Adventure Log VIII.III
IN DEEP
The party set off towards Citadel Volshyenek. Despite Ishani's earlier concerns, the journey proved relatively uneventful. As they made their way through the streets, they observed the city’s inhabitants attempting to carry on with their daily lives, albeit with a palpable tension in the air. Stilted mumbling and hushed conversations replaced the usual lively banter of a typical business day, as if the very sound of normalcy might draw the plague’s deadly attention.
When they reached Citadel Volshyenek, the guards instantly recognized the Flowers of Korvosa. As the party inquired about Cressida's whereabouts, one of the soldiers offered an unexpected response: she was currently with the Queen’s Physicians.
“You need to hurry,” the soldier added, his tone urgent. “They’re about to leave from the citadel’s courtyards. If you want to catch them, you must go now.”
With a shared glance of determination, the party quickly made their way towards the courtyards, their pace quickening with each step.
The reverberations of sharply spoken, yet faintly missed words bounced off the formidable granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer perimeter. Scores of guards in red-and-silver armour were assembled on the worn stone parade ground, murmuring in low, serious voices. Atop a weathered wooden platform, Field Marshal Kroft paced, her eyebrows raised in stern disapproval as she tolerated the crowd’s whispers. Behind her on the platform stood three seasoned veteran guards at attention, alongside an ominous-looking group. These men were clad in hooded robes made of slick leather, wearing supple gloves and wide black hats. Some carried heavy canes, others dark satchels. All of them sported dark-goggled masks with pointed beaks.
Among this group stood two other figures. The first was a middle-aged man in a simple black overcoat, streaks of white running through his short dark hair. He observed the gathered guards with a gentle, concerned expression, gripping a heavy doctor’s case. The second figure was formidable—a woman in full-plate armour, with a longsword and shield at her side, and a blank-faced helmet adorned with a bright red plume.
Field Marshal Kroft’s voice sliced through the murmurs. "You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his team during their official duties, wherever those duties may take them. Moreover, you are to treat commands from any of the queen’s Gray Maidens as if they come from your highest-ranking officers in the Korvosan Guard or the Sable Company. You are the defenders of Korvosa. Do not hesitate. These are challenging times, and our city relies on these healers. Your city depends on you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Move out!”
The armoured woman, one of the Queen’s Gray Maidens, swiftly organised the guards, silencing any bickering with sharp commands and efficiently assigning orders for the day. As Field Marshal Kroft and her veteran attendants began to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians, Nightingale caught her attention.
Kroft greeted the party with a mix of pleasure and frustration. She made it clear she was displeased with the current military orders, feeling the Korvosan Guard was being relegated to nursemaids for the Gray Maidens and the doctors. Byron, seeing the necessity in times of crisis, expressed his support for the current orders. Reluctantly, Kroft agreed.
She then introduced the party to Dr. Davaulus, the newly appointed Queen’s Physician. He was a composed man with a polite demeanour and a clearly analytical mind. Dr. Davaulus greeted them warmly, inviting their questions and expressing his hope to ease the concerns of Korvosa’s citizens during this difficult time. He praised the queen for having sent for him and the other doctors in Cheliax the moment she learned of the illness.
Some of the party were reminded that the Queen’s family is from Cheliax, and secretly wondered if she knew about the Cheliax ambassador’s plot before The Flowers had intervened. The doctor himself seemed on the level, they could sense no undercurrent of malice or ill intent in his conversation.
When the party inquired about his plans for the city, he produced a proclamation from his bag.
It read:
Attention!
By Decree of Her Royal Majesty, the Radiant Queen Ileosa I, all citizens and members of the Korvosan Guard are to aid and admit the newly established Queen’s Physicians in this time of urgency. These royal agents will extend healing to the sick and organise defence against the spreading affliction known as “blood veil.” They are to be allowed access to any home or building they deem necessary in the course of their duties. All those suffering from disease or disorder are to submit themselves to the Physicians for treatment.
To aid in the duties of the Queen’s Physicians, know that the order of the Gray Maidens has been established to provide military support as needed. The Maidens answer directly to the Crimson Throne and will be called upon as necessary to augment and strengthen the peace where simple city guards will not suffice. Impeding or distracting the duties of the Queen’s Physicians or the Gray Maidens is punishable by imprisonment. Impersonating one of the Queen’s Physicians is punishable by death. Knowingly harbouring or hiding the infected is punishable by death. Purposefully spreading blood veil is punishable by torture, then death.
