📘 Session 5 – “The Modron’s March”

[Verse 1]
Through webs they fought in tunnels wide,
Dark silk clung as the Drow did hide.
But not all foes would flee that day—
DeSeth stepped forth to join the fray.
He cast his blades and joined their stand,
As poisoned bolts missed Rigg’s sure hand.
The spiders fell to spell and steel,
And DeSeth asked, “Let’s strike a deal.”

[Chorus]
🎶 March with the Modron, stranger still,
Where logic hums and time stands still.
From stars it dropped with whirs and ticks,
While Rigg swung high and Dino fixed.
Through shadowed caves and fate's design,
The Modron marches down the line. 🎶

[Verse 2]
They followed DeSeth past blood and bones,
Through winding rock and ancient thrones.
But in the dark, the stone betrayed—
A Roper lunged from jagged shade!
Tentacles flew, it pulled in tight,
Till wrenches cracked and flames burned bright.
With grit and spell, they fought as one,
And carved the beast ‘til it was done.

[Bridge]
Then shadows stirred—another shape!
A ticking cube in odd escape.
“An enemy?” Valen cried with dread,
And hurled his flask of oil ahead.
Dino tossed flame with fearsome flair,
But Mono stood, just singed and scared.
From Mechanus, its path unclear,
It beeped and clicked and drew maps near.

[Chorus]
🎶 March with the Modron, cubed and shy,
Not meant to burn, not meant to die.
A lamp, some oil—its intro grim,
Now follows Jinks, though not with whim.
To Mind Flayer dens and danger deep,
They brave the dark, they dodge their sleep! 🎶

[Outro]
DeSeth now walks the path they tread,
With Eilistraee’s light where others fled.
A prison waits with screams and chains,
Where villagers lie in psychic pains.
So raise your blades and spark your mind,
The stars await the bold, the kind—
The Modron marches, ticking on,
And fate shall write where they belong.

[Verse 1]
Through webs they fought in tunnels wide,
Dark silk clung as the Drow did hide.
But not all foes would flee that day—
DeSeth stepped forth to join the fray.
He cast his blades and joined their stand,
As poisoned bolts missed Rigg’s sure hand.
The spiders fell to spell and steel,
And DeSeth asked, “Let’s strike a deal.”

[Chorus]
🎶 March with the Modron, stranger still,
Where logic hums and time stands still.
From stars it dropped with whirs and ticks,
While Rigg swung high and Dino fixed.
Through shadowed caves and fate's design,
The Modron marches down the line. 🎶

[Verse 2]
They followed DeSeth past blood and bones,
Through winding rock and ancient thrones.
But in the dark, the stone betrayed—
A Roper lunged from jagged shade!
Tentacles flew, it pulled in tight,
Till wrenches cracked and flames burned bright.
With grit and spell, they fought as one,
And carved the beast ‘til it was done.

[Bridge]
Then shadows stirred—another shape!
A ticking cube in odd escape.
“An enemy?” Valen cried with dread,
And hurled his flask of oil ahead.
Dino tossed flame with fearsome flair,
But Mono stood, just singed and scared.
From Mechanus, its path unclear,
It beeped and clicked and drew maps near.

[Chorus]
🎶 March with the Modron, cubed and shy,
Not meant to burn, not meant to die.
A lamp, some oil—its intro grim,
Now follows Jinks, though not with whim.
To Mind Flayer dens and danger deep,
They brave the dark, they dodge their sleep! 🎶

[Outro]
DeSeth now walks the path they tread,
With Eilistraee’s light where others fled.
A prison waits with screams and chains,
Where villagers lie in psychic pains.
So raise your blades and spark your mind,
The stars await the bold, the kind—
The Modron marches, ticking on,
And fate shall write where they belong.

🪐 Campaign Arc

Campaign: Spelljammer – Homebrew Hybrid
Session Title: The Modron’s March
Dungeon Master: James/Jamie (Sicareus)
Setting: Underdark, beneath the Sword Mountains

🧭 Overview

Session 5 picks up mid-combat with spiders and a Drow from the previous session. As the party fought, a second Drow—DeSeth—emerged from the darkness and assisted them, while the original Drow fled. After surviving the ambush, DeSeth urged the party to follow him, only to fall into a trap himself—pulled into a stalagmite-shaped ambusher known as a Roper. Together, the group defeated the monster and pressed forward, eventually encountering a strange mechanical being from beyond the planes: a Modron named Mono.

Initial confusion led to Mono being mistaken for an enemy—Valen threw oil, and Dino followed with a flaming lantern, fortunately without damaging the construct. With some effort (and spells), communication was achieved, and the party gained a reluctant ally. Mono revealed a map showing the location of a Mind Flayer-run prison and portal, confirming Spelljammer influence and setting the next course of action.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Party Members

📍 Key Locations

• Underdark Tunnels: Caverns beneath the Sword Mountains, filled with threats and Mind Flayer influence.

• Drow Enclave: A peaceful, moonlit settlement aligned with Eilistraee.

• Mind Flayer Prison (Objective): A repurposed war-den holding the last of the Rassalantar villagers.

• Mind Flayer Portal Site: Also marked by Mono; potential extraplanar exit or Spelljammer ship zone.

📑 Session Highlights

🕷️ Spider Ambush & DeSeth’s Arrival

• Party continued combat against spiders and an enemy Drow.

• DeSeth, a second Drow, appeared mid-fight and aided the party with attacks and healing magic.

• The original Drow fled into the tunnels.

🪨 Ambushed by the Roper

• While following DeSeth, a Roper disguised as a stalagmite ambushed him.

• It grappled multiple party members. Dino, Steel Defender, and Rigg delivered major blows.

• The party coordinated to bring the creature down without casualties.

🤖 First Contact with Mono

• In the dark, the party mistook Mono—a Modron—for a threat.

• Valen threw oil; Dino threw a flaming lantern.

• Mono, unharmed but confused, began to retreat until Valen used Comprehend Languages (via Hat of Wizardry).

• Jinks soothed it mentally and socially, earning its grudging companionship.

🗺️ Intelligence from Mono

• Mono revealed:

• It stowed away from a Spelljammer ship.

  • It witnessed Mind Flayer activity near a prison and portal.

  • It created a crude map for the party marking both locations.

• Mono agreed to travel with the group reluctantly, following Jinks' lead.

🕯️ Drow Enclave & Mission Prep

• DeSeth guided the party to his enclave—a haven for non-Lolth Drow.

• A Drow priestess blessed the party and confirmed:

  • Most Rassalantar villagers are dead.

  • Survivors are held in a Mind Flayer-run war-den prison.

• The party chose to rescue the prisoners first, before investigating the portal.

🎁 Loot & Discoveries

📌 Current Status

• Location: Resting at the peaceful Drow enclave.

• Next Objective: Infiltrate the Mind Flayer prison to rescue survivors.

• Party Level: Reached Level 5 by session’s end.

• Companions:

  • Mono (reluctant Modron ally).

  • DeSeth (temporary Drow guide, loyal to Eilistraee).

🔍 Ongoing Threads & Plot Hooks

• Mind Flayer Prison: Priority mission; holding remaining Rassalantar villagers.

• Spelljammer Portal: Possible exit point or extraplanar threat zone. Mono witnessed activity here.

• Mono’s Origins: Connection to Mechanus and Spelljammer tech raises questions.

• Drow Allies: Non-Lolth Drow enclave may offer long-term support or Underdark knowledge.

• Villager Fate: Unclear how many are alive or why they were spared.

• Spelljammer Involvement: Increasing extraplanar signs—Spelljammer ships, Modrons, and portals all imply planar-scale threat.