Session 31: The Avatar of Yuan Report

General Summary

The party after taking a long rest goes to investigate the large doors depicting a snake. As they investigate the doors, as well as the statue that is giving off the weird magical light. As Elitessa and Diala investigate further they both realize the eyelids are able to close. As they do so the light disappears and the large door opens. Beyond a large amphitheater. With putrid water below, as the group inches close to the water's edge they are attacked by a large undead snake. A deadly encounter, however Hanz gets some powerful strikes in and manages to injure it greatly. Although it retaliates with a poison breath weapon, as well as a powerful tail that lashes out against anyone near. The group pulls off a win and manages to slay the undead beast.   Searching the body they find the 3rd artifact. The Fangs of the Serpent. Removing it from the mouth of the beast is a simple task, and as they do so they fangs shrink down to a much more manageable size. The party knowing they still must find the Venom of the Serpent go back to Sseth. The priest who is clearly crazy. The party felt that maybe it might be worth talking to in hopes of finding the last artifact.   There hunch proves to be accurate as the crazed undead priest gives the party a riddle they easily solve. They are told the location of the last artifact. It is located within the statue on the same floor they are on. The same statue they decided to not touch as it felt dangerous. Hanz heads over to the statue and manages to find the hidden compartment within the tail. Now with the fourth artifact on hand. The group returns to Alisstar to complete the ritual. As they are commanded to place the artifacts on the altar. Alisstar tells the party the price that must be paid. A sacrifice to Yuan. A sacrifice that will permanently mark the one who freely gives the sacrifice. Hanz chooses to do it, heading off his belief that he will survive if nothing else given his already connection to the snake deity Yuan. Hanz performs the sacrifice giving his own blood to Yuan and as he does so he feel weaker in the end. Maybe someday he can find a way to restore what was lost. However it is not something that can be achieved at this time.   With the ritual done, Alisstar begins to fade away. As he does so, he performs some somatic gestures towards the altar and from it rising out of the stone itself is the Jade Serpent of Yuan. With a final thank you Alisstar disappears leaving just the party and the floating statue before them. Hanz grabs the statue however as he does so the temple itself begins to collapse around them. It appears whatever magics that were holding the the sea water at bay from crushing the temple have disappeared. The party quickly makes their escape towards the exit.   A few new bruises later from falling rocks they make it back to Green Pate and where they left the rowboat. The party decides to rest here. While doing so Diala sends out her familiar owl to further scout Black Dog Caves. Her owl finds two arms that the group has yet to explore. The first one, a basin with a briny water, the area seems to be an area of worship to Laido the Sea Goddess. The second branch is more dangerous, the owl notices multiple chests within the sand beach. However as it approaches it is killed by something. The group themselves hears a large boom as if lightning struck, echoing throughout the cave. The party gathers onto the boat to set sail to investigate further, however Ganbold is unable to beat the current and the boat is suddenly pushed back and hits the rocks behind them. Unfortunately the rowboat already damaged from earlier does not survive the hit, and shatters. The party manages to swim to safety and find themselves all in the large basin. Away from the snake door. But now wading in deep water. They discuss the best course of action and decide it would be safest to return to The Rancor. They can explore the rest of the cave some other day.   The party begins the long swim back to The Rancor. They approach the rapids near the mouth of the cave and it is a difficult swim, however the group manages to get through, some more exhausted then others. Once at The Rancor, they raise anchor and sail back to Freeport under the new moon. They arrive in about an hour and find the entire docks very busy. They are only able to make port within Scurvytown.   Diala checks the invitations a bit closer and realizes that they contain hidden sigils that allow someone to spy on the party and know where they are at all times. She ends up disposing of most of the invitations and manages to dispel the magic on a few of them. Setting up rotating watches the rest of the party head to bed. They awake almost midday. As they begin to go and see if they can find some food they leave the boat, however they quickly discover wanted posters of each of the party members. They are wanted for treason, terrorism, murder, and a whole slew of charges. The bounty is signed by Milton Drac and Melkior Maeorgan the new head of the Freeport Guardsmen. The bounty is set at 2000gp for each of them. A bounty large enough some folks who recognize the party might attempt to collect despite how dangerous it would be for them. It is probably good luck they ended up docking within Scurvytown last night, it is also fortunate with the large crowed of ships now in port for the lighting of the lighthouse they will be able to hide a tree amongst a forest.   If Hanz's vision is to come true. Then at some point tonight the lighthouse will be lit with they yellow light. However now with the Jade Serpent in possession, maybe now they can stop the Yellow Sign's plans. With the party now wanted, the lighthouse being guarded by marines in boats. How will the party be able to make it onto the island where Milton's Folly stands.