# Dawn Wardens - Session 40 ## Return from the Silent Watchtower The Dawn Wardens emerged from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s restored grove, the ancient dryad's massive tree now piercing through where the Silent Watchtower once stood. The tower itself had been completely consumed by the earth, leaving no trace of mortal construction. With [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] the Ancient Shadow Dragon defeated and [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] freed from her curse, the party gathered the magical rewards she had bestowed upon them and prepared for the journey back to Duskwatch. As they debated their next steps, [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] communicated with six massive treants that emerged from the forest. The treants began moving northeast, presumably toward Oakrest or to patrol the Deadwood Glade. Zariheth chose to remain behind with [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]], offering her skills to help protect the region from the ongoing corruption and the greater evil still trapped beneath the dryad's roots. The party retrieved their horses from [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinels, though they discovered the dragon had devoured most of their mounts during the battle. Only the horses that had fled south survived. As they prepared to depart, [[Armara]] remained characteristically moody but cooperative, her irritation at the party's reluctance to take "the easy route" still evident. ## An Unexpected Encounter As the group traveled south along the road toward Duskwatch, they encountered a stranger approaching from the opposite direction. [[Cedric]], a human Life Cleric of [[Lialandra]], had been investigating the mysterious fog that had engulfed the region for the past month and a half. He carried a staff adorned with carved idols and wore a shield bearing [[Lialandra]]'s symbol—an eye with two feathers behind it. His ragged scale armor bore the marks of hard travel, and his face showed distinctive scars across one eye. The party's reception was decidedly mixed. [[Nobuu]], the massive white-scaled [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) barbarian, immediately attempted to intimidate the newcomer with a threatening stare. When this failed to have the desired effect, [[Cedric]] made the mistake of attempting to pet [[Nobuu]] under the chin like an animal. [[Nobuu]]'s jaw split open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth, snapping shut where [[Cedric]]'s hand had been moments before. [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] quickly intervened, pulling [[Cedric]]'s arm away while explaining they had just fought a dragon and were not in the mood for pleasantries. [[Cedric]] explained his mission—he had been sent to investigate the fog and the corruption spreading through the Deadwood Glade. With his medical expertise and divine training, he had noted strange deaths in the smaller villages, bodies corrupted by something that seemed neither purely physical nor entirely divine in nature. The fog's sudden disappearance had prompted him to investigate what had changed. [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] wearily explained they had handled the tower situation. Dan—one of [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards—walked up to [[Cedric]] and asked to see his hand. He grabbed it, pulled [[Cedric]] forward slightly, and slapped another hand on top of his palm. A brief glow appeared, then vanished. "There you go," Dan said. "You won't be killed if you step in." The party, along with [[Cedric]], entered [[Armara]]'s extradimensional mansion. Once inside, [[Armara]] noticed the stranger among the group. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she approached, demanding to know who he was, who he worked for, and what he was trying to steal. Z'ul stepped forward, vouching for [[Cedric]] and taking responsibility for him. After Z'ul's persuasive assurance, [[Armara]] grudgingly allowed the cleric to remain, though her distrust remained evident. [[Glyph]], [[Armara]]'s arcane AI construct, appeared and scanned everyone in the party, including the newcomer. She confirmed to [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]]'s inquiry that no party members were undead and that she could detect doppelgangers or other threats. Her scan found [[Cedric]] to be legitimate—a true cleric, not evil or corrupted, though this did little to ease [[Cedric]]'s concerns about [[Benguard]]. [[Cedric]], curious about the massive amphibious warrior, asked [[Glyph]] to explain what exactly [[Nobuu]] was. [[Glyph]] provided a detailed explanation: [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) are amphibious humanoids who can survive on both land and sea, possessing unique abilities and sometimes extra limbs. They tend to keep to themselves, with their coloration indicating their natural habitat depth—those who live in the deepest, coldest parts of the ocean are white-scaled. However, [[Nobuu]] presented a contradiction. Despite having all the physical characteristics of a white [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/)—the strength, cold resistance, and physical features—his scales were pitch black. [[Glyph]] explained this was due to a condition called **[melanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanism)**, where his pigmentation turned far darker than normal, the opposite of albinism. This rare condition also explained his red eyes. Despite