A Shadow Dingo Ate My Baby [Session 49]

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Current Situation

• (This session takes place 19-20 Nightal)
  
• The simple road north from Amphail proves to not be so simple as something horrid has happened in Red Larch. While the Maybesitters had hoped to travel around the city and avoid any possible danger, they are distracted by a baby's cry. What will they discover when they investigate further?

Session Summary

• Near the cemetery of Red Larch, the Maybesitters are approached by a Shadow-infected dog that seems to want them to follow it. Dhann calls out a hello, and there is utter silence. The baby isn't crying anymore and there is no reply. The dog is now halfway between them and the cemetery.
• Barrett circles around to a high spot to gain a better view of the cemetery as a whole, and better utilize his bow should anything attack or need to be subdued. It's a standard cemetery with a small area with slightly fancier graves for what are most likely nobles.
• Dhann and Ely follow the dog, staying on horseback, while Z takes to the air with his carpet. But it does seem that the dog is leading to one of the larger tombs, and Z sees a slightly open iron gate at its entrance. Elyana holds an Eldritch blast. As soon as the dog sees they are following, it sprints to that tomb, and paws at the door of it.
• Even with a second call from Dhann, there is no response directly, but the baby cries again and it sounds like someone is trying to muffle it. Elyana calls that they're here to help, and with that, a faint female voice cautiously responds, "Hello?"
• The wooden door of the crypt opens, and there's the face of a female firbolg, wearing farmer's clothing, torn, and ill-fitting leather armor. It's much too big. She looks a mess, and terrified, and is holding the crying baby. She asks if it's safe to go back, and the three quickly say no. She asks if the dragons are gone, and they tell her that the dragons have left, but the town is still too dangerous.
• The woman says she needs a healer for her son, and he needs help. Barrett heads down to meet with the group, and at this time, the woman tells the Trollmates that whatever is all over the dog is also on her son. He's back in the crypt, and as she opens the door, a bit of light illuminates a body laying on the floor. The dog is the woman's son's. Barrett asks if it's been aggressive in any way and she replies no.
  
• The woman says that the boy and the dog tried to defend them and the boy got a little too close to what was happening. Dhann warns her that they have come across this "infection" before, and while they can't guarantee the boy's recovery, is she still willing for them to try? She absolutely is. Dhann enters the crypt, as well as Z, who lights his poi. Barrett watches their backs, literally, just in case. He also uses this time to speak to the mother. Ely also enters.
  
• The boy is laying on his side, away from them, not moving. There is no visible Shadow on him. Z floats the lit poi down to gently drape near the body so that they are ready to entangle, should anything violent occur. With the additional light, the body is moving a little bit. It looks to be irregular breathing.
• The baby in the woman's arms has calmed considerably but the woman is still clearly distraught. She introduces herself as Enynore Woodpath and Barrett begins a gentle conversation to keep her distracted as well as gain some information. She lived in town, with her husband, Theric Woodpath, killed in the dragon attack. He was a stablekeeper for a local native. Her son, Orilyn Woodpath is about eleven and her daughter, Mianore, is only about a year old.
• There was a crash around dinnertime, Theric not home yet, and a black/grey/silver, "It's so hard to describe!" dragon was attacking Red Larch. It was using some sort of black breath. The dragon crushed their house, and they fled. Orilyn was hit with a claw in the shoulder, and he was able to gain his feet and run with his family. Before they reached the cemetery, a much larger Green dragon attacked the black one. She was able to open the crypt and it was at this time she saw her son covered in the black stuff. Not knowing what to do, and scared out of her wits, Enynore pushed him to the back of the crypt before closing herself and Mianore in with him."I know I should have done more, but - I didn't want that stuff on my daughter." Barrett reassures her she did what she should have done; that stuff is dangerous. The family has been in the crypt since and she doesn't know herself how much time has passed. She has heard no other noises from outside, besides screams the first night, and then the dog showing up. He also gives her some rations and water as the family hasn't eaten. Neither of them seem to need any healing.
  
