Before departing the bloodwort fields, Rani spoke with Pyrrha Pierre. Kalé had said to poison the fields and Pyrrha seemed off put by that suggestion. Rani agreed that poisoning the fields isn't what she's suggesting. However, Rani mentioned that a horrible murder occurred here and perhaps her memory should be honored. Pyrrah agreed and said she would speak with the Acolytes fo Ah'Shal about what to do, especially since Kalé took the body.
Meanwhile, Ghilani and Widow went to the Anula'Két Library. Ghilani - trying to "play it cool" – slid the librarian a flower, "for his troubles". The duo began their research montage:
- Interviews with Blood Witches – it seems one reported was brave enough to conduct interviews with various blood witches on their unusual arcane practices. It contains full entries on various witches including Diviner Two (wandering fortuneteller of Caliban), Auntie Four, Bella Five, Sister Six (tabaxi hoarder of Tel'Rhea), Matron Seven (weapon smith of Ragna's Coliseum), and Mama Ten. The other premier blood witches - Primus One, Savant Three, Mistress Eight, and Nana Nine.
- Violent Acts of Carmenthian History – The tortle blood witch of Carmenthia kept secrets, and that bothered the elite of Carmen'Két. When the Purge began in Lark'Hal, they began to spread rumors, gossip, and fear amongst the common populace. The blood witches were draining the people of Lark'Hal, this one will surely do the same here! They rallied into a mob and murdered her.
- The Origin of the Purge – Lark'Hal used to be home to the largest group of formal blood witches. For many years, they had a tenuous relationship with the genasi royal families. Eventually, the tipping point arrived. The royal families fully united to purge their lands of their foul magic.
- The History of Cat Names – There appears to be a section to the unique names of cats, including those named after cods (Such as "Purroona" or "Car-Meow-Thia".
- The Lineage of Caliban's Oracles – A very bland text, Ghilani did happen to pull himself away from cat names to find Dysis Caliban listed as High Oracle from 994-999 YAR. She was then followed by Ayumi Caliban.
- Beloveds: A History – A generally older book that includes a general discussion on Beloveds. They were created by The One to be the other half of a god and bound to a unique cycle of reincarnation (the rules of which no one fully knows). There are many known Beloveds documented, the majority of which belong to Therarask.
Meanwhile, back at the Black & White Inn, Moira had a moment of crisis in the middle of the library. The tortle clerk set her up with a warm glass of milk, a blanket, and a whole basket of their famous Black & White cookies. Moira isn't sure she's a good person. Rani tried to console Moira about what happened. They let her just chop off that head so it can't be completely on her. Still, Moira was incredibly chipper about whipping that head out...
Rani walked through the city and spoke with Angelos Dun'Mar, the son of one of the largest trading companies out of Lark'Hal. Lark never blessed him, but he instead found himself in the service of Tel'Rhea and Ah'Shal - like his father before him. Do note that the Priestess of Tel'Rhea is a bitch. He mentioned that most of the bodies the acolytes received are gaunt, covered in black veins with internals all a mess, and the eyes are nothing but black pits leaking some nasty discharge. There was a woman from a village who ate into her own arm, in fact. If you want more details, he mentioned speaking with Willa, one of the acolytes.
Newt returned to the Inn right as the green and black clad guard was leaving. Angelos mentioned not having seen many of Newt's kind before and suggested he watch his back.
Rani and Newt both ended up at the Lounge to get some drinks. Again, the hooded figure emerged from the back, beelining it out of the front doors of the bar. Rani followed him, casting hunter's mark to keep tabs on him. Once the duo entered the medical ward, they were confronted by a nurse, demanding to know who they were and what they were doing there. Rani name dropped Dr. Valdove. Somewhat skeptical, the nurse did run and fetch a very tired looking Dr. Valdove. When Rani informed her what happened, she sighed and escorted them through the Ward to where a familiar drow individual was heading to work alongside some of the medical staff. The 'shady' individual is the night shift scribe.
In the morning, Moira awoke to write an apology letter. She asked the tortle owner to have it delivered to Kalé.
The entire party attended Dr. Conway's lecture on oral tradition on the island and his recent project:
- According to some texts, but primarily oral traditions, the Old Temples were once incredibly sacred as part of an ancient pilgrimage devoted to honor The One.
- Are the loss of these Temples indicative of - as the Grand Priest claims - a loss of faith across the continent? Or is it, perhaps, tied to something else? The Dread King's War, maybe?
- Approximately 400 years ago, Elios closed their borders, barring access to Elis' temple there.