his black appearance, [[Nobuu]] was fundamentally a white [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) with a pigmentation disorder. ## Mistaken Identity Inside the mansion, [[Cedric]]'s trained eye observed the party carefully, particularly [[Benguard]]. When he saw the shield bearing a crow symbol, his religious knowledge immediately connected it to [[Enkell]]—the God of Retribution and Magic, a lawful evil deity associated with vengeance and "eye for an eye" justice. [[Enkell]]'s symbol was three black crows or a murder of crows, and his followers were known to seek revenge for those who had been wronged. Though [[Benguard]] was actually a paladin of [[Perserphina]], his past and the symbols he carried created the impression of a potentially dangerous cultist. [[Cedric]] remained polite but wary, making mental notes to watch this man carefully. The tension of this mistaken identity would simmer beneath future interactions. ## The Journey and the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] During the day-long journey back to Duskwatch, several significant events unfolded. [[Nobuu]] retreated to the mansion's bathhouse, diving deep into the pool where light faded to darkness, seeking solace from social interaction. He attuned to his new magical items from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s rewards and spent hours in the forge crafting a massive maul from [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]]'s skull. [[Armara]] used her magic to shrink the skull from Huge to Large size so it would be more manageable. Despite the reduction, the finished weapon remained an impressive and terrifying trophy—anyone who saw it would immediately recognize it as a dragon's head. [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] journaled vigorously about their adventure, offering prayers of gratitude to her goddess for keeping the party alive through such overwhelming danger. She meticulously documented every detail of their encounter with [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] and the tower's collapse, knowing this information would be crucial for the [[Deadwood Wardens]]' records. [[Benguard]] practiced with his new Staff of Striking and noticed something peculiar—he seemed more attractive than usual. He couldn't determine if it was the result of his bath in [[Armara]]'s mansion, the holy day they were approaching, the legendary cloak he now wore, or the staff itself. The Testament of Beauty granted by [[Perserphina]]'s Cloak was already manifesting its power. The most significant conversation occurred between Z'ul and [[Armara]]. The wizard opened up about the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]]—a parasitic entity bonded to her body that granted her tremendous power but also served as a beacon for [[the Brimstone Wraith]] to track her location. She revealed that the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] itself desired freedom, and together they were working to sever the final link to [[the Brimstone Wraith]] without alerting that powerful servant of [[Anam]] [[Anam|the Withered One]]. [[Armara]] demonstrated the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]]'s form, black oily tentacles erupting from her body and covering her entirely in a writhing mass. Her voice became multiple voices speaking in unison, and her form grew larger and more monstrous. The transformation radiated pure evil, though [[Armara]]'s iron discipline kept the entity under control. She explained that she needed Z'ul's magical expertise and [[Glyph]]'s assistance to perform a ritual that would take several days. The risk was substantial—if she lost control, the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] could take over completely, and [[the Brimstone Wraith]] might counter-attack through the connection. Z'ul agreed to help, and as a contingency plan, sent his familiar snake to coil around [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]'s wrist. If he needed additional magical power during the ritual, the snake would tug on her arm to summon assistance. [[Armara]] expressed genuine gratitude for Z'ul's trust, acknowledging how rare such loyalty was after years of betrayal and manipulation. ## Arriving at Duskwatch - Festival Chaos The party arrived at Duskwatch in the early evening to discover the town in the midst of [[Perserphina Day]] celebrations. Blue and white dove banners hung from every building, citizens wore minimal clothing or went completely nude in celebration of beauty, and musical parades filled the streets. The normally conservative town had transformed into a festival of freedom and self-expression that left several party members distinctly uncomfortable. The party's journey through Duskwatch to reach the guild hall proved traumatic for some members. [[Perserphina Day]] celebrants—emboldened by alcohol and religious fervor—attempted to pull party members into dances and celebrations. Multiple people tried to grab [[Nobuu]]'s arms to spin him in circles, leading to the massive warrior flailing like an angry cat being restrained. He repeatedly threatened violence, his jaw splitting open to show his teeth as he pushed through the crowd. [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]], having no shame about her dinosaur body, happily stripped down and danced with complete strangers. [[Hermes]] desperately tried to escape being lifted and spun by drunk celebrants, using his acrobatic skills to bob and weave through the crowd. [[Cedric]] found himself pulled