SESSION #04 : Enemy of the Refuse Pit

[istainion]

   

CHARACTER: Streth Evira  
CLASS: Paladin  LVL: 02
 

"We evacuated Draza from the Executioner's Run after lending our help in cooperation with the large dinosaur in the distance that kept the public's eye occupied, and hurried toward the entrance toward Port Nyanzaru to blend in with the crowd. And then we met up from beyond it when we reunited our numbers for a talk. This, after we assured Draza his safety. He's been very fond of Gat, it was nice to see.

 

We learned from Draza that he lives with the person that begged us for help in exchange for a wealthy reward, Belyn, but the location is inside the Old City, to where Arden and Smuck said that the dinosaur went to. I did feel a sense of betrayal, but I believe that dinosaurs have their own responsibilities within this troubling world. I have no right to judge! But this is likely to draw the attention of the guards for the moment, a good number of guardsmen and strong fighters in kind ran past us for investigation.

 

With that in our collective minds, we have decided to part our paths for a moment, for Smuck and Jasper to give directions to where the dinosaur went, as we will make our way toward the inn room, instead. This, for the situation to ease up.

 

Once inside the room, without a reaction given by the innkeeper, Gat was so kind to hand the man some food and water for consumption and recovery from the recent event, while Arden resumed copying the map, and Smuck to ... Create something that I am unfamiliar with. After he and Jasper returned. And I have been writing in this journal. Haha, hello~!

 

Draza confirmed us, similarly to his friend or brother, that he is innocent, and happened to be at the wrong moment at the wrong place to receive a false judgment and arrest. It is thanks to Smuck and Jasper that we also learned that the assistance within the executioner's run is what could be considered "gray area", it is to be questioned. Port Nyanzaru has its rules, but the regions outside are no different. To each their own set of rules or laws that have their set of consequences for breaking them. It is a tradition, but those who make it out are considered free from their guilt. Thereby, Draza is officially freed. And he has been very thankful of that, enough to reveal understanding toward Smuck's racial identity.

 

. . .

 

A knock on the door has interrupted our moment of peace, but it was a welcome surprise. Upon opening the door, a man known by the name Lerek Dashlynd announced himself, also known as the mysterious "LD". He has given us the details of his quest, that lays south of Port Nyanzaru in the deep jungle. 

 

He tells us that the people of Chult may have forgotten its location, however, himself and his employers have not. The locations are the Ruins of Nangalor and Orolunga. We can find mister Dashlynd in the inn, which he resumes to visit every two days. After having shared this information, he left his thanks and took his leave.

 

. . .

 

We left the hotel room to bring Draza back to his companion, Belyn, located at the Old City. By the time we have left the room, the situation seems calm again, in contrast to how it was before. It appears like what once was is now resolved. A delight! Very welcomed!

 

When we arrived at their ... House? (Shack) We met Belyn again and had the two men reunited again. Eagerly, they ran into each others arms. It was really nice to witness, and I could feel myself smiling proudly over our previous interference. However, this joy seems to have faded as soon as Belyn made eye contact with us. It was about the reward, with Smuck and Arden's louder tones of demands that seek for this reward, it had the poor man seeking for his stored valuables. Only for him to reveal a small chest with only 25 silver pieces inside. This little for two adults? It was concerning. I could not take it, and reached for a gold piece of my own. I'd want to ensure a safer outcome of their survival.

 

It seemed not to be the liking of them, neither that of the team, but I insisted! But it seems like Smuck's idea did work, we'd take a silver piece, and I place a golden one back. I said that I would, instead, hire them to let us meet Pock-Marked Po, which they accepted.

 

Moments later, we headed outside and observed the tense body language of the two when we moved within reach. They had us warned about the all seeing and hearing streets, from which mostly children came. A poor child approached Belyn and had them speak in whispers, but once a child returned, he learned that we are with too many. Belyn and Draza must take their leave, on which we agreed. Then a child approached me, using his fingers for pointing at himself and me to gesture me to follow. That, I did, along with the group.

 

Through confusing roads of familiar seeming streets, it led us toward what seemed like a house of higher value, but nowhere near what we would find within the city walls. At the entrance, there was a cloaked person that made no reaction toward us when we passed. Through whispers, our arrival has been announced, and instructions are passed through these as well. Mostly silence rules within this environment, until finally the elderly man turns to us with a greeting. This is the mighty Po, an elderly man who is in charge of the Old city. Positioned within a meditative position in the center of the room.

