Azimuth 2 - Session 43 - On Rudok’s Trail
General Summary
New Keeleon
A Completed Job
In the morning of 21 Adroth 5A 352, Chaka talked with Romulus about the Blood Oyster Moss they gathered before setting out to the Mud Ward with Romsca. Since Aramish appeared distrustful, Romsca offered to provide a magical boon to help Chaka speak with the tiefling. Chaka met with Aramish while Romsca stepped away to the Blue Bricks Tavern. Chaka showed the piece of the moss Romulus gathered and told Aramish a full colony was available at the priory. Chaka knew it was a difficult plant to care for, and though Aramish was initially hesitant, Chaka offered Aramish to stay at the priory to tend the new colony. Aramish and Chaka then went to Gralphank's Ten-Foot Pole Emporium. Gralphank was pleased to see them. Once Aramish confirmed she would have what she needed, Gralphank provided Chaka with the promised jeweled horn in exchange for Work #84: A Basket Study. Back at the Rill Priory, Chaka showed Aramish the estate and she began making a place for herself in the basement holding cell. Meanwhile, Captain Ruslan asked Romsca about Aramish, and she replied she was “new staff”. As the party prepared, Ruslan asked if they were bringing the Eight-Pronged Residuum Ring south with them. Demitri agreed due to its effects on elemental energies, it could be a good tool to “unfuck whatever they fucked up” at Red Lake, and Romsca said she preferred to keep it close at hand. Romulus retrieved the hidden box from the stonework of the bird tower and gave the pack to Romsca.Desecrated Hills
The Road South
Late morning, the Lightbringers left the Rill Priory in the heavy rain. They headed south out of New Keeleon through the Mud Ward and onto the Orc Highway into the rocky ridges and stoney hills of the Desecrated Hills. According to Ruslan’s map, the journey to Red Lake would take a couple days to reach. The first day of travel was uneventful this close to New Keeleon, so they occupied themselves with minor activity while they traveled. Eventually the rain from the heavy cloud cover faded and stopped, and they set to find a place to camp. Ilmendwyth found a spot of relatively dry clay dirt beneath a rocky ridge outcrop. With Romulus casting Mold Earth and Chaka casting a Tiny Hut spell, the group set inside the closeknit dome, with Cinis providing light and warmth. Romsca cast a spell to magically create clear water and venison, and they settled down to rest.Camping Conversations
Demitri said his thoughts were more occupied with the extra planar creatures they’d seen thus far: demons, elementals, and now aberrations. Romsca brought up the fading of Chedae’s light and the seeming protection around the Yew Well that had faded. Romulus checked The Manual of Monsters for information about otyughs. Though they seemed to just be dangerous nuisances, Demitri didn’t know if they were connected or just coincidence. Ruslan asked about the name Rudok they’d heard from Coin and about Pillar Mine. Romsca asked if Rudok was important or relevant to Ilmendwyth. Ilmendwyth deflected, saying Rudok wasn’t. Arwin felt Ilmendwyth was lying. He asked if this mine was worth investigating. Ilmendwyth said, “If it’s on the way. I wouldn’t consider this to be a higher priority than going to the lake itself.” Romsca asked Gertrude about the fading of Chedae’s light. She felt that Morounin seemed to be pointing her to Red Lake as well. Gertrude felt her connection to the light continuing to fade. She said, “What concerns me is the fact that the vacuum where she should be, but isn’t, is growing, and I feel like, at any moment, the connection I have with her is going to snap.”The Rose-Colored Entity
During the downtime, Mortimr reached out internally to the entity tied to his magic. Through the connection, he felt its presence occupied with a thought it was worrying over. He called to it and said, “I think its time we got to know each other a little better.” He said he didn’t know who or what the entity was. The entity replied it wanted what Mortimr did. It continued, “We’re partners. Connected.” Mortimr asked what else was connected to the entity. Instead of answering, it motioned to the previous thought it held and showed it to Mortimr. He saw a flash of the Eight-Pronged Residuum Ring. Mortimr felt a sense of worry from the entity, not about what it could be capable of, but a worry stemmed from that a mortal was able to make it. Mortimr asked what it knew about the fading of Chedae’s light. It knew the same as Mortimr, that Gertrude’s connection was fading as she traveled “closer and closer to what the Prophets did at Red Lake. It was their action that shunted her god from this place.” Mortimr asked its feelings about Chedae, and it replied, “She is of importance to your friend. And Gertrude is important to you.” Mortimr said the seer, Naran, had sensed light in their group, including himself. The entity said the Lightbringers coming together was incredibly unlikely. It said, “The realm of fate is not Chedae’s to weave with, but Nerull and Chedae have been allies for some time. Either she’s playing in something that she shouldn’t be, or she’s been given some help to weave threads of fate together.” The entity shifted the conversation back to their growing connection. Mortimr said he appreciated, but did not trust, what it had done for him thus far. It replied, “I wish to earn your trust, to show that I am an asset to help you on your quest. It continued, “There’s such a hole in the shape of your brother left on your heart. It echoes around you so strongly. I don’t wish to fill that hole in his stead, but I can help you numb it, and I can help you earn the revenge he deserves. I hope you will start to believe that. I know our connection is overpowering at times. It will come with time, but is a connection that must be fostered from both sides.” Mortimr said, “Just keep bringing the juice.” He conjured a thought of Maalik burning in fire, but she didn’t start to burn until the flames turned pink. As they watched the image together, the entity said to call it Gallicas.Overnight Watches