• As Dhann approaches Orilyn, Z readies his couatl whip. The boy doesn't react to the light from the poi, or Dhann talking to him. Ely uses Mage Hand to touch the boy's shoulder, while Dhann uses his Shadow-sensing hand to see if he can gauge how much is afflicting the kid. As Mage Hand pulls the boy over to lay on his back, Dhann sees a hole about eight inches in the boy's shoulder crawling with Shadow tendrils. There's the active tendrils, and the hole itself is lined with the thick, black tarry stuff. Orilyn does nothing but stare at the ceiling and gasp for breath. Dhann moves so Ely can see as well, and Z. Elyana glances up at the ceiling too, just in case the kid is looking at something actually there. Thankfully, nothing else is in there with them.
• Thinking of a new way to try and eradicate the infection, Dhann takes a vial of diamond dust and applies it to the wound, approaching the Shadow residue as a kind of curse. As he does this, active tendrils move to snap to his hands, off of Orilyn. This is a new feature of Shadow infection the group hasn't encountered before. Dhann is able to avoid being latched onto by any of the tendrils. This gives Dhann the realization that there seem to be two different Shadow manifestations:
  • The tendrils are lingering Shadow magic, having not been "used up"
    
  • The black tar is "spent" Shadow magic
• Seeing this, Dhann then uses the Glove to attempt to pull as much of the active Shadow off of the boy, through the already damaged tissue. He's able to pull most of it off of Orilyn, but then finds himself with a handful of swirling, active Shadow magic. It doesn't leave his hand, as he has control of it through the Glove. Seeing this, Elyana pulls the small silver jewelry box the group found in Ludwin's Bowl. It still contains a small amount of pure, unassigned Shadow magic. The Shadow in Dhann's hand obeys his order to be pushed into the box, and Ely closes it with Mage Hand. Unfortunately, there is still a bit of Shadow on the kid but not nearly as much as before.
• Box shut, Dhann then attempts Greater Restoration. It seems that in the seconds it took to close away the Shadow, the kid stopped breathing. Greater Restoration begins to manifest but seems to be moving extremely slowly in its healing. The wound is rebuilding itself and because he is casting one spell, Dhann can't cast a health-bestowing one. Elyana snags a Potion of Healing from the Bag of Holding and uses Mage Hand to pour it down Orilyn's throat to try and stop him from dying on them. Through the combined efforts of the restoration and the potion, the black tar vanishes while the wound is sealed, and Orilyn sucks in a massive breath of air, immediately grabbing Dhann's arm and asking where his mother is.
• As soon as Enynore hears this, she runs in, but stops just short, afraid of getting too close. While he, unfortunately, has a few residual, seemingly harmless tendrils, Orilyn looks to be fine, physically. Dhann assures the mother she can approach her son and she does so, with Orylin grabbing her in a hug, which she returns, but she seems to still be scared of him. The group assures her again.
• Dhann picks up the little box of Shadow and holds it shut while the group decides what to do with it. It's decided as a group it's probably best to fry the box while it's shut. They head outside to have more room to deal with this, and then Ely, not letting anyone know, casts Wall of Light and settles it on the ground, creating a massive "pool" of Radiant magic. Holding the box, Dhann walks over to it and plunges his arms in - much to the surprise, apparently, of everyone.
  
• The box disintegrates almost immediately, and the Shadow, while also obliterated, takes a couple of seconds to fully be burned away. The Cleric's arms are burned and he's blinded for about a minute.
• In the meantime, the Woodpath family has emerged from their sheltering in the crypt and Orilyn is looking remarkably well, and exclaims, "WOW!" at Ely's magic. Z tells the family that they're in danger as long as their dog remains with them, in its condition, which understandably upsets the boy. It's discovered that during all of this, the poor dog has passed on. The body, however, is still covered in living Shadow. Barrett consoles the boy on the dog's passing, but explains that the dog did an incredible and loyal deed. The Monk then takes him around the side of the crypt, asking if the boy can explain his defense of the city and what else happened. Orilyn understands about the dog, and while still upset, follows Barrett to chat while the rest deal with the dead animal. Elyana uses the Wall of Light to incinerate the dog's remains, and the Shadow along with it.
• Barrett's conversation with Orilyn, and then Enynore:
  • It seems Enynore left out a few details. She was actually outside at the beginning of the attack, and ran back into the home to get the armor and her daughter. As she was putting on the armor, she fell and hit her head, and was unconscious for several minutes.
  • To protect his mom and sister, Orilyn grabbed his father's bow and ran outside. He describes to Barrett that he did his best to stay in cover and managed to get two shots off, hitting the Green dragon, "It didn't work, but I hit him!"
  • The Green dragon was attacking the Shadow dragon with its breath, but the Shadowy one would dodge, causing the noxious fumes to hit people and buildings instead. It did not seem like the Green dragon was interested in attacking Red Larch or the people.
    
