0x0001 RESONANCE_IN_THE_HOLLOW_HALL

SESSION DATE: December 29, 2025
PRESENT: Syntax, Kailen, Jafar, Xaphan, Arthas

Deep Dive

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Adventure Photos

Adventure Song & Lyrics

![[RESONANCE_IN_THE_HOLLOW_HALL.mp3]]

[INTRO]
Across the Ashen Plain where the dragon once walked
To the mouth of the citadel where the shadow is locked
Searching for the siblings, the wizard and the blade
In the ruins of the cult where the bargain was made
Kobold king sitting on a throne of bone
Buying up the secrets that the dungeon has grown
Sixty gold pieces for the iron and the rust
We’re descending to the garden, we’re descending through the dust.

[VERSE 1]
Step into the chamber, feel the marble start to hum
Frequency is rising, tell the biologicals to run
Syntax in the circuit, static in the brain
The globe is screaming louder, driving everyone insane
Wisdom check failing—lost in the sound
The resonance is heavy, pulling us underground.

[CHORUS DROP]

[VERSE 2]
Nine-foot coffin in the room of green flame
Iron latches snapping, forget the troll's name
Shrunken skin snarling, fire in the air
Sacred Flame falling while the giant rats stare
Jafar with the firebolt, Kailen with the strike
We’re the metal and the muscle, we’re the horror that they like
XP in the system, silver on the neck
Moving through the darkness, keep the logic in check.

[BUILD-UP]
Nightclub hazard.
Re-trigger.
Occlude the microphones.
Block out the signal.
Fill the ears with bread.
Dampen the frequency.
Riddle me the stars.
Riddle me the stars.
NOW!

[CHORUS DROP]

[OUTRO]
Short rest. Secured.
Trap the door.
Power down the circuit.
Watch the shadows on the floor.
Syncing the data.
Closing the log.
Lost in the echo.
Lost in the fog.

World Anvil Journal

[BOOT_SEQUENCE_STARTING...] [OK]
Core Processors Initialized [OK]
Mana-Battery Levels: 94% [OK]
Vocal Synthesizer: SET TO MONOTONE_DEFAULT [OK]
Optical Sensors: CALIBRATED (Low-light vision active) [SYSTEM_MESSAGE]
Welcome, Unit: [SYNTAX].

Beginning Log Entry...

SESSION ID: 0x0001 - RESONANCE_IN_THE_HOLLOW_HALL
LOCATION: ASHE PLANE / SUNLESS CITADEL
OBJECTIVE: LOCATE HUCRELE OFFSPRING (TALGEN & SHARWYN) / RECOVER SIGNET RINGS

[LOG_START]

[08:00] MISSION_BRIEF: Received from Matriarch Kerowyn Hucrele. - Missing Persons: Talgen (Fighter), Sharwyn (Wizard). - Reward: 125 GP per signet ring. 250 GP if biological state = "Alive/Healthy". - Additional Intel: Goblins sell "Enchanted Fruit" (perfect apple) every midsummer. Fruit provides [HEAL_ALL] effect. Seeds produce saplings that are consistently stolen.

[09:30] HISTORICAL_QUERY: Citadel history linked to ancient Dragon Cult. Ashardalon (Dragon) identified as local legend. Area is desolated.

[11:15] DIPLOMACY_PROTOCOL: Encountered Kobold faction led by Yusdrayl. - Intel: Goblins stole their dragon (Calcryx). - Transaction: Paid 60 GP for required access key (Price increased due to Party's failure to secure dragon). Key acquired.

[13:45] HAZARD_DETECTION: Musical Globe Room. - Status: Enchanted music triggered [CHARM] condition on Unit: Syntax and others. - Behavioral Log: Compelled to relocate to patio area. - Logic Error: Unit attempted to destroy source with Eldritch Blast. Result: Amplitude increased. Entire party affected. - Solution: Biological units utilized [BREAD_STUFFING] in ear canals to dampen acoustic frequency. Protocol successful.

