Hollow Guardians

Stub-class article · First seen: s05 · Last seen: s05

The Hollow Guardians were the twin glowing humanoid figures who barred passage in a chamber of The Warrens beneath Umbrafall in session 5, flanked by dozens of staring eye-sockets in the walls. Speaking in unison, they demanded “Speak. Who enters? Thieves? Or servants of the hollow?” [4]. Caelumn’s Deception failed (he rolled poorly even with Heroic Inspiration, blurting “Thieves!” — [2] and combat began. Their melee touch dealt necrotic damage and reduced maximum HP on a failed Constitution save. Both killed in the same combat. The interrogation phrase implies The Hollow is an entity with allegiance categories distinct from Maelis Dirn’s operation.

Overview

The Hollow Guardians were the twin gatekeepers of a chamber in The Warrens beneath Umbrafall. Two glowing humanoid figures flanked by dozens of staring eye-sockets in the walls. They spoke in unison and asked a binary question:

“Speak. Who enters? Thieves? Or servants of the hollow?” — Hollow Guardians, [3]

Terry misheard and listed everyone’s names. After hurried out-of-character clarification, Caelumn declared “we are servants of the hollow.” The DM called for Deception. Caelumn rolled poorly, used Heroic Inspiration, still failed:

“Thieves!” — Caelumn’s failed declaration, [2]

Combat. Their melee touch attack dealt necrotic damage and reduced the target’s maximum HP on a failed Con save. Both killed: Caelumn’s twin-cast 3rd-level Chromatic Orb dealt 20 + 24 lightning damage, and Hugo finished both with handaxe throws including a final reckless natural-20.

Significance

The Guardians’ binary phrasing established that The Hollow is an entity with allegiance categories — “thieves” or “servants” — and is distinct from (though entangled with) Maelis Dirn’s operation in the same dungeon. The Hollow as a faction has not been further developed in transcripts since session 5; the bookshelf in s6 hinted at related lore but the party walked away.

Status as of session 16

Dead. The Hollow itself remains an unresolved faction entity.

See also

References

  1. ^ Session 5, line 891-921 — 'thieves or servants of the hollow?'.
  2. ^ Session 5, line 908-909 — Caelumn's Deception fails: 'Thieves!'.
  3. ^ Session 5, line 892-894 — Inline citation.
  4. ^ Session 5, line 893-894 — Inline citation.
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