  • Eventually, the Green used a massive buffeting wind from its wings to knock the Shadow one out of the sky, and it crashed to the ground on the south side of the city. The Green pounced on it, flattening the local hardware shop and then they both flew off to the East.
  • The Green one came back and surveyed the city, and that's when Orilyn got scared and ran back inside, and the family fled. He thinks the Green dragon was checking on the town before flying back to Cryptgarden Forest.
    
  • His dad (who happened to be a retired guard from Waterdeep) used to tell him a story about a Green dragon that lived in those woods, and the boy thought it was just a story but now he thinks it's true.
  • Based on these details, the Green dragon would be the ancient with the Shadow dragon being the adult size.
  • Barrett impresses upon Enynore that it's not safe for the family to be there any longer. She has a sister in Waterdeep, but that's a long way. Z suggests Blackwood Farm. The Bard gives them his horse, and will travel on the carpet.
  • The firbolg is taken aback at the giving of the horse. Barrett also tells her to not talk to any cultists, and she remarks they seemed nice and one of her friends left with them. She is told by the group to not talk to them for any reason, simply ride for the farm. She does have a dagger, and Barrett gives Orilyn four arrows for his bow. He also gives them four or five days rations, and 10 gold. Dhann gives his bedroll in case they need to camp. Ely sketches a map, and Dhann writes a note for Enynore to give to Vekko Ogolelo or Matham Ogolelo to explain why she's there.
• Enynore thanks them, and leaves down at a gallop to leave the destruction behind.
• Having now seen a Shadow induced injury up close:
  • Dhann recalls with a bit more clarity that in town, the tarry stuff also coated many of the buildings. It seems that once the Shadow magic makes an impact, or "does its damage," it converts into the gooey pitchlike substance. The "tar state" does not seem to be solely present on biological material; it can manifest on synthetics as well.
    
• With evening coming on, the Trollmates turn back to the north, towards the Sumber Hills. They take up the horizon at this point, sandy colored against the surrounding greenery. The group hopes to find a place a bit further from Red Larch to camp, closer to the hills.
• Dhann Sends to Hiron Zail:
  • "Zail, I'm Dhann. Sent from the Hall, looking for you. I know you're wounded - please be alive. Any way of reaching you besides circle use?"
    
  • Response: "Please hurry. Dying. The Harper Network is destroyed. Must come on foot. I'm in the basement. Barricaded in. Hurry."
• The group calculates they can get to the halfway point designated on their map before the landscape of the hills potentially begins to change, without suffering massive fatigue. The Larch path is a hardened trail thus far, very narrow, and clearly not used often by vehicles such as wagons. Trackers and hunters are most likely the common folk on the path. The horses need to move in single file. The tall grasses and farmland transition into dunes, which make up the hills. Between them are cracked troughs, like drying waterbeds, with the clay being thick and difficult to maneuver through. The higher grounds are hardened sand or dirt, and no vegetation grows atop them. While there was a bit of snow around Red Larch, the dunes themselves seem to be in a warmer area, and much more humid. It's almost like being in a swamp, but with no marshwater. The elevation has risen a bit, and there are small signs of wildlife visible, like rodents' tracks, or bones left in the thicker clay. Most signs of mammal fauna appear to stay on the tops of the dunes. Z points out a few little campsites from previous travelers, such as a small firepit or tamped down area a tent may be pitched.
  
