Session 25 – Is it Rot? Is it Decay? Is it Paranoia?
General Summary
The Final Stretch
Travel continues an hour or so after the fight. Aiaoue, Arkyn, and Yenush note a pocket of miasma approaching and are mid conversation when it overtakes them.
As the miasma thickens and surges, the once dry ground before transforms into mud, your feet sinking. Ahead, the fog dances delicately over the surface of sickly green water. Darkness hangs in the air. Spectral figures rise from the bog, engaging in an eerie, yet beautiful waltz across the surface of the water. As their dance ends, half of the spectral figures drop beneath the bog, while the others drift south.
While trading shifts, Arkyn gives a performane of the dance to Milo who... doesn't recognize that exact style of dance. During her long rest, Cadence dreams. When faced with darkness before her and moonlight on her back, Cadence drifted further into the embrace of darkness. In the morning, with Remove Curse prepared, she manages to pry a gnarled mass of blackened, rotted root from Sayah. Milo decides Vendetta now has windows as they hurl the root out the window (and Arkyn Fire Bolt's it for good measure).
Another patch of miasma approaches while Milo, Teagan, and Cadence are on watch. Vendetta begins to descend into a large basin. Milo notes the presence of multiple bones, many of which appear to be humanoid, but there's a few that resemble dinosaurs and there's another large skeleton that Milo recognizes the jaw of... the creature that bit Cadence. A moment later, as the miasma's influence takes root, the trio (and Vendetta) find themselves submerged in mildly acidic water. Only the thinnest strands of light drift from above. A pile of bones rests in the center of the basin. Shadows move in the darkened water. Although Cadence's armor is quick to clang-clang, the group is able to stealth their way passed the shadows and up and out of the basin.
The next few shifts pass uneventfully, save for a potential malfunction that Yenush is able to resolve before it became an issue. Cadence, Milo, and Aiaoue begin to notice that the miasma is... different. It has begun to thin ever so slightly and seems more lethargic... and with different intent. Cadence is able to surmise that it's influence on them may be delayed or slower. Perhaps it also signifies the approach of the Kel'Nok Mire.
Arrival in the Kel'Nok Mire
From the symphony of the swamp, conversation and music emerge. Ahead, a patch of dry land – a rare luxury – is covered in a sea of patchwork tents. Moss and bark-covered humanoids – the Gyésar – move about. Beyond that is a gnarled mass of roots and wood supporting a small village. Beyond that, there lies a mushroom grove, a shrine, and a pool of putrid, black, stagnant water. While still in motion, "Red" disembarks as he notes that he knows where to go. However, he requests the group do come find him once they've settled in; he could use their help with something.
Aiaoue immediately wanders into the Central Mire. There are no doors here (something Aiaoue is familiar with) and people seem to come and go from buildings as they please. Drifting from place to place, Aiaoue partakes in bone carving (with a unique mushroom that grows from the marrow) and samples some food. They seem to have a Kel'Nok as the centerpiece dish, a reverse offering from Eresh to the Mire. And although ample bones are available for carving and "painting", there are no skulls... and all bone arrangements seem to lack skulls. Aiaoue carves a bone Kel'Nok (and hopes to show it to Omen, he'd like it). In a very crowded building, Aiaoue observes a Gyésar paint rot upon another's flesh; a rotted tattoo artist in a way. She overhears that, apparently, there is a prisoner being kep in the Holding Cells. As she drifts towards the center of the Mire, she meets Lady Nok (or Mother Nok), the resident Rot Dryad. She is happy to hear that Aiaoue and her caravan brought "Red" and bested a group of raiders! It is always delightful to see the Gyésar unharmed! She seemed delighted by stories.
Arkyn, Cadence, and Yenush linger in the Camptown Outskirts. Arkyn notes that people don't seem to clumb by role or occupation. Rather, they group by family unit or by Caravan, more specifically. Cadence, knowing what living on a constant caravan is like, offers to assist the various caravans. Yenush drifts about looking for curious items. There's no metal, but there are a variety of odd items he doesn't recognize.
Milo and Teagan pursue "Red" and find the changeling assassin in the process of arranging body parts within the Shrine. "Red" explains that he will remain here until it is time and while he has the basics of what he needs, there are a few things he would request their help with. As he describes the first task, Milo experiences some whiplash. Wait, Eresh is going to be HERE? As Milo and Teagan have a sidebar conversation, "Red" proceeds to soft-launch his nudity as he continues with preparations for his offering later. "Red" would request the following:
- "The Mushroom Folk know of a way to see Eresh as she truly is. I'd prefer to see the Rot Bringer when she arrives. I'd prefer to speak with the Mushroom Folk, too, if you can convince them to pay me a visit."