into the festivities, completely bewildered by this strange town's customs. When the celebration reached its peak and musicians began playing a particular tune, everyone in the street stripped completely naked and continued dancing. At this point, [[Nobuu]] had had enough. He grabbed [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]] and hurled him into a crowd of admiring female celebrants as a distraction, then charged forward like a battering ram. The rest of the party followed in his wake, leaving [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]] to be swarmed by enthusiastic admirers until he eventually caught up, somewhat disheveled. ## Time Lost At the [[Deadwood Wardens]] guild hall, they encountered Junior Clerk [[Lyralei Silverleaf]], an elf woman dressed in festival-appropriate clothing who looked up from her paperwork with shock and joy. "You're alive!" she exclaimed. "You've been gone for a month and a half!" The revelation hit the party like a physical blow. In their experience, they had been trapped in [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s mist prison for perhaps five or six days. But the outside world had experienced forty-five days of their absence. [[Glyph]] had warned them about the time discrepancy during their first breakfast in [[Armara]]'s mansion, but the full impact hadn't registered until this moment. [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] excitedly explained everything they had missed. [[The Heralds of Silver]] had defeated the Devil King in [[Polaria City|Polaria]] with divine assistance from [[Eshuall]], Goddess of Nature. The [[Anam's Spell Engine - The Severance Protocol|Spell Engine]] created by [[Anam]] [[Anam|the Withered One]] had been destroyed by coordinated efforts of multiple adventuring groups, restoring planar travel across Solare. Duskwatch had assumed the Dawn Wardens were dead, lost to whatever curse plagued the Deadwood Glade. The time ratio became clear—approximately one day inside [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s prison equaled seven to eight days in the real world. What had felt like less than a week of desperate survival had cost them six weeks of global events and opportunities. ## The Church of [[Perserphina]] While the main party headed to the guild hall, [[Benguard]] and Thorrag made their way to the Church of [[Perserphina]]. The church grounds were protected by a fence and city guards who kept the wildest festivities at bay, though within the sacred space, celebrants still engaged in [[Perserphina Day]] traditions with varying degrees of clothing. High Priestess [[High Priestess Selanna|Selanna]] received [[Benguard]] warmly, confirming that [[Perserphina]]'s Chronicle—the holy book he had entrusted to her months ago—remained safely preserved in magical stasis. Her eyes widened when she noticed the cloak he wore. She reached out to touch the fabric, her expression transforming to awe as she recognized it. "This is the [[Cloak of Perserphina]]," she breathed. "The artifact has been missing for eons. You've been chosen—the goddess looks upon you with favor." She circled [[Benguard]], examining the legendary artifact with reverence. The cloak's blue trim over pure white fabric seemed to glow with subtle divine radiance. [[Benguard]] explained they had found it beneath the Silent Watchtower, in the chamber where [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] had been imprisoned. When [[Benguard]] mentioned his dreams about something important in the north, [[High Priestess Selanna|Selanna]] provided crucial information. She spoke of [[Sylrathis]], the [[Sylrathis|Eldertree]]—a one-hundred-foot sacred tree hidden deep within [[North Angoria]]'s [[Yggrathian Forest]]. The tree was protected by beasts from multiple realms, planar entities, and possibly even giants. Few mortals had ever seen it, and the path to reach it was fraught with danger. She offered to research [[Perserphina]]'s Chronicle for hidden wisdom that might guide his quest, then invited [[Benguard]] to join the festivities, complete with the traditional clothing storage service. [[Benguard]] politely declined, citing the need to monitor the suspicious new party member. Thorrag remained in glazed-eyed contemplation throughout, occasionally mentioning how the scene reminded him of meeting various wives. ## The Guild Hall Report At the [[Deadwood Wardens]] guild hall, [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] provided a comprehensive report to [[Lyralei Silverleaf]]. She explained that the Silent Watchtower had collapsed when [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree was restored, that they had defeated an Ancient Shadow Dragon named [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]], and that [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] had been freed from a curse causing her to perceive all living things as undead threats. She handed over the hero's journal they had recovered from the tower courtyard, along with her own detailed account of events. The road along Armsworth Road was now secure, though the beacon could not be restored. Oakrest would hopefully be able to send word now that the fog had lifted. [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] excitedly copied information from [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]'s journal, muttering about needing to inform the Guild Master immediately. However, she noted that everything was closed for [[Perserphina Day]]—the official debriefing and rewards would