Session: 20 – Through Heaven's Back Door

🎵 Music

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"Through Heaven's Back Door" – Varrick Songweave

[Verse 1]
From Sondar’s vault of dust and stone,
They hauled old gold by circle’s glow.
Rook said, “My debt is paid in full,”
Then passed a pistol, worn and cold.
Five thousand coins for parting grace,
A smirk, a nod, no warm embrace.
He named a spire, a ship of dread,
Then vanished where old captains tread.

[Hook]
Raise the sail, let the green seas roar,
Through heaven’s back door once more.
Gold in the hold, crown in the dark,
A cursed little whisper with a bite and a bark.
Sing low, sing high, let the wild winds soar,
We’re bound for the Choir Master’s door.

[Verse 2]
The gate demanded magic’s price,
Not blood this time, which seemed quite nice.
Boots of winter, web-wand bright,
Ring of Ram in blue-green light.
Valen watched the runes ignite,
High Jinks fed sparks into the night.
The portal split with feyborn flame,
And Arborea called their name.

[Hook]
Raise the sail, let the green seas roar,
Through heaven’s back door once more.
Gold in the hold, crown in the dark,
A cursed little whisper with a bite and a bark.
Sing low, sing high, let the wild winds soar,
We’re bound for the Choir Master’s door.

[Verse 3]
Upon green waves their rowboat spun,
The “peaceful trip” was quickly done.
A Morkoth rose with teeth and spite,
To ruin everyone’s afternoon delight.
Dino braced and Leydrick prayed,
Rigg shot poorly, undismayed.
The wyrmling’s flame made sea-mist bloom,
And bought them space from certain doom.

[Bridge]
Then up they rose by dragon fire,
Past sea and stone and silver spire.
Valen traced the way back home,
In circles inked on secret tome.
Dino stared where bright skies burned,
Knowing nice views mean trouble earned.
For heaven smiles with open hands,
Then buries knives beneath the sands.

[Verse 4]
In Arvandor’s enchanted green,
They tried their best not to be seen.
High Jinks became a twilight fox,
While Dino’s elf act shook the rocks.
Leydrick clanked with holy care,
Rigg rang bells from who-knows-where.
A glowing watcher turned aside—
Somehow the lie survived.

[Final Hook]
Raise the sail, let the green seas roar,
Through heaven’s back door once more.
Gold in the hold, crown in the dark,
A cursed little whisper with a bite and a bark.
Sing low, sing high, let the wild winds soar,
We’re bound for the Choir Master’s door.

[Outro]
Five shadows stand where starlight streams,
Before the land of deathless dreams.
The crown still calls, the songs still pour,
And trouble waits behind the door.
So tune the lute and mark the score—
We’re bound for the Choir Master’s door.

🖼️ Images

🪐 Campaign Arc

Campaign: Spelljammer Session: 20 – Through Heaven's Back Door Date: 25/04/2026 Dungeon Master: James / Jamie / Sicareus Setting: Sondar Vault, the party's spelljammer, the Astral Sea, Arborea's second layer, and the forested upper realm of Arvandor.

🎬 Previously On...

In Session 19, the party survived the haunted forge of Sondar, recovered a Dwarven Thrower for Leydrick, uncovered the grim history of the fallen dwarven kingdom, and claimed the whispering crown from the dead queen's throne hall. The crown immediately changed the shape of the party's task: instead of merely surviving Sondar and its Illithid-haunted ruin, they were now compelled to take the crown to Arborea and deliver it to the Choir Master.

The session ended with the vault finally opened and the party standing before more gold than they had ever seen in their lives. The only remaining problem was simple: how to move a dwarven kingdom's worth of treasure without turning the ship, the party, or basic logistics into paste.

🧭 Overview

Session 20 began in the treasure vault of Sondar, where the party turned from desperate survivors into very wealthy, very suspicious people. With Rook's teleportation circle limited by space rather than greed, the group loaded roughly 49,500 gold onto their ship, sorted through powerful magic items, and created a dedicated gold room aboard the vessel. Rigg celebrated the haul with beer from his Alchemy Jug, because nothing says financial responsibility like pouring alcohol over a dwarven payday.

