Session 013: In Which We Finish Their Longest Foray Into the Scarlet Citadel and Are Requested as Dinner... Guests

Wherein Exposition Occurs

  The heroes have decided the fate of Cagoth-ze, one of Gellert the Gruesomes lieutenants, but are now concerned with the potential fallout.   A final pass of the Second Level reveals the last remaining occupants: the ever chaotic mephits. These ageless reign from the Elemental Planes but love finding their way into Midgard to hang out and spread their idea of "fun" though they are capricious and more susceptible to violent mood swings when compared to their fey or imp counterparts.   Eric interrupts mephit bath time and receives an eyeful of ooze-essence to the face, blinding him and stealing the light from his eyes while Vailima brandishes fell hand gestures at them.   Seeking a safe place to rest the party returns to Ushulx, the always-trustworthy Blood Cultist and contemplate what to do about the portal to the Dry Lands. Cagoth-ze's Wall of Light is beginning to weaken and the portal currently keeps the heroes away from the ancient Holzanger Crypts and their potentially rewarding insides. For an alternative route to level 2, the heroes intelligently tie a rope in the hole in the crypts, providing another pathway between Level One and Two.   Channeling the Light from Sanctus Roserium, Vedran finds an unclaimed religious artifact dedicated to an unknown rat god or demon. Even after death Danaska continues to annoy the party as one of her traps triggers in this shrine-room and causes Vedran and Nyra to beserk! Nyra nails Vailima with tiny little punches to alternating nostrils until Egor steps in to break up the fight. After a religio-philosophical debate, multiple members of the party lay claim to the statue and leave the statue's carnelian gem eyes to remain in place.   Back to Redtower for a cold bath and warm beer. Wait. Scratch that. Reverse it. The heroes touch base with their contacts and Vailima has made it her sole mission in life to befriend Norneth - the cold elfmarked priest of Rava. Lumi spends the night at Skunk Sanctuary and receives an invitation for dinner with Ichbon and Zula in an attempt to find a diplomatic solution to the current... situation.   The heroes have named their horse Li'l Sebastian who may or may not be a doppelganger.