 

When all messages and gestures were shared among three children, including the one that led us inside, they left. He has asked us if the reason for our arrival is indeed for the quest, something I announced and confirmed. With no hesitation, Po explained to us the information he had. 

 

Ten days ago, he tells us, there have been two events, divided over two days, in which children have gone missing near the "Refuse Pit". He has told us that children are hearing voices, before they go missing. A group of adventurers, much like us, has been sent there for investigation, but neither did they return. Whispers with promises to lure them closer. The group of adventurers was sent three days ago, and, as already written, has not returned since.

 

We must find clues of their whereabouts, and if we find them, to return them to safety. In return, he has shown us a small box in which a gemstone is positioned. But this is no ordinary gemstone, he has said. This is an Elemental Stone. One that may summon an Elemental from a different Plane for the owner to command. Valuable, he said, much like the children are valuable. This is true.

 

As for the location of this "Refuse Pit", we will be guided by a child. For more information, we are told to speak to the children and their parents. I do wonder if that will do us any good, even with a dictionary at hand.

 

With the time pressing and new visitors arriving, he needed us to take our leave, and that we did, with a child to act as our guide.

 

A moment later, we indeed did arrive at the "Refuse Pit", which name I finally understand by the stench of the eastern collection of garbage. The knowledge of having children play at this dangerous place is beyond me. 

 

We decided to indeed explore this collection of unpleasant fate, however, not without preparation. Arden and I cast a spell with a short ritual, and during this, a voice reaches out to both of us. One with the promise of toys, if only we head forward. Without being affected by any urge, it remains only a suggestion. During this time, Smuck seems to have made contact to a citizen, who filled him in on a number of details. Both Arden and myself confessed that we heard the voice with the same technique to lure, and it seems to align with Smuck's findings.

 

A promise of sweets and/or toys. 

 

This, an adult woman has said that the children have told her, but she, herself has never heard it. Smuck did believe it made the two of us children, which I am convinced is false! I have aged enough to be considered an adult! I am not of elven nature, but I must admit, I do miss my childhood toy at times.

 

This woman also confirmed that Po is indeed like a leader to the Old City, who uses the children as his ears and eyes. Belyn was not wrong, it seems.

 

Neither did it appear like my spell is without reason, when I detected the first thread to our upcoming journey through the garbage. A threat of disease, named "Sewer Plague", one that takes a duration for development. It will gradually weaken a person, until they can barely stand, however, it is not without recovery if a person rests well. (Reduces MAX HP/Con save during rest).

 

With this information shared, I had the pleasure of shaking hands with a ghostly presence! It was ... Quite scary, but interesting! (Unseen Servant)

 

. . .

 

We walked down the pit and had the Unseen Servant (I love the name, hahah!) clear our path, and ensure our safety through the movement of garbage. While we went deeper, each of us could hear the voice, and I could feel flashes of my imagination paint me idealizations of wooden swords for toys, and sweets for candy that aligns with promises. Again, no urge appears, but it seems to affect us mildly. 

 

This, until a change in our viewpoint occurred, when bones became visible after the removal, of what we thought, is garbage. Bones that match the height of children and adults alike. A horrifying sight, but what else was worse, is the glimpse of a purple creature whose tentacles interfered with the progress of the servant and the enemy to make its appearance.

 

. . .

 

An unknown, purple tentacle monster became visible, and it rid the area of the Unseen Servant's hard work, only to notice us. This is when we drew our blade and the battle began.

 

Upon the distance it closed, I detected its poisonous nature, and warned the men with me, before I made haste toward it, with a spell to grant me protection. Their safety is of higher importance!

 

Our enemy was tough, and strong, but with our combined forces, each with the fire-y strikes of Smuck, the skillful thoughts put in motion by Jasper, the holy offense of Gat, and that of musical nature from Arden, the five of ours' strength combined brought it to the ground. Myself included. I fear no death, but I fear defeat in the eyes of those who believe in me, and the safety, that I offer, for those who cannot bear its offensive strikes, to rid them of faith.

 

The hit from Smuck's effective healing shook me awake. I have not often felt this alive. I thank my friends in arms, may this enemy be the last and only one that lurks among these piles of dirt."