• A clay-colored Leomund's Tiny Hut is magically pitched, and Z makes it large enough to fit the horses as well. It's a bit cramped, but safe.
• The Sanctum is activated:
  • Divination is blocked
  • Teleportation is blocked
  • Interplanar travel is blocked
  • Fog is left off
  • Sound is blocked
• Barrett uses Create and Destroy Water to generate drinking water for the night, in a basket woven by Z. Provisions for the horses were gotten in Amphail so they're tended and brushed down for the night.
• The dunes around are 80-100' tall and so this area will stay relatively shadowed until around nine or ten in the morning.
  
• Before retiring for the night, Ely reaches out to Ander:
  • She tells him to inform Elminster as to what happened to Red Larch and that two dragons were involved. That an adult Shadow dragon attacked it, and an ancient Green, from Cryptgarden, tried to protect the town. Ely also tacks on that she knows he, and the others, are going to go look for "that rod," and for them to be very careful; "Take care of each other."
    
  • And responds, saying he'll tell Elminster immediately - he disappears for a bit, and then messages back, "And we're not leaving yet. We'll let you know when that happens. But Elminster said to be careful around Cryptgarden Forest. If there was an ancient Green dragon, that was probably Claugiyliamatar "Old Gnawbone"."
  • The dragon is able to be negotiated with, apparently. She is very interested in the comings and goings of Waterdhavians, and will often trade for information about what's going on in Waterdeep. She is also the keeper of a huge number of crystal balls, which he uses to spy on specific Waterdhavians. Ander isn't sure if Elminster wants them to do anything with this knowledge, but the mage wanted the group to know it.
• It seems, then, two dragons are interested in Waterdeep. One, a Red, and then this Old Gnawbone, a Green. It's wondered if there's competition between them.
• Before retiring for the night, Dhann receives a message from Vajra Safhar, the Blackstaff:
  • "Dhann. I need to meet you. Have you left Amphail? There is a teleportation circle north of you. I have to be fast."
  • Dhann responds: "Prove to me it was Amphail. Hope you understand. Tower circle? Caution. Heard it’s possibly damaged. Trying to assist city. Worried about you. You alright?”
  • Blackstaff: "Barrett saw me. Didn't know he could do that. Circle in Red Larch. Basement of Swinging Sword. Two days from Amphail. Meet there. Noon tomorrow?"
  • Dhann: "Town overrun. Shadow. All dead, dying. Dragon signs. Not safe. Speak with me, or everyone? Hope to be accessible in two days time. Silverhand alright?”
  • Blackstaff: "She's fine. Ego bruised. Angry. Everyone fine. Need your help. Don't know another spot. Where are you going? Neverember worried, wants to help."
  • At this time, Dhann alerts the group to these messages and tells them he can send a response back as he has not yet answered her last message. He wants to ask her to describe the basement of the Swinging Sword, and see if it matches the basement he saw when he scried Zail, as Zail did not mention specifically which basement he may be in.
  • Barrett asks the group how much Blackstaff is to be trusted. Z thinks of Blackstaff as a friend, and trusts her. Ely says she trusts Blackstaff enough for information about a basement, and if she's giving the group information about a teleportation circle, that information wouldn't hurt to have. Dhann says that he trusts her. There are no objections to him replying to her:
  • Dhann: "Explanation later. Describe basement. Lives are at stake; do not teleport to Red Larch. You'll probably die. Don't test it. Is that establishment a tavern?"
  • Blackstaff: "It's a tavern basement, it looks like a tavern basement. Barrels, crates, teleportation circle is red and blue. Uh - yes, it's a tavern."
  • Dhann tells the group what Blackstaff's response was and that it's not the basement he saw Zail in. Dhann says he wants to tell Blackstaff that they hope to be Helm's Hall in the next couple of days, but this is met with disagreement as it's not known if Blackstaff is trying to dupe them into being caught by Waterdeep authorities. Barrett is concerned Laeral Silverhand may move against the Hall somehow, for assisting the group, but Dhann doesn't think she would do this. Elyana asks that Dhann not mention locations, and he's already careful with his wording anyway but to make them just a bit tighter in this case. Z asks if something might be asked of what guarantees Blackstaff can give that they would even be welcome, to any extent, in Waterdeep.
  • Dhann responds once again:
  • "Give us a few days. If the trust is mutual, you'll allow us that. Can't say where we are. Hope to be accessible in a few days. Helm's guidance."
  • There is no response, and Dhann informs the group of this. Hopefully this means that Blackstaff concedes to their plans and will not attempt anything untrustworthy.
• Before he goes to sleep, Dhann Sends to Zail:
  •   "Are you in basement of Das Tirith? Did you teleport? Hoping to find other way in. Try not to die before we can get there."
  • Zail responds: "Teleported from Red Larch. Went down to find Harper Network. Have Bounty. Trapped. They're everywhere." He mutters some nonsensical gibberish after this for the remainder of the spell. It's obvious he's nearing death.
    
