The adventures of Lyrica Promise, a member of the Wenex Dungeoneering Guild of Teburia, in the realm of Tehai. (A chronicle of her adventures in the D&D 5e campaign Depths of Depravity, and her party's trials and triumphs)
The morning after defeating the Immortals, we had a lazy wake up. A bit of time to talk, a bit of time to eat, before TK arrived. She did a bit of dancing on the rubble, before pointing us as the ship that she'd brought in. After a short attempt to converse with her, we slowly started making our way to the ship. It was a way off this ship, a way to return to the surface. Once we get there, Charra and I (and any of the others who wish to go with us) will be making our way to the Dwarven homeland to handle replacing her brand, as well her becoming the next in line for being the matriarch.
As we reached the beach, we saw three people with a rowboat from the ship, and stopped to speak among ourselves briefly. Taras told us what he had learned, as well as the island's new name, before Elodie cast Magic Mouth on a piece of driftwood Charra and Balasar drove into the sand.
One of the sailors, Lief, came to use and begun to speak with us. He brings us to meet his captain, Captain Sable, who leads the Black Flag fleet of pirates. The Blue Flag fleet is her allies here, but the Green, Yellow, and White flag fleets were all allied with the Immortals. She offers that, as long as we assist in repelling any boarders, we're welcome to stay on board during the eleven-ish day journey to a balloon ship port that will help us back to the surface. Of course, due to what we did with the Immortals, the islands both here in the Undersea, and on the surface, might have shifted.
Also, Dragon Storms? Sounds Awesome but Deadly. Result of Undersea dragons fighting, which effects the weather here. One of our days we encountered a Kelp Bed. Most of us dove in. Found some Sea Urchins which are Weird and Pointy and Ouchie, but also found some coin and a dull amethyst.
Other than that, our first day or so was very uneventful.
A lot has happened recently, and only now do I find time to update this journal. To start, the day after we defeated Verto and Cirzu, TK left us in the dead of night. None of us heard her leave, though I would have liked to thank her for her assistance. Still, in the morning we began to make our way to the Beacon Tower, where we know Flow is imprisoned, as well as where we must go for the Trio's test. On the way, Elodie explained what she had learned about Ardent and what happened here. She also had found a potential ritual that would break the connection between the brothers and Ardent, allowing us to kill them.
Eventually, we found our way to the base of the tower, and one of the brothers, Stone, appeared. He explained that he wanted to give us a more "sophisticated" challenge than the combats his brothers have given us. We have to get through this tower, and the construction of it (adamantine, magic, Arch Trees, etc) would make it Nearly Impossible to just, break down. So through the tower, and the traps inside, we had to ascend.
We found a door we had to trick into saying "Stone" before it would enter first. Charra figured that one out, and got us through the door. The next was a pedestal with a count down. Eventually, we found a secret room with a mimic that we shoved into the room, and hid in while the timer finished counting down. We had to let that count get to 0 before the door would open (it was a trick. Rude). Next door just needed to be Ordered to open for us, and we found a room with a Spike trap. Between Elodie and I, I was able to pick the mechanical lock, and she forced open the magical lock.
In the next room, we had to make a Philospher's Stone? I have no idea, Balasar solved this one. We also found a scroll for Lead into Gold. My first thought? Profit. Charra's? Good for working metal. Baby you amaze me.
Giant chart on the next level I don't feel like detailing other than it was Rude, then we found a person in the tower, plus most of our stuff. Taras was able to free Flo from her imprisonment, and we got a piece of the mirror that made the beacon which we needed Later.
Session 26
Found our way underground, fought some stuff, old catacombs. Graverobbing bad? I dunno, I've done that before but I have the feeling Taras would be Mad.
Session 27
More exploring, found tombs of those who worshipped Ardent who refused to bend the knee to the Brothers. Eventually found our way to an area that opens to the sea and were attacked by a group of Gricks. Those went down soon enough, and now we have meat for Fried Grick. Found an iron door with a face of Baphomet on it, and two Large Rubies that later changed to sapphires as the face shifted to a woman's. I still really want those gems, but Taras would have been Mad if I had tried. Still want them though. Eventually we ran into an old Triton, a former High Priest of Ardent who explained to us the island's history.
Here is our sacrifice for Elodie's ritual. She kills him with a blade to the chest.
Session 28 – The Brothers Fall
After quietly putting Venestrius, the old priest, to rest in the ocean, we find our way toward the Champion's Mount. Salt stops us on the way, trying to get us to spare him even as we go to kill his brothers. We refuse him, and I couldn't help but mock him. Dick.
Finding the plateau, we also found the last of our items. With a quick grab, all but Taras have retrieved their items. The brothers tell us if we sacrifice one of the items to the Brazier in front of us, we would be allowed to leave freely, and safely. Only Taras moved, to grab his plate and toss it behind him. With that, the battle was on.
In summary, as the combat was so hectic I can't remember much of what happened:
Breath weapon to the face for Storm, Lenna warned us from Ai's note that they weren't truly Giants, Elodie Counterspelled Salt when they cast a spell at Charra and I, I got him back with Bane, Charra marked Storm and Stone, and Taras Melded with Stone to Stone???
Ikki's a Badass, Storm called down a Storm at one point which was Rude, we made all three small again, Storm and Stone died but Salt tried to flee. Ikki and Elodie went after him, and his corpse Splatted against the ocean below as they'd all been flying.
The plateau was a Volcano, and Ebb and Flo arrived to thank us for freeing Ardent, and gave Taras a shell, and another blessing. After that, we could see in the distance a ship arrive, and Fucking TKKF on the deck dancing.
While we now had a way off this island, we also needed sleep. Setting up for a long rest on the plateau, we were able to sleep.
Enemies: Verto the Storm Giant, Cirzu the Behir
Initiative: Ai, TK, Verto, Lyrica, Cirzu, Balasar, Ikki, Taras, Elodie, Lenna, Charra
Some of the beginning was so fast I barely caught it. Ai spun a tripwire, TK used Chaos bolt, the storm giant tripped, I went after the Behir with Vicious Mockery, and it then hit Ai with its lightning breath. Balasar and Ikki both drank something that made them very big, and Balasar was able to grapple the giant into the Prone position. Between them and Ikki, they were able to attack it multiple times. Taras missed with Spiritual Weapon but slammed a Guiding Bolt into the Behir. Elodie tried Hypnotic Pattern on the Behir, but it was not caught by the spell. Lenna got between it and Elodie after it snarled something in Draconic, before her own Guiding Bolt hit it. She did miss with Spiritual Weapon. Charra was able to get the giant on her action surge.