The Queen’s Physicians will be making rounds of every city district henceforth until Her Majesty deems this misfortune abated.
The party absorbed the gravity of the proclamation. These were indeed grim times, necessitating swift and decisive action. Ishani, the priest, then offered his services to coordinate the efforts of the Grand Vault of Abadar with those of the city. Dr. Davaulus welcomed his input, appreciating the additional support.
With their tasks set, Ishani, Dr. Davaulus, and the other physicians parted from the party, each group moving purposefully to confront the challenges that lay ahead.
Left alone with the party, Cressida Kroft leaned in and spoke with a serious tone. She had a mission for them, one that wasn’t officially sanctioned. “Have you heard about the 'Yellow Lights' incident the other day?” she asked. The party nodded. Kroft explained that she suspected the ship involved had brought the plague to Korvosa, but she needed concrete proof.
Taylan suggested the possibility of an act of war. He recounted similar tactics he had encountered in his travels, where a foreign country might deliberately spread disease to weaken and conquer another nation. His insight took the party by surprise, and the chilling possibility of this being a calculated attack weighed heavily on their minds.
When they asked how they were supposed to find evidence from a sunken pirate ship at the bottom of the river, Kroft revealed a set of breathing potions. “These will allow you to breathe underwater for at least five hours,” she explained. “But you’ll have to share them among yourselves.”
The thought of diving into the murky depths, potentially facing unknown creatures, was unsettling. The party questioned why they were chosen for this daunting task. Kroft explained that her guards were neither equipped nor capable of such an endeavour, and her resources were already stretched thin. She placed her faith in the Flowers of Korvosa, believing they were the city’s best hope.
Realising the gravity of the situation, the party accepted the mission. As they prepared to depart, Calli pulled Kroft aside and quietly informed her that she had used her memory magic to confirm that a certain individual accused of murdering the King was indeed innocent. Kroft, relieved and vindicated, pumped her fist in delight. “I knew I was right,” she said, thanking Calli before heading back to her duties.
With renewed determination, the party made their way to the shoreline to investigate the wreck, ready to uncover the truth behind the plague and protect their city.
When they reached the shoreline, the party huddled together to finalise their plan for reaching the sunken ship. They knew their first step was securing a boat to row into the river's depths. To sink to the riverbed floor, they needed weights, and they quickly realised that scrolls and potions were impractical for underwater use. The lighter members of the group created rope belts with rocks tied on that would drag them down, but could be severed for a quick ascent if needed. Trevor reluctantly opted for a spear that would be more manageable in the water. The prospect of moving slowly through the pitch-black depths sent shivers down their spines, but they took some comfort in knowing that Taylan, Calli, and Nightingale could conjure magical lights. They decided to cast light on a rope, creating a lifeline to guide them through the darkness.
With the plan set, the party rowed out to the middle of the river, hearts pounding with anticipation and unease. After drinking their breathing potions, they exchanged nervous glances before leaping over the side of the boat. As they descended, the water grew colder and darker, the surface light fading rapidly above them. The rope, glowing with magical light, cut through the murk, illuminating their immediate surroundings. Just beyond the reach of their light, dark shadows seemed to shift and swirl, hinting at unseen movements. Despite the unsettling shadows, they continued their descent, holding tightly to the glowing rope and each other, determined to reach the sunken ship below.
Breathing underwater felt bizarre; their lungs instinctively expected resistance, but each breath was as effortless as if they were on land. Speaking and hearing each other was equally disorienting. Words came out clear, carried by the water, and everyone could understand one another perfectly. The strange sensation only added to their sense of other-worldliness as they moved deeper into the river.
Beneath nearly 80 feet of water, they finally glimpsed the sunken pirate ship, The Direption. The sight was both awe-inspiring and haunting. The ship’s broken hull bore the scars of fire and trebuchet strikes, marring its timbers and adding to its ghostly appearance. It lay on its side, split into two massive pieces amid the splintered remains of its once-towering masts. The ship was wedged over a jagged rock outcropping, the bow falling to one side while the larger section of the stern lay on the other, creating an eerie, skeletal structure in the murky depths.
