New Friends - the story of the gang

## Clockworker's Timing

### Session 1

Welcome to Gandrahimm! The fount of all magick! As you all responded to the summons of your friend Old Hushwing, you met at the pub, The Shimmering Door in the Second Ring of Gandrahimm. Petal, the barbarian, Isemo the wizard, Jed the druid, Bran the artificer, and Burzu the paladin. After the initial pleasantries, Old Hushwing told you of his request. His friend, an artificer of the Draxel league, has gone missing. His house seemed to be enchanted which made it too dangerous for just anyone to go help. Hushwing asked that you all help find this friend and fix the mess that goes along with it and he promised you a treasure map. A generous offering it seems but from a friend who seems to be past his adventuring days (since he lost a leg recently).

He told about how he got the map from a new cult that was weird but got aggressive when they learned he was an outsider.

In the morning after much bacon and bonding, the group headed to the artificer’s home passing a magickal mouth shouting news of the town. As they entered the house they were quickly set upon by a smothering rug and several flying swords. Petal raged through the closet and the gang nearly got destroyed by some dangerous charm spells and internal fighting but eventually powered through. They then found some kids books and fought a painting and a suit of armor.

What is with these strange enchantments? Where is this artificer?

### Session 2

The gang continued through the house exploring the master closet and finding some magickal items. They decided to stay on the first floor and clear it out, fighting tables and exploding journals. They learned about this artificer’s strange contraptions of clocks and orrerys which appeared to have some magickal alterations. The orrery did not seem to match the known universe and then they found a map that appeared to suggest there were only two planes of existence, which is a departure from previously held knowledge if it is true. In the journal the gang learned how the artificer purchased a strange clock from a stranger in the strangeways who was wearing a black plague doctor’s mask in a bird like fashion. After this purchase the artificer started having strange dreams of inventions, which were great at first until they started opening a rift. A strange lady wizard came to help him out and then the journal ended.

The gang continued through one of the entrances and found a strange planar or temporal rift (they were unable to examine) with three alarm clocks ringing. Construct creatures starting emerging from the rift. The gang had trouble stopping the creatures especially after it cast slow on the gang. They could not stop the clocks before being overwhelmed by the constructs, nearly losing all of the party. They escaped through a clever bit of lasso, strategic running, and a last minute lay on hands. The gang seemed to be running away and potentially barricading themselves in as they debate what to do next as this problem seems to be growing.

### Session 3

After getting seriously injured and beaten by the overwhelming constructs the gang made a tactical retreat and weighed their options. As they barricaded the door, they discussed the pros and cons of staying or leaving, of abandoning Old Hushwing or maybe burning down the house. In the end they decided to send Burzu for reinforcements while the rest kept watch and rested.

Burzu walked down the hallway before seeing a ghostly child asking for help. Burzu yelled to the gang he was going to help the child and they got nervous but eventually decided to leave him to his fate. The child turned out to be Echbert Jr, the child of the scientist/artificer/clockmaker. The child had witnessed his father get kidnapped by the strange bird masked lady but then was sucked into the rift with his sister and mother. They have been trapped in the house as ghosts but knew about some of the father’s items that might help.

After gathering the items and giving them to the gang, Burzu trotted over to Old Hushwing who quickly gave some potions and called a friend for help. After returning and resting the gang heard noises throughout the night but managed the full rest. Uxin the kobold artificer came to help the gang.

After waking from their long rest, they started hearing banging on the door. Bracing for combat the gang moved in and took over the battlefield quickly. A good night’s rest and some extra support really went a long way. This time instead of lots of small robots to fight there were 3 large ones. The gang fought hard but took them out. Towards the end of battle Bran saw a cloaked blue humanoid carrying the now completed orrery turn invisible.

After battle they were unable to find this blue person but were able to close the rift and scavenge some parts. Petal retrieved a 8ft metal shaft that she plans to craft into a weapon and Isemo collected bits of the broken clocks along with the blueprints to try and learn more.

### Session 4

After completing the battle the gang tried to figure out if they should go straight to Hushwing or if they should search the house for more clues. They searched the house finding new allies in Kegbert and Draco (clockwork constructs) in the attic. They also noticed a telescope looking at the planet Chime (closest planet - blueish) where two moons had recently crashed (Light and Glow). They then went to clear out the basement where they were attacked by an ooze but after dispatching it they found that there appeared to be some new construction happening down there but were unsure to what end.

They then went to chat with Hushwing about their findings and perhaps share some frustration over the unexpected challenges. Hushwing lamented his friend Echbert's kidnapping. They chatted with Hushwing and Uxin about possible leads. It seemed there were three routes that could be explored. They could reach out to the Fold of Seven to try and learn more about these magicks. They could reach out to the Draxel League to chat with artificers about what Echbert had been up to. Or they could go to the Strangeways to try and find whoever sold Echbert the original mysterious clock. They decided to use Isemo’s connection to the Fold to reach out to Arcarsh to ask about portals and potential magicks.

With that settled the gang decided to get some rest each going to their own room and their own bullshit. However, while Isemo was sleeping he started having some dreams. Dreams from his past, dreams from his present, and maybe a dream of a possible future all the while with clockhands spinning. Isemo woke up in a cold sweat with pieces of the broken clock in his hands. He started trying to figure out how to piece it together but couldn’t quite understand it all. However, the clock has now granted Isemo a +2 to his initiative.

## The Dream Wizard

### Session 5

After awakening from a day’s sleep. The gang gathered in the inn where Old Hushwing gave them a run down about visiting Arcarsh, warning about their feud with the artificers. The gang invited Hushwing along, which he happily joined in.

After arriving at the Fold Towers, Arcarsh quickly let them in, perhaps riding upon Hushwing’s celebrity. After hearing their plight, he unceremoniously/ungenerously said he could give more information if they were willing to do something for him. He will trade information if they return his wayward student Fara Sylvar to him. Isemo recognizes this name as from a rival clan of wizards. The gang makes the connection that Fara might be the one kidnapping kids from the Strangeways. After leaving with a bit of a sour taste in their mouth from Arcarsh’s demeanor and lack of care for life, the gang goes to search for Fara.

On the way Burzu swears he saw a blueish humanoid in an alley. After attempting to search and find this person, Isemo does some ace detective work and notices that the tracks stop which means they must have teleported or flown away.

Upon arriving at the marketplace of the Strangeways, the gang takes a variety of approaches. With Jedry and Hushwing keeping watch, Petal finds an urchin and pays them for more information. Burzu attempts to grandstand and convert the populace toward the order of the terrible lizard receiving some very negative attention. Bran and Isemo work the crowd and discover Fara. Soon she recognizes Isemo and starts to laugh at him. After some witty banter and threats about Isemo’s disgraceful past they attack. After getting some solid hits in, Fara disappears and the gang chases.

Burzu with incredible speed thanks to Jedry, catches up, dodges the guard, and slams into a door. After getting up he discovers a trap door to an underground chamber and jumps down. The rest of the gang follows slightly behind. What will they find?

Burzu and Jedry and Hushwing have a level of exhaustion.

### Session 6

The gang snuck into the dream lab of Fara Sylvar and the battle began. Isemo struck first while Fara monologues. A table grappled with Petal and Kegbert, Isemo and Bran and Draco attack Fara around the lab while the sleeping children get in the way. A brain in a jar that no one was able to perceive sent out psychic shock waves. Despite all this and the exhaustion the gang was able to quickly dispatch her before she put too many children at risk. And even Kegbert was able to save some brain in a jar brains.

While two children did die, the gang saved the rest. Burzu made friends with the kids and they attached themselves to him before the guards came to take them to safety. Jed chatted with Echbert and learned that he had dreams from a blueish man that grew in complexity before finally opening a portal that released spirits into inanimate objects. The strange bird lady (probably Fara) then stepped in to help him expand the portal before kidnapping him. Petal gives Echbert a piece of her mind and he collapses in tears for the sins of his pride. Petal, Isemo, and Bran search the place. Isemo is able to piece together that somehow Fara was using their dreams and nightmares to generate some magickal power. It is unfamiliar to him. But you also found a balloon pack, an alchemy jug, an amulet of the drunkard, two potions of watchful rest, and two potions of drowsiness (yes cocaine and rufis…) Isemo was also able to pocket Fara’s journal which may have more notes and her necklace which was used to help her scry on family members and family members scribe on her.

While the guards are initially gruff and slightly horrified before they learn you were working for the Fold and begin to give you deference. Jedry gives Dasobn, a male goblin leader of the exploratory society, a piece of his mind and forces him to give money to help the kids who were kidnapped. And upon arriving back at the Shimmering Door Burzu notices that his flyer has been accepted, Isemo and Petal begin to drink, and Bran identifies the magick items.

The gang heads to bed feeling a level stronger, preparing to meet Uxin and Hushwing in the morning, then to perhaps collect the reward from the guards and get their promised information from Arcarsh. After that only time will tell...

### Session 7

After sleeping in and learning how to swing twice instead of once, a few members of the gang noticed that a few minor items were missing from their packs. Nobody mentioned it to one another. At the bar they ran into Uxin, the definitely a kobold artificer, and ate some trough breakfast. Uxin updated the gang that Echbert had shared some schematics with his colleagues who were able to create two more clocks and were sold to a criminal organization in Dogshit (yes a neighborhood) and to the magick shoppe known as Mindweave’s Mindbending Magicarium. After some discussion on whether they should continue the investigation they decided to go forward in helping remove these items from the streets.

Petal went to the bar to purchase some wine skins and was even able to trade some of her nice whiskey for some 800 year old wine. Uxin noticed that Hushwing was not here so went to check on him in his room. He returned and told them that Hushwing was exhausted from the previous day’s activities and needed a day of rest.

The gang decided to go to Dogshit first where they noticed the incredible poverty and avoided being pickpocketed. They approached a Lizardfolk who was hocking their wares to any who would come by. After a bribe they were able to learn about Pineleg, a local dwarf with a peg leg, who seemed to have been the contact for the artificer’s sale of the clock. Isemo purchased some Wizard-lin, a performance drug designed to help you study longer. There was some question to how real this drug he purchased would be.

After going to the tavern, “Three Doors Down,” they found Pineleg playing cards with some fellows. Isemo joined while Petal stood guard. Isemo spotted a cheat who Pineleg punched and took his money. After losing the first hand, Isemo went double or nothing and eventually won a tidy sum of money. At which point Isemo went to get a drink and Petal sat down to do business with Pineleg. After trading some barbs, Pineleg showed that everyone in the bar would fight for him but was impressed by Petal and offered to show them the clock if they helped him. Pineleg had an order of drowsy potions that never arrived and couldn’t find their contact. After describing that he needed 30 potions by Yuletide (4 days away), the gang figured out that Fara Sylvar was the contact who they had taken out but didn’t tell Pineleg.

The gang left and discussed the merits of continuing. Do they support this criminal group with potentially dangerous potions? Do they leave the clock with them despite the potential dangers? They decided to go forward and make decisions as they proceed. Some of their questions were answered when Isemo read Fara’s journal and learned that she was making these potions in order to have enough money to continue her experiments. Her experiments and her work with Arcarsh was about stealing/taking/using the power from peoples from other planes and turning it into magickal energy.

As they made it back to the Gandrahimmian Exploratory Society, they noticed guards ferrying items out as they itemized it and took it back to the guard’s tower. Here they discovered that they were garnering fame as the guards recognized them and called them the Fantastic Five. They used this charm to get the itemized list and find the potions. At the guard tower they continue to use this newfound fame to get a look at the cauldrons. They stole 30 potions worth of the potion, replacing it with whiskey. Petal also took a small coin pouch that only holds one lucky coin and replaced it with her coin purse. The guard at the front desk paid them 150 gp each for saving the kids and ending the kidnapping before offering them the opportunity to provide some bodyguard jobs at the Yule Parade for some foreign dignitaries. The newly minted Fantastic Five said they would think about it.

As the day ebbed they made their way to the First Ring and the magick shoppe. They overheard a magick mouth sharing the day's news which announced them as the Fantastic Five and shared the events of Yule. Yule is a four day festival starting tomorrow with the fighting pits, day two with the Yule Duel, day three with the Yule Fool and the Yule Ball, then day four the day of Yule ending with the Yule Parade. Petal mentioned interest in the pits while Isemo was interested in the duel.

After making it into the First Ring, they entered Mindweave’s Mindbending Magicarium which was larger on the inside. They were overwhelmed by the huge selection but eventually made their way to the front desk and met Mama Mindweave, an eldery gnome. She welcomed them and seemed to know more about them than they shared. She told them she sold the clock to the Cult of Dreams who reside near the Muddy Steps. She told them that the clock was connected to the Plane of Shadow, a different plane than the other clock. She then engaged Burzu in learning more about his interest in lizards and dragons, perhaps the first and only person interested in his order. Finally she turned to Petal and bought her space junk and her brain in a jar and even let her purchase a +1 Maul if she promised to pay after signing a contract. Petal still owes 190 gp for the maul.

## The Yuletide Festival

### Session 8

As the filler episode opened, Burzu busted in the door at the crack of dawn with bacon to prepare Petal and Burzu for the pit fights. The early start allowed them to get to sign ups early and then explore some of the festival games and hand out pamphlets (ahem Burzu).

Burzu jumped into the ring to wrestle a greased pig, going back and forth with a halfling named Thomas and an orc named Grr. Bran made a bet on Burzu.

Who won? Find out later and place your bets now if you want! - Burzu won.

Then the trio meandered over to the closest tavern where two contestants were drinking and punching each other in the face, for an exciting and thrilling contest of Punch Drunk. Petal stepped up to take on the reigning Lizardfolk champ. Bran took another bet on his barbarian friend at 2:1 odds.

Who won? Find out later and place your bets now if you want! - Petal won.

Petal then signed up for another round and Bran bet again against the newcomer Goliath.

Who won? Find out later and place your bets now if you want! - Petal lost.

At this time they needed to head back to the fighting pits at the large stadium, the Droma. As the crowds swarmed the field, the trio all headed into the pits where they received instructions from the water genasi emcee about the bracket.

There were four rounds.

All characters were in the first round. They all made it to the second round. They all made it to the third round. It was here that Burzu was knocked out. Petal and Bran made it to the final with Petal putting in a very impressive performance against the goliath from earlier and a talking bear.

If you would like to bet on the final round the odds were as follows:

Petal 1:1

Bran 3:1

Drow Fighter 4:1

Halfling Thief 10:1

Bran took home the crown this time.

### Session 9

After a rousing success at the Fighting Pits of the Droma, the Fantastic Five headed to the bar. Bran bought drinks and their fame encouraged more drinks! Waking up the next day, more items were missing from their packs, the most detrimental being Isemo’s component pouch. Though the gang did not chat about this, Isemo went to purchase a new pouch.

They met Two Dry Cloaks, a specialty retailer that had exactly what they needed and even purchased an item from Brandumir, that made the sound “I am Brandumir.”

After signing up for the Yule Duel, the gang went to compete in some local games, particularly the Bear Wrestling for Petal. Petal faced stiff competition against the polar bear but won out in the end, severely disappointing a certain goliath who lost a bet to Bran. After refreshing themselves with some street meats and dipping sauces, they finally went to check out the Yule Duel.

The first round went by easily for our gang as they all found themselves winners. Isemo defeated the warforged named Clank and Petal pushed Bran to the limits before winning. Finally we had Petal versus Isemo in the final. The crowd was staunchly in Petal’s corner, having never seen a noncaster class do so well however the house was still betting on Isemo giving good odds that he would win. Petal and Isemo traded wins before heading to the final round. Isemo had used up many spells but Petal was content and consistent with the eldritch blasts. But Isemo ran out of steam and Petal pushed past.

The crowd was shocked. Never in a million years did they expect someone like them, a noncaster, to be able to win. Petal has quickly shifted into a revolutionary hero for the masses, while Isemo’s prestigious name was quickly seen as the magickal elite. The victory sparked a storming of the field and terrified the upperclass. The emcee teleports the gang to a safe location as they brainstorm some solutions. Isemo is filled with rage but gives in to his better half and goes back out for the awards ceremony and holds Petal’s hand in the air.

This persuaded many in the crowd to stop their rioting but will it hold? Will Petal lead the revolution? Will Isemo get revenge? Will the rest of their tasks be completed? Find out next time on, The Fantastic Five!

### Session 10

After winning the Yule Duel and quieting a riot, the fantastic five went back to The Shimmering Door for drinks and meats and celebrations! Petal passed out violet petals to all that ask and beats Burzu in a round of punch drunk. A page boy delivered five invitations to the table for the fantastic five to attend the Yule Ball on the following evening. Petal then offered his extra invite to the goliath who has faced her down a couple of times. Isemo danced out his feelings (trained) in his room before Jedry brought him his winnings and gave him some sage advice/encouragement.

In the morning everyone but Isemo found another missing item from their room. They alerted the staff who offered a free night’s stay as well as the increase of the guard. Bran realized that they haven’t seen Hushwing for several days and went to go check on him. Found him sick in his room and looking rough, scattered hair and bloodshot eyes. Burzu with perceptive eyes noticed that not only is Hushwing looking rough but also appears to have some deep thoughts and anxieties on his mind. Burzu noticed (but hasn’t shared) that there has been a significant shift in Hushwing but could only speculate on what that might be. After getting Hushwing down and inviting him to the Yule Ball, Hushwing strongly and fervently encouraged the gang to get the clocks no matter what.

So the gang followed and went to Pineleg and the criminals in Dogshit to push for a trade. After some initial experimentation they noticed that the clock was reacting strangely to Isemo’s clock pieces. After some negotiations fighting seemed inevitable and the five quickly took down the criminal gang. However towards the end of battle two beautiful humans (one of a darker skin and one of a paler skin) flanking a large blue humanoid with white hair entered the warehouse. Burzu said he wanted the clock and they said fine. The blue one strangled one of the criminals and then took the potions of drowsiness from Pineleg’s body.

The five then returned to give the clock to Hushwing but did not find him there. They were concerned but after a short rest, Hushwing returned with a mysterious goliath partner. Hushwing covered the clock in a magickal cloth that dampened the clock’s power and prevents scrying. The five now prepare to go to the Yule Ball. Who will they meet? What will happen with the clock they have the clock they don’t? Only time will tell.

### Session 11

The fantastic five headed to the Yule Ball where they were greeted with gorgeous flowers from far off places, free flowing champagnes, and never ending skrimps. The gang worked the crowd and met with various officials.

Arcarsh chatted with Bran and Petal to relay the promised lore dump for stopping his student Fara Sylvar. Arcarsh proceeded to explain the problem with portals. Generally they are short and quick and do not cause serious disruptances. However the vibrations from a portal and two separate planes if held open can cause serious problems, like two moons crashing into one another. Now this gave Arcarsh reason to believe more in his 9 plane theory. This theory follows that there are 9 planes built upon one another like a ladder. Each has their own corresponding hell but it is believed that you can ascend the planes through reincarnation. Arcarsh believes that the nine planes correspond to the nine planets, hence the portals causing trouble. He holds to this belief over the more flat earth theory of the two plane theory and the general theory of belief that looks like the DMG drawing. Arcarsh then shared that because Fara was working with dreams that she had found access to the power of the rumored and mythological Dream Plane (Dream Realm in stories). This could be a tenth plane. Finally, upon learning that more clocks exist, Arcarsh offered to pay the gang 5,000gp for one or 12,000 for two clocks for his experiments.