[14:20] LOGIC_PUZZLE: Marble Dragon Statue. - Riddle: "We come at night without being fetched. We disappear at day without being stolen." - Input: "Bats" -> [INVALID] - Input: "Stars" -> [VALID]. Hidden door opened.

[15:10] COMBAT_LOG_01: Tomb of the Dragonpriest. - Enemy: Jot (Quasit). - Analysis: Jot attempted ambush on Unit: Jafar. - Resolution: Party neutralized target. Experience gained: 33 XP. - Discovery: Giant Sarcophagus. Locked via iron latches.

[15:30] COMBAT_LOG_02: Sarcophagus Breach. - Target: Troll (Dragonpriest). - Tactics: Unit: Syntax utilized [SACRED_FLAME]. Unit: Kailen delivered terminal blow. - Loot: Silver Amulet acquired by Unit: Arthas. Experience gained: 75 XP.

[16:45] RETREAT_PROTOCOL: Acoustic hazard (Nightclub room) re-triggered. Unit: Syntax manually occluded microphone inputs. [17:00] RECHARGE_INITIATED: Short rest at secure biological habitat (Small Room). Door trapped by Unit: Jafar.

[LOG_END]
[SYSTEM_MESSAGE]
Log saved to internal memory. Entering low-power mode.

Private Notes

• What's going on when Syntax arrives: Check for five adventurers who arrived before this party. Goblins have taken some fruit. We've run into kobolds and goblins, hobgoblins, played both sides of the coin and used diplomacy. Fought the goblin leaders. Had a pit int he middle that had what was recognized as some tree-like monsters. Afterwards, they came into a small room to long rest. Kobolds wanted them to get a dragon, but it escaped. The goblins tried to attack, but were told we'd help them. There's a magic guy they're tasked with killing. Perhaps something is down the hole? Some doors throughout the dungeon have draconic language and iconography on them.
  • Another party of adventurers, locally based, delved into the Sunless Citadel a month past. They were never seen again. Two human members of that ill-fated party were brother and sister, Talgen Hucrele (a fighter) and Sharwyn Hucrele (a wizard). They were part of an important merchant family based in the nearby village of Oakhurst. Kerowyn Hucrele, the matriarch of the family, offers salvage rights to you and your team if you can find and return with the two lost members of her family—or at least return the gold signet rings worn by the missing brother and sister. She also offers a reward of 125 gp per signet ring, per character. If the characters bring back the Hucreles in good shape (of good mind and body), she offers to double the reward.
  • The goblin tribe infesting the nearby ruins, called the Sunless Citadel, though no one knows why) sells a single piece of magical fruit to the highest bidder in Oakhurst once every midsummer. They’ve been doing this for the last twelve years. Usually, the fruit sells for around 50 gp, which is all the townsfolk can bring themselves to pay a goblin. The fruit, apparently an apple of perfect hue, heals those who suffer from any disease or other ailment. They sometimes plant the seeds at the center of each fruit, hoping to engender an enchanted apple tree. When the seeds germinate in their proper season, they produce a twiggy mass of twisted sapling stems. Not too long after the saplings reach 2 feet in height, they are stolen—every time. The townsfolk assume the goblins send out thieves to ensure their monopoly of enchanted fruit. You are interested in piercing the mystery associated with how wretched goblins could ever possess such a wonder, and how they steal every sprouting sapling grown from the enchanted fruit’s seed. Moreover, you wish to find this rumored tree of healing, hoping to heal an ailing friend or relative.