have to wait until tomorrow. She also mentioned that something significant had happened two and a half weeks ago, approximately halfway through the party's absence, though she didn't elaborate on what that event had been. ## Outside the City After arriving at Duskwatch, Z'ul chose to remain outside the city walls with [[Armara]]. They set up camp in the farmlands with Z'ul's undead servants—a minotaur and ogre zombie—and [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards Dan and Sam. The undead and the wagon would remain hidden from the [[Perserphina Day]] festivities while Z'ul and [[Armara]] prepared for the dangerous [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]]-severing ritual that would take several days to complete. [[Armara]] sat watching the twilight fade to darkness, expressing her gratitude again for Z'ul's willingness to help. She acknowledged that she had considered killing the entire party when she had the opportunity, but had chosen trust instead. That decision, she admitted, was partly influenced by Z'ul's consistent support and the genuine alliance they had formed. The ritual would begin soon, and with it would come the risk of [[the Brimstone Wraith]]'s counter-attack and the possibility of the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] breaking free of [[Armara]]'s control. But for now, they rested and prepared, knowing that success would mean one less spy for [[Anam]] [[Anam|the Withered One]] and one more powerful ally against the darkness threatening Solare. ## Mysteries Remaining As the session concluded, several threads remained unresolved: The greater evil still trapped beneath [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree—the entity that [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] had been desperately trying to reach when the party killed him—remained imprisoned but unknown. What ancient power lurked in those depths, and would [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s restoration be enough to contain it? The corruption spreading through the Deadwood Glade continued despite their victory. [[Cedric]]'s reports of strange deaths and unnatural diseases suggested the problem extended far beyond a single dragon and cursed dryad. What had happened two and a half weeks ago that [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] found significant enough to mention? What global event occurred during the party's lost time? Would the party investigate [[Sylrathis]] in the north, following [[Benguard]]'s prophetic dreams? And what dangers awaited in the [[Yggrathian Forest]]? How would [[Cedric]]'s mistrust of [[Benguard]] develop as he continued to believe the paladin served an evil god? And most pressingly—would Z'ul and [[Armara]] successfully sever the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] connection, or would [[the Brimstone Wraith]] strike back with overwhelming force? The Dawn Wardens had survived an Ancient Shadow Dragon and saved a dryad, but their greatest challenges might still lie ahead. They had lost six weeks of time, made powerful enemies, and uncovered hints of threats that spanned the entire world. Tomorrow would bring official recognition of their achievements, but tonight, Duskwatch celebrated beauty and freedom while the party processed the cost of their victory and the weight of knowledge they now carried. --- ## Key NPCs **New:** - **[[Cedric]]** - Human Life Cleric of [[Lialandra]], medical expert investigating Deadwood corruption, mistakenly believes [[Benguard]] serves [[Enkell]] **Featured:** - **[[Armara]]** - Wizard with [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] parasite, former member of [[Top Factions/North Angoria/Askaria/The Shadows|The Shadows]], working to break free from Brimstone Wraith's control - **[[Glyph]]** - [[Armara]]'s arcane AI construct managing the extradimensional mansion - **[[High Priestess Selanna]]** - Leader of [[Perserphina]]'s church in Duskwatch, recognizes the legendary cloak - **Priestess Vadania** - Junior priestess assisting with [[Perserphina Day]] celebrations - **Junior Clerk [[Lyralei Silverleaf]]** - Elf administrator at [[Deadwood Wardens]] guild - **Dan and Sam** - [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards protecting the wagon - **[[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]** - Ancient dryad whose tree now stands where Silent Watchtower fell ## Locations - **Silent Watchtower** - Destroyed, replaced by [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s massive tree - **Duskwatch** - Major town celebrating [[Perserphina Day]] - **Armsworth Road** - Now secure, connecting Oakrest to Duskwatch - **[[Sylrathis]]** - Elder Tree in [[Yggrathian Forest]], potential future destination ## Magic Items Acquired - **[[Perserphina]]'s Cloak** ([[Benguard]]) - Legendary artifact granting Testament of Beauty - **Dragon Skull Maul** ([[Nobuu]]) - Custom weapon crafted from [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]]'s skull - **Various rewards from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]** - Distributed among party ## Major Revelations - **Time Distortion**: Party experienced ~6 days while 45 days passed outside - **[[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] Network**: Brimstone Wraith spreading parasites to strengthen [[Anam]] - **[[The Heralds of Silver|Heralds of Silver]]**: Defeated Devil King with [[Eshuall]]'s help during party's absence - **[[Anam's Spell Engine - The Severance Protocol|Spell Engine]] Destroyed**: Planar