Arcarsh and Isemo then chatted about the troublesome past of his family and about how magick needs to be restored to its rightful place. The Fold gave Isemo a Wand Dancer to increase his magickal abilities to help keep magick on top.

During this conversation, Mama Mindweave was chatting with Petal and Jedry. She encouraged Petal to speak to the tall firbolg and once alone with Jedry told him to keep his eyes on the stars. Jed looked up and noticed the shooting stars from moon debris. While looking up, she told him about needing to help this group with his wisdom and his eyes and his protection.

Bran was chatting with Our Lady Moon, who we later found out was one of the Twelve Youngrr of the world, the pantheon that continues to walk the world. She seems to know more than she should and encourages Bran in his pursuits in the arena and thanks him for pushing Petal to be her best. Petal then joins them where Our Lady tells her about being cousins with Thor. She wanted to help but because of divine restrictions can only speak in riddles. She talks about following the map to find what she seeks and that a friend who is not a friend might be able to assist.

Burzu saw his old friends Glurg, the blind orc, and Trotsky, the large leonin, and went to greet them. After theologizing about what a good death means and the children that Burzu rescued coming to learn from their order, Glurg inquired about the dragons who were leaving. Burzu wondered if it had to do with the portals and planes. Glurg mentioned that dragons are deeply linked with the weave of magick and might have noticed something.

A warforged named Bang approached Bran to ask if he had any clues about the Thundershield Clan. They were supposed to deliver some goods to the city of Sevenfold Mazework in Kanato but have not been seen. Bang asked for any info and told Bran that he could find him in Kanato if he needed help. Bran was visibly upset.

Horneater the goliath proposed to Petal who slowly saw more use for him while Mindweave was chasing Hushwing yelling “who are you, what are you doing?” The gang starts to chase to see. Mindweave casts a spell on Hushwing which turns him into a large blue Oni. Bran fights Mindweave. Petal fights Hushwing (or the thing). Finally the Oni turns and says “How dare you interfere” before casting a cone of cold. Through a bad initiative and clever support from Mindweave, the gang is able to take out the invisible, flying monster.

Many questions surround this blue creature and how the gang will move forward...

### Session 12

After dispatching of the Oni who had been impersonating Hushwing, the gang searched the body and found some money and treasure. However the clock was not there but the silk cloth was. After having the objects identified they ran back to the Shimmering Door where they found Hushwing’s body several days dead. They also found the clock underneath the other cloth (magician’s cloth) as well as their lost items and Hushwing’s personal effects. They argued over having him raised from the dead or speak to him first before they discovered a letter saying that if he died he was to be taken to the Drue and Drow Mortuary.

After walking the body through town to the mortuary, they met Drue and Drow where they read Hushwing’s last will and testament. It said to not have him raised but moved to Kanato for a proper Thundershield funeral. It then gifted a treasure map to the fantastic five for them to pursue at their leisure. After talking with Hushwing to try and learn about his death and who did it they decided to deliver his body to Kanato and the Thundershield Clan the next day.

They then split up all over town. Burzu spoke with Echbert and learned that if the clocks get close they become more volatile and random. He also talked about how he was controlled in his dreams by what looked like an Oni to make the clock but also dreamt of three beautiful women who tried to stop him. Burzu then chatted with Uxin about how the clock they have is specifically tuned to the Shade Realm (Shadowfell). Uxin encouraged them to remove all the clocks from the world if possible.

Petal visited Mama Mindweave and sold the glaive, gauntlets, and robe of serpents for a nice chunk of money before perusing some defensive enchantments. After getting the business out of the way, Petal showed her the map and asked about its language or other clues. She said it was not written in any language but was in some sort of code. Isemo was able to do an arcana check to determine that there were some abyssal letters but not in regular sentences.

Jedry went to collect Hushwing’s things and close out his room. He took Hushwing’s items back to his home/museum and set up a proper place to respect his friend and mentor.

Bran spent hours looking for a caravan or some horses. He finally found an earth genasi willing to sell 2 horses and a cart to Bran.

Burzu then felt the urge to go off singlehandedly to scout out the cult of dreams. Upon finding the way in and following some cult members, he learned that they were excited about the parade and excited for the initiation. After being cut off of his pursuit by some guards he agreed to have a spell cast on him. He was hold in place while the guards tried to stuff a mushroom down his throat. Burzu shook off the spell and took the mushroom out of his mouth. After seeing that he wouldn’t get any further, the guards told Burzu to come back if he sees the one in his dreams.

Back at the Shimmering Door, the gang looked over what they had learned and Burzu took the mushroom. A large explosion from far off is heard and some see something floating into the sky. Burzu goes to lie down in his room by himself while falling into the ethereal or astral plane. Squids of bright colors are floating by. Three lights in the sky burn brighter and brighter before landing near him. Three beautiful women, an elf, human, and triton ask him for help. They say that they are coming for us, help before being pulled away. Then an overwhelming presence descends upon Burzu, flies swirling around his head, and a weight around his neck. Eventually the presence announces itself as “We are many but we are One.” It asks Burzu to join it and says it will give him untold power before showing him just how powerful he could become. “Come and join us, you know where to find us.”

Jedry and Bran burst into the room and come to Burzu’s side to try and shake him out of it. Burzu succeeds on shaking it off with the help of his friends before recounting the entire dream to them. What could all these mysterious dreams and cults be doing? What happened around Hushwing’s death? Did something happen in town that will cause a fuss? Find out next time on The Fantastic Five!

### Session 13

After coming down from that wild trip, the gang decided not to pursue anything that night and take a nice long rest. A few hours later Bran woke up to the sounds of hooves and people shouting in the street. After seeing it was a unicorn being chased, Bran immediately gave chase banging on the doors of his companions on the way out. The rest of the gang woke up and followed.

After finding the unicorn cornered Bran realized that the people chasing were a vampire and its minions after the unicorn’s blood. The fierce battle raged as so many attacks were parried but eventually the gang prevailed but Bran was unconscious. In the final moments, Burzu was able to revive Bran.

The gang searched and ransacked the bodies, finding several teeth from the vampire, a ring of protection, 92 platinum pieces, 2 smoke bombs, and 9 daggers. The unicorn then came over and spoke with Isemo in Elvish. The unicorn had been taken from its herd. It fell into the midst of snowy chaos, a flying kraken, and people screaming and sleeping all over the place. It then ran and was eventually chased before running into them. It then gave them a boon and disappeared (teleported away).

After going back to finish their long rest, the gang woke up ready to take Hushwing to Kanato for a proper Thundershield funeral. They also felt the power of the unicorn giving them a boon. Each character is able to use one cleric cantrip (except toll the dead) for the next 30 days.

## Into Kanato

### Session 14

To the East of Gandrahimm is Kanato, filled with majestic mountains and hills, this land is filled with larger and larger creatures. Kanato is one of the five great city-states (Gandrahimm, Razikai, Volconia, Chroma) It is also colloquially known as The Far Reaches.

Your journey begins as you travel through the Lunar Forest (for about 3 days) before coming upon the Mudhills (about 12 days) before reaching the Furnace Mountains and the home of the Thundershield Clan. If you make it to The Sevenfold Mazework (deep within the maintain range) you will find the most intricately designed city with the most imaginative magical items, despite Kanato’s stony reputation as less than intelligent.

Kanato is a plutocracy, ruled by the wealthy. The richest form a ruling council and elect a monarchical figurehead. The current ruler is Dura, a difficult personality who has pushed for more and more financial independence from Gandrahimm.

Jedry took the lead as the gang traveled into the Lunar Forest. They had fairly boring travel until running into two swinging acrobats who wanted to show them a show. After performing they cast a spell causing a few to be blinded. Instead of chasing them into the woods, they continued on their path. They heard them again and rushed away with the help of Isemo’s hypnotic pattern. They ran into another strange sound and Isemo and Petal decided to shoot into the woods to scare it away. But it was bad luck because the creature making the noise was a Jabberwock! After being hit hard and hitting it hard, the dragon ran away.

The gang continued forward and found a place to sleep. While sleeping they each had a dream seemingly inviting them to some house with three ladies. The next day they encountered some rabbitfolk (Tremai, Blain, Gwenna, Bevan) who told them about the three ladies inviting them and offered to show them the way. They were warned about the women’s ugly appearance and found it to be too true. Upon entering the cottage they quickly noticed the three women. One (Balvorna) looks like a toad with bulging eyes and stained patchwork garments. The second (Andelyn) has an elaborate dark costume that looks like a mechanical theater but hides much of her body although her green eyes gaze at you. The third (Rabatha) is a thin and gnarled woman whose flesh despite being covered in makeup looks like rotting wood.

The women talked about their pasts and their futures, possibly being able to change their fates. The women explained that they have escaped their dream plane to run away from The Hunger. They gave a quick overview of The Hunger saying, “The great chiefs of the outer cities are descended from a race of elemental beings called the vatti, which once ruled many worlds. A creature known as The Hunger arose and initiated an interplanar war against vatti rule. To combat the threat, six vatti heroes combined their powers to create the mighty worldender. In a battle, the vatti sealed the Hunger in another plane of existence. This act also joined the material planes together. The worldender was broken apart and distributed to places for safe keeping across the world. It has reawakened and is devouring our plane and is coming for yours.”

Burzu and Petal hit the appropriate questions of this is terrible but what does it have to do with us… The three women exchanged glances before saying that you have power over your fate that many do not have. Your fates have also already been touched in many ways by this war. Burzu has seen The Hunger. You have all faced the clocks that are breaking down the space between planes. And you have a map that could lead to the worldender.

After destroying the clock you have carried with you, they looked at the map and said that the area in the bottom right is the ancient symbol of the Gloomwood which is now known as Volconia. They suggested you might have luck with your clues there.

Finally, they told you that they had been separated from their mother when they arrived here. They asked if you had any info about her and gave you a pendant to show her once you find her. They also encouraged each of you to wear the pendant overnight for a boon of support. You wondered if their mother might be Mama Mindweave and then thanked them for their hospitality. You moved on for the rest of the day on the trail pondering what this means and your place in the world? Wondering if you are strong enough or if this is even your battle? The gang continues through Kanato with much on their mind!

### Session 15

After their hag encounter, the gang settled in for the night, setting watch and preparing for sleep. Petal offered to try the pendant of Baba Yaga first. The rain in the night covered some noises but Jed noticed a little nasally singing and Bran clocked a light in the distance that he followed a little way to a cave.

In the morning, Petal received an ASI +1 boost from the pendant and the gang went to check out the cave. A group of mushrooms surrounded them and started mimicking their voices until threatened. Petal walked over to the cave and called in. The sounds stopped and a small dog pig man with a wispy white mustache appeared through the stone. With a wonderful cockney accent Brig chatted with Petal before trading an emerald elemental gem for 35gp.

Returning to the cart Petal went to reach for Hushwing’s prosthetic leg and found that it was missing! She accuses the mushrooms, they investigate the area around the carts and horses, and eventually check the body. Bran stops her from completely unwrapping him but they feel through the dressings that the leg is not there. A little despondent but unclear and where or how to look for more clues the gang continued on its journey.

The next day Jed wore the pendant of Baba Yaga. Some loud trees crashing in the forest but seem to be moving away from you keep the watch busy but nothing other notable happens and Jed gains the benefit of a +1 ASI.

After moving through a bog for most of the morning they approach a rickety wooden bridge and start to hear a loud droning. It gets louder and louder as the gang prepares for whatever is coming. Three giant dragonflies appear and fly right over the gang with three little riders on top who seem to be whooping and hollering. They pass over the gang none the wiser and the gang continues over the bridge.

Shortly thereafter the trees start to give way and they can see the sun much more clearly again. Going under an arch that says Welcome to Kanato. The gang estimates 12 days to the Furnace Mountain range, the home of the Thundershield Clan.

After a little travel, Burzu sees a humanoidish creature in the distance and as the gang approaches it does not seem to be moving. Eventually they see that this Tiefling statue is actually petrified. As they crest over the hill they see a field of petrified creatures. They move through gently the field and see a castle on the far side. The gang decides to avoid danger and go around but Petal notices one creature high in one of the towers before they move along.

A few days pass, Burzu and Bran are able to use the pendant for the +1 ASI. They are heading up a hill when the earth shakes and the land starts to slide down on them. It seems to wide to go around so they have to navigate up the hill. Bran leads the cart with Jedry while Burzu and Petal use their speed to get up the hill with some creative magicks along the way. After getting hit by some rocks the gang makes it to the top of the hill where they find a large stone statue. The statue turns to the party and says, “Do you want to be my friend?” Petal immediately jumps in and says yes. After some conversation about the statue pushing the mud down the hill and not planning to leave, the statue makes them promise to return. The statue calls himself Mudman and waves goodbye.

A few more days of travel happen uneventfully. The gang has been in the Mudhills about 6 days and estimate another 6 to the Furnace Mountains. What else do the Mudhills hold for the gang? Where is the Thundershield Clan? What is happening at the Furnace Mountains? Stay tuned next time!

### Session 16

The fantastic five continued into the Mud Hills discussing burial rites for Hushwing and how different cultures engage with it. Bran shared that Hushwing will be burned on a pyre and celebrated as the hero he was. This seemed to satisfy the gang to their current purpose.

As they continued along with five days to go, they began to see the Furnace Mountains in the distance, when a few spotted something shining in a nearby cave. Because of the rain they thought they might as well take a look. After some initial exploring and finding something sticky, they ran into some large spider like creatures (Cave Fishers for anyone interested). As they fought through the webs and claw attacks the gang was able to dispatch most of the spiders before the others scattered.

Bran investigated the shining crystal and noted that it was a growing quartz designed to create a pearl of power through the reflection and refraction of a specific light coming from above. It was assumed that the owner had set up this contraption to build this pearl of power but the gang has liberated it from that person.

Later that night, Petal was writing in her journal about the day with the spiders, when she was filled by something and started writing. The lettering was different than her own or of any she has known in the past and the words said, “Where are you?” After thinking a second she begin to try and describe where she was and made a little map as well. When it seemed no response was forthcoming she put it away and finished her watch.

The next day, Isemo and Jedry notice that something weird is happening to magick although they are not able to pin down what exactly is happening. As they discuss it they hear a strange animalistic wailing coming from down the road. As the team approaches slowly, they see 3 large snails with a bright blue shell and orange coloring are wailing as a smoke creature appears to be consuming one. Bran goes charging in as Burzu realizes that this smoke creature may be an undead creature that was cursed in some way.

As they approach the Furnace Mountains and the Thundershield Clan, what have they stumbled upon with these creatures, what is happening with magick, and what will they do next? Next time on The Fantastic Five!

## Giant Trouble

### Session 17

As the gang rushes in to fight the smoke monsters and save the snails, a bright light emerges from the shell of the attacked snail. While Jed, Isemo, and Petal get in some ranged attacks, both Bran and Burzu slam into melee combat. The strange magickal effects that emanate from the shells seem to cause some magickal disturbance, even reflecting a spell and damaging some. As more smoke monsters appear, their whispering madness stuns a few folks and causes searing psychic damage, even causing some to attack their friends. Eventually after a flanking line, the gang is able to dispatch with the smoke monsters as the snails “run” away.

After taking a minute to heal, they start to inspect the dead snail’s shell. They realize that it was a flail snail and that it shell can be used to make 3 shields that have antimagickal properties. They put it in the cart and continue towards the Furnace Mountain range.

Once they get close enough, they see a small trading post of a town that appears to have a small fire. They rush in and see that the village was recently attacked. After helping put out the fire, they learn that giants had attacked. Figaro, a silver haired dragonborn shows them around town and invites them to the bar to rest from their hard work. After delivering the snail shell to the butcher to take care of the meat, they find their way to the bar. The bar is full but there is a solemn feel to the space. Bran learns some more info from the bartender, Petal trades for some natural 20 dwarven yule porter (from the Thundershield Clan), and Isemo listens in to some conversations. They learn that giants attack but usually just one of them, and that they were more coordinated this time which was strange.

Bran notices two fellows staring at him directly after Petal mentions Hushwing. Bran goes to learn more but instead is rudely greeted by these two punks, a goliath and warforged. They start calling him a weakling and a broken child and accuse him of running to mommy and daddy. Bran starts to take the highroad when Petal swoops in the provide support. Two folx quickly jump in to intervene and cast command on the punks to make them sit. Burzu recognizes their emblem as being of the Order of the Terrible Lizard.

Ottun, the earth genais, and Torga the dwarf both make introductions and talk about fighting the giants. They learn of your quest for a good death for Hushwing and offer to watch over the body while the gang finds the Thundershield Clan. And after some discussion the gang agrees.

They then make their way to bed in the hostel type setting for all those displaced by the giant destruction. Bran is attacked in the night with a bag over his head and two people holding him down pummeling his stomach. A quick thunderwave wakes everyone up. As Isemo and Petal attack the goliath from the back, Jedry tackles the warforged off of Bran. The goliath seeing that he is outnumbered makes a break for it. After Isemo and Petal take a swing, Bran rips the bag off his head and dives fist first to the goliath and knocks him out cold, yelling “broken body this mother fucker.”

The rest of the room starts to wake up and light some candles. Figaro rushes in and asks if Bran is okay and if those two punks were causing trouble. Bran looks around for Ottun and Torga before making eye contact with Burzu and mouths to him “bad death.” Burzu’s eyes go wide as he tries to intervene, but he is too far and too slow to stop the inevitable. Bran raises his armored foot and stomps on the goliath’s head, curb stomping the life out of him and the energy out of the room.

A still moment of quiet and violence echoes through the room. What is going to happen to Bran? Is there a town watch? What about the warforged being restrained? What about Burzu and this bad death? Next time on “Gandrahimm and the Fantastic Five.”

### Session 18

After the curb stomp, the place grew quiet as Figaro, the dragonborn, tried to settle down the room. The warforged charged but Burzu intimidated him. Figaro ushered the warforged to a locked down room and the gang to another room for everyone’s “safety.”

Burzu woke up early and went to sit outside with his thoughts. He eventually was approached by Ottun and Torga who had been asked to help the gang move out of town. Burzu explained some of the situation and before receiving some info from Ottun and Torga. They handed a piece of paper from the goliath that said get the map and we’ll give you money. Ottun also relayed the info that the giants were headed east and to follow the lonely peak to hopefully find them.

Burzu pulled Bran aside to see if there was any animosity between them but they came to a mutual understanding as the rest of the gang joined them. After checking on Hushwing’s space and finalizing his protection, the gang headed into the mountains.

