The Age of Worms/ The Spire of Long Shadows pt. 9 / Bris the 30th, 3593 CE / 10-8-23

Not by Choice is engaged in battle in an ancient library in the ziggurat at the center of the ruined city of Kuluth-Mar, fighting to destroy two undead servants of Caius. One of the Caius blades flees the room but is tripped by Rados with a daring thrust and pivot that brings the creature to the ground, mangled upon Mironus. While in this twisted position Taavi beats what unlife remains out of the abomination. Meanwhile Jozu pounces and corners the last remaining Caius blade, beating it back against the wall, where it is dispatched with the aid of Nari and Rados. With combat resolved, looting commences, with Rados plundering a Mithral breastplate and storing two of the suits of armor for later sale. Nari gathers the great swords with the same intention. Lulu begins collecting the jarred worms from the shelves and searching the tomes for any insights on the coming Age of Worms. Nari barricades the door with her magical wagon, only restoring it to full size after placing it on its side. Rados finds a podium with a dusty book detailing the purpose of these jarred worms. They appear to be not just parasites of the ilk that create Caius's horrible servants, but also vessels of knowledge, if one can survive the process of ingesting them. The party soon settles down for a long rest. As Idra and Rados get to talking, they exchange stories of their gods and beliefs. Idra, finding second chances often come at great if not untold cost., does not fault Rados for his doubts about Mother Matina after bringing him back to life. Idra has doubts of her own regarding the deal she made with the Lantern King to have a family again. Towards the end of her slumber, Nari is struck by her first vision in Kuluth-Mar. It shows the same man as revealed before, presumably Caius, in a well-appointed torture chamber with all manner of cruel implements. Before him stands a six-armed insectoid being holding a cruel hook, a crystalline scepter, and a golden box. The man, Caius, takes the box from the creature, opening it, and plucking from inside perhaps the first of the terrible Caius worms. His face bears a look of awe and gratitude before the vision fades.