IV. Welcome to Yis'tilah'ste

General Summary

Valisday, 5803 Midsky 1

You are dozens of miles underground and you estimate it's been four days since you've seen the sun. You have managed to maze your way through the labyrinth entrance to an ancient city. Thus far, you have seen and learned more about Vetharyn's ancient history than has ever been shared with you by scholars or priests, including detailed encounters with gods and demons. This place is revealing mysteries and secret histories - you have found of the lost city if Yis'tilah'ste.

Returning to the buildings you found at the end of the Labyrinth of Yis'tilah'ste, you decided to search the other tower. Unfortunately, Ash set off the poison trap that had been set to secure the items within. You found an ancient warehouse filled with crates and barrels. Opening several of the crates and barrels, you found ancient silks and strange potions, even a barrel of ancient grain. Satisfied with your search of the warehouse, you made your way to the next tower. Held within was an ancient library with thousands of fully intact tomes. Upstairs, you located an ancient alchemical station that housed three large jars of strange oblong beads and an ancient contraption to dispense them. You discovered CUR - some kind of ancient healing device. With more searching, Max found a mummified hand clutching an ancient key that reacted to his touch. Ash also discovered a Haversack of Holding while Tort made off with 5 ancient scrolls.

The next building appeared to be a barracks. However, it caught your attention that two beds were tousled and none of the others had any dust on them, as if cleaned recently. It was Ash who discovered a smaller bugbear hiding, along with his elven friend. After a lot of confusion over who anyone was or wasn't, you learned they were Ilyria and Kaelen - members of The Black Hand that had run away but had been unable to find their way out of Yis'tilah'ste.

You gave them food and water as you began interrogating them before offering them a catnip cigarette. The catnip cigarette, surprisingly, put the two to sleep so you could tie them up for better interrogation and searching. Not turning up much more than a picture of Kaelen's adorable son, you wait for them to awaken and take your rest.

The next morning, you finished your interrogation, learning that The Black Hand members are chose from The Vigilant Order and higher ranks are recruited from the Raven Guard; The Black Hand is operating as a secret society within the city guard. You also learn there was a gate that they came through, though they shut it behind them to prevent pursuit.

Satisfied with their answers, you let them lead you to a tower of gears and levers, along with start charts and constellations. Max, without much hesitation, adjusted the date on the mechanism and you watched it whir to life as the gates slowly opened. On parting, you told Ilyria and Kaelen to follow the scorch marks and arrows through the labyrinth to find their way out, hoping that the walls hadn't moved too much.

The gate is open and the untouched city of Yis'tilah'ste awaits you!