As they headed higher into the mountains it got difficult to travel and Jed and Isemo had a little bit of struggles but were surviving so far. Jed eventually found a place to safely stay for the night before they ran into a giant and two manticores. Jed quickly got attacked by the manticore who got a big bite out of him. Burzu got tied up by the giant before misty stepping away and curing himself. Petal finally smashed that manticore even though he was held down by the chain as Jed called upon the stars to help her with the attack. Bran heated the chains around Petal to try and get the giant to drop them but it didn’t work before Burzu smited the giants head off. Isemo fireballed the other manticore which caused some rocks to fall from the mountainside. The manticore was killed but the avalanche nearly killed Jed before Burzu and Isemo ran over to him.

Petal and Bran found some dwarven prisoners in the mountain and got them free. Bran recognized Brandona, his mother, though she did not recognize him with the metal suit on. Brandona spoke about how the giants were more organized this time and took them prisoner which they hadn’t in the past. She said they took her family to the Lonely Peak and if Bran could do something she would forever be in his debt. At this point Bran revealed himself and promised to rescue his family as a fellow Thundershield member. Brandona hugged him and said she didn’t think he had survived. Bran shushed her before helping her up and getting her some protection.

Meanwhile, Isemo and Burzu helped Jed, while Petal tried to get some souvenirs from the manticore, only retrieving 3 spikes and a few teeth. Burzu started a fire to keep them warm as Bran and the dwarves exited the cave… The gang meets the family next time on "The Fantastic Five!"

### Session 19

Bran and Brandona are introduced to the gang as they rehash some of what Bran had previously learned from his mother. Giants are working more intelligently than in the past and took the dwarves by surprise. They have taken them prisoner and are heading to the Lonely Peak. After introductions and some food, Bran and his mother continue to catch up hearing about his strong father and brother and the general warfare of the family. A quiet and cold night passes, with a crow visit to Petal and the stars speaking of a time of trouble to Jedry.

After skinning the manticores for cloaks, Bran sends his mother and the other dwarves back to Mayhrst with 100gp for food and lodgings, a very generous sum. They set out to the Lonely Peak with Bran leading bravely into the mountains. They continue their journey with a new sense of urgency. It continues to get colder and colder.

On the second day from leaving his mother, Bran spots several Yetis traveling and the gang tries to hide from them. One Yeti sniffs something but doesn’t react. A few hours later that gang is almost ambushed by the Yeti’s but noticed them just in time. After some chilling gaze paralyzed Burzu, Isemo, and Jedry fear starts to set in. Bran and Petal come in swinging. Isemo’s mirror images are being torn apart as Jedry is knocked unconscious. Burzu shakes off the cold and restores Jedry as the tide of battle shifts with Bran and Petal attacking and defending. After a few more vicious hits, the gang dispatches the yetis and make some nice boots from them.

As the temperature drops and the altitude increases, the gang struggles more and more but Bran continues to lead them efficiently, avoiding winter wolves and pitfalls. He even shaves off half a day’s journey with his leadership. On the fourth day, they start up the Lonely Peak, passing wooly mammoths on the way up. Bran shares some rumors about how the Peak has no top or touches the heavens. He relays stories of how no one ever returns from going up it but also that sometimes creatures or people come down that did not go up it.

On the fifth day they pass 10k feet then 15k feet and keep climbing. Clouds start to form and a lightning storm takes place. Realizing they are in metal armor they make a break for some cover in the rocky terrain. After  the storm clears, the gang finishes their ascent to a giant castle. Bran has never heard of this castle before or that any structures were up here.

They approach cautiously as dusk starts to wean the light from the day. They see several outbuildings before a wall with blue crystals on it and then the entrance past that. In the outbuildings are several pairs of dwarves that appear to be working in some capacity. They take shelter in the furthest outbuilding and start to hatch a plan. Burzu and Isemo stealthily take a look around. They notice the dwarves working but not speaking, and strangely walking in unison. Isemo tries to charm them with a Hypnotic Pattern but it didn’t work. They notice a strange energy coming from the blue crystals and almost teleport up there before thinking it might be protective of the castle in some way. They decide to stay the night and approach in the morning. Jed, the oldest of the group, has struggled mightily on this journey or cold and altitude and will be facing exhaustion until he can get to lower altitudes.

What will they find in the castle? Are Bran’s father and brother still alive? Why are the dwarves acting so strangely? Next time on Gandrahimm!!!!

### Session 20

High winds begin to blow throughout the camp as the gang reconvenes at the outbuilding. They quickly decided to split the party in the face of the giant castle. Jedry and Petal snuck into some of the outbuildings looking for a possible secret passageway into the castle. Burzu and Isemo moved quickly looking for a dwarf to kidnap and interrogate and/or save. Isemo noticed a giant guard on patrol who seemed to have two heads speaking to itself and complaining about guard duty. All four sneaking around navigate around this guard and join up in the middle. Bran had been keeping watch and decided to join in as well.

In the central outbuilding, Bran discovered a secret passage way into the castle. 15ft down and 100ft down the hall leads into the castle. 15ft back up into the castle a trap door is found. Burzu overhears two giants working together, looking through a telescope and giving notes to the other. The giant at the telescope said, “Arche and Mahina in alignment. Phoebos and Elara are ascending,” before they head off for a snack - seemingly made of dwarf.

The gang sneaks into the room. Burzu, Isemo, and Jedry work through the notebook and the telescope. It seems that the notebook goes back about two months with notes about the positions of the different planets. The first page states (perhaps erroneously for planets) “The recording of the 9 planes through the sky.” Isemo notes that this notebook begins about the same time as the gang first met up, Petal appeared on this plane, and the clockworker first opened up a portal. A note from when the two moons of Chime collided says, “The time has come, The hunger is upon us.” Jedry looking at the notes sees that these moons would not naturally have collided. Burzu connects this info to his mushroom trip and visit from a foreign being. Jedry reminds the group about the conversation from the hags that said the Hunger had been released from its chains that the ancient vatti had held it in.

Isemo moves over to the telescope where he notices 9 runes in abyssal, 8 of which correspond to the 8 other planets in the sky. The 9th rune is unknown to Isemo. And so of course he touches it. The telescope moves before revealing a lidless eye that terrifies Isemo who forgets what happened when he flinches away from the telescope. Jedry decides that he should try as well with his higher mental capacity. Jedry sees locusts swarming the view of the telescope making it hard to make out anything else. Isemo decides to look on more time but to look at a different planet first. He looks at Arche, hits the unknown rune, and finds himself in the depths of despair thinking he would never have enough after his family’s loss of status. He is filled with a desire to hoard wealth. Petal tries to hold his face there but Isemo reacted too strongly.

During this intellectual interlude, Petal does some investigating of her own. She quickly finds several potions to buoy her collection, a potion of fire breathing, a potion of growth, and a potion of flying. Bran is doing his duty while his teammates are distracted and is keeping a watch at which point he hears giants coming back to the room.

The gang scurries back down into the tunnel to hide and it seems that the giants do not find the secret passage. The gang is consumed with thoughts of what they have learned and how it connects to what they are up to. Isemo starts making connections between what he say and possible religious imagery he had dismissed earlier in life. Burzu forgoes his watch duties and reads the book starting at the back. On the last page is a charcoal rubbing of one corner of the map that Hushwing gave them. It has a few notes such as “Is this the city of Brass?” and another letter that looks like a W where it says this symbol equals the Ch sound. After pondering this Burzu sees notes on five individuals at the bottom of the page that seem to correlate to when the gang was in Gandrahimm. Once Burzu shares this info in the morning the gang starts to wonder how this info got to the giants all the way here…

After the full night’s watch, the gang awakens refreshed except for Jedry who appears to be exhausted from the high altitude. The gang decides to capture a dwarf in order to learn more about what they are facing. They quickly snatch someone from their work with little resistance. They try everything they can think of to end this state of being but nothing seems to work. After a long time of consideration and experimentation, Isemo determines that the dwarf seems to be possessed by what he thinks might be an aberration. Finally, they knock the dwarf out and this aberration slithers out of the dwarf’s nose. Since they were anticipating this reaction, the gang quickly jumps to action to dispense of this creature, learning some of its abilities to create Fear and attack with claws, pincers, and its stinger.

The dwarf is revived by Burzu and says, “Where am I? Who are you?” in a frightened voice.

What is happening? What does the dwarf know? Is the rest of Bran's family in there? What will the gang do next?

### Session 21

The dwarf Finnegan, awoke to five adventurers standing over him. While first terrified, especially by the beefy woman, he quickly learned that this quirky group was his saviors. He relayed what he had learned. The Thundershield’s had been attacked by the giants and taken hostage, brought to this keep, then brought into the throneroom and a worm crawled up their nose. Once the worm was in, the days started to blur together but it seemed that the worms were getting used to new hosts and learning how to work these bodies.

The gang decided to go and check on the castle to see if they could spring any more dwarves from this hellish experience. They snuck back into the castle and started moving stealthily through the passageways. They really felt like they were sneaky but not sneaky enough it seems as Burzu, the one in the lead, got impaled by a spear from a hidden giant. The muscular giant had a large metallic shield and a number of tree trunk spears. Burzu struck back with the divine ferocity and a natural twenty before being knocked unconscious. Bran heated the shield to force a drop while the others lit into the giant, quickly dispatching it.

The gang heard a few more giants headed their way and ran down the hall. They passed an intersection before ducking into a bunk room. They took a few right turns (always turn left!) that led to a dead end. The giant didn’t seem to notice them as it worked on making a tunnel. Bran took advantage and slammed into it distracting it from his friends. Burzu flies in with more natural twenties and the gang took this giant out. Petal recovered the greataxe from this giant which is made for giants. This special axe will have disadvantage for all creatures smaller than large and with a strength below 22 though it does an extreme amount of damage.

The gang worked their way back and got back on track turning left though quite loudly. They did notice a giant waiting for them around the corner and decided to carpet bomb it from far away. The giant was angry and ran out except he had a friend with him. Burzu came with another natural twenty and Bran heated more metal. They dispatched the two giants and discover that they were guarding the rest of the un-wormed dwarves.

The large “leader” dwarf talked about how their leaders, Bran’s father and brother, were just taken away for a worming. Bran quickly started that direction.

What will happen to Bran’s family? Will the gang get there in time? Who is behind all of this?

### Session 22

After saving much of the Thundershield Clan and learning that their leaders have been taken for the ceremony, Bran rushed ahead of the group. Jed provided a little healing and they all rushed after Bran. They burst through the stone doors to find a large throneroom. This huge room is lined with torches causing flickering shadows. Your eyes first see two large lobster worms, that have stingers, pincers, and claws who turn to see you. They are surrounding two tied down dwarves, with two more standing over them chanting, with two little worms hungrily looking at the chained dwarves. Bran recognizes the chained dwarves as family.

Your eyes start to adjust and look up to see a larger than life giant sitting on the throne just staring ahead. You start to hear chanting in a language none of you recognize. The giant stands and says stop them as combat begins.

Burzu charges forward fighting off fear and paralysis while the first aberration descends upon him wiping away the previous healing. Petal comes in to support with the bestaxe for massive damage. Bran starts toward his father and is supported by several of his dwarf clan members while the other aberration attacks them.

The Giant stands and says kill them. Jed is providing healing and using his friends as cover whie Burzu exudes magical charisma that helps his friends avoid fear and paralysis. One of the dwarves dies and the giant starts monologuing saying, “Your fight is futile. The experiment was successful. The Q will rise again.”

One aberration is killed while Bran skirts the other one to try and free his father. The giant continues monologuing, “The vatti are dying. We are one and we are coming.” The two smaller worms hop onto the tied down dwarves who have been resisting valiantly. Jed shoots a moonbeam at the giant who immediately heals.

Petal downs the potion of growth and starts smashing everything and everyone. Bran starts to attack the worm on his dad while the other worm on his brother finally breaks through and takes over. The giant cuts his hand and starts a blood ritual while one chanter and the Bran’s brother move to do the same. A portal opens as the giant, chanter, and brother start to descend and locusts start streaming out of it. Petal smashes the chanter while Burzu grapples the brother to keep him from going down. Bran jumps into the portal and uses his shield to repulse his brother and Burzu out of the portal. As Bran is sinking into the portal, his brother starts to escape Burzu’s grasp, but Bran uses a flash of genius to give Burzu a leg up, or in this case an arm up, to get his brother into an effective armlock.

Bran disappears.

But Petal is not a quitter so she grabs the chain from one dwarf, throws it into the locusts. Bran against all odds spots it and grabs it, allowing Petal to pull him to freedom.

The portal continues to increase and the locusts are getting overwhelming. The castle starts to shake and implode. Petal’s athleticism, Burzu’s acrobatic ability, Jed’s remembered layout of the castle, and Bran’s perception of falling debris help them and all of the dwarves to safely escape from the castle.

Bran says to beat his brother senseless to get the worm out of him as the gang prepares for what is next, high on a mountain, with a gaggle of dwarves, and a mission seemingly checked off. However, do they have more questions than answers? Will they see the giant again? Who are the Q and the vatti?

### Session 23

As the Fantastic Five emerged from the castle both victorious and bloodied, they prepared for the evening. The rest of the dwarves quickly knocked the possessed dwarves out and a sturdy dwarven cleric healed them back. On the mountain as evening approached, Burzu went around questioning dwarves to learn more about what the hell was happening. One stately looking dwarf shared much of the info they knew but said that one day ago the giants seemed to be celebrating and saying “Chime is ours.”

Bran sat down with his father as his brother slept to recover from the horrors he had seen. His father stared into the fire for what felt like ages. Bran held his tongue waiting for his father to speak. Eventually through hands crossed his face, Morcash spoke, “Your strength has grown. We have been shown to be weak without you.” Bran recognizing his father’s discomfort tried to downplay his role and emphasize that he is a Thundershield. His father abruptly rose, stood next to Bran, went to pat him on the shoulder while Bran flinched. His father said, “This victory was yours,” and walked away. Bran moved over to his brother who seemed to be shaking. His brother, Moramuir, grabbed his breastplate while sleeping and said, “I saw the void, deep, deep hunger is coming.”

While that dream was happening, Petal also was having a dream. Petal saw and heard Sigurd fighting before it faded out. In the morning Petal saw the words, “Have you found it yet?” written in her journal. Eventually she responded by writing “what am I looking for?”

As the gang glissaded down the mountain, they gathered around Bran that first evening as he told them about staying with his family and leaving the group. Words and drinks were shared. The goodbye was bittersweet.

As they got back to Mayhrst they saw all the people they knew. Bran ordered some dwarves to get ready for Hushwing’s funeral. As Bran’s father gave him the torch, he invited all to speak words for Hushwing and those lost on the mountain and even put something to send with Hushwing into the next life. Petal gives Douglas the bestaxe and sees the metal leg. Jedry gives a little book. Isemo gives a roll of bandages. Burzu pours out a fifth. Bran places his arcane armor and says “may your old armor gifted to me gifted back to you protect you in the next life” The torch was then placed on the pyre and it quickly lit providing light and heat for the whole square.

Somberly a bard started playing a guitar and a gentle tune rose up over the crowd, “Hush Hushwing…” The gang moved indoors for drinking and carousing. Xavfin the bard approached the gang and asked to travel with them. The gang is feeling ornery and starts fighting one another as luckily several counterspells prevents too much damage. As the carousing begins Isemo gets kicked out of the bar and Petal goes streaking. Burzu woke up the next morning with the recollection of doing something illegal and Xavfin seems fine until he came down and heard people calling him Puddle Drinker.

After connecting with Ottun and Torga who told Burzu about the order in the city of brass, the gang decides to head back to Gandrahimm and chase after the Cult of Dreams. They hope to avenge Hushwing and get to the root of whatever the hell is happening.

## The Adventurers' Return

### Session 24

After leaving the city of Mayhrst, the gang began to make quick travels to return to Gandrahimm and confront Hushwing’s killers, the Cult of Dreams. As they journeyed through the Mud Hills Isemo and Jedry began to notice a slight shimmer all around them. A quick arcana check revealed that this area was overflowing with magickal energy from the Weave, strengthening spells and potential wild magic surges. As Isemo and Jed explored the space, Xavfin and Burzu started to see it as well. Isemo estimated that the affected area seemed to have a mile radius, so they decided to go to the center to try and find its source.

They made their way to what they believed to be the center when they looked up to see a large rock floating in the sky (Burzu thought it was a large Roc, a flying bird). Jedry wildshaped into an eagle to fly up and observe carefully keeping 121ft away. As Jedry ascended, he noticed a large castle sitting upon the rock that was not visible from below. As he began to focus, he noticed an elderly man standing at the edge of the rock looking at this eagle. They stared and then a small flame began to approach Jed which exploded into a fireball.

Jed turned back into a tortle and began to fall. The wizard started floating towards him on a smaller floating rock. The gang prepared beneath Jed to catch him while Isemo shot a fireball of his own toward the wizard. The fireball seemed to fizzle out upon reaching the wizard. Burzu prepared to hit Jed with an ensnaring strike and Xavfin prepared to polymorph the Jed back into a bird. Jed did not need these assurances as he quickly turned back into a giant eagle this time and floated down to the group.

As the wizard began to approach the gang prepared themselves. The wizard laughed maniacally and fireballed the group again but were better shielded with Burzu’s aura. The wizard said “Stay away from my loot. It is mine.” Isemo dimensioned door through the globe of invulnerability and stabbed the wizard from behind. Jedry came as a giant eagle and grappled the wizard preparing to drop him. The wizard attempted to banish Jed to no avail right before being dropped. The wizard cast fly on himself to avoid falling but was quickly counterspelled by Isemo. Burzu and Xavfin stood below and took swings at the wizard as he fell. The impact of Xavfin’s sword and the ground killed the wizard. The wizard turned to dust and was blown away. Xavfin noted this strange way of dying.

The group traveled up to the floating rock to search out this loot. Jed, in his great eagle form, did a sweep of the castle and did not seem to see anything living inside it. The only signs of life were a fire in the top right tower. The gang deftly dodged the falling drawbridge and avoided the topiary treants that seemed like they could have been trouble. The door was barred shut and Isemo used a window to misty step inside and open the door. The foyer was impressive, 60 ft ceilings and marbled floors. A large dragon statue sat in the middle of the foyer with a plaque saying “House Sylvar: Long may they reign,” in elvish. The gang put together the pieces that Fara Sylvar, the dream wizard that the killed in Gandrahimm, must be related and Isemo knows that the Sylvar family is his family’s archnemesis.

As they are pondering what this means, Xavfin, who has cast see invisibility, begins to see spectral servants floating around the house. They appear as blue humanoids who can understand and obey but not speak. Xavfin asks a few questions before asking “How many live here?” The spectral being after counting the party, holds up 6 fingers (but there are only five party members…) Xavfin then asks “where is the one living here” and the servant points to the top right corner tower and beckons you to follow them.

Will they follow? Who lives here? What connections to Isemo’s past will be revealed? Will they get some loot?

### Session 25

“House Sylvar: Long may they reign” rests upon the dragon statue greeting our adventurers upon entry to the castle. The blue unseen servant, spotted by Xavfin, guided the team in front of the dragon. The dragon’s eyes turned red and fire rushed out upon our team. Everyone took some fire damage except for Isemo. The unseen servant laughed and laughed before being destroyed by Petal.

