Session 66

Search for Pauk

Chapter 1: Meeting in Azath's Rest

While in Azeth's Rest, the leaders met with their cells and learned of their exploits. In a small, dimly lit home in the slums, Massive Shiv gathered with a sense of urgency. Niscet, the human fighter, revealed that Pauk, their halfling cleric, had gone missing after discovering something important.

Klik'l, the Thri-Kreen cleric, produced a metal amulet bearing a dragon’s head emblem, left behind by Pauk. Damras, the human rogue, emphasized the need to find Pauk and uncover the amulet’s mystery. Korik, another fighter, agreed, stressing their duty to their comrade. Keelorr, the elf monk, calmly stated that the amulet might be the key to understanding Pauk’s disappearance.

Chapter 2: Journey Preparations

Deciding to rescue Pauk, the group braced for the arduous journey ahead. Gid'Wei, stepping into the role of leader, rallied the party with a fiery resolve. Karnos, the vigilant outrider, sought guidance from the occult but faced an eerie silence. Shiv and Shank, ever dependable as quartermasters, meticulously packed their gear, their faces set with determination. Safi, the keen-eyed sentry, studied the skies, sensing the pulse of the weather, while Anvar charted their course with unwavering focus.

As they ventured forth, Gid'Wei's tales of heroism echoed through the air, kindling a fierce spirit within the group. Karnos, ever the sentinel, scrutinized every shadow, ensuring no threat went unnoticed. Shiv and Shank, their strength a comforting presence, bore the weight of their supplies with ease. Safi and Anvar, sharp-eyed and alert, stood sentinel through the night, their watchful gaze a shield against the encroaching darkness. The group's unity and resolve were palpable, each member driven by the hope of finding their missing comrade.

Chapter 3: To Cromlin

After four grueling days on the road from Azeth's Rest, the group reached the formidable Fort Ral. The walls loomed high, promising a brief respite, and they paid for entry to rest their weary bodies. Another four relentless days of travel brought them to Ket, where they again exchanged coin for the solace of safety and rest.

Pushing onward, they journeyed through the harsh wilderness until Bitter Well emerged from the horizon. The surly dwarves there radiated hostility, and the group decided to bypass the settlement. The strain took its toll on Shiv, who became exhausted.

After two more arduous days, they reached the tense city of Draj, where they sought refuge and recovery amidst the bustling streets and watchful eyes. With renewed vigor, they embarked on the next leg of their journey, and after three more days, the chaotic city of Raam loomed ahead. Opting for caution, they circumvented its tumultuous streets, pressing forward on their path.

Chapter 4: The Sky Singers

About a day out from Raam, the group stumbled upon an elf market, vibrant with excited crowds, tantalizing smells, and the sounds of merriment and haggling. The marketplace dazzled with its vibrant colors and exotic merchandise, each stall more enticing than the last. Amidst the lively scene, a few key places caught their attention: a noisy tavern promising the allure of fermented kank mead and elven melodies, a weapons dealer's tent with intriguing wares and hidden treasures, and a tent full of fresh fruit, tempting with the promise of sweet tarange.

As they approached the lively encampment, the flickering lanterns and bustling activity starkly contrasted the sorrowful air that hung over the elven tribe. Drawn to a small gathering at one tent, they were beckoned by a friendly elf trader, who began a tragic tale.

"Come, hear the tragic tale of Jessix and Slinnasia," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Our tribe grieves deeply for these two great elves, lovers who ventured into the desert, returning with magical relics from ancient ruins. But after their last journey, only Jessix returned, his hands stained with an ominous blackness."

The trader's eyes glistened as he recounted the story, barely masking the tribe's pain. "Though no one outright accused Jessix of murder, the blame settled on him like a shroud. Jessareen, the bard and sister to Slinnasia, sang songs of vengeance, turning the tribe against Jessix. Unable to bear their scorn, he fled before he could be formally exiled."