• Dhann lets the group know the response he got, and he can only assume that whatever was causing the clicking he heard in his Scry is what Zail is referring to as being "everywhere."
  
• Elyana is on third watch (outside of the hut); to the northwest, she hears almost a clicking sound, and then hears another similar, but definitely different clicking, from a another hill. This is the only thing that is noticeable during her, or anyone's, watch and she alerts the rest of the group to what she heard when they are up the next morning. Barrett, on the last watch, listens for this but doesn't hear any. In the morning, a few additional tracks of little rodentlike mammals on the tops of the dunes, but nothing else has changed throughout the night.
  
• Studying the terrain a bit, Barrett doesn't think the dunes moved at all during the night. The group packs up, everyone mounts up (Z on his carpet, which seems to be quite happy to be used for flying more), and they head into the dunes. From the air, Z is able to see to the northwest that the dunes have various sized tunnels in them, ranging from five feet across to rodent-sized burrows. Whatever creatures live on the dunes, seem to live in them as well. After a bit of travel, the mark on their map is reached, and it's wild territory from here on out. Z lets everyone know, and additionally that he didn't see any golems. To be able to see a bit further over the hilly, but open, expanse, Z stays at around 12' off the ground on the carpet. To hasten moving across the difficult terrain of the drying areas between the dunes, Dhann uses Water Walk to help the horses and themselves.
  
• Regarding the two maps they have, the dunes don't match the older map at all. The land has very much moved since this map was drawn. Eventually, they traverse the dunes enough so that even the map copied from Yarnic Blodhlar is no longer useful. Unfortunately, this leads to about two hours of time being lost as the Trollmates slowly make their way to the area they deem best to begin magically searching for the tower.
  
  

-

Barrett settles back against the edge of the hut, trying again to get comfortable. While he's very thankful for the super-safe shelter Z has learned to provide, it's going to be a bit crowded in here tonight with their three equine bunkmates. Even after brushing them out and rubbing them down, the horses still have the slight odor of beasts that have put in an honest day's service. The smell will probably bother the others, but he's slept with far more 'aromatic' companions in the crowded holds of ships, where each man was allocated 18" to sling their hammock. "Hammock?" he thinks. I wonder if those horses will stand still enough all night for me to string my hammock between them..."

Shaking away the idea, he looks at his bipedal companions. All things considered, they are very lucky to be where there are now, given the events of the day. Once again, they survived an encounter with the shadow magic that seems to turn up in their path wherever they go. Barrett is thankful that he was able to talk with the mother, and then with the boy, while the others were dealing with the shadow magic. He admits to himself that he really doesn't understand it as well as he should...and since no one else looks sleepy yet, he decides to ask. "Okay, this is going to sound a bit silly, given how frequently we've run into the stuff, but I have to admit that I still don't understand about this shadow magic.  Can someone please provide this old sailor with a basic tutorial?"

Eyes shut and head tilted against the wall, Dhann lets Barrett's words pull him away from whatever he was reflecting on; it's been a long...tense day.

"From what I've seen," He starts, opening his eyes, "There's one mundane form, and two manifestations of it that someone knowledgeable enough in Shadow manipulation can change it into. The harmless variation of it is what we've seen in the chests. Clearly it can be touched with your bare hands, but only silver can hold it. Otherwise, is just seems to..." Dhann's brow quirks as he tries to think of the best way to describe it, "Slip through your hands. Literally. When Maran picked up a sliver of it, tried to hold it - it went straight through his palm and right into the stone floor of Nihiloor's room. At Mirt's, too, when Elminster was playing with it at the dinner table." A slight, reflexive grimace accompanies this recollection.