Trevor was the first to clamber onto the wreck of The Direption, followed closely by Byron. They decided to investigate the bow of the ship, which had broken away and landed awkwardly on the riverbed. The front portion of the ship had a yawning wound in its charred timbers, allowing murky water to flow easily through the debris-cluttered hold. Loose timbers, small fish, and dozens of identical boxes floated eerily in the quiet darkness, casting ghostly shadows in the dim light from their enchanted rope.
As Trevor peered into the wreckage, he noticed movement among the scattered pots, shattered barrels, and overturned bunks. A half-dozen silt eels, spiny-faced and dark brown like underwater vipers, suddenly swarmed out from their hiding places. Their eyes glinted with a predatory gleam as they darted towards the party with surprising speed.
Trevor barely had time to shout a warning before the eels were upon them. He thrust his spear forward, trying to fend off the writhing creatures, but their agile bodies slipped through the water with ease. Byron swung his claws in wide arcs, the blades slicing through the water and leaving trails of silver bubbles in its wake.
Calli began to sing, her magical voice resonating through the murky depths. The melody, inspired by the surroundings, was an unsettling tune about the mysteries of the deep. It somehow turned the eerie nature of the location into a steely determination within them to overcome. Inspired by her song, Byron let out a roar and lunged at one of the eels, slicing it cleanly in two with his razor-sharp claws.
Trevor, emboldened by Calli’s song, skewered another eel with his spear, killing the beast instantly. The victory was short-lived, as another eel darted forward and sank its fangs into Byron's arm. He grimaced in pain as the eel's poison seeped into his body, making him feel sluggish and less nimble.
Taylan's eyes glowed with magical energy as he aimed at another eel. Twin beams of light shot from his eyes, obliterating the creature in a burst of energy. In the chaos, Trevor slipped on a loose piece of timber and fell, his spear clattering to the ground. His head struck the wooden deck, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Another eel took advantage of Trevor's vulnerability, biting into his leg. He gritted his teeth and resisted the poison, pushing through the pain. Taylan quickly followed up with another laser attack, killing the eel before it could do more damage. Nightingale, moving with the grace of a dancer, thrust his rapier into the last remaining eel. The blade pulsed with electricity, coursing through the eel's body and killing it instantly. The water around them settled as the final eel floated lifelessly.
The fight was over. Trevor and Byron took a moment to catch their breath, the effects of the poison quickly fading thanks to their magical resilience. Trevor rubbed the back of his head, wincing slightly, but otherwise seemed fine.
"Good work, everyone," Trevor said, his voice steady. "Let's stay alert. There could be more dangers ahead."
Byron nodded, flexing his claws and glancing around warily. "Agreed. We need to move quickly."
A door to the bow of the ship stood before them. Trevor opened it cautiously, and the party entered. They found themselves in what was clearly a kitchen galley, but something was off. There were no remnants of food, no scraps or floating debris that one would expect in a sunken ship’s galley. The absence of any provisions posed an unsettling question: what kind of crew sailed without the need for food? Horrible thoughts danced around their heads as they made their way further into the bow of the ship.
The oppressive silence of the waterlogged corridors amplified their unease. They explored two other rooms, each filled with overturned furniture and scattered belongings, but nothing of interest. The eerie emptiness only deepened the mystery. If they were to prove that this ship brought the plague to Korvosa, the evidence would likely be located on the other side of the broken hull.
"We need to get to the stern," Byron said, his voice steady but tense. "Whatever we’re looking for, it has to be there."
Nightingale nodded, "Let's go then. We don't know what else might be lurking down here."
They returned to the edge of the bow section and carefully made their way across the jagged rocks and splintered timbers that divided the ship’s halves. The stern in front of them rested on it’s side, opening flush with the rock, so they’d need to enter horizontally through one of the deck hatches. Trevor swam agilely up to the nearest and using the rope, he pulled the rest of them up to his side, knowing some were not as adept at swimming as he was.
Due to the pressure of the water and swelling of the wood it took Byron, Nightingale, and Trevor united to wrench it open. As the hatch creaked and finally gave way, a large blue shark burst through with terrifying speed. The creature was massive, at least ten feet long, with a sleek, muscular body built for powerful, swift movements. Its skin was a dark blue, almost black, blending seamlessly with the murky depths, making it an effective ambush predator.
