Characters#

• Review the characters

Characters#

Strong Start#

• Celestial Guardian encounter

Scenes#

• Celestial Guardian encounter
• Meet up with [[Elara Sunforge]] to verify they found the right ore and get instructions on how to get to the feywild
• Feywild crossing
• Feywild encounter

Secret and Clues#

Check off when revealed.

• The ruling family of the summer court has worshiped the Dusk Lord for generations

Fantastic Locations#

• Build Fantastic [[Locations]]

Link to fantastic locations. Use the @ symbol to internally link to a Location page.

• Elara’s forge
• Celestial crater

NPCs#

• Review [[NPCs]]

NPC link. Use the @ symbol to internally link to an NPC page.

• [[Elara Sunforge]]
• [[Sylvia]]

Monsters#

• https://slyflourish.com/5e_monsters/
• https://slyflourish.com/sf_patreon_files_898123050001223/fof_stats.html

Celestial Guardian#

Large Construct, Lawful Neutral

Armor Class: 17 (Natural Armor) Hit Points: 85 (10d10 + 30) Speed: 30 ft.

• Damage Resistances: Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
• Damage Immunities: Poison
• Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
• Languages: Understands Celestial, but cannot speak

Special Abilities#

Radiant Aura (Recharge 5–6):

The Celestial Guardian emits a burst of radiant light in a 15-foot radius. All creatures in the area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) radiant damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn. Creatures that succeed take half damage and are not blinded.

Crystalline Form:

When the Celestial Guardian is struck by a melee weapon, it releases a flash of light. The attacker must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 5 (1d10) radiant damage.

Guardian of the Starbound Oath:

If the Celestial Guardian is reduced to 0 hit points, it releases a final radiant pulse. All creatures within 20 feet must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) radiant damage on a failed save or half as much on a success.

Actions#

Multiattack:

The Celestial Guardian makes two Radiant Blade attacks.

Radiant Blade: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.

• Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) radiant damage.

Celestial Smite (Recharge 6):

The Guardian channels radiant energy into its blade, striking a single target within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) radiant damage and be knocked prone. On a successful save, the target takes half damage and is not knocked prone.

Tactics#

• The Guardian opens combat with Radiant Aura to blind and weaken the party.
• It focuses its Radiant Blade attacks on the most immediate threat and uses Celestial Smite when surrounded or when an enemy is particularly dangerous.
• The Guardian of the Starbound Oath ability ensures the encounter ends with a final burst of radiant danger.

Displacer Beast#

Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30) Speed 40 ft.

• Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
• Avoidance._ If the displacer beast is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
• Displacement._ The displacer beast projects a magical illusion that makes it appear to be standing near its actual location, causing attack rolls against it to have disadvantage. If it is hit by an attack, this trait is disrupted until the end of its next turn. This trait is also disrupted while the displacer beast is incapacitated or has a speed of 0.

Actions#

• Multiattack._ The displacer beast makes two attacks with its tentacles. _Tentacle.
  • Melee Weapon Attack:_ +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
  • Hit:_ 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) piercing damage.

Deadly Encounter Benchmark#

Calculate the deadly encounter benchmark by adding together all character levels and dividing by 2 if they’re 5th level or above or divide by 4 if they’re 1st to 4th level. An encounter may be deadly if the sum total of monster challenge ratings is greater than half the sum total of character levels or one quarter of character levels if the characters are 4th level or below.

Treasure#

• Donjon Random Treasure Generator

Trial of the Fallen Start#

Phase 2: The Celestial Guardian

As the last shard of the Starfall Sentinels clatters to the ground, the crater falls eerily silent. The shimmering light from the surrounding crystals begins to pulse rhythmically, casting long, shifting shadows across the cavern walls. The hum of energy deepens into a low, resonant vibration, as though the earth itself is holding its breath.

Then, from the very heart of the celestial pedestal, a beam of radiant light erupts, blinding in its intensity. The air shimmers with heat and energy as fragments of crystal and golden light begin to coalesce within the beam. Piece by piece, the fragments come together, forming the towering figure of a humanoid construct.

The Guardian steps forward, its form radiating an almost divine energy. Its crystalline body glows with veins of molten light, and a massive blade of pure starlight materializes in its hand. The faceless being tilts its head as if studying you, then raises its weapon with deliberate precision. A voice like the distant echo of thunder fills the cavern.

“Mortals who seek the Celestial Ore… prove your worth, or leave this sacred place forever.”

The ground beneath your feet vibrates with the Guardian’s presence as it takes a battle stance, the light from its body bathing the cavern in a brilliant, searing glow.

• Enemy: Guardian of the Shattered Star (Use the Shield Guardian stat block but with radiant damage instead of force damage, and glowing celestial aesthetics).
• Special Ability: Once per round, the Guardian releases a Radiant Pulse (20 ft burst) that deals radiant damage and forces a DC 14 Dexterity save to avoid being knocked prone.
• Flavor: “A towering figure of crystalline light rises from the pedestal, its form radiant and formless—a silhouette of a knight forged from pure starlight. It raises a massive blade of glowing crystal and speaks in a voice like distant thunder: ‘Prove your worth, mortals, or be undone.’”

Outcome: If the party defeats the guardian, the crystal pedestal cracks, revealing enough Celestial Ore to fulfill Elara’s requirements. If they fail to defeat the guardian but survive, it may challenge them to “return when they are worthy.”

