Session 23 - Guidance of the Moon

24/05/5-10

The party waited in the tavern, keeping an eye on Shuult, in case he moves. Meanwhile, Shiek read one of his journals and Sapphira gathered the materials craft some ice arrows. Valeyo walked around the tavern, but the people felt tense, due to the presence of the giant outside and were unwilling to talk.

At around 18:00, some commotion could be heard outside, caused by the appearance of a cyclops in town - Hund had returned. He appeared quite excited, pointing towards the north multiple times as he spoke. A look of confusion came over Shuult's face, followed by a slight grin, before he got up and headed north. The party decided to let them get a head start, before following after them. After about 30 minutes, the pair of them arrived before the entrance of the cave, where they stopped an began chatting. A few minutes later, Shuult, put his bow down and began entering the cave on all fours.

When the party approached, Hund put a hand out and warned them not to get closer. He sniffed the air and question if the party had been there, Valeyo confirme, saying they killed some sahuagin inside, the cyclops then asked if they did anything else. Valeyo denied it and asked why they were there, as dragons are too big to fit inside. Hund said that dragons are different sizes, small are easier to fight, large ones are more fun. Valeyo asked when his friend would be out and Hund explained that Shuult is his boss, not his friend. Years ago, he had found Hund and his brother, Hund was still small, whereas his brother was big, almost as big as Shuult. Before he could continue, Shuult emerged from the cave. Hund began talking him something, but Shuult pushed him aside asking if this was where the group had fought the sahuagin. Valeyo confirmed and Shuult wondered why Sapphira never mentioned the camp in the cave. She explained that she didn’t think it was important and he seemed to accept that.

Shuult then reached into his pocket and grabbed a vial full of yellowish-green liquid. He said it was black dragon acid, so either there is both a green and black dragon here, or his information was wrong. He assessed that the black dragon was small, and easy to hunt. There was the possibility of it being in the water, but Shuult couldn't swim. He offered the party money to track the dragon, but they declined. The party inquired more about Hund, but Shuult told them not to concern themselves with lesser beings as he has not rights and even his current situation is better than he deserves. They then said their goodbyes and headed back into town.

25/05/5-10

In the morning Shiek messaged Eletheria. She said they are uncomfortable, and about half a mile into the sea, south-east of town. He asked after the progress on the shapeshifting and Eletheria sighed, saying all she can manage is changing her head currently. Shiek relayed that to the others and they decided to just kill time for the remainder of the day. Valeyo walked around town, Milivoj practiced his weapon skills at the beach and Otto performed a ritual using the Sky Stone, once more. Shiek went to the Town Hall to pick up an empty book to write in. He began transcribing some of the first journal he was writing in common. As he did, some of the parts didn't make much sense, likely written in a cypher of some sort. Cassini picked up some rations and Sapphira tried looking for jobs, but to no avail.

Near the evening, Hund appeared in town and Shiek received a message through the sending stone. Eletheria said they should be ready tomorrow, but they will have to be quick. Nikoletta has mostly got the shapeshifting down, but it doesn't last very long. The party agreed on where to meet with them the following morning and they headed to bed.

26/05/5-10

Before first light, the party got into the cart and headed down the road west, soon cutting to the south to reach the arranged meeting spot. After a few minutes they saw the forms of Eletheria and Nikoletta emerge - soaking wet. Valeyo dried them and told them the plan was for them to get in the cart and head to Rekasev. Before they did that Nikoletta turned into a sahuagin child. Eletheria explained that they needed an example and something that could breathe underwater. Shiek gave her his old cloak to cover up and she dunked it in sea water beforehand, so she wouldn't dry up. With that Sapphira covered everyone in a Pass Without a Trace and they journeyed on. About an hour in, Nikoletta turned back and the party left her alone in the wagon as they continued walking. She protested at it being uncomfortable, but agreed to do it.

At about midday, on the horizon traffic could be seen headed east. Eletheria covered Nikoletta up and the group managed to move past the wagons. Most of them appeared to be on the way for spawning season. By the evening the party was at a campsite, where another group appeared to be staying. Electing to avoid communal spots, the party travelled on for another hour, before making camp. Valeyo distracted Nikoletta, walking around with her and bribing her with coins to make nice. Otto meanwhile, showed Eletheria the way to perform a communal ritual using Sky Stone. Otto felt the ritual pass, he felt an even stronger connection before, perhaps due to the night or there being another faithful present.

