Loose Threads: Cultists of the Sun-in-Shadow, their Ritual involving a "radiance spawn"
The newborn wooly rhino from a meteor the color of the moon
Thanja Rhuuk
Plova
Draco
Raziyah (and Regina)
Praikke
Roanokae Camp
Rykers Crossing
New Hezrath (Primary)
Summary:
We traveled to New Hezrath to learn the secrets of the Veiled Seekers. We were accosted by a Wooly rhino from a meteor the color of the moon, heard about the fall of Gildenwind, and Thanja studied much magic in the halls of the Veiled Seekers. We bought uncommon items that we couldn't find in First Landing, then got caught up for a moment in a scheme of some cultists of the "Sun-in-Shadow" and a helpful catfolk named Vulna.
Report
“Umm, I’ve never done one of these, but I guess I’ll try and keep it short.
It was my first mission receiving Guild approval. I heard about the Coalition city of New Hezrath, with a repository of knowledge and a faction called the Veiled Seekers. A helpful catfolk in Camp Roanoke named Raket helped us. I guess he should be considered a friend of the Guild if you run into him. Cleric I think.
He gave us a hint for someone to visit for lodging in New Hezrath, but we didn’t take his advice till the last day, finding his friend Vulna, the lady of a church in the poor area of the city.
Anyway, the trip to New Hezrath was fine enough. We ran into a strange creature along the road though. It seemed like some kind of newborn wooly rhino, but massive and powerful. It fell from the sky in a meteorite the color of the moon. I would recommend extreme caution if you run into one. Though to be fair, my companions were more than a match for it. Plova moved like a hunter, Raziyah and Regina danced around it in unison, and Draco caused a strange fear in the creature. Plova thought it might have to do with their Draconic form. Whatever it was, it did not last long before it was killed, leaving a small explosion and a few spines behind that it had shot at us.
On our way we stopped in Rykers Crossing and heard some rumors. It seems like Gildenwind has fallen to the Horde. We also heard about Lightbringer Eudosius, who they think will save them. They also seem pretty bought in on this “Radiance” religion. I have a feeling they’ll be disappointed, but can’t really say why. Call it a hunch.
Finally we made it. New Hezrath really was a marvel though. Carved into the side of a mountain with a tiered sort of layout. Farms all around, it apparently supplies a great deal of the Coalition’s food. There were a good number of refugees along the road. We heard that a Dragon named The Dreamer guards the city itself and lives near the peak. There’s also the Ecclesiarch, the “most holy woman in the Church of the Dawn” to hear Raket tell. Soooo, more light themes.
I’ll take a second here to mention. None of us spoke Escapee’s Tongue, and that was a huge disadvantage. Probably my fault mostly. But I’m already learning it since we’ve got back. Draco can speak Draconic (seems obvious) and they were probably the reason we even got anywhere at all. Celestial helped a bit…which I just barely understand.
Anyway, once in the city we set about exploring. We stumbled around trying to find out how to join the Veiled Seekers, and it turns out you need to be sponsored. So we tried…and failed…then tried again, and failed. Finally we went back to the bar and some bullies who happened to be Seekers came in, and we saw our chance. Draco, again, led the talking and I just tried to play on their pride. It seemed to work, and they challenged us to a combat in their dueling grounds. Unfortunately for them (and Draco) they had about one trick, thinking battle magic just meant casting magic missile over and over again, mostly at Draco. We handled them quickly, received our sponsorship, and then explored the city a bit. We found a number of places that could be explored. Figured I’d make a copy of our guide’s descriptions here:
The report includes a tacked-on piece of parchment, indicating a few locations and sights to see in New Hezrath.
New Hezrath Grand Cathedral - The religious center of the city where many attend to rites and see to the troubles of the people. Ever since the fall of Gildenwind, the Ecclesiarch has been in deep seclusion and has been unavailable for meetings.
The Panoply Theater - A place where novice mages practice their craft supporting bards and actors as lighting and pyrotechnics specialists. Their next performance of Fallen Petals, Bloody Roses, a tale about the cycle of revenge and how it leads to ruin, will take place next week.
Dragonspit Brewery - An alehouse that serves select, limited batch reserves of various lighter alcohols with interesting twists to them, and is where many of the cities artists frequent between their works. While not exclusive, the prices of many of the drinks makes it impossible for poorer members of the city frequent.
Shining Constellations - A jewelry shop that occasionally offers up magical jewelry, but it tends to be expensive.
Phantom Smithy - A formerly popular blacksmith, it hasn't seen much business ever since hiring an orc as an apprentice blacksmith.
Tin Roof - A dancing hall where folk dances and drinking competitions are often held by the lower classes, alongside other lower class celebrations. It's a large venue, and very popular with the peasants, who are known to treat visiting musicians very well. The guide seems to be a bit apprehensive around the lower districts, as if afraid something will happen.
We personally visited Shining Constellations and Phantom Smithy, and the others thought they were pretty cool. They had an Orc smith who was really talented. I finally found a Butchering Axe, like my people use, well actually I commissioned it. Raziyah found a number of new weapons for her collection, and Draco bought a brooch of shielding, naturally. Lots of uncommon items between the two stores. I’m sure the rest were good too.
The next day I split up with the rest of the party and went to study for a week straight. Seekers sponsorships last a week, so I used as much time as I could. Found a really helpful Kholo named Gruc who helped me both find and study so much. Found tons of spells and rituals, but sadly I messed up the learning on quite a few. Still, for any who seek knowledge, the Seekers are incredibly skilled and have many secrets…I even found hints of True Name magic. I wasn’t able to learn it, but on my next visit, I’m sure I will.
When I finally met up again with my companions and we tried to wrap up some lose ends. We finally visited Vulna and delivered Raket’s message, but not before we were jumped in the poor section of the city. The thieves were absolutely idiotic, and had no plan. We drove them off easily.
Then, during the night at Vulna’s church, the whole place was attacked by some cultists or whatever. I don’t know anything about who they are except that they were seeking the “Radiance Spawn” (Vulna) for a ritual and that they served the “Sun-in-Shadow”, or at least that’s the closest I can get from Abyssal to Common.
Regardless, I want to find a way to gain permanent sponsorship with the Veiled Seekers someday, and I wonder if the Guild could open a formal Alliance with them against the incursions of the Pact. Maybe we could meet up with this Eudosius Lightbringer. In any case, New Hezrath was a wondrous place and I very much wish to return. Hopefully they can defend themselves against further incursions.”
Attested,
Thanja Rhuuk