Before you proceed, please understand that this is an in-character record of my gaming notes. Be aware that it contains spoilers for the Castle Xyntillan mega dungeon module. Turn back now.
Start at Part One.
Source: Nigel Parker, Wikimedia Commons
The Fourth Expedition, July 21, 2026
You could feel the simmering anticipation leading up to our next expedition to the halls of Castle Xyntillan. Our delving company was busy with preparations as we followed up on leads and sought out new tales and rumours concerning the haunted halls of this most imposing structure.
Our company for this journey was made of five adventurers, and two hirelings brought on with coin. In total, we were as follows:
- Norg (your humble author), a gnome thief.
- Whim, a human fighter (and honorary gnome).
- Carl, a holy cleric.
- Spud, a fellow thief.
- Riley, a new member of our company and a cleric to boot!
- Noz, our faithful torch bearer
- And Jean, a cowardly footman, armed lightly.
Rumours Heard in the City
Whim and I pressed our ears to the ground, and paid off the typical rumour mongers with whom we're acquainted, learning the following:
"Wearing red will keep away the scarlet spectre." Author's note: we previously encountered the apparition of Hugo, an ethereal crimson spirit. I believe this rumour relates to him, and he can be appeased with a small offering of lifeblood.
"Much treasure has been won from Castle Xyntillan, the heirlooms of the Malevol family are still uncovered and they lead to a greater prize." Author's note: I feel as though this one speaks for itself. Of course there is still treasure, otherwise delving companies wouldn't spend the time plumbing the depths of the castle!
In addition, I spoke with a local alchemist concerning the rose bulb I dug up from the castle garden. He did not recognize the specimen, despite his claims of knowing every plant in the region. Notably, he informed yours truly of its properties in crafting a weaker sleeping potion, and showed great enthusiasm in acquiring more rose bulbs.
Developments and Notes on the Castle Ravens
I would highly suggest that any delvers seeking to plunder the castle bring with them a quantity of fresh meats, for the castle ravens dearly love it. They were crying quite angrily upon approach by our party, and I fed them as usual, which appeased them towards me. However, they made sure to swoop at the other members of the company. Upon producing meats from their trail rations, the ravens took the offerings, and returned to their roosts on the castle ramparts.
Climbing the Gatehouse Towers
Two crumbling towers flank the gatehouse entrance, which we have favoured in all previous expeditions. The south tower is approximately a 60 foot climb of rubble ending in a 20 foot sheer climb. My fellow thief, Spud, attempted ingress but we both agreed thief-to-thief that the climb wasn't worth further risk without appropriate safety measures.
However, Spud did manage to climb the north gatehouse tower. From their, they could spy a dome to the north, which roughly covers the log cutting room detailed earlier in this journal, approximately 40 feet across. In addition, to the east they could spy the donjon of the castle, roughly the same height as the tower upon which they stood.
Beyond the donjon stands yet another tower, residing upon a lake. Truly, it sparks one's curiosity, and no doubt will be the subject of future expeditions.
The Grand Entrance
After poking about the gatehouse, our party mutually decided that it would be worth exploring another entrance onto the castle grounds. With that in mind, we decided to attempt the primary castle entrance.
Based on our previous experiences with the unliving inhabitants of the castle, as well as their servants, we thought it might be worthwhile to concoct a cover story. With that in mind, Whim was to be our lord, with our clerics serving as humble (but high-ranking) religious authorities. Rounding out the number would be Spud, a manservant, and myself, and exotic herald in service to this far flung lordling.
Two massive statues flank the main entrance. On one side is a seated griffin, which appears quite normal. The other is a unicorn, reared up on its hindlegs. Notably, its front hooves are replaced by hands. Our company found it to be most unsettling, as we find many things in this accursed place. Notably, when Riley was probing it with her magical skills, an evil aura clung to both statues. Otherwise, the two statues show the same kind fo genteel decay one can see throughout the castle.
Lastly, the main entrance does display a large amount of foot traffic coming into the castle, as well as exiting it.
The Receiving Hall
A large wooden door leads into the receiving hall. We attempted knocking, in accordance with our cover story, but to no avail. Mustering my courage, I was lead my party into the room. It is a large chamber, roughly 40' x 50' and has double exits along the eastern and western walls, as well as to the north.
