In Ank'harel, still seeking the mystery of ruidium and the meaning of the visions of the long-ago war….
We found ourselves in possession of the Lash of Shadows (a weapon of the Betrayer Gods) and an airship!
We went to confer with the high coordinator of the Cobalt Soul. Ruidium comes from the underwater city deep beneath Ank'harel. He wanted us to infiltrate the Consortium to see what they know about the ruidium.
Seated at the wide table is a young man no older than thirty, with brown skin and hazel eyes. His white robes are adorned with blue designs.
He smiles warmly as you enter. “Please, shut the door behind you,” he says, closing the book in front of him. “I am High Curator Jamil A’alithiya, and I’ve heard much about you."
“We know that the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream is experimenting with a red substance its leaders call ruidium. Rumor has it the substance comes from the ruins of Cael Morrow, the underwater city beneath Ank’Harel."
“I’m worried that the Consortium is tampering with powers beyond its control. That is why I would like you to infiltrate the Consortium’s headquarters—a tavern called First Eclipse—and find out anything you can about its research on ruidium. If you happen to come across any magic items in the Consortium’s possession, please confiscate them and bring them to our temple for examination and safekeeping.”
The place we wanted was called "The First Eclipse" -- a bar in an eastern district. We argued a bit among ourselves about how to approach this assignment.
As we approached, we found two crystalline elephants -- made of ruidium! -- trumpeting and acting all berserk! We attacked. The "elephants" reverted to small things once defeated, the first one to a figurine and the other to ruidium dust.
We tracked the destructive path of the elephants to the very tavern we were seeking -- "The First Eclipse." The tabaxi barkeep attempted to give us the brush off but we insisted on asking about the elephants. Sheeza magically charmed him, and our questioning continued. The "barkeep" -- really an operative of the Consortium -- summoned others and combat ensued. A rather confused melee occurred, and we captured several.
We found this ominous note:
Master Khelkur,
Our attempts to gain access to the rift have been disastrous. An aboleth haunts the Drowned City. It slaughtered all but one member of our last expedition. The creature calls itself Alyxian—certainly not an aboleth name, but not one I am familiar with either. But know this: Cael Morrow is where we must focus our efforts, lest the Allegiance of Allsight claim the only known source of ruidium for itself.
Our key to the rift is lost, but we have a spy in the Drowned City searching for it. Meanwhile, we have decided to secure a new headquarters. Please see that First Eclipse is cleared out—and quickly—before the Hands of Ord search the place.
Humbly,
Master Dendarron