Ai poisoned the giant with her dagger, before TK got the Behir with Mind Spike. Verto avoided the attack, before he brought a Lightning Strike down on everyone clustered around him. I mocked the Behir again, before it went after Balasar. Their Shield allowed them to avoid the bite, but they were then grappled. Healing themselves, Balasar was able to hit the giant with Poison Breath. Ikki hit Verto twice before taking a healing potion, though both of Taras' attacks missed. Elodie was able to get the Behir with Hypnotic Weapon, and informed the rest of us to Not Touch It. Lenna then moved behind me, transferring some of her own life force to Balasar. Holy Shit Lenna. Charra was able to kill Verto (That's My Girl!), before moving toward the Behir.
TK went to hide, as Verto's corpse was reanimated. Moving toward the rest of the party, Balasar managed to get it before it attacked Charra and Taras. I healed Taras, before passing inspiration to Charra, as the cleric was in a more visibly damaged position. Ignoring the incapacitated Behir, Balasar grappled the undead giant once again, before Ai appeared to spin a web along the Behir's back to give it less of a chance to move. Ikki was able to damage the giant's organs, before Taras set a fog cloud around the giant's head. Elodie was able to hit it twice with Eldritch Blast, before Lenna cured Charra. She then drank a potion to help herself even more, before going after Verto once more.
Verto was able to get rid of the fog cloud but failed to shake off Balasar's grapple. I attacked him, continuing to heal up Taras. Ai was able to attack the giant, before Ikki killed the undead Verto. It exploded, harming those of use near it before an exposed white flame flew from its corpse and into Cirzu's, breaking him free of Hypnotic Pattern. Taras got Cirzu with Spiritual Weapon, before Elodie hit it with Eldritch Blast. Lenna healed herself before once again transferring health, this time to Ikki, before Charra attacked again.
I gave my girlfriend a bit more health, before attacking. Cirzu broke free, before heading after Balasar and letting off some electricity that hit Charra. It then avoided the worst of Balasar's breath weapon, before taking damage from Ai's dagger. Ikki was then able to finish it off with her spear.
With the Storm Giant and the Behir appearing, we had no choice but to go straight from one fight into another. However, we each felt a wave of energy pass over us, replenishing some of our resources.
Combat link here
With both Verto and Cirzu dead, Elodie moved toward the Behir's corpse. Tendrils rose from her tattoo, and begin to invade any facial orifice they could which was, creepy. Balasar proceeded to cut out and eat the Behir's heart, before they began to skin it.
A soft wind came from near the fountain. The central pillar began to glow as we each reacted in our own way. The pillar began to crack, before a being, a Solar, appeared. He spoke to us, explaining who he was and that he served the goddess Ardent. He was the one who spoke to Taras while he was separated from us, and both he and his sister have been subjugated by the trio of assholes the since they took over. Ardent herself did not bend the knee, could not bend the knee, so she's locked in Champion's Mount, where she's been tortured and her mind damaged.
Ebb, the Solar, thinks we are the best chance he and his sister have of overthrowing the false gods and freeing their goddess. We agree to help, and know we can find his sister in the Beacon Tower, which is our next goal after we potentially find a few more of our things. We also had looted the corpses, and got a good amount of stuff. A belt of Stone Giant Strength that Charra good, a magical Greatsword that Balasar took. A scrap of magical cloth tied with a blue string that let of Evocation magic, and a magical iron crown that let off divination magic. We also got the Behir's hide and blood, and the Storm Giant's hand and eye. From the other assorted enemies, we got a number of daggers, slings, bullets, spears, small shields, nets, pincer staffs, a greatclub, and two manticore tails. I took one of the shields, and agreed that Charra could study the guns. I trust her, but worry about her. I just, don't want her to get hurt. Taras's mace, which he has set in the fountain while Ebb was here, is now continuously dripping water. When he called out "One thousand waves, crashing down on man's head", water just poured out of it and crashed onto his head. Beautiful. He took Charra's old gauntlets, and passed his Pearl of Power to Balasar. With this all handled, we decided to rest for the night.
Ikki, hidden from the enemies' view, stayed hidden and prepped one of her darts until something came within range. I moved to Charra, making us both invisible once I'd inspired Ai, who prepared to move when any of the kobold got caught in her web. They started to move forward. Five were wrapped into the net, but two avoided it. Seeing that, the sorceresses cast Firebolt to break the majority of the net, though the kobold who had been caught remained trapped. Charra grabbed the net closest to her, before she moved in and prepared to dodge any attacks that came her way. Balasar came in and scared two Kobold badly enough that they fled. The Deacon tried to rally his forces, not super effective. Taras was praying to Umberlee, while Elodie was Very Stuck in place.
Closing in, Ikki attacked two of the Sorceresses with her darts, before I moved closer to Inspire Balasar. Ai killed one of the Kobold, before the sorceresses moved to surround the Deacon. Charra continued moving closer, before Balasar let out a cloud of poison gas to kill the rest of the Kobold. Lenna and Taras, best I could tell, spent the time praying while Elodie was Still Stuck.
Kills:
Ai: 1 Kobold
Balasar: 2 Kobold Intimidated into Fleeing, 4 Kobold
Other: 4 Sorceresses, 1 Deacon scared into running.
Ikki instantly moved toward the archpriest, hitting with her fists and her claws. I moved even closer, before Ai attacked one of the whips with her poisoned dagger then her shortsword. The Archpriest was able to get her with Hold Person, before Ikki lashed out when it moved to the ground. Charra was able to hit the same Whip that Ai had attacked. That one missed Ai on its attack, before the other two attacked and hit Balasar three times. Taras was able to hit the archpriest with Guiding Bolt, knocking its concentration of Hold person free. Elodie's head is now free of the spell, which is awesome. Balasar lost concentration on their Expedious Retreat, sadly, but hit one of the whips twice. The Kua-Toa started making their way toward the clerics, but I missed dropping the net on one of them.