  • No one knows for sure what the Sunless Citadel once was, but legends hint that it served as the retreat of an ancient dragon cult.
  • The Old Road skirts the Ashen Plain, a lifeless area.the desolation is attributed to the long-ago rampage of a dragon named Ashardalon. A few locals also know this fact.
  • Cattle herders don’t graze their stock too far afield these days. They’re frightened by stories of new monsters that maraud by night. From time to time, cattle and people who have gone out alone at night have been found dead the next day, bearing dozens of needle-like wounds. No one has seen the creatures that cause this mayhem, nor do they leave a discernible trail.
  • The missing adventurers include a fighter (Talgen Hucrele), a wizard (Sharwyn Hucrele), a paladin of Pelor (Sir Braford), and a ranger (Kara­kas). Sir Braford was not a local, and he had a magic sword called Shatterspike.
  • Why are kobolds in this place? “Kobolds are heir to dragons. As the mightiest among my people, I have led a brave few to this ancient holy site, where dragons were worshiped long ago.” Yusdrayl knows nothing else about the history of the fortress, except the name of the dragon that was once revered here, which is Ashardalon.
  • What about the lost human adventurers? “They went to fight the goblins and never returned.”
  • What about the stolen wyrmling dragon? “The goblins stole our dragon! If you return Calcryx to us, I shall grant you a reward. Meepo can accompany you if you desire.”
  • Why are you here? “Months past, I was on my way to seek my fortune and took the Old Road. My bad luck that the goblin bandits caught me; I’ve been here ever since. My deity’s blessings have kept me healthy; otherwise I’m sure I’d be dead from starvation and abuse.”
  • What about the goblins/Belak? “I’ve heard the goblins talk about the Twilight Grove down below. A wicked old human called Belak—a spellcaster, I suspect—tends an enchanted garden and harvests fruit from something the goblins call the Gulthias Tree, but they speak of it only in the most terrified of whispers. The enchanted fruit grows on the Gulthias Tree.”
• Syntax casts Mage Armor on himself.
• We head back to the kobolds to purchase the key needed to continue. The kobold leader requires 60g for it thanks to the party losing their dragon. We pay the fee and now have the key.
• Jafar tries to pick the lock on the door that reads "Rebuke the dead, open the way." There's a scythe in the ceiling that came down and attacked the last time someone tried to pick the lock. Jafar tries again after Syntax casts Guidance on him, but fails. The scythe flies past, narrowly missing Jafar.
• We head to the southern door. The masonry walls are in poor repair. One end is collapsed. Western wall is in better shape, with a stone door with a rearing dragon rearing. A keyhole appears in the dragon's roaring mouth.
• Kailen checks the door for traps before inserting the key and finds none. She inserts the key and unlocks the door. The door opens. As it does, a hissing noise and a puff of noise emanates, as the door has been sealed for a long time. A dust covered stone pedestal rests in each alcove. The globes in the northern alcoves are dark and broken, while the globe in the southern alcove is lit.
• Syntax casts Guidance on Kailen to assist in trap-finding. She finds none. Kailen is drawn toward the glowing globe. Upon stepping within 5' of it, the brooding music begins to play throughout the whole room. Wisdom saves for all. Everyone but Kailen and Xaphan are charmed. INITIATIVE!!!