- Shortly after the Dread King's War - as the Dragon Clans gained sway - the Old Temple of Caliban was practically abandoned.
- And of course, Judas' Temple was devoured by the wasteland.
- The Temple of Carmenthia, however, has been lost much LONGER than the Dread King's Reign. Most adhere to the theory that a sink hole devoured the temple. Yet the predominant oral history of the local villages and tribes suggests that Carmenthia herself sunk her temple. Why would the Goddess of Knowledge violate her own tenets?
The Deep End then delivered lunch boxes to the nurses with some intent of doing good, but mostly to gain some gossip. Regarding Mary, she's around even less than Dr. Corvinus' wife it seem. They seemed positively delighted with the tidbit of potential romance gossip. As Rani was preparing to leave, she overheard a pair of nurses talking about how a medical intern mentioned gurgling near the fountain and claimed to see an ooze. Obviously, it's just a lack of sleep.
Widow and Ghilani decided to pay a visit to the Priestess of Tel'Rhea, mostly to ask some questions. Before entering the tent, the flowers began to slowly wilt. The acolytes at the entrance stopped both Ghilani and Widow, demanding that they either stop this nonsense or leave. Ghilani almost immediately dimension doored away and, as the flowers returned to full bloom, the Widow was permitted to enter. The Faun priestess asked if the Widow was hear to receive the Intercession. Widow immediately responded no. Suddenly annoyed, the Priestess
kindly asked him not to waste her time and told him to GTFO.
That evening, the party sat in one of the back booths of the B&W Lounge. While waiting and partaking in drinks and finger food, Newt explained his VERY efficient 25 word sending to his dad. Should it say "Hello, Father?" Or maybe "Hello, dad?" Or "Hello, Ravana?". Maybe add a please at the end.
Sure enough, a hooded figure walked by right on schedule. Rani and Newt both almost immediately went to check out the storage room and concluded that... there's nothing out of place here. Ghilani and Widow linked hands from across the table... and left Moira all alone. They caught up to the figure and began pestering him. Where are you going? What are you doing? What's the deal with the hood? What do you like to do in y our free time? What IS your workout regimen? We should totally do cardio together some time! He mentioned sleeping in the storage room, but Rani didn't notice any bed.... Locate object revealed a trap door. Guess there was something there after all.
Meeting at the fountain (where Ghilani and Widow were sitting winded), Rani and Newt poked around, but Widow - who chose to dive IN the fountain - found a trap door. After swimming for about 3 minutes, the Deep End surfaced in what seemed to be sewer tunnels... oddly clean sewer tunnels... surgically clean, one might say.
Making their way through the tunnels lit by teal torchlight, Rani set off a trip wire. The doors to the hallway shut and locked as poison began to flood the hallway. Ghilani was able to detect an alarm spell going off. Moving somewhat quickly through the halls to get away from the triggered trap, Ghilani noticed a pit trap and stopped Newt and Rani before they could trigger it. Moira opened a door to find two very large jelly-like cubes making their way towards them. Hearing voices from behind - one of which sounded familiar - the party booked it down another hallway.
Now, suddenly, the doors seem to be locked. While trying to pick said locks, Newt got stabbed by a needle multiple times, eventually feeling the sensation of poison taking hold in his system. Finally barricading themselves into what appeared to be a workplace... they eventually came face to face with a handful of somewhat scruffy looking individuals. They demanded to know why the Deep End was trespassing here. When one remarked that they were "out of their depth", Newt immediately responded with:
"We're the Deep End... We're NEVER out of our depth."
After submitting to the shoddy looking manacles, the party was led through an entire underground town to another work space... where a familiar water genasi woman stood, removing her armor and setting down a shield. It seems you've found your way to the 4th Ward, of which Mary seems to be a leader. Apparently the moonlighting gig
is much better! Given that the party was trespassing, she's obviously going to have to kill them... unless, of course, they help her with something. If they do, she promised to put in a good word for them down here. The people here, you see, don't really trust outsiders. Moira attempted to wingman for Mary and Kaleb, which did seem to amuse Mary.
Mary mentioned two other 4th Ward leaders: Tim Tam (fond of poisons) and V (ooze whisperer).
While waiting for their meet-up with Mary, Newt people-watched. Lo and behold, a familiar drow elf arrived in Foul Carmen's. Widow made note of where he lives.
Mary led the party to a sealed door: the entrance to the Purifying Ward. What awaits in the sealed remains of horrible human experimentation?
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