Episode 58: When Greed is Crystal Clear
General Summary
The following morning, the party an crew wakes to find that Gideon has packed his things, intending to head out, ready to meet with Rupert at the Temple of Rest and messaged instructions on where to go. While his farewell was brief, the others understood knowing that he could no longer journey with them or return back to Batun now that someone had extended a new path for him knowing his plight.
Intending to take a relaxing day, taking up Tetran on the favor that was asked of him by Paradas, the remainder of the party decide to head to the mine with Tetran and Reylan stopping by the Sheriff's office to check in as Reylan realized that they had not given warning of the presence of others creatures in the mines. They arrive to find the staff exhausted and worn out having fought throughout the night to clear the caverns-- Kam letting them know that they had encountered other creatures and had dealt with them as well. They had followed the northern cavern system to the tower on the north side of the island but just barely caught sight of a ship sailing off into the night. Unable to catch much details, all law enforcement knew was that the presence of infiltrators on the island was still ongoing to the very moment they were chased off warranting guards in the caverns as well as further investigation.
Reunited at the mine, which the group noticed was entirely well armed-- armored birdfolk guards with ballistas standing atop fortifications, the party heard of details from Cedric. The mine had undergone an expansion project as they followed the myrillium deeper and deeper underground. However, according to stories, the miners had awoken something and a rift had formed within the mine-- creatures coming out and crushing people. After some people had escaped, only one man had dared to venture in-- and he was not from the mining site.
After asking a few more questions from the foreman, Reylan followed learning what the man looked like as well as promising to return who she could if they were found alive. Walking in, the party followed a path set out by Cedric, eventually coming to tracks that led to the elevator where a man stood as if to operate it. However, where one arm was supposed to be, an apparatus and bright crystal jutted out from it. As the party panicked over how to approach things, the humanoid rushed forward and attacked, striking Nyx first. The enhanced familiar, now in his dragon form, began to witness crystals stemming from the wound, hardening the flesh around it. Dispelling the magic seemed to work, but knowing the cost of a strike was what was alarming to the party.
Journeying down, at the bottom of the shaft, the group was greeted by the sight of a crystallized humanoid about to drink what looks to be a potion. After wasting Dispels, that didn't connect with the magical effect, Reylan used the potion, freeing the petrified humanoid and revealing a red skinned human dressed similarly to those from the Southern Sands judging by his attire and garb. The traveler- ie "the last guy" as mentioned by Cydric- introduced himself as a businessman by the name of Anopsis and while he was grateful to the party for their appearance and aid, the one his attention locked onto was Nyx.
Meanwhile, as the others investigated, Reylan looked through notes left by a site administrator noting where things were getting expanded and where it was according to notes. Tetran, on the other hand, examined one of the crystallized bodies-- realizing that it was not like Anopsis who was living petrified into a crystal but instead a fallen human now imbued with crystal essence-- before blasting it into a pieces preventing it from reanimating though causing a loud sound to echo through the cave.
Eventually, both investigations led to what looked to be a tent on the far side of camp, where Reylan, trying to shake what looked to be rocks on a plate, accidentally activated a mine from afar destroying whatever research was present and causing crystals to strike both her and Tetran. Nearly dead due to her mistake, she used the last of her highest circle of magic to dispel the effect on Tetran, saving him. As the others panicked and started to look around the area, Reylan seemed concentrate with what little energy she had left and shake free of the magical effect before brushing off most of the embedded crystal away. While stable, the close call left her irritated with little to no higher circles of magic left to access and no other way to save anyone else for the day if they were to continue further. Deciding to finish the job and after taking a while to heal up before continuing, some of the party tried to investigate the crystalline hallways leading further into the mine.
As if honed in to the scent of blood, crystal imps emerged from the crystals and began trying to push whoever they could reach into a hole in the ground able to get Tetran but failing with the others. While the party was able to deal with them and Tetran was able to fly back to the party, one imp had gotten away screaming something into the crystal. Before the group could decide how to check their upcoming path for traps and any other imps, Anopsis crossed a rickety wooden bridge, his presence summoning what looked to be a large crystalline creature-- one clearly of hostile intent.
Leaping forward, Anopsis used Darkness to cloud the vision of the others as he dealt with the creature. However, the spell did not affect Tetran who was able not only to witness what their ally was trying to hide but also keep eyes on the creature. Because Valentine was able to identify the crystal creature's weakness to thunder, revealing it to the others before darkness took root, Reylan was able to form her Firebolt into a ball of energy with a sapphire blue like center with what could be perceived to be a rippling, writhing orb of magic.
