Chapter 10 - The Depths of Tratlata

General Summary

Waking up from the Rampant Dragon Inn, the party split in order to buy some magical items for themselves. Theden managed to get a rapier made of Damascus Steel while Rashida bought some spellcasting components. Meanwhile, Creetens made a bargain with the head of the Rampant Dragon Inn, Lucius, in order to buy it. Instead the two came into an agreement: Creetens would use the rights of the Rampant Dragon Inn to make a franchised location. The two signed a contract, forming the deal.
After finding the tome that gave directions to the forge of the celestial, the party once again contacted the Oracle, Epedia, on where to find the Durkcavarn. Epedia used her scrying to unveil the city of Tratlata having access to the Durkcavarn, but they kept it heavily under guard. Creetens revealed to the party that he was from Tratlata, and thus preferred to take that route instead of trying to contact a drow. The party prepared to travel from Egona, buying a rowboat and heading out into the sea. Epedia gave the party Necklaces of Water Breathing so they could safely make the journey.
Creetens managed to convince some dolphins to help guide the ship while they rowed it into the midst of the ocean. Then, they all jumped off the boat and sunk to the sea floor. While travelling to Tratlata, the party was stopped by some hungry chuuls near a whale carcass. They tried to eat Ascus but the party managed to defeat the monsters. After that encounter, they managed to make it toward the outskirts of the city. They were stopped by Triton guards, telling them that outsiders were not allowed within the city. Then, the guards recognized Creetens...
They were surprised that Creetens, who was exiled, managed to survive and even returned to the city. Under heavy watch the party was brought to the king, Mnesus. Mnesus was a very rotund Triton man, and was not fond of seeing Creetens, his old court minstrel, back into the city. He recalled that Creetens sung a song about Mnesus' great weight (calling him a sea cow). Creetens, however, persuaded the king to allow them passage through the Durkcavarn. Mnesus was reluctant, solely because he feared the dark elves getting through. However, if the party could stop some local witches bothering the town, he would be willing.
So the party set out to investigate the happenings in the town. They found a sick Triton woman. Rashida used Dispel Magic to cure the woman of her disease, realizing it was a spell on her. With that evidence, and the fact that Creetens realized a spectral eye was watching them, they knew the witches had to be nearby. But first, Creetens visited his old home, finding a stone tablet from his father reminding him to aspire to be great.
Returning to the outskirts of the city, the party found a mysterious ravine, where they heard the cries of some young boys. They were being attacked by giant sharks. The party managed to save two of the three boys from being eaten alive. However, after defeating the sharks, the party was found by some "guards" that came to help them. Rashida, with her detect magic, saw illusion spells emanating from them and discovered them to be Sea Hags. The adventurers defeated the hag coven, bringing back one alive, as proof to King Mnesus that they were worthy of passage.
King Mnesus was impressed with the party's valiance, admitting to Creetens that perhaps he misjudged him. The King allowed the party to pass into the Darkcavarn, with guards keeping watch to the entrance since he did not want the Drow making their way into the Triton city with their enchanted weapons.

Jethro: Eugh. Hags. I wish they would stop popping up in my tales.

Theodora: Funny, because I fail to recall a winter hag in Reuel's original "Will of the Dragonlords." A fine addition you added there.

Jethro: Well, uh, gotta make the story interesting somehow.

Theodora: Watch closely, brother. Our fateful heroes are descending into a land of great darkness, the land of the Drow.

Jethro: I am familiar with the Durkcavarn. My cohort Ithacus travelled down into there and never returned. Hence why I had to go back to travelling and telling stories. Will they survive the journey?

Theodora: We shall see. Hopefully none of them have arachnophobia...

In World Date

September 8th-10th, 2003

Report Date

15 Nov 2020

Dashila the Sea Hag by Stephen Oakley

In the outskirts of the city, the party was confronted by a coven of terrible Sea Hags, witches of fey nature that used their powers to harm the Tritons of Tratlata.

Characters in this adventure:

• Rashida is a loyal human disciple of Vanu-Am, the hidden goddess of fate, who has saved her from death. Rashida devoted her life to hermitage, walking around the coast of Dragoncrest to secretly assist the misfortunate. She hails from Tamay.

• Theden is an elven acrobat and storyteller, hailing from Potea. He has a strong ethical code, looking out for the little guy and does the right thing more often than not.

• Creetens is a triton bard, one who prefers to enchant his problems away. He is a charlatan and a thief, but as well as a proper performer and musician. He was exiled away from the triton kingdom for his ravaging behavior.

Allies of the Party:

• Ascus the Brave. Once a drunkard, Ascus turned aside that life and found purpose as a hero. He swore his life to Morganine and fights for her honor and glory.