OOC DATE: 12th June 2026
IC DATE: 6th Jadewind 1500AF
PLAYERS:
CALTHAL (MALE ELF BARD)
LARTHAL (MALE ELF PRIEST)
RATHAL (FEMALE ELF PRIEST)
SUMMARY
The party travelled from Fort Red Rock to the abandoned coastal settlement of Rheintaldorf, a supposedly haunted village one day down the coast. They arrived at night beneath the light of Luna and the shattered red moon of Carcosa. The settlement appeared completely deserted, with open doors, no lights, no signs of battle, and no visible inhabitants.
Exploring the outskirts, Calthal entered a fisherman’s hut and found a long-dead body clutching a silver holy symbol. When disturbed, the corpse lurched into motion, revealing red crystalline growths erupting from its flesh. The party destroyed the crystal-infested zombie, but investigation of the brittle red crystals caused Calthal to hear indistinct whispers.
Further exploration revealed abandoned homes, claw marks on walls, rotted hymn books, a trapped cellar, and signs that the village had succumbed to panic and sickness. Calthal found a bloody, deranged book filled with drawings of people sprouting crystals and the repeated phrase: “The stone sings at night.” While reading it, he heard the word “Carcosa” whispered behind him.
Rathal explored the blacksmith’s forge and discovered a crude iron cage containing a dead villager and red powder. Two large crystal-infested rats attacked, but the party killed them. Soon afterwards, a wounded Vaelmark officer named Friedrich staggered into the village. Larthal healed him, and Friedrich explained that his patrol had been ambushed and slaughtered by pig-orcs using disturbingly intelligent military tactics.
The party searched the central manor and found the founder’s journal, which explained that a red stone had been brought back from the jungle. The villagers became obsessed with it, then began suffering a sickness that twisted their bodies and caused red crystals to grow from their flesh. The final entry stated that they could all hear Carosa calling to them.
In the manor cellar, the party found the fist-sized red stone itself. Larthal seized it and suffered a vision of a ruined city beneath a yellow sky, a broken moon overhead, and hundreds of crystal-mutated villagers walking into the jungle under the gaze of an immense unseen presence. When more crystal-infected villagers gathered outside, Calthal transfixed them with bardic performance while the others carried the stone to the coastal cliffs.
At the cliffs, the party found the corpse of a priest holding a final note. It mentioned villagers heading northwest toward a rumoured healing spring before the priest chose death over the stone sickness. Larthal nearly failed to release the red stone, but Rathal broke its hold by tickling him, causing him to drop it onto the rocks below. The stone exploded in a gout of fire, and the infected villagers collapsed dead.
After searching the rest of Rheintaldorf, the party returned safely to Fort Red Rock with Friedrich. They recovered treasure, caroused, gained XP, and learned of two new sites: the Hall of Moss and the Vale of God’s Tears. The party chose the Hall of Moss as their next destination.
NPCS
Friedrich
Wounded Vaelmark officer encountered near Rheintaldorf.
His patrol was ambushed and slaughtered by pig-orcs using organised military tactics.
Was healed by Larthal and accompanied the party during the rest of the expedition.
Gifted the party his ornate officer’s sword as thanks.
Returned to the Vaelmark garrison at Fort Red Rock.
Owes the party aid if they seek him out in future.
Dead Fisherman
Former inhabitant of Rheintaldorf.
Found dead in a fisherman’s hut, clutching a silver holy symbol.
Rose as a crystal-infested zombie when disturbed.
His body had red crystalline growths erupting from it.
Founder of Rheintaldorf
Deceased founder of the colony.
Kept a journal in the manor study.
Recorded the discovery of the red stone, the villagers’ obsession with it, and the spread of the stone sickness.
Final entry stated that everyone could hear Carcosa calling.
Dead Village Priest
Found at the coastal cliffs.
Left a final note describing the stone sickness and the rumoured healing spring to the northwest.
Chose death rather than allowing the stone sickness to take his mind and soul.
Crystal-Infested Villagers
Former inhabitants of Rheintaldorf.
Twisted by the red stone sickness.
Gathered around the manor after the party took the stone.
Were transfixed by Calthal’s bardic performance.
Collapsed dead after the red stone was destroyed.
Crystal-Infested Rats
Large rats with red crystals growing through their fur.
Encountered in the blacksmith’s forge.
Killed by the party.
Unknown Fort Red Rock Noble
Defeated by Calthal in a highly wagered drinking contest during carousing.
Now owes Calthal a debt.
Unknown Bard Ally
Gained by Rathal during carousing.
Linked to Rathal leading an entire tavern in a wildly insulting song about a disliked noble.
LOCATIONS
Fort Red Rock
Vaelmark colonial fort and safe base.
Starting and ending point for the session.
Friedrich returned to the Vaelmark garrison here.
Carousing took place here after the expedition.
