Expedition 17 - The Blade and the Red Moon

**Goal:** Confront the Flower Queen and discover her true identity.

**Expedition party:**

* Thaddeus Tinfoyle (Chronicler)
* U’trizthur Baalthemyr
* Aburaguzgul
* Dwyghte Lifebringer
* Birgitte “Bixit” Rumblestride

**Results:**

After researching old myths decided to investigate clues pointing to Flower Queen being bardic goddess Vallaka. U’trizthur having nightmares pointing her towards Vale as well. Brought along new crewmember Bixit for experience.

Upon arriving discovered valley mostly torn asunder, parts floating in void. Everything red, color of Queen’s anger. Only main plaza left, singing flower + palace and large claw structure where previously fountain. Red river of anger flowing. Hitched ride with orbiting tree to main platform.

GuzGuz charmed by music of singing flower, talking to unseen creatures. Bixit played harp to break spell, triggering attack from guardians: floating angry heads. Dispatched of them without much difficulty, though spent some time polymorphed into rats.

Seated inside claw, found queen’s new aspect: different, red, feral. Speaks of previous queen as naive and weak (manifestation of joy, not anger). This one named Náire, previous queen named Grá.

Asked about Vallaka, Ramish and King Thyn Hrakk. Knew them in the past but calls all fools. Dwarf king drank from red river of anger and decided himself to challenge Old Ones. Náire seems to relish in havoc he wrought, says his belief Vallaka + Ramish created dwarfs is nonsense.

Náire wants us to drink from river of anger, join her furious crusade against who betrayed her. Upon promising to help, she revealed true identity: Suleberize, living Blade of Sublatti the Goddess of Justice, forged to destroy Yakkavad the Betrayer. Appears to have been tricked by Yakkavad into falling in love with him, letting him escape.

At this point U’trizthur revealed hidden rock taken from red crater, source of deep speech voice and nightmares. Loud evil voice announcing itself as Krktmnnyr the Plagued, Slave Lord of the Void, Hunter of the Exiled, Youngest of the Bored Gods. Rock somehow its avatar? Asking us to help it kill Náire, and bid Triz feed it red water from river of rage. Black tentacles growing from rock, red bark on U’trizthur glowing.

Refused offer from Krktmnnyr, joined Náire in fight against tentacled rock and Triz. When close to defeat, Triz and Krktmnnyr flew off promising to kill our bodies outside valley unless we destroy Náire. Had to think fast. Made Náire reveal previous Flower Queen Grá imprisoned underneath claw. Grá filled with sorrow, despondent. Fed her red rage water, causing both queens to combine as Suleberize, large purple blade. Flew on it in pursuit across void and killed Krktmnnyr’s avatar right before reaching entrance. Triz lost glowing red bark before fainting.

Dwyghte convinced party to let Triz live. Bound her. Suleberize now in possession of Dwyghte as sentient weapon, full powers yet to be revealed. Party possibly bound by oath to find and destroy Yakkavad. All remains of Vale of Blossoms, including unexplored palace, now collapsed and destroyed as Flower Queen's dream over.

Red moon of Krktmnnyr clearly visible in sky upon journey home.