With three hits, Ikki did some good damage to the archpriest before I went after it with my rapier and my stone dagger. Ai was able to choke one of the whips, dragging it backwards just enough so Balasar was able to attack. The Archpriest healed several of its fellows, rude, before Ikki and I hit it when it backed away. Charra moved from the Whip to attack the Kua-Toa, taking little damage when it lashed out. The one that Ai had failed to break her grip, while the other two attacked Balasar and hit a total of twice. Taras was able to cast a spell that did some sweet, sweet damage to one of the Kua-Toa, before Balasar finished off one of the whips. The Kua-Toa themselves went after Charra, but barely scratched her.
Killing the Archpriest, Ikki went to flank one of the Kua-Toa with Charra, before I stabbed one of the others twice. Ai was able to kill her strangling opponent, before Charra killed one of the Kua-Toa. In terror, the other ran. The one remaining enemy runs towards Taras's Storm, getting hit by Balasar, hitting Charra once, having Lightning called onto it, before Balasar then Ikki attacked it. Ikki killed it.
Kills:
Ai: 1 Kua-Toa Whip
Balasar: 1 Kua-Toa Whip
Charra: 1 Kua-Toa, 1 Kua-Toa Intimidated into fleeing
After a short breather, four more enemies appeared. Ikki went after one of the Manticore that had appeared. She pierced its side, causing organ damage as she stunned it. She then hit again with Flurry of Blows. Taras called Lightning on another, before using the War Mage's Chronocharm we took as spoils from the Viscount, what feels like ages ago, to cast Shatter as well. Between those two, the tree near the Manticore caught on fire, then the fire went flying. Lenna was able to get the same Manticore with Guiding Bolt. The Troll charged forward, getting caught in Ai's renewed web, before freeing itself. One of the Manticore both bit and clawed Charra. With the Troll beside me, I disengaged from it and went straight up in the air. Passing Charra Inspiration, I watched Ai leap onto the back of the Manticore closest to us to choke it. Elodie was able to cast Eldritch Blast at the Manticore by her in the clerics, hitting it twice before Charra lashed out at the troll. Balasar went after the Manticore near the clerics with their tridents. I missed if they hit or not.
Hitting the same Manticore again, Ikki caused some massive damage to it before moving away. Taras was able to once again call down lightning, before Lenna blessed him, Ikki, and Balasar. The Troll lashed out at Charra, hitting her twice. Almost instantly, TKKF slammed it and Ikki's Manticore with Firebolt. The Manticore Ikki had been hitting outright fled, while the one grappled by Ai failed to break free. The last hit Lenna with its tail spikes, though it missed Balasar and Taras. Getting above the troll, I was able to drop my flasks of Alchemist's Fire on its head to set it ablaze. Ai stabbed at the Manticore she was choking, before Elodie killed the one nearest her and the clerics. Charra outright took off the head of the troll, before Balasar finished off the remaining Manticore.
With Taras freed of Ai's webbing, most of our party is back together. Taras came to join us near the fountain and began to speak. He gave Lenna the iron pendant around his neck, before facing the rest of us in turn and complimenting us. He also told Balasar that their "sacrifice is noticed, their honor is not lost, and we will save them." Are we really sure that this is Taras? At one point, he called out to the fuckers who control this island and told them they will not prevent us from succeeding. He then called Elodie "Fierce One", before taking Lenna aside to speak with her.
After our clerics spoke, they returned to the water's side and called out to Ardent. She responded to us. She's able to help us, but she is weak. Lenna and Taras are helping to fuel the spell, so they can't move far from the water's edge. With an hour until the enemies appeared, as Ardent's work makes our location clear. Ai began to spin webs into the trees to block any approach, while others prepped our several nets overhead to drop onto an enemy's head as they passed below. Taras gave me his ball bearings to spill at the base of the cliff near the fountain, to try and prevent anything from coming down there.
Insert Combat Here
With the enemies defeated, everything went silent. Taras was the first to notice that not everything was calm, however. A great gust of wind, almost as strong as a twister, slammed down into the center of Taras's spell. Our nets are all tossed aside, the webs destroyed, and the fires put out. We could then all hear two sets of footsteps: one fast, one slow. We pushed backwards, prepping ourselves for whatever would come. A quick glance at Elodie showed that she was mostly freed of her stone. It is good to have her back. Two beings entered the area we were fighting: a storm giant, and a massive lizard with six sets of legs and electric crackling emanating from its mouth.
Enemies: Two stone giants
Initiative: TK, Ai, Balasar, Lyrica, Ikki, Stone Giants, Lenna, Charra
TK started by attacking with Chaos Bolt, before running back when she missed. Ai, hidden from view, hit one in the temple with a rock. Balasar missed their attack, before I was able to hit the same one Balasar missed with Dissonant Whispers. Balasar missed their attack of opportunity, before I passed Charra inspiration. Ikki raced in, missing her attacks before she readied herself to dodge. The giant that Balasar and I attacked missed but hit on the second swing, before the other tossed a fucking boulder at TK and pinned her beneath it. Lenna healed TK, before the spiritual weapon she summoned missed. Charra marked the same one that Ai and Ikki had gone after when she attacked.
Ikki cast a spell I don't recognize on one giant, before Ai managed to stab the other with her dagger. Balasar injured the organs of that giant, before I mocked the same one. Ordering Glug away, I inspired Balasar. Ikki attacked again, making it begin to bleed out. No longer under a spell, that giant attacked Charra. Only one hit landed, but considering how little damage it did Charra intimidated it into stepping back, and hit it when it did. The other giant attacked both Balasar and Ai, but only Ai was hit. Lenna was able to heal Balasar, before once again missing with her spiritual weapon. Charra missed when she attacked, sadly.
TK terrified one of the giants, before Ai attacked it once again with her dagger. Balasar proceeded to kill the giant, before the remaining one shook off my mockery. Rude. Ikki managed to make the remaining giant continue to bleed, before it ran away. Lenna landed a Guiding Bolt on it, before Charra came over to kiss me.
Chaos Bolt hit the fleeing Giant, before her magic surged. Ai, suddenly sporting fairy wings, was able to move and toss a rock at the giant. Sadly, it managed to catch the rock. Balasar, utilizing Expedious Retreat, caught up but missed. I, uh, well. I was still distracted. Ikki, however, flew after the giant. Dive Bombing the giant, she raked out a chunk of skin to kill it.
