Session 10

Setting: Whispering Woods

PCs: Durzo, Lo’Kag, Mykiela, Rhaine

NPCs: Lizzy, Willyam

As the party enters the Whispering Woods, Lizzy Quickfoot drops a bombshell. She's actually a senior member of the Order of Valor from Errista. She shows the group her signet ring for proof, and Mykiela recognizes it right away. She was sent to Gale 5 years ago to infiltrate the camp of Lord Alcar, the ruler back then. When Spiwynn took over, she stayed on and became her confidant. It was only recently that she received orders to make herself known to the Order in the Forsaken Expanse. Lizzy confirms that Empress Spiwynn whispered in Sofia’s ear about expanding the Amber Blossom Syndicate here so she could slowly incorporate the Expanse as part of Gale. In exchange, she would arrange for the leader to die, so Sofia could lead the whole syndicate. She has no idea who the assassins in black are.

Willyam talks to Mykiela about unleashing her talents. He tells everyone to stand back, and tells Mykiela to quiet her mind and let the burning urge take over; to focus on the light, and let it consume her. She casts Radiant Consumption for the first time in a conscious state. Light consumes her body, spilling out of her eyes and mouth, causing damage to herself and those standing next to her.

While scouting, Willyam comes back to the group and warns them that creatures are tracking them. Soon, they're attacked by 4 Owlbears, and are able to defeat them. They are also assaulted by the voices in their heads. Rhaine and Lo'Kag are struck with fear, and try to head back to town. Durzo and Mykiela are able to calm them down. Since the sun is going down, Willyam leads them to a clearing to set up camp. He tells them not to light any fires, and goes on scouting duty. He confirms that the Amber Syndicate camp is close by. They take watch in pairs for the night.

In the morning, they continue their trek, and eventually reach the spot where the Archway was found by Commander Warren. It's not there, but Rhaine spots it a mile or so northeast. They find the Archway, and Willyam uses pigments give to him by Lorali to paint on his mask. The High Druid communicates with him, and can see what he sees. Between her experience, and Lizzy's, they determine what most of the symbols mean. The sign at the top says, "Vault of Oblivion" in Draconic.

The team argues over what to do, as Lizzy walks through the Archway, followed by Willyam, and then the team. On the other side, they are teleported to another plane with a large building in front of them. Lizzy and Willyam notice many traps built into the stone walkway ahead of them. Lizzy cuts a bag of colored sand, ties it to her waist, and walks the path. She instructs the rest to follow the sand path, and not to step on any other stones. They make it safely to the entrance to the Vault of Oblivion, and walk through the doorway.