An ongoing exploration of dungeon-like passages deep within underground ruins to the east of the dome. The fish first received a warning message that the 'Truthwatcher Dome' wards needed to be 'reset' and a location to go to, that there was danger of the 'Void Herald' escaping from within. An underground ruined monastery held further clues, paintings of a strange meditating demon, deformed kobolds and half-orc-eating(right Jarvis?) giant mutated rats.
The human Druid Zaharel was defeated, a strange silver collar around her neck fading as she died, as well as her kobold allies including the Shaman Guthber (who had a similar silver braclet that also faded with is death) and his dozens of followers. As the PCs were vastly outnumbered those fights proved difficult, (I did (Waxillium added it all up) 400 damage in one fight to a 4-person party of level 4s & no one died somehow, Polymorph op) but now most all the Kobolds with the dome are believed to be dead, no more have been seen recently.
A library was blocked by an electric barrier and 8 marble statues, 7 of which had stone books. PCs figured out to carry the books in to access the library (finally, lol) and did, meeting Heleste, a Kobold spellcaster working to prevent the mutations & deformations affecting his clan as well as the elderly Mee'apo, a strange kobold who's been wandering off alone seeking help finding his daughter Buttwaz. Buttwaz ventured into the 'rifts below' with a good part of their clan, the Vise'ad and hasn't been seen in weeks. If anyone's reading this as a small diligence bonus Heleste might have something helpful if you go tell him 'you could use his help with the quest'.
Mee'apo had hired the assassin-sniper kobold Sanzuun to find Buttwaz but he attacked the PCs instead with a magical musket upon the canyon leading down to the dome. To the northeast, a small shack was found that appears to be his home, the Mini-Oasis. Jarvis decided to eat some Hemlock that was planted & nearly died, but he's okay now. Well, he cut off his own hand so that's a matter of debate. See Handy for that story. The assassin's clan lives to the northeast and has some sort of large Dinosaur as well as several Rogues and Warlocks, at least from what's been seen so far. The PCs ventured in that direction and took out a small patrol they came across but were chased for miles across the desert by some massive creature. They escaped into the rocky hills near the dome where their lights and tracks were hidden, the Sandstone Ridges.
On the last visit (pt.6) PCs noted the Dome was all but failing, flickering at times, revealing what looked like a large mansion set high up overlooking the other buildings visible on the other side. Kerberos had sensed a 'Fiendish presence' from this direction with his Paladin abilities upon his last visit. Careful investigation revealed that but a single set of footprints had come this way recently, a kobold with a walking stick. From experience, this was likely Mee'apo. Hopefully, he finds his daughter?
Going through the deeper caves, the party found more mutated creatures, the base of the Kobolds they'd already defeated then a huge chasm of chaos- lights, sound, smell everything changing by the second. There appeared to be a Gate spell holding up a portal to the 'Far Realm'- a Void of nothingness beyond that flickered in and out of existence. Eventually, they found a Shard Wax that was able to use to gain brief control of the portal itself. This should allow 'safe' access to the interior of the portal beyond, where a large mansion on a hill was seen. The Far Realm portal seems to be warping the Truthwatcher dome- the chaotic energy twisting and destroying its power.
Wax used his shard to open the way to the mansion seen beyond. Two Celestials(?) See Torrelius & Iaelis human-like but with Gold eyes & feathered wings were outside, they said they were the 'guardians' tasked to protect but there was little they could do vs. the Gate spell. The healed Jarvis, cast Protection from poison on the whole group and said they'd be right outside if help was needed but preferred to avoid confrontations fearing for their lives. (Strange, as Celestials should just go back to the Heavens when they die & be totally fine)
Inside the mansion: Found more Vise'Ad kobolds, actors and such they were 'putting on an opera' asked party to watch. Various traps, lots of paintings or Paladins and Demons and such. Blank Red book labelled: ET was found, after spending some time found it to be a Tome of Protection from Evil, perhaps one of the wards used to contain the Demons? They were apparently already magical items used in the spell & this one detects as two separate abjuration effects. Next Ward found: Obisidian Hourglass labelled CH, gives +1 Con when attuned (Hourglass of Health), 3rd: Immovable Rod, face sculpted on with no eyes instead labelled RL
(Shoutout to Haeldir for keeping more in-depth journals linked below, they're quite good. I don't have to be like 'remember X from months ago, I can say 'if there was something important it's mentioned in Haeldir's journals somewhere)
Sessions: 01 - 14 - Voidherald Arc pt.1, 01 - 17 - Voidherald Arc Pt. 2, 01 - 18 Voidherald Arc Pt.3, 01 - 19 Voidherald Arc Pt. 4, 01 - 20 Voidherald Arc Pt. 5, 01 - 22 Voidherald Arc Pt. 6, 01- 25 Voidherald Arc. Pt. 7, 01 - 26 Voidherald Arc Pt. 8 The Mansion, 01 - 27 Voidherald Arc Pt. 9: The Herald Awakens
Journals so far: Alvyns' Journal Entry #10, Jarvis's Journal- Voidherald pt. 1, Haeldir's Travelling Almanac Book Notes 1, Haeldir's Travelling Almanac Book Notes 5, Haeldir's Travelling Almanac Book Notes 6, Haeldir's Travelling Almanac Book Notes 8