Session 34

Setting: Underdark

The Order of Valor witness Durzo smash a diamond into Steam's chest and collapse. Azoth is visibly distraught, and more so when Durzo comes to and is holding a scythe with a purple glowing blade. Steam then awakens and unleashes a blast of Wild Magic in the form of tendrils of fire that singes Edge's fur. The team decides to rest there. Azoth starts to remember where he's at and how to get to his home city of Eryndlyn. He also points out another hidden crevice that he says leads to the Mind Flayer stronghold, and the Drow city of Tethymar beyond that.

During their rest, Edge takes some time to commune with the Frost Brand. Daghrim Stormbrewer also sends a message to Steam. He tells him that Vaklan Cerdash surrendered peacefully to the world leaders, though King Bharrus was pissed that he wasn't informed ahead of time. Once he surrendered, the entire force of Mages and Protectors from the Tower Eternal abandoned the battlefield. Also, Durzo has another vision of Sohzu the Vengeful. During the vision, he sees Altuna in her lab at Spiwynn University in Gale. She tells him that his blood sample suggests the poison in his veins originates from Eryndlyn.

The group decide on a plan for Eryndlyn. They travel the last hour until they reach the gates of the city. When they approach, two guards stop them. Durzo pretends to be with an entourage (Edge and Rhaine dressed in Piwafwis and Steam posing as a bodyguard) on a visit to House Abarr, the 5th house of the City. They make their way through the market place with no issue, turn to down a road towards House Abarr, and attempt to walk by it. The guard captain receives a note from a runner, and stops them on the road. He agrees to show them the view on a nearby hill before escorting them to the house. On the hill, Edge uses her Eyes of Charming to convince the Guard Captain that he should go back and not enter any names on the guest list.

They continue on to another crossroads. Azoth points out a massive mansion which House Donrae, the first house of Eryndlyn. He points to a tall tower that is De'ana Spire, the Mage tower where Acaelus resides. He also points out another compound south of them that is the third house of Eryndlyn - House Statera.

They are stopped on the road by guards from House Donrae. Rather than fight and cause a scene, they agree to be escorted to the Donrae mansion. An invisible Azoth flies away towards the De'ana Spire. Durzo is able to see Azoth entering a window in the spire, and continues to fly up a winding staircase. He is feeling along the walls; looking for a hidden doorway that he remembers from the last time he visited his father.

They are placed in a large cell, and witness a Drow Priestess whip a Duergar, and a Drow who she calls Mathias. Edge is able to notice that the guards use a spider-shaped key to open the cell doors.