"And then, there's taking that harmless form, and assigning it purpose..." Dhann leans forward and, crosslegged, rests his elbows on his knees, staring ahead as he thinks back. "One purpose seems to be making something from the mundane Shadow...that Shadow dragon we saw was nothing but the stuff...and as far as I can tell, once this purpose is fulfilled, the Shadow dissipates, or at least falls apart somewhat. Bits might be left behind, in black tendrils that avoid light. Elminster has several, from the blow he took from the dragon."

"The second manifestation is the real infection we've seen; what we saw today - Orilyn's wound, and what-" Dhann's words catch a bit, "What killed those in Red Larch. Clearly shadow that's assigned a form, like the dragon, can spread the infection. And the infection is aware enough to attempt to move to a new host." He looks to catch everyone's eyes, then, before his voice grows lower with the gravity of his concern. "That only justifies our wariness in touching anyone, or anything, with Shadow, without taking some sort of precaution. Threads of it, sensing my hand near, were trying to latch onto me from the kid. I was able to maneuver around it, and," Turning to Ely, "Your blessing was a help, so thank you for that."

"Now," Dhann leans forward a bit more, "The pitch-like substance in the wound...I've seen it before, on Bran. I think this is a sort of decayed state, where both kinds of Shadow - purposed, and infection - start to really break down. I don't know if it can hurt you to touch it...Elminster did-" Dhann grimaces again as he recalls the state of the Blackwood's corpse, "When he pulled something from Bran's chest to look at it more closely. I couldn't tell you if it was the remains of organs or what. The Shadow seemed to just turn to a tar state, slowly eating away at whatever it was on. I saw it in Red Larch, too, on buildings. So it doesn't matter if what it lands on is flesh or rendered material. But it can be burned away by Radiant light, at least."

Dhann takes a sip from his waterskin before continuing. "So, in summary: the harmless, first state can be formed into either purposed Shadow, or infectious Shadow. After a time - or a set of circumstances, whatever those may be - both break down into the tar state. And both kind have the potential to leave behind those little residual threads under victims' skin."

After listening carefully, even though she’s mostly looking down at the notes she made about getting to the tower or somewhere around where it should be, Ely finally looks up. “I wonder if those are permanent? The leftover tendrils… I don’t recall how or if Tabitha’s was removed at all.”

"It wasn't. She has at least one. Elminster has about a dozen. I know I can move them with the Glove, but removing, I'm...I don't know. It's almost as if once enough of the main, Shadow," Dhann accompanies this with deft air quotes, "The last pieces unburned are like disturbing little scars. Whether they may cause a problem later...I'm not sure. All of that being said...I think the mundane form truly is harmless, until given a task, or assignment, through some sort of manipulation. Considering the basic form of Shadow is neutral, I think the malice is derived from the person wanting to use it for evil...meaning, maybe, it can be crafted into something helpful. I don't know. It feels bizarre to even say as much out loud."

He swipes a hand across his eyes with a huff. "We're missing a few steps, I can tell. Once we get Zail and the relic back to the Hall, I'm hoping there's some time on our way east to look at those books we have. And based on what Z and I read, Shadow itself might even be able to literally be woven. Which, given that there's a weave of pure light, with threads of its own, the opposite would, or could exist, even if we can't understand how, or it, just yet." Dhann closes his eyes, thinking, and mutters almost to himself, "Balance in all things."

"Of course," He directs this towards the group as a whole, "None of this is sure, from my perspective. Even those books we have hold only theories." Dhann settles back against the wall again, and lets out a long breath.

Barrett nods, understanding that they don't understand it all, but understanding it a little better now. "So then we think that one of these purposed, or infectious, varieties might also be used for some sort of mind control?  Or maybe that's a third form?  I ask because you said Helm told you the shadow was being used by cultists to gain more members, and we had evidence that Alectos was being injected with the stuff for some reason."

