The Age of Worms / A Gathering of Winds pt. 9 / Kith the 4th, 3593 CE / 2-26-23

Not by Choice is engaged in battle with an ancient demon named Augerric, placed in the True Tomb of Icosiel countless ages ago to protect it from tomb raiders. Though they appear to making headway in antagonizing the monster, especially Nataliya's psychic energy drain, Augerric still appears determined to destroy the party. Moreto convinces the team to place the Seal of Law in its indentation atop Icosiel's sarcophagus, and suddenly the demon is banished, as the tomb recognizes the bearer of the Seal as worthy of Icosiel's treasure. Though Coal is disappointed that the fight is over, the party quickly gathers to identify and allocate the priceless relics within the sarcophagus, including one of the seven fragments of the legendary Rod of Law. They also hear a message from the long-dead Icosiel, encouraging them to stop the Age of Worms. When the Seal is once more removed in order to power the lift back to the lower chamber, the True Tomb begins to collapse. Coal, who was exploring the tunnel in which the demon came out, rushes back up with moments to spare as the room crumbles around them. Back below in the chamber of the Rising Path, Allustan uses the Seal to ward of the Wind Warriors, whose ire he had previously provoked by not following the prescribed path of stones. The Seal is once more placed in the massive double doors, and the party returns to the antechamber to be reunited with Nari and Idra. Going through the treasure once more, they discuss their next steps. After retrieving the Seal of Law as his own portion of the loot, Moreto decides to accompany the party back to the false tomb to ensure that their gambit to fool the shadow spider Flycatcher is successful. As everyone makes their way once more to the top of the Falling River, they pass through now familiar rooms until they reach the spider's Shadow Web chamber. After some negotiations with the obviously not altogether sane spider, Flycatcher agrees to release Lulu's brother Taavi. As the party quickly makes their way back to the upper tomb, Nataliya stays behind to confer with Moreto, who was hiding in the adjacent room. After offering the true ghoul her sample of Bwimb in exchange for one of the matched swords which he was still holding onto, they say their farewells and Moreto departs.