They looked into the ballroom, but didn’t see anything so quickly moved to the stairs. As they went up to the landing, the stairs turned into a slide and a large ball dropped from above, splattering most of the team, especially Isemo. A few pulled themselves up the stairs through strength or magick. A few others slipped to the ground to be picked up by Jedry as a giant eagle.

As they moved down the hallway from the landing, Xavfin opened a few doors with a mage hand only to discover some empty bedrooms and studies. As they cautiously approached the stairs, they noticed the stairs went up and down but decided to ascend to try and find the wizard tower.

On the ground floor of the tower, the gang noticed four large gems. Isemo and Petal worked out this mystery through chair throwing and investigating. The blue gem seemed to look into stars and floating planets. The red gem seemed to be filled with the sounds of battle (the location of the thrown chair), affectionately called the Battle Realm by Petal. The green gem seemed to show a crumbling world surrounded by greenery. The yellow gem seemed to show a jellyfish creature floating by. Randomly, Xavfin with see invisibility also noticed this jellyfish creature float by in the ethereal plane.

Burzu found a bookshelf with a nice kids book called “My Special Day with the Kirin” and promptly started reading it. Xavfin began to look into the locked room finding a dragon skull, a large singing tuna, a yakiri fur, and the helmet of a cloud giant. He also noticed a war drum in the corner which he could grab if wanted.

Isemo found an abjuration rune at the bottom of the shelf and tried to carve it into a chair leg to test it against the gem but to no avail. The chair eventually returned but had sword marks in it.

The gang then moved to the first floor where they noticed skeletons and a pond with tubes sticking out of them. The dragon skull was strange with an interesting cape neck. Petal attacked the pond and killed a koi.

They then moved to the second floor where the gang was attracted to a number of different things. Jed looked into the orrery that seemed to match his star chart. Xavfin looked into a crystal ball where he noticed a beautiful woman screaming before she disappeared. Isemo noticed a large devil face that triggered a memory for him. A vision from his past of his father performing a ritual, a door blasting open, and that face in front of him. At that moment a white powder was sprayed across the room causing Jed and Burzu to fall asleep.

The wizard appeared at the top of the stairs with a shimmering wall around him. Fireballs and cold cones shot out from him and creatures ascended from below to fight. Petal and Burzu charge up the stairs to attack but can’t get through the wall. Jed and Xavfin and Isemo shoot spells at the creature. Xavfin and Burzu jump through the barrier with magick and strike the wizard. The creatures took down Jed and stabbed him again. The barrier finally fell and Petal stepped forward and crushed the wizard’s head.

Xavfin raises Jed while the rest of the team dispatched the creatures. The gang looted the bodies and were able to retrieve some teeth and claws from the faerie dragon and Isemo found another Sylvar necklace, a healing staff, and a tides of chaos coin.

What else will they find in this terrible castle? Is the wizard finally dead?

### Session 26

After wiping the floor with the Sylvar wizard, Isemo’s family’s rivals, the gang continued searching the tower. Still on the second floor, Burzu looked deep into the crystal ball and saw an immensely large gray dragon. Burzu recalled gray dragons, called elders, from time immemorial but thought they were more imaginary than real.

Moving to the third floor, they discovered a work area filled with magickal components galore. Impulsively, Petal grabbed a unicorn horn and triggered a dagger trap that shot through the room. This did not stop the gang from continuing to loot the room. Petal grabbed a unicorn horn and two narwhal horns. Burzu decided to drink a potion without a second thought, instantly knocking him unconscious and into a beautiful slumber. Petal looked at Burzu then at the potions and scooped up the other two sleepy potions and three potions of watchful rest.

Jed found a pile of emeralds and rubies and called the gang over to disburse them, after Burzu was woken up. Each member received 500gp worth of emeralds and rubies.

The gang continued up to the fourth floor which was filled with bookshelves. Petal found several books on interdimensional travel, “My Adventures Amongst the Stars” by Wandslinger Petulia, “Practical Considerations for Planar Travel”, and a PhD level study of plant micro vibrations across the planes. Burzu found a whole section on the different types of dragons from metallic to chromatic. Xavfin discovered some old poetry books written in a variety of languages. Jed tried to find books about the stars but came up empty handed before discovering “Syvlar’s Secret Notes.” In it, Jed discovered that this Sylvar castle was attacked by three beautiful women before being fended off. Syvlar holds a grudge against them and is trying to find out where they live. It also talks about how he discovered the dream realm, a 10th plane, unknown before now. It pompously claims that with this power the SYlvar can become the strongest and fully unseat the Arirai from their power. Sylvar also notes that the alignments of planets affects the power from dreams. Finally a line stood out saying, “We must strike while the Vatti are dying and the Brobdingnagian is sleeping.”

With some new reading materials, the gang finally made it to the top floor. Petal grabs a chest which turned into a mimic. After a quick scuffle, Petal managed to put the mimic to sleep with a potion and called it Beelzebox. The others did not want to keep this mimic but Petal insisted. At this point the gang noticed a desk and went to check it out but before getting there noticed a man sleeping in the room. The room appeared through a portal doorway. After staring for a minute they noticed the man was chained down and had tubes coming off of him as if he was being experimented on. The gang cautiously went through the portal before realizing it was a one way portal and could not get back to the top of the tower.

The gang discussed the merits of waking the man up or exploring the floor first, but Burzu impatiently pulled the tubes, matrix style, out of the old man. He coughed and came to as Isemo realized that this was his uncle Manny! After having some water and food the old man told his story. “We absconded after the scandal with your (to Isemo) father to search a way to restore the family name, I fled to the fae where I discovered the dream realm until this sylvar dog caught me unawares the A most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the owner of not one good quality.” After getting stuck in a strong of insults he gathered himself and continued. “I thought we could use the power from this dream realm to help catapult the family back into power but as I was planning this the fae was attacked. I left to continue my research closer to home when I was attacked by this devilish Sylvar, dragged here, and tested upon.” After hearing the story, the gang told about their experience of the Sylvar wizard coming back to life. Uncle Manny told them he must have a phylactery of long life. “It allows the wearer to return to life after dying, 24 hours later, in a new body. The phylactery is quite powerful and could be a great asset but could also be dangerous. Magick is a wonderful thing and all of its effects are not known.”

After teleporting you back to the top of the tower and Xavfin discovering the phylactery, Uncle Manny Arirai said “I must return to the family and report. Isemo, will you be coming home for the duel this fall? Your friends would of course be welcome to attend as your guests.” Then Uncle Manny teleported away. Xavfin pocketed the phylactery necklace and distributed the 30 platinum he found in the desk as well. The gang left the castle and returned to solid ground.

On the journey, they debated the merits of keeping pet mimic. That night the mimic attacked Petal on her watch and she put it to sleep again before tying it up with rope. A suggestion from Jed to leave the mimic with the MudMan won out in Petal’s brain. The next day they searched long for the MudMan. Near the close of day they began to hear a rumble and saw the MudMan running toward them. The MudMan shouted to run before they noticed 13 tyrannosaurus rex’s chasing the MudMan. After deciding they coldn’t quite take the trexs they ran as well. They finally got out of the way and gifted Beelzebox to the MudMan who called it Boxey. After a night with the MudMan they said their farewells and continued to the outskirts of Gandrahimm. Petal continued to read about the planes and was interested in Yggradsil which sounded a lot like home. Jed gave the Syvlar journal to Isemo. What will Gandrahimm be like after being gone for a month? Where are old friends? What story lines will they follow? What is that dastardly cult of dreams up to?

### Session 27

Isemo spent some time with uncle Manny, learning about the dream realm and sending him with a copy of his notes and one of the Sylvar necklaces. Manny expressed his excitement for Isemo to return home for the Wizard’s Duel before transporting home.

The gang finally returned to Gandrahimm, the place where it all started. Isemo’s fame went before him and the town guard immediately recognized him, letting him into the city with his compatriots. But being noticed is not always a good thing. The gang decided to stay the night at the Bear Bar, the bar owned by fighting pits friend, Barry the Bear. Upon arriving to the large stump that hosted the bar, the gang met all sorts of interesting folk before seeing the glaring eyes of one Lizardfolk staring at Isemo with rage in his heart.

Before this encounter peaked, the gang asked Barry about what had been happening in town recently. Barry told them about the explosion on Yule, the decreased guard presence in the 3rd ring, and the emergence of a seemingly new cult that followed a Sky Kraken. Barry did not know much more but his friend the Kenku, Squawks, was able to direct the gang to Ichep’s Grasp to find out more.

Xavfin started playing songs to cheer the crowd and alert the gang to this strange Lizardfolk. However it seemed to only enrage him more when he stood up and yelled, “Wizzies aint shit.” He then stomped over to Isemo and said, “You, me, duel. Right now.” And then walked out. Egged on by Burzu, Isemo reluctantly followed as the bar started chanting “Fight, fight, fight.”

As soon as Isemo stepped out the door he fireballed the Lizardfolk and then again. The fight was happening faster than the bar could empty. A quick strike by the Lizardfolk injured Isemo but not for long as Isemo hypnotized the Lizard, most of the bar, and his friend Petal. After creating some distance and embarrassment for the Lizard, Isemo fireballed again and again, quickly ending this fight. The crowd roared in applause while Jed made sure the Lizard did not die.

A couple more drinks and the gang decided to stay at Jed’s for fear of reprisal. At Jed’s small museum home and studio apartment the gang noticed Jed’s collection of oddities before going to bed.

A delightful breakfast by Jed in the morning had the gang ready for the day of shopping and exploring. They sought out the Cult of the Sky Kraken in Ichep’s Grasp but on the way stopped at Cart Street where Xavfin was able to finagle a great deal for a concertina and Jed almost fell for a scam.

At Ichep’s Grasp, the gang noticed a symbol pointing up before encountering a halfling and kuotoa headed that way. Xavfin convinced those two that he had also seen their vision (something happened at Yule) and came to learn more. Bringing the whole gang up this tower, climbing the side on a ladder because of the severe tilt, they landed at the top where a group of 20 or so were gathered.

Two humans with moon cloaks stuck out and Xavfin tried to trick them but ended up getting pulled into the ceremony. The two humans known as Kia and Tristok started the vision ceremony where they asked everyone to close their eyes, hold hands, and gently move with the sound. They then had everyone visualize the Sky Kraken, see it hold you in its tentacles, hold the city in its embrace. Three times this repeated. Everyone joined in except for Petal and Isemo who observed from a distance.

Petal, Isemo, and Xavfin all notice towards the end of the visualizing the clouds start to gather in a dark formation with purple lights crackling throughout. Then the clouds parted and opened to a single tentacle sticking out from the sky. The tentacle was maybe 100 ft long. Xavfin quickly changed his armor to look like the moon cloaks and the session ended.

### Session 28

The tentacle in the sky started to reach for our group and the tower. The chanting quickly ended and the tentacle immediately disappeared. The gathered cult started clapping and shaking hands apparently having no idea what actually happened.

Xavfin, now in a moon cloak matching the prophets, is quickly questioned by them as well. “Are you here to check up on us?” Petal comes for some emotional support of Xavfin, as Xavfin deftly dodges their questions and is able to gather more information from them. He learns that the “prophets” are meeting at the Great Eye Lodge in the Highrollers room at dusk and that the local boss’s name is Arco. He also learns that there appears to be some sort of con happening with these prophets. Kia and Tristok (the two prophets) start to think that Xavfin is higher up the ladder than themselves and quickly adjust their demeanor.

After listening in to the other congregants and searching for any other information, the gang decides to do some shopping before the meeting tonight. They first stop at Mage to Order, a quaint little shop run by a purple tiefling with glasses named Madge. Madge greets the gang and shows off her wares. After some bartering the gang gets away with a bag of holding, gloves of thievery, and 6 common potions. Madge indicates that Charlee at Cleaver Girl might have some weaponry they could look at.

Charlee, a ripped lizardfolk, runs Cleaver Girl and starts negotiations with the gang. Burzu has several fancy magickal items he wants but has to settle for a +1 Dragon Slayer Rapier. Burzu leaves his name and number in case Charlee can find a crystal blade and Isemo asks them to search for a Rapier of Impediment. Jedry asks about Moon Sickles of which Charlee has lots but only one +2. After a little negotiation, Jedry gets the +2 Moon Sickle and sees that it is inscribed with the name Leomir the Green.

After concluding their business, the gang rushes back to the Great Eye Lodge to follow up on this cult of the sky kraken. They find a large wooden warehouse with a large bobbly eye on top. The bouncer checks them in and Xavfin rushes to the highroller room, narrowly avoiding the antimagic cone of the Beholder who runs the place and maintaining his illusion of a moon cloak. Petal and Burzu do some gambling, the former making some money and the latter losing some money.

Xavfin is ushered into this backroom where he notices first that he is late and second that this is a group of about 9 people around the table before he arrives, each wearing a moon cloak. Kia and Tristok call him to come sit by them. Xavfin notices the presumable leader Arco, wearing a full moon cloak, at the head of the table leading the meeting. Arco continues, “After the Yule Explosion, great work by the way, we have seen the unexpected rise of the Sky Kraken followers. We have successfully infiltrated them with our prophets.” The group snickers. “But bigger things are yet to come. At the Spring Equinox, the ritual will be ready. Then we will finally bring down the Sky Kraken on the forsaken city, creating the chaos needed to bring people into our dream. Our dream of a world ruled by the strong and not those weak little wizards.” More laughs. At this point it becomes clear that this is the Cult of Dreams, using this new religion for their own personal gains. Arco goes on to praise some “prophets” for their good work and scold others for not keeping up. Arco gets an update from each “prophet,” before ending the meeting.

At the end he scolds two more before calling over Xavfin. Arco asks for info on how the cult is faring in the outer cities? Is there any word on the hunt for the hags? Xavfin deftly answers without answering the questions at which point Arco starts to wonder if someone has sent a spy on him and asks “did Jax send you?” Xavfin continues the good lies and works into Arco’s good graces. Arco asks Xavfin to find the location of the fantastic five so they can kill them.

While Arco is talking, Xavfin notices several papers on the desk, a map with locations marked, a list of names, a ledger with inventory, and tucked away a piece of paper with strange markings on it. Arco sort of subconsciously tries to hide and puts it in his pocket. On the way out of the meeting the slip of paper is hanging out of Arco’s pocket and Xavfin makes a grab for it. The paper appears to have a code on it.

What is the code? What is this cult of dreams up to? Will they find the fantastic five?

### Session 29

As Xavfin left the meeting of the Cult of Dreams, he quickly approaches his team and whispers sternly, “We need to leave now.” The gang quickly exited the casino and made their way to Jedry’s house.

After collecting the mail, Xavfin gave the gang all the info from the night. The gang shared about the map and with the new note were able to make a little headway. Jedry opened the email and besides his taxes, saw a letter from the Fold of Seven. A cordial invitation from Qima the transmuter for a sharing of information and an opportunity to protect Gandrahimm, our great city.

In the morning, a suspicious rap on the door, led to a cute encounter between Sheldon, a young tortle and Jedry. A date was set for a VIP tour on Saturday at 10am. The gang then went to Mama Mindweave’s magickal shoppe. They introduced Xavfin and sold some items before Mama told them to come back Saturday for an upgraded maul.

The gang then asked her about potentially being Baba Yaga and Mama seemed to break a little. She started saying random sentences, “Some have called me that…” “They are in trouble…” “The holds are weakening…” “Where are my daughters?”

After some arcana and medicine checks, the gang determined that somehow her essence had been shattered or broken. They determined that her earliest memory seemed to be about a month and a half ago. The gang purchased a spell of greater restoration and supported Xavfin to use it.

After the magick finished, a tear rolls down her eye. “Yes, I am Baba Yaga.” She returns the money from the spell scroll and fixes Jed’s cursed luckstone. She summons some comfy chairs and tells her story.

“Before your peoples existed, there were only three, me and my daughters, the Vatti also known as dragons, and the Quori. We lived and worked and enjoyed magick in relative peace and simplicity. But over time, the Quori started looking past our own plane of existence and eventually encountered The Hunger. The Quori were a hive mind folk who used to live symbiotically with others.”

“The Hunger took over the Quori, turning them into parasites. The Hunger was a primeval force that just wants to devour all. It took and took and took and we, the Vatti and Hags, were unable to stop it.”

“We escaped to your world where your people were just beginning to grow into their adulthood as a species. We worked with you to cultivate your gifts in the time we had before the Hunger showed up.”

“Finally, the Hunger arrived. I split my power between my 3 remaining daughters, the Vatti empowered the Gray Dragon, and the mortal races created a machine. These three holds were able to seal the Hunger away. But the holds are weakening.”

“I do not know where my daughters or the Gray Dragon are but the machine’s pieces were disassembled and scattered across the world to keep it safe.”

“Please if you can find my daughters, please keep them safe. I am sure the Cult of Dreams are looking for them, the Gray Dragon, and the machine.”

After a time of questioning, she gave you all some potions to support you. She also gave you her pestle, a powerful artefact, that will prove you’ve met her to show her daughters.

Where will the gang go next? They have an invitation from the Fold of Seven. They have the Cult of Dreams doing something nefarious in the city. They have the daughters to search for. They have a date on Saturday with the young tortle, Sheldon and to pick up Petal’s maul.

### Session 30

After a long conversation and revelations from Mama Mindweave aka Baba Yaga, the gang had some decisions to make. Do they rush to rescue her daughters from whatever might be chasing them? Do they meet with the Fold to see if that info is helpful?

The gang decided to meet with the Fold first. They overheard Arcarsh (the fire genasi) and Qima (the tabaxi) arguing quite loudly when they entered but could not quite make out the words. They downplayed the argument when asked about it. Qima asked about where they had been and said they could have been helpful in town. Burzu and Petal quickly explain all that had happened. There seemed to be some interesting overlaps between what was happening in Gandrahimm with what happened in the outer cities that the gang went to explore. Aberrations seem to be taking over people in many areas. Portals seem to be happening in many places. Weird religions are popping up. Qima took lots of notes, especially about aberrations outside of the city and this thing called The Hunger. Arcarsh remained silent throughout.

Qima then got onto the request. “Please get to the root of the portals and stop the cult of dreams from whatever they are up to.” After some negotiations, the gang was promised 300gp per person with half up front, badges to show they were working for the Fold, and all spoilage. Qima then told them not to trust anyone outside of the seven (referring tor Fold leadership) because of the aberrations. After a brief overview of what was and was not allowed, a little problematic but hey what government isn’t, the gang followed Arcarsh to get their down payment.

Arcarsh brought them into his office. After giving them the money and badges, Arcarsh shared some more info about where exactly the cult was hiding out and asked the gang to report to him first. Arcarsh said it would be best to attack at night. After an insight check, it seemed strange to a few that Arcarsh would be so free with information even though he offered payment afterwards.

The gang decided this was most pressing and went in search of the cult. Following Burzu’s lead the gang took out a few guards, large rats, and cockroaches. They quickly discovered the main hub when they ran into Arco. Arco heard them coming and was clapping for Xavfin delivering the gang into his hands. Burzu almost attacked Xavfin before Arco realized that Xavfin had double crossed him. It seems battle is iminent as Arco said, “Dammit, kill them all.”

