Session 020: Infernal Gateway
🎙️ Session Recording
📜 Session Overview
The party awoke aboard Loid, the sentient illithid nautiloid, only to find that dreams were no longer private. Agelaius stirred from a vision of a golden-eyed naga — a memory not his own, but one seemingly passed from Tyelkoron, who had been unable to trance the night before. As the group puzzled over the shared dream, attention turned to the tiefling twins, Sorina and Sinora, whose skin radiated unnatural heat. When they touched, a burning red line formed between them — growing, stretching, and finally tearing open the world itself.
From that molten rift clawed a Chain Devil, its flaming chains lashing across the field where Loid rested. The party leapt to battle as a second, even greater fiend began to force its way through the widening portal — a monstrous entity desperate to escape its infernal prison. With the air thick with heat and panic, Sorina made the ultimate sacrifice: detonating her own radiant power in a blinding flash that severed the planar breach and hurled her into unconsciousness. The infernal gate snapped shut, leaving behind scorched grass, smoke, and silence.
After healing their wounds and regaining composure, the group pressed onward toward the crystalline mining town. What awaited them was a community devoid of inns or shops, yet alive with quiet ritual — each home leaving crystal-filled bins to be exchanged for goods. Deeper still, they passed mage towers whispering messages through the air, and far across the crystal chasm, the silhouette of a dragon resting upon its jeweled domain.
Their path led them to the Cerilian Spire, seat of the detested mage-lord Sir Magnus Opus U'rilius Corbus. Inside his grand and unsettling foyer — trophies of slain beasts adorning every wall, an owlbear's head watching over a stuffed runic bear — the short, sharp-eyed wizard invited them to tea. His amulet pulsed with anti-magic light as he smiled thinly and gestured for them to sit.
The stage was set for a conversation in the heart of power — where every word might prove as dangerous as the devils they had just faced.
⚔️ Key Events
- Shared Dreams: Agelaius experiences a vision of a golden-eyed naga from his past — a memory that originated with Tyelkoron, who was unable to trance the previous night. The psychic bleed suggests a deepening connection or shared trauma.
- The Twins Ignite: Sorina and Sinora's skin becomes scorching hot. When they touch, a red line forms between them, rapidly expanding into a full planar rift.
- Infernal Breach: A Chain Devil claws through the portal, attacking the party with flaming chains. Behind it, an even more powerful fiend attempts to force its way from the Nine Hells into the Material Plane.
- Sorina's Sacrifice: To prevent the greater fiend's escape, Sorina unleashes a massive radiant blast on herself, collapsing unconscious and severing the portal connection.
- Journey to the Crystal Town: The party enters a mining settlement built around a crystalline crevasse, observing a barter economy where residents trade mined crystals for goods and food.
- Dragon Sighting: Across the massive crystal chasm, the party spots a large dragon claiming the far side of the territory as its domain.
- Escort to the Spire: Guardsmen escort the party through mage towers communicating via message spells to the Cerilian Spire, home of the area's ruler.
- Meeting Magnus Opus: The party is received by Sir Magnus Opus U'rilius Corbus, a lanky mage despised by his own guards, in a trophy-filled chamber. He activates an anti-magic amulet and offers tea, setting the stage for tense negotiations.
⚔️ Combat Encounters
The Infernal Breach - Chain Devil & Greater Fiend
Enemies: 1 Chain Devil (fully emerged), 1 Greater Fiend (attempting to emerge through portal)
Outcome: Victory through sacrifice — portal closed, fiends banished back to the Nine Hells, Sorina knocked unconscious
Notable Moments:
- The portal originated from the tiefling twins' physical connection, creating a burning red line that widened into a planar rift
- Chain Devil emerged first, wielding flaming chains against the party near Loid
- A massive clawed hand of a far more powerful fiend began pushing through the expanding portal
- Sorina made the critical decision to detonate her own radiant energy, sacrificing herself to collapse the portal
- The breach closed, severing the greater fiend's escape route and banishing the Chain Devil
- Scorched grass and burned earth marked where the portal had torn reality
Tactical Insights: The twins' connection created an unexpected vulnerability. The party learned that mirror twins touching while emotionally or physically heated can open planar rifts. This represents both a weapon and a danger going forward.
👥 NPCs Encountered
Sir Magnus Opus U'rilius Corbus
Role: Mage-Lord of the Crystal Crevasse
A short, lanky wizard who rules the mining town with an iron fist disguised as civility. Despised by his own guards, he surrounds himself with hunting trophies — a stuffed runic bear, owlbear head, and crag cat. Wields an anti-magic amulet and speaks with calculated precision.
The Crystal Town Guardsmen
Role: Reluctant Enforcers
Guards who escort the party through the settlement. They communicate via message spells through mage towers and show clear disgust when speaking their master's name. Their loyalty seems born of fear rather than respect.
The Crystal Dragon
Role: Territorial Presence
A large scaled dragon observed claiming the far side of the crystal crevasse as its lush domain. Has not yet directly engaged with the party but represents a significant power in the region.
The Golden-Eyed Naga (Vision)
Role: Memory/Psychic Entity
Appeared in Agelaius's dream — a creature from his past that once imprisoned him. The memory originated with Tyelkoron, suggesting the naga is connected to the realm beyond, possibly released from the towering statue in Theros Forest.
🔍 Important Discoveries
Psychic Dream Bleed
Tyelkoron's inability to trance resulted in his memories or visions bleeding into Agelaius's dreams. The golden-eyed naga from Agelaius's past appeared in the dream, suggesting that the entity may have been released from the towering statue found in Theros Forest. This psychic connection between party members represents either a curse, a bond, or an unwanted gift.