  • Round 1

    • Jafar - He's charmed and must move outside to the patio that had some traps. Fails the save again, so still charmed.
    • Syntax - Charmed and must also move to the same location. Fails the save again and is still charmed.
    • Xaphan - Unsure. Yells, asking what's going on with us. Syntax says "I am following Jafar." in their monotone robotic voice.
    • Kailen - Follows Jafar and Syntax.
    • Arthas - Charmed, so also runs out. Also fails save against charm again.
    • Erky - Erky steps up to the door and walks out again, following us.

  • Round 2

    • Jafar - Jafar continues until reaching the next room. On reaching it, he can no longer hear the charming music and the Charmed condition ends.
    • Syntax - Same as Jafar. Runs out and the Charmed condition ends.
    • Xaphan - Asks what's going on, to which Syntax responds "I felt compelled to run out here."
    • Kailen - Same thing, asks what's going on.
    • Arthas - Runs out to the room and the Charmed condition ends.
    • Erky - Follows into the circular room.

  • Round 3

    • • Jafar - Tries to figure out what happened. Rolled Arcana with Syntax's assistance, and figures out that the globe causes a magical charm effect.
    • We all move back into the room. No longer any music going, so we're fine for now.
  • Initiative over.
• As we approach the room, everyone who failed last time must make the Wisdom save again. Jafar and Syntax both fail again and feel compelled to run away again.
• Kailen looks around the orb to see if there is a way to disable it, but finds nothing.
• Syntax stands back and fires off an Eldritch Blast toward the orb, missing it and narrowly missing Arthas. Syntax warns everyone that he's trying again, and they stand aside. This time it hits, and it does some damage! But it also makes the sound much louder. Now everyone must make the save again, and EVERYONE fails, meaning we all now must run out to the patio. Syntax tries again, but moving into the circular room, he must make the save again, which he fails once more. The sound is loud enough that this room is now affected.
• Kailen covers her ears using bread to dampen the sound and walks in. Doesn't seem to affect her now! She continues on to the door at the opposite end of the room from where we entered and opens it. Stepping in, she trips an unseen pressure plate on the floor. INITIATIVE!!!

  • Round 1

    • Jafar - Moves into the room.
    • DM - An arrow fires at Kailen and misses.
    • Erky Timbers - Puts his fingers in his ears and moves toward the room with the musical crystal.
    • Kailen - Leaps forward toward the door. Moving off the pressure plate seems to have stopped the arrows firing at the moment.
    • Syntax - Plugs his microphone holes and moves toward the party.
    • Arthas - Attempts to jump over the pressure plate.
    • Xaphan - Unsure

  • Round 2

    • Jafar - Attempts to disarm the trap using Thieves' Tools. He does so successfully, placing a dagger under it so it can't be activated anymore.
    • Erky Timbers - Moves forward.
    • Kailen - Opens the door. Dust fills the hall like a layer of gray snow. The rounded northern end of the chamber stands a 10' tall statue of a coiled dragon in white marble. Kailen steps into the room and begins looking for traps while she waits on the rest of the party.
    • Syntax - Moves into the room and stands next to Erky. Tries to investigate the nearby broken globe, but sees nothing interesting.
    • Arthas - Moves and notices the statue appears to be talking, but he can't hear thanks to the bread. He tries to read the statue's lips but doesn't seem to be able to decipher anything.
    • Xaphan - Moves into the room with the pressure plate.

  • Round 3

    • Jafar - Moves up and into the room with the statue. He also can't hear the dragon, so he moves back toward the door and closes it.
    • Erky Timbers - Does nothing.
    • Kailen - Notices the door is shut and takes one side of bread out of her ears, notices she can no longer hear the music, and proceeds to remove the other as well. Walks up to statue. The statue says "We come at night without being fetched. We disappear at day without being stolen. What are we?"
    • Syntax - Peeks around the corner, sees the door is closed, and goes back into the corner with his mic holes plugged.
    • Arthas - Removes his bread and asks what the dragon says. Kailen tells him, but he's terrible with riddles.
    • Xaphan - Runs into the room and opens the door.

  • Round 4

    • Jafar - Removes hearing protection. Hears the riddle for the first time, and answers "Bats." Nothing happens.
    • Erky Timbers - Chills.
    • Kailen - Guesses "Moon and stars". Moon does nothing, but when she says "Stars", the wall to her left pivots open. By George she's done it! Dust cloaks the contents of this 20'-wide hall. Six alcoves line the walls, three on each side. Each alcove, except for the southwest one, holds a red-veined white marble humanoid figure. Tall elves in white armor. An archway opens into a hall with greenish light.
    • Syntax - Moves up to the closed door, uses his robot equivalent of his elbows and forearms to try to turn the knob to open the door while still plugging his mic holes. He attempts to motion to Erky to move into the room after him. Syntax readies his action to close the door once Erky moves into the room.
    • Arthas - Unsure.
    • Xaphan - Readies an action to defend Kailen with Shield of Faith in case of harm befalling her.

