Session 7: The Almiraj and the Acorn

General Summary

The spirit of Shemshime, that entity of shadow and pain is now sealed in Shemshime’s Bedtime Rhyme. The Gnomish music book is closed, and the sudden silence assaults your senses, both relieving and overpowering in its suddenness and contrast to the song. Your mind feels free for the first time since this begins, and your muscles slacken. In the slowly settling cloud of dust beneath the ruins of the book sculpture and round table, you see Ebder stir. “Gailby… Where is Gailby?”
He crawls to his feet and runs towards her unconscious form. Terror turns to relief as she slowly opens her eyes. You see her confusion and fear as her vision clears. Ebder lets loose a choking cry. “Gailby, my sweet daughter! Thank the gods you’re alive!” He hugs her close, and she starts crying. Wracking, heaving sobs are all you hear from Gailby. In between Ebder’s weeping, he swears never to let her out of his sight again, and holds her tight. Crinkle, the old Kenku curator, reaches out to lay a hand on his shoulder, but retracts it. A look of sorrow and guilt passes over her corvid features, and she slowly walks back to her room in silence.
Slowly, Varnyr limps down the stairs and into the landing, holding the railing for support and clutching her throat. You notice the freshly healed scars from K’Tulah’s claws under her hand. In a scratchy voice she surveys the scene. “You’ve done it. You’ve ended the curse. You’ve saved us.” Looking down at the book like on would look on a rabid animal restrained by a straining cord, she states that she will take care of things from here. Varynr scoops up the book, and whispers to Douglass and Abarl “Please see to K’Tulah. I will handle things from here.” She then takes Shemshime’s Bedtime Rhyme to her room and locks the door.
Rubi tries to console the weeping Gailby. As does Rahlg’n, beset with guilt about throwing her. She initially shies away, clutching her weeping father. Perhaps you got through to Gailby. She says something barely audible, and you feel like she knows you meant no harm.
Douglass heads upstairs to find K’Tulah against the still-sealed door, curled up and weeping. “I nearly killed Varnyr… I was going to kill Varynr… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t control myself… Please, I just want to leave. Please let me leave...” She then walks to her room to retrieve her things, and swiftly comes back upstairs to sit by the door. Douglass consoles her as best he can, but ultimately she will carry those emotional scars the same way Varynr will carry her physical scars. They will remain with her for life, and cause her much pain.
You hear loud, rhythmic crashing downstairs. Rubi heads downstairs, and find’s Crinkle’s door open. Peering through the door, Rubi sees the old Kenku next to a secret compartment, the contents of which are being spilled out on the floor. As she watches, the Kenku takes another item, smashes it on the ground, and breaks it with a large hammer. “Crinkle! What are you doing?!” Crinkle turns around, tears welling in her eyes, and speaks in her strange melange of stolen voices and snippets of sound. “[Crinkling sound] has caused Great Pain. These Baubles, mY gREED, without tHINGS, without tREASURES, This Wouldn’t Have Happened.”
“I HURT gAilby. I Nearly, kILLED Ebder. I WILL NOT do these things AGAin.” She turns and looks at her treasures, the things she had collected over a lifetime, and grabs some vials, potions, an incredibly ornate dagger, and other things. “hERE. These will help. LEAST I Could Do. For HURTING yOU. For HURTING oTHERS.” She stares for a while at a small ring in her hand, closes a claw around it, and heads upstairs.
Crinkle walks over to Ebder and Gailby, kneels, and produces the ring. Ebder blinks the tears out of his eyes and looks shocked and confused. Then angry. Furious. “What is this… How have you come by this. WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS, CRINKLE?! Where did you find my late wife’s wedding band?!” Crinkle slumps, mutters something you can’t quite hear, and walks away with her head bowed. Ebder begins crying anew, and Gailby holds onto him tighter.
After a while, Varynr walks in from her room. In a her solemn, scratching voice, you hear a note of relief. “I have been in touch with the First Reader of candlekeep. He has been informed of our situation, and the Avowed are coming to relieve us. They’ll be taking the book to secure it, study it, and make sure it never comes to light again.” She shudders. “They should be here in 2 hours. Until then, it stays under lock and key.”
