The Keys of Telku / The Final Key pt. 19 / Kith the 30th through Kahn the 1st, 3593 CE / 11-6-22

Lady Bloodmist has emerged into the battle with the vampires and the yurei in the crypt beneath Castle Eichon. Rados is able to dispel the yurei, at least for the time being, with a burst of magic. Lady Bloodmist begins conducting a ritual using the power of the unholy tomb to draw blood from her enemies, weakening them and empowering the magic of the ceremonial chamber. John recognizes the ritual just as it is about to reach a culmination, but before he can explain, he leaps to attack Lady Bloodmist and attempts to disrupt the dark ritual. There is a burst of darklight, and then the party finds that John is gone, along with their opponents, and the entire Tomb of Vasu in which they were fighting. Rados recognizes the peril they are in as the dirt walls and ceiling, without the stonework of the tomb to support them, begin to collapse. The party rushes out of the room just in time as dirt collapses around them and fills the space where the Tomb of Vasu once stood. Debating their next steps. they decide the time has come to meet up again with Night and the other Amita K'un, leaving the prisoners trapped in the library of Castle Eichon to their own fate. Adrienne directs the party to the safehouse which Night described to her. They are met at the door by Kursh, the Amita K'un who held the Ring of Falling leaves during their first expedition to Castle Eichon. They are taken to Night, who is relieved to see them again, and surprised and concerned to hear the news of their fight with the vampires and the unknown fate of John. Just then First returns to the safehouse, badly burned, and carrying the head of the Overlord Kitaya. This confirms the vision that Moss had using the eyes of the City spell, that Kitaya perished in the attack on Castle Dracus, but, using the Ring of Falling leaves, was able to give Lord Kalkin and Master Sun the opportunity to flee the burning inferno of the castle. First has likewise retrieved the ring from his dead Lord's finger, but has found that wherever Master Sun and Kalkin have gone with the other ring, they are now too far away to create a portal. Baijao heals the injured First, now leader of the Amita K'un in Master Sun's absence. First declares the Amita K'un's primary duty is to locate Master Sun and Kalkin, but, surprisingly, Night objects, contradicting her superior and stating that the Amita K'un owe the Adventurers a debt which they cannot put off repaying. In private, Night informs the party that it was Master Sun's wish that the attack on Castle Eichon happen on the Night of Masques, though many felt it was premature and ill-planned, because it would give the party time to still reach Baali by the Day of Power, a celebration in the Baal Confederacy's capital when foreigners are allowed to roam more freely and conduct trade. Night declares that it is her duty to make sure the sacrifices of the Amita K'un are not in vain, and that it is more important that Tarrus the One-Eyed be prevented from obtaining the final Key of Telku. Rados also informs the party that he must leave them and continue his quest to find resources to liberate his city of Niopus. Soon after, Stele also decides that his time with the party has ended for the timebeing. After resting in the safehouse, the two Adventurers depart. The party awakes to find that First and the majority of the surviving Amita K'un have also left on their mission to locate Master Sun and Lord Kalkin. Night, Kursh, and the few remaining Amita K'un who have decided to aid the party help them with disguises to appear as travelling merchants from Pandona, and the party sets off on a journey to the Southlands and the city of Baali in search for the final Key of Telku.