Winedark, Chapter Thirty-Four

General Summary

Wherein the Blasters navigate a forest of tentacles, mete out revenge for a fallen village, and experience the full failure of a father's love.

The Northern Sun

After a restful night in Irk's Egg Hut, the Vastblasters awaited the distraction necessary to approach the Northern Sun estate and, hopefully, figure out just what the hell is going on. Luckily, they didn't have to wait long, as the promised "distraction fleet" arrived and started the Second Battle for Scaraval.
The Blasters took full advantage of the DreadSquid's forces being deployed in defense to sneak toward the Northern Sun. They successfully managed to stealth through a disturbing "forest" of tentacles and decided that the time for creeping around was at an end--now it was time to kick in the doors of this ruined estate, discover some information, and deliver much needed justice for the people of Scaraval along the way.
The first unfortunate victims of the Blaster's rage were a group of Sahuagin. Battle commenced and these foes were dispatched. Water, perhaps feeling the daring of Dizmera, decided to do a sweet skateboard trick into what appeared to be a music room. Unfortunately, it also housed "trophies" of some sort of corrupted beasts--a "anteater-rhino" and a tentacled gorillian, to be exact. These creatures joined the fray and the Blasters had a real fight on their hands.
Obviously, our heroes prevailed, but if the rest of the infiltrating Northern Sun experience is going to be like that, then it'll be a brutal slog. Luckily, the Blasters had an item to help with that--a jug of Aged Goodberry Wine. All but Water and Kasula Neristina partook of this healing beverage, with Water abstaining for monkish reasons and Kasula being unwilling to rouse that particular demon during this excursion.
Those needed hitpoints turned out to be a good thing, as exploring the next room (the library) brought forth a shield guardian horribly occupied by, of course, tentacles. This corruption was dispatched and the library revealed some secrets--this house is the estate of the Suncaller family, which has fallen on rough times in recent years, with vague mention being made of incalculable loss and tragedy. What might that have to do with Vo'ku'a?

The Sad Saga of the Suncallers

The Blasters would not have to wait long to solve that particular mystery, as they were drawn to a haunting melody emanating from deeper within the dilapidated manor. The music belonged to a grindkey--a kind of musical instrument that is halfway between an organ and a hurdy-gurdy--and the player was none other than Rothen Suncaller. Rothen--whose face was half-covered in goo and tentacle--made a bargain with Vo'ku'a. He would assist in bringing the DreadSquid back to its full strength if the entity would restore life to his beloved daughter, Forzi Suncaller. 
The Drembari Isles may well be doomed because of a father's grief.

Rothen didn't think this all the way, through, however, as there may not be an Isles for his reanimated daughter to roam. And it also seems that, perhaps, Forzi came back a little different than he expected. Regardless, he was full of remorse and regret. He instructed the Blasters to seek out his other daughter, Maekrist, for more insights, as he was just too defeated to offer anything other than inconsolable sadness. He then drank something from a small flask which melted his entire throat. So ends Rothen Suncaller.

But that is not the end of the Northern Sun journey for our heroes. Futher insights awaited them in the cellar of the estate. To get there, however, they need to fight a giant gob of sentient fat that guarded the kitchen. Gross! Having done that, it was down to the cellar to see what more information could be gained about the DreadSquid and its plans.

A quick exploration of the cellar's entrance revealed yet another Suncaller. This once was called Zir-Zid, and she happened to be a ghost. She seemed unhappy that her rest was disturbed, but not exactly sure just how that happened. Before any more insight could be gained, she disappeared. 

Venturing further in found the Blasters in front of a fortified cell of sorts, which contained a very, very angry Maekrist Suncaller. No time to say hello, however, as those rooms also contained several Spectators who did not appreciate the Blasters interrupting whatever it was they were doing. Once again, the Blasters readied themselves for combat.

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see how the Blasters handle some spectators during our next session.

Varied & Sundry Details

• Kharlo saw some familiar red sails among the fleet assaulting Scaraval. What could this mean?
• Water found a neat sitar in the music room. Kharlo agreed to cart it around for a while. It is worth noting that it is covered in goo.
• The Blasters also took the time to stop this horrible goo from dripping into what appeared to be a cistern directly connected to The Vast. A Water Elemental appeared and seemed to thank them for this effort. Nice!

Character(s) interacted with

• Rothen Suncaller, failed father, former ally of Vo'ku'a
• Zir-Zid Suncaller, ancestor of Rothen, ghost
• Maekrist Suncaller, daughter of Rothen, currently imprisoned

Report Date

17 Apr 2022

Primary Location

Scaraval