Entry 3: The Ratnook Tavern Expedition

Our return to Emberwood was marked by Psalm's acquisition of a set of **Adamantine Scalemail**, a transaction sealed with gold and a favor to the dwarven merchant, **Armin Gainsbury**. Armin, a purveyor of rare and unique antiquities, presented us with a new opportunity – to aid his friends, the **Ironhelms**, a clan of dwarven artificers who brave Drakkenheim's perils to mine Delirium and craft firearms.
 
Armin proposed that we broker alliances on behalf of the Ironhelms. The Hooded Lanterns could provide protection in exchange for firearms, while the Amethyst Academy could benefit from a direct supply of Delirium, bypassing middlemen, in return for their protection and enchantment services.
 
Recognizing the potential to further my quest to find Mira, I reached out to **Serena Jensen** at the Amethyst Academy. Her enthusiasm for the proposal was heartening, and she wished me luck in securing the deal. Meanwhile, Namfoodle sought to engage the Hooded Lanterns, envisioning a dual alliance where the Academy would safeguard the mining sites and the Lanterns would protect the transports and perimeter.
 
With our plans laid, we set our sights on the **Ratnook Tavern**, where a large shard of Delirium, believed to be from the original meteorite, awaited discovery. Our journey towards the Ratnook Tavern took an unexpected turn as our party decided to seek out Delirium along the way, driven by Violet's unique ability to harness its power without succumbing to its corruption. Though my heart was heavy with foreboding, I followed, trusting in our collective strength.
 
The city revealed its horrors swiftly. We stumbled upon a street where Delirium had twisted not just the creatures, but the very buildings themselves. The walls were grotesque, pulsating with **flesh-like growths** that bore eyes and mouths, a nightmarish sight. From this abomination emerged three **Gibbering Mouthers**, their incoherent babbling a cacophony that left me stunned and helpless.
 
In those harrowing moments, I could do little but rely on my companions. My own dagger turned traitor, inflicting a minor wound upon myself in the chaos. But as the fog of confusion lifted, I summoned the strength to **Misty Step** away, joining Violet in a barrage of spells against the monstrosities.
 
Nisha, despite suffering a grievous bite, struck back with a vengeance, felling one of the creatures. Namfoodle, in a rage, dispatched another, while Aiden's might ended the last. Exhausted and battered, we sought refuge in a nearby building, where fortune favored us with a trove of Delirium. Violet, with her arcane prowess, took the lion's share, her ability to wield Delirium's power a sight to behold.
 
Our journey led us to the **Ratnook Tavern**, a ruinous heap amidst the ever-muddy streets of Drakkenheim. The tavern, now a skeletal remnant, bore a sign of an obese rat, a grim herald to the crater within. Nisha lowered a rope, and we descended into the eerie octarine glow of the pit, uncovering a few Delirium chips for our treasure.
 
The trail of clawed footprints and rat droppings led us deeper into the excavated tunnels. Violet's light guided us through the slick, muddy descent, where Aiden's keen eyes spotted a trap – a cloth-covered pit filled with spikes and ravenous rats. Nisha's bag of tricks revealed the trap's deadly nature, and Aiden secured our passage with a rope.
 
As we ventured further, the Ratlings' chittering heralded their ambush. Aiden's sunbolts and Violet's spells clashed with their crossbow bolts. I joined the fray with an Eldritch Blast, and together we pushed forward, dispatching the Ratlings that dared to stand against us.
 
Our objective clear, we followed the trail to a lit chamber where a Ratling witch confronted us. Aiden's declaration of our intent to claim the Delirium shard incited her ire, and she vanished with a spell. Ignoring her, Aiden seized the shard, sparking a battle with the Ratlings.
 
The witch reappeared, her Eldritch Blast striking Aiden. I retaliated in kind, and Nisha's arrows found their mark. The witch's cackling threat about a "pretty lady" spurred me into action. I found her, a red-headed woman bound and gagged, and teleported to her side.
 
The Rat King and his retinue emerged, protesting our intrusion. The Ratlings I had freed vouched for me, and with Nisha's support, I convinced them of my power and intentions. Though not entirely swayed, they allowed me to free the woman, and we made our escape.
 
The red-headed woman we rescued introduced herself as **Petra**, a member of the Hooded Lanterns. She requested our aid in returning to the Garrison, a mile deeper into Drakkenheim. Our journey was mercifully uneventful, and along the way, Petra recounted how the Ratlings had captured her and her comrades during a patrol, sacrificing her friends to their so-called "Rat Gods."
 
Upon our arrival at the **Garrison**, the headquarters of the Hooded Lanterns, Petra's return caused quite a stir. The Garrison, once the stronghold of the Drakkenheim city guard, now buzzed with activity. Petra's brother greeted her with relief, and the Hooded Lanterns offered us room and board, a welcome respite after our harrowing adventure.
 
Soon after, we were introduced to **Elias Drexel**, the leader of the Hooded Lanterns and Petra's father. His presence was commanding, and I was taken aback by the importance of the person we had rescued. Elias inquired about our backgrounds, ensuring we were not affiliated with the Queen of Thieves. I explained that our rescue was serendipitous, as we had been exploring the tavern and had only recently arrived in Drakkenheim.
 
One of his men confirmed our role in defeating the bugbear Backbreaker, which seemed to put Elias at ease. In gratitude for our deeds, he offered us a choice from his armory, each of us allowed to select one uncommon magical item. Given my reliance on spells rather than swords, I requested a **mithril chain shirt**, a gleaming piece of armor that fits neatly under my clothing, providing excellent defense without hindering my movements.
 
As I don this new armor, I reflect on the twists of fate that brought us here. Our journey is fraught with danger, but also with unexpected allies and rewards. The stars continue to guide us, and I am eager to see where they will lead next.