### Session 31

“Dammit, kill them all.” Arco spoke into the darkness. DId he have companions around him?

Petal charged forward over the muck and mire of the sewer to swing recklessly down on Arco. Arco took attacks and returned them with even more ferocity.

Burzu was attacked by an assassin and Isemo gave chase revealing a large nightmarish creature, four legs, huge tusks, and spikes down its back. Luckily it was sleeping.

Burzu was then attacked by a monk and caught in a stunlock.

Xavfin and Jedry provided distanced support before Arco lifted his green decomposing hand and cast slow on all of them. It caught most.

Arco then called out to “Baby” to go and kill the hags. Baby the gargantuan creature teleported out and Arco quickly followed suit. Leaving the gang in dire straights.

Isemo went down, Burzu went down, and many were slowed. But the combined effort of the group with a few less enemies was able to quickly turn things in their favor. They disposed of the assassin and monk but out of their bodies tore those aberrations known as Quori which attacked them again. A few went down again before finally killing off the Quori.

Jed looked at the orrery and discovered that it was a magickal orrery but had missing pieces that would power it. One piece looking eerily like the star wheel that Jed is in possession of. The orrery seemed to also align with the orrery from the Sylvar Castle. The orrery seemed to have lettering on it that matched that of the map the gang has. Finally, Jed found a journal that seems to have been forgotten on the orrery that he picked up for some reading at a later time.

The gang ran to Mama Mindweave’s as snow began to fall seeking a support in some form or fashion. Mama was able to provide a flying carpet to the gang in order to race the creature to her daughters. Burzu also asked Mama to open up Jed’s shop on Saturday morning, if they had not returned in time.

In the air, the gang saw a portal open in the city but left it as they hurried on.

The gang was all, through shifts, able to get a long night’s rest as their pursuit continued. Some had dreams while others slept restlessly in preparation for this seemingly difficult encounter ahead.

Who will get to the hags first? Will the gang have enough strength to take down the beast? Will little Sheldon be upset if they miss their appointment?

### Session 32

As the gang flew through the air racing after the beast to the hags, Jed took some time to do some reading in the journal he picked up at the sewers. Jed learned a lot. The journal talked about searching for the missing pieces of the worldender. It said Elnora and Gibbreth are searching for the pieces. It says Jax must end the Vatti. And it said that Arco must find the hags.

It then seemed to describe the pieces they are looking for. A rotor, watch, looper, chronometer, wheel, and gear. It had a map that seemed to be the same as the one from Hushwing but with more details. The rotor is in the bottom right. The watch is in the top left. The looper is in the top right. The chronometer is in the bottom left (Isemo recognized this picture as the item his family has guarded for centuries). The watch was in the middle and matches the starwheel that Jed has. Jed quickly moved the starwheel to the safety of the ag of holding held by Petal. There was no picture of the gear…

The gang moved quickly through the air and arrived at the hags much faster than the beast. SO much so that they staged a plan. Petal prepared some impediments while the rest prepared some defensive and offensive spells. They situated the hags on the flying carpet to make a quick getaway if needed.

The beast tore into the space and spells started flying. Petal’s impediments caused some damage and slowed it down slightly. However it appeared that Arco was with the creature. Jed quickly cast confusion on Arco causing him to run the wrong way. The best charged forward and destroyed the flying carpet while the gang was afraid of it.

Most overcame their fear and moved in to attack while the hags made a getaway with the help of a longstrider spell. Xavfin incapacitated the beast with a hypnotic pattern and Petal and Burzu attacked it.

Arco recovered and charged forward trying to kill Burzu with a finger of death spell. Xavfin switched his concentration to a hold person spell on Arco and the gang started attacking. The beast finally freed, attacked, grabbed Arco, and teleported away. It seemed the beast is charging after the Hags.

How will the gang stop them now? Are the Hags safe?

### Session 33

Chaos continued as the gang chased after the beast feeling quite overpowered. The chase had its ups and downs but some timely hypnotic patterns and hold persons/monsters. Even when Arco saved and counetrspelled, it was recounterspelled. The gang took out their collective anger on the beast and Arco, smashing them into nothing. They looted the Fane-Eater and Obsidian Flint Dragon Plate before staying the night with the Hags. A heroes feast boosted their spirits after a long few days of travel.

The night goes smoothly even though some were dreaming of traitors in their midst.

The travel to Gandrahimm goes smoothly as the snow continues to thicken. The closer they get the stranger it seems that no one is around and no fires are coming out of the exterior farm houses. They find no guards at the gate. A few people scatter by with hoods up and swords at their sides. As the gang considers asking more, a portal appears with a Quori and two green slaads who come and attack them. Quickly unloading their fiercest powers on them, the gang dispatches their enemies and moves to the second ring.

They decide to go straight to Mama Mindweave’s. The second ring gate is locked but with their medallions from the Fold of Seven. However on their way, another portal opens and out came a gray slaad and some sort of shadowed horror coming to get them. Snow continues to fall as we left our heroes preparing for more battle.

## Chaos in the City

### Session 34

As snow continued to fall, the gang approached the gray salad and shadowed horror prepared for combat. Invisibility negated by faerie fire. Shadow travel negated by moonbeams. Fireballs negated by a paladin's aura and the gang quickly dispatched these monsters. However while they were fighting the hags felt called to their mother and started heading towards Jedry's shoppe.

A riot appeared coming the opposite direction and the gang had to figure out how to get through. After some perception it was clear that these riots were ongoing protests against the mages who ran the town. The disease started in the Yule Duel seems to have continued. Luckily a smooth talking bard was able to diffuse the situation for now.

The gang hustled back to Jedry's only to hear shouting coming from inside. Jed hurried in and noticed two people seemingly threatening Mama Mindweave and young Sheldon. But Jed also recognized these two as old adventuring companions. Jed quickly took charge of the situation. His old companions, Bunny the bugbear paladin and Stix the owlin wizard, told Jed about why they were there. The star wheel that they had stolen from an Efreet and which Jed had was being sought by that Efreet again. Apparently this Djin kidnapped Tarps, another old adventuring companion (a kenku rogue), and was demanding the star wheel back.

Jed explained to his friends and the whole gang about the situation so that they could make some decisions. The gang knows that the Hunger, an ancient enemy, is trying to break free from its prison. It is being held back by three seals, the hags, the vatti, and the humanoid machine (worldender or worldender). The hags seem to be safe for now. The cult is looking for the worldender pieces, one of which is the star wheel, and another that might be in the city of brass. And finally the vatti, of which little is known though perhaps Burzu's order in the Boneyards might have more information. There is also the cult of dreams/cult of sky kraken working on something for the spring equinox (about a month away). All while Sheldon made cookies.

Mama Mindweave indicated that she could teleport the group and return them if needed for long distance travel. So the gang decided to stop at Mama Mindweave's shoppe, grab the rings of returning, and then try and find the orrery (worldender). One theory was that the orrery might be causing the portals to open in town.

After not finding the orrery in the sewers (only the cult and Arcarsh knew about it) they tried to drop Sheldon off. Sadly his home was burnt down but no bodies were found.

The gang stayed the night at Jed's with Sheldon, Bunny, and Stix before planning to drop off Sheldon at Mindweave's and travel to the City of Brass the next day. During the night more silly whispers but where is it leading?! Will the gang save Jed's old friend Tarps? Will they find more pieces of the worldender?

### Session 35

After a hearty pancake breakfast courtesy of Jedry, the gang made their way through the snow to Mama Mindweaves. On the way, Sheldon pulled Jed aside and said, “I do not trust them,” referring to Jed’s friends. Jed tried to reassure young Sheldon and Burzu gave him his bonedagger. On the way up, Petal and Xavfin purchased a few magickal items.

Mama brought them in and agreed to watch over Sheldon. She also noted that the map they had suggested that another worldender piece might be located in or near the City of Brass. She gave them each rings that basically allowed a one way return teleportation trip. She also gave them each a potion of fire resistance. She then sent them to the City of Brass.

Upon arrival a dust storm overtook them and Isemo got too much in his throat and eyes. The rest were able to cover up and start heading to the City of Brass, about 5 miles away. They noticed in the distance some Yakiri (large Yak people) herding a line of humanoid slaves chained together toward the city. Jed reminded the gang that the City of Brass was founded after the Prime Wars when Kanato destroyed Gloomwood (now known as Volconia). Stix told them that the city was primarily underground because after Gloomwood was destroyed it was not safe to be on the surface for long periods of time. Bunny shared that the Order of the Great Lizard resides here, an old enemy to the Order of the Terrible Lizard.

After bartering and persuading their way past several guards, they moved into the underground portion of the city with its immense caverns and structures. They went down, down, down until they reached a huge entrance way, 50 person wide, underneath a giant dragon skull that covered the whole entrance. They entered and past shoppes and taverns on the way to the castle.

The stunning castle was completely formed from rock in this underground lair with intricate designs throughout. They approached the entrance and let the guards know why they were here. While waiting for confirmation that they could visit, the gang tried to mess with the guards. Eventually they were invited into a waiting room, where Burzu tried to unionize the guards.

Finally, they were brought to the throne room where Safa Ezer, the efreet, waited for them. There were 6 guards in full plate, a young red dragon, and a red tiefling petting the dragon. With a gruff voice, “Well, where is it?” The gang hemmed and hawed, getting them to bring out Tarps the hostage first. The gang asked lots of questions before Safa started moving in to kill Stix, Jed’s other friend. Xavfin pulled out the starwheel and prepared to exchange it.

However, once Tarps was close, Xavfin gave Petal the wheel and cast wall of force around the gang, forcing the guards back. Safa was furious. The tiefling tried to counterspell was counterspelled by Isemo. Isemo quickly gave his ring to Tarps, the kenku, and sent him back to Gandrahimm. The rest of the gang started to teleport back. Petal stuffed Isemo in the bag of holding and teleported. The efreet and tiefling both cast wall of fire into the wall of force to try and knock out the spell. Xavfin gritted his teeth and held on until all his friends had left and then teleported back to Gandrahimm.

The gang quickly and safely arrived back at Mama Mindweave’s. Jed scryed on Safa and saw him giving orders to find the gang before someone noticed the scry orb and dispelled it. Tarps gave thanks to Xavfin and Isemo and the whole gang before heading out to nurse their wounds with Bunny and Stix. Jed started to feel the stars on his back tingle but could not place it.

After an extremely successful mission, what will the gang do next? They still have the map to look for the worldender? They could pursue the Vatti? They do not know where the orrery is? The order of great lizards is still out there? Find out next time!

### Session 36

The gang pondered the list of items that they could pursue, following up the Fold (wizard council and Arcarsh or Qima), looking into the library of the fold, learning about the Vatti/gray dragons, Sheldon’s family, curiosity about Safa Ezer. After a discussion about whether two out of the three chains on the Hunger would suffice, it was decided that they should prioritize communicating with the dragon(s) to let them know they are in danger at least.

So the gang did the only appropriate thing and split the party.

Isemo, Xavfin, and Jedry decided to follow up with the Fold and the library to learn more. Jed shared his concerns about sharing information with Arcarsh, thinking he might have some ulterior motives. The group decided to ask for a draconic/dragon expert and were directed to Zori the Cleaver on the third floor. Zori is an older gnome who was endlessly fascinated in dragons and quite proud of his accomplishments. The group asks questions and learns that the Vatti seems to be some sort of title, like chief or king or leader. Zori asks them some questions to which they try to reveal as little as possible. Finally the bard, Xavfin, steps in to lay on the charm and offers to purchase Zori’s two books. This flattery gains them some more information about a book written by a Sylvar, rivals of Isemo’s family, who stole research of Zori’s. This book is called “The Beginning of Dragons.” Zori speculates that Nanchan the Jumper, a rogue scientist, who was exploring the planes got lost on a trip to Brobding, the name of the planet where dragons are believed to come from and was named by Zori.

On their way out, after purchasing Zori’s books and having them signed, Jed spotted Arcarsh down a long hallway whispering to another fire genasi and shaking his hand.

Meanwhile, Burzu and Petal started working towards the Boneyards (Bonedome?). They stopped at Sheldon’s house and found a note saying that the family was in the Boneyards. What a coincidence?!? Just then a portal opened and out popped five seemingly harmless cultists with a unique eye mark that Petal recognized but couldn’t place. Since they did not seem intent on harming anyone, Burzu and Petal continued on to the Boneyards.

Once there a bunch of kids carrying swords and shields ran up to Burzu to thank him for saving their lives from the Dream Wizard, Fara Sylvar. Burzu and Petal give them some tutorials on sword care and maintenance before Trotsky the leonin approached them. Trotsky told them about the large numbers of people fleeing their homes and coming here for safety. Trotsky does not know much about dragons but heard of some recently in Razikai.

Petal and Burzu eventually find Glurg, the blind monk leader of the Order of Terrible Lizards, who is helping Sheldon’s parents. After relaying info about Sheldon to them, they ask about the Vatti. Glurg shuffles them off to a more private space. Glurg seems shocked that others know this name but shares details with them about the gray dragons of old and their leader the Vatti. After defeating a great evil, the gray dragons all disappeared except the Vatti who stayed to help out. “It is said,” Glurg leaned close and whispered, “that if you say the name of the Vatti when in great need that they will come to your aid. Its name is Brobdingnagian.” Glurg leans back, “But that may all be hogwash, who knows?” Glurg also told you about how in the stories the dragon, the woman, and the man all stood up to this great evil. Glurg speculated that this may be just a myth but Petal told her that they met the woman! When asked for more info on the man, Glurg had none.

Back with Jedry, Xavfin, and Isemo as they visited the library, they met an old grumpy librarian with coke bottle glasses and only one leg. The librarian told them which sections to look for and warned them about stealing anything because the guardian of the library was always watching.

Jed learned about Kwalich the inventor who helped create machines that allowed safe passage between the planes with Nanchan as the rider.  The book ended with Kwalich saying that there was something hidden beyond their sight at the edge of the planets. Something dark and consuming.

Isemo also learned about Nanchan the Jumper and the theories that perhaps the planes are really just the planets. Isemo checked out some star maps and books from the library for further discovery.

Xavfin skimmed through Zori’s books and learned about metallic and chromatic dragons but also some speculative dragons of which one type was the gray dragons. In the second book, Xavfin learned more about the myths that suggested that gray dragons worked with humanity to create civilization back in the Golden Age of magick and machine. Sadly the gray dragons disappeared leaving no known traces.

Finally the gang all returned to Mama Mindweave’s for a late dinner and recap of the day's events. They ask Mama about the Brobdingnagian and she simply states that this was an old friend of hers. They ask her to send him a message but she does not have that spell. Luckily Isemo had it and after a description from Mama and some support from Xavfin and Petal, Isemo reached out. Isemo relayed that the Hunger is coming, baba yaga is here, the machine is being collected, and you might be in danger. Eventually the Brobdingnagian replied “My time is short, come find me, the secret lies in the boneyards.”

Just then, Mama noticed that Jed was being scryed on and dispelled the magick. It was presumed that Safa now knows they are heading to the Boneyards and they rushed their post haste. They ran into the cultists again who Petal recognized as Knights of Mimir. They told Petal that things in Karkham are really bad so when a portal opened they decided to jump in. Petal sends them to the Bear Inn to rest and recover.

In the Boneyards, the gang starts searching for any clues for the Vatti. Xavfin discovers a rune that seems to say Vatti inside a large dragon skull. Burzu walks over and says the name Brobdingnagian and a shaft opens up in the ground. The gang starts working their way down with Petal lighting a torch. A hundred feet down they enter a large room with 30ft columns and dragons in different poses in between. At the end of the room sits a large sphinx type creature that smiles and says, “if you want to meet my master you must prove your worth.”

### Session 37

The catlike sphinx said “if you want to meet my master, you must prove your worth.” Petal rushed forward and prepped an action. The sphinx launched a roar that filled the room and Petal threw the javelin of lightning. A vision filled the adventurers minds of a planet with a shadow coming over it and ripping it apart. The sphinx spoke in their mind saying “to fight the Hunger you must be smarter, truer, braver.”

Isemo and Jedry make the wisdom save from the frightening images, and tried to hide and help their friends who seemed stuck in a paralysis state. Burzu found himself in his greatest fear of growing old. Xavfin in anonymity. Petal isolated and alone. Burzu and Petal broke out and attempted to take down the sphinx. The sphinx grabbed Xavfin and lifted him into the air who finally saved. The sphinx dropped Xavfin and Burzu caught him.

The sphinx kept asking questions in their minds to which they sometimes answered. Finally the sphinx summoned a feast and invited them to dinner saying they had proved their worth. Halstogath, the sphinx, spoke to them and gave them a hero’s feast.

During the rest Petal stayed up and read her book, learning about vibrations connected to the weave, and the possibility of harvesting these differences through the planes. Burzu awoke and accused Xavfin of messing with his sleep. They argue and look at the amulet on Xavfin’s chest. Jed remembered a dream that he was visited in as well. Eventually they calmed down and made their way deeper to the Vatti’s lair.

Down in the underwater lair of the Vatti, large dangerous looking fish swam around. As they made their way forward, a large explosion echoed in the chamber. To their right the cult of dreams seemed to be coming through a hole in the wall making the same movement perhaps toward the Vatti. It now seemed to be a race.

Eventually the gang found a rejuvenation station where they discovered one could gain the benefits of a long rest. They continued forward through some poisoned water before confronting a large golem. The golem demanded they show them the sword. Burzu unveiled his dragon slayer sword to which the golem responded, that is not the sword. The golem started to reach back to prepare an attack.

### Session 38

After defeating the golem it echoed out “Bring the sword to my chief. If goodwill is your belief."

They found another rejuvenation station where Xavfin and Burzu refilled.

They encountered the powercords and a weird red shark. Xavfin felt an image invade his mind of 12 humanoids surrounding a machine where a young baba yaga and a younger dragon were powering this machine.

Follow the cords and attacked by Chuuls, finding a crystal sword and a pearl of power and 130gp.

Eventually they find the dragon being attacked by the cult who are placing charges around the chamber. The gang quickly dispatches the cult but the leader, a fire genasi, who Jed recognized got away.

The Vatti talked to Burzu and told him the sword is dormant but could be awakened. It said to gather the pieces of the worldsender and bring my brethren to help stop the hunger. My time is short, I am old and short for this world. These tiny figures cannot destroy me who has fought and defeated titans. Please connect the worldsender. Call my brethren and they shall surely help in your fight with the hunger.

Burzu wanted to fight the dragon but the Vatti, after weakening breath to Burzu, said you can fight me anytime after you defeat the Hunger.

### Session 39

After the Vatti gave the gang the Far Gear, they placed it in the bag of holding. Jed felt a tingle coming from the Starwheel. The gang swam out the way they came. After consulting with Glurg, the blind orc leader of Burzu’s order, they decided to head to Jed’s for some conversation.

