Session 88: When Last We Met 8/4/24

General Summary

When last we met, the party were met by the former speaker for the King in Yellow. An entity calling itself Nyarlathotep. He gained the trust of the party temporarily to show them how to actually activate and read the map.  He took hold of Mistral's wrist to demonstrate. And as he does so, Mistral's vision is filled with horrific images of a world where man was never meant to tread. These images cause a temporary madness in him that leaves him babbling and gibbering as Nyarlathotep runs his hand over the light reflected off the disc. The party can clearly see an image of a map projected onto his dark skin. 
With an understanding of how to access the map, He leaves them to their own devices. The party takes a fitful rest on the shore where they were dropped off. The next morning, The party make their way back into Olorun proper. Their main goal is to kill time until nightfall, so they can view the map in its entirety and ascertain the location of the Book of Vile Darkness. 
On their carousing, they are stopped by a small boy calling himself Salim. He begs and pleads for the party to follow him to a "very rich man". The party follow the youngster to the Bee and Priest tavern. Upon entering, the barkeep instructs them to head to a secluded area of the tent in the back. There they are met by three people. Belonging to the Order of the Perpetual Shroud. One of whom is a very familiar face. 
One of the trio, Calling himself Archivist Theodred, introduces himself to the party along with two people he refers to as Shadowsmiths. One of these Shadowsmiths is the former member of the Sisters of Salvation, Ostera. Who teleported away in the midst of their harrowing battle in the Dormition palace. Her body language conveys recognition, and she exchanges pleasantries with the party along with a few pointed jabs courtesy of Vandread. 
Theodred calls this little meeting to order and gets to the root of their summons. They know the party found something within the black pyramid of Menkaure and they wish for the party to share their information with the Order of the Perpetual shroud. They assure the party they have similar goals. However further conversation indicate their goals could not be further apart. 
Several veiled threats are exchanged from here on out, where Archivist Theodred assures the party that if they do not share what they know, They will simply follow them to their marked destination. No matter where. The party briefly considers letting loose and kiling the three of them right there in the tavern, but think better of it. 
They take their leave and decide to create a kind of ruse to lure the order to a false destination, Where they hope to destroy the people pursuing them and leaving them to find the Book of Vile Darkness on their own. 
The party wait until nightfall and activate the disc oncemore projecting a negative image of the country of Sunwilde on a nearby rock-face. There is a symbol clearly allocating their destination. It is Nestled deep within the barren wasteland of the Eternal Desert. Mistral puts on a convincing show of reading the map incorrectly and announcing their destination is instead on Wahid Island. Far to the south of their actual destination. Mistral is pretty confident that if anyone were scrying on them, He adequately sold the ruse. 

Thus, the party take to the sea via Romaia's folding boat and head off for a more than month long expidition into the unknown.  The party divide up their downtime between looking for pursuers, practicing with Laulu stones, or diving expeditions to the deep blue beneath their ships. 
After about 26 days at sea, Romaia finally notices a ship on the horizon, tailing their own vessel. Only this ship does not sail on the water, It is located a hundred feet above them. 
And that's where we'll pick up next time!

Character(s) interacted with

Nyarlathotep - The former Speaker for the King in Yellow. The crawling Chaos seems to be playing both sides for his own entertainmet. 
Salim - Small urchin boy who led the party to the Bee and Priest Tavern.
Archivist Theodred - High ranking member of the Order of the Perpetual Shroud. Tried to bargain with the party on the secrets they learned within the Pyramid. But instead opted for a more direct approach. 
Vidak - Shadowsmith of the Order of the perpetual shroud. Seemed to be there as a sort of magical muscle.
Ostera - former member of the Sisters of Salvation. She appears to be a Shadowsmith within the Order of the Perpetual Shroud. She proved a formidable opponent before. She'll no doubt continue to be a thorn in the party's side until she's dealt with.

Notes

8th of Morrigan 

• Party learned how to read the map they acquired within the Pyramid
• Took a long rest

9th of Morrigan

• Party went carousing in the city of Olorun. Keeping watch for anyone meaning them harm
• Party were approached by Salim. Asking them to follow him
• Party are led to the Bee and Priest Tavern 
• Meet Archivist Theodred, Vidak, and Ostera
• Party take their leave of the Order after no amicable agreement can be met
• Party heads back toward the beach to read the map properly
• Party learns the location of the book and intentionally leads the Order on a wild goose chase to a false destination
• Party takes long rest

10th of Morrigan

• Party sets sail aboard Romaia's Boat Toward Wahid Island

5th of Arawn

• Party finally spies an Airship following them. 

It Is Noon when we pick up next time.

Report Date

05 Aug 2024

Primary Location

The Country of Sunwilde

Secondary Location

Olorun