During this time, Chomsky’s mood is sour. After getting snippy with Rubi, he finds a mirror and basin, and pours ink over his hair, dyeing it (and parts of his skin) a glossy black. Clearly, the visions Shemshime conjured of his friends and family hating him have taken a toll.
Meanwhile, Abarl searches his new book. Empty. He flicks through the pages, and decides to pen some of the spells he gained from Varnyr as rituals. As he does, a deep oozing blackness pours from the page. Tendrils of darkness seep out and reach for him. As he blinks, a sudden flash of a single white circle on an impossibly deep void appears in his mind. The book seems normal again, with the ink slowly drying on the freshly scribed sigils and text.
While Abarl is talking to Rahlg’n and Douglass, Rubi asks Abarl for the book they found earlier when searching for clues to the Death Curse.. Abarl wouldn’t allow anyone else to read it, fearing corrupting influence, but Rubi had other ideas. Seeing this, the goliath and the dog man distract him, allowing Rubi to reach into the distressingly warm confines of his shell, deftly retrieving Black Magic and You: A Novice’s Guide to Soul Theft.
Finding her own place to read quietly, Rubi poured over the book. Though it seemed mostly a treatise on the philosophical nature of soul manipulation, some tidbits on the channelling of utility of souls stood out. Firstly: a soul must be willing to return to the body to be resurrected. Secondly: a sufficiently powerful magic can redirect a soul when untethered from its body but before it crosses into the afterlife. Thirdly: Souls can be contained or used to power magic devices, or to create or feed the phylactery of a Lich. Lastly: A Lich – a creature once mortal turned into a powerful undead through horrible arcane ritual – must consume souls to continue its existence, else waste away. More information was not forthcoming, however, as it resumed its philosophical discourse from there.
Rubi returned the book in much the same way as she retrieved it. Douglass and Rahlg’n once again providing distraction, Abarl may have been a little sharper this time. He whipped around, but Rubi was clinging to his shell. She jumped down and Abarl nearly jumped and retreated into his shell when he saw the smiling gnome standing in front of him.
After 2 hours have passed, Varnyr suddenly straightens as you hear a pounding from upstairs. Varnyr walks up to the entrance that has been sealed for the past day, produces a key, mutters a command word, and undoes both mechanical and arcane locks. Framed by the light of midday are several armoured soldiers in purple garb. Priests of Deneir, Oghma, and Gond follow Watchers of the Avowed – Soldiers from the arcane library fortress of Candlekeep. The bustle in, casting spells of detection with methodical efficiency. After pausing briefly at Douglass and Abarl (and consulting with Varnyr), they pronounce everyone cleansed of the curse.
Rahlg’n discusses the situation briefly with the Watcher Captain, and notices K’Tulah overwhelmed with tears, finally being allowed to leave via the cellar door. Afterwards, several soldiers come in bearing a large metal box between them. The box seems to be a mix of rune-carved black stone and metal. Varnyr directs some of the priests to the room where you found the bodies, and then leads the Watchers carrying the rune-carved box to her chamber. Upon their return, you notice the runes are glowing with a dull blue light as the Watchers carry it to the surface. Varnyr and the Captain inform you that Shemshime’s Bedtime Rhyme has been sealed and will be taken to Candlekeep via the emergency teleportation circle, and that other soldiers and scholars are coming to relieve them of their duties.
Varnyr produces some scrolls from her robes. “Please take these. They’re not much, but they may help you on your journey. It is the very least I can do to repay you. If you were not here, I shudder to think what may have happened.” She also pretends not to notice Rubi taking Lantanese and Gnomish automata and cannon components from the store, which were missed by Rahlg’n and Abarl when they flicked through the shipping manifests.
Finally stepping out into the bright light of day, you are surrounded by a hive of activity. A bright flash from above and behind you signals the arrival of more soldiers, wizards, and priests through a teleportation circle in the ruined tower. K’Tulah waits, agitated, by the doorway down. She quietly says that she left her clam-shell in her room and can’t bear to go underground again. Rahlg’n steps up, informs the Watchers of his intent, and recovers the shell for her. K’Tulah expresses her gratititude through tears and heads to the teleportation circle along with everyone else bound for Candlekeep.
