19th of Flamerule of the year 1492
After slowly rousing from bed in the early evening, the group’s peaceful rest was interrupted by a firm knock on their suite’s door. The only ones alert enough to respond were Vladimir and Fwoosh, who found Nalaskur standing at the entrance. He greeted them with a cordial offer, extending their stay in the suite for as long as they needed. Nalaskur also informed them that their meals and drinks would be complimentary, though he apologized for the state of the food. Due to the intense heat, all of the food stored in the cellar had been spoiled, so the offerings would be simpler until new supplies arrived. As he continued speaking, Nalaskur’s hands moved in a silent conversation with Fwoosh, sharing a secret message that only they could understand. He revealed that the ledgers were in disarray, and Feston was still in a daze, barely functioning. Nalaskur added that Jepos had instructed them to rest for a few days and then use the magic badge to contact him. Out loud, he suggested they take advantage of the free accommodations as a reward for all the hard work they had done.
Nalaskur Thaelond
Vladimir, though initially grumbling, eventually agreed that a period of rest would do them good. After rousing the rest of the group, they decided to investigate the body of the deceased priest. However, much to their dismay, they found that his body had turned to dust. Despite this, his belongings remained intact, and among them, they discovered several valuable items. They were particularly pleased to find three powerful magical artifacts. The Ring of the Infernal Lord was entrusted to Yllanys, the Inferno Cloak was claimed by Ace, and ISAC took possession of two magical tokens. Ever diligent and precise, ISAC, showing his methodical nature, made sure to divide the group’s available coins evenly, ensuring that everyone had extra spending money. This small but thoughtful gesture reminded the group of ISAC’s unwavering attention to detail, even in the smallest matters.
Afterward, the party, except for ISAC and Yllanys, who remained upstairs to work on scrolls, headed downstairs for a meal. In Yllanys’ case, his task was far more unique, as he wasn’t merely scribing the scrolls but instead tattooing them onto his skin. The process was delicate, intricate, and required great concentration. As for the meal, the simplicity was unavoidable due to the lack of ingredients from the ruined cellar. Nevertheless, the group focused on eating and paid little attention to the other patrons in the tavern. During their meal, a discussion arose about the mysterious figure that kept crossing their path—a dark, creepy old man who had repeatedly provided them with cryptic notes and, strangely, the exact key they needed to enter the cellar. It was while they discussed this that Vladimir, much to his surprise, found a crumpled, dirty piece of paper in his pocket, likely placed there by the same enigmatic stranger.
“Oh, wretched soul, in shadows cast,
Thy flesh remains, though fleeting fast,
The fires below did not consume,
But death still looms, thy darkened doom.”
“The creeping tendrils claw and clutch,
The cultist’s grip, a deadly touch.
Thou didst not fall to ash, ’tis true,
But fate still waits to feast on you.”
“An hour yet, or moments more,
The reaper knocks upon thy door.
Unless, unless thy blade should rend
The twisted ones who seek thine end.”
“So, tarry not in fleeting breath,
For thou art stalked by certain death.
A “good job” now, but heed this cry,
Anon, sweet fool, thou still may die.”
The cryptic message only deepened the mystery surrounding their strange benefactor. While mulling over the meaning of the note, they gathered food for Ace and Yllanys, who had remained upstairs, and returned to their rooms. Although they had recently rested, the lateness of the hour and the weight of recent events made the group decide to sleep once again until morning. Back in the suite, Fwoosh wrote a letter to Whisper in Womford, seeking guidance on a matter that troubled him deeply. Meanwhile, Dancer busied himself crafting more anti-poison masks, a task that had become crucial for their future plans.
In his letter, Fwoosh wrote:
“Dear Whisper this is Fwoosh I’m writing you this letter because I saw him he brought Angelica back to life When you cast the spell I didn’t know gods were real what do I do with this information can you help with this? Thanks so much. Fwoosh”
Vladimir, on the other hand, was occupied with another matter. He decided to write a note to their enigmatic stalker, hoping to establish some form of direct communication. Once the note was written, he discreetly placed it outside on the windowsill, trusting that the mysterious figure would find it.