The trader paused, his gaze distant. "But Jessareen's wrath was not sated. She ventured into the wastes to confront him, only to return, her mind shattered by grief and madness. The black stains on Jessix’s hands, the bard's twisted mind... all of it leaves us wondering about the true nature of their fate."

He looked at them, eyes pleading for understanding. "Stay with us a while, hear more of our stories, and perhaps you may find a way to lift this pall of sorrow from our tribe."

Chapter 5: Jessareen and the Caller in the Darkness

The group found Jessareen sitting alone in a corner, drinking and staring vacantly. When they approached her, she acted nervously, frequently breaking off to speak in a strange language to some unseen presence or ducking from invisible dangers. In the middle of a conversation with Shank, Jessareen began to sing, her voice haunting and otherworldly. “He lives beneath the shifting silt, amid the ruins and shadows,” she sang. “He showed me time, and land, and war. He let me meet the Ravager. The Ravager! He's coming to get Jessix for his crimes, to make us pay for murder and treachery. He rises from a silt-filled grave, to end this age of dragons…”

Her voice trailed off, and she slumped back in her seat, overcome by madness and exhaustion. While the group pondered their next move, Jessareen suddenly sat up, her eyes fixed directly on Gid’Wei. “To Giustenal you must go,” she told him with unexpected clarity. “To the city by the Silt Sea.” Then she closed her eyes and rested.

Following this eerie encounter, the elf tavern fell silent. The laughter and good cheer faded, and even the playful banter of the servers ceased. A male elf tale-singer then leaped atop a table to lift the dark mood with a spooky story. He sang of the Caller in Darkness. “Don’t look for cloth from Raam in our tents tomorrow, or salt, or silk," he began. “House M’ke’s caravan won’t be arriving in the morning, because last night the traders heard the call. The sun had set, the fires of the camp were blazing, and the twin moons climbed high in the night sky when the voice called to Murthuk, captain of the guard. It was not a voice you could hear with your ears, but Murthuk heard it anyway. It told him things the likes of which I’ve never heard as the camp fell asleep around him. Before the first rays of the crimson sun lit the horizon, Murthuk had done as the voice commanded. He murdered every trader and guard in the camp. Then, still carrying his bloody obsidian blade, he set off toward the ruins by the Silt Sea. So beware the night, my friends, and try not to listen to the Caller in Darkness.”

Chapter 6: Elves in Trouble

The twisting canyons of the rocky badlands stretched before the group. As they navigated the maze of crumbling rock, a terrible roar echoed through the nearest canyon, shaking the stone walls and scattering small creatures hiding nearby. They looked around, but the hazy waves of heat obscured their view. With a second roar, they spotted the source—a large, four-legged cat stalking the rim of a nearby rise, seeming to have something trapped behind it. From the other side, they could barely make out a voice crying for help.

Safi ran to the edge of the path, attempting to climb up but falling twice. Anvar also tried to climb but fell, deciding instead to help Safi. Karnos metamorphosed into a cilops and skittered up the cliff towards the cat. Gidewei tried to climb but fell, standing up again. Shank warned everyone that the voices were the Caller in Darkness and waited to run away. The cat, a tagster, turned towards the group and moved along the edge. Shiv used his cunning action to dash and quickly climbed the 40-foot cliff, getting close to the tagster. The tagster slashed at Shiv, who riposted and then tripped the cat, knocking it prone. Shiv used his action surge to make more attacks, pushing it over the cliff, but it landed on its feet.

Safi, with Anvar's help, made it halfway up before falling again and decided to wildshape into a hatori rather than climb again. Anvar failed to get up and, after falling, picked himself up. Karnos, as a cilops, moved to attack the tagster with his antennae and bite but missed. Gidewei failed to climb up and picked himself up off the ground. Dominated by the tagster, Shank flew into a rage and attacked Safi in hatori form, forcing him out of his wildshape. Outnumbered, the tagster ran away.