Eventually, the creature was defeated, leaving nothing behind but a large rock. Unable to carry it, Anopsis used dynamite to break the treasure in two resulting in two halves of imperfect crystal. Meanwhile, after taking one last short break before delving further into the mine, the party observed that there was a shaft, at the end of the cavern with what looked to have a broken ladder cut several feet from the top and a green glow emanating from further in. Finding their way down, they discovered a massive cavern covered in myrillium and a hulking behemoth tending what looked to be an open rift behind them with crystal scamps running along and aiding.
While the creature was large and despite some crippling effects of the rift's magic, the team was able to band together to defeat the creature but this time, no remains were left for them to bring up proof to the surface. Lingering around to gather what loose myrillium they could, Anopsis decided to use whatever sticks of dynamite he had on him to blow up part of the mine to loosen them from the walls. Catching him too late to stop him, Reylan was only able to message a word of warning to Tetran who had been on the other side of the cavern far away from the group before telling the others to run. However, Valentine was able to reach him and as Tetran told Valentine to grab what he could from the loose myrillium that was now blown free and broken from the wall-- the warlock Dimension Door-ed them to the entrance of the mine in full view of everyone that was awaiting their return. They were just barely able to escape and so had the others.
As the rest of the party made the trek and climb up from the expansion, both Tetran and Valentine persuaded the foreman to let them leave with both the myrillium crystals as payment for them nearly dying as well as giving them the payment for the job though they could not provide proof that anything was done beyond their word. Through pressure and word, Cedric does agree to their terms, however, there was someone else present that did not believe the duo. Tetran caught it at the edge of his vision of something lifting something from his bag and realizing that he had been robbed, demanded to be compensated even more for what was taken from him, further conning the foreman into giving more-- a family heirloom that was more an unused weapon than a utility item.
As the group approached, Sarku with what was left of the mechanical drilling arm left from the first crystallized undead they had seen, Valentine urged Tetran to usher the others out as quickly as possible in order for them to keep what they can. However, everyone noticed that Valentine was walking out with crystals in his arms and between him and Tetran was a chest with a pickaxe on top.
Not knowing what was told and knowing that they had no proof, Reylan gave a full report of what they had seen and fought, showing them through Silent Image where they had journeyed as well as the creatures that had been present below. She told the foreman and another that had joined, that there were no signs of life and all those they had found had been killed in the accident or by rift creatures. After the creature was defeated and killed, an explosion had collapsed the expansion which was why they could barely recover anything.
As the others were being rushed out, Reylan had meant to inquire with Cedric about who his boss was when Anopsis interrupted asking about who owned the mine. The foreman revealed that the mine was owned by the Barisean Investment Company, and said: "It's owned by a bigger organization, but I can't recall. It was a long name though."
When Reylan provides the name "The Harbor Investment Enterprise Foundation", Cedric confirmed setting off mental alarms within both Valentine and Reylan, the latter of which realized that the armed birdfolk guards were privatized guard units and were watching all of them very carefully. While the rogue was able to warn Cedric in a low voice to leave Astraeus Falls, Nora, the mind worker that Reylan had debriefed as well, whispered to Reylan that they all had to leave before she went to go distract the birdfolk.
As the party headed out, Reylan, frustrated that the others had put an innocent and probably more at risk for their greed, handed what platinum she could to the others telling them they can take her gold if they'd like when they meet her at the marketplace before flying off on Nyx, heading back to the town-- intending to get a message to the man that had hired them.
Intending to take a relaxing day, taking up Tetran on the favor that was asked of him by Paradas, the remainder of the party decide to head to the mine with Tetran and Reylan stopping by the Sheriff's office to check in as Reylan realized that they had not given warning of the presence of others creatures in the mines. They arrive to find the staff exhausted and worn out having fought throughout the night to clear the caverns-- Kam letting them know that they had encountered other creatures and had dealt with them as well. They had followed the northern cavern system to the tower on the north side of the island but just barely caught sight of a ship sailing off into the night. Unable to catch much details, all law enforcement knew was that the presence of infiltrators on the island was still ongoing to the very moment they were chased off warranting guards in the caverns as well as further investigation.