Arwin and Ilmendwyth took the first watch. While Arwin fiddled with his arrows, he said, “You know, Ilmendwyth, you’re allowed to have your secrets, but if your secrets are going to put this party in danger, I think it is wise that you are forthcoming with them.” Ilmendwyth replied, “My business should not put the party in any danger, apart from me needing to possibly step away for a bit.” Arwin said the safety of the group was his duty, and he said, “Whatever secret society you are a part of, it’s your business, not mine, unless you make it.” Ilmendwyth said, “You’re right, it is my business.” Mortimr and Demitri took the second watch. Demitri thought for a time before saying, “I think you and I are overdue for a conversation about a previous deal we had.” He said it was unclear if he’d be able to fulfill their agreement after what they’d seen at the Chamber of Titles. Demitri asked its motivations, and Mortimr said, “It seems to want what I want, which is revenge.” He continued, “It has a deep hatred for Maalik.” Demitri mentioned Maalik’s research had mentioned a patron, and wondered if it was just financial or if it was magical, like what was happening with Mortimr. Mortimr said he hadn’t made any deal. Demitri said, “Well, then it’s either a price you or the rest of us don’t know, or it’s incredibly benevolent and generous, which let’s face it, Mortimr, one is more likely than the other.” Demitri said their interested did seem aligned for the time being. Mortimr knew he didn’t really know what Gallicas wanted. “I haven’t had the focus or time to really try to figure this out, and I think that needs to be a high priority. I’ll let you know when I know what I know.” Mortimr told Demitri the entity gave its name as Gallicas, but cautioned about spreading it around just yet. Demitri didn’t recognize the name, but said, “Names do have power. The question is, was it telling the truth or was it only giving you a name. Again, something in my gut tells me we’re dealing with fey. They could have five names, and they’d still never tell you the true one.” The last watch was taken by Gertrude and Chaka. Just before morning, they saw a bird of prey dive and take a small chinchilla. Chaka said it was an “interesting” omen. Gertrude said Chaka should “draw that in you little notebook over there.” When Chaka passed, she said artists were finicky and, “Isn’t nature art?” Chaka replied, “Nature is art. That was foul.”Pillar Mine
Hidden Messages
The next day on 22 Adroth 5A 352, the group broke camp and continued south in more rain. The road was rougher and winding this far away from the city. On the journey, Ilmendwyth noticed a small gap in the hills where two ridges connected off from the main road. On the far side, there was a derelict covered wagon wedged to block off a small pass running deeper into the hills. It seemed like it had been purposefully placed, and Ilmendwyth called the group’s attention to it. While they investigated, Demitri noticed the wagon’s axels seemingly pointing beneath it. He looked and found a set of symbols etched into the bottom of the wagon. He didn’t know what they meant, but Ilmendwyth recognized them as Thieves Cant, meaning “Thieves cache. Good hiding place.” The symbols pointed down an old trail on the opposite side of the wagon. Romulus found the scent of someone that had recently clambered over the wagon, as well as a shard of cloth that had caught on the wood. Arwin saw half-orcish footprints in the clay treading down the path ahead. It seemed to be an old mining trail, and Ilmendwyth said there could be goodies that way. Romsca asked if it was important to take the time to investigate. Demitri mentioned Coin had brought up “Pillar Mine” when they saved him, and they decided to follow the path. They climbed over the old wagon, leaving Ruslan in the clearing with Arwin’s horse. They followed the half-orc’s trail to the entrance of an abandoned mine from a time when the Kingdom of Keeleon was searching for more orichalcum ore. It appeared vacant and dark inside, and many broken-down carts and carriages were near the entrance. The party found more Thieves Cant messaging on the entrance support beams calling this place the Pillar Mine Safehouse. Ilmendwyth read it and indicated traps were inside. The message listed a safe path through but was modified, seemingly indicating the safe path was the reverse. Another symbol saying monsters were found inside was recently crossed off.Rocky Tunnels
Romulus lit a lantern, and after Gertrude inspected the mine’s construction, they all went inside. Following the trails of orcish mining shafts and tunnels, they passed through natural caverns with pillar-like stalagnates. In one such cavern, there were three similar tunnels leading ahead. Remembering the messaging and the ‘reverse’ symbol, they believed the left-most path should be the safe way through. Chaka played a note from his yarting at the entrance to each of the three. Ever so faintly, Chaka could tell it was the sound coming back from the right-most chamber that stood out, not the left. Ilmendwyth thought back to the symbols. Something was off with them and the timing of the etchings. With Rudok’s suspiciously easy to follow trail, as well, Ilmendwyth felt the symbols had been maliciously altered as an attempt to put them in danger. He said, “I think we need to go right and be prepared for some trouble.” Romsca asked if they still wanted to go forward with only the hope of treasure ahead. Ilmendwyth said perhaps “whoever” had hired the kenku could still be here. Romulus asked if they were planning on killing them, and Ilmendwyth wanted to ask them questions first. They moved down the right-most path and encountered no traps. At the base of the mine tunnels, they found an expansive natural chamber. Several pillars of stone connected the floor and ceiling, and all over were thick webs almost coming down from the chamber’s ceiling. On the far side, behind the rocks and pillars, there appeared to be a constructed wall of some kind, but it was too far and too dark to clearly see. There was movement in the room. Large roaches were spitting acid and eating the bubbling rocks as they moved around the webs and abandoned mining gear. Romulus cast a spell to understand the bugs, and they appeared only focused on food and territory. Arwin couldn’t tell if they were the source of the webs. Mortimr could see a hole in the ceiling where these strands seem to be coming from. As they debated what to do next, the insects noticed them at the chamber entrance. With a growing buzz, the territorial creatures stopped their scavenging to face the sounds and light of the party.
Report Date
26 Mar 2025
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
21 Adroth 5A 352 to 22 Adroth 5A 352