Session 17: Ruin of an Ancient Kind Report

Party loots the caves of treasure. Calista gets new armor and gems, others take money. They depart the place afterward and eventually encounter Azidael in the atrium. They speak with him, then move as a group down the hallway with the sarcophagi. Perhaps there would hold useful information and answers? Orin remains outside. Inside the great and rough chamber of graves was Kenneth speaking with Sinestra. The latter leaves with a smirk as the party enters, and they speak with Kenneth. He explains many things to them- the origins of Sinestra and the aspect spirits, the use of the prophets, and varying states of repair and disrepair of certain sarcophagus, etc. 

Party returns for a more thorough looting when Sinestra indicated she will destroy the cavern mouth and seal the place, Kenneth included. Ballisar gathers some 150 dolns and 50 kruns.

Once they were prepared, the party mounted themselves and began marching westward toward the ancestor grove of Dorith. The weather, however, appears intransigent toward them. Snow falls in great billows and the wind tears through the bone-pale boughs of the Vestidian forest. Conditions only grew more bitter and dour as the trip continued, until the snow rose past their knees. Something foul might have been afoot, and Ballisar felt the air for unnatural energy. He found it to be tainted with a faint yet unmistakable aura of Eshara. The signs are ill, but nobody is quite sure what to make of them.

Party arrives at grove. Ballisar and Azidael approach foremost, leaving Calista and Orin with Sinestra. They enter the place, and see Vythmer appears quite upset by something. The ancestors are fearful and angry, he laments, and the reason why is certain. The presence in the east which burdened their spirits remained existent and powerful. He sees Ballisar and Azidael with their saddle bags full of coins and accuses them of cooperating with the beast. They half-heartedly deny it at first, then relent but argue that the beast will be gone and thus the problem solved. Back and forth they argue, and amidst this wait Sinestra begins to make her way toward the grove through the heavy snow. Orin managed to talk her out of it and gather an explanation, and she replies by articulating her attempt to test the ancestors’ perception of her presence. It seemed by the weather that they were fully aware.

Vythmer tells Azidael that the Ancestors have cast their judgement and cannot be swayed one direction or another. Ballisar is downcast, but Azidael is devastated. Emotions of putrid anger and bottomless despair well up from within- the final option was lost! In time, Vythmer was brought to sympathy, and was sorrowful to see Azidael appear so helpless. While the ancestors might decline their help, Vythmer attempted to do what he might in the world of mortals. He told Azidael that if he ever came into contact with Koningar Sagar Aurick of Vestidia, mention his name if they needed assistance. The Vestidian king owed quite a debt to the man, and there was some repayment in store. After that, the party departed from the grove in heavy spirit and snow.

Party arrives in Dorithin and passes by the imposing three layers of defense. They search the venerable city and discover a three-storied tavern in which to remain for the night. Ballisar and Orin make merry with the locals, doing what they could to life spirits in that dour time. Azidael went up to his room on the third story, taking a bottle of Nevanese drink with him. Calista spoke with Sinestra regarding her intentions, but was met with vague and cryptic responses. She then goes to speak with a sooth Azidael, talking honestly with him and speaking about her own troubled past. The conversation horvers ominously close to the drastic actions of despair, then she departs. Azidael tells Calista “You know if I’ve thought about it if you see me tomorrow.”