Reunited at the mine, which the group noticed was entirely well armed-- armored birdfolk guards with ballistas standing atop fortifications, the party heard of details from Cedric. The mine had undergone an expansion project as they followed the myrillium deeper and deeper underground. However, according to stories, the miners had awoken something and a rift had formed within the mine-- creatures coming out and crushing people. After some people had escaped, only one man had dared to venture in-- and he was not from the mining site.
After asking a few more questions from the foreman, Reylan followed learning what the man looked like as well as promising to return who she could if they were found alive. Walking in, the party followed a path set out by Cedric, eventually coming to tracks that led to the elevator where a man stood as if to operate it. However, where one arm was supposed to be, an apparatus and bright crystal jutted out from it. As the party panicked over how to approach things, the humanoid rushed forward and attacked, striking Nyx first. The enhanced familiar, now in his dragon form, began to witness crystals stemming from the wound, hardening the flesh around it. Dispelling the magic seemed to work, but knowing the cost of a strike was what was alarming to the party.
Journeying down, at the bottom of the shaft, the group was greeted by the sight of a crystallized humanoid about to drink what looks to be a potion. After wasting Dispels, that didn't connect with the magical effect, Reylan used the potion, freeing the petrified humanoid and revealing a red skinned human dressed similarly to those from the Southern Sands judging by his attire and garb. The traveler- ie "the last guy" as mentioned by Cydric- introduced himself as a businessman by the name of Anopsis and while he was grateful to the party for their appearance and aid, the one his attention locked onto was Nyx.
Meanwhile, as the others investigated, Reylan looked through notes left by a site administrator noting where things were getting expanded and where it was according to notes. Tetran, on the other hand, examined one of the crystallized bodies-- realizing that it was not like Anopsis who was living petrified into a crystal but instead a fallen human now imbued with crystal essence-- before blasting it into a pieces preventing it from reanimating though causing a loud sound to echo through the cave.
Eventually, both investigations led to what looked to be a tent on the far side of camp, where Reylan, trying to shake what looked to be rocks on a plate, accidentally activated a mine from afar destroying whatever research was present and causing crystals to strike both her and Tetran. Nearly dead due to her mistake, she used the last of her highest circle of magic to dispel the effect on Tetran, saving him. As the others panicked and started to look around the area, Reylan seemed concentrate with what little energy she had left and shake free of the magical effect before brushing off most of the embedded crystal away. While stable, the close call left her irritated with little to no higher circles of magic left to access and no other way to save anyone else for the day if they were to continue further. Deciding to finish the job and after taking a while to heal up before continuing, some of the party tried to investigate the crystalline hallways leading further into the mine.
As if honed in to the scent of blood, crystal imps emerged from the crystals and began trying to push whoever they could reach into a hole in the ground able to get Tetran but failing with the others. While the party was able to deal with them and Tetran was able to fly back to the party, one imp had gotten away screaming something into the crystal. Before the group could decide how to check their upcoming path for traps and any other imps, Anopsis crossed a rickety wooden bridge, his presence summoning what looked to be a large crystalline creature-- one clearly of hostile intent.
Leaping forward, Anopsis used Darkness to cloud the vision of the others as he dealt with the creature. However, the spell did not affect Tetran who was able not only to witness what their ally was trying to hide but also keep eyes on the creature. Because Valentine was able to identify the crystal creature's weakness to thunder, revealing it to the others before darkness took root, Reylan was able to form her Firebolt into a ball of energy with a sapphire blue like center with what could be perceived to be a rippling, writhing orb of magic.
Eventually, the creature was defeated, leaving nothing behind but a large rock. Unable to carry it, Anopsis used dynamite to break the treasure in two resulting in two halves of imperfect crystal. Meanwhile, after taking one last short break before delving further into the mine, the party observed that there was a shaft, at the end of the cavern with what looked to have a broken ladder cut several feet from the top and a green glow emanating from further in. Finding their way down, they discovered a massive cavern covered in myrillium and a hulking behemoth tending what looked to be an open rift behind them with crystal scamps running along and aiding.
While the creature was large and despite some crippling effects of the rift's magic, the team was able to band together to defeat the creature but this time, no remains were left for them to bring up proof to the surface. Lingering around to gather what loose myrillium they could, Anopsis decided to use whatever sticks of dynamite he had on him to blow up part of the mine to loosen them from the walls. Catching him too late to stop him, Reylan was only able to message a word of warning to Tetran who had been on the other side of the cavern far away from the group before telling the others to run. However, Valentine was able to reach him and as Tetran told Valentine to grab what he could from the loose myrillium that was now blown free and broken from the wall-- the warlock Dimension Door-ed them to the entrance of the mine in full view of everyone that was awaiting their return. They were just barely able to escape and so had the others.