On the way they ran into another riot with pitchforks and torches. They were carrying along a wizard magistrate who the gang interrogated and found out this magistrate had tried to recruit nonmages to protect the wealthy. They were going to tie him up and make an example of him. The gang was going to let it happen when Isemo decided to support his wizard brethren and dimension doored them away. The riot thought about fighting but Burzu and Petal “talked” them down.

Eventually they all made it back to Jedry’s house. They took some time to inspect the worldender pieces. Jed noticed that the pieces do not connect together but seem to fit into the orrery which was in the sewers. They discussed that the Cult of Dreams probably has the orrery. The gang thought it would be easiest to get the pieces first and then the orrery.

After discussing the map, they seem to think that two locations to explore would be the City of Brass and the Citadel of Ice and Steel. This jogged Isemo’s memory about a Timepiece that his family long protected. The nine wizarding families of Razikai regularly shift in power, each one voting who to back for leadership. The Arirai had been in charge for the last hundred years before scandal brought them down and their nemeses the Sylvar took charge. The Sylvar now protect the Citadel and the Timepiece. The Timepiece is rumored to give strength and support to those who lead.

Isemo thought through the magickal security of the Citadel and knew it would be difficult to infiltrate. They could use the two Sylvar necklaces to try and trick some lower level guards but once you get to the main family they would recognize who is and who is not in the Sylvar family.

The gang eventually made their way to sleep with restless dreams of Vatti and Efreeti and machines. But eventually leveled up with a full night’s rest.

Burzu attuned to the new crystal blade from the Vatti as they made their way to Mama Mindweave’s before heading to the New Docks to catch an airship to the Citadel of Ice and Steel. On their way another portal opened and a ghost dragon emerged. The gang fully rested and leveled up dumped this beast rather quickly.

Up next the gang will check in with Mama Mindweave, head to an airship, fly to Razikai, and attempt to loot the Timepiece from the Sylvar Family.

## Soaring Over Razikai

### Session 40

The gang stopped by Mama Mindweave’s on their way out of town. They reassured Sheldon that his parents were okay and in the Boneyards. They caught her up on the things going on in town including to avoid the Fold of Seven. Mama gave out several magic items to help move things along and Petal gave her the ghost dragon ectoplasm to see if there was anything to be done with it. Mama promised to stay in touch and would keep an eye out on the Fold.

At the New Docks, the gang found a gnomish dockmaster who quickly passed them off to Captain Parrin (orc with unknown accent) and Captain Foxy (tabaxi with French accent). After bartering between the two of them, the gang decided to go with Captain Parrin and the guaranteed time frame.

During the eight day journey, Petal learned about ballista and lost dragonchess with Isemo. Petal also read about the planes and discovered in one book a plane that sounded remarkably like her own in the book “My Adventures Amongst the Stars” by Wandslinger Petulia.

Jed spent time looking into the journal left by the Cult of Dreams near the orrery known as the Worldender. The journal talked about the Cult searching for the missing pieces of the worldender. It said Elnora and Gibbreth are searching for the pieces. It says Jax must end the Vatti. And it said that Arco must find the hags. You all have killed Arco.

It then seemed to describe the six pieces the Cult are looking for. A rotor, watch, looper, chronometer, wheel, and gear. It had a map that seemed to be the same as the one from Hushwing but with more details. The rotor is in the bottom right. The watch is in the top left. The looper is in the top right. The chronometer is in the bottom left (Isemo recognized this picture as the item his family has guarded for centuries). The watch was in the middle and matches the starwheel that Jed has. There was no picture of the gear on the map but it was given by the Vatti.

Xavfin spent time trying to figure out the wording on the mysterious map until a fortuitous experience of a Stone Face that gave answers in return for gifts gave him the answer to the map. The center of the map says “Starhunter.” The top left says “Nanchan.” The bottom left says “Steelice.” The top right says “Kwalich.” The bottom right says “Brass.” The Stone Face also communicated that the Worldender was in the Fold Towers and that Xavfin was not planning on betraying his companions.

Isemo tracked the stars at night and with the help of Jed, determined that they were on the right course, but also that something about the stars seemed to be shifting. Farther out, stars seemed to not be showing up consistently. Usually you might not see them on a cloudy night but even on the clearest of nights they seemed to have disappeared with no discernible explanation.

The gang also encountered a rainbow bridge that Petal yelled at, a hot air balloon with four nobles from the Citadel that so far have not opened up to the gang, a group of mating flumphs, and even a hurricane they had to avoid.

Next up the Citadel of Ice and Steel!

### Session 41

As the gang finally approached the Citadel of Ice and Steel, Isemo tried to remember what defenses the city had. All he could remember was various theft protection charms on important items that automatically returned the stolen item if it ever left the city. This floating island is made of ice and rock while the buildings appear to be steel creations. The Citadel is fortified by a fifty-foot-tall, fifteen-foot-thick, steel-reinforced stone wall with a double gate facing east. Although most of the residents are scholars, a number of potent spellcasters fill critical posts.

At the front entrance, two guards, known as Raz Knights who had a hippogriff and griffon steeds, checked people into the city. While Isemo demanded an air of respect, Burzu frightened the guards who made sure to take some notes on him as he entered the city.

Xavfin’s sharp eyes spotted a Bath and Steam House right near the entrance and the gang agreed to a respite. Petal invited the four government officials they rescued and two went along. Petal and Celeste, the air genasi, went for a mani/pedi where Petal learned about the Ruby Pits, an underground magickal fighting ring. She eventually promised to take Petal and the gang there on Friday night (today is Thursday). Petal used this goodwill and asked about the Timepiece. Celeste said that it remains in the Exalted Castle on the Queen’s throne and that it serves as a symbol for the leadership.

Meanwhile, in the hot baths, the rest of the group relaxed and alligatored. Isemo overheard a few people chatting about plans for “Le Diner Blanc,” to be held on Saturday night where the Sylvar Queen would share an announcement for the whole town.

They finished up their baths and went to Isemo’s family lodgings. They heard some arguing as they entered before being greeted by Isemo’s mom Taki. She took them upstairs to the guest rooms. While in their rooms, Petal had the strangest experience of feeling like Levistus was close with the smell of cupcakes. Petal decided to journal, like Auntie Ail, with the hopes of engaging Levistus saying:

Dear Levistus, I've never prayed to a demon god before, but rest assured that if you extract any recompense from my family to bring me home, I will come to your hell and personally rip your scrotum out and pull it over your face. PS if you see my dad or uncle say hi. PPS. If you want to send help at low or no cost, let me know in the journal. Love Petal. PPPS I don't want my family to incur any more debt because you seem like kind of a dick.

Downstairs, Isemo and Burzu find Isemo’s dad, Raiden, and Isemo’s granduncle, Traxigor who is an otter, in the study. Raiden, tall and dark, with bags under his eyes asked to speak to Isemo alone. Traxigor takes Burzu on a tour of the estate. Raiden speaks with Isemo about how restoring the family honor has been going. Isemo gives some hints about what they are planning without ever saying it directly. Raiden seems to understand more than what is being said and is supportive of anything that would take down their rivals, the Sylvar. Raiden promised to get the castle blueprints and check on secret entrances.

Petal then goes out on the town to look for magick shoppes eventually finding “Scry Me A River” where he meets a young hobgoblin woman named Clara. Petal looked at a cloak of displacement and a cloak of protection. While the displacement cloak was out of Petal’s price range, she tried to bargain and barter the price down. While they did not reach an accord yet, she held onto the 800 year old elven wine to get it appraised. They will discuss again the next day.

During dinner, Isemo’s sister, Juni, is moodier than she used to be and in a bit of a goth phase from what he can tell. Taki makes light conversation while Petal tries to figure out which spoon and fork to use. After dessert, Raiden invites you to the Study to discuss your plans. Raiden shared the blueprints of the castle from when they were in charge for you to look over. He also shared about the different magickal protections of the city. He reiterated the theft protection on magickal items that might only be broken with a strong dispelling of magick. He talked about magickal restrictions on entering the city except through the front gate. There is also a fire suppression magick in many areas of town to protect homes and books from burning so that any flame larger than a candle is immediately snuffed out. There are some exceptions for sanctioned areas like fireplaces, etc. But the most important magickal protection is the Mythal Shield which can be initiated by the Queen so that nothing can get out. It is therefore that the Queen not be alerted. The group discussed a distraction, searching for the Timepiece when the Queen is out of the castle at “Le Diner Blanc.” Raiden suggests you sleep on the plans before finding more information tomorrow.

How will the gang proceed? What is the Queen preparing to announce? Only time will tell?

### Session 42

During the night, Petal dreamed about a cold hell scape where he ran into Levistus. Using her general lack of respect she challenged Levistus. Levistus told Petal to come and find him while he is on this plane. He threatened that her family was not safe.

Petal awoke cold, and found in her journal to “find the Great Caliph.”

Also that night, Xavfin dreamed of Safa Ezer, the efreet from the City of Brass. It seemed to be more than a dream as there was lucidity throughout. Safa laughed and said “I know what you are doing.” Xavfin laughed it off and tried to mislead Safa. Safa said “You are hiding but I will find you.” Xavfin continued to try to downplay the event. Safa laughed, pointed at Xavfin, and cast finger of death. As the beam rocketed toward Xavfin, he tried to manipulate the dream but instead got caught by the blast. Xavfin awoke in a cold sweat grabbing his chest.

At breakfast the next morning, Petal asked Raiden, Isemo’s father, about the Great Caliph and Levistus. Raiden told about the Great Caliph who rules over Aaqa, a neighboring city. The Great Caliph is a marid, a djinn, who tends toward isolationist policies but does have an embassy in town. He did not have any given info about Levistus.

On the way to the embassy, Jedry noticed a dog was following them. Petal turned to chase and Isemo cast a spell over the crowd to slow it down. The dog got away and Isemo was charged for his spell casting.

At the embassy of Aaqa, Petal was greeted by an air genasi and water genasi. They did not give Petal much support after hearing her story and gave her some paperwork to fill out. However when they learned about the Levistus and Arirai (Isemo family name) connection, they started to laugh and sped up the paperwork.

On the return trip, they stopped at Scry Me a River, where Clara’s grandfather Clarence helped Petal purchase the cloak of displacement after some conversation about the 800 year old elven wine. Clara ran up to say hi and invited Petal and the group out. Petal in turn invited Clara, the young adult hobgoblin, to the Ruby Pits, an illegal fighting pit in town. While Isemo tried to stop Petal, Burzu tried to convince Clara to join his cult, I mean order.

Back at the Arirai family estate, Raiden chatted with Isemo before Clara and her friends and Celeste all showed up. Celeste led them to the fighting pits, underneath a sanctuary in town, using the password Mellon. In the pits there were several rings.

The gang first went to the Slapping Championships where Petal won once and then lost to a human named Siegfried. Burzu won twice before losing to the same person. Xavfin worked the crowd and was able to pick many pockets.

Then the gang went over to the Spell Duels where Isemo entered and won once before losing quickly and decisively to a Sylvar elf, Isemo’s family’s nemesis. Several people lost money betting on Isemo.

Celeste ran up to them excited as she realized the once a month event, the “Highlander Fight,” was happening tonight. This cage match where twenty people enter and only one person leaves offers high risk and high rewards. People have died though most are saved before it is too late.

Who will exit the Highlander Fight next time? What is happening at Le Dinner Blanc? Will the gang find a way to steal the timepiece? Find out next time!

### Session 43

As the Highlander Fight was announced with a 5k gold prize, the gang quickly ran to line up for the melee. Twenty people entered as the fighting pit started to descend twenty feet as the crowd gathered around to look down on the fight.

After being randomly placed, the fighting begin. Swords and arrows were everywhere. Spells were being launched left and right. Burzu and Petal teamed up to take over their corner. Jedry turned into a wolf and roamed the field. Xavfin disappeared with an invisibility spell. Isemo fell quickly as a werebear tore through him.

People were falling left and right when an elf summoned a large solar dragon that wrecked havoc through the field knocking several of the gang out. Luckily Xavfin was able to provide some mass healing to keep them in the fight.

After knocking out the elf that summoned the dragon, the dragon was gone and the gang dispatched the other fighters before turning in one another. Petal and Burzu took down Jedry before fighting each other. Eventually Petal took over only to find Xavfin as a huge T-Rex who bit into Petal. Petal did all she could before the T-rex morphed back to Xavfin and cast a sixth level dissonant whispers which finally took Petal down.

The crowd erupted in cheers for one of the most amazing fights they had ever seen.

After such a fun and brutal combat, what is next for the gang? Will their heist of the timepiece be successful? What will happen at Le Dinner Blanc?

### Session 44

“Welcome champion, what was your secret?” the MC asked Xavfin who stood victorious over the Highland Fight. Xavfin and the MC wooed the crowd with some witty repartee. Platinum was distributed to the winners, Xavfin received 500, Petal received 100, Burzu received 50, Jed received 25, and Isemo received 25.

Celeste ran up to cheer on the healed heroes as Xavfin was swarmed with adoring fans. Clara ran to Petal to give a common healing potion which was quickly consumed. As the party began, Xavfin kept the people entertained and merry while the others sipped ale and nursed their wounds before heading home.

On the way, Jedry and Xavfin noticed that same dog following them from earlier. Jed cast faerie fire and Xavfin cast hold person. The dog froze and was then tied up. After some cajoling, they pulled the dog into the alley where the dog transformed into a drow mage. The mage tried to cast several spells that were countered by Xavfin and Isemo. Eventually the gang gagged the mage and pressured them to speak. The mage lied about trying to steal from them before being stabbed by Xavfin. The mage then revealed that Safa was hunting the gang and the mage wanted to take advantage of the gang while they were hurt.

After disposing of the assassin, they looted the body, finding a spider staff, 16 platinum, and a yellow potion. To further hide the body, Burzu decided to eat the full body, leaving only clothing and bones.

The gang finally returned home around 5am the day of the heist. Burzu had some rough bowel movements in the night but everyone eventually woke up fully rested in the early afternoon. Raiden, Isemo’s father, shared some further knowledge about two guards per floor, four guards with antimagic measures on the roof, and possibly the presence of an archmage. He warned of magickal traps and told them he would prepare a distraction. Plans were discussed as the hour of Le Dinner Blanc approached, the dinner hosted by the Sylvar Queen for all the town and familial dignitaries.

The gang approached the castle and found that less and less people were around. Jedry wildshaped into a bat while Xavfin cast a high level invisibility to hide the rest. They unlocked the front door and snuck in, past the first floor guards to the second floor. On the second floor, the guards noticed Jedry the bat and chased him around. The rest of the gang quickly moved to the third floor. The guards were tougher to dodge on this floor but the gang quickly made their way to the throne room. The door was locked and Xavfin was unable to open it with thieves' tools, twice.

The gang quickly came to the decision to take down the guards but as they were speaking, there was a large boom that shook the castle, presumably the earlier mentioned distraction. The guards ran to the window before deciding to lock down the building. Isemo cast hold person but was only able to hold one. Xavfin cast wall of force around the pair which will hold for ten minutes. Isemo ran to the steps to cast hypnotic pattern to stop any guards from coming up.

The gang quickly entered the throne room. The throne had the timepiece on top of it with two elven statues that appear to be praying behind the throne.

Next time, the gang races the clock to steal the timepiece, escape the castle, and figure out their next steps.

### Session 45

The heist continued in earnest as Burzu ran into the throneroom. However, without checking for traps, Burzu was teleported to a different floor, into a dark room. The rest of the gang continued to explore before finally disabling the trap. Petal ran to the throne but was stopped so Isemo could check it again. A magickal trap was on it that Isemo was able to dispel. After this Petal used her strength to pull the timepiece out of the throne. A mass suggestion spell was triggered but the gang was able to overcome it. They then jumped out the window and dimension doored away.

Meanwhile, Burzu started breaking down the door when he noticed guards gathering outside. Eventually breaking down the door, Burzu fought the guards as they stormed him and then threw himself out the window. Xavfin ran up to support him. A guard was shooting down on them from above while two large mechanical spiderlike creatures descended the walls to attack. But despite their grappling, Xavfin was able to dimension door the two of them to safety.

While this was happening, Isemo took the timepiece and started to run home and Petal began to summon an aberration to attack the castle and cause a distraction. Once Xavfin and Burzu arrived, Petal sent the aberration after the castle and towards unknown destruction.

As the gang made their way back to Isemo’s home, they started noticing people running past. Then people with glazed eyes started attacking the runners. Finally, Isemo noticed a large aberrant lobster creature chasing his sister, Juni. After a quick shield to repel an attack, Isemo dimension doored him and his sister into their family home. She was in shock but told Isemo that “they were all taken. Dad left the table and I haven’t seen him since. Then there was a large explosion. The Queen seemed to open some portals where these lobsters were coming in and attacking people. We ran but I lost mom in the aftermath. They were all taken.”

As the rest of the gang caught up, the group moved to the basement and blocked the door so that Isemo could take a short rest and get a spell slot back in order to dispel the theft protection on the timepiece. During this time Traxigor, Isemo’s otter uncle, returned but Petal would not let him in. Eventually Trax left to go find the rest of Isemo’s family.

After the short rest, Isemo dispelled the magickal theft protection on the timepiece and the gang leveled up!

What will they do next? Will they help the city? Isemo’s family? Or GTFO with the timepiece? Will they find the Great Caliph?

## Dance with the Devil

### Session 46

After completing a much needed short rest, Traxigor and Raiden arrived at the house. Upon letting them in, Raiden gave a rundown on what happened at Le Diner Blanc. Raiden blew up a building to provide the distraction which ended up being quite helpful since the Queen was trying to possess everyone with the aberrant lobster creatures. The Queen opened up portals where these aberrations came through and started taking over the population. Raiden got away but couldn’t find his wife. He told the gang that they could either planeshift with Trax and Juni (Isemo’s sister) or kill the Queen in order to get away. The gang debated but ended up leaving with Traxigor.

Trax offered to show them another plane as they had to shift to another plane before returning to the Great Caliph in the city of Aaqa. Petal thought Yggdrasil sounded interesting since it connected to her faith from her home plane. Trax had them hold hands and transported them. They landed on a soft green patch of grass at the base of a large tree. But as they looked around they realized that this plane or planet had been destroyed. Earth motes were floating through the starry sky, crashing into one another. The gang was being pulled apart and just barely was able to make it to transport to Aaqa with the only side effects leaving Jedry exhausted. They speculated that while they try to protect their world that perhaps this cataclysm might be affecting other worlds as well.

The gang was welcomed into the city, a verdant green expanse with silver twisted spires rising or even growing from the ground. After staying the night in a local tavern, the gang left Trax and Juni in order to see if they could have an audience with the Great Caliph. After a very cordial reception at the Central Spire, the gang was quickly ushered into the Great Hall. The Great Caliph appeared to be a traditional Djinni with a vest and turban. The Great Caliph heard the gang’s story and told his own of a devil infestation starting about two months ago (lining up with Petal’s entrance and something from Isemo). This devil infestation has been encroaching on the city and all the people sent to stop them have not returned. The Caliph knows that Levistus is behind it since several devils have mentioned him by name.

