies towards Chancho, and the party prepares for combat.
• Mikhail casts Radiance of the Dawn, blasting the banshee with radiant light and causing it to stagger and cringe, but the spell also inadvertently damages several party members.
• Ryea casts Mind Sliver on the banshee.
• Urgath attacks the banshee with his battle axe, feeling it pass through the ghostly form but observing its reaction.
• Chancho attacks the banshee with his short sword, noting the blade passes through but leaves a visible mark.
• The banshee retaliates against Chancho, stretching out an arm and draining his life force, reducing his maximum hit points by seven.
• The banshee attacks Urgath, draining his life force and reducing his maximum hit points by nine.
• Seraphine casts Dissonant Whispers, causing the banshee to scream, dwindle, and fade out of existence, leaving behind only wisps of gown and small bones.

Discovery of the Hidden Door

Mikhail explores a bedroom and discovers a large mirror that conceals a plain wooden door marked with a mysterious eye and serpent symbol.

• Seraphine investigates a nursery, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
• Mikhail explores a balcony overlooking the empty town at dusk.
• Mikhail investigates the black-shrouded crib, finding it empty.
• Seraphine notices a large mirror next to the crib that shows signs of frequent movement, with scratches along the wall.
• Mikhail lifts the mirror, revealing a plain wooden door behind it painted with a rough red symbol of a large eye with a serpent's tail leading downwards.
• The party attempts to identify the symbol through religion and history checks, but can only recall seeing it in books among hundreds of religious symbols.

Ascending to the Servants' Quarters

The party unlocks the hidden door and ascends a winding staircase to a less ornate section of the house, identified as potential servants' quarters.

• Seraphine attempts to pick the lock on the door, but Mikhail remembers they have a key.
• Mikhail uses the previously found key to unlock the door, revealing a dark hallway.
• Mikhail casts Light on his shield to illuminate the dark hallway.
• The party ascends narrow, old wooden stairs that wind upwards.
• They arrive in a hallway that appears to be servants' quarters, noticeably less finished and ornate than the rest of the house.
• Mikhail opens a door leading to a balcony overlooking the town at dusk.
• Mikhail enters a small, dusty bedroom containing a rocking chair, a small heating stove, an empty wardrobe, and a well-made bed.
• Mikhail finds a case under the bed containing an old butler's uniform, which frays and falls apart when handled.

Discovery of the Children's Room

Mikhail unlocks a nicer door and discovers a children's room where he finds two piles of bones with familiar clothing.

• Mikhail finds a locked door with ivy and berry carvings, the nicest door in the servants' quarters area.
• Mikhail uses the key to unlock the door, revealing a dark children's room.
• Mikhail casts Light on his shield to illuminate the room.
• The room contains two child-sized beds, a bricked-up window, a colorfully painted toy chest with windmills, and a large dollhouse that is a perfect replica of the house.
• Mikhail discovers two small piles of bones in the center of the room, accompanied by tattered but familiar clothing and a stuffed doll.
• The party recognizes the remains and clothing as belonging to Rose and Thorne, the children they met outside the house.

Encounter with Rose and Thorne's Ghosts

The ghosts of Rose and Thorne appear from their bones, interacting with the party and revealing details about their past and the 'beast in the basement'.

• As the bones are disturbed, the ghostly figures of Rose and Thorne materialize.
• Rose questions why the party is disturbing them, expressing confusion about meeting them downstairs, stating she has been dead in this room for a very long time.
• The party attempts to explain they are trying to help and inquire about the 'beast in the basement'.
• Rose explains they were locked in the room by their father for safety from the beast and were never returned for, eventually starving to death.
• Thorne remains quiet, hiding behind Rose and clutching his stuffed animal with occasional sniffles.
• Rose mentions their baby brother went to the basement weeks before they were locked upstairs and was never seen again.
• The party learns about dinner parties where people with the eye and serpent symbol attended, and about a nursemaid that their mother didn't like.
• The party examines the dollhouse, which reveals a perfect replica of the house including the hidden door behind the mirror.
• The dollhouse shows a previously unnoticed staircase leading down to the basement, located in the center of the current floor.
• Rose explains they were forbidden from using the basement stairs due to a monster that would 'bite their feet off'.

Confrontation with Rose and Thorne

Rose attempts to influence the party to stay, leading to Ryea being briefly possessed and then attacking Thorne, initiating combat.