The note read:
“Oh, mysterious man, with shadows that sway,
I beckon your voice, come speak without delay.
In whispers and hints, your secrets reside,
But clarity’s light is where truth can abide.
So share with me plainly, don’t hide in the mist,
For words that connect are too good to resist.
Let’s bridge this great silence, let thoughts intertwine,
Speak freely, dear stranger, your mind could align.”
After a night filled with their usual shenanigans, discussions, and quiet contemplations, the group finally settled down to sleep, allowing the quiet of the night to take over.
20th of Flamerule of the year 1492
Rising earlier than usual, the group gathered to discuss their next steps. ISAC, ever the voice of reason, strongly advocated for returning to the Old Mill. His determination was rooted in their unfinished business there, and he believed that further investigation was necessary. In preparation, Dancer worked diligently on crafting more masks, knowing full well that the poisonous atmosphere below the first level was dangerous. His skill and efficiency paid off, and he managed to finish the masks earlier than anticipated. With their gear ready, the group made the decision to leave for the Old Mill sooner rather than later, hoping to complete their mission and return before nightfall. Before departing, Fwoosh entrusted Nalaskur with a letter to be delivered to Whisper in Womford, still seeking guidance on the revelations that had unsettled him. As they made their way out of town, they noticed Aldon Bargewright and several guards busy with something in The Stalls near the gate. Although curious, the group decided to press on without getting involved, focused on the task at hand.
Aldon Bargewright
As they traveled, Vladimir once again discovered another note tucked into his pocket. This note, much like the first, was a cryptic warning:
“Foolish mortal, weak and blind,
In realms of darkness you would bind,
Med’ling in what you can’t perceive,
In shadows deep, you still believe.
The air you breathe stirs whispered lies,
Earth below hides where terror lies.
The fire beckons, burns your skin,
Water drowns the soul within.
Oh, chase the foes you think you know,
Lest greater terrors, soon to grow,
Wrap you in their unseen chains,
To feast upon your doubts and pains.
Tread not where wiser men have fled,
For in those depths, the dead aren’t dead.
You prod the dark and fan the flame,
Inviting horrors without name.
So, flee, dear fool, while yet you can,
Pursue the battles of your plan.
But make no friends where doom awaits,
For air, earth, fire, and water seal your fate.”
The ominous message seemed to advise against returning to the Old Mill, but the group, ever determined, decided to press forward. Ignoring the warning, they arrived at the Old Mill and found that the rope they had left dangling down the shaft was still in place. Wasting no time, they descended once more into the depths, prepared for whatever awaited them. The oppressive atmosphere was all too familiar, the green slime still dripping from the ceiling, and the air was thick with humidity and the stench of decay. However, this time they were more cautious, having learned to dodge the falling slime with greater efficiency. As they made their way to the second floor, everyone donned the masks Dancer had crafted, knowing that the poisonous air below would be even more deadly.
On the third floor, the toxic fumes caused them all to cough up blood, but thanks to the masks, the damage was minimal. Without the protection of the masks, they would have surely suffered much worse. Reaching the first unopened door, Vladimir and Angelica worked together to force it open. Inside, they were greeted by a disturbing sight—a room that resembled the remnants of a horrifying science museum. Broken glass jars and strange samples were scattered across the floor, tables, and shelves, with thick liquids having dripped down across the tables and to the floor. Concerned about the presence of guardians, they sent Fwoosh, now invisible thanks to one of Razer’s powers, to scout the room. As expected, Fwoosh discovered two guardians stationed on either side of the door. He cautiously sifted through some of the broken glass, hoping to find treasure, but his movements caught the guardians’ attention. Sensing danger, Fwoosh quickly retreated, leaving the rest of the room undisturbed.
Heavy Guardian
Deciding to explore the last unopened door in the hallway, the group carefully approached the pool at the end of the corridor. They were wary of the possibility that another slime creature might be lurking in the depths. The floor near the pool had been severely damaged, either eaten away or melted by some unknown force, and the water was nearly five feet deep in places. When they managed to force the door open, Angelica observed that the room beyond appeared to be an old storage area, half-submerged in water. Concerned that more guardians might be present, Kieren used his own invisibility to scout the area, providing telepathic updates to ISAC.