- "This pool will paint my body with pestilence and decay... but I wish to claim a piece of blessed Rot."
- "My form will soon be covered in traces of the Mire. I'd be honored if such traces could be woven into a more artful display."
- "Hadúr's wrath swelled. I feel it. The Gyésar hold a prisoner. Release and lure them to me."
- "The Headless Hall keeps my secrets, but... I seek to create my own record of my life. There is certainly one among the Gyésar who is capable.
After receiving "Red's" tasks, Milo and Teagan linger. "Red" places the decapitated Lizardfolk head atop his neck stump. As "Red" begins a prayer, the mouth of the lizardfolk begins to move as it fades into "Red's" own head. He then decapitates himself, his head vanishes, and repeats the process. With the two heads offered, "Red" sits in the shallow pool of putrid, black water.
The entire group somewhat reconvenes in the center of the festivities as "Red's" requests are conveyed.
Completing "Red's" Tasks
Milo ventures into the Mushroom Grove and notes that only one Gyésar woman is present (playing mushroom tic-tac-toe with some Mushroom Folk children). Finding the head shroom in charge, Milo conveyed "Red's" requests and manages to convince Mycke to consider them. As Mycke offers a hand to Milo, they fungally fuse temporarily as Mycke conveys the image of the Eye of Eresh Mushroom to Milo. Mycke mentions that Milo may search for such a shroom here in the Grove and he will visit this "Red" later to coordinate the artful disposal of his corpse. As Milo sets off into the Grove to look for the mushroom, he notes the Gyésar woman is observing him before turning back to the Mushroom Folk children. When Milo's search doesn't turn up the mushroom he had hoped for, he requests aid from the Gyésar woman who points him to an Eye ef Eresh. She is always happy to help.
Teagan heads over to Lady Nok. She is delighted to see a young Gyésar and is delighted to hear of how he helped fend off raiders and successfully bring the offering. When Teagan asked about blessed rot, Lady Nok notes that she'd be happy to give him some, in exchange for an answer to her question: "Of all the Rot Bringer's domains and tenets..." (Teagan: Oh fuck). "...what is the MOSt important among them?" Teagan turns to the camera children-show style. Is it rot? Is it decay? Is is paranoia? When Teagan fumbles for an answer, Lady Nok notes that perhaps he could find his parents or his siblings to help him.
After a somewhat lengthy debate of the ethics of the Law of Rot, Aiaoue, Arkyn, and Yenush head to the Holding Cells. There, 4 Rot Wights are standing guard in a dilapidated building. There is only one cell and it holds a larger-than-average lizardfolk wearing a dinosaur skull. Yenush inquires about the prisoner and the Rot Wights respond that they are waiting to hear the decision from the leaders of the Mire, the Rot Touched. Who are the Rot Touched? One of the wights looks at Aiaoue. She is Rot Touched. Aiaoue convinces the Wight that the Rot Touched have reached a verdict and she is hear to enact it. As she goes to the bars of the lizardfolk's cell, she offers him the opportunity to run and, if she fails to catch him, then he is free. The lizardfolk doesn't jump eagerly at the offering, remarking that it would be cowardly.
Yenush asks the Lizardfolk about his story. The lizardfolk notes that he was born in the lands of Mevetés. He received an Allosaurus and they quickly became his friend... until the Gyésar killed them. The lizardfolk prisoner is clearly fanatical in his belief that the Gyésar are a threat to his people and his home. Yenush is conflicted until the Lizardfolk mentions that he has killed dozens of Gyésar. Yenush, while he won't stop Aiaoue and Arkyn from acting, states that he cannot take part in this. His arm locks up for a brief moment as he leaves.
Despite the clear hatred for the Gyésar the lizardfolk has, he walks with honor and dignity and doesn't attempt to run. Although Arkyn attempts to restrain him, the lizardfolk manages to break free halfway through. Still, he moves without issue to the Shrine where "Red" – although slower in his movements – is able to quickly decapitate him. Another head for Hadúr's Headless Hall.
Shortly after, Milo brings "Red" the Eye of Eresh. The changeling assassin knows when the time is to consume this. Milo passes Teagan, who stops by to ask "Red" what is the most important of Eresh's tenets. After a moment of thought, "Red" notes that the Heart of Rot feels appropriate. Ah, so the answer WAS Rot.
Cadence appraoches Lady Nok who is, as always, excited to speak with a Gyésar. When Cadence inquires about the piece of Blessed Rot, Lady Nok asks her question once more. After some thought, Cadence notes that it would be Death. Lady Nok pries further: but there are 4 gods that claim death a domain? Cadence notes that only Eresh truly brings forth beauty in it. Lady Nok, after a moment of thought, agrees – it is the way of her rotted heart. She offers a piece of rotted wood from the base of her roots. After delivering it to "Red", Cadence finds a space away from the crowds to try and focus on Eresh's presence. The death goddess is certainly present, but moreso in the way that Caliban is always present in the moon. However, Cadence notes that her presence seems to be more noticeable towards the Shrine... and the pool of black water.