• As the party discusses leaving, Thorne frantically whispers to Rose, and she insists the party cannot leave them.
• Rose attempts to mentally influence Mikhail and Ryea, pressing upon their minds.
• Mikhail resists the mental intrusion, but Ryea succumbs, becoming terribly scared and insisting the party should stay in the room.
• Chancho attempts to slap Ryea to snap her out of it, but the attempt is ineffective.
• Mikhail uses Thaumaturgy to create a loud, intimidating voice, causing a mist to fade from Ryea and restoring her composure.
• Thorne looks up from the floor and starts crying, pleading with the party not to leave.
• Ryea, feeling violated by the mental intrusion, casts Witch Bolt on Thorne, initiating combat.

Combat with Ghost Children

The party engages in a fierce battle with the ghostly figures of Rose and Thorne, ultimately defeating them.

• Ryea casts Witch Bolt on Thorne, dealing significant damage and causing him to stagger.
• Ryea casts Toll the Dead on Thorne and uses a bonus action to continue Witch Bolt's effect.
• Thorne attacks Chancho, reaching out and touching his shoulder, causing his skin to wither and reducing his maximum hit points by seventeen.
• Rose attacks Mikhail, but her attack is deflected by his glowing armor and magical shield.
• Urgath attacks Thorne with his battleaxe.
• Seraphine casts Dissonant Whispers on Thorne, causing him to recoil.
• Chancho attacks Thorne with his short swords, but the attacks pass through the ghostly form.
• Mikhail casts Radiance of the Dawn, targeting both Rose and Thorne, blasting them with blinding light and causing them to fall to the floor.
• Ryea casts a cone spell and uses Witch Bolt on Thorne, causing him to crumble into ghostly dust.
• Rose shrieks at the party, screaming 'You killed my brother again!' and expressing hope that the monster in the basement eats them, before she sighs and falls to the ground, fading away.
• Chancho attempts to burn the children's bones with flint and tinder.

Discovery in the Storage Room

After defeating the children's ghosts, the party explores an adjacent storage room, where Seraphine discovers a large trunk.

• The party discusses the power of the children's ghosts and the potential strength of the 'beast in the basement'.
• Seraphine explores an old storage room filled with furniture covered by sheets, dust, and another heating stove.
• Seraphine finds a large wooden trunk in the storage room.
• Seraphine checks the trunk for traps and finds none, then opens it.
• Inside the trunk, a skeleton wrapped in old, blood-stained sheets is discovered.

Battle with the Butler's Ghost

A ghastly figure rises from the trunk in the storage room, revealed to be the ghost of a man, and attacks the party.

• The skeletal figure rises from the trunk, shoving Seraphine aside as it emerges.
• The figure is revealed to be a ghastly man covered in slashing wounds, suggesting he was actively killed and then carefully tucked away in the trunk.
• The party rolls initiative for combat.
• Mikhail casts Radiance of the Dawn, dealing significant damage to the ghost, then casts Shield of Faith on himself.
• Ryea casts Mind Sliver on the ghost, giving it disadvantage on its next saving throw.
• Urgath attacks the ghost with his battleaxe.
• Seraphine casts Dissonant Whispers, causing the ghost to hold its head and attempt to back away, but it is cornered against the wall.
• Chancho attacks the ghost with his swords, but misses with both.
• The ghost focuses its attack on Mikhail, reaching out its hand, but Mikhail's high armor class and magical shield protect him, causing the ghost's fingers to wither as it pulls back.
• Mikhail casts Sacred Flame on the ghost.
• Ryea casts Toll the Dead, and the ghostly figure moans and falls apart, ending the combat.

Planning the Descent to the Basement

After defeating the butler's ghost, the party discusses their next steps, contemplating a long rest and the dangers of the basement.

• The party reflects on the strength of the defeated ghosts and the potential power of the 'monster in the basement'.
• Seraphine discovers a secret door in the storage room that leads to the basement stairs, as indicated by the dollhouse.
• The party considers taking a long rest before venturing into the basement, acknowledging their depleted resources.
• Seraphine mentions her ability to create a temporary pocket dimension for a safe long rest.
• The DM calls the session, noting the party is overpowered for the house but will face challenges if they don't manage their resources wisely.

NPCs

Banshee

A terrifying, ghostly female apparition with streaming hair and glowing eyes, wearing a tattered nightgown. She appears old and wisened, emitting increasingly loud screams and howls. She attacks by draining life force from her victims, reducing their maximum hit points. She is resistant to physical attacks but vulnerable to radiant energy and psychic attacks.