We rested for the evening, before we slept. In the morning, Taras chose to remain behind to try and meditate on what happened during the fight last night. I'm worried that he's remaining behind, but we'll see how goes. As we leave, Ai and TK began to lead us further toward the lighthouse. When we do, we began to hear some sort of rumbling. Great portions of earth and stone began to move. They didn't come immediately after each other, spread out between minutes and hours. Finally, as we made it to a less rocky area where the island widened again, we can see pretty far. Atop some very high cliffs to the north, we can see a high tower that is likely our destination. We could also see jungle, jungle, and more jungle. And some swampland. Seeing that, we began to make our way to the plain below us. As we did so, we were surprised by a pair of stone giants.
Combat Link Here
After the giants were dead, we chose to take a short rest while I began to play my flute to help us heal. Charra rebraided my hair for me while we rested, which was, nice. After that was done, we began to move further northwest the best we can. As we began to continue through the jungle, we found a statue that looked very familiar. It was Elodie shaped. We've found our Elodie. She's trapped, but her eyes are still moving.
According to the map TK had shared with us, there was a fountain that might reverse what had happened to our warlock. Even though it's the opposite direction from our final destination, we decided to go after that. Elodie agreed that tying her to Glug would be the safest thing just in case we encounter combat, so we went ahead and did that. Ikki and I decided to scout above in order to see if we could spot the fountain. Ikki was able to spot an old, overgrown cobblestone path that seemed to lead to our destination. Suddenly, we heard a whistling noise. We both managed to avoid the ballista that were shot at us, and immediately dove down.
Headed south, we found the fountain. It was, kinda hard to miss since there was a very naked man sitting in it. This was the same dude that Lenna, Balasar, and Ai once encountered. What the hell, dude. I started untying Elodie, since this is most likely the place that will fix her.
Long story short, we eventually got rid of him once we pointed out this was once a place for Selune, and mostly just pissed him off. Once he left, the growth that had been within the fountain cleared, and the entire fountain seemed, calm. TK began to do a dance around the fountain, and the water rose in small waves to follow her.
After she did, I stuck the rusted dagger we'd found into the fountain. The water began creeping up it, so I pulled away. TK stuck a claw in, and it began to grab her. Dragging her in, it spun her around and tossed her onto the grass.
Lenna chose to cast Augury, while Ai spun a web and I cast Detect Magic. Bad idea, my eyes are now very blinded. Ow. Oh, and a few of our things were here. I got my bracers back, as well as the rapier I took from the Viscount and a few other things. Very pleased. Taras got caught in the web as well, which was great.
Before doing anything else, Ai was able to check her knowledge of Androphinx and warn us that Omegiach was immune to being Charmed or Frightened. After that, TK slammed him with a Chaos Bolt. Charging in, Balasar was able to grab their shield bracer before attacking Omegiach. The sphinx then attacked back, before Taras charged in to grab his shield and cast Shatter. I was only able to cover the distance between me and the pile by flat out running but was able to grab my flute by doing so. Omegiach Roared, rendering us frightened before summoning a Spiritual Weapon. Before anything else happened, time stopped. Balasar, Taras, and I found ourselves in front of Alpho. She offered us each a choice. Balasar could take save their patriarch, but only by taking the Pestilence onto themselves. They did. I, fuck. I gave up Kiran's lyre. I was too out of it to hear Taras's choice. Ikki was then able to lay Silence on Alpho, before Charra tried and failed to grapple the spirit weapon. Lenna refused to take part in this.
Ai began spinning a web below the bridge, while TK's Chaos Bolt hit home again. Balasar slammed the war banner into Omegiach four times via Action Surge, before Taras's Guilding Bolt hit. I was able to grab Charra's smithing tools and pouch, before passing TK inspiration. Omegiach teleported in between Taras, Balasar, and I, before knowing Taras and myself airborn. As he does so, Balasar was able to stab him. As energy began to grow in Omegiach's mouth, time seemed to skip. Suddenly, I was moved behind Taras, and something small was where I had been. It was utterly destroyed by the attack. Ikki was unable to hit with her spell, while Charra's net did nothing. Lenna is still refusing to take part.
Ai finished her web, before Chaos Bolt erupted from TK once more. Balasar stepped out of the silence just long enough to cast a spell, before hiding in it again. Taras nearly took out Omegiach with Guiding Bolt, but he healed himself. I hit him with Dissonant Whispers, even though I didn't wish to be involved in killing him. Omegiach's spiritual weapon missed me in his response, before a pillar of flame hit Charra, Taras, and I. I and Charra avoided the worst damage, but Taras fell unconcious. Ikki fed a potion to an unconscious Lenna (apparently Alpho's conversation?), but it didn't seem to work. She dragged her to a bush instead. Charra was able to heal Taras.
Ai's spidersilk net restrained Omegiach, before first TK and then Balasar hit him to finish him off.
With Alpho having left the area, we began moving on while Ai and TK took the lead. We knew that there was a chance that Omegiach was ahead of us, so we passed out the health potions we'd gotten our hands on when we found the Kobold yesterday. Balasar, Ikki, Charra, Lenna, Taras and myself each took one for if it was needed. As we traveled, we found the ruins of what was at one time likely fortifications of some sort. Searching inside, we found nothing of note while TK did a little dance for us before we moved on.
After two hours of travel into the mountains, including a few shortcuts that TK lead us along, we found a large bridge. On the far side waited Omegiach. As we moved forward, and Taras stepped onto the bridge, he began to speak. While we tried our best to talk him out of fighting us physically, we had no other option. There at the Sea Scar, Omegiach brought up a magical barrier to prevent us from running, before we had no choice but to fight. Taras was the first to notice it, but some of our missing items were there on the bridge.
Insert Combat Here
With Omegiach dead, we retrieved our items and revived Lenna. Alpho retrieved her brother's corpse, before flying away as the pair seemed to dematerialize. Now we knew what Alpho's test for us would be. A series of difficult choices were presented to us in groups, and we were forced to choose. She showed me Kiran's new apprentice, having failed his Initiation. I could help him, by giving us the very instrument he had once gifted me. I couldn't let that boy go through the same thing I did, so I gave it up. Balasar took on the illness of their clan's patriarch to spare them, while Charra. Charra sacrificed her maker's brand for me. I'm unsure what the others chose, however. By the gods. Am I really worth that much to her?
Ikki noticed a campfire in a cliffside cave across the gorge, so we began to make our way across. As we headed for it, we crossed the bridge. As the last of us stepped off of it, one of the Beings spoke out. They informed all our pursuers we were on the western side of the map. Making our way quickly to the cave, I was able to cast Tiny Hut to protect us overnight. Charra and I took the first watch, while Ikki and Lenna took one after us. I am pleased to have my armor and the flute Charra built me back, even though I mourn the loss of my lyre.