After the treasure was secured, Rook announced that his debt had been repaid and that he had to return to his own ship and crew. The farewell was generous and practical: Rigg handed him 5,000 gold, Rook gave directions toward Fizzwick and the spire on Arborea's second layer, warned them about the Mountain of Misery as a last-resort contact, and gifted Rigg a pistol from a coat full of firearms. The party then paid the portal's fuel tax with magic items, travelled for weeks through the Astral Sea, and reached a sea cave opening onto Arborea.

From there, the journey became a strange passage through heavenly territory by the least official route imaginable. A rowboat crossing turned dangerous when a Morkoth burst from the green sea, only to be driven off through spellwork, steel, rowing panic, and help from a red dragon wyrmling. The party found Fizzwick's network, bought passage aboard a dragon-powered blimp, learned more about the Choir Master's music and the danger of the crown, received anti-scrying rings, and finally entered the forests of Arvandor in disguise. By the end, they were alive, hidden for now, and moving toward the music that may sit at the center of the whole problem.

Arborea

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Party Members

Character

Player

Class/Subclass

Race

Notable Actions

Garrick "Rigg" Dalhart

Ben / Elemunk

Rogue (Swashbuckler)

Human

Claimed the Belt of Dwarvenkind; celebrated the gold haul with beer from the Alchemy Jug; gave Rook 5,000 gold; received Rook's pistol; attempted to use the pistol against the Morkoth despite lacking firearm proficiency; later helped distract the glowing investigator with a bell.

Leydrick Gefinhal

Jared / Galindis

Cleric (Life Domain)

Dwarf

Received the Belt of Hill Giant Strength and Periapt of Wound Closure; helped manage survival and recovery; rowed during the Arborea crossing; remained the party's most sensible candidate for staying alive so everyone else could keep being healed.

High Jinx

Kate / Keitachan

Warlock (Great Old One)

Tabaxi

Used Armor of Agathys during the Morkoth attack; used Hat of Disguise to pass as an elf named Fox at Twilight Dre, or simply Fox; helped talk the party past suspicion in Arvandor; earned inspiration for the distraction.

Dino Roar / Dynoth Rokos

Robb / Baconbuff

Artificer (Battle Smith) / Fighter

Githyanki

Managed party inventory and loot logistics; explained firearm proficiency and offered to train Rigg; protected himself with Shield during the Morkoth encounter; contributed to rowing and combat decisions; disguised himself as an elf with questionable confidence.

Valen Pyre

Justin / Slitzer

Wizard (Evoker)

Human

Attuned to the Tome of the Stilled Tongue; used Cause Fear to drive the Morkoth back; copied teleportation circle details as an emergency escape route; gained dragonchess set proficiency during the blimp journey; helped piece together the danger of delivering the crown to the Choir Master.

🎭 NPC Tracker

NPC

Role

Location

Status

Notes

Rook

Former companion and guide

Departed from the party's ship

Left party

Declared his debt repaid and returned to his own ship and crew. Accepted 5,000 gold from Rigg, gave directions toward Fizzwick, warned of the Mountain of Misery, and gifted Rigg a pistol from a coat packed with firearms.

Fizzwick / Fizz

Contact and

passage arranger

Spire island on Arborea's second layer

Active

Rook's recommended contact. Helped arrange passage upward toward Arvandor, though the service was expensive.

Sea Elf Contact

Local negotiator / guide

Arborea's second layer

Active

Helped handle negotiations around travel and local arrangements. Name unclear from transcript.

Taran

Human wizard and Arborea contact

Cave / blimp route

Active

Interested in Valen's magical book. Provided

warnings about Arborea, copied teleportation circle locations for Valen, and warned the party to destroy the page if compromised.

Volmea

Dragon handler

Cave / blimp route

Active

Long-time companion of Taran and handler of the red dragon wyrmling that powers the blimp.

Red Dragon Wyrmling

Dragon and blimp power source

Arborea's second layer / blimp

Active

Powered the blimp by breathing flame into its furnace. The party was clearly advised not to touch or annoy it.

Confused Elf Spirit

Wandering spirit

Forest of Arvandor

Wandering

A slightly transparent elf who questioned why the party was there and warned that they did not belong.

Glowing Elf Investigator

Suspicious investigator

Forest of Arvandor

Active

Surrounded by orange light and investigating

disturbances in the forest. Nearly exposed the party before High Jinx and Rigg redirected attention.

