SKT: Session 20: Removing snakes and gaining Tombs

General Summary

Session XX — Of Silvered Horns and Serpent Tongues

From blood and spores they rose anew, their breath still ragged from battle's bite. The assassins were down, the priests of Mielikki bent in aid, and even foul Zhentarim were spared, healed by Beldrun's steady hands. In thanks, he offered not coin, but gifts most rare—a silvered alicorn and credit deep in potion stores. Yet richer still, Jae Iseul, robed high in forest's grace, promised her ring should the Zhentarim be driven from Mornbryn's Shield.   Now with four silvered relics in hand and a promise of the fifth from Dryad kin, the party took leave of shrine and spore-slicked stone to find the sisters of the rootwood grove. But danger, ever clinging, stirred again—Azure’s keen eye spotted the lurking death of Violet Fungus, hidden amidst edible fare. With a cry he warned, and blades flashed fast. When silence returned, only the useful mushrooms remained, and they were gathered with care.   Then, to Sycamorea and her sister they came. In thanks for salvation, the final alicorn was drawn from a tree’s secret hollow, magic whispered into wood and wind. With all five in hand, the party rested, for they knew what came next would stir the bones of legend.   Uvar, steadfast bearer of the relics, placed them one by one upon the ancient tomb’s gate. The stone sighed open to reveal Mornbryn’s treasure vault: chests of coin, tools and relics long untouched. Upon a sarcophagus of stone, a Ranger stood eternal—Shield graven with an ankheg’s grimace, quiver bristling with enchanted death. Greed held no sway, only reverence as they searched. Azure found gold, Madra an elven tapestry, Uvar an adamantine Breastplate and a silvered blade of power. Thyme climbed high to claim the shield, and gifted Madra the arrows—slayers of giants.   But the tomb held more than treasure. Madra, ever curious, stalked where cultists once emerged. Behind the fungus-veiled wall he found a shrine to the Rotting Queen—Zuggtmoy, her image smeared in decay and gem-light. He tore the treasure from the filth and struck the idol in fury. It bled rot and death, showering him in foulness, but he lived. Marked, but unbroken.   Dragging prisoners behind them, the heroes stumbled upon a strange pool of acid. Within it, a submerged lever and a silvered Unicorn horn. Azure, wise in spell and trick, gave Madra the gift of Spiderwalk. As the Barbarian danced across the ceiling, the others tested the acid’s hunger—watching a blade dissolve to nothing. But the horn was claimed, and more secrets revealed.   One prisoner, roused and questioned, proved but an infected villager. Another, panicked and grateful, sought safety with Oboth Thornsteel. The party agreed—though suspicion bloomed. Through twisting paths and fungal groves, they reached a door etched in elven: “These two show the Sun ts way, from dawn to dusk.” With thought and wit, they pressed east and west—and the door opened... only to the same side. Still, the way was cleared.   Back they climbed to Beldrun’s Concoctions. There, bartering for potions and truth, they were rewarded. Tapestries gifted, acid vials secured. But one Assassin—saved and trusted—was gone. Fled.   At the shrine, Madra gifted a second tapestry to the high priestess. Gratitude was deep. At the Keep, Jonik Helvyr listened to tales of treasure and reminded them of their true task: the removal of the Zhentarim. Lodgings were offered. Rest would come. But the night held more.   Madra returned to the tomb, seeking acid for his vials. The others, to Beldrun once more. There, they found two Zhentarim speaking with the Alchemist. Tension cut the air. Hands neared hilts. Minds were read. They knew.   Madra, crossing past the Troll in Flames, was hailed by Oboth Thornsteel. The façade cracked. Crossbowmen lined the walls. Trapped, Madra agreed to enter. But not alone—he warned the others, his thoughts carried by Azure’s gift.   Steel was drawn in silence. Allies raced to the inn.   And Mornbryn’s secrets, it seemed, had yet to fully sleep.