Finally closing her notes for the night, Ely weighs in with her own thoughts. “If the purpose assigned is to ensnare someone’s mind, that would make sense according to the two versions Dhann described. But I wonder what that mean in terms of resistance. Elven blood allows for neither of us to fall prey so easily to some types of coercion. And we have other ways to resist that kind of pull. But is it that or is something more happening I think you’re right, Dhann. We need to learn more about shadow. We weren’t able to save Alectos because we knew so little back then. You experimented with the glove and that allowed us to gain a leg up on saving Orilyn, though maybe not the dog.”

“We’ve seen elves wearing the robes, so…I don’t think this is a charm…or if it is, it’s at a level we’ve never heard of before.”

Dhann crosses his arms and nods at Barrett’s words. “Yes. He answered such when I asked if Shadow was being used to bring people to the fold. When it’s being used, I don’t know for certain, but my gut is telling me it’s at first physical contact, at the very least. There’s some sort of mental manipulation at play here, with Shadow as the tool. Alectos was being infected and plied for information about the Mythallar. So…I don’t think it’s a third form. I think it’s the purposed form of Shadow that’s being used.”

“I truly wasn’t sure if the more powerful restoration was going to do anything…it’s not really healing magic. It seems to have worked, here, but that may just have been in conjunction with the Glove…I suppose one way to test that would be, like we’ve discussed before, to sense for Shadow on a cult member and try that magic again. That may put the Shadow’s application in those cases as more of a curse.” Frustrated, Dhann shifts against the wall, trying to find a more settled position when the discomfort is really in his mind more than anywhere else. “I don’t know.”

"I wonder if we'll encounter less cultists as we head further north east..." And then Ely's expression grows slightly dark. "I wonder how far east they've spread."

“It seems they are north, but not as dense as near Waterdeep. I think I remember Elminster saying ‘all the costal cities were having this problem,’ so maybe it’s concentrated there? Regardless, do we think it’s a good idea to, um, have a chat with some of Cyric’s faithful before we head east? There might be some valuable information to be gained,” Barrett asks, his eyes unconsciously falling on Dhann.

Putting worrisome thoughts in the back of her mind, Ely offers, “But is the risk worth it?” Looking between the two Clerics.

Eyes closed again, Dhann is silent for a beat, before raising his hands a bit from his lap in a small shrug. Another minute of quiet thinking. “They’re potentially the most accessible route to new information.” He stops, choosing his words carefully. “I’m not saying no to the idea. Or yes. But right now, finding Zail, and the Bounty, and getting them safely to the Hall- it’s difficult for me to focus on…anything else.” Dhann pulls in another centering breath and releases in a slow, long exhale. “Maybe back at the Hall, they’ll have more recent knowledge we can use to plan…discourse with someone in the fold.”

Barrett nods, and for the second time today he believes he could have predicted what Dhann would do in a given situation. However, he reflects, he never would have predicted Dhann’s choosing to run into a wall of pure radiant energy. So clearly he still has things to learn about his young companion. “Well, as always, I appreciate your candor. But I have to warn you that if we run into some on the way to Helm’s, I will take it as a sign from Valkur that we are supposed to have a chat.” The monk’s scarred face doesn’t reveal malice or sarcasm, just a surety that other gods might have a part to play in their destiny as well. “I’m not asking you to join in that, if you think it violates your beliefs. I’ll understand if you choose to sit it out.”

A minuscule smile ticks up one side of Dhann's mouth, but his tone is serious. "That's very gracious. Really. However-" The Cleric runs a hand through his hair and he shakes his head slightly, "I couldn't do that. I just...I hate seeing people hurt. I don't think that will ever be something that gets easier with time, or something I'll become used to."

"I see the bigger picture, and how attempting to get information in this way could benefit all, really- but when it comes down to it, when it's you, across from another...in a way, the world can suddenly appear very, very small." He shakes his head again and rubs at fatigued eyes. "Eh, I don't know. I'm not so good with words when I'm tired."