Choir Master

Target of the crown delivery

Arvandor

Unknown

Leads or directs the magical choir whose music spreads across the upper realm. The crown being meant for this figure is increasingly alarming.

Corellon

Leader of the elven pantheon

Arvandor

Active / nearby influence

Frequent presence near the party's target area. The party was warned that getting too close to places watched by Corellon and the elven gods would be a very bad idea.

Primus

God-machine of Mechanus

Mechanus / wider planar influence

Active influence

Still compels the party to further the task. The party increasingly suspects Primus wants to see how the plan unfolds rather than simply prevent it.

Mono

Modron ally /

former travelling companion

Unclear

Unresolved

The party briefly wondered about earlier

companions and whether anyone had been left aboard the ship. Mono's current role was not

resolved this session.

Unidentified former crewmate

Possible former shipboard NPC

Party's ship or

departed

Unknown

The party could not remember whether this person had left, remained aboard, or had simply been forgotten in the Astral Sea. Deeply professional

adventuring.

📍 Key Locations

Sondar Vault: The treasure-filled dwarven vault where the party recovered major wealth and several magic items. Party's Spelljammer: The ship became the landing point for nearly 50,000 gold and gained a dedicated gold room. Portal with Blue and Green Flecks: The portal toward Arborea, requiring three magic items as fuel before passage. Astral Sea: The party spent roughly two to three weeks travelling, resting, attuning, and discussing training. Arborea Sea Cave: The party's entry point into Arborea's second layer, opening onto a small island surrounded by green sea and stone spires. Green Sea of Arborea: The rowboat crossing where the Morkoth attacked from below. Spire Island: The rocky island and large stone spire where Rook said the party would find Fizzwick. Cave and Blimp Dock: The staging point where the party met Taran, Volmea, and the red dragon wyrmling before ascending by blimp. Dragon-Powered Blimp: A magical airborne vessel powered by the wyrmling's fire, carrying the party upward toward Arvandor. Arvandor: The upper forested realm of Arborea, bathed in elvish music and watched by powerful divine forces. Forest Near the Choir Master's Region: The drop-off point where the party encountered elven spirits and a glowing investigator. Mountain of Misery: A dwarven ship in the Astral suggested by Rook as a last-resort contact, with the warning that it is definitely not filled with dwarves anymore.

📑 Session Highlights

The party sorted through the Sondar vault and transported roughly 49,500 gold to the ship. Rigg used the Alchemy Jug to pour beer during the loading effort, fully embracing suspiciously dwarven energy. Rigg claimed the Belt of Dwarvenkind; Leydrick received the Belt of Hill Giant Strength and Periapt of Wound Closure. Rook departed after declaring his debt repaid, taking 5,000 gold and leaving the party with directions, warnings, and a pistol for Rigg. The party sacrificed the Boots of the Winterlands, Wand of Web, and Ring of the Ram to pay the portal's magic-item fuel tax. During weeks of Astral travel, the party rested, attuned to items, discussed firearm training, and prepared for Arborea. The crown remained a growing concern, especially after the party learned it may be most dangerous in the hands of someone powerful. The party entered Arborea through a sea cave and found themselves on a small island surrounded by green water and stone spires. A rowboat crossing turned into a fight when a Morkoth burst from beneath the water. Valen's Cause Fear drove the Morkoth away, though the creature's spell reflection could have made that a hilarious disaster for everyone in the boat. The red dragon wyrmling flew over the fleeing creature and later powered the blimp that carried the party upward. Taran and the Arborea contacts warned the party about Corellon, the elven gods, and the danger of being caught where they should not be. Valen copied teleportation circle locations for an emergency exit, with strict instructions to destroy the page if compromised. The party received five enchanted anti-scrying rings to help hide from divine and magical scrutiny. Valen gained dragonchess set proficiency during the blimp journey. In Arvandor's forest, High Jinx and Dino used disguises while Rigg created a bell distraction to divert a glowing investigator. The session ended with the party moving through the forest toward the source of magical elven music and the Choir Master's domain.

🎞️ Key Scenes

Rook’s debt is paid, but he does not leave empty-handed — or without leaving something behind. With a sack of gold at his feet and the party’s treasure-stuffed ship behind him, he gives Rigg a flintlock pistol from his coat of hidden weapons: a practical farewell from one troublemaker to another.