Rheintaldorf
Abandoned and reputedly haunted coastal settlement one day from Fort Red Rock.
Built around a hill, with farmland, a river, cliffs, homes, a church, a blacksmith, and a central manor.
Destroyed by the corrupting influence of a red crystal stone linked to Carosa.
The party destroyed the red stone and ended the immediate threat.
Fisherman’s Hut
Small hut near the river on the edge of Rheintaldorf.
Contained the first crystal-infested zombie encountered by the party.
Also contained a small boat in poor condition.
Village Houses
Abandoned homes throughout Rheintaldorf.
Contained rotted possessions, overturned furniture, claw marks, and signs of panic.
One house contained a cellar with gold, salted meat, and a disturbing book.
Blacksmith’s Forge
Contained rusted tools, half-finished work, and a crude iron cage.
The cage held the remains of a villager and traces of red powder.
Two crystal-infested rats attacked here.
Manor House
Central building of Rheintaldorf.
Contained the founder’s study and journal.
The word “Carcosa” was carved into the wall.
The cellar beneath it contained the red stone.
Manor Cellar
Bare cellar beneath the manor.
Contained a table holding the fist-sized red crystal stone.
The stone pulsed with red light and exerted mental influence over those who touched it.
Coastal Cliffs
Cliffs overlooking jagged rocks and the sea.
The dead priest was found here with his final note.
Larthal dropped the red stone from the cliff, destroying it.
Farmland
Abandoned farmland around Rheintaldorf.
Soil was scattered with fragments of red crystal.
Larthal later heard a voice after contact with the tainted ground.
Hall of Moss
Newly discovered location north of Rheintaldorf.
Described as an ancient hall built in the shade of jungle mesas.
Refugees or religious colonists are reportedly trying to settle in the area.
Troubled by lizardfolk, orcs, and other jungle dangers.
Chosen as the party’s next destination.
Vale of God’s Tears
Newly discovered location northwest of Rheintaldorf.
Rumoured to contain a holy healing spring.
Legends say it once saved exiled criminals who repented and drank from its waters.
TREASURE
12 gp found in a hurriedly packed sack beneath one of the houses.
10 gp found hidden inside a rotten boot.
45 gp recovered while searching the remaining buildings of Rheintaldorf.
Ornate Vaelmark officer’s longsword from Friedrich:
Functions as a normal longsword.
Worth approximately 50 gp due to the ornate scabbard and gold filigree.
Scroll-slate of Mirror Image:
Tier 2 spell.
One-use magical writing carved onto stone slate.
Uses one inventory slot.
3 rations of salted meat recovered from a barrel.
Small silver holy symbol found with the dead fisherman.
Total treasure recovered: 67 gp, ornate longsword worth 50 gp, scroll-slate of Mirror Image, 3 rations, and possibly a silver holy symbol.
100 gp spent by the party on carousing after returning to Fort Red Rock.
OPEN THREADS
What exactly is Carosa, and how is it connected to the shattered red moon of Carcosa?
Was the red stone a fragment of the fallen moon?
What was the ruined city beneath the yellow sky in Larthal’s vision?
What immense unseen presence was watching over the crystal-mutated villagers?
Where did the villager who found the red stone originally discover it?
Are there more red stones hidden in the jungle?
Did destroying the stone fully end the sickness in Rheintaldorf?
Are the red crystal fragments scattered through the farmland still dangerous?
Why could Calthal and Larthal hear voices connected to the crystal?
Who or what is “the Shadow Between” mentioned in the founder’s journal?
Who is leading the pig-orcs with military intelligence and tactics?
Did the pig-orcs recover anything dangerous from previous battles?
What lies within the Hall of Moss?
Can the Vale of God’s Tears heal supernatural corruption or madness?
Which noble now owes Calthal a debt after the drinking contest?
Will the thieves’ guild become a problem after stealing from Larthal?
Who is Rathal’s new bard ally?
NEXT SESSION
Planned Destination
The Hall of Moss
Party Status
Red stone destroyed.
Crystal-infested villagers collapsed dead.
Rheintaldorf searched.
Friedrich rescued and returned to Fort Red Rock.
Party safely returned to Fort Red Rock.
3 XP awarded to each character for the expedition.
Calthal gained an additional 5 XP from carousing.
Larthal gained an additional 4 XP from carousing and lost approximately 1 gp to the thieves’ guild.
Rathal gained an additional 4 XP from carousing and gained a bard ally.
Total session XP:
Calthal: 8 XP
Larthal: 7 XP
Rathal: 7 XP
Next real-world session scheduled for 10th July 2026.
Objectives
Travel to the Hall of Moss.
Investigate the religious colonists or refugees settling nearby.
Discover why the settlement is suffering trouble from lizardfolk and orcs.
Look for links between the Hall of Moss and Rheintaldorf.
Continue investigating the pig-orcs’ unexpected military intelligence.
Consider future travel to the Vale of God’s Tears.