Its eyes were cold and predatory, showing no fear or hesitation as it targeted Trevor. Rows of razor-sharp teeth lined its gaping maw, each tooth curved and serrated, designed to tear through flesh with ease. The shark's movements were fluid and efficient, every muscle in its body contributing to its lethal grace. The shark's teeth sank into Trevor's flesh, causing him to grunt in pain as blood began to cloud the water around them. At the same time, the shark's powerful tail slapped against the side of the ship, sending a resonating sound through the waters. The party's hearts sank with the realisation that the noise might have called for help or alerted more of its kind to their presence.
Despite the sheer terror of a large shark attacking them, Nightingale twirled forward, his rapier flashing in the dim light. With a devastating thrust, he slammed his blade into the beast. The shark's skin sparked as he pumped his power into it, bright lightning flowing through the blade and illuminating the water. The electrical charge revealed the shark's skeletal structure as it surged through the creature's body. Its muscles twitched uncontrollably as the electricity coursed through it, and a final, powerful shock rendered the beast lifeless. When Nightingale withdrew his blade, the shark floated motionlessly, its predatory eyes now dull and vacant.
One by one the group slipped through the hatch to continue their investigation. Various boxes floated about, their contents empty except for the occasional dead rat. A strange taste of cinnamon permeated the waters, strongly hinting at cargo the boat had carried now dissipated into the river around them. As they examined anything they could find, Taylan noticed a number of the crates were bearing the stamp of Nidel. He informed the rest that the ship was Nidalese, hailing from a country renowned for vampires. This disturbing thought might explain the absence of food in the galley.
Knowing where the boat was from didn’t explain the sudden sickness in Korvosa, so they moved further into the ship. Once again, Byron and Trevor used their barbarian strength to force open a door swollen stuck, while the party remained on full alert, expecting another shark or beast to emerge from the depths. However, no such event occurred. When Trevor and Byron entered the room, they were greeted by a scene of eerie devastation. Several bent metal bed frames and shattered glass-paned cabinets littered the floor, casting jagged shadows in the dim light. The water swirled with a mist of half-eaten eels, swirling around the circling currents and adding to the macabre atmosphere. The taste of cinnamon was more pronounced here, mingling incongruous with the scent of decay and blood, creating a sickeningly sweet undertone that lingered in the murky depths.
As the two started to look around the room, outside the door Calli, Nightingale, and Taylan kept watch, so they saw the moment a thing of nightmares swam into view. A creature so horrific in appearance that one's strength seemed to sap away just by looking at it: a Sea Hag. The creature had warts and bony protrusions covering its body, terrible red eyes with deep sunken pupils, sickly yellow skin that sagged off her bones, and was draped in rotting seaweed.
Calli, Taylan, and Nightingale recoiled, their eyes widening in horror as they faced the Sea Hag. The creature’s presence filled the room with an oppressive aura of dread. Calli tried to get further from it, calling out a warning as to what their new foe was, before resuming her ominous song to boost the others. Trevor and Byron swam towards the hag, their weapons at the ready. Nightingale got there first and landed another devastating blow. As with the shark before, the blade sparked with electricity as it made contact. She let out a ghastly screech and immediately retreated back the way she’d come to recover.
The party, though shaken, continued their investigation with an increased sense of urgency. They swam down to the ship's hull, searching every nook and cranny. Despite their thorough search, they found nothing that could prove this ship brought the plague to Korvosa. Frustration mounting, they realised they had no choice but to swim to the far end of the ship and try to enter the captain's cabin. They all hesitated a moment at the hatch they came in, wary of possibly stepping out into a prepared attack by the fled hag.
Calli, keenly aware of her earlier panic, decided to risk it. She swam out of the opening, but was unable to travel very far, paddling helplessly without gaining much momentum. Thankfully no attack came, and Byron followed, choosing to sink to the ground and walk along rather than swim. His height allowed him to grasp one of Calli’s ankles and pull her along with him. A short yelp of surprise escaped her at first, but it was admittedly much more effective. As they made their way along outside of the ship, Taylan waited at the exit for Trevor and Nightingale to catch up. Instead, the Barbarian and the Magus noticed another hatch closer to the captain’s cabin and decided to try their luck first. It took several attempts, but eventually, they managed to force it open. As they succeeded, they saw Byron on the opposite side of the hatch with Calli in tow.
At that moment, the Sea Hag reappeared with terrifying speed, her claws gleaming in the murky water as she launched a vicious attack on Taylan. Her claws tore into the young sorcerer, ripping through his robes and flesh, flinging him backward with bone-jarring force. Taylan's scream was lost in the swirling water, bubbles streaming from his mouth as he tried to recover. Summoning all his willpower, he cast a desperate spell, sending a magical cone of snowballs hurtling toward the Sea Hag, and ending up flat on his back on the sea floor. The attack struck her, the icy shards piercing her slimy skin, but it only seemed to enrage her further.