Crinkle, Varnyr, Ebder, Gailby, and K’Tulah take their places alongside their escort home, all casting furtive glances at the ominously glowing obsidian and steel box. You all say your final goodbyes and wish them well. Even Gailby says something, although it’s barely a squeak. A soft chant from one of the Avowed, a twisting in space, a flash of light, and they are gone. And with them, Shemshime’s Bedtime Rhyme and the malevolent spirit it contains.
Walking down to Camp Vengeance, you cross paths with Azaka, who is being denied access by several armed Avowed Watchers with weapons drawn. As you approach, the Watcher Sergeant tells them to stand down and allow you to pass. Azaka seems refreshed and renewed – even energised – but still concerned. “I leave you alone for a night and you’re stirring up all kinds of trouble! What happened?”
“Wouldn’t YOU like to know, Cat-Lady!” says a surly Chomsky (back to masquerading as John Notagnome, travelling bard).
Azaka seems taken aback. “Excuse me?” “Cat-Lady? What are you going on about?” Rahlg’n leads her away, telling her not to mind them, and that everyone’s been through a lot. You fill her in on the events of the last 24hrs as you walk back to Camp Vengeance.
When you arrive, you notice a few previously sick soldiers coming out of their tents. There seemed to be an attack in the night, and several soldiers are burning zombie corpses on pyres, the cloying, oddly sweet smoke making you gag slightly. As you watch, a soldier rams a spear into the skull of a zombie impaled on some of the stakes and defenses Rahlg’n erected. He smiles with satisfaction, knowing his work was good. Douglass notes that the moat is cleaner – at least to the standards of the Soshenstar river – and that the interior of the camp is less of a muddy morass.
Commander Niles Breakbone comes out with two of his aides and thanks the party for their contributions once more. When filled in about the situation uphill, Niles seems furious, his impression about the scholars of Candlekeep seemingly validated. When you mentioned the emergency teleportation circle, you feel as if his moustache will catch fire through rage alone. He stuffs that down with a force of will, shakes your hand, wishes you well, and you head to your canoes.
You paddle downstream, seeking out the shield guardian that Wakanga Otamu marked on your map. The Vorn should be only 2-3 days travel away, and you make good time. Camping for the night, Rahlg’n takes his watch with Azaka. Over a steaming cup of tea brewed from jungle herbs, he asks a few probing questions. “So you leave at night, huh?”
“Of course. Don’t worry, I don’t go far. I always keep an eye on the camp.”
“Are you some kind of Panther?”
Azaka seems enraged by this. “Panther? Calling me a lowly panthe-” She sees Rahlg’n smiling and immediately laughs. “I’m no panther, I can tell you that.”
“Are you going to be a problem? I need to know if you’re a threat to us” asks Rahlg’n.
She laughs. “No. I can assure you that. My survival rate for parties I’ve lead is 100%, and I’m not about to risk that for you lot.”
Rahlg’n seems satisfied. When Chomsky comes out on his own for his watch, Azaka doesn’t seem surprised. He glares at her distrustfully. As she walks past him, she leans down with a predatory smile. She says “Meow” to Chomsky on her way to her tent, causing him to flinch uncomfortably. She laughs quietly, saying something in Chultan with the word “Cat-lady” audible in Common, and goes to bed. Chomsky sits on watch for the rest of the evening with only the fireflies and night birds to keep him company.
The rain pours gently in the morning just in time for the party to set out. Itchy red mosquito bites appear on some of the party, including Chomsky. Seems they didn’t put on any repellent the last day or so, and Chomsky feels a bit shakey, but otherwise is fine. Shortly after setting out overland, their canoes held over their heads, they spot a small Chwinga in the middle of a path rolling an acorn up the hill. Where it got the acorn is anyone’s guess. As the Chwinga is obviously struggling, Douglass casts mould earth and Chomsky uses a mage hand to help push the acorn. Falling flat on its face with a little jingling noise of surprise, it turns to see you, is momentarily stunned, then bolts inside the acorn. After some coercing it emerges, unable to resist its curiosity. At that moment, a small, horned rabbit – an Almiraj – hops out of the bush, snatches up the acorn, and bolts.