Chapter 7: Jellog and Bertik

After chasing away the tagster, the group found two elves cowering in the shadows. They introduced themselves as Jellog and Bertik, members of the Sky Singers tribe from the Twilightcatchers clan. They explained they were on their way to Cromlin at the request of Guvaano, the tribe’s elder wizard, to investigate rumors concerning the ruins of Giustenal. The Veiled Alliance had heard that a dwarf named Passk knew a way into a vast city buried beneath the Silt Sea, rumored to contain ancient magical items.

However, due to Bertik's wounds and Jellog's dehydration, neither elf was in any condition to complete the journey. They believed they could reach Cromlin with help but would be useless for an expedition into the ruins. It was better for them to return to Nibenay and send someone else to meet the dwarf. The group provided them with food, water, and healing. Jellog tried to convince them to take up the mission, explaining that the Veiled Alliance had been receiving disturbing rumors about ancient Giustenal magical items appearing. Some came from the Sky Singers tribe, while others showed up unexpectedly. If there was a hidden cache, the Alliance wanted to reach it before the sorcerer-kings did. There were also rumors of a figure called the Ravager, or the Dread King, who desert mystics claimed would soon emerge from the city by the Silt Sea.

“Find this dwarf named Passk and convince him to help us,” Jellog urged. “I'll send another member of the Alliance to meet you in Cromlin as soon as I get back to Nibenay.”

Chapter 8:The Silt Stalkers

A strange noise rose from the darkness, carried by the chill night winds. Low at first, then louder, terrifying shrieks surrounded the camp. It seemed as if the night itself had turned angry. The shrieks were maddening, deafening, and seemed to close in from all directions. Suddenly, a shower of arrows began.

Safi summoned tiny baazregs and wildshaped into a baazreg boneclaw, moving closer to the attackers. His baazregs made minor attacks. Two defilers cast an acid fireball and a lightning fireball on the camp. Gidewei used hellish rebuke to punish one attacker. Shank rushed the wounded defiler and slew him with his great axe before turning on an archer. Anvar put out the campfire to hide in the shadows before moving close to the baazregs. Shiv charged into the darkness but failed to hit. Karnos metamorphosed into a mastryial, finished off one enemy, stung another, and then went prone. Many enemies targeted Shank with arrows, scoring multiple hits. Those near the baazregs dropped their bows and swung bone swords. Safi and his baazregs attacked. The defilers countered with poison bolts, but Shank resisted. He retaliated with his axe, summoned an ash cloud, and scored hits. Anvar used first aid on himself, moved away, and went prone. Shiv lit a torch and attacked. Karnos unburrowed, attacked with bite and claw, and stung another raider. Gidewei prepared to dodge.

Silt stalkers hit Shank with arrows, while others attacked Safi with bone swords. More arrows flew from the darkness, dropping many raiders. Encouraged, Safi retaliated. Shank killed one enemy in his smoke cloud, Anvar moved strategically, and Shiv attacked and grappled a raider. Karnos killed another, and Gidewei fired his bow, scoring one hit. The remaining raiders drew swords and engaged in melee. More arrows from the dark dropped more raiders. Safi, wildshaping into a mastryial, attacked and killed another raider. Shank dropped two more with his axe. Anvar grappled and pulled an enemy toward his allies. Karnos killed another. Gidewei scored another hit. The mysterious arrows from the dark finished off the remaining raiders.

Chapter 9: Jessix and the Loyal

A mysterious figure emerged from the wilderness. Tall and long-limbed, he was wrapped in leather with a scarf concealing most of his features, except for his sorrowful eyes. A bone long sword, carved with elven runes, hung at his side, and his hands were stained black from fingertips to forearms. He silently scrutinized the group, measuring their demeanor. Soon, other figures revealed themselves from the shadows, totaling five more. “This accursed region isn’t safe,” the elf with the black-stained hands finally said. “Go back the way you came while you still can.”

Jessix then drew them a map through the tar pits before he and his companions disappeared into the wilderness.

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