Calli’s blood went cold as she witnessed the brutal rending, and desperation allowed her to succeeded in swimming frantically to his aide. She pulled out a healing wand, the magic flowing from it in a shimmering light as she gently touched one of his wounds. The spell closed some of the damage, but it wasn't enough; Taylan's strength was still waning. She took a protective stance over him, willing to block any further attack with her own body.
Byron and Trevor reacted instantly, their instincts kicking in as they raced towards the hag, a mirror image of muscle on either side of the ship’s decking. Byron surged from outside, his powerful legs propelling him through the water, while Trevor charged from within, his spear poised to strike. However, they knew they were too far away to reach Taylan before the hag could strike again. Nightingale, sensing the urgency, cast a powerful spell with a determined look. A beam of dark energy shot from his fingertips, striking the Sea Hag with a ray of enfeeblement. The spell hit her squarely, draining her of her strength and causing her to falter. The hag’s eyes widened in surprise and fear as she felt her power wane.
The Sea Hag let out a guttural snarl. With a hateful look at the party, she once more swam away to safety, her form disappearing around the darkness of the ship's wreckage.
With the immediate threat gone, the party regrouped, their breaths heavy and their hearts pounding. Calli sent another charge of curing magic into Taylan and helped him to his feet. The water around them was still tinged with blood and the scent of cinnamon. Taylan, though hurt, managed to smile weakly at Calli in gratitude.
The Flowers knew they had to outsmart the relentless Sea Hag, who lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike. Byron's voice cut through the tension, suggesting a daring plan: they would ensnare the Hag like a fish in a net. Using the hammocks they found on the deck, they devised a trap. Calli and Nightingale stationed themselves at the entrance where the hag had first escaped, each gripping a hammock tightly. Taylan and Byron stood poised at the newly opened hatch, ready to spring into action.
As they prepared Trevor ventured through the hatch, his senses on high alert. He spotted the door to his right they’d been trying to reach, likely leading to the Captain's Quarters. He found this door stuck like the others before it, but before he could wrench it open movement caught his eye, and he knew the Sea Hag was back. With a sense of urgency, Trevor raced back through the hatch to warn the others.
No sooner had he returned than an eel darted through the opening, its razor-sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. Byron and Taylan reacted swiftly, trapping the creature in their hammock. But behind the eel, the Sea Hag emerged, her eyes ablaze with fury. Without hesitation, Trevor, Byron, and Nightingale launched a barrage of attacks, their weapons flashing in the water. Nightingale's magic sapped even more of the Sea Hag's strength.
Meanwhile, Taylan struggled to contain the thrashing eel, its wild movements threatening to break free. Calli darted forward to join him, her rapier stabbing into the wriggling package.
The battle with the hag raged on, misses and blows empowered by the tune Calli had once again resumed, but just as victory seemed within reach, the Sea Hag sensed the danger and made a swift escape, disappearing into the murky depths once more.
With Byron needing a moment to catch his breath, Trevor helped finish off the captured eel, and the party huddled together inside the ruined vessle, frustrated at the hag’s consistent . Time was slipping away, their breathing potions nearing their end. They knew they had one final chance to find the evidence they desperately sought. With determination etched on their faces, they swam out as a group to the weathered doors of the captain's quarters.
Once again, Trevor summoned his formidable strength to pry open the door, revealing a grim sight. The body of a drowned man floated freely in the water, his lifeless form twisting in response to the agitated water caused by the party’s entrance. It was evident that crabs and other scavengers had been feasting on him. Amidst the debris of ruined furnishings, the scorched sheets of a canopied bed hung like ghosts above the shattered wooden frame.
Braving the eerie scene, Taylan cautiously entered the room, followed closely by Calli and Trevor. Taylan searched the drowned corpse with his eyes, locating a gruesome head wound. Calli's keen gaze caught sight of a clump of skin and hair near an intact foot locker. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that the locks of the footlocker remained intact, a promising sign.
They all agreed that whatever lay within that footlocker was likely the evidence they needed to prove the ship's connection to the plague. However, their excitement was tempered by the realisation that the footlocker appeared heavy. Swimming out of the river with such a burden would be no easy feat, and they would be vulnerable to attacks from the Sea Hag.They knew they couldn't leave empty-handed, but they also couldn't risk being caught defenceless in the open water.
