28: The Infernal Jailer

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## Summary

### Far from Home

After their encounter with the giant scorpions, the party forges ahead under the blazing midday sun. But when they stop again to rest, the young Prince Mahi suddenly slumps over and passes out. Cat investigates and immediately recognizes it as some kind of ark-related impairment, and the group discusses what to do. After much speculation—including whether it’s the same illness that affecting Pino’s mother, or if it’s simply because a child of the sea doesn’t belong in the desert—Luca uses Bartak’s necklace to reach out to his patron God. In response, he is struck with a cryptic message: “the young prince is far from home, and he is not as he was.”

Some suggestions are thrown around. Cat wonders if the chestnut Luca took from the Mother Tree might be of use, Luca offers that the Moonsilver Glaive may hep him, Tira wonders whether an ark-channeling friendship circle may do the trick. Rather less helpfully, Mujie proposes they draw open eyes on him and call it a day. But as they discuss what to do, Damhir warns them of the pack of death dogs in the distance, who have apparently followed them sensing Mahi’s weakness. Damhir, who thus far hasn’t been paying attention to the party out of misplaced courtesy, cautions the group against making any interventions without knowing the extent of Mahi’s issues, and urges them to get a move on before the dogs feel any bolder. Cleverly, Mujie casts Pass Without Trace on the party, and they set off for the southeast again, losing the dogs in the process.

### Sandstorm

Later, Damhir spots a sandstorm on the horizon to the north. With little time to spare, the party hurries to find some shelter, and spots some kind of structure near a rock formation. A wooden hatch leads to a dark, descending staircase. Fresh out of better options, the party decides to hole up in whatever the ruins are, hoping there aren’t any other inhabitants.

Inside, safe from the storm raging above, the group finds themselves in some kind of dungeon. Prison cells and shackles line the walls, and they even find the remains of some prisoners from a forgotten past. Ginger waits with Mahi near the staircase as the rest of the gang presses on, and minor illusions himself a "bear" to stay occupied. With torches lighting the way, the party finds a deeper chamber to be full of tombs—war criminals, Damhir informs them based on the inscriptions.

As they approach the final chamber, they meet a foe unlike any they’ve seen before. Awaiting them is the prison’s warden, a remnant of a bygone era: a chain devil, who may take the form of a hated foe or a lost loved one to strike fear into the hearts of any who oppose it. Though Bran, Damhir, Pim, and Mujie are rendered frightened by its infernal magic (and likely vow not to speak of it), Tira, Cat, and Luca manage to best the demon and the chains it summoned, and Tira investigates the deep, dark pit in the middle of the room. At the bottom, she finds 34 square gold coins called taau, and the party gets a rather confusing lesson in Balaayt exchange rates.

## Quotes

### *STOP, YOU'RE HURTING HIS FEELINGS:*

> "I know what a bear looks like, that's not a bear."
>
>

*—Damhir*