Nikoletta was full of energy, bounding around. Valeyo though she probably could fly, but lacked the confidence due to her age. At one point she moved into a more stalking pose, becoming almost stationary, before spitting acid in a direction. Valeyo jumped asking what that was and she responded in a happy tone saying it was a rabbit. He kept watching her for a bit, before they all went to bed.

Otto came awake in the middle of the night, not unexpectedly. He found himself where he went to bed, but the only person around him was Eletheria. They both found themselves looking up towards the red moon, more enormous than usual. Both of them were bathed in int's light  stronger than ever before. In their soul they felt a connection to Sardior, allowing them to Commune with her, able to ask 3 questions. Eletheria looked at Otto, asking if he had anything in mind.

His questions went as follows:

1. Will we find the I.C.M in Rekasev. His and Eletheria's visions expanded, rising to a bird-eye view of the town. While not particularly large, they got the feeling that towards the north end, a strong presence called to them.
2. Eletheria asked if there is anyone else she should help, besides Nikoletta. Their visions turned to the red moon, which transformed into the back of a red hair and saw the vision of a grey skinned woman with red hair and fiery red eyes. Elethria didn't seem to know who it was.
3. Where is his helmet. He was his helmet surrounded by walls surrounded by mountains but it looked different, damaged - as if punctured by growing horns.

With those visions, they drifted back to sleep.

27/05/5-10

The party awoke to the sound of Otto screaming "My helmet!". Nikoletta was walking through the tall grass stalking, as well as a massive black creature could in broad daylight. Valeyo asked if having Nikoletta as a dragon and only turn humanoid in a pinch would be wise. Elethria said it could work, saving energy so she could practice in the evening. She then asked if one of the party could fix her staff and Cassini gave it a shot. He sealed the fracture, but there was an imperfection. She thanked him and said that she would keep an eye out or irregular effects.

Once on the road, Otto mentioned his vision from the previous night. He gave them the rundown of the questions he had asked, as well as the answers he had received. Eletheria mentioned that a red headed, grey skinned girl needed help and she described her to the party. Valeyo remembered the poster of Hilda Firebrand - a young fire giant, who had gone missing, proposing her as the figure. Otto finally mentioned that he asked after his helmet. Eletheria was curious about that question and the I.C.M, but the party warned her to avoid both and she agreed. Valeyo pointed out the irregularity of Sardior wanting her, a child, to seek out other children - a giant and a dragon, no less. Elethria proposed that Sardior might be looking to break away from the stigma and form new relationships before those people.

Otto described his helmet vision and Milivoj and Valeyo recognized the description of the walls and the mountains as something from the history of Stendolin. The city once had tall walls, which were collapsed by Dragomir I when he brough the city into the kingdom. With that the journey continued. In the evening Nikoletta practiced her shapechange, resulting in her ability to hold the change for 6 hours and also turn into a dwarf or a human.

28/05/5-10

The party was preparing to leave, when they noticed that the cart as a bit stuck in the mud. Eletheria offered to test the staff, but not before the party took the barrels off of it. Then, she attempted to cast Telekenesis. Where the imperfection in the staff was, some of the energy leaked out, giving Eletheria and enormous shock, knocking her back, but casting the spell. Otto healed her, his healing seemingly empowered since communing with Sardior. Then continued onwards, until the saw Krainasto in the distance. At around 19:00 they made it there. Nikoletta assumed her dwarven form and joined the group in town. Valeyo suggested going into the temple, where they were greeted by Mikela, the goliath cleric. Valeyo asked if they dealt with the demons puddles and he confirmed that King's Guard Marta Grabow assured him that it was dealt with. She came in with a small team and they handled it. They have since had a large memorial, for those who passed to the disease. The station was coming along nicely and he hoped it will help improve the town. He offered us free rooms in the tavern as he lead us there and announced our arrival.

Valeyo capitalized on their gratitude, to spread the idea of elected government, pointing out the lack of help from the crown until it was too late. The people seemed receptive to his message and he chatted with them for a few hours. In the forest, Eletheria, Nikoletta, Sapphira and Cassini made camp, while the others stayed in the tavern.