"Dhann, I would be very concerned if you did get used to it, or if looking someone in the eye and wishing violence on them became comfortable. But I really don't think we have to worry about that with this group," Barrett replies, reaching up and stroking the hind quarter of the mare he rode most of the day. "I believe we always try to show restraint in these matters. Besides, by nabbing a few of these people, we may be able to figure out how to release them from their enthrallment, so we might actually be doing them a favor. Usually, a good knock on the head sets things right when it comes to charms or possessions.  We have many non-lethal options available, and healing, if that doesn't work."
The mare seems to be enjoying the attention, so Barrett stands and moves to her head, rubbing from her ears down her neck and back up again.

"I know we are all needing some rest, but I have two more questions...neither of which I think we can answer tonight, but I'll ask them anyway. First, does anyone have any idea why the shadow dragon might have attacked Red Larch? Do we know of anything there it might have wanted? I would have asked Enynore or Orilyn, but I didn't think they would know, and they had been through enough already. I can't believe it was for food; that whole countryside is full of domestic sheep and cattle that would have made much easier pickings."

"Second," He says, giving his mare a last forehead-to-forehead nuzzle before returning to his spot on the floor, "What are we going to do with these beautiful creatures when we head 'inland' to the tower in the morning? We can't leave them here, and even if the terrain in the hills isn't too difficult - and I suspect it will be difficult - we can't take them into the tower with us. Maybe, maybe we'll get lucky and there will be someplace safe near the tower to stake them, but I'm very worried about it. It's been over a hundred years since I spent this much time on a horse, but in my younger days, I spent a lot of time in the saddle on the trade routes to and from my home. A good horse isn't a thing to be wasted."

Ely opens her journal again, but ends up staring at the pages, quietly thinking as the two continue to speak. Still wondering how far east the cult had reached and if she should be worried for anyone she knew out there. How much danger were they potentially in? And if they were, then it proves catching a cultist would be important to fill the holes in their understanding of how this cult gets around. Dealing directly with one of them would be inevitable at this point. And extremely risky because they still don’t know what the final word is on how the cult ropes people in.

She lets out a long audible sigh at the notion before talk of violence and horses comes around. She avoids the guilty thoughts that surface about hungry Giants and shifts focus on Barrett’s newest questions. Looking up again, “It could have been to halt trading lines. Maybe it would have been the first of many attacks if not for Ol’ Gnawbone. As for the horses, I was going to save my spells for our trek into the tower, but I can offer to change their appearance. Make them look more ferocious than they are to help scare off predators?”

"That's an interesting thought," Barrett says, generally impressed. "I'm always amazed at how you spell casters can come up with clever uses for your powers."

Ely shrugs, even though a small appreciative smile does make a quick appearance, “We can save it as a last resort if we can’t figure something better or less magically taxing. I’ve been looking at the info on the creatures we might encounter,” She holds up one of her black journals and the pages flop around with the movement, “They’re no small obstacle. We’re going to need all our abilities to get around… or through them and survive.”

"Elminster did suggest the cult is a distraction on a grand and damaging scale...which makes sense if what Drezlin is searching for is due east. I don't think Shadow dragons need sustenance if they're simply constructs designed to destroy. But again - that's just a theory. As for the target being Red Larch...I've no idea why." Dhann's expression hardens while saying this. Why such a small town? Why target that?

"As for the horses, I'd be hesitant to tether them if we think teleporting directly out of the tower is what we may end up doing. If we exit, and then leave, that's another set of circumstances altogether. They seem well trained enough that a rope is something they'd respect enough to stay put with - I'm sure you know a knot or two that could come loose with a good tug?" Dhann asks Barrett. "If a predator threatened them, then the horses could at least flee. We might end up leaving the tower to find an absence of mounts, but if we've already teleported away from here, at least the horses wouldn't be stuck."

Dhann crosses his arms, thinking, and directing his next words towards the Warlock. "Clay golem, right? I don't suppose you ever saw one while you were traveling?"

Barrett nods an affirmatively. “I know a few knots. However, if we are going to leave them, I suggest doing it here, in the morning, untethered, while we are on this relatively safe road.  They will find their way back out of the hills and roam free from there.”

-

Next time on...

Zail's hanging in there, dunes are being crossed, and the next step is to find the tower buried below the Trollmates' feet. What sorts of creatures inhabit these tunnels? And where's the Golem?!