Strange Aeons / The Rushton Terror pt. 13 / Eire the 11th, 3592 CE / 10-6-20

The party continues searching Fort Hailstorm for signs of the missing citizens of Rushton. In the fort's kitchen, there is gruesome evidence that some of the disappeared may have been cooked and eaten. They then discover the archives of the town Magistrate, Phineas Patrick, one of the disappeared. Sifting through the records looks like it will take time, but Sigvald notes a book on the shelf that seems out of place, a Hymnal of Accuris. Seizing it, a magical bookmark of deception slips from the book and it is revealed in fact to be an Almanac of the Dreamlands, complete with a map of that mysterious dimension. Esp decides to remain investigating the archives further while the party continues on. Backtracking to the set of stairs leading down, they decide to clear the basement before heading up to the battlements. Gleorn's new hound companion does not seem to like this idea, and saunters back to the archives to keep Esp company. The rest of the party descend into the depths of the fort. At the bottom of the stairs , a door opens into a storage room, but delving further into the next room, a pantry, alerts a cadre of fish-men cultists, as well as a bizarre ooze. The party is able to defeat the foes, and discovers a trapped door leading to the aqueduct that keeps the fort's well supplied with water. The next room they enter is the fort's prison. One of the cells contains the unfortunate remains of Trakir's missing companions. The next contains an occupant still living: Sholem, the missing brother of the girl Hollister who had previously asked the party to find her brother among the missing. Gleorn once again makes short work of the door, and soon Sholem is freed, though still fearful for his life, having seen the fish-men consume other prisoners and knowing he was next on menu.