Aiaoue and Arkyn visit the Mushroom Grove where Aiaoue offers some rotted, spicy edamame. Mycke, pleased with the new flavor, grants them free reign to explore the Grove. Arkyn finds a golden shroom and, after Aiaoue has used its gold luster to cover her Kel'Nok carving, Arkyn eats it. Everyone becomes a mushroom. Maybe if his willpower was weaker, he would have felt the need to eat all mushrooms he saw...
Yenush manages to weasel his way through the crowd to talk to Larch, the resident rot artist and closes thing to a Priest of Eresh. Although Larch is initially dismissive of Yenush, he does relent. If Yenush is able to get him more freshwater algal parasites (for bedazzling), then he would carve out time to visit this offering. Yenush heads towards the caravans and does find what he is looking for. Chanterelle, the caravan leader, isn't looking to sell them, but she would be open to trade. After she refused the bone metal shackle, Chanterelle notes that she could use some leathers. After a moment of thought, Yenush remembers that "Red" has leathers. The assassin is willing to part with them and so Yenush brings freshwater algal parasites to Larch.
One quest for "Red" remains. Milo flags down the Gyésar woman from the Grove again. She mentions that she is a permanent resident of the Mire and perhaps what Milo needs is a member of "The Versed". She offers little beyond that. As the group looks around for a Versed, Teagan runs across the same Gyésar woman. Why are you so sad? I'm not sad. Teagan mentions that he's looking for a Versed and the Gyésar woman offers to help. As Teagan takes her hand, she quickly recoils... And Teagan's hand is black with rot. Before she can dismiss herself, Milo and Yenush arrive. After some questioning, the Gyésar woman seemingly vanishes.
Cadence looks over Teagan's hand and notes that it seems to be very surface level (it will heal with time)... but prolonged contact with the exposure could have rendered the limb useless. After discussion, the group decides that Milo should document "Red's" story and Cadence offers to write on Milo's behalf (given Milo's current inability to hold a pencil). With critical persuasian skills, "Red" is convinced to allow Milo to document his record. For a man who so freely talked about death and assassinations, what he tells is relatively mundane: where he was born, the dragonborn friends he had as a child, etc. It all becomes very vague after he mentions visiting the Headless Hall.
Hey, would you tell us where the Headless Hall is. No.
Karen: "99 problems but a T-Rex ain't one" (about Yenush)
Teagan: "At least he soft-launched his nudity." (about "Red")
Report Date
11 Apr 2025
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
Cadence's Dream
The heavy footfalls of the drakes hauling the wagons over gentle, rolling grasslands is a familiar, comforting rhythm. As night crawls across the sky, you consider turning to the moon for guidance as you have hundreds of times before. On this night – under this veil of darkness – you instead turn to the ground, to below. To the shadows that dance, beckoning, leading. Regardless, the drakes know this path and they lead you to a clear pool of water… where the moon and stars have been devoured in the reflection.
As you step towards the water’s edge, the landscape shifts. Darkened marshes and the accompaniment of a bubbling swamp surround you. Bog stretches as far as you can see… as far as you can sense… in this impenetrable darkness. Those with you begin to whisper, teeth chattering in fear. For they are not of what lies below; but you are. You know there is nothing to fear… not for you, at least. For there is beauty in the darkness.
You lead the drakes onward, unperturbed as the darkness thickens and coils, poised to lash and strike. It drifts around your caravan, lurking and seeking a weakness to pry open and expose. One by one those who travel with you fall to illness, to plague, and to rot. Their skin sloughed ob in waves as the bog consumed them, lost forever. One by one, they are fodder for the bog… until only you remain.
Again, you reach a pool of water. At its murky edge you stand… and in your distorted reflection, you see a silhouette of pure darkness staring back. Lightning strikes. Something lands at your feet… a head, recently decapitated. Rage bubbles and boils within. Intent to strike, you surge forward. You blink. A wall of brambles blocks your path. The darkened roots that sprawl across your form beckon you forward. To go where you please. Darkness lies ahead, but you feel the cold glow of moonlight on your back.
The glow fades until only darkness remains. Its embrace is soothing as the roots sink beneath your skin, writhing and twisting until they have found their proper place. The smell of rot becomes pleasant to your nose as its power surges through you, emboldening you. Your heart is withered. The head appears in your hands. None shall command you. None shall deny you. You shall have your vengeance. And all who oppose you… shall rot.
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