==Roll Call==
Childe Raymonde, Githyanki Paladin (Doty)
Bell, Kenku Cleric (CJ)
Blynce, Human-hybrid Fighter (Eric)
Vaal, Eladrin Rogue (Tim)
Bumi, Goblin Wizard (Matt)
Sheeza, Aasimar Wizard (Joanna)
Senzei, Human Monk (Frank)
To the Sanctuary of Albahith, Jigow Township
Greetings to the Masters of the Pilgrims, and hail to The Luxon:
Mission Report from Childe Raymonde (Part 22)
In the mansion, I was paralyzed by a ghost. My companions brought me towards the party's chambers at the inn, but my condition did not improve. They figured it would take a Greater Restoration spell from a high-level cleric to bring me back to normal. Mid-way, they changed their minds and brought me to the Temple instead.
Finding Fogholm the Firbolg priest, they asked for assistance. I was restored to full functionality, and we told him of our adventures.
We rested in the temple, and had the following vision!
Glass crunches underfoot amid overgrown weeds. Collapsed walls have been replaced with rows of wooden shelves that hold earthenware pots. Numerous alcoves are being used as planters for stubborn flora. Just outside the far end of the enclosure, a smashed mosaic of stained glass sits in a splintered window frame next to a withered, skeletal tree.
You see a young human, curls plastered to his brow by sweat, sinking to his knees in the garden. His eyes betray a lack of sleep, and despite the softness of his features, he looks like he has experienced more pain than any one person should bear. “They’re counting on me,” he whispers. “They need me, but I’m exhausted and frightened. What do I do? Please. Someone tell me—what do I do?”
The moons race across the sky, soon replaced by the angry red sun that rises before a fateful battle. Five silhouettes approach the temple, and one claps the kneeling figure on the back. Their voices are muffled, as if coming at you through water, but you see them embrace, standing strong, before marching off to war.
Upon awakening, the Firbolg priest told us this story:
“The Kryn capital of Rosohna was the Betrayer Gods’ citadel of Ghor Dranas in the time before the Calamity, and the Betrayers’ Rise was once a fortress protecting Ghor Dranas. In the darkest days of the Calamity, the Prime Deities and their most loyal champions laid siege to Ghor Dranas before capturing the Betrayers’ Rise and routing the Betrayer Gods’ forces there. Though storytellers have long since forgotten the names of many of those heroes, the force of their bonds still resonates across the land.”
We supposed it had to do with Alyxion, the man in our visions.
Five alcoves in the temple had the following carvings in common. The plants here seemed more healthy than the others.
“Friends forever. Don’t——forget——”
“You owe me a drink in Marquet, A——”
“I am writing this——record of me stating——I will never, ever duel you again.”
“This——written proof——promise to show you the mountains of my home one day.”
“We love you. We will always be with you.”
The priest gave us some insight into the symbol that Bumi had drawn some time ago -- the Jewel of Three Prayers. It was actually three symbols together: the symbols of three gods.
The priest bid us well and we went on our way.
We went to report our adventures to the Taskhand. The Taskhand thanked us for the information, and asked us to consider taking on a job for him. Apparently there was a smuggling ring active in Bazzoxan. (The magical mineral ore being smuggled was gray with red veins, similar to the skin of the woman from our vision.) The best place to start is to start to the known fence (Jacinda Almarie - Human) in town -- in the Seventh Clasp. The Clasp was an organized crime group on Wildmount.
We went to see Question, who was sitting with Prolix in the Inn. We told of our adventures. She told us of the death of Maggie Keen-Eyes. Prolix identified the ore (a sample which was carried by Bumi) as Ruidium, which can be used in weapons and perhaps even as a spell component. The Consortium is trying to acquire a supply of it, according to Prolix.
We then went to the Seventh Clasp, a trinket shop. The shopkeeper offered to tell our fortunes, and I immediately agreed. We bought some items (and surreptitiously searched the store, finding some correspondence about the smuggling):
Forward Aloysia’s shipment to the First Eclipse. Be very careful with it, we need it intact this time if we want to get ahead of the Allegiance.
-Aradrine the Owl
The following letter is in Thieves' Cant
LF FNCE N RTHLD. CALA GDS TRE GMS TRDE. 5in5 ENCRCH N TERR. FNISH N DEM TWN N CM RTHLD.
SP.R.ACD-A
“Looking for a new fence in Rothold. We deal in many Calamity era goods, treasure, gems, and trade. Five-in-five (Myriad) wants us dead. When you’re finished in demon-town you should come.
Spireling of Rothold, Arcadia”
Bumi's recurring dream: a Gray lady with red veins - "He's in prison, save him! Hurry!" Presumably this has something to do with the vision in the Grotto.
Sehanine - at the end of the Emerald Grotto, where Bumi found the Gem of Three Prayers.
We all had this vision (including our "rivals"):
The light around the pedestal fades as a spectral figure in the form of a male human rises from the amulet. He is dressed in leather armor and a tattered red cape and wears a shield. His face is framed by curly brown hair and bears a melancholic expression. He pleads, “I am imprisoned. Please help me.”
Suddenly, the ground vanishes beneath your feet, and you fall, tumbling through a vortex of golden light. You fall deeper, deeper, deeper, then suddenly stop. The golden light subsides, and you find yourself suspended in a pitch-black expanse. You feel water buoying you. A vermilion light appears in the distance, illuminating the melancholy warrior, who is shackled to the ground by disgusting strands of a fleshy, crimson substance.
He raises his gaze to the heavens and, sobbing, chokes out, “Moon Weaver, I beg of you. Guide those with the power to save me to the site where first I prayed to you.” He looks around, and his eyes settle on you. “Oh, gods, there you are! My name is Alyxian. I am lost in darkness. Long ago, I prayed to the Change Bringer in the heart of a temple of evil. I beg you, take my jewel and…”
You feel consciousness leaving you, as if the pressure of the water were crushing the life out of you. Alyxian’s voice is the last thing you hear before you pass out. “Save me. Please.”