Session 24: Sea Shells she's sure

General Summary

The party awoke to the smell of fresh seafood as Mirela, in a rare display of hospitality, prepared a buffet of shark sushi and sashimi. This meal, an unspoken apology for her abrasive behavior over the past few days, set a more relaxed tone as the crew prepared for the journey ahead.   An Ominous Fog   As they enjoyed their meal, a rolling fog thickened around the ship, limiting visibility and bringing an unsettling chill. Investigation revealed that the fog had arcane properties, attracted to cold but repelled by warmth. Occasionally, crackles of energy surged through it, sending magical shocks into the air. Corrin collected a sample of the strange substance for later study.   Through the mist, floating debris became visible—evidence of a wrecked ship. Upon closer inspection, the remains belonged to The Russell, the notorious privateer vessel that had been on Mirela’s tail. As they sailed deeper into the fog, they came upon a massive, scorched shell—a husk left behind from a battle between an enormous creature and a ship. The party concluded that The Russell had likely fought this beast.   With a large opening leading inside the shell, the party decided to investigate.   The Shell of the Unknown   Splitting into two groups, they entered the massive husk of what seemed to be a slain entity:   Kolme, Najzad, and Corrin entered from the center. Keyes and Mina found a separate entrance leading into an open chamber. Inside, remnants of organic life still clung to the shell’s interior, though barely alive. Following the pulsing of faint energy, they were led to a chamber at the heart of the shell, where a wriggling creature floated in an embryonic sack. Communicating telepathically, it pleaded for assistance, urging Kolme to carry it to another chamber.   There, the party found a grotesque collection of cyst-like sacs, embedded in the walls, their fleshy coverings resembling eyelids. Three had ruptured, but two remained intact, each housing an unknown being. The creature requested to be placed within the sac of a tall, lithe humanoid. As it wriggled into the ear of the figure, the sac burst open, revealing:   Aeryth Velshar – a Grafthir, a being from the Astral Sea.   Aeryth, peaceful and soft-spoken, explained that he had no memory of how he arrived in this world but was once a simple farmer tending kelp beds. His people rarely leave their plane, but those who do often worship the great sky gods.   His abilities quickly became apparent:   Reading the emotions of those around him. Communicating through feelings rather than words. Transferring illness or wounds between living beings and inanimate objects. Taking him aboard their ship, they left the shell behind.   The Truth About Lloyd   As they sailed, Aeryth mentioned that a wizard had visited his home before—a being known only as Lloyd. Mina, sensing something familiar, quickly messaged her brother and confirmed the truth:   Lloyd is not just any wizard. He is a demon.   What this means for the party, or why Lloyd was in the Astral Sea, remains unknown.   Aeryth’s Interest in Corrin   Despite his confusion in this strange world, Aeryth found himself intrigued by Corrin, particularly her striking eyes and deep emotional presence. The two shared a quiet moment as he studied her carefully, fascinated by what made her unique.   Meanwhile, Keyes and Najzad—who had been watching from the crow’s nest—exchanged knowing glances, amused by the unexpected interaction.   The Tussle with The Russell   A whistling sound cut through the moment—a volley of cannonballs ripped into the side of the ship.   Emerging from behind a nearby atoll, The Russell had come to tussle.   With battle upon them, the party braced themselves—ready to defend The Siren’s Embrace against a crew of ruthless pirates.