Kieren’s updates to ISAC revealed that the storage room was in a state of disarray, with even more waterlogged debris scattered around than in the previous room. It seemed unlikely that they would find anything of value within this wreckage, and the prospects of uncovering treasure grew dimmer. However, as Kieren was preparing to exit the room, something far more dangerous than a guardian emerged from the pool of water. A greyish pseudopod shot out and struck Kieren, smashing him out of existence with brutal force. What they had feared most had come true: the grey slime, much larger than any they had encountered before, was in the room and was now aware of their presence.
Greyish Slime
The ensuing battle was as challenging as they had anticipated, but even more dangerous due to an unexpected complication. Every time they struck the slime with a bladed weapon, it split into smaller, though still dangerous, versions of itself. This became glaringly apparent when Ace cast Cloud of Daggers. Instead of doing significant damage, the spell merely created more, smaller slimes, forcing the group to contend with an even greater number of foes. While the slimes inflicted damage through their attacks, the real danger came from the acidic spray they unleashed. This acid spit not only caused severe harm to the group but also degraded their armor rapidly. Fwoosh’s lightweight armor was destroyed entirely, and Vladimir’s newly acquired plate mail, taken from a dead cultist, was heavily damaged.
The fight raged across multiple rooms, from the storage area to the hallway, and even into a bedroom on the opposite side of the hall. The group quickly realized that the pools of water were interconnected through tunnels that the slimes had melted into the rock. This allowed the creatures to move between rooms with alarming speed, attacking the party from all sides. Despite their best efforts, nearly everyone in the group took significant damage from the slimes’ acid attacks. The constant barrage of acid wore down their defenses, and it seemed as though one more encounter might be enough to finish them off. However, through sheer perseverance and teamwork, the group eventually prevailed, defeating the slimes and reclaiming control of the area.
After the battle, the group cautiously entered what appeared to be the final room in the complex, a large study and library connected to the bedroom. The room was in a state of severe decay, with a massive table at the center rotting away and the walls lined with bookcases that had long since collapsed. The once grand shelves were now filled with nothing but ruined books and scrolls, their pages turned to mush by the dampness and neglect. However, a stroke of luck led them to find four magical scrolls that had somehow survived the destruction. Despite this small victory, the group’s dissatisfaction with their haul lingered. Ever determined, Fwoosh continued to dig through the debris and, after some effort, discovered a strange silver metal box sunken a few feet beneath the acidic water in the northern part of the room.
The box itself was peculiar, with no seams, hinges, or apparent lock. Whatever mechanism had once allowed it to open had been melted away, leaving behind a smooth, featureless surface. Unwilling to stick his feathers into the corrosive liquid, Fwoosh stepped back as ISAC immediately reached into the water and grabbed the box. His constructs’ durability allowed him to retrieve the item without hesitation, but the mystery of how to open it remained.
Realizing they had likely found all they could in this dangerous complex, the group decided it was time to leave. The toxic air, the deadly slimes, and the ruined halls were taking their toll, and they knew they were pushing their luck by staying any longer. With their task complete, they scrambled out of the Old Mill, seeking fresh air and safety. One more encounter would likely have been fatal, and they had many more pressing matters to attend to before death claimed them. By the time they emerged from the ruins and made their way back toward Bargewright, it was already too late to enter the town before the gates closed. Resigned to their fate, they set up camp a short distance from the walls and settled in for a cold, cautious night, ever watchful of the sky for any flying threats that might be spying on them.
21st of Flamerule of the year 1492
At dawn, the group joined the line of merchant wagons waiting to enter Bargewright. The guards, ever diligent, performed thorough checks, ensuring that everyone’s form matched their appearance and that no one was disguised, especially not as an orc or other undesirable. After the inspection, the group split up, with some heading to The Stalls while others made their way to the Old Bargewright Inn. Once again, they gathered in their suite for food, rest, and to plan their next steps.
