Lighthouse Bridge Approach

Overview

A stone bridge over churning coastal waters, wreathed in blue-green-purple lights that drift with unhurried, purposeful menace.

DETAILS

Region: Coastal Iskavell — the rocks and churning waters surrounding the lighthouse.

Type: Landmark / Approach Route

Status: Dangerous — approximately 10 spectres present. Combat ongoing at session end. Two spectres destroyed; eight or more remain.

Atmosphere: Dawn light breaking over a dark and frozen coast. Wind howling off the water. A stone bridge crossing churning seas. Blue-green-purple wisps of energy moving with apparent purpose around the lighthouse structure and its base. The wreck of the party's ship is visible nearby. A prickling sensation of unease on approach.

Secret

Secret

Hidden Truth: The nature and origin of the spectres at the lighthouse has not been established. They may be remnants of the shipwreck crew or tied to the lighthouse's history. They attacked without provocation. The lighthouse itself has not yet been entered.

GM Notes: The anchor the party needs to retrieve is presumably inside or near the lighthouse. Combat is mid-scene: Groth is unconscious (0 maximum HP), all party members have Exhaustion Level 1, and approximately 8 spectres remain. The spectres are resistant to non-magical damage; Monroe's Illusory Darts (psychic, magical) are the most effective weapon available. The healer in Oak Haven can restore Groth "at a cost" — this cost has not been specified to the players.

Description

Reached at dawn after a night march from the ice shelter. From a distance, Monroe spotted approximately 10 blue-green-purple wisps of light moving around the lighthouse — some at the base, some at the top — on a Perception check of 19. On approach, the entire party felt a prickling unease. The lights resolved into shapeless creatures of energy, not easily described as any familiar form. A stone bridge crosses the churning coastal waters that surround the lighthouse rocks. The wreck of the party's ship can be seen not far away. On stepping onto the bridge, the first spectre immediately swept at Groth, scoring a critical hit for 21 necrotic damage that reduced Groth's maximum HP to zero.

Key Features

• Stone Bridge: Crosses the churning water surrounding the lighthouse; the only observed approach route.

• Spectres (×~10): Blue-green-purple creatures of energy; resistant to non-magical damage, immune to poison and necrotic; their touch reduces the target's hit point maximum. Two were destroyed in the first round of combat; eight or more remain.

• The Lighthouse: Not yet entered. The anchor sought by the party is presumably located inside or at the base.

• Ship Wreck: The wreck of the party's ship is visible from the bridge approach. Not investigated this session.

Connections

NPC Connections

Unknown (Spectres): Origin of the spectres is unconfirmed; may be connected to the shipwreck crew or the lighthouse's history.

Quest Connections

Captain's Medicine / Retrieve the Anchor: The anchor required for the captain's medicine is located at or within the lighthouse; the party must clear the spectres or bypass them to retrieve it.

Return to Oak Haven: The lighthouse is a required stop on the route back to Oak Haven; combat must be resolved before the party can continue.

Session History

Session N — The Ticking Man's Debt

The party arrived at dawn after a night march, all carrying one level of Exhaustion. Monroe spotted approximately 10 spectres on a Perception check of 19. The party advanced across the stone bridge; the first spectre immediately scored a critical hit on Groth (21 necrotic damage, maximum HP reduced to 0, unconscious). Bam Bam raged and attacked (missed). Maeve attacked (16 damage, halved). Emilio moved to assist Groth. Monroe used Illusory Darts to destroy two spectres (15 psychic each). Bam Bam took 11 necrotic damage from a spectre (and 11 reduction to his HP maximum). Session ended mid-combat with approximately 8 spectres remaining.

Secret

Secret

Open Questions:

• What is the origin of the spectres? Are they connected to the shipwreck, the lighthouse's history, or something else?

• Can the party survive the remaining spectres given Groth's incapacitation, the group's Exhaustion, and limited magical resources?

• Is there a way into the lighthouse that avoids crossing the bridge directly?

• What is inside the lighthouse, and where precisely is the anchor?