travel restored across Solare - **Greater Evil**: Something worse than [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] remains trapped beneath [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree - **[[Cedric]]'s Mistake**: Believes [[Benguard]] serves evil god [[Enkell]] due to crow symbolism --- ## **Highlights** ## **Returning to Duskwatch** After successfully defeating [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] the Ancient Shadow Dragon and restoring [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree (which destroyed the Silent Watchtower in the process), the Dawn Wardens prepared to return to Duskwatch. The party gathered their magical rewards from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]], with some discussion about whether Zariheth would stay behind to help the dryad with ongoing Deadwood Glade problems. ## **Meeting [[Cedric]]** On the road back, the party encountered **[[Cedric]]**, a Life Cleric of **[[Lialandra]]** (Goddess of Healing and Skill) who had been sent to investigate the mysterious fog that had surrounded the tower for the past month and a half. **Key details about [[Cedric]]:** - Human cleric with medical/healing expertise - Wields a staff with carved idols and a shield bearing [[Lialandra]]'s symbol (an eye with two feathers) - Wears ragged scale armor with distinctive scars across his face - Has a fresh, minty scent from his staff's divine magic - Was investigating rumors of corruption and disease spreading through the Deadwood Glade region - Likely from [[Polaria City|Polaria]], which has one of the largest medical colleges **The party had mixed reactions to the newcomer:** - **[[Nobuu]]** immediately tried to intimidate him (unsuccessfully) and nearly bit his hand when [[Cedric]] attempted to pet him like an animal - **[[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]** wearily explained they'd handled the tower situation - **[[Hermes]]** remained suspicious and standoffish **Dan** (one of [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards) walked up to [[Cedric]] outside, grabbed his hand, and marked it with a protective [[glyph]] so the mansion's defenses wouldn't attack him when he entered. The party entered the mansion with [[Cedric]]. Once inside, **[[Armara]]** noticed the stranger and approached with suspicion, questioning him about his intentions, who he worked for, and what he was trying to steal. **Z'ul** vouched for [[Cedric]], taking responsibility for him. After Z'ul's persuasive assurance, [[Armara]] grudgingly allowed [[Cedric]] to remain. **[[Glyph]]'s Scan:** - [[Glyph]], [[Armara]]'s arcane AI construct, appeared and scanned everyone including [[Cedric]] - Confirmed to [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]]'s inquiry that no party members were undead - Could detect doppelgangers and other threats - Found [[Cedric]] to be a legitimate cleric, not evil or corrupted (though this did little to ease [[Cedric]]'s concerns about [[Benguard]]) **[[Glyph]]'s Explanation About [[Nobuu]]:** When [[Cedric]] asked what [[Nobuu]] was, [[Glyph]] explained: - [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) are amphibious humanoids who can survive on land or sea - They possess unique abilities and sometimes extra limbs - Their coloration indicates habitat depth - white [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) live in the deepest, coldest ocean waters - [[Nobuu]] has all the characteristics of a white [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) (strength, cold resistance, physical features) - However, his scales are pitch black due to **melanism** - a pigmentation condition opposite of albinism - Melanism causes his skin to be much darker than normal and gives him red eyes - Despite his black appearance, [[Nobuu]] is fundamentally a white [Gnorri](https://www.5esrd.com/database/race/gnorri/) with a rare pigmentation disorder ## **Mistaken Identity** Inside the mansion, **[[Cedric]]'s** trained eye observed the party, particularly [[Benguard]]: - Saw [[Benguard]]'s shield with a crow symbol - Recognized it as potentially connected to **[[Enkell]]** (God of Retribution and Magic) - a lawful evil deity - [[Enkell]] is associated with three black crows and represents "eye for an eye" justice - [[Cedric]] became wary, believing [[Benguard]] might be a follower of an evil god - In reality, [[Benguard]] is a paladin of [[Perserphina]], and the crow symbol is from his past/order - This mistaken identity will likely create future tension ## **The [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] Revelation** During the journey back to Duskwatch, **[[Armara]]** opened up to **Z'ul** about a critical situation she's been dealing with. She revealed: **The [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] Situation:** - She's working to sever the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] connection to the **[[The Brimstone Wraith]]** - The [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] is a parasitic entity that gives her power but also allows the [[The Brimstone Wraith]] to spy on her location - The [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] itself wants independence and freedom - They're trying to break the final link between [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] and [[The Brimstone Wraith]] - The [[The Brimstone Wraith]] serves **[[Anam]] ([[Anam|The Withered One]])** and is spreading [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]]s to gather power - Each [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] host makes the [[The Brimstone Wraith]] stronger, building toward god-like power - [[Armara]] has used her intellect and discipline to control the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] rather than being controlled **The Ritual:** - Requires Z'ul's magical expertise to help stabilize arcane energies - [[Glyph]] will also assist - If [[Armara]] loses control during the ritual, the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] could take over completely - The [[The Brimstone Wraith]] may try to counter-attack through the link - The [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] is highly resistant to magic, making containment difficult - Will take several days to complete **[[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] Form:** - Black oily tentacles emerge from [[Armara]]'s body - Covers her entire form in a black substance - She grows larger and more monstrous - Her voice becomes multiple voices speaking at once - Pure evil emanates from the transformation - Once severed, [[Armara]] and the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] will work together as allies against [[Anam]] **Contingency Plan:** Z'ul sent his familiar snake to wrap around [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]'s wrist as a contingency - if he needs additional magical power during the ritual, the snake will tug on [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] to summon her for help. [[Armara]] expressed gratitude for Z'ul's trust, acknowledging how few people she can rely on after being used and betrayed so many times. She noted that she almost killed the entire party when she could have, but chose trust instead - partly because of Z'ul's influence. ## **[[Perserphina Day]] Chaos** The party's arrival at Duskwatch coincided with **[[Perserphina Day]]** - the annual festival celebrating [[Perserphina]], the Goddess of Beauty and War. Duskwatch was in full celebration mode: - Blue and white dove banners everywhere - Citizens wearing minimal clothing or going completely nude (celebrating beauty) - Drunken college-age revelers streaking through streets - Musical parades with flutes and instruments - The normally conservative town transformed into a bacchanal - City guard (Dawn Guard/Duskwatch militia) chasing naked celebrants **Party Reactions:** - **[[Nobuu]]** absolutely hated it, threatening violence multiple times and eventually throwing [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]] into a crowd of admirers as a distraction to escape - **[[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]** stripped down and danced with strangers without shame (she's a dinosaur with no external anatomy) - **[[Hermes]]** desperately tried to escape being grabbed and lifted by celebrants - **[[Cedric]]** was pulled into dancing, completely bewildered by the festivities - **[[Benguard]]** went to the Church of [[Perserphina]] for spiritual guidance - **Thorrag** was reminded of how he met several of his wives ## **Time Discrepancy Revealed** Upon reaching the **Deadwood Wardens guild hall** after navigating through the chaotic festivities, the party discovered a shocking truth from **Junior Clerk [[Lyralei Silverleaf]]**: **They had been gone for a month and a half**, though it felt like only 5-6 days to them. This time distortion was caused by [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s mist prison - the pocket dimension maintaining the dragon's imprisonment operated on a different time flow than the outside world. **During their "missing" time:** - The **[[The Heralds of Silver|Heralds of Silver]]** defeated the Devil King in [[Polaria City|Polaria]] with help from the goddess [[Eshuall]] - The **[[Anam's Spell Engine - The Severance Protocol|Spell Engine]]** was destroyed by adventuring groups (created by [[Anam]] [[Anam|the Withered One]]) - Duskwatch continued normal life, assuming the Dawn Wardens had perished [[Glyph]] had warned them about the time discrepancy during their first breakfast at [[Armara]]'s mansion, but the full impact didn't hit until they returned. ## **[[Benguard]]'s Church Visit** At the Church of [[Perserphina]], [[Benguard]] (with Thorrag) met with **[[High Priestess Selanna]]** and **Priestess Vadania**, who: - Confirmed she was safeguarding **[[Perserphina]]'s Chronicle** (the holy book) that [[Benguard]] had entrusted to her months ago - **Recognized [[Perserphina]]'s Cloak** that [[Benguard]] was wearing - a legendary artifact recovered from beneath the tower where [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] was imprisoned - Explained it was a once-in-a-lifetime find and a sign of the goddess's favor - The cloak has blue trim over pure white fabric and grants the wearer enhanced attractiveness (Testament of Beauty) - Provided information about **[[Sylrathis]]** (also called the Elder Tree) - a 100-foot tall sacred tree in [[North Angoria]] protected by beasts, planar entities, and possibly giants in the [[Yggrathian Forest]] - Offered to research [[Perserphina]]'s Chronicle for hidden meanings and divine wisdom The priestess tried to convince [[Benguard]] to join the festivities (including the traditional clothing-storage service for nude participants), but he declined to return to check on the suspicious new party member. ## **Guild Hall Debriefing** At the Deadwood Wardens guild, **Junior Clerk [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] Silverleaf** (wearing festival-appropriate minimal clothing) frantically took