Next Session
- Nyx just apparated away and the party found a secret door behind the throne
- In the cave room, they will find the real Ring of Unyielding Ward
Cave Collapse
Beyond secret door: Cave passage with natural frozen pool at the end, water rippling underneath. Ring of Unyielding Ward floats above this pool (glowing). When taken:
- Earth rumbles
- Rocks fall from ceiling
- CAVE-IN: Party must escape before buried
Escape: Small tunnel in opposite direction—must crawl through. Emerges amid rocks in frozen wasteland.
Ambush & Ministry Rescue
When they emerge:
- Death Eater Initiates ambush (2-3 initiates, weakened stats)
- Mid-fight: Ministry Aurors apparate in (following The Trace)
- Tobias Crane (grizzled veteran, gruff) and Rafael Santos (young Brazilian Auror, energetic)
- Aurors help defeat/capture initiates
- Tobias interrogates (suspicious, direct), Rafael provides friendlier face
- Transport back to Hogwarts via Portkey
Notes
Katya's Role:
- She knows village legends that can help
- Grief-stricken about her father
- Wants revenge on Nyx
- May become recurring ally
Real Oleg is dead (Nyx killed him before party arrived)
If Nyx escapes:
- Reports to Morgana Carrow
- Death Eaters learn about the party
- Katya becomes a target
TODO
- Define Ring of Unyielding Ward properties (protective magic but isolates wearer somehow)
- Stat blocks for Death Eater Initiates (weakened for wounded level 3 party)
- Cave-in escape mechanics (skill checks? Timed rounds? DC?)
- Tobias Crane interrogation questions ("How did you get here?" "What were you doing?" "Who was that woman?")
- Decide: Does Katya go to Hogwarts or stay in village?