Session 14: A New Guardian

After a well-earned rest at the Moon-Fork Inn, the Ratcatchers set out to investigate a troubling rumor—children have been vanishing in Tier 2. While making their way through the winding streets of Lexica, a group of bandits attempts to rob them, demanding either coin or blood. The Ratcatchers answer swiftly with steel, dispatching their attackers with grim efficiency and making it clear they are not easy prey.   Their search brings them to a crumbling apartment block, where they meet Laria Tenthill, the grieving mother of one of the missing children. Inside her child’s room, they discover a chalk drawing of a magical circle hidden beneath the bed and a worn storybook detailing the tale of the "Lady in Velvet." Following these breadcrumbs, they ask around and hear about two potential sources of information: a streetwise girl named Denta and a homeless elder known as Old Jero.   Choosing to speak to Denta first, they find a frail but observant girl who tells them of "shiny people" emerging from a ruined archway near the bathhouse and mentions hearing strange prayers in unknown tongues. Her story is laced with fear and mystery. The Ratcatchers then turn to Old Jero, who reveals more of the folklore: the Velvet Lady, Elrothol, is no mere tale—he believes her to be an ancient fae queen. He also notes that children have vanished from the nearby orphanage and that a dog-like beast has been seen near the disappearances. Investigating a nearby alley, the group finds unsettling chalk drawings and three-toed claw marks that resemble those of a displacer beast.   The group continues their investigation near the bathhouse, where they discover a missing maintenance grate and a shattered hairpin made of dreamglass—a rare material linked to the realm of dreams. Before diving deeper, they decide to stop by the Broken Harp Orphanage. There, in a building barely standing, they meet a group of neglected children. One child, Mina, shares a haunting tale of a smoke-like lady dancing on the ceiling who took the "good kids" away to safety. While some of the children dismiss it, claiming protection from the Ash Knives, the story lingers with the group.   Descending through the grate behind the bathhouse, the Ratcatchers encounter aggressive slimes in the tunnels but dispatch them quickly. Their exploration leads to a forgotten shrine to the Veiled Mother—another name for Elrothol. The statue’s eyes have been scratched out, surrounded by offerings of toys and the plea: “Take them where pain cannot reach.”   Deeper in the tunnels, the party meets Maz the Candleman—a cryptic, flamboyant individual who claims knowledge of Elrothol’s domain. He points them toward an arcane circle, which the Ratcatchers activate. The ritual transports them to the Dreamlands, a surreal and serene realm where the missing children are safe, well-fed, and cared for. Elrothol, now revealed to be something far greater than a mere fiend—a succubus who has transcended her infernal nature—greets the Ratcatchers with calm dignity. After a difficult conversation and soul-searching, the group agrees to let the children choose. About half wish to return home, and Elrothol permits it without resistance, revealing herself as a strange but valuable ally.   The Ratcatchers return the children to Tier 2 and receive some gold for their efforts. With their minds full and the night drawing in, they return once more to the Moon-Fork Inn, their bond as a group strengthened by the strange dreamborn truths they’ve uncovered.