The Mirror Twins' Planar Connection
When Sorina and Sinora touch while physically or emotionally heated, a red line forms between them that can expand into a full planar breach. This portal connects directly to an infernal realm, allowing fiends to escape. The twins' mirror nature creates a vulnerability to the Nine Hells — but also potentially a weapon if controlled.
Crystal Economy System
The mining town operates on a unique barter economy: residents fill bins with mined crystals and exchange them for goods and food delivered by collectors. No traditional shops, inns, or taverns exist. The system suggests centralized control over resources and commerce, likely enforced by Magnus Opus.
Magical Communication Network
Mage towers throughout the settlement communicate via message spells, creating a surveillance network. Warwick observed messages being passed about the party's movements. Despite being in a "dead-magic zone," certain magics clearly function — likely controlled or permitted by Magnus Opus's anti-magic amulet.
Magnus Opus's Trophy Collection
The Cerilian Spire's foyer displays impressive hunting trophies: a full runic bear (stuffed and menacing), an owlbear head above the entryway, and a crag cat poised to pounce above the bar. These trophies suggest Magnus is either a skilled hunter of magical beasts or wealthy enough to commission their deaths — both options paint him as formidable.
💰 Loot & Rewards
- Infernal Chain Remnants: Fragments of the Chain Devil's flaming chains (potential crafting materials)
- Scorched Earth Sample: Soil from where the portal opened (may have planar properties)
- Knowledge of the Twins' Power: Understanding that the mirror twins can create planar breaches
- Safe Passage: Escorted entry into the crystal mining town
- Audience with Magnus Opus: Access to the region's power broker and his resources
- Experience: Awarded for combat victory, closing the planar breach, and successfully navigating the political landscape
✨ Character Moments
Sorina - The Sacrifice Play
In the moment of greatest danger, with a greater fiend clawing through reality, Sorina made the ultimate choice: she detonated her own radiant power to collapse the portal. Knocking herself unconscious to save her sister, her party, and potentially the world, she demonstrated that sometimes the greatest strength lies in self-destruction.
Agelaius - Dreams of the Past
Waking from a dream not his own, Agelaius confronted memories of the golden-eyed naga that once imprisoned him. The psychic bleed from Tyelkoron's inability to trance forced Agelaius to relive trauma — suggesting the past isn't as buried as he thought.
Tyelkoron - The Trance That Wasn't
For the first time, Tyelkoron couldn't enter his elven trance, instead remaining conscious through the night. His memories or visions bled into Agelaius's sleep, creating a psychic connection neither chose. This suggests something — or someone — is interfering with his mind.
Xerocomath - Cautious Words
Having faced a power word kill threat from these guards before, Xerocomath carefully measured every word during the escort to the Cerilian Spire. His caution proved wise — these are not allies, merely temporary escorts in a hostile land.
Warwick - Magical Observer
Warwick's attunement to magical energies allowed him to notice the message spells being passed through mage towers, tracking the party's movements. His awareness of the surveillance network provided crucial intelligence about Magnus Opus's control over the settlement.
📝 DM Notes
Session Highlights: The infernal breach scene was intense and unexpected — the players genuinely didn't see the twins' connection becoming a literal hellmouth. Sorina's sacrifice was a powerful character moment that earned respect at the table. The transition from fiery combat to political intrigue provided excellent pacing.
Psychic Dream Mechanics: The dream bleed between Tyelkoron and Agelaius introduces a new party dynamic. Consider developing this connection further — is it a curse from the naga, a side effect of the statue's destruction, or something else? The players are intrigued and want answers.
The Twins' Portal Power: This is now a known quantity and potential plot device. The players will be cautious about the twins touching when emotions or temperatures run high. Consider future scenarios where this power could be weaponized or exploited by enemies.
Magnus Opus Introduction: Successfully established him as unlikeable and dangerous. The anti-magic amulet in a "dead-magic zone" raises questions about how magic really works here. His trophy collection shows power and cruelty. The guards' disgust for him immediately signaled to players that he's not to be trusted.
Dragon Tease: The distant dragon sighting plants a seed for future encounters. Players are now aware there's another major power in this region beyond Magnus.
Player Engagement: Very high throughout. Combat was brutal and emotional, exploration was methodical and cautious, and the Magnus encounter has players on edge. Excellent session for character development and plot advancement.
🎭 Looking Ahead
The session ends with the party seated before Sir Magnus Opus U'rilius Corbus in his trophy-filled chambers, his anti-magic amulet humming with power. Tea sits untouched as tension fills the air. The mage-lord despised by his own guards, the wizard who controls this crystalline domain, now holds the Realmstriders' fate in his thin fingers.
Outside, a dragon claims territory. Behind them, scorched earth marks where hell nearly broke through. And within the party, new questions fester: Why do Tyelkoron's dreams bleed into others? What power truly connects the mirror twins? And most pressingly — what does Magnus Opus want?
Key Questions:
- What does Magnus Opus want from the Realmstriders, and what price will he demand?
- Why is Magnus despised by his own guards? What cruelty has earned such resentment?
- How does Magnus's anti-magic amulet allow magic to function in a dead-magic zone?
- What is the nature of the psychic bleed between Tyelkoron and Agelaius?
- Can the twins' portal power be controlled, or will it always be a liability?
- What role does the dragon across the crevasse play in this region's power structure?
- Is the golden-eyed naga from the statue truly free, and if so, where is it now?
Next Session: The conversation in the Cerilian Spire will determine whether the Realmstriders leave as allies, enemies, or prisoners of the mage-lord of the crystal mines.