The Chwinga jumps up and down, waving frantically. It lost its treasure! It seems to want you to give chase, and waves at you to let it onto your shoulder. It signals to Douglass with arm motions, emotional pulses, and flashes of imagery. A swirl of foresty, green magic, and he feels something unlock in him. He feels that his form is mutable, and he wildshapes into a wolf. The scent of the Almiraj in his canine nostrils, almost seeing its trail hovering in the air before him.
The party give chase, and soon see the Almiraj startle, running across a branch over a rapidly running stream. Rubi runs across, pulling a rope with her, which Rahlg’n ties to a tree. The rope spans the gap, and the party makes their way across, the branch creaking with their weight. If not for the rope taking most of the strain, it likely would have broke for the larger members of the party. Abarl, being too heavy, simply walked beneath the water, submerging and re-emerging with ominous purpose. Rahlg’n, wishing to simply wade through as well, carries the wildshaped druid across, but slips on the rocks! As he’s carried downstream, he grabs onto a tree root and pulls himself and Douglass up. Douglass shakes his furry coat free of the cool river water just as a snaking tendril makes its way up Rubi’s leg. Pulling out of its tightening grip, the party find themselves faced with a mass of writhing vines surrounding a maw resembling a nightmarish pitcher plant. “Assassin vine!” screams Azaka, and battle is joined.
Burning and slashing at this plant, you dispatch it quickly. “Thankfully that was just a juvenile” says Azaka. “I’m more worried about those.” She nods, and following her gaze you see a trio of bizarre, crane-like birds standing on the waterfall. “Are they a threat? Should we scare them off?” asks Rahlg’n. Azaka furrows her brow. “Depends how many there are…” Before she can continue Abarl hurls both eldritch blasts and insults at them, scattering the flock. Problem solved, apparently? Douglass tracks the Almiraj, the scent getting stronger, and mixing with another, new scent. You find the Almiraj shaking, cornered against a cliff by a large jaguar with several snake heads sprouting from its shoulders. The Kamadan’s serpentine mouths open all at once, and a roiling, purple mist sprays out. The Almiraj, the acorn an obvious bulge in its cheek pouch, is knocked unconscious. The Kamadan spots you, swiftly picks it up, and vaults up the cliff and away.
Giving chase, you see it bolt through the tree canopy over a valley of dense, blue mist. “Mad monkey mist” says Azaka. You really don’t want to breathe that stuff in. Shortly after you develop a fever and become delirious.” The Kamadan spooks a troop of Su-monsters, who throw sticks and feces at the fleeing Kamadan. “Not a good idea going over, either” Says Azaka.
Douglass, still in wolf form, begins to cough. After a few attempts, he casts a Dust Devil spell, which clears the way through the mists. Shortly after, you come by a sleeping T-Rex, the Kamadan’s tracks and scent still fresh and leading you past. Another spell, Pass Without Trace, allows you to sneak past without disturbing the beast’s slumber.
The Kamadan thinks it has shaken you, and heads into its lair; a short, blind cave with a small stream running through a hole in the ceiling. The Kamadan drops its prey on the ground, and goes to clean its paws in the water. Thinking quickly, Chomsky uses his mage hand to take the Almiraj and the party book it through the forest. The Almiraj slowly comes to, and you retrieve the acorn from its mouth. Douglass turns back into his humanoid form. Alas, still with his canine features.
The Chwinga is overjoyed! Jumping down and excitedly hopping around the acorn and the now strangely calm Almiraj, who sniffs at the Chwinga. The Chwinga settles down, looks deep in thought, then takes a few hairs from the compliant Almiraj, quickly weaves a small cord around the acorn, and hands it to Rahlg’n. Then, it waves goodbye, jumps on the Almiraj, and speeds away. A distant roaring from an enraged Kamadan tells you another chase is on, and you see the creature come out of its cave, sniff the air, and chase after the Almiraj. By now, the creature has no doubt found somewhere to hide, and who knows what protections the Chwinga have.

Report Date

24 Nov 2021

Secondary Location

The Ruined Omuan Library

Related Plots

• A Guide and Her Mask
• The Chwinga Connection

Related Characters

• Azaka Stormfang