Shimmering Glade#

You step into a secluded glade where the forest’s canopy parts slightly, allowing golden sunlight to spill into the clearing. The boundary between the Material Plane and the Feywild feels paper-thin here, the air humming softly with latent magic. The glade is filled with shimmering light that seems to dance on its own, and the faint smell of wildflowers and ozone hangs in the air.

At the center of the glade, a circle of ancient, moss-covered standing stones rises from the ground, each embedded with small crystal shards that faintly glow. The crystals pulse gently, as if waiting for something—perhaps the sun itself—to awaken them. It is clear that when the sun reaches its peak at noon, the light will strike the crystals, activating the crossing.

However, a large displacer beast lies curled in the middle of the stone circle, its sleek, black form rising and falling with slow, rhythmic breaths. As you step closer, you notice small movements in the underbrush: two displacer beast cubs frolic nearby, tumbling over one another and occasionally batting at the edge of the stones. The glade is tranquil, but a wrong move could turn this peaceful scene into chaos.

Challenge: Clearing the Glade#

• The displacer beast is napping, but it will awaken if disturbed by loud noises, hostile actions, or if its cubs yelp in distress. If combat breaks out, the mother beast will fight ferociously to protect its territory and her cubs.
• The cubs are playful and curious, occasionally swatting at the crystals embedded in the stones. If the crystals are dislodged or knocked out of place, the portal activation process may be delayed until the party realigns them.

Complication 1: Displacer Beast Cubs#

• The displacer beast cubs are unaware of the danger they might cause. They are playful and unpredictable, and their actions might inadvertently complicate the party’s task.
  • A cub playfully bats at one of the standing stones, knocking a crystal out of alignment. The party will need to carefully replace it without angering the mother beast.
  • A cub notices a party member and wanders over curiously, sniffing or pawing at their belongings. Any sudden movements or loud reactions could alert the mother beast.
  • If combat breaks out, the cubs will scatter and hide, but their cries will enrage the mother, causing her to fight more recklessly.
  • Handling the Cubs:
    • The party could use Animal Handling checks (DC 14) to calm or distract the cubs, keeping them occupied while they work on activating the portal

Complication 2: Wild Magic Infusion#

The glade is so infused with Feywild magic that every spell cast here has unpredictable effects. Any time a spell is cast, roll on the Wild Magic Surge table (PHB p. 104) to determine the outcome. The party will need to think carefully before using spells, as the surges could complicate or even help the situation.

Activating the Portal#

• To open the crossing to the Feywild, the party must ensure the crystals embedded in the standing stones are properly aligned and undisturbed.
  • This requires a group skill challenge, with a mix of Investigation (to identify proper alignments), Arcana (to adjust the crystals for maximum magical effect), and Dexterity or Strength checks (to physically move or replace the crystals).
  • The party must succeed on a total of 4 skill checks (DC 14) before the sun reaches its peak at noon.
• If the crystals are knocked out of alignment by the displacer beast, the cubs, or a wild magic surge, the party must spend an additional turn realigning them.

Displacer Beast Combat (If Necessary):#

If combat breaks out, the mother displacer beast will attack anyone who threatens her or her cubs. Her tactics are protective and territorial, not cruel—she focuses on driving the party away rather than killing them outright.

Displacer Beast Tactics:

• Uses Displacement to confuse attackers, making it harder for the party to land hits.
• Will attempt to block access to her cubs or the standing stones, forcing the party to work around her.
• Fights until reduced to 25% health, at which point she attempts to grab her cubs and retreat into the forest.

Outcome:#

1. Success: If the party successfully aligns the crystals and activates the portal, the standing stones glow brightly, and a shimmering, circular portal appears at the center of the circle. The mother beast retreats with her cubs, as the magic overwhelms her instincts.
   • “The crystals pulse with radiant energy, each shard capturing the midday sunlight and refracting it into a dazzling array of colors. The air hums with power as the standing stones vibrate, and a portal of shimmering light blossoms in the center of the glade, its edges rippling like a pool of liquid gold. You feel the pull of the Feywild, beckoning you forward.”
2. Failure: If the party is unable to align the crystals or is driven off by the displacer beast, the portal does not activate. They may need to retreat and return later, or seek another crossing into the Feywild.
3. Compromised Success: If the portal is activated but the wild magic or combat leaves the party injured or disorganized, the portal may open to an unstable part of the Feywild, adding complications when they arrive.

Weakening Barrier Encounters#

Session Notes#

• Party defeated the celestial guardian and retrieved the celestial ore
• The party brought the ore back to Elara and confirmed it was the ore then needed to reforge Summer’s Edge
• Elara found a nearby fey crossing to the north: the Shimmering Glade
• The party did some shopping at the Glittering Cavern (owned by Irena), including some oddly specific items by Toby in preparation for dealing with the Fey.
  • 7 small vials with cork stoppers
  • 3 moonstones – small
  • 3 quartz crystals – amber and shine, bone sliver, smoke
  • 3 pouches of granulated salt
  • 3 lengths of yellow ribbon
  • 3 iron rings, small
  • 3 sliver thread spools
  • 9 tiny silver bell
  • 3 vials of milk and 3 of honey, one empty vial
• They party paid for drinks again at the Ember’s Embrace to fulfill Toby’s contract with Blackbird (2nd of 3 nights)
• The next morning the party traveled to the Shimmering Glade and found it as Elara described. At a certain time of day, sunlight will strike crystals around the glade and activate the fey crossing.
• However, a large fey cat is napping in the center of the glade with its cubs playing nearby…