Session 23: In the Pipes, Seeing the Landmarks of Decay
General Summary
After the combat, Leaf, who had noticed a particular mote of light following them, attempted to interface with the orbs but failed. As the sound of thrumming wings approached, he dug and bit through the transparent walls to get at the channels of lights flowing beyond. When he broke through, a flood of light and energy burst into the room, blinding Leaf and Emelia and inexplicably causing Calloway to disappear.
As spores began to flow into their current room, SNTR-1 threw moonmilk at the door, making it brittle enough for him to burst through... directly into a sinkhole-like pit. The sides of the hole were of dead organic matter, but a 5ft ledge allowed the rest of the group to move through the sinkhole room... but not before two horrible creatures arrived and nearly charmed SNTR-1 with the Alluring Thrum of their wings.
Leaf was able to freeze the door closed before the flying creatures could do any damage, and the group successfully evaded the threat (for now). Without any idea where Calloway may have gone, the party took a breather after Emelia communicated with whoever was writing in the book -- this time, the note was written in a different, more flowing handwriting:
(Emelia:) . . . Who are you?
?: If I told you, I’d have to kill you, and I believe you are the only people who can rectify the situation before it veers out of control. In truth, I never meant for this to happen. I should not have entrusted the maintenance of the pact with one who would allow himself to become complacent. That is the only blame that can be placed on me – believing in a glittering illusion cast by a myopic excuse for a man without a shred of loyalty in his filthy blood. Have you slept yet?
Emelia: Strange vibes. Why do you want if know if we have slept? Are you a cop?
?: I am not a cop. If anyone is a cop, it’s you, heroes of Port Shimmerly. The reason I am asking is because sleep works strangely in the Matriarch's realm. You should choose your location carefully, and you should find a way to blend in. Invaders are pursued relentlessly. If you are willing, you can allow yourselves to be influenced by Ylmy-Aldon. This would protect you from the mindless roving bands of creatures that protect her body.
After debating the identity of the writer, the group decided to take a long rest to see if sleeping would help them figure out what to do next. They hunkered down in the room they were in, choosing to not risk getting caught in the bottom of a sinkhole. While sleeping, Leaf and Emelia had a ... dream? vision? A shared experience, in any case. The familiar mote of light beckoned them to follow it through the channels in the walls. In their psychic form, they moved with what they now realized was psychic energy through the labrythine rooms. On the way, several landmarks were noted:
"Dead ends" where clusters of pale bodies clotted and formed archways, beyond which they were unable to sense.
A village of humanoids who apparently have accepted the influence of Ylmyo-Aldon, sporting various fungal growths. The denizens are varied humanoids and they seem to have retained their own identities; it's possible the group may find sympathetic allies here.
A central room with a massive armor-plated worm wrapped around and through the branches of a tree-like structure that contains the body of Jaysennia Amanita. All the psychic energy seems to be flowing to this place, and Jaysennia appears to be acting as a conduit or battery for this energy.
In the central room, a strange creature that appeared to be able to sense the prescence of the two interlopers. It merely acknowledged the pair.
Calloway was located, unharmed and alone.
After awakening, the party spent time evading the pursuers who had begun to catch up during their sleep.
(Emelia:) . . . Who are you?
?: If I told you, I’d have to kill you, and I believe you are the only people who can rectify the situation before it veers out of control. In truth, I never meant for this to happen. I should not have entrusted the maintenance of the pact with one who would allow himself to become complacent. That is the only blame that can be placed on me – believing in a glittering illusion cast by a myopic excuse for a man without a shred of loyalty in his filthy blood. Have you slept yet?
Emelia: Strange vibes. Why do you want if know if we have slept? Are you a cop?
?: I am not a cop. If anyone is a cop, it’s you, heroes of Port Shimmerly. The reason I am asking is because sleep works strangely in the Matriarch's realm. You should choose your location carefully, and you should find a way to blend in. Invaders are pursued relentlessly. If you are willing, you can allow yourselves to be influenced by Ylmy-Aldon. This would protect you from the mindless roving bands of creatures that protect her body.
After debating the identity of the writer, the group decided to take a long rest to see if sleeping would help them figure out what to do next. They hunkered down in the room they were in, choosing to not risk getting caught in the bottom of a sinkhole. While sleeping, Leaf and Emelia had a ... dream? vision? A shared experience, in any case. The familiar mote of light beckoned them to follow it through the channels in the walls. In their psychic form, they moved with what they now realized was psychic energy through the labrythine rooms. On the way, several landmarks were noted:
After awakening, the party spent time evading the pursuers who had begun to catch up during their sleep.
TLDR:
Calloway disappears. Flying creatures pursue the party. SNTR-1 falls into a hole. A new handwriting appears in Emelia's book. Leaf and Emelia take a psychic journey through the realm, finding the location of Jaysennia's unconscious body, as well as a few other key locations.Bookkeeping:
Report Date
03 Jul 2023
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