Session 33 – Thana is a Sauna, so Relax Maybe?
General Summary
Pilfering Mal Korvian
Standing before Valtaris' long dead corpse, Teagan – now returned to an 8 foot tall firbolg – grabs the Book of the Dead. The bones on the cover begin to reform, creating a different pattern for every person who holds it. The Book, however, does not seem to open and even trying to prying it open while thinking thoughts of death doesn't seem to coax it open. Rather, the silver threads holding the bones to the cover try to take Teagan's bones. When Jin holds the book, the bones align perfectly with the gold and copper gate surrounding the book, but – despite feeling a connection – Jin is unable to coax it open. Perhaps it's a location thing?
The group then splits up... for some good old pilfering. Yenush snags a dagger off of Valtaris' corpse and then manages to find quite a haul of trinkets. Although damage, even the scraps of Valtaris' wealth are nothing to scoff at. Arkyn looks around for a skeleton with a missing finger, but if the Baron perished... his body is not here. Aiaoue beelines to the kitchen, but unfortunately finds that most of the spices have been lost, their containers shattered along with rubble. Milo remained in Valtaris room to peruse the prince's personal library. While the books have long since withered away, there are ancient stone tablets written in an unfamiliar language. With Comprehend Language, Milo is able to note that the tablets contain information on how every past member of Mal Mavkazan who had the Book of the Dead... managed to unlock it. Almost all used violent means and none opened the Book in exactly the same way, but they all have the common theme of offering knowledge of the dead to open the Book.
Leaving the Mal Mavkazan Estate, the group takes a quick jaunt over to the Mal Kerrym estate. Aiaoue manages to find both some unknown spices and a set of serving ware (that needs some restoration). Yenush is able to find even MORE trinkets and a diamond, which he promptly gives to Cadence. Teagan grabs the only remaining magical weapon: an obsidian warhammer. The shard of obsidian in his chest seems to spread ever so slightly at embracing the weapon. At that point, might as well use it. Milo visits the graveyard near the Temple of Malachor. There are no graves corresponding to a mass death event, but Milo is able to conclude that perhaps a few centuries passed between Valtaris acquiring the Book and the downfall of Mal Korvian.
The group decides to rest in and around Vendetta. Yenush takes the opportunity to pull Yelkin aside for a "follow-up conversation" since Yenush is genuinely concerned that he might die going up against this death goddess. Yelkin rolls his shoulder and massages the joint of his scarred arm. Why are you doing that? Does that hurt? Bro, at least I have my arm - don't worry about it. Yenush notes that Yelkin is being honest – it's not pain, but more of a nervous tick. With that settled, Yenush tries to convince Yelkin to return to Nacheevi to stand trial, but Yelkin is starchly oppossed, insisting that he isn't guilty and he didn't do anything wrong. Yenush notes that if not him, others will come and collect him. Yelkin seemed quite confident that they would struggle getting past Eight.
Yelkin does admit that he can't go back. They'll condem him for what afflicts him... the girl's voice lingers, her laughter echoing in the back of his mind. When Yenush mentions the time Yelkin was drunk, Yelkin notes that he doesn't remember that. Well, you kind of said some blasphemous things. Yelkin seemed even MORE unwilling to go back after that, once again insisting that he didn't do anything wrong. Yenush pivots - what about a compromise? Yenush has sway with Isocrates and believes he could convince him to parlay outside the borders of Nacheevi. Though, Yenush notes that Isocrates will most likely come with an entourage. If Isocrates gets an entourage, then so does Yelkin - who mentions he might be able to call upon Mistress Eight's connections.
With compromised achieved, Yenush pulls Yelkin into a hug... And then a girlish voice whispers into Yenush's ear: "I'm going to break the wheel." Yenush immediately shoves Yelkin away, the latter very confused. When Yenush notes that he thinks he heard her, Yelkin seems distressed. Eight was helping him and he's been away awhile. Is that you're close? She's a lonely woman. Yenush jokes that Eight seems right up Yelkin's alley.