  • Round 5

    • Jafar - Moves.
    • Erky Timbers - Moves into the pressure plate room, triggering Syntax's readied action to close the door behind him. Erky then opens the opposite door.
  • Initiative over.
• Kailen inspects the dragon statue further, but finds nothing more. It speaks the riddle again when she nears it. Each time she says the word "stars", the door opens and closes again.
• We all move into the next chamber. We take 10 minutes to investigate. During that 10 minutes, we see that the alcove that's missing a figure has tracks in the dust leading from it toward the pit. They were made by tiny humanoid feet with claw-like nails. We also find that, behind the statue she's standing at, there's a hidden door! kailen looks for traps on the hidden door, but finds none. It's unlocked. She opens it. Dust coast the contents of this tiny chamber. Runes are etched on the southern wall. Kailen steps in.
• Kailen wipes the dust off the runes. Xaphan can read Draconic, and says the runes say "A dragonpriest entombed alive for transgressions of the Law still retains the honor of his position."
• In the next room: Violet marble tiles cover the floor and walls, though all are cracked or broken, revealing rough-hewn stone beneath. Sconces are attached to the walls at each corner. One holds a torch that burns with greenish fire. A marble sarcophagus, easily nine feet long, lies in the room’s center. The coffin is carved with dragon imagery, and the head of the sarcophagus resembles a dragon’s head. Rusting iron clasps firmly lock down the lid.
• Jafar flies into the room over the pit. When he entered the room, we roll INITIATIVE!!!

  • Round 1

    • Jot - Claw attack at Jafar, misses.
    • Jafar - Moves away, Fire Bolt at the Jot, hits, but doesn't seem to have done much. Flies back over the pit. The creature yells "You broke my binding! My watch over the dragonpriest is over!"
    • Kailen - Jumps across the pit into the room. Walks up to Jot and swings her flail.
    • Arthas - Jumps across the pit and moves into a flanking position, then attacks, hits, and kills the Jot.
  • Combat over. We receive 33 XP each.
• The rest of us jump over the pit as well. Jot poofs out of existence, so leaves nothing behind.
• Six rusted iron latches hold down the lid of the sarcophagus. They're pretty stout latches. Kailen attempts to open one of the latches using her dagger for leverage. It's enough! One of the latches is now loose. She and Arthas continue to pop open latches. Before the final one is removed, Syntax stands in the corner and Readies an attack in case something hostile rises out of it. Arthas pops the last latch and shoves the lid off the sarcophagus.
• Inside is a troll dressed in fine clothing. It's body has shrunken. It snarls. INITIATIVE!!!

  • Readied Action Round

    • Jafar - Readied action goes off. Fire Bolt hits.
    • Xaphan - Readied action goes off. Longbow misses.
    • Syntax - Readied action goes off. Eldritch Blast hits.
    • Arthas - No readied action.
    • Kailen - No readied action.

  • Round 1

    • Jafar - Fire Bolt misses.
    • Xaphan - Toll the Dead works.
    • Troll - Claw attack at Arthas misses. End of turn, a skeleton and rats join the fray.
    • Giant Rat - Attacks and misses.
    • Syntax - Sacred Flame as Action and Bonus Action, one hits, the other misses.
    • Giant Rats - One hits Syntax, another misses Arthas, one misses Xaphan.
    • Arthas - Baleful Interdict, Flail attack, which hits. Burns the seal he just placed.
    • Kailen - Attacks the troll with a flail, hits and downs the troll. The rats instantly scurry away. The skeleton poofs away.
  • Combat over. We each receive 75 XP.
• Arthas grabs the silver amulet from around the troll's neck.
• We head back toward the entrance of the dungeon again. Someone opens the door to the nightclub and causes us all to move back to the entrance anyway. Syntax plugs his microphone holes again and follows the group.
• Once back at the entrance, we decide to take a short rest so we head back to the room we originally rested in. Jafar closes the door once we're all inside the room and traps the door in case anyone, or anything, tries to open it.

That's it for this session!

Adventure Loot

• Ornate Ceremonial Dagger (125g)
• 2x Silver Rings (15g each)
• Silver Amulet (15g)
• Scrolls of:
  • Command
  • Cure Wounds (2nd Level)
  • Inflict Wounds (2nd Level)
  • Guiding Bolt (2nd Level)

Loose Gold Found

Total:
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• Gold has been split