Rose

The ghost of a young girl whose skeletal remains were found in the children's room. She is the older sister of Thorne and acts as the primary speaker for the duo. She reveals they were locked in the room by their father for safety from a 'beast in the basement' and were forgotten, eventually starving to death. She is protective of Thorne and becomes furious when he is attacked. She can possess individuals, making them feel scared and unwilling to leave.

Thorne

The ghost of a young boy whose skeletal remains were found in the children's room. He is Rose's younger brother and is quieter than her, often hiding behind her and clutching his stuffed animal. He participates in mental manipulation and attacks by touching victims, causing their skin to wither and dealing damage.

Butler's Ghost

A ghastly male figure whose skeleton was found wrapped in old, blood-stained sheets in a trunk in the storage room. His body bears slashing wounds, indicating he was actively killed and then carefully hidden away. He rises from the trunk and attacks the party when disturbed.

Locations

Death House

A large, ornate house with carved woodworking, currently dusty and disused. The party explores various rooms including bedrooms, a nursery, servants' quarters, and hidden passages. The house is located in a town where the streets are empty at dusk.

Elegant Bedroom

A dusty, cobweb-filled bedroom with elegant furnishings including a large bed, end tables, a wardrobe, and a large mirror. Features childlike stained-glass windows depicting natural themes and a black-shrouded crib. The woodwork is carved with ivy leaves and berries. This room was the site of the banshee encounter.

Nursery

A small room with a larger, bed-like crib, child-like paintings on the wall, and candle sconces. It is dusty and cobweb-filled, with no windows or source of light other than candles.

Balcony

An outdoor area overlooking a fair-sized town at dusk. The streets are empty, with only scattered lights visible in house windows. Signs of past activity like wheel ruts and worn grass are present, but no people are currently visible.

Hidden Hallway

A dark, narrow hallway discovered behind a large mirror, leading to a right turn and a set of old wooden stairs that wind upwards.

Servants' Quarters Hallway

A hallway on an upper floor that is noticeably less ornate and finished than the rest of the house, with dust and old carpet. It corresponds to being above the circular staircase and has several doors leading off it.

Small Bedroom

A small, dusty bedroom in the servants' quarters containing an empty wardrobe, a rocking chair, a small heating stove, and a well-made bed. An old butler's uniform was found in a case under the bed.

Children's Room

A room with two child-sized wooden beds, a bricked-up window, a colorfully painted toy chest with windmills, and a large dollhouse that is a perfect replica of the house. The skeletal remains of Rose and Thorne were found here, and their ghosts manifested in this room.

Old Storage Room

A room filled with old, sheet-covered furniture, resembling an attic. It contains a heating stove and a large wooden trunk. A secret door leading to the basement stairs is discovered here.

Items

Animated Armor

A suit of armor that came to life and attacked the party at the top of the stairs. After its defeat, it was left in many broken pieces on the floor, unusable unless extensively repaired and reshaped by a blacksmith.

Black Shroud

A black cloth covering a crib in the elegant bedroom, adding a grim and mysterious element to the scene.

Large Mirror

A large mirror in the elegant bedroom that shows signs of frequent movement, with scratches along the wall. When lifted, it reveals a hidden door behind it.

Hidden Door

A plain wooden door, smaller than others in the house, found behind the large mirror. It is painted with a rough red symbol of a large eye with a serpent's tail leading downwards.

Key

A key previously found by the party that is used to unlock the ornate door with ivy and berry carvings in the servants' quarters.

Butler's Uniform

An old-fashioned long coat with tails found in a case under a bed in the small bedroom. It is very old and frays and falls apart when handled, indicating its age and disuse.

Toy Chest

A huge wooden chest in the children's room, colorfully painted with windmills on its sides.

Dollhouse

A large dollhouse in the children's room that is a perfect replica of the Death House, including its current dusty state and hidden doors. It reveals the location of a secret staircase leading to the basement.

Stuffed Doll

A stuffed doll found nestled among the bones of Rose and Thorne, recognized as the same doll Thorne was holding when the party first met the children outside the house. Thorne's ghost clutches it tightly.

Large Wooden Trunk

A sizable wooden chest found in the old storage room. It contains the skeletal remains of what appears to be the butler, wrapped in old, blood-stained sheets.

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