HalLEOween One-shot

Note: The events of this episode are a standalone one-shot that are not canon to the main campaign.

The UniversiD&D gang unite as different fan-submitted characters for a spooky and costumed Halloween one-shot. In this world, Kylie Brewer is the DM, Sage Croft (the producer of the series) takes an on screen role in the fantasy world and Blake Croft (the usual DM) takes a turn playing as a character.

Introductions:
Santiago Sepulveda- Lodi, a changeling cleric with a sharp mind who was shown healing magic in an apprenticeship he took and he is in touch with both the light and darkness of his powers.

Blake Croft- Decibel Esquire, a Kenku bard who loves charades and mimicking rock stars.

Alex Mohr- Mongrel, a regal looking Aasimar hex-blade warlock who found a cursed sword in a lake.

Gui Bejar- Victor, a Vedalken artificer who used to be a scientist for a noble house but after a series of unfortunate events was banished from the kingdom. This character was created by Gui himself as a clear homage to Victor Frankenstein (seriously Alex, it was really obvious dude).

Jacob Gonzalez- Brennt Cinderflames, a druid/monk multiclass fire genasi whose skin looks like dying embers with jet black eyes that flare orange when he uses magic.

Katy Mier- Gianna Throlan, a half-elf arcane-trickster rogue who loves gambling and showing off and is (sometimes over-)confident.

Episode:
On the eve of all hallows eve the party had come across a cabin in the woods where they drank and partied with costumed patrons.

We begin with the party waking in their rooms and finding a note in each of their rooms telling them they must use whatever skills they possess to escape this 'Eldritch Inn.'

Decibel starts playing Hotel California and Brennt, upon exiting his room, finds a torn and ragged paper map stuck to his door with a blank spot on it.

Gianna gets Lodi and they round up the group to meet in the hallway where they discuss the strange challenge the inn has presented them. The gang get locked out of their rooms and after Gianna fails to pick the lock, Brennt (Jacob taking things from 0-100 real quick) burns down the door with a fire spell. Most of the room catches fire as Mongrel retrieves his sword and armour.

They decide to head to the coffee stained portion of the map and Victor and his bodyguard, a 6 and a 1/2 foot tall figure in a black cloak who emerged from his room, lead the way.

Navigating the windowless labyrinth-like hotel, the party eventually come to a door at the end of a hallway. Once through, the door locks behind them and the room fills with magical darkness. There is a shallow pool in the middle of the room and four stone statues in each corner with outstretched sooty hands that quickly attack Victor’s bodyguard before they return to the room’s corners. After initially attacking the statues they realise they need to ignite flames in the statues’ hands. After all four are lit the darkness lifts and they use the pool to heal their wounds and replenish their energy.

Retracing their steps, the party pass through a room with an altar, on which rests a human skull that levitates and attacks them (turning out to be a Demi-Lich). They manage to overcome the skull in a battle where Decibel sings “You’re my best friend” (Queen) and Brennt summons his wildfire spirit tiger to aid him. They obtain a glowing potion from the remains that Gianna drinks immediately and ends up with her tongue elongated and hanging out of her mouth down to her knees.

They also find a treasure chest that contains a necklace of pearl and a pair of old brown gloves. Gianna dons the ‘anti-ugly’ gloves which possess her and cause her to try and strangle Victor but she manages to wrestle her hands away.

As the party navigate a few more rooms without much occurring, Gianna asks Decibel about his past and he gives a heartfelt rendition of his life’s story in song: We learn his family was attacked by a dragon when he was younger and his mother was killed.

They come to a dead end with a chest and a window through which the party see a familiar face from the multiverse- Leo. As Lodi (possessed by the spirit of Blomf) calls out to the individual, Leo and the outside world fade away and the moment of recognition passes.

Entering a final room with the exit in sight, a beholder called Shlim-shlom (played by Sage Croft) appears in a flash of light and agrees to let them go free if they sacrifice a member of the party. Despite Decibel volunteering, Victor steps forward and shoots himself with his crossbow.

In shock, Brennt fireballs the beholder as Mongrel heals Victor to just about cling to life. The party engages in a fierce battle with the Sage beholder where Victor shrinks him with the spell reduce. Finally, Victor finishes him off with two arrows, one splitting the other.

The party safely exit the inn and return to the town for an All Hallows Eve party.

“I’m just looking to blow something up at this point” Brennt

“Wemember dis forh dah Futhureh!” Gianna with an elongated tongue