Without my armor, I'm uncertain about close combat. So, I started off by tossing some vicious mockery at one beetle, before Balasar closed in and attacked it twice. Taras's Toll the Dead was ineffective, but a raging Charra was able to slam her weapon into one. TKKF got clear, hitting the beetles once but her second spell going wide. One beetle hit Charra, while two others missed. The remaining two missed Balasar. Ai also came in, grabbling a beetle and garroting it. Lenna was able to kill one of the beetles, before Ikki went after another
Inspiring Charra, I was able to attack another beetle. Balasar decided to try to attack one of the beetles on Charra's other side, hitting Charra instead when she didn't duck in time. They then attacked another and was able to kill it off. Taras warned Charra that Balasar will one day turn on us (yeah right) before he hit a beetle with Sacred Flame. Charra attacked again, as did TKKF. Ikki avoided being hit, but Charra took two attacks. Ai killed another beetle, before Lenna weakened one of the remaining two. Ikki quickly finished them both off.
After a night wrapped around Charra, we woke to realize that Elodie had gone somewhere and is now missing. Lenna seemed unconcerned and was unhappy that we're focused on finding our silly Warlock. After some travel, we found a clearing. Pillars surrounded a pile of rubble, and the tracks we'd been following go right into it. Charra instantly went to try to clear the rubble, when we heard what sounded like Elodie stating "some of our stuff is just west of here."
It wasn't her, though. It was a Kenku called "This Kenku Kills Fascists", who had heard her at one point. After Balasar and Charra continued digging, they found Elodie's Tome from Najika. Balasar took hold of it, and Taras's Augury call to Umberlee is pushing us toward the beacon. Continuing to travel, we found a tree with eight small blue gems set around its base. Lenna's stones from her sling didn't set them off, so Charra went to mess with them. Putting pressure on one of them, we were attacked by eight beetles.
Combat Link Here
Once we'd finished them off, Ai has one wrapped up and we have eight sapphires of some sort. We continued on, and as we cleared the western edge of the jungle the hunt began. Now the denizens of this forest will be hunting us, shit. Moving into the barren area beyond the jungle, we found what seems to be TKKF's home. It's little more than a hovel, but there is a map there she had created.
As we press forward, Balasar and Ikki were able to warn us something was coming our way. Two large Sphinxes land near us, blocking our path forward. I don't know much about sphinx, not like Ai and Charra know. All I do know is they are large and could likely kick our asses. They speak to each other, and I didn't really catch their conversation. After, the male flew off and the female stayed behind.
According to Alpho, the giant Salt has taken Elodie, and she is imprisoned somewhere on the island. Alpho in particular, however, is here to test our resolve. She is surprised when Charra asks if it must be through violence, or if we can settle it another way. Apparently, we are the first to not outright attack her.
Alpho finds our willingness to remain peaceful intriguing, and thinks her brother will, too. However, his oath will require that he give us a more physical task. We agree to take her challenge, something that will put an obstacle of some sort in our path. With our agreement to her challenge, she throws up a sandstorm around us. I found myself in a slate white room, Alpho across from me. There, she asked me a question I would rather not put any more thought into. She knows what my answer is, and I know what I told her. After speaking with her, the sandstorm cleared, and we found ourselves back in the badlands. With that, Alpho is gone, and it is time to go up again her brother Omegiach.
So on one hand, we're definitely in the Undersea now. On the other hand, we're naked and all our equipment is gone. Oh, and we're surrounded by part fish, part frog beings. And then behind them were three really big beings. All dicks. One of them dispelled Elodie's spell when she went to cast it, and we basically continued to piss them off by not letting them speak until all but Taras and Elodie were paralyzed by some sort of spell. Middle height: grey, bald. Shortest: pale white, sinewy features. Tallest and first that spoke, very dark brown skin and green hair. All dicks.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyways, there's supposedly a challenge here on the Isle of Woe. If we can get to the north western corner of the island and light the beacon, before making it back to the north eastern corner and climb to the Champion's Mount, we 'win'. What we win, who fucking knows. Also, these dicks are the Salt, Stone, and Sea fuckers that have been causing issues. Ikki and I flew up to try and get a layout of the island. To the north is rocky cliffs, the eastern shore is entirely the sandy beach we woke up on, to the south there is a swamp and lagoon, and in the center of the island is a bunch of jungle. Past the jungle is a barren area that's primarily dunes and little vegetation, before a mountain range. Can't see much past that but likely is more jungle.
Balasar, Charra, and I all dismissed our familiars. Unlike Ikki and Elodie, we have no way to recall them outside of the scrolls we must find again. Ikki and Elodie spent ten minutes trying to locate Elodie's headband via Locate Object but were unable to find anything in the mile of so they covered via the air. Balasar tried to recall their weapon, but nothing seemed to work. Well shit. Ai was able to use spider silk and banana leaves to make us some clothes, so us girls are all wearing leaf bikinis and loincloths at this point. Better than nothing, I suppose.
Charra is upset. I think one of the things that went missing is important to her. I wish I knew how to comfort her. Joka päivä hän kasvaa minulle. Vihaan nähdä häntä niin ahdistuneeksi. On the beach we were able to locate a number of items. Four clams, some driftwood, fist sized stones, a shell, some old copper coins, a rusty knife, a dead crab, three smooth stones, and a pair of damaged sandals. While others searched, Ikki had started making us a list of what we need to handle in this first day we have to prepare, before the inhabitants of the jungle are turned loose on us. Shelter, wood, stone, weapons, and holy symbols for the clerics was already on the list, but I added in that I could use an instrument to utilize as a focus. While some of us worked on checking two of the clams for pearls I might be able to use for Identify, Ikki and Charra retrieved 150 ft. of vines for us to use as rope. With Elodie on Balasar's shoulder, we started to make our way to the northern cliffs. Hopefully there would be shipwrecks were could plunder.
And plunder we did. Between two ships, we found half a skeleton, 50 ft. of rope, three barrels of fresh water, a barrel of oil, four bottles of rum, twenty four bullets, a captain's log, thirteen days of rations (though 7 are moldy), two glass vials, two hand cannons, a holy symbol, an iron pendant that needs engraved, five large nets, two packets of black powder, three sets of padded armor, a ruined set of leather armor, two axes, two shields, three tridents, three waterlogged books, a knife, a mace, and a sabre. Ai also found a blowgun with five darts, hide armor, a leather knapsack, and some coin in a crevasse in the cliff side.