The gang decided to help with this infestation with the promise of 10k gold and a Skype chat with Safa to try and cool things off. The gang headed east and found 2 bearded devils and 1 chain devil guarding a tunnel. They quickly dispatched these guards, after talking seemed to fail. They entered the tunnel with Petal leading the way kicking one of the devil’s heads and shouting for Levistus. The temperature started to drop lower and lower going below freezing and even below 0 Fahrenheit. Xavfin provided some prestidigitated heat for himself, Jed, and Burzu, while Isemo and Petal plowed forward.

Following only left turns, the gang found a corridor covered in blood and guts as an icy cyclone seemed to be destroying anything that entered and is now coming for the gang!

### Session 47

The gang continued their search for Levistus as an icy elemental attacked. A few members got thrown by the cyclone before quickly dispatching it.

They searched through the caves, continuing to turn left as possible. They found a chasm that they wanted to cross. Petal flew across to determine where to land. Xavfin heard something behind them quickly approaching so the gang all dimension doored across the chasm. They ran into three barbed devils seemingly worshiping the wind. Petal threw a devil head at them and they fought. Burzu obliterated one and the high damage output destroyed these three quite efficiently.

The gang found Levistus frozen in ice behind a series of ice spikes and stone jutting upward like three immense claws. Between them, a churning thundercloud thrashes with lightning. Thunder cracks, and cascades of tiny rocks tumble from above. Beneath the thunderhead stands a raised area splattered with the blood of many sacrifices. A silvery window is sometimes visible in the center of the cloud. It opens onto open space, stars, with motes of earth floating by.

Levistus and Petal banter back and forth with Petal trying to get under Levistus’s skin. Levistus shares that Karkham, the entire planet, has been destroyed. The only way to fix it is with the worldmender. Xavfin clarifies the word since he had heard worldender before. I wonder what the discrepancy is??? Levistus continues to tell of how even the gods and devils can’t help the situation because their power is tied to the souls of their respective planes.

Levistus offers some trinkets to help them on their journey (pearl of power, ring of mind shielding, amulet of the devout, dwarven plate, ring of protection) and promises to stop interfering with the Great Caliph and his people.

Burzu wants to fight Levistus so Levistus uses a manifestation to fight with Burzu. Burzu crits and does his best before being charmed out of the fight and ripped to shreds by Levistus’s sword. Jedry quickly brings Burzu back to life.

After returning and taking a night’s sleep in Aaqa, the gang visited the Great Caliph and shared their news. The Great Caliph carefully checked the deal they agreed to and decided it was good enough to give half the earnings (5000 gold). The Caliph double checked the trinkets from Levistus and confirmed that they were not cursed. The Caliph then set up a Scry Call with Safa to try and smooth things over.

Safa starts icily on the call asking after the Star Wheel. Xavfin tries to convince Safa that he is helping to save the world and even himself. Safa is not convinced but makes a counter offer to give the piece needed if the gang gives over Xavfin. Xavfin agrees to enter into Safa’s service once the world has been saved. A high deception and a great group persuasion (including an offer of Burzu’s 199 platinum) finally got Safa to agree to this deal. The gang will now travel via airship to the City of Brass to try and get the next needed piece of the Worldender. Will they try and steal it or trick Safa? Will the deal go smoothly?

### Session 48

After a successful meeting with the Great Caliph, the gang gathered around as Jedry discussed tactics about safely approaching Safa. Some wanted to smash and grab, others wanted to negotiate until fighting. Finally they approached the skyport and found Master Eriadoc, an old elvish ship captain, waiting and ready with a ship for the gang.

On their first day out and about, the ship was attacked by dragons. Luckily an early warning of “DRAGONS!” kept the gang from being swarmed with dragon’s breath. Burzu misty stepped onto the top of the young silver dragon. Xavfin dropped the young copper dragon with an effective use of Eyebite causing the copper dragon to fall asleep and plummet to its presumed death. A young green dragon landed on the ship to fight with Petal and Jed while a young topaz dragon snuck up behind Isemo. Burzu’s ride tried to take him high into the air to pull him off to no avail. Burzu slayed the dragon and dove from its back to the ship, taking significant fall damage. Petal and Jed take down the green dragon. The topaz one saw the writing on the wall and tried to flee. Xavfin jumped off the edge to follow and polymorphed it into a badger. Petal, seeing his friend dive off, cast fly upon himself and swooped down to catch Xavfin.

The crew was quite impressed with this show of strength. The rest of the trip went smoothly with only one day of rain. During the trip, Petal focused on praying to Thor and learning from her planar library. After hearing from Levistus that her home was destroyed and finding the world tree planet seemingly destroyed, she feels more strongly about the plane equals planets theory. During one of her prayer sessions, she kept having memories come up of the night she arrived in Gandrahimm, in the temple of Our Lady Moon with the stained glass of the lightning where she met Hushwing for the first time.

They arrived in the City of Brass and were given an escort of guards to meet with Safa. The gang entered the throneroom and found it filled with Safa’s allies and guards. Xavfin starts walking forward as the gang follows. Safa says, “Xavfin you know I have seen you in my dreams, chasing me, pushing me - all for this? I have seen a courageous mind even if it is foolish. You and your friends are brave to come back here but clearly this rotor means something to you. So here catch.”

As Xavfin grabs the rotor, it disappears as an illusion and pit trap opens below Xavfin, Petal, and Burzu. Only Burzu falls the 15ft down onto the spikes taking some damage. Xavfin looks at Safa and shakes his head saying “So disappointing” as they prepare for battle.

### Session 49

Battle begin with a fireball and the dragon blocking the door. The gang tried to stop the fireball with a counterspell but the mages in the room out counterspelled them. So Burzu and Petal quickly dispatched of the mages. Jed took on a draconic form and launched a dragon of their own against the enemies. Safa created a wall of fire to try and trap Xavfin and fight one one one. Xavfin quickly got out of the way despite his spells not getting through as much as he wanted. Counterspells were flying through the air as Isemo fought one on one with a very nasty archer. Petal ended the paladin from the order of the great lizard. More fireballs and dragon breaths as Isemo and Xavfin struggled to stay on their feet. Finally Safa took his scimitar and stabbed it into Xavfin ending his life. The red tiefling came over and teleported him away. The red dragon fled.

Burzu attempted to revivify Xavfin but the spell was not taking. Jedry provided some quick healing to everyone and Petal saved Isemo with a potion. They could not figure out what the magick was that was holding them back. Burzu thought Xavfin did not want to come back after a good death. Isemo realized that the pendant around Xavfin’s neck was causing them not to revivify although it was keeping Xavfin tied to this plane. Petal attempted to remove the pendant but it was magickally attached and even Petal’s strength could not stop it. Burzu quickly teleported them all away to Mama Mindweave.

Mama quickly came over to check on them and confirmed that the pendant was a source of evil and celestial magick. Mama, after some inspection, determined that the pendant would bring Xavfin back in 24 hours though she was not sure how he might be changed. And she noted that only clerical power may be able to remove the pendant from Xavfin’s neck. She then turned to the gang and started peppering them with questions which we will explore more next session!

## A Divine Appointment

### Session 50

After returning to Mama Mindweave’s and knowing that Xavfin would return though was wearing a cursed item, they spoke with Mama about all that had happened to them in the last two weeks. Traveled to the Citadel of Ice and Steel, stole the timepiece, witnessed a mass worm takeover, teleported away where they saw Ygraddsil was destroyed presumably by the Hunger, found the devil Levistus, traveled to the City of Brass, was tricked by Safa Ezer, all before teleporting back to Mama’s. She was quite taken aback at all of the events that had transpired.

She then shared that Yap, the leader of the Fold of Seven had died, and Arcarsh had taken over as the leader. She also informed them that he had the Worldender and since he had taken over that the portals had stopped opening in the city. SHe asked if you trusted Arcarsh and the gang resoundingly said no. She shook her head and said you have three paths to pursue, a cleric to help with Xavfin and perhaps connect you to Thor, go after Safa to collect the Rotor of Return, and/or go after Arcarsh to get the Worldender.

The gang decided to go to the Lighthouse, the temple of Our Lady Moon, the goddess of Lightning and Thunder in this realm. They stealthily moved through the city to the Lighthouse. The paladin at the door asked them to state their business before summoning Cleric Ralthur to assist them. They took Xavfin to a side room where the cleric cast Identify curse and told them about the pendant. The cleric spoke about how the pendant would revive Xavfin as many times as he died with a new body but also that it may affect his choice making ability if it goes on too long. The gang decided to wait until Xavfin was revived before seeing what decision he would want to make.

Then Petal starting asking about contacting Thor. After consulting with other Clerics, Ralthur realized that this was Petal Sigurdsdotter and company. Ralthur’s  god, Our Lady Moon, had requested a special meeting with Petal and friends in the godsplane. After some discussion, the gang decided to follow and the clerics set up an astral projection for the gang.

They traveled to the astral plane and found that Xavfin had been hanging out there this whole time attached to his cursed pendant. They traveled together up into the godsplane where they found a celestial battle raging around them, black holes, supernovas, gods and aberrations fighting. They found Our Lady Moon who ushered them into a Lighthouse to have a conversation.

“You've been on my mind and your piety increases. The worldsender can send you home! Our war is with all the gods against the hunger and its warriors. We will not be much aid in the material plane. You must use the worldender to seal this horror away. Work with hags to hold back the power of the Hunger. My brother thor has been in an intense battle but wanted to speak to you. His people are destroyed, much of his power has been taken, people are scared, but Thor has heard your prayer.”

Just then in a flash of lightning Thor appeared in all his Chris Hemsworth glory. Petal bowed and Thor said “You have done well little one. You will be needed on the human plane that you are on. Restore our world, save theirs, and then come home.” Petal talked about wrestling with Thor at a later time. Thor laughed a hearty laugh and said “You are my chosen one for a reason. Fight with us and earn your boon.” After agreeing, Thor tossed the gang to a place to join in the celestial fight.

They landed upon some astral rocks and saw in the distance several star spawn and other aberrations. Two looked like fish people with staffs. One looked like a giant in clear skin where you could see all the internal organs. Another looked like a pile of rats, wolves, and boars. The largest one looked like a shadow grasshopper and cricket with a snake body who was surrounded by a red mist and floating eyes. Jed turned into a dragon and charged forward. His spot was turned into a gaping maw that tried to consume him.

The fight will continue next time!

### Session 51

The gang continued fighting in the astral plane against these aberrant creatures. There were major spells cast and big saves. Bile and maws and teeth were everywhere. Psychic damage cut through most resistances. Jed was up and down after taking most of the initial blows. Wild astral energy was causing people to switch places for better and for worse. Eventually the whole gang collapsed leaving only Petal.

Petal fought on and as was about to succumb, Thor arrived cutting through enemies left and right. Cradling her head as she fell he said “Well done my champion.” And as Petal was pulled back to the material plane, she felt the boon of Thor give her immunity to lightning.

As they eventually all emerged back to the Lighthouse, the temple of Our Lady Moon, even Xavfin returned. The gang had lots of questions for Xavfin who eventually asked the Cleric Ralthur to remove the curse from the item. After a successful remove curse, Xavfin took the phylactery off even if he was slightly less wise than once before.

After returning to Mama Mindweave’s and having some soup and sharing information. The gang went to bed and even though slightly disturbed by teeth and maws in their dreams, they completed a long rest. Over cinnamon rolls in the morning, the gang discussed their next steps, finally landing on pursuing Arcarsh and the worldender first.

### Session 52

As the gang made their way to the Fold Towers to confront Arcarsh, they noticed sights of a celebration being planned all around them. They realized that the cult of the sky kraken was preparing for the Spring Equinox. The gang remembered that the cult of dreams was planning to use the cult of the sky kraken during the Spring Equinox to cause some sort of trouble.

At the towers, there were people streaming in and out in an orderly fashion, people who appeared to be wizardly. The gang went to the front desk and tried to use their very old badges from the Fold to get in. Linda, the young elf front desk attendant, gave them the bureaucratic run around. When things started to get heated, a few of the gang noticed that the whole room stopped and turned at the same time like some sort of invasion of the body snatchers. After some pressure and persuasion, Linda finally got the go ahead to send them up to Arcarsh.

The gang went upstairs and decided they would ask nicely for the orrery but were willing to fight for it. As they approached Arcarsh and the large orrery, he pontificated about this and that before asking for the pieces to the worldender. While the conversation was happening, Xavfin noticed a giant lurking behind one of the doors. But Petal cast protection of good and evil on Arcarsh giving them a moment of respite from his possession.

The inevitable fight began. A rogue appeared and stabbed Burzu. A giant launched out the room and attacked. Arcarsh brought students into the room before a giant ooze escaped the back room. Smites, spells, and a barbarian tore through this group of people though not before getting knocked down a few times. After taking out the enemies, worms appeared from inside them causing more havoc. Eventually a few of the students ran away and just as the gang finished the fight, an alarm bell started ringing. How will they escape? Will they be able to get the orrery out?

## On the Lamb

### Session 53

As the alarm rang out throughout the bloody room, the gang quickly huddled to try and decide what to do about getting the orrery (aka worldender) out. Petal determined that it would be difficult to carry by herself and Isemo detected some anti-teleportation magicks. After a failed dispel magick and the sounds of boots getting closer, Isemo cast dispel a second time and was able to rip a hole in the magick giving Burzu a second to teleport the orrery to Mama Mindweave’s.

Just as that happened, Xavfin noticed a strange frankenstein dragonborn emerge from the back room where he had initially noticed some strange experimentation. The dragonborn had dark, shark eyes, sewn up scars all over, and several tubes dangling off of the body. Xavfin made eye contact and suddenly felt a deep sense of impending doom leaving him frightened. (A little later Xavfin realized that this creature/abomination looked like Arco reassembled.)

With the orrery teleported, the gang made a split second decision to jump out the window. Burzu did a cannonball out before Petal smashed the whole thing open. On the way down, Xavfin polymorphed into a giant eagle and grabbed Isemo. Petal made herself aerodynamic to grab Burzu but they ran into each other causing them to spin out. 8 stories up but the ground was quickly approaching. Xavfin prepared to dive as Petal worked to steady her descent. Quickly smoothing out of her spin, she dove again to catch Burzu just in the nick of time and cast fly on herself carrying them away.

But they had not escaped yet. A few mages cast spells from the Towers that couldn’t quite reach them. They then ran into two griffon guards who ordered them to stop and check in. Isemo used a hypnotic pattern to incapacitate them as the guards crashed to the ground.

Finally they arrived at Mama’s and found the orrery safe and sound. Petal shared the Looper and Chronometer that she had pulled from the orrery. Upon hearing what had happened, Mama cast see invisibility and saw several scrys on the team. She then dispelled them and warned the gang that they were in danger. If the Fold had been infiltrated by the worms (Quori) then they would be looking for all of them and Mama since they were scryed on together. The gang discussed what options they had, looking at several options but determining that all had their risks. Mama gave Petal her updated Bestial Maul.

Eventually, the gang decided to split up. They found four pendants that stopped scry magicks and gave them to Xavfin, Petal, Jedry, and Mama. This group took the orrery in a cart to the “orphanage” that Xavfin grew up in. In the cart was the orrery plus several magickal items they grabbed from the shop. They grabbed two potions of superior healing, one scroll of protection, one potion of gaseous form, and a bottle of sovereign glue. They successfully hid from the guards and arrived. A bunch of children were gathered around this warehouse, and one even successfully pickpocketed some gold from Xavfin. Xavfin asked for Draegon and an elderly dragonborn emerged. After reconnecting, Draegon invited the group in. Xavfin told the story of what had happened to them and Draegon told them they could hide the orrery here and spend the night as well. Xavfin cast a magnificent mansion and treated the children to a feast and a safe night in the mansion.

Meanwhile, the gang had sent the three daughters an alternative route to meet them. After a few hours they arrived at the mansion and the celebration.

So you might be wondering what Isemo and Burzu were up to. They went a different direction with the goal of misleading the Fold. The plan was to lay low for a few days and use sending to communicate with one another. Cauliflower is the code word. They ran into a few guards who Burzu accused (probably accurately) of some racial confusion. The guard called Burzu a dragonborn. The guards attempted to arrest Isemo and Burzu but Burzu’s show and a fake slap created by Isemo got the crowd riled up into charging the guards. Isemo and Burzu used the distraction to dimension door down the street. They then cast Plane Shift to escape to the plane of Mechanus.

What will happen next time? Is Mechanus still there? Can Isemo and Burzu handle this foreign land? And how will the others use their time in the city white the guards and the whole town seems to be searching for them?

### Session 54

With five days to the spring equinox, Mama is pushing you to find allies and get the Rotor from Safa Azer. Even as they noticed a few children talking about a good death, Jedry, Petal, and Xavfin discussed their options while swapping around some magickal items. A few leads were discussed: the ancient Dragon, Isemo’s uncle the otter, the Great Caliph, Levistus, Bran and his clan, Mudman and the mimic pet, Qima if not infested, Barry the bear man, Charlie the cleaver girl blacksmith, and even Jeremy Crawford the kuotoa from cult of sky kraken. Petal pinned a message to Levistus in her journal asking for any support and talking about cupcakes. It was decided to try and scry on Safa and send messages to Bran, the Great Caliph, and Isemo and Burzu.

Mama sent this message: “Last piece of orrery with brass sultan. Detail support options for assault on City of Brass. Before spring equinox. Thank you. Heart. Signed Petal Sigurddotter.”

Bran said “Would love to help but Brass few weeks away. If need help in Gandrahimm could get there before equinox.”

Great Caliph responded “Cannot commit to public assault on regional political leader. Can provide transportation for a small group of people.”

Another sending to the gang in Mechanus. “Gathering for assault on Brass sultan by spring equinox. Please detail return timeline. Must have piece before Spring equinox. If piece unavailable before then, return. From Petal.”

Isemo responded, “Acknowledged. Will spend rest here. Still searching for rotary. Will return after rest if not successful.”

Mama tried to scry on Safa but failed. Xavfin then scryed and sees Safa in throne room hiding rotor in demiplane. Two advisors suggested that it would not be possible to find it and that they could post guards inside it in case to create a trap for those seeking it out. The gang thinks they can teleport to that demiplane with a plane shift spell now that they know about it (perfectly screwing up Safa’s plan).

The Gandrahimm group then stealthily moved to the Boneyards. They noticed a larger presence of guards throughout and posters with images of all five of them saying “Wanted.” At the Boneyards they were warned by Sheldon that people were watching his home/museum and that he should avoid that space. They traveled down to see the Brobdingnagian, using a timely underwater breathing spell to make it there. They are able to easily convince the dragon to help in their assault on Safa’s castle. While weighing the risk of having the dragon exposed, the help they thought would be more useful in stopping the Hunger.

Petal had the genius idea to try an bottle up some of the dragon’s fierce breath weapon into a bag of holding. The dragon used its weakening breath into the bag. It seems like it will hold one charge of the dragon’s breath. Normally the dragon exhales gas in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 24 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on Strength-based attack rolls, Strength checks, and Strength saving throws for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The gang will work to teleport the dragon to the demiplane or to Safa’s castle.