As the rest of the party made the trek and climb up from the expansion, both Tetran and Valentine persuaded the foreman to let them leave with both the myrillium crystals as payment for them nearly dying as well as giving them the payment for the job though they could not provide proof that anything was done beyond their word. Through pressure and word, Cedric does agree to their terms, however, there was someone else present that did not believe the duo. Tetran caught it at the edge of his vision of something lifting something from his bag and realizing that he had been robbed, demanded to be compensated even more for what was taken from him, further conning the foreman into giving more-- a family heirloom that was more an unused weapon than a utility item.
As the group approached, Sarku with what was left of the mechanical drilling arm left from the first crystallized undead they had seen, Valentine urged Tetran to usher the others out as quickly as possible in order for them to keep what they can. However, everyone noticed that Valentine was walking out with crystals in his arms and between him and Tetran was a chest with a pickaxe on top.
Not knowing what was told and knowing that they had no proof, Reylan gave a full report of what they had seen and fought, showing them through Silent Image where they had journeyed as well as the creatures that had been present below. She told the foreman and another that had joined, that there were no signs of life and all those they had found had been killed in the accident or by rift creatures. After the creature was defeated and killed, an explosion had collapsed the expansion which was why they could barely recover anything.
As the others were being rushed out, Reylan had meant to inquire with Cedric about who his boss was when Anopsis interrupted asking about who owned the mine. The foreman revealed that the mine was owned by the Barisean Investment Company, and said: "It's owned by a bigger organization, but I can't recall. It was a long name though."
When Reylan provides the name "The Harbor Investment Enterprise Foundation", Cedric confirmed setting off mental alarms within both Valentine and Reylan, the latter of which realized that the armed birdfolk guards were privatized guard units and were watching all of them very carefully. While the rogue was able to warn Cedric in a low voice to leave Astraeus Falls, Nora, the mind worker that Reylan had debriefed as well, whispered to Reylan that they all had to leave before she went to go distract the birdfolk.
As the party headed out, Reylan, frustrated that the others had put an innocent and probably more at risk for their greed, handed what platinum she could to the others telling them they can take her gold if they'd like when they meet her at the marketplace before flying off on Nyx, heading back to the town-- intending to get a message to the man that had hired them.
Report Date
30 Jan 2021
Feats & Features
Reylan |
Spell Secrets (3)
Guided Strike |
Vasya |
Lucky (2) |
Valentine |
Slayer's Prey (4)
Hunter's Sense |
Sarku |
Flash of Genius (4)
Beg & Grovel |
Anopsis |
Quicken (2) |
Signature Spells
Reylan |
Spritual Weapon
Enhance Familiar4 (2) |
Vasya |
Hunter's Mark
Invisibility |
Valentine |
Hunter's Mark |
Harvested
https://www.worldanvil.com/w/Auriga-Wayfinders/a/Wayfinder-Vasya|
Party |
221 gp + 5sp worth of myrillium crystal Reylan gave her share to the foreman |
| https://www.worldanvil.com/w/Auriga-Wayfinders/a/Wayfinder-Reylan-Arnaís|tab |
2 sticks of dynamite Half a vial of anti-petrification potion |
| https://www.worldanvil.com/w/Auriga-Wayfinders/a/Wayfinder-Vasya|tab |
Imperfect piece of myrillium (250gp) |
 |
Imperfect piece of myrillium (250gp) |
| https://www.worldanvil.com/w/Auriga-Wayfinders/a/Wayfinder-Valentine-Pepper|tab |
Jagged pieces of myrillium crystal (~359 gp) |
Notes
⦿ While the chasm has not been explored, Sheriff Kam confirms that they were able to clean some of the tunnels discovering nests and other creatures there.⦿ The mine is owned by the Barisean Investment Corporation, an offshoot of another company Cedric couldn't quite remember the full name of until Reylan asked, "The Harbor Investment Enterprise Foundation?" To which he confirmed.
Trivia
⦿ This is the last session of Yomenmeister as Gideon and the first of him as Anopsis.⦿ A new magical component in the form of myrillium is introduced.
⦿ A small bit from the Discord's #extra-RP chat was featured at the end.
Visuals
by Mara Jaena
by Mara Jaena
Session 58 Stats
Comments