We found some Kobold once we wandered into the jungle, and tracked them to an area they had a bunch of stuff in. With Lenna and Ikki distracting them, Ai was able to steal six potions, Taras' Pearl of Power, Balasar's War Banner, Elodie's armor, another set of armor, and a club. After the Kobold left, we grabbed the other items as well.
Following them to their base, we found ourselves at the camp of the kobold, Kua-toa, and Bullywog. Knowing they will attack in the morning, we started to make our way northwest. Finding an old and collapsing building, we made a temporarily camp for the night. Charra is still not back to herself. I'll keep her close to me this night.
The day we headed downstairs, I got Taras' attention. Telling him that we were sorry for what had happened in the Queen's lair, I told him that we had a present for him, the plate mail. Elodie was (somehow) holding it up to show him. He was confused, but was pleased to hear that we were apologizing, and that we do trust him. Of course, we are making it harder to hit him in the future. Between that, and the decorative plate that Ai had gotten him, we got to get two small flickers of a smile. He decided that he'd set the plate on Umberlee's alter as we left. Charra had also turned the Queen's skull into a pauldron for his armor. Also, apparently the rumor I'd heard that he had killed and/or robbed the priest he got his old armor from was incorrect. Elodie had heard there was a monk in Newgar that we might be able to get information from, and seems to be the one who teleported the Night Shift into the room we met them in. Dude is apparently often naked? Also, I let the party know that the Silver Eagles are getting ready to leave again.
Talking to Ox, we changed our party name to "Crafters, Critters, and Clerics". Also, Taras is not yet used to his plate and fell down. It was hilarious watching him rolling around until Balasar helped him get on his hands and knees. As we left, Elodie cast Water Breathing on us.
Wandering through the sewers and then the rat area, we eventually found our way to the temple. There was no one there anymore, and it took Balasar two hours in order to make us a path. Elodie cast Locate Object while there, and we got a lock on Ai's library. Making our way there, we encountered a well with some poison in it. Egh, whatever. Eventually we found the library and made our way inside. It's pretty interesting, but it definitely needs some work. But it'll make a good base for us. Finding our way through a large door that had been locked to Ai via Knock, we found our way to another iron door that did have a handle and key hole. We were able to unlock it, but it broke some of Ai's lockpicks. I was able to tell it was trapped, with a wire that would cut off the arm of whoever opened it. With a closer look, I was able to find the one section of the door I could smack and have the entire thing disarm itself. Once that was handled, Charra opened the door for us. Inside, we found several corpses that had rotted nearly completely. There was also a glowing tidal pool that seemed to have formed out of the rock itself.
After looking around, Ai and Taras were able to tell us what the Abyssal written on the walls said. "Here in the hour of our victory we call upon those names most shunned. / Salt. Answer our calls and honor our sacrifice. Salt. / May the ancient words wake you. May the truth of conviction turn your gaze. / Here in the hour of our enlightenment we call upon those names most shunned. / Stone. Answer our calls and honor our sacrifice. Stone. / May the blood satisfy you. May the strength of the spirits here shield us from your fury. / Here in the hour of our pride we call upon those names most shunned. / Storm. Answer our calls and honor our sacrifice. Storm. / May the songs we sing sooth your rage. May your laughter shatter our skulls and free our minds."
Almost immediately after that, Taras started thrashing and fell down. Elodie and I had taken a look at the tidal poo, realizing the coral itself was grown into a semi-permanent teleportation circle that veered both into and out of the elemental Plane of Water. Taras was shouting, asking who was doing something, and called out for Umberlee. He looks like those I have attacked with Viscious Mockery sometimes do. It's a psychic attack.
Eventually, when he called out "Are you Ardent?", the pain left him. The ceiling also broke, and water began to pour in. Running for the portal, Ikki and Elodie grabbing Taras, we all jumped in. As we did, our vision went black. When we came to, the cragged roof overhead was lit with glimmering crystals, like bright stars. When one flickered out, another would take its place. Along with that, we were surrounded by strange, morphed two-legged fish people, purple in color and carrying crude weapons. Last, and certainly the most worrying? Glug seemed empty, and we are each as naked as the day we were born. Our armor, our equipment. All gone. We then heard a loud voice, declaring us as new Contenders to the island. Well, fuck.
GODDAMNIT. MY LYRE. MY FLUTE. My gloves. Everything is Gone. My spare scroll to recall Kiran!
Because of how fast she charged in, Charra was able to mark two of the Banshee at the beginning of combat. Ai also moved in, attacking one of the Banshee that Charra had marked. Sadly, Taras, Elodie, and Lenna each missed with their attacks against the Banshee, before I was able to get the same one Ai has hurt with my glaive. The last banshee flew over my head, and I was able to swing my glaive up and over to injure it. Thankfully, because of our earplugs no one was hurt when it Wailed. The other two both attacked Charra, who blocked one when it attacked. Ikki was able to attack the one who attacked Ikki, before Balasar attacked the same.
Charra was able to get the same two, before she Surged to kill one. Ai was able to one again get one of the remaining Banshee. Taras missed one again, before Elodie blasted it. Lenna and I both missed, before one tried to run. However, between Ai, Charra, and myself it fell dead. The other failed to use its Horrifying Visage, and everyone but Ikki was fine against it. Lenna was able to get it with her sword as it came past her. Ikki shook off her dear, before Balasar missed their attack.
Closing in on the remaining enemy, Charra and Ai each managed to hit it. Taras, Elodie, and Lenna each failed their attacks, before my glaive finished it off.
After we finished in the palace, we headed back out of the castle. Finding ourselves in the same courtyard, with all the spoilers of our ill-gotten gains from inside. Taking a short rest to recover what energies we needed, we realized this would be a good spot to honor the Jester's final request. We buried him there, in the courtyard of the palace he had served, the palace in which he had died. Lenna did a quick dedication of some sort, and we were able to set up a gravestone for him as well. Now that we're done, we should report back to Marsque. Of course, some of us are interested in tracking down those ghouls and dealing with them, while others only wish to continue on. Enough of us are interested in finding them we decided to go ahead and focus on that and see if there's anything else we can get from the city as well.