Meanwhile in Mechanus, Isemo and Burzu landed gruffly with Isemo getting caught in a cog and hurting his leg. Throughout Mechanus exists a series of interlocking cogs that float in space, intersecting at all angles and directions. Many of the cogs are gigantic, stretching many miles across and turn so slowly that the rotation is undetectable. However as they looked around, they noticed many cogs floating randomly or spinning too fast. This disorder is not normal for this plane.

Isemo spotted some monodrones working on a broken cog and they approached them. Sadly neither Isemo nor Burzu spoke modron. After some miscommunication, the modrons seemed to want to take the pair somewhere. Finally they gave in and were taken towards downtown and into a warehouse. At the warehouse they were lifted up on hooks and this freaked them out. However Burzu decided it was okay and let it happen. The modrons did a simple procedure that allowed them to speak and understand modron.

The modrons tried to assign the pair to work but Isemo was able to convince them that they were on a special mission to build the rotor. They started looking for the place where it could be built when a parade of modrons passed by with the leader in the middle. Burzu decided to jump in front of the leader and the guard drones prepared to attack. Isemo slowly worked through the crowd trying to gather the appropriate paperwork for such an occasion. Burzu slowly convinced the leader with Isemo’s help that this disorder required a system override to allow their presentation. They were taken to the leader’s building and discussed the problem. They received help from the leader but learned that the duplication factory was spinning out of control away from them and were unable to retrieve it in the timeline suggested. Isemo had an idea of plane shifting to that factory that will be discussed when they return.

Isemo and Burzu finally got a long rest and were provided with a list of magickal items they could receive to help their quest.

Next time when the gangs come back together there are many questions to be answered. Do they pursue Safa and the demi plane for the original rotor or do they go after the floating cog duplication factory for a replacement rotor? Which allies will continue to show up for them and who can they trust? Will they get what they need in time?

### Recap

A group of adventurers were called together by Old Hushwing the one legged dwarf to help out an old friend. They found portals opened in the basement and learned about how the dreams and the planets were connected somehow.

The gang then found the Cult of Dreams working to get the Worldender and bring the Hunger back. They were working with the Q or the Quori who are worm like parasites that take over a host. They fought them in the mountains in giants, found them in the Citadel of Ice and Steel taking over, and most recently found them taking over the Fold of Seven. They learned that the Hunger can come back if the Worldender brings it back, the hags die, or the ancient dragon dies (Brobdingnagian).

The gang is working to get all the pieces of the Worldender to stop and seal the Hunger once and for all. They have all the pieces but one, the Rotor of Return. They have two solutions to this problem that they have been working on. First is to get it from Safa Azer. With a well timed scry spell they found out that he was keeping it in a pocket dimension on a chain around his neck. They could work to steal this from him and have been seeking allies for a potential fight. One thought was to plane shift directly to the pocket dimension though you know he was preparing security in that dimension.

The second option is to recreate the piece on the plane of Mechanus. Burzu and Isemo discovered that the factory was spinning off away from Mechanus but could theoretically be made to work again. Isemo could plane shift you there. The gang would have to find the factory, find the blueprints, and get the factory running again to make the Rotor of Return.

One time restraint that you know of is that the Cult of Dreams is using the Cult of the Sky Kraken to do something on the Spring Equinox - four days from now.

### Session 55

As the gang prepared to come back together, Burzu negotiated a boat load of magickal items from Mechanus. Isemo and Burzu plane shifted back to Gandrahimm and found themselves in the third ring. It seemed that guard patrols had increased rather dramatically. Thanks to some strong stealth checks they remained unseen and found their way back to the orphanage. After a moment of panic of forgetting the code word, they remembered that it was “Cauliflower” and gained access to the magnificent mansion.

Burzu found several kids inside talking about a good death and attacking his shins. Luckily, Burzu did not give it to them and spent some time teaching them about the meaning of a good death. They then shared the loot that Burzu brought back from Mechanus. Eventually Burzu and Isemo gave them a full recap of what they found in Mechanus and the others told them about what had happened in Gandrahimm.

The gang then spent considerable time discussing their plans for the next few days. They looked at their options, discussed which allies could help, and used a number of sending spells to learn more. Mama received a message from the Great Caliph who would send three teleportation folx that evening to assist. They then sent to Bran who promised to send a battalion to Gandrahimm. They sent to Safa “The multiverse is ending. We need your piece. You’ve seen the signs. We’ll return it. Comply or die. Settle differences when worlds saved.” Safa replied like a dickhole saying “Which piece?” Isemo sends another “The rotor of return. The worlds are godsdamned ending. Don’t be a dick.” Safa just laughed at him.

They then sent to Mudman “This is Petal. I gave you mimic. You can reply to this message. What are you? Would you like to claim a new underground home with violence and combat?” The Mudman said “I am Mudman. Me and mimey want new home. We fight for new home.”

Another to Mudman saying “Very dangerous. Possibility of death. Can you fight magick men? Help us know how strong you are.” Mudman replied “Will my friends be with me? Fight with me? I very strong. I eat T-Rex for dinner.”

From there the gang made a plan to visit Mudman that evening to discuss his strength and willingness to fight. The next day they would teleport to Mechanus to see about the item and what was needed. The next day the plan was to plane shift back to Gandrahimm and either assault Safa if needed for the piece or prepare to seal away the Hunger.

That evening three people arrived from the Great Caliph, Mist and Swish, 2 water genasi, and Garph a lizardfolk all wearing blue and silver robes. Jed and Burzu questioned them but decided that they seemed legitimate.

The gang then teleported to visit Mudman and landed in light rain and mud only to be charged by 68 Tyrannosaurus Rexes! Mudman spotted them and gave them a spot to hide. They discovered that Mudman had turned his cave into an incredible home (dungeon?). They also noticed that Mudman had donned some T-Rex armor. Mimey the mimic ran up to them and bit Petal’s arm. Mimey seemed to have grown larger. Petal and Burzu both tested Mudman’s strength determining that he was stronger than they thought. They let him know the plan and invited him along.

They then teleported home back to Gandrahimm and recast the magnificent mansion. Petal thought of one more sending to send to Safa saying 8====D~(^^)/ <Safa. Safa took a moment and responded threateningly.

The night ended when Mama received a sending from Qima, the tabaxi wizard they had met before. She said she had escaped from the Fold when they were taken over and wanted to know if she could help the gang take them down. Mama asked how to respond and the gang told Qima to wait a few days and to spy on the Fold in the meantime.

Tomorrow the gang begins the final push to stop and seal the Hunger forever. How will it go? Let’s find out!

## The Final Piece

### Session 56

First thing in the morning, the gang gathered their items, said their goodbyes, and plane shifted to Mechanus. Isemo used his arcane power to get them as close to the factory as he could, landing them in a mechanical forest. As Isemo searched from the treetops and spotted the factory cogs, Xavfin began to hear a strange buzzing sound. As the gang made their way to the factory cogs, a swarm of metal wasps descended on them. Perhaps their first sign that things were not so orderly here.

As they traversed the factory cogs, a few fell and injured themselves between cogs. Xavfin then polymorphed into a giant eagle to ferry the group down to the largest cog which seemed to have the most factory activity.

After walking for a short while, the gang decided to look into one of the warehouses to see if they could get any assistance. They noticed the factory was working to create metal wasps but that no sentient being seemed to be running it. Petal was frustrated by the wasps and decided to muck up the gears and stop the machinery. As she did that a large trash collector machine appeared and said “Mal - mal - malfunctioning.” And attacked.

A paralyzing breath knocked the party out for a round as it wailed on Jedry. The gang eventually recovered and continued to beat down on the machine until they destroyed it. But not before it had whistled for support in the form of a large mechanical dragon. After some back and forth, the gang prevailed and succeeded in gathering the mechanical core of the dragon before moving on.

The gang arrived at the largest factory warehouse and noticed that it had been struck by some large object that broke some of the interior machinery. After hearing a trapped drone in one of the offices, they decided to teleport back to the main city of Mechanus to learn more information.

After waiting for their request to go up the proper channels, it got escalated to a P5, pentadrone, who was able to provide some support. It shared the locations of the factory that could build the piece and the location of the formula. It was also able to supply four drones to provide assistance in their work, two worker drones to fix the factory, one communications drone to speak Common, and one managerial drone to help smooth things over.

The gang then teleported back and is preparing to search the vault for the formula. Only three days until the Equinox. Will the gang be able to do all it needs in time?

### Session 57

The gang went up to the Vault and opened the stone doors. The large circular interior had several pathways to a center console where modrons could connect, with the pathways over working machinery that looked dangerous to fall into.

Across the way the Lord of the Vault, a slender silver warforged, introduced himself and asked you your business. Upon stating your business, the manager modron approached with the code. However the code was not recognized due to the recent loss of communications. The Lord of the Vault insisted that the code was not valid so Isemo decided to cast a spell to try and charm him into recognition. The spell failed and the Lord of the Vault’s chest and arms opened up as an overwhelming number of blades came out of its body and the fight began.

After a few brutal hits, Xavfin cleverly trapped the warforged in a Wall of Force. Every spell it cast was counterspelled by Xavfin and Isemo much to its dismay. The gang sent the two modrons up to the console to find the formula. They quickly found it but finally the Lord of the Vault got a spell out blocking the exit and trapping Xavfin outside with another Wall of Force.

This led first to anger but then attempted reason. The Lord of the Vault let you know that only an override code from the Primedon would suffice to get him to stand down. Isemo used several sending spells to confirm this and use the code to get what they needed. The Lord of the Vault stood down, the Wall of Forces were released, and the gang headed out, a little spell spent but formula in hand.

The plan is to go to the factory to recreate the Rotor of Return. With all that has gone wrong so far, will they be successful, only next time will we know for sure!

### Session 58

After collecting the formula for the rotor the gang headed back to the factory. As they read over the formula, they realized they needed three mechanical cores from constructs. They had one but needed two more. They remembered that they killed the Collector earlier and went to search it out. Upon retrieving it, they were confronted by a giant Iron Wasp. They faced a lot of poison damage but eventually succeeded.

They received a message from Mama Mindweave, “A child was abducted by Q. Gave up our position. We evacuated the orphans. Teleported the orrery to where you found my daughters. Meet there.”Isemo confirmed that they would meet them there once they were finished.

At the factory, the gang prepared to create the item, all lining up in different places to do their part. On the first attempt they failed but did not ruin the items needed for the piece. On the second attempt, they prepped themselves and succeeded with an incredible margin.

The next day, the gang plane shifted back to the Hag’s original home with incredible accuracy. Jed and Isemo began to study and work on the orrery. When the hags and Mama arrived, they helped with the Worldender. It was learned that it had been called many things over time, the Worldender, Worldsender, and Worldmender. It was learned that the Worldender had three charges. It has three spells that it can cast: Prison Plane, Restore Plane, and Destroy Plane. The plan that Mama proposed was for her and her daughters to cast the spells while the gang protects them. Once they start, the planes will be closer and the Hunger will last out. It is unknown what strength or allies it will be able to use. It will take time to cast the spells and difficult arcana checks so they will need help. They will recast the Prison Plane to hold the Hunger and then cast Destroy Plane to finally kill it. This failed last time as they were beset by opponents and only were able to seal it away.

The gang had Mama send out to the Great Caliph for some teleporters to gather Bran and his allies as well as the Mudman. Eventually they arrived and helped Petal and Burzu build some redoubts to provide cover and protection. Petal started hearing a voice in her head. Flynn VonDormondor, one of Petal’s distant cousins with a British accent, was in her ring of mind shielding. It is unclear if he will be of any support at all.

Then the group working on the orrery finished and it started spinning slowly around lighting up in various areas. The space around them began to feel thin as the distance between worlds grew closer. Jed began to see the stars in the sky moving towards him and connecting with his shell as they moved freely around his back. Isemo began to see the weave coming out from him as a thread and connecting him to his friends and all magick. Burzu saw a giant toothy maw smiling in the void as it was ready to welcome Burzu to a good death. Xavfin felt the melodic tunes of music sweep over him from the celestial realms. Petal saw Sigurd and Zed cheering her on wearing a symbol of petals on their armor.

As Mama slowed the orrery to a standstill in preparation for the morning, the gang looked around at their friends, old and new, feeling their warmth and connection as they faced their last night until the end. Next time, the gang faces the Hunger and its legions in what may be their last battle.

### Session 59

The gang spent their final hours before rest, sharing magickal items and discussing how they would manage the large group of allies for whatever assault appeared. As they drifted to sleep, they felt the malevolent tendrils of the Hunger seeping into their dreams and causing nightmares about their deepest insecurities, leaving some with some psychic damage in the morning.

Jedry prepared a feast to give temporary hitpoints and the gang assembled themselves around the Worldender. As Mama and her daughters initiated the ancient artifact, the Worldender, the air crackled with arcane energy. The colossal orrery stood before them, adorned with its shimmering gems and celestial symbols. The Hags and Mama stoodat the center, hands glowing with power as they worked to activate the ancient device.

But the serenity of the moment was shattered as the very fabric of reality begins to warp and twist. From the depths of the void the gang saw portals open around the room, and they caught a glimpse of the grotesque and formless entity, The Hunger, ready to devour all of existence. You felt the overwhelming malevolence as the Hunger's tentacles writhe against the protective barriers surrounding the Worldender.

At the center of the space, the coven of hags weaves a complex incantation, their voices resonating with primal magic as they strived to activate the Worldender. But their focus is disturbed as the first wave of Quori, lobster-like aberrations, emerges from the unsealed gate, their red eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

As the final moments of the first spell passed, the gang felt a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. You’ve managed to withstand the Hunger's onslaught, allowing the Hags to complete the Prison Plane spell. But there is no time to rest as the space trembles, reality tears apart once again, revealing a haunting landscape of ethereal chains and swirling energies.

The players find the barrier between realms thins again to be almost imperceptible, you see clearly the nightmarish realm of the Prison Plane, where the Hunger is bound but still desperately striving for freedom. The sky above is an ominous sea of black and purple, dotted with distant dots of light, and the very ground beneath their feet is unstable and ever-shifting.

The Hunger, now visible in its true, colossal form, lashes out with its tentacles, seeking to pull anything and everything into the chaotic void. The Quori are more formidable than ever, their malevolent minds sharpened by the Hunger's desperation.

The Hags stand firm at the center, resolute in their task to cast the Destroy Plane spell. They channel their magic through the Worldender, which hums and glows with ethereal energy. But the players must protect the Hags at all costs. They are the last line of defense against the Hunger's final bid for freedom.

### Session 60

The Hags stood firm at the center, resolute in their task to cast the Destroy Plane spell. They are channeling their magic through the Worldender, which hums and glows with ethereal energy. But the players must protect the Hags at all costs. They are the last line of defense against the Hunger's final bid for freedom. Two large Q appear next to the Hunger. Let the fight begin again!

The chaos of tentacles and blasts overwhelm the battlefield. The dwarves fight against them using their strength. Friends and allies are blinded and swing madly. Burzu and one of the hags get grabbed and bitten. The people in the Hunger’s maw get swallowed as acid rains down on them. They continue to struggle as healing spells are attempted to hold back the death. Petal gets bitten.

But as the gang’s demise was looking imminent, Isemo cast Reverse Gravity and launched the Hunger up into the air out of reach of the Worldender. It gave the briefest of moments to allow the Hags to cast the Destroy Plane spell.

A blinding surge of brilliant light erupts from the Worldender, spreading like a shockwave throughout the Prison Plane and beyond. Colors unseen by mortal eyes dance and collide in a magnificent display of cosmic energies. The players shield their faces from the blinding radiance, feeling the raw power coursing through their bodies.

The Hags yell that they can’t hold it much longer. Petal pulls herself out of the mouth as Xavfin teleports to grab her. Isemo drops the Hunger as it takes damage and the Hags cast their spell, choosing to leave Burzu behind to give him the good death he yearned for.

Within the Prison Plane, the ethereal chains that bind the Hunger start to fracture and shatter. The Hunger's colossal form convulses and writhes in agony, its malevolent essence wailing in despair. Its attempts to fight back against the annihilation are futile, and its once formidable presence is consumed by the all-encompassing light.

The players are sucked back into the material world, where the ground quakes as the Prison Plane begins to collapse upon itself. Reality itself seems to twist and fold, and the players feel as though they are suspended between planes. The Hags drop exhausted to the ground as they lose concentration on holding the Hunger’s chains.

The players hold their ground, feeling the immense strain of being so close to such raw, unrestrained magical power. They cling to their resolve, knowing that their sacrifice and bravery have brought them to this moment. As the blinding light subsides, the players are left in an eerie silence, a void where the Hunger once stood.

The Hunger's presence is gone, replaced by an overwhelming sense of emptiness and finality. It is as though an immense weight has been lifted from the universe, and the players feel a mixture of relief and awe at the magnitude of what they've achieved.

The Worldender, having completed its task, stands still and silent, its work done. The players, surrounded by the ruins of the Prison Plane, look at one another, knowing that they have accomplished what many thought impossible. They have saved not only their world but countless others from the insatiable Hunger's grasp.

As the dust settles and the echoes of the Hunger's destruction fade, a new sense of hope and peace washes over the players. They have emerged victorious from an epic battle, forever changing the course of their world's history. The players' fallen friends are honored, their sacrifices forever remembered as the saviors of the universe.

And so, with the Hunger now vanquished, the players continue on their paths, knowing that they hold the power to shape the destiny of their world and the countless realms beyond. The universe stands grateful, forever in their debt, as they carry the memories of an epic battle against an otherworldly force that sought to consume all life.

## Epilogue

Burzu’s final smile is etched into his friend’s memory as he struck with his last paladin smite before he was swallowed and killed. He wakes up to find himself in a massive battle, surrounded by friends and people from his order. He is given a sword and shield and told, “Welcome to the fight.”

Xavfin returned to Gandrahimm and spent weeks composing the epic balad of their deeds. He makes sure to immortalize his friends but especially the sacrifice of Burzu (subsequently leading to an uptick in people joining the Order of the Terrible Lizard). Xavfin goes on to monetize his song and talents, using the money to set up his orphanage for better days ahead.

Petal spent some time searching the planes to see if there is anything left of her home plane. Upon realizing that it was completely destroyed, she works with the Hags to cast the final spell on the Orrery, Restore Plane. Petal goes to let Levistus know of her success and seek a boon but Levistus is stingy as usual. She slap fights the goliath and speaks with Mama before using Uncle Traxigor the otter to send her home for more adventures, leaving her distant cousin Flynn VonDormondor behind.

Isemo learned his greatest lesson that he did not need to be the best wizard, but simply do his best. The success of his reverse gravity spell in vanquishing the Hunger made him proud and he continued to use this gravity magick to help him wizard around the world. He researched into the Terrible Lizard before returning home and rebuilding his home and family business. He then spent time chronicling the stories of his friends for future generations just in case.

And Jedry is tired. He returns to his museum and fixes it up with Sheldon at his side. Jed prepares a new exhibit highlighting the Orrery known as the Worldender. He hangs up his amulet of the devout and creates a memorial for Burzu and returns to a normal quiet life albeit with a pretty good story than previously.