Delve Into the Shadowlands 2: The Canyon

Previous Episode: Delve Into the Shadowlands: The Descent

Next Episode: Delve Into the Shadowlands 3: Escape

## Synopsis:

It’s been over half a year since the mercenary Tarmak fell through a thinning to the Shadowlands. For months, mercenaries entering the Mouth of Chaos have uncovered odd objects, potential clues to his whereabouts, and a recent divination has granted insight to a method of retrieval. The mission may be suicide: find a means to enter the Shadowlands, somehow locate Tarmak from amidst the raw depths of the plane of chaos, escape through the Astral Plane and siphon life from magic to eject them from the throes of death. But it can be done, and there are those who would risk it all to bring back their lost comrade...

## Client:

Nwalme, adopted son of Xekral Shadhavar, has asked a group of trusted friends to accompany him.

## Mercenaries:

* Darius, Harengon Bard
* Erthish, Silver Dragonborn Zealot Barbarian
* Gnarlap, Silver Dragonborn GOO Warlock
* Ima, Half-Drow Celestial Warlock
* Nwalme, Shadar-Kai Phantom Rogue
* Nyx, Tiefling (Half-Orc thread) Echo Knight

## Adventure Summary:

The party engaged the strange creature that had grabbed Ima, slaying it and heading into the city proper as more started to filter out of alleys around them. The name of the city, they discovered, was Te'Zin. There, they found a tavern run by a half-orc, who soon revealed themselves to be a vampire. When asked about Tarmak, he told the party that a masked man named Emirikel was also searching for Tarmak, hoping to settle a debt, though he wasn't sure who owed who. He claimed Emirikel was headed to Shai-Toh, last he heard, and that to reach the further settlements, we'd have to either brave th Howling Gales, massive storms that covered large portions of land, or cross through a Spell Door, which could have a very different cost depending on which demon was in charge at the time.

Darius played a tune for the bar, and the half-orc gave the party a free room for the night. The group then asked around the bar, looking for more information on Emirikel, Tarmak, and other interesting events in the Shadowlands. The party learned that Tarmak had only been mentioned in relation to Emirikel, and that Emirikel seemed to have some measure of control over the Shadowlands. Emirikel has a stronghold somewhere within the Howling Sea, a portion of the Howling Gales to the east. Additionally, rumor stated that he could part the storms by raising his arms, and that he had a dragon that flew along with him.

The party also learned about the Leukocci, the monstrous denizens of the the Shadowlands. They are divided into three types. The Lymphus are tall, woody looking creatures with no faces, the Phage are big, dumb monsters that eat everything, and the Neutrophs are wolf-like, with arms by their heads and excellent teamwork as a pack. Additionally, the party learned that wraiths dot the canyons that split the land, which we would need to cross.

The next morning, the party left the city, heading to the city of La'Rau, the first major city between them and Shai-Toh. They eventually reached a canyon that split the land, which they would have to descend into to continue on. Erthish tied off a rope, Ima cast light on Gnarlap's belt, and Gnarlap began to climb down into the darkness. Upon reaching the bottom, Gnarlap discovered the stone around him looked like dried blood. As the rope went slack, Nwalme began climbing down next.

With Gnarlap and Nwalme on the floor of the canyon, Darius began to descend. As he was climbing down, two wraiths descended onto Gnarlap and Nwalme. They were able to fight them off, but were significantly injured in the process. After the combat ended, the rest of the party made their way to the bottom, and they set off across the canyon.

Upon reaching the other side, Nwalme directed the party further down the canyon, hearing creatures he called Face Huggers covering the wall. As they continued on, the party eventually made contact with some hunched over green creatures, later identified as Grems. After Darius reached out to communicate with them telepathically, a tall, emaciated green elf-like being approached, introducing himself as Sorfax, and offering us assistance, if we could help them escape the Shadowlands.

The party reluctantly followed Sorfax back to his home, called the Baenisment, but noticed that all of the Grems, and most horrifyingly, Darius, were moving in perfect sync. Upon reaching the Baenisment, the party attempted to treat with Sorfax, who wanted a lift back to the material plane. The party was suspicious, however, and after a feww too many pointed questions, something attempted to dominate Erthish. They failed, but it was revealed that the real Sorfax was a strange, fish-like creature buried in the mud, who rose up to confront the party.

## Outcome:

The party is in the lair of Sorfax, an otherworldly creature with an army of Grems, who wanted to escape to the material plane.

## Adventure Rewards:

Everyone is still alive. Darius was freed from domination.