Following our previous path back, we got detoured because of a building that had collapsed. Our detour meant that we found an old market and were able to get ahold of another forty-two gold pieces, as well as a large, rusted iron key. There was a small rune etched into one end, though none of us could tell what it meant. As we continued on, a terrible, haunting scream echoed out across the area. I don't know why, but I went to flee. Charra reacted quickly enough to grab my ankle and prevent me from flying off, and eventually I calmed enough to drop to the ground beside her. She and I were able to tell it was otherworldly in nature, likely originating from the ethereal plane. We continued on, Ai scouting ahead and Balasar watching our rear.
Eventually, we found a large, three story building. It had a balcony on the second floor, and inside the second floor was a red light, flickering like a lantern. Ai skuttled up to the third floor, while Ikki and I flew high enough to see through into the second floor. Ikki ended up sending her familiar through and let me know what she saw. From that, I sent a Message to both Charra and Ai. Taras took a look inside, seeing only the ruins of an old brothel. Ikki was about to use Minor Illusion to show us what she'd seen, a trio of banshee. Knowing what we were about to encounter, Taras cast Deafness on Charra while Ai was able to make the rest of us earplugs. Before that happened, Ai was able to tell us they have a number of elemental resistances, and immunity to others. Lenna also Blessed Charra, Ikki, Balasar, and Myself. Once that was done, Ikki dropped Silence into the room even as Charra charged in.
Combat Link Here
After we finished the banshee off, we took a chance to look around. The red light was a Lantern of Revealing, and we were able to also get four vials of ectoplasm. There was a large, innate bureau in one corner that matched the key. I took the time to check for traps first and was able to dismantle it to gain one vial of the poison Courtesan's Pride. We found an ornate corset in the bureau as well, which I was able to Identify as the Night Lady's Corset
Courtesan's Pride: a creature subjected to this poison must have the constitution to shrug this off immediately, or they become poisoned for three hours. Their charisma and intelligence are affected for the duration, and they become very susceptible to suggestion.
Night Lady's Corset: magical leather armor, and when it is left uncovered creatures who would find the wearer attractive are more susceptible to advances. They also are at a disadvantage to realize they are being charmed.
We eventually made it back to the rats and spoke with Agent 52 once again. They fetched Marsque, to whom we reported our events in the palace. He inquired about the pure iron, which we admitted to finding three bars of. We offered them one, as well as most of the hardwood we'd gotten from the bedframe. We also offered to see what materials we might be able to bring down from the surface.
The Green Ears also each receives a ring from Marsque. While the ones the Night Shift were given will emit pheromones that will get them help, ours won't. It will at least let the other rats know we are allies, not enemies. We also got two more twisted rat tails, and a map. The map will lead us to the Undersea. Between that, and being able to use the water hole and a code phrase? It'll take us a half a day's walk to reach the Undersea. Knowing that we would need a boat to traverse the Undersea and wanting to give Charra a chance to make the chainmail bag of holding she'd been planning, we decided to surface.
After speaking with Ox, we had over fifteen hundred gold pieces from selling the stuff from our raid on the palace. Between that, and the gold that we'd found, we walked away with over 230 in gold apiece. I have, never had this much money in the past. Holy shit. Requisition form wise, we each received five bronze and three silver forms. The party as a whole also was given two electrum forms. We agreed we wanted to spend enough time for Charra to craft, and Balasar to enchant, a chainmail bag of holding. We came up on the 14th and spend the 15-17th crafting. We head back down tomorrow morning. I have a few new spells I can't wait to show off. I also got a few new things from Ox. With my silver forms, I got a set of magical tinker's tools, a third level Arcane Battery, and some Artificer's Goggles. They can cast Detect Magic for an hour a day, which will save me some effort, and can make crafting easier. For my bronze, I picked up a Candle of the Depths, five rumors, the Ox special, two scrolls of Find Familiar, and I'm still trying to figure out the last. I'll decide on that before we head down in the morning.
Our first evening in the guild, we decided to enjoy some of the various alcohol that the party had found over our time in the guild. But, something happened during our drinking. I got hammered early on, and eventually, a drunk Charra turned to me and asked me on a date. I can't really remember what I told her back, other than I accepted. I can't believe I did that! I, fuck. I'm definitely falling for her. But I'm still scared.
After spending the day working on our individual projects, we both cleaned up and headed out for our date. Holy shit, a date. I've never been on one before. With, her, we went out, but it was never obviously as a date. Shortly before we left, Balasar came running up. They'd decided to cash in most of their forms for some gold. Between that, the gold they'd gotten from what we'd sold, and Lenna, they were only two hundred short of being able to outright afford Plate. Charra and I offered to cover whatever selling off their splint mail. Because of how busy they were in the forge, they asked if we could handle making the purchase, which we were happy to do. We also had other items we needed as a party. Mostly adventuring supplies. A pair of ten-foot poles and ten-foot ladders if we need them. Ten more pitons, some grappling hooks. Two sledgehammers and four shovels as well. And, one other thing as well. Took a bit to find someone who would sell it to me, but then also took longer to talk the price down. Anyways, we were able to get those, and also the plate for Balasar. The splint we sold for base price, so between that and what Lenna offered we technically had enough. I added in 30 of my own gold so that Balasar wasn't left with nothing. We went out for dinner after bringing everything back, which was good. And then we went dancing! I am, not a dancer in the least. We mostly just swayed together and tripped over each other's feet. It was so great though. Getting the plate for Balasar made me think of something we could do for Taras as a "We're sorry for being idiots" gift. The second party form could be used to get them some plate as well.
Anyways, between crafting, seeing the Eclipse of Selune with the party, and a second date with Charra today, we had a good time above ground. Charra surprised me for our second date. She'd gotten a pair of flying boots from Ox with one of her forms, so we went flying together. I'd managed to finish the flute that day, so we ended up sitting down and I played for her. The rest of the party agreed on my idea of using the form to get Taras plate armor. So, we'll present that to him before we head down.
Having defeated the Jester, we had rested and slept. Upon waking, we began to gather ourselves and decide what we wanted to do next. With no real expectation of there being any enemies in the castle, we let Elodie check where the book and card happen to be. One was on the same level as the third floor of the tower, and the other on the second level. As we headed out, we decided to try the staircase that we'd been blocked from in the past, leading up to the second floor. Once there, Charra decided she wanted the rug. While we were confused, both Lenna and myself decided to give her a hand. 24 yards of cloth later, we now have a giant rug in Glugapold. Okay. (How does she make me laugh for something so silly?) At the top of the stairs, we found a set of wide double doors that were decorated in a variety of ways, including reliefs of elven nobility. Of course, this was once an elvish castle.
