VIII. a. Some Down, Hundreds to Go

General Summary

Thessday, Midsky 20

You, the Crimson Sleep, have very carefully planned and strategized around your return to Yis'tilah'ste, even going so far as to hire another adventuring party to return with you, due to the threat of the Black Hand. Planned and strategized up until about four minutes ago... when the Black Hand emerged from where you had triggered their teleportation circle, ambushing you.

Methodically, you whittled them down until you took the last remaining one alive as captive. It was then you discovered how deep their zealotry ran, as the Black Hand took some form of poisoned capsule, grinding it in his teeth before choking to death on a foul-smelling foam.

Ash carefully manufactured a note from Captain Thorne stating " Teleportation circle disabled for safety reasons. Last shipment for a while. Be careful," before placing it atop the wagon. Once the wagon was sent down, you immediately withdrew the arcane crystals, lest the Black Hand decide to make another go with you.

From there, you continued on to your chosen door. However soon, it was noticed that you had a tail on you. After some discussion of ambushing, with and without traps, you decided to ambush without traps, in the event that your tail is a friendly one. And to your near-astonishment, they were indeed friends, as you questioned four of the Gravenholm Raven Guard, two of whom you recognized from Thorne's execution day. You sent one of the three back to get more men and kept the other three along with you.

Now three stronger, you go into Yis'tilah'ste twelve strong. Will that be enough to face the Spider Cave you ran away from in your first adventure into these ruins? Who can say...