The ceiling is high, and vaulted, despite not showing such height from Spud's earlier survey of the castle grounds, which feels most curious. Six stone columns are arrayed in a uniform fashion, supporting the ceiling, and they are quite thick, even for the loping arms of a human. Holes in the ceiling provide a dim light by which most can see, revealing splats of guano on the tiled floor.
An apparition was here upon our arrival, and stood weeping in the corner. James, as we came to know him, was most distraught about the condition of the castle. He truly felt upkeep was beyond his ability on his lonesome. Seeking his favor, we inquired as to how we might assuage his distress. James advised that the portrait hall needed dusting, and that the mess hall was messy.
A cloak, cane, and pair of shoes were in this foyer, and we inquired after James of who this guest might be. We were informed by the butler that this guest was long forgotten, and that we were free to take the items if we wished. Divine clerical magic identified these items as evil, and they were carefully placed in our loot sack for further consideration.
I took the opportunity to further interrogate James. I learned that there are gargoyles within the inner courtyard, which all within my company were pleased to hear, as we have heard that one of them has a very interesting story to tell.
In addition, James advised us that the Malevols brew their famous wine offsite, at a nearby winery. Truly, this bears further investigation.
The Portrait Room
The north hall leading from the receiving room runs for about 50 feet before making a right turn. From here, it opens up into an impressive portrait hall, and the very same in need of dusting, according to James.
A door is to the left, from which we heard a great deal of boisterous carousing. Further along, a hallway cuts left. Beyond that, and area rife with cobwebs. And rounding this out is a staircase leading to the second story.
At the entrance to the gallery, we spied another griffin statue. Instead of being seated, it stood rampant. A plaque upon the statue, which stood only five feet, read, "Courage Vindicated".
Carl tried the raised paw as a lever, but to no success. However, upon inspecting its mouth, we spotted an opening leading into the statue. Running rope into the opening, we saw that it went about a foot to a foot and a half inward, to its chest. Reaching in, we found a potion which was labeled as a potion of heroism. I will be advising we trade it for coin, but I will defer to my companions as it could still prove most useful in our adventuring.
Feeling the need to make good on our agreement with the butler, we set about dusting portraits. There were seven in total, depicting the following Malevols:
- Philomone, the Quick; her portrait spoke, bidding us to visit her upstairs in her chambers.
- Girolamo, the Dupe; his portrait demanded affidavits, to which I produced the very same parchments upon which I make the scrawls which became this record.
- Aristide, the Patrician; this Malevol simply scowled at us.
- "The Silent Wail"; this portrait was painted over in black, and the inscription was not on a plaque like the others but instead carved into the frame.
- Hubert, the Huntsman; meeting the gaze of this portrait causes an arrow to be loosed. It broke upon the armor of Whim, who was unfortunate enough to meet Huberts's gaze. Runes are etched upon the arrow, though none in our company could read them.
- Mortago, the Axe; this individual is heavily muscled, and moves through a series of poses intended to show his physique.
- Marcel, the Malnourished; meeting his gaze results in him begging for food. However, our attempts to feed him failed. He informed us that if we were truly hungry we could nourish ourselves on the pigeons around the donjon.
The paintings were removed from their frames and carefully rolled up for easier transport. Hopefully they value highly, as we can always use the extra coin!
The Mess Hall
Despite Spud and I listening at the door, the singing and carrying on was quite loud, and all in our party could hear the raucous singing through the stone door. Spending time listening to the song, we made the decision to move in and join along, and I am thankful for that decision!
For within the chamber, measuring 40' by 30' were seated about three dozen skeletons! They were engaged in riotous song, singing of valorous deeds from no doubt ages ago. Fixed in the center of the room was a corpse, strung up by his ankles.
Sensing my urge to inspect this body, Whim created a distraction while Spud lifted me up to relief the deceased of his holy symbol, his dagger, and a finely wrought snuff box from his pockets.
Finally, of great note, there is a human-sized automaton in the corner of this room. In front of him sits a chess board. Our best guess is that this is some sort of playing partner. However, we felt we had pressed our luck enough for this expedition, and instead decided to make off with the booty we had acquired.
Of Note
Bring meat for the ravens.
Have the evil items evaluated. They detect as magical.
Prepare for the statues at the entrance.
Make ready to confront the gargoyles.
Brush up on chess.
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