Session 120: Breakthrough Report
General Summary
In Session 119, the Incursionists finally managed to get back to the first layer of Carceri, Othrys. They had found themselves inside some sort of fortified building and while trying to find an exit, they met upon Kaugathar, a kelubar demodand they had met earlier in the adventure who now stood before their escape. As they engaged Kaugathar and his demodand followers, they slowly realized that they had some ability to replicate as more and more demodands were being summoned against them. With their backs against the wall, they decided to back off and break open a reinforced door to the outside and as they did, they came into sight of an ancient tarterian dragon. Through some negotiations and counterspells from Baradin, they managed to fly away over the walls of the fort without the dragon chasing after them. They started by flying towards Mount Othrys, one of two massive mountains that housed the titan's palace. At the end of the spell that enabled their flight, they landed near a tributary of Styx before crossing it using a carpet of flying to then continue toward the mountain for the rest of the day. When the exhaustion began to set in, they set up camp in a dry area where Cademon set up a lean-to shelter. During the rest, Hero spoke with Kajafas about how they both had been fighting the cult for a long time and they were a bit similar in that regard. During the next day of travel, Baradin Godchosen shared some stories about Niduin and adventures that the excursionists had not done well during. After the story, Baradin said that everyone has their demons and Kajafas asked for his to which he responded that he should talk with Nitt about it. They also spoke about the gods and their powers, including how Baradin's powers are granted. They asked Ugis how the gods affected Sigil to which Cademon answered that the Lady of Pain made it so there were not many, to maintain neutrality. They also discussed the good qualities of a ruler and Baradin spoke about how the The Excursionists would not make good rulers because whether they intended or not, they would rule by strength. During the next few days of travel, they realized several groups of demodands were following them and as the party drew close to the palace, the demodands were on their heels. After a final sprint, they managed to rush inside the palace whereas the demodands stopped outside. Inside, they walked to the audience chamber of Coeus. When they met, Coeus was watching some form of show on the large windows that covered one side of his chamber. During their conversation, he mentioned it as something called Bake Off. Other than that, the party handed him the small shard of the shackle of Cronus that they had acquired in Agathys. After handing it in, they asked Coeus if there were more exits to which the titan let the party step onto his hand, and brought them to walk through the window of the room, which made them exit in a location near the Styx. It was here they called for the name Charon and after some time, a skeletal figure rowing a boat appeared on the river. Hero told the figure they sought to travel to Hades and they then had to pay 7000 gp per soul to transport. To help with this, the figure called for two more boats to fit everyone. Just before stepping onto the boat, Crystal advocated for someone else carrying the key, and Hero was chosen to do so. They then stepped onto the boat and began the journey to Hades. During the travel between planes, Baradin asked that the others not talk about or bring up his relationship with Altoron, Dragon of the End because it's been so long and he still hasn't found a good time to tell the other Excursionists. He wanted to tell them himself and therefore asked that they would not try and do it for him. After a short delay after that, they arrived in the plaque-ridden plains of Oinos, the first layer of Hades. After they had arrived, Baradin realized he had not prepared Plane Shift, as such, they summoned a Temple of the Gods and tried to rest. During this time, Hero stayed awake watching the key and Baradin spoke to him about being able to bring Hero's eyes back, to which he responded that he did not need it, at least for now. The next morning, Baradin cast the spell to bring them back to the Material Plane and they arrived at the "Ninja Hole", the base of the Excursionists where Omen ei' Taure greeted them merrily and asked them to join in the kitchen where he had made cookies. The rest of the Excursionists awaited them in the dining hall and as Eldon Caufield went to greet Baradin, he noticed that the magic around his clothes faded. With this, Eldon confronted Baradin about what he had in his attic to which Baradin answered it was a shrine to Altoron that he only kept there for a time when he needed something to show they had a plan for him when nothing else would answer. Eldon then questioned him about Nitt, specifically referring to his crystalline arm, to which Baradin answered that it is his biggest shame and regrets that he does not know or understand what it is. He also mentioned having asked Nitt multiple times if there were any strange features or disabilities due to the arm. Baradin then exclaimed that it seemed like the others knew something that he did not and would like to know. Eldon responded by saying that Altoron might be closer than he might think. By following the trail of Malik Aurora, they had found some things including where they believe Altoron to be sealed. Eldon then asked further about why Baradin had shown interest in the Cube of Thávma to which he responded that he did not fully know who or what, but something called him towards it. Baradin claimed that it seemed like the others knew something he did not and would like to know. Eldon responded by asking about the power of Altoron and saying that he is closer than you might think. Following Malik, they had found some things including where Altoron is sealed. Eldon then asked why Baradin seemed interested in the cube to which he responded that he did not fully know who, but something called him to the cube. They then questioned why he had not told him about these things before, to which he said that he did not know how and when because no matter what he had done, it would make things worse and they had other things to deal with. They then spoke about how they should deal with things going forward and Baradin said that he could not get rid of the shard as it was inside of him and that they should not forgive his cowardice and instead work to stop it. They then agreed to not hold any more secrets. Concerns were then brought up about the fact that something drawing Baradin towards the cube could indicate some signs that the shard has some influence on him, though it could also have been the gods. At the end of the session, they also covered two separate dreams happening to Eldon and Omen. Eldon found himself in a white environment where paint-like blurry trees were just out of sight and yellow leaves fell from the sky. He followed a trail of these leaves and found a stump with a parchment and quill on it. Written on the parchment was the question: "What kind of story do you wish to tell?". Eldon answered by writing the story of how he had gotten to the new world and after he placed the parchment back on the stump, he woke up with an empowered The Sky - Wax Feather, an artifact of Silvanus, The Oakfather. A similar dream also visited Omen. He found himself in a similar environment but the trees were not in the yellow of autumn but without leaves in early winter, rain falling instead of leaves. He followed a trail where the rain did not land and found a pool of water where he for a moment saw the question: "What do you wish your reflection to be?". Omen sat down and meditated, picturing himself in simpler robes without the need for implements of battle or protection, closer to nature. When he opened his eyes, he woke up with an empowered The Water - Glass Dice, another artifact of Silvanus, The Oakfather.
