Episode 2: Dead Men Tells no Tales

General Summary

After defeating the undead and alien abberations, Serenity's Vanguards continued their investigations in the area. Their investigations brought forth a startling revelations:

• The undead they faced were the missing heroes.
• One of the undead moaned "They lied to us." before put to rest.
• The missing heroes had drown from the northen part of the island.
• The pool of black icker is responsible of transmutating their corpses- making them undead.

Joshua Daiyo discovered that the black pool is a seed of Xoriat- the realm of madness and distortion. The deadly pool acts as a gateway between the two planes, from which the alien aberrations came out from. With the arcane assistance from Silas, Dai was successfully able to perform the ritual needed to disperse the seed, sealing it away with the natural magic of the realm. With the pool gone, the vile fog dispersed, and the land reverted back to it's natural state. Only Natural magic can combat such corruption.
Pressed for time, the party held a small Viking's funeral for the fallen heroes, burning the corpses with divine flames, wishing they could have given a proper burial. After a small silent prayers, the group made their way back to the local town- where they were intercepted by Kima'ii calling for help!

Quite the Coincidence

The triton woman tells them of the Sahuagin performing some ritual in the northen peaks of the island and needs their help to stop them! Iliren found this as suspicious as it was convenient for them, and pressed her for the truth. With the aid of Silas and Masami, they gained an insight that the triton woman was somehow involved with the deaths of the heroes, but before they could press further, she slipped out of their grasps!
The group gave chase towards the northen cliffs, to see a group of Sahuagin performing a summoning ritual of some sort. A large battle played out, as the Sahuagin sees them as hostile threats to their plans. As Serenity's vanguard faced against the Sahuagan, Kima'ii revealed her true intentions- calling out to her master- the very same sea dragon that was terrorizing the island.
The situation took a turn for the worst as in one breath, the dragon managed to sweep nearly everyone off the island, wiping out the Sahuagin threat and gravely wounding our heroes. Masami and Novel were swept off the island's cliffs, nearly killing them and leaving Silas, Joshua, and Iliren alone facing the terrifying dragon. But, through careful planning and keeping cool heads, (and the sacrifice of a Sahuagin Baron), the commanders were able to put down the terrifying dragon- ending it's reign on the island.
Kima'ii was captured by the commanders, unable to believe that they- or really anyone- could ever kill such a god-like beast. Her convictions were rendered asunder, and through her shaken beliefs, she tells them the truth.

The Saddened Truth...

When the sea dragon first arrived, it easily destroyed homes, boats and farms in a single breath. It was as if it controlled the very sea. The dragon only let the islanders live if they submit to it, providing bountiful food and worship. At first they defied the dragon, but after the first wave of heroes came to help were killed... they fell into despair.
The mayor refused any help if it meant keeping themselves and others heroes alive. The dragon may torture them, but not outright kill them if they do as it said. They did not believe anyone can kill the beast, but the least they can do it report and warn the mainland.
But after the black pools have spawned, life became even crueler. Lack of food, lack of help, and living in constant fear. It caused the people of the island to give up hope for a better life. Kima'ii, however, had fallen into despair... She was desperate for a better life and was willing to do whatever it took to save her people. No matter the cost. Even if it meant having the will to sacrifice anyone coming to "help" if it meant saving her people. The dragon made a fine example of the first heroes that came to help. How could anyone hope to prevail against such a beast... no... A false god?
So... she made a deal with the dragon. She would be the one to reach out to the mainland for aid, calling in for assistance- each one different than the last to avoid suspicion. And the dragon torture and kill the heroes, if it meant sparing her home from the dragon's wrath.
The Sahuagin were victims of this as she tried to blame them for the dragon's assault. If they would have been obedient and worship the god then everything would have been okay.
Kima'ii was responsible for the countless deaths of the Sahuagin and would-be-heroes, leading them all to this very spot where the dragon can attack and kill them. If not for her actions, the entire island would have been swept away- and everyone dead. Or so she says.

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What will our heroes do with with Kima'ii
Will her life avenge those she's taken?
Will arresting her bring justice?
How can they inspire hope and happiness to this island through such desolation?
Find out next time in the next episode of Vanguards of Serenity!

Report Date

21 Mar 2022

Episode Run Time:
Approx. 4 hours
Characters Met:
Kima'ii (Triton Woman)