To reach Arborea, the party pays the portal’s price in magic rather than blood. The Boots of the Winterlands, Wand of Web, and Ring of the Ram dissolve into blue-green sparks, feeding the gateway as Valen and High Jinks guide the unstable ritual forward.

The peaceful green waters of Arborea turn violent as a Morkoth erupts beneath the party’s rowboat. Dino braces at the prow while Leydrick calls on divine power, the tiny boat suddenly caught between celestial beauty and something very interested in eating them.

The party rises toward the upper realm aboard a dragon-powered blimp, with Arborea’s green seas and stone spires falling away below. Valen studies the teleportation-circle notes that may become their escape route, while Dino watches the horizon, fully aware that heavenly scenery rarely means heavenly odds.

High Jinks steps into the role of “Fox at Twilight Dre,” trying to look like she belongs in the elven afterlife while suspicion closes in. Hidden nearby, Rigg rings a small bell to draw attention away — a ridiculous plan, naturally, which means it somehow works.

🧵 Ongoing Threads & Plot Hooks

The Crown and the Choir Master: The crown appears especially dangerous in the hands of someone powerful, possibly allowing outside influence or control. This makes the command to give it to the Choir Master far more alarming, since the Choir Master directs the magical music that washes across Arvandor. Primus' Mandate: The party is still compelled to further the task. They suspect Primus may be allowing the plan to unfold in order to understand or expose a larger design. The Music of Arvandor: The entire upper realm is bathed in magical elvish music with calming and other effects. The Choir Master appears to be central to this system. Divine Surveillance: Corellon and the elven gods are active powers in the region. The party has been warned that being noticed in the wrong place could end very badly. Anti-Scrying Rings: Each party member received an enchanted ring designed to hide them from divination and prying eyes, though it is only a smaller version of stronger protections used by their contacts. Emergency Return Route: Valen copied teleportation circle locations that may allow the party to escape. If compromised, the page must be destroyed. Rigg's Pistol Training: Rook gifted Rigg a pistol, but Rigg is not yet proficient with firearms. Dino offered training, though proper proficiency will take longer than the party currently has. The Dwarven Scrolls: The scrolls from Sondar reveal that the crown reached the queen during the Illithid siege, after which rune-carving spread across the city and appeared to trap souls. Fizzwick's Network: The party has now used Rook's Arborea contact, but future help from this network is likely to be expensive and politically dangerous. Mountain of Misery: Rook named this dwarven Astral ship as a last-resort contact. It is not filled with dwarves anymore, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes the word "last-resort" do heavy lifting. Forgotten Shipboard Companions: The party remains unsure about the fate of at least one previous companion or crewmate, and whether anyone was left aboard, departed, or simply forgotten.

🗺️ Quest Status

Quest / Thread

Status

Relevant NPCs

Notes

Deliver the Crown to the Choir Master

In Progress

Choir Master, Primus, Taran

The party has reached Arvandor and is moving toward the source of the

magical music. The consequences of

delivery are increasingly worrying.

Hide within Arvandor

Ongoing

Glowing Elf Investigator, Confused Elf Spirit

The party must avoid detection by

spirits, investigators, and possibly divine powers. Disguises and distraction are currently keeping them alive.

Use Rook's Arborea Contact

Completed

Rook, Fizzwick

Rook directed the party to Fizzwick near the spire. Fizzwick's network helped

arrange passage upward.

Survive the Green Sea Crossing

Completed

Morkoth, Red Dragon Wyrmling

The Morkoth attacked the rowboat but was driven away by magic and dragon fire.

Secure an Escape Route

Available but risky

Taran, Valen

Valen copied teleportation circle

locations. The page must be destroyed if the party is compromised.

Understand the Crown's Role in Sondar

Ongoing

Rigg, Queen of Sondar (historical)

The dwarven scrolls tie the crown to the queen's madness, the city's runes, and trapped souls.

Train Rigg with Firearms

Deferred

Rigg, Dino

Rigg can fire the pistol but lacks

proficiency. Dino can train him, but it will require more downtime.

Seek Help at the Mountain of Misery

Optional / Last Resort

Rook

Named as a dwarven ship in the Astral, but Rook warned it is no longer crewed by dwarves.