Ai checked them for traps, or if the door was locked. Ever since she joined the party I have been doing less of that, and yet. I don't mind. My magic is growing stronger, and I'm improving in it all the time. She can handle the locks, and the doors. I have my own worth I bring to our group even without the skills my thieves' kit gives me. Let her have that. She found that the doors did not appear to be trapped, or locked, though they were definitely warded against magic. Large and heavy, the doors nonetheless opened without much resistance. Inside, we found a grand room. Beautiful, with stained glass behind it, there was a throne in front of us, and a figure sitting upon it. It was the ghost of Queen Elanna of Newgar, holding her. Well, holding her skull.
Apparently, she was not the one who chose to lock the Jester in the tower and forget him there. By the time she had any knowledge about the situation, he was already a poltergeist and there was nothing she could do. The court's machinations that been the reason for our insane battle, and well. Never have I hated nobles more. I can't stand assholes who think their fucking bloodline makes their choices automatically correct.
She wants us to do her a minor favor, and also wishes to give us a warning. For the request, she wishes for one of our clerics to bestow upon her skull the "favor of a god", casting a spell of any sort upon in. Before we got that information about the skull, Taras asked her about the words it had been telling him. Apparently, they are connected to something dark, and caused the skull to begin insanely vibrating in her hand. As it was hers, that's why she was able to grab and hold it.
Elanna wasn't sure if we would believe her warning. Of course, without Taras' Zone of Truth there was no way to guarantee she would be truthful in her words, so we had to be willing to trust her. Her warning? Be careful in our interactions with the being calling himself the Rat King, as who knows what he actually is. She then spoke with Taras, and recognized his mace as being called the Mace of 1,000 Waves, and that it is definitely connected to Umberlee. There was also apparently a poem relating to it, though I don't recall enough of it. And, the fastest way for us to reach the undersea would be to drop through the fucking window.
We finally got the chance to understand how exactly she came to be where we killed her. After we left, the being who stabbed her appeared and kidnapped her. She was escorted by him and the rats to us, where she was stabbed by that dagger. When he did it, it unleashed some aspect of the curse that had been dormant until then. She had a hard time describing what she encountered, things that were at the beck and call of the librarian.
Elodie brought something up that really I would have loved to not have in my head thank you: was anything dangerous released with her death? Thankfully, no. At least, nothing more than we've already encountered. She did admit to her paranoia towards the Vermin King, but she also doesn't know what will happen now she's dead. There's nothing she was able to tell us about the nobles we had seen when here before.
The Pestilence probably won't make a return for another few years, so we have time. Supposedly. During the time of Newgar, they'd sent out parties to try to find information about the Pestilence, who never returned. They'd lost contact with them as well. Then, Queen Elanna managed to spring something on us we hadn't known. Apparently, Balasar's people had also been affected by the Pestilence. How fucking old are they holy shit? The sickle that we'd found was made of Pure Iron, a very sharp iron that will never rust or decay in any way. When Elodie asked her about the cards, it was apparently in her throne.
A vagabond had appeared at one point in the past, with an empty bowl and spoon in hand. During Newgar's time, that apparently meant they had to be given a seat at the table? Interesting. He left the card behind and told her if she kept it on the throne it would bring her kingdom good fortune. That didn't really help much but the guy also told her that eventually would come by asking for it, and give she should give it to them. Hey, that's us!
After a few more questions, we get the location of her personal quarters, the armory, and the treasury. Hehe. I think I surprised everyone when I flat out asked where the treasury was. Hey, they're all dead! I want that money, goddamn it. Lenna also can apparently hug ghosts. We were told a bit more about the Pestilence. Obviously, very bad. Magical healing doesn't work. And, one thing she realized way too late. Our greatest strength is in what we can do for each other.
The undersea is big, and has several islands dotting it. Note to self, return to the guild, get the fucking foldable boat before we venture down there. There are a number of drop offs to deeper areas known as the Undertow (very dangerous, careful), and is primarily inhabited by some sort of offshoot of Triton.
So. Taras cast fog cloud, Balasar reacted by trying to knock him out to stop it. This entire time I'm going "Why." Basically, the skull shook, the queen vanished, and Balasar missed. A great gale blew through the windows, shattering them, and a wave crashing from a great distance. Lenna grumbled in Elvish, I just caught "Bitch", Basically, we all kinda piss off Taras. Eventually, Charra takes the skull, and we decide to move on. We head to the Queen's quarters first, where Lenna jumped onto the bed. After that, I Presitidigitated it clean, we stripped the linens and stored them in Glug. We also found a few things in her room: three beautiful dresses that would conform to the form of whoever put them on (Balasar, Charra, and Elodie took these), twelve sheets of parchment, four bottles of ink, her diary, a pan flute, four scrolls (enfeeblement, scorching ray, detect thoughts, and detect magic), two bottles of perfume, twelve platinum pieces, and a magical golden hand mirror. Once a day, speaking a self-motivating phrase into it while doing a morning activity will boost their charisma for the day.
Elodie's tattoo reacted to the diary, because apparently her patron was interested in something to do with that. After that, Balasar launched themselves into the stripped bed. It was not built to handle 400+ lbs. of green dragonborn jumping onto it, so it broke down. Of course, Lenna joined in. Once we got them out, we were able to finish breaking the bed down and we put the remains in Glugapold.
After that, we decided to head down the stairs to find and loot the treasury. There, we found thirteen bottles of rare wine, another twenty-three platinum pieces, three portraits of nobility and one of the queen. We also found three bars pure iron, five bars silver, a bar of gold, four yellow sapphires, a red ruby, and three violet garnets.
In the treasury, we found four battleaxes, twelve suits of chainmail, one breastplate of gleaming, five short swords, twenty-four flasks of oil, a banner of the heroes, three long swords, and twelve daggers. The banner can be lifted twice a day to grant a bonus to our attacks for the rest of the current combat. Other places, we found a few books. They may be interesting to read. I was able to identify most of the items, though the Queen's skull still escaped my ability to understand.
Also Charra's new dress looks gorgeous, and I can't wait to see how it looks on her.