Fwoosh, eager to replace the armor that had been destroyed during the slime battle, sought out the leatherworker who had helped him before. He was able to purchase another set of studded leather, much to his relief, though he was briefly tempted to buy a monkey he had seen for sale. He ultimately decided against it, using his toy top to distract the animal before making a hasty retreat. Meanwhile, Vladimir wandered through the market until he stumbled upon a bookstore. Inside, he found exactly what he was looking for: spicy romance novels, including several sequels to books he already owned. Delighted, Vladimir eagerly purchased them, finding a momentary escape in the pages of his beloved literature. After their shopping excursions, the group reconvened at the inn, where ISAC and Yllanys returned to their arcane scroll-making and other magical preparations.
Meanwhile, Dancer took the opportunity to contact Jepos via the magic badge, seeking guidance on their next move. Jepos informed him that Feston was still in a bad state and that Nalaskur could use some help keeping things in order. He requested that Dancer stay behind for a few more days to oversee Feston’s recovery and ensure nothing else went wrong. Jepos also mentioned, with unusual mirth, that the rest of the group should hurry back to Red Larch, as a package from Fogo had arrived and promised to be quite the surprise. When Dancer inquired further, Jepos only hinted that it would exceed their expectations, leaving the group curious and excited.
As they prepared for their next journey, ISAC and Vladimir decided to pay another visit to Tabra, hoping to gain more insight into the mysterious forces they were dealing with. Fwoosh, intrigued by the rumors he had heard about Tabra possibly being a dragon, decided to tag along. Although the rumors made ISAC uneasy—having already attracted the attention of one dragon, he was reluctant to involve another—they all proceeded with the visit. After paying the hefty 100-gold entry fee, they were escorted to Tabra’s private room in the back of the building.
The conversation that followed was filled with cryptic answers and elusive information. In an attempt to build rapport, ISAC shared details of what they had found at the Old Mill, including its connection to the Cradle of Immortality. However, Tabra seemed unfamiliar with both the mill and the cradle, offering little in the way of concrete answers. Vladimir inquired about a corrupt noble in Neverwinter who had appeared in one of his dreams, but Tabra was unable to provide much clarity due to the lack of details. Instead, she suggested that Fwoosh’s friends might be a better source of information on such matters, as they would be more knowledgeable about corrupt nobles. Before they left, Fwoosh, using finger-talk, boldly asked Tabra whether she was indeed a dragon. In response, she finger-talked back, teasing him with the reply that he simply couldn’t afford to pay for that answer.
22nd to the 24th of Flamerule of the year 1492
After their visit to Tabra, the group spent the rest of the day finalizing their plans. Dancer informed them that he would be staying behind for a few more days to help Nalaskur and Feston, while the others prepared to return to Red Larch. The mention of Fogo’s mysterious package only heightened their anticipation. Waiting until nightfall, the group set out for the journey north, opting to travel under the cover of darkness in the hopes of avoiding any aerial surveillance. They were increasingly convinced that the Feathergale Knights—who they suspected were part of the air cult—might be spying on them from above.
Over the next two and a half evenings, the group marched along the Cairn Road, covering a considerable distance each night. By the time they reached Red Larch on the 24th of Flamerule, it was still several hours before sunrise. Nevertheless, they made their way to their favored place of rest: the Blackbutter Inn. After some persistent knocking, they were greeted by Xaasz, the goblin chef of the inn. Though the hour was late, Xaasz managed to find Dancer’s old room for them, and they gratefully accepted the cramped, single-bed accommodations. The sleeping arrangements were far from ideal, especially considering no one wanted to sleep too close to Yllanys and his ever-growing skin condition, but they made do with what they had.
Xaasz
After a short rest, the group set off for Haeleeya’s to retrieve Fogo’s package. Upon arriving, they took a moment to introduce themselves, as they had never met her before. Haeleeya greeted them warmly and went to the back to fetch what Fogo had sent. When she returned, she was accompanied by a slight, silver-haired woman.
“Hello?”
And this is where the session ended.