💰 Loot & Discoveries

Item / Discovery

Finder / Holder

Description / Status

49,500 Gold Pieces

Party

Recovered from the Sondar vault and teleported back to the ship. The party stored it in a newly designated gold room.

Belt of Dwarvenkind

Rigg

A dwarven belt that immediately suited Rigg's mood, especially once beer started flowing. Grants dwarven resilience and associated benefits after attunement.

Belt of Hill Giant Strength

Leydrick

A strength-enhancing belt that helps Leydrick handle heavy armour and strike harder with dwarven weapons. Very practical. Suspiciously sensible.

Periapt of Wound Closure

Leydrick

A survival charm suited to the healer. If Leydrick stays alive, the party's odds of staying alive improve dramatically. Funny how that works.

Boots of the Winterlands

Party Inventory

Sacrificed as part of the portal's magic-item fuel tax.

Wand of Web

Party Inventory

Sacrificed as part of the portal's magic-item fuel tax.

Ring of the Ram

Party Inventory

Sacrificed as part of the portal's magic-item fuel tax.

Ring of Spell Storing

Party Inventory

Not sacrificed. Contents remain unknown and should be checked later.

Rook's Pistol

Rigg

A firearm gifted by Rook during his farewell. Rigg is not proficient yet, but can still fire it without adding proficiency to the attack roll.

Anti-Scrying Rings

Party

Five enchanted rings given before entering Arvandor. They provide protection against divination and prying eyes, though they are weaker than the protections on the helpers' ship.

Teleportation Circle Locations

Valen

Copied by Taran into Valen's book. This page may allow escape, but must be destroyed if the party is discovered.

Ancient Dwarven Scrolls

Rigg / Party

The scrolls reveal that Sondar sealed itself during an Illithid siege. The crown later reached the queen, whose madness spread through the city as rune-carving intensified. The runes appeared to trap souls.

Dragonchess Set Proficiency

Valen

Gained during the blimp journey after playing dragonchess. Achievement unlocked,.

Point of Inspiration

High Jinx and Rigg

Awarded for the disguise and bell distraction that helped divert the glowing investigator in Arvandor's forest.

Rowboat

Party

Found on the small island in Arborea and used to cross toward the spire. Survived the Morkoth attack, which is more than could reasonably be expected.

⚙️ Rules & Mechanics Notes

Teleportation Circle Capacity: The vault gold was limited by how much could fit inside Rook's circle, not by ship weight. Attunement: Characters can attune to up to three magic items, and attunement requires rest. Portal Fuel Tax: Passage through the Arborea portal required sacrificing three magic items. Firearm Proficiency: A character can fire a pistol without proficiency, but does not add proficiency bonus to the attack roll. Training: Dino can train Rigg in firearms, but it requires more time than a single short stretch of travel. Long Rest: The table confirmed use of 5.5-style long rest recovery for hit dice. Morkoth Spell Reflection: The Morkoth's ability to reflect spells could have made Valen's Cause Fear rebound horribly if the save had gone differently. Rowboat Movement: Two oars meant two people could row effectively at once. Weak rowers slowed progress, because physics remains rude even in heaven. Disguise Self: Disguise magic was used to help non-elves pass in Arvandor, but the spell only affects the caster. Heavy Armour and Stealth: Plate armour still causes stealth issues, though sufficient strength prevents speed reduction. Anti-Divination Rings: The rings must be worn to help hide the party from scrying and divination.

💬 Memorable Quotes

Rigg: "We're rich boys and girls." Leydrick: "Lets make it 49,999." Dino: "We'll leave a donation." Rigg: "Little bit of donation for the Dungeon Master. You know, for his hard work." Valen: "Back to the Depths with you!." Rook: "I've repaid my debt." Rigg: "Your wizard. Make it a speedboat, for fuck's sake." DM: "Don't touch the dragon." DM: "Most people don't try to sneak out of heaven."

🏁 Cliffhanger

The party has reached Arvandor, the upper layer of Arborea, while disguised and hidden under anti-scrying magic. The magical music of the realm grows more important as the party approaches the Choir Master's domain. The crown remains in the party's possession and may be exactly the wrong thing to give to exactly the wrong person. Corellon and the elven gods are active nearby, making discovery a potentially catastrophic problem. The party has an emergency teleportation route, but using or exposing it may burn their Arborea contacts permanently.