VI. Taking from the Black Hand

General Summary

Thuramirsday, Midsky 5

You have spent over a week underground exploring the ruins of the lost city of Yis'tilah'ste. You lucked into coming across two rogue Black Hand agents who ultimately led you to more Black Hand. You've now tangled with them a few times, but now they definitely know you're here as you begin your looting of their outpost.

Ash began in the alleyway with Boran's assistance, finding a box of rations along with picked veggies and eggs, and a crate full of ink, paper, and quills.

You quickly moved on to the second house, but Boran had a tugging feeling in his gut that you may have missed something in the general store. He and Ash returned to search for hidden compartments, but to no avail.

Next door, while Ash and Boran were still searching, Max found fresh bread made from the ancient grains found here in Yis'tilah'ste and happily helped himself to some.

Tort and Max make their way to the building across the street, thrilled to find a tavern; Dreamhawk follows them soon afterwards. Here, they quickly took note of several crates and barrels bearing Behram's brand, branded over by the Black Hand's own brand.

Dreamhawk returned to the general store to grab a crowbar and informed Boran on his way out that they found something, cutting Ash's sweep of the place short.

Back at the tavern, while exploring, you located the cellar and as Tort counted the boxes and barrels, he announced to everyone that there was no way the amount of crates here far outnumber what would have been able to be carried in the two wagons you chased. Upstairs, Boran searched the dining room while Tort searched the bedrooms, both finding nothing of note. In the attic you found a final bedroom with an armor stand and two chests - one of which held gold, the other of which held some kind of records, carefully labeled and organized, though you were unable to discern what the files were for.

In the house next door there was little of note, save a ritual room that damned all the gods of the Concord, in several languages. Boran used the ink he'd taken from one of the crates and destroyed the ritual area.

The last building you found was magically locked - a tricky endeavor indeed. However, your scroll of Dispel Magic worked and gained you entrance to a barren stone room Inside was an alter with a giant seed, the size of a human head, on it, which was glowing softly.

Boran watered the seed and it brightened immensely. He carefully used some fabric to wrap the seed and it's roots so it could fit into his bag of holding. Thankfully, Ash was kind enough to help him by holding out his bag as he carefully dropped it in.

You decided to move a few miles down before ducking into the next residence you saw. During his watch, Dreamhawk heard the sound of what sounded like two dozen soldiers running down the street.

In the morning, over rations and coffee, you decided what to do next - should you keep tracking the Black Hand or retreat and hand your evidence over to the High King, hoping for reinforcements. Choosing the former over the latter, you decided to use the sewers to get around without having to worry about being spotted by the Black Hand.

After hours of walking, you begin to smell the odor of waste material and decide to pop your head out to see where you are. Deciding you needed to get a little closer, and head a little farther down the sewers before emerging.

You're out in the open and you can hear a low, distant chatter. Will you reach your destination? Will the Black Hand fall for your tricks? Who can say.