notes as [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] reported: - The tower collapsed but [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree was restored - They killed an Ancient Shadow Dragon ([[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]]) living beneath the tower - [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] was freed from a curse making her see everything as undead - The road (Armsworth Road) is secure but the beacon cannot be restored - Oakrest remains cut off from communication - They recovered a hero's journal from the tower courtyard **Important Discovery:** [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] mentioned that **two and a half weeks ago** (during the party's missing time), something significant happened. This was approximately halfway through their month-and-a-half absence. [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] promised to report to the Guild Master but noted everything was closed for [[Perserphina Day]] - official rewards and debriefing would have to wait until tomorrow. ## **Meanwhile, Outside Duskwatch** After arriving at Duskwatch, **Z'ul** remained outside town with **[[Armara]]** and his undead servants (a minotaur and ogre zombie), along with [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards **Dan and Sam**. They set up camp in the farmlands outside the city walls to prepare for the upcoming [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]]-severing ritual, keeping the undead and [[Armara]]'s wagon away from the [[Perserphina Day]] festivities. ## **Other Activities During Travel** **[[Nobuu]]:** - Bathed in [[Armara]]'s mansion pool (going to the deepest, darkest depths as usual) - Attuned to his new magic items from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s rewards - Crafted a **Dragon Skull Maul** from [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]]'s head in the forge - [[Armara]] used her magic to shrink the skull from Huge to Large size to make it more manageable - Made it from the actual skull, reinforcing it with bones to be more rounded for bludgeoning - People will recognize it as a dragon skull when they see it - Also discussed having [[Armara]] upgrade his armor using dragon bone - Wields the **[[DAWNBREAKER, SHADOW'S BANE|Dawnbreaker]]** - a legendary longsword that sheds bright sunlight in a 30-foot radius when drawn - When sheathed, the [[DAWNBREAKER, SHADOW'S BANE|Dawnbreaker]]'s light is hidden - The blade resembles a Holy Avenger with gold threading spiraling around the handle **[[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]]:** - Vigorously journaled about their adventure - Thanked her goddess profusely for keeping the party alive - Provided her journal to [[Lyralei Silverleaf|Lyralei]] to copy for the guild records **[[Benguard]]:** - Practiced with his new **Staff of Striking** - Discovered his new cloak makes him more attractive (Testament of Beauty from [[Perserphina]]'s Cloak) - Couldn't determine if it was the bath, [[Perserphina Day]], the cloak, or the staff causing the effect **[[Hermes]]:** - Kept to himself, staying alert **[[Arin Veldrak|Arin]]:** - No specific activities noted (player absent) **Thorrag:** - Accompanied [[Benguard]] to the church - Shared stories about his many wives **Zariheth:** - Stayed behind with [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] to help protect the Deadwood Glade ## **Current Status & Next Steps** **Party Status:** - Regrouping at the guild hall, processing the month-and-a-half time loss - **[[Cedric]]** officially joining the group (for now) - **[[Benguard]]** wearing [[Perserphina]]'s legendary cloak, researching northern mysteries about [[Sylrathis]] - **Z'ul** preparing to assist [[Armara]] with dangerous [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]]-severing ritual over next few days - **[[Nobuu]]** traumatized by festival chaos, successfully crafted dragon skull maul - **Duskwatch** celebrating [[Perserphina Day]] in full swing - **Zariheth** remaining with [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] (player/character transition) **Outstanding Mysteries:** - What is the greater evil still trapped beneath [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree? ([[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]] was trying to burrow down to it) - Will Oakrest send word now that the fog is gone? - What rewards will the guild provide for completing the Silent Watchtower mission? - How will [[Cedric]]'s mistrust of [[Benguard]] develop? - Will Z'ul and [[Armara]] successfully sever the [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] link? - What happened two and a half weeks ago during their missing time? **Next Session Plans:** - Official quest completion and rewards from the Deadwood Wardens - Deciding whether to investigate the deeper evil beneath [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree - Possible side quests in Duskwatch - Z'ul's ritual with [[Armara]] (multi-day process) - Integration of [[Cedric]] into the party dynamic --- ## **Key NPCs Introduced/Featured** **New NPCs:** - **[[Cedric]]** - Human Life Cleric of [[Lialandra]], medical expert, suspicious of [[Benguard]] **Returning NPCs:** - **[[High Priestess Selanna]]** - Church of [[Perserphina]] leader in Duskwatch - **Priestess Vadania** - Junior priestess at Church of [[Perserphina]] - **Junior Clerk [[Lyralei Silverleaf]]** - Deadwood Wardens guild administrator (elf) - **[[Armara]]** - Wizard traveling with the party, former member of [[Top