Loose threads Derek is still on the loose. Dortari is interesting and concerning. The Sun-in-Shadow cult continues to grow in the city, and is likely infiltrating the middle class, and possibly even upper class of the city. Lots of social unrest as the cult is hunted; teiflings in the lower city are being persecuted. What was the "Agriculturist" Cenqas having his goods attacked, and who was attacking. Why is the Inquisitor mobilizing.
Participants Raziyah, Stanelin Shazorwyn, Bonabo Nesty, Thanja Rhuuk
Locations New Hezrath
Short summary:
We tried to track down Derek the Babau in the city of New Hezrath, but our candor and lack of tact shut too many doors. We made no progress, and witnessed a dark shadow lurking within the city.
This report will be short. Our most recent trip to New Hezrath has proved to be a…very disappointing affair. During the tournament, Bonabo Nesty and some few others attempted to invite the Ecclesiarch of New Hezrath as a foreign dignitary. This is “detailed” in its relevant report. Bonabo was intent to pursue this lead, and Stanelin Shazorwyn approached me about the mission they were planning. I undertook some research for them, and found that the “D” in question on a note they found was likely Derek, a Babau of the Lone Tricks MercenaryCompany. Likely engaged in despicable acts to try and corrupt people into demons or recruit them for his mercenary company.
With this information in hand, I asked to be allowed on the mission. I’m worried my presence was actually bad for the mission. I think I might have lead us astray a couple times.
Anyway, we made our way to New Hezrath and found Vulna. It seems that the social fabric of the city is coming undone a bit, and the teiflings in the lower city are being abused and oppressed. Vulna, as ever, is a light and hopeful presence, but I think it’s my fault things are going the way they are. At least partially.
I also consulted the spirits and realized that a woman we met on the way into the city, Dortari, who presented as a tiefling was using some kind of glamour. I worry it might’ve been Derek’s old partner, or perhaps Derek himself in disguise. Raziyah seemed to understand her, and gain her respect, but Dortari left us as we got close to the city.
After checking with Vulna and staying the night we visited Szi Miretusk, a respected Scholar of the Veiled Seekers. She had looked into the cult of the Sun-in-Shadow after I warned her of it’s existence, and had some interesting information including information about some kind of “Final heretic” who had survived the destruction of the religion. There are also writings of the cult of the Sun-in-Shadow, but they require the special permission of the Dreamer to obtain. (*Note scribbled in the margin* I would be wary of contacting Szi again. She seems to have lost patience)
After another dead end though on our current mission, we sought out the sewer creep, suspecting him of foul dealings. But I think I was wrong again. He seems to have a number of strange and dangerous creatures under his control, but no demons. We confronted him, I screamed at him more than I’d like to admit, but he chased us from his sewers, and another lead went cold.
We decided then to split up and check a couple of different taverns for information. Stan and I were able to run into Enyoh at the Owl’s Eye Tavern. Bonabo and Raziyah went to the Huntsman’s Rest.
Enyoh was pleasant but we didn’t really get anywhere with that, but Stan and I had a nice time.
I have no idea what Bonabo and Raziyah got up to, but they found a lead on raids happening outside the city from someone named Cenqas, a catfolk. I also thought I was hearing things…whispers, but that didn’t materialize. Finally, we got to the location for the expected raid, and sure as can be they attacked. They utilized invisibility. We tried to take one alive, but once they got into the buildings they used invisibility again and escaped. We killed a number of them, and in the pocket of one we found a not that we deciphered…”Attack the location tomorrow
Ensure that several units are collected, I need as many as possible
Provided are invisibility scrolls to help you sneak in and out as well as firebombs to ensure as much damage as possible
If you succeed I'll pay you triple your usual amount.
Destroy this correspondence immediately.”
We never figured out what the units were. It seems like these farmers/workers might be involved in something of dubious legality, though I’m fairly certain none of them were involved in the cults. More likely the attackers were.
There was also a bit of a mixup with Bonabo. He can be very willful. But with no more leads to go one, we figured it was getting close to time to leave the city. We decided to try one last time to entreat with the Ecclesiarch, but as the rest of it went, so did this.
We were harassed by an acolyte before we made a brief acquaintance with Yteh Riverblast, The Radiance’ Virtue of Patience, I believe to be one of the Blessed Seven. He was also the Lord Inquisitor. He didn’t seem interested in any of our…leads on demons, but is interested in visiting First Landing I think? Or at least our Island. I will attempt to meet with him some other time.
All in all, I find this mission to be a resounding failure, though we did protect some people who needed it. I just worry about New Hezrath. Such a beautiful city, so much knowledge and learning. But it feels like it is rotting from the inside out. May the gods…deal with it as it deserves.
Thanja Rhuuk