At that critical moment, the Sea Hag returned, her malevolent presence filling the chamber with dread. With a sinister grin, she began to weave her dark magic, attempting to ensnare Nightingale's mind and bend him to her will. But Nightingale's willpower proved to be a formidable barrier, and with a fierce inner struggle, he managed to shake off her insidious influence.
Trevor, sensing the imminent threat, sprang into action, his muscles tensed with determination. Though he knew he was too far away to reach the Sea Hag, he refused to stand idly by. In a bold move Nightingale shouted, "Push me!" Understanding the plan instantly, Trevor charged forward and propelled Nightingale with all his strength, launching him like a human missile straight at the hag. Nightingale soared through the water, his rapier crackling with electrical energy as he closed in on his target. With pinpoint precision, he thrust his blade forward, and lightning arced from the weapon, striking the hag with searing intensity. Her screams echoed through the chamber, a testament to the agony inflicted upon her by Nightingale's attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Byron dashed forward, his muscles bulging with raw power as he grabbed hold of the Sea Hag, preventing her from escaping. The rest of the party, fueled by a righteous fury, descended upon the vile creature, their weapons flashing in the dim light of the chamber. With each strike, they unleashed their pent-up rage and determination, raining blows upon the hag with relentless force. Together, they fought as one, their combined strength and determination overwhelming the Sea Hag's defenses. With a final, decisive blow, the hag let out a shrieking cry of defeat as she succumbed to the onslaught. Her twisted form writhed in agony before finally going still, her malevolent presence extinguished from the world. As the chamber fell silent once more, the party stood victorious, their breaths heavy with exertion and relief. The evil that had plagued them was vanquished, and a sense of triumph washed over them.
Exhausted but determined, the party hastily gathered the spoils from the Sea Hag and the footlocker, brought along the marked cultist’s drowned body, and discarded the weights that had burdened them underwater. With their lungs burning and muscles aching, they began the arduous ascent towards the surface. Each stroke brought them closer to freedom, but the journey was gruelling, and their strength waned with every passing moment.
Finally, they broke through the surface, gasping for air as they emerged into the cool night air. With a collective sigh of relief, they clambered back into the safety of their boat, their hearts heavy with the weight of their discoveries. As they examined the treasures they had recovered, the enormity of their findings began to sink in.
Among the riches lay a trove of wealth—platinum and gold coins glinting in the moonlight, a wand of cure moderate wounds promising healing in times of need, and a cloak of resistance providing protection against the unknown dangers that lay ahead. Yet, it was the black tome that drew their attention, its ominous presence casting a shadow over their thoughts.
They flipped through its pages, and realized with growing unease that it was a sacred text of Urgathoa, a Varisian goddess of physical excess, disease, and the undead. Worse still, any mention of “Urgathoa” had been written over with the name “Andaisin.” Calli had heard dark stories of this name, a high priestess of Urgathoa who had left whole towns dead from disease and cannibalism, who had never been caught. She shared this awful insight and dread filled their hearts as they realized the implications of their discovery: this dark cult likely sent the ship as a decoy while they infiltrated by other means. They were in Korvosa now.
Field Marshall Cressida Kroft was horrified to learn what they’d found, and she agreed with their suspicion that the ship was merely a distraction. The urgency and danger of the situation were clear, but so was the need for discretion. She urged the party to keep the information to themselves, not wanting to alert the Cult of Andaisin that they were onto them, nor to spread panic among the citizens. The thought of a powerful, malevolent cult operating within the city was terrifying, and Kroft knew they had to act carefully.
She thanked the party for their bravery and service, emphasising the importance of staying vigilant. “Keep your eyes and ears to the ground,” she instructed, “for any clues or signs of this cult. And, in the meantime, help the people of this city deal with the plague in any way you can. We need all the help we can get.”
They delivered the book and the body to the Pharasman temple, where the clerics vowed to make sure both were properly destroyed and payed them for turning over the evil tome.
As they rode back to their homes, the party couldn't shake the feeling that they had only scratched the surface of a much larger mystery. Zellara's prophecy echoed in their minds, a haunting reminder that their journey was far from over. With determination burning in their hearts, they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that the path to the truth would be fraught with peril and uncertainty.