Factions/North Angoria/Askaria/The Shadows|The Shadows]] - **[[Glyph]]** - [[Armara]]'s arcane AI construct that manages the mansion-wagon - **Dan and Sam** - [[Armara]]'s [[glyph]] sentinel guards that protect the wagon --- ## **Magic Items & Rewards** **Items Acquired:** - **[[Perserphina]]'s Cloak** ([[Benguard]]) - Legendary artifact, blue trim over white fabric, grants Testament of Beauty - **Dragon Skull Maul** ([[Nobuu]]) - Custom crafted from [[Noctyss the Umbral Maw|Noctyss]]'s skull, distinctive and powerful - **Various rewards from [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]** - To be distributed/detailed (party was gathering these at session start) **Items in Progress:** - Dragon bone armor upgrade for [[Nobuu]] (discussed, not yet created) **Items Safeguarded:** - **[[Perserphina]]'s Chronicle** - Holy book kept secure at Church of [[Perserphina]] --- ## **Important Lore & World-Building** **Gods & Religion:** - **[[Lialandra]]** - Goddess of Healing and Skill ([[Cedric]]'s deity) - Symbol: Eye with two feathers behind it - Followers called the [[The Order of the Radiant Protectors|Radiant Protectors]] - Teaches both healing arts and martial combat for defense - Created by [[Perserphina]], blessed with healing powers - **[[Perserphina]]** - Goddess of Beauty and War - [[Perserphina Day]] celebrates beauty, love, and freedom - Her cloak is a legendary artifact - Very popular in Duskwatch during festival - **[[Enkell]]** - God of Retribution and Magic (Lawful Evil) - Symbol: Three black crows or murder of crows - Represents "eye for an eye" justice - [[Cedric]] mistakes [[Benguard]] for a follower **Factions & Organizations:** - **The [[The Heralds of Silver|Heralds of Silver]]** - Defeated the Devil King in [[Polaria City|Polaria]] during the party's absence - **[[Top Factions/North Angoria/Askaria/The Shadows|The Shadows]]** - Organization [[Armara]] used to belong to (destroyed by [[The Heralds of Silver|Heralds of Silver]]) - **Deadwood Wardens** - Adventurer's guild the party works for - **The [[The Brimstone Wraith]]** - Servant of [[Anam]], spreading symbiots across Solare **Cosmic Threats:** - **[[Anam]] ([[Anam|The Withered One]])** - Ancient evil awakening undead, seeking to become god-like - **[[Anam's Spell Engine - The Severance Protocol|Spell Engine]]** - Blocked planar travel across Solare (recently destroyed) - **[[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] Network** - Parasitic entities strengthening [[the Brimstone Wraith]] - **The Concord of [[Perserphina]]** - Prevents gods from directly interfering in mortal affairs **Locations:** - **[[Sylrathis]] (The [[Sylrathis|Eldertree]])** - 100-foot sacred tree in [[North Angoria]]'s [[Yggrathian Forest]] - **Oakrest** - Village cut off from Duskwatch by the fog (now cleared) - **Duskwatch** - Major town, party's home base - **Armsworth Road** - Road connecting Oakrest to Duskwatch along Blackmere Lake --- ## **Character Development & Relationships** **Party Dynamics:** - [[Nobuu]] continues to be antisocial and aggressive toward strangers - [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] remains the diplomatic voice despite being exhausted - Z'ul has earned significant trust from [[Armara]] - [[Benguard]] is developing his paladin identity while being mistaken for an evil cultist - [[Hermes]] stays suspicious and stealthy - [[Cedric]] is wary of the party, especially [[Benguard]] **NPC Relationships:** - **[[Armara]] & Z'ul** - Growing trust and mutual respect, working together on [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] ritual - **[[Glyph]] & Party** - [[Glyph]] has learned to trust most party members - **[[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]] & Zariheth** - Zariheth staying to help protect the Deadwood Glade - **High Priestess [[High Priestess Selanna|Selanna]] & [[Benguard]]** - Recognizes his devotion and the significance of the cloak --- ## **Combat & Mechanical Notes** **Time in Mist Prison:** - Party experienced ~6 days - Real world experienced 45 days (1.5 months) - Approximate ratio: 1 day inside = 7-8 days outside **[[Nobuu]]'s Crafting:** - Successfully created Dragon Skull Maul (masterwork quality) - Used [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s magic to shrink dragon skull from Huge to Large size - Plans to upgrade armor with dragon bones in future **Party Resources:** - Rested and recovered from dragon battle - Attuned to new magic items - Ready for next adventure --- ## **Session Tone & Highlights** **Comedic Moments:** - [[Nobuu]]'s absolute hatred of [[Perserphina Day]] festivities - [[Cedric]] trying to pet [[Nobuu]] like a dog - [[Ilith Ornithullin|Ilith]] happily dancing naked with strangers - [[Hermes]] being lifted and spun by drunk celebrants - Thorrag's many wife stories - [[Benguard]]'s increasing attractiveness confusing him - [[Nobuu]] throwing [[Arin Veldrak|Arin]] to a crowd as a distraction **Serious Moments:** - Discovery of the time discrepancy - [[Armara]]'s [[Brimstone Symbiotes|symbiot]] revelation and vulnerability - [[Cedric]]'s mistaken belief about [[Benguard]] being evil - The greater evil still trapped beneath [[Sylvara Thornblight|Sylvara]]'s tree - Z'ul taking on the responsibility of helping [[Armara]] **Horror/Dark Elements:** - [[Brimstone Symbiotes|Symbiot]] transformation showing [[Armara]]'s monstrous form - [[The Brimstone Wraith]]'s network of parasitic hosts - [[Anam]]'s growing power and undead armies - The unknown evil beneath the tower --- **End of Session 40**