The Endless Divide - Episode Thirteen

## Synopsis:

Luya Barie set out months ago on an expedition to cross the Endless Divide, also known as The Quiet Lands. She and her crew were seeking the eastern coast of A'lune. No one ever heard back from them until one day, a message was sent to the Court of Abishot through some sort of magic. 25 words came from Barie:

"We almost died on journey. Found massive city in quiet lands. Cannot get back. Too dangerous. Met their wizard. They need help. Safe currently. Luya."

Abishot hired the Whispering Cutlass to seek out this lost city of the Divide and its citizens. Over 100 individuals set out on the journey.

This is the thirteenth adventure in The Endless Divide Saga.

This leg of the journey features a search through the library, history of the rebellion, a trip to the "ocean", and a fight with a clockwork Kraken.

## Mercenaries:

* Bandin Volward Deepburrow - Deep Gnome Rogue (Sponsor: Iron Boar of House Stars)
* Brutus Logjam - Half-Orc Barbarian (Sponsor: Briney Rickington III of House Stefarni)
* Darksteel - Fallen Aasimar Warlock
* Xan - Air Genasi Paladin / Cleric (Sponsor: Xilon Harkus Starrati of House Stars)
* Gale Redcliff - Air Genasi Ranger (Sponsor: Estmd Orator Sensei RX-78-2 of House Shadhavar)
* Snarela Kegfury - Mountain Dwarf Artificer (Sponsor: Carnelian Trusk of House Stars)

## Adventure Summary:

**Day 76 (15% Caravan Supplies):** The mercenaries awakened from their long rest inside of the research facility's Restricted office. The group exited the facility and made their way to the library.

When the group entered the library, they found it empty. The group took a moment to discuss why Darksteel is in need of the ruby, which powered the guard in the facilities office. Darksteel informed the group of his dream from his Fey Patron, which showed items of power: a ruby, a feather, ash, and fire. Darksteel explained that his Patron wants him to find these items for them.

While investigating the empty library, Snarela found a false shelf on the third floor. Snarela climbed a rusted ladder, which collapsed. Gale reacted quickly and cast levitate on Snarela to prevent them from falling to their death. Snarela made their way to the shelf and opened it, triggering a gas trap. After the cloud cleared Snarela found a note written in code. Bandin was able to quickly decipher the note which said "Purple sand glass, treclaxon hide, coral reef - absorb".

The group searched for hours until Brutus felt a breeze on his legs from a false door. Bandin dispatched a trap using his thieves tools and unlocked the door, exposing a small room. Inside the room was a small dusty writing desk. On top of the desk were multiple delicate papers with faded ink, an inkwell and a book. Both the book and inkwell had an image of a dagger. Bandin found that the book was in a strange language and so he cast "comprehend languages," which did not decipher the book for him, leading the group to believe that it was in some other form of code or magic.

The notes on the desk made mention of "Rebellion," "Mages must be stopped," "purple worm," "monstrosity," "the ward." There was also a "Rebellion list" which had the names of Vitis (which was marked off), Scribes, Oculus, Firebrand, and Somar.

Things learned about the "rebels":

1) The Vitis were worried about the draining of the vitality of the terrain.

2) The Scribes were concerned about the governance/direction of the people of Perlin

3) The Firebranded were hot headed, and violence was their answer to everything. They don't like being controlled, even by each other.

4) The Oculus were concerned about the ward around the city. They possibly created, or were involved in the creation of the beacon for the worm.

5) The Somar were the common people who were trying to maintain the balance against the mages and between the other factions of the rebellion. They were the cushion between the more radical groups like the Firebranded and the Oculus.

The group spent a long time studying these notes and books and found the following information: There were five groups of the rebellion in the city going against the mages. They were trying to stop the monstrosity (clockwork dragon) because they were stuck inside the city (the ward). One group turned on the beacon, which attracted the purple worm. The purple worm's stomach acid destroys the metal on the monstrosity. The rebels were working on a way to transport/carry the stomach acid, and that plan consisted of 1) Purple sand glass located in a dungeon to the north, 2) Treclaxon hide in a cave to the south, and 3) Coral Reef in an ocean to the east.

The group decided to head back to Luya's hideout to inform her of their findings. The group spoke with Grey 12, who's memory was deteriorating fast. Bandin showed Grey 12 a photograph of a family he found, which Grey 12 recognized and called them by their Warforged names. The group told Luya they were heading to an ocean to the east of the city.

After traveling for six hours the group found a ship graveyard in the sand, and decided to sleep for the night.

**Day 77 (14% Caravan Supplies):** In the morning the group noticed the boat they were on begin to rock. One of the members of the party saw the sand moving and several other boats move. Out of nowhere, four large clockwork tentacles burst out of the sand and begin to attack the group. After destroying three of the tentacles, appearing from the sands came a giant clockwork Kraken. Snarela was able to spray acid at the gaping maw, which caused the fourth tentacle to falter. The Kraken then descended back into the sand as the group stood in shock at the terrible beast they had just encountered.

## Outcome:

The mercenaries completed their search of the facility and relocated to the library Grey 12 told them of. After finding a hidden note and hidden room, the mercenaries found several locations which held specific items that could be created to hold the stomach acid of the purple worm (which in turn can destroy the clockwork dragon). The group made their way to an "ocean" to the east of the town, which turned out to be dried up and contain a giant mechanical Kraken. The group destroyed four tentacles and the Kraken retreated. Now the group has to decide what to do next.

## Adventure Rewards:

* Several purple glass tubes.
* Bandin collected a book which has some sort of magical block preventing anyone from knowing the writing.
* Notes and books about the history of the rebels and the city.