Cadence informs Arkyn that she can now cast Death Ward on him. Arkyn asks Quill NOT to get angry if Sayah tries to take his heirloom blade again. And Jin goes through the entire night without trancing or sleeping. When Milo asks if Jin wants to join them, Jin waves the offer away as Aiaoue claps him on the shoulder and declares that "Varoona did not give him strength". Jin simply stares back before slipping back to Vendetta throwing finger guns and a "good luck" over his shoulder.
Through the Temple of Malachor
The Temple of Malachor rests in disrepair and neglect. Teagan places the Book of the Dead in the inner gates... and the door simply disintegrates. Beyond is a massive chamber that descends downward. Two statues of Malachor are temporarily animated by two blue-teal motes.
“Heed my words, you with hearts which still beat. You enter the realm of Malachor; the home of they that are dying, undying, and dead.” “And heed my words, you with breath still in your lungs. You enter the resting place of Thana; guardian of all those who have found their final rest.” "What do you – still bound to life – seek among the dead? Are you determined to descend?"
When the group answers affirmative, the spirits motion to two paths: a crumbling stairway or a set of 6 coffins. Arkyn, without any thought, hops in a coffin and closes it. The coffine proceeds to levitate out to the center of the chamber, before descending. The others enter the coffins and Teagan quickly regrets letting Milo (and the others) peer pressure him into descent via coffin as he gets his "mind massaged in a bad way". All but Cadence are strike by mental damage. Milo, Teagan, and Aiaoue all emerge with a shard of obsidian embedded in their arms.
In the next chamber, a sundial rests in the middle of a ring of 12 statues. Stone tablets line the walls as the blue-teal motest linger. Milo quickly casts Comprehend Languages and begins to pour over the contents. Yenush inspects the statues and notes that they appear to be moveable (save for one). With the confirmation of the blue-teal motes, the group is able to arrange the statues into the proper alignment... the proper history of the Stonelands.
Prior to following the motes down the revealed stairs, Milo quickly looks for Thana's weaknesses. The goddess of vengeance was weak to Malachor and, in theory, must obey the Book of the Dead.
In the chamber beyond, four statues wait: Tievel, the Emperor, Prince Valtaris, and a Feral Airborne Shaman. The motes pose a question: How did they die? After some debate, the group correctly assumes that Tievel didn't die, but the Shaman had its heart ripped out, Prince Valtaris was impaled, and the Emperor was stabbed and dismembered with no remorse. The statues shift into a line with Tamasvi in the middle facing Malachor in the seat of judge. The motes pose another question: Who committed the greatest crime? After some debate, the group puts forth Tamasvi. A blink. Tamasvi sits in the seat of judgement... and Malachor in her position. Again, Who committed the greatest crime? After a few attempts... all of them seems to be the answer.
Beyond another archway rests a simple chamber with a stone bed beneath a statue of Malachor – devoid of his robes and covered inf eathers. The motes take on a more humanoid apppearance as they speak:
"Put forth an offering of knowledge lost…Those unburied souls who know not rest and haunt the wicked living."
After some debate, Teagan offers the lure and speaks of Connor. One mote drifts close and motions to the altar. The moment Teagan lays down, his vision goes back. When he comes to, he's near a familiar stream with a half-carved lure in his hand. Near him, Connor sits, gesturing as if he's already been speaking for some time.
“-When you think about it another way, war breeds innovation. A very niche set of innovation, but still. From that perspective… shouldn’t it be easy? Ya know, for the wheel to spin and the coliseum to grind together?”
When Teagan seems off, Connor is quick to ask if he's alright. Did mom slip something into your tea again? I swear I didn't see it this time! Teagan pulls Connor into a hug and he returns it. Are you really you? Who else would I be? Are you sure you're alright? Connor shows off some magic that he's been working on. Teagan notes he gets that from his mother. Well, sure, but it's also thanks to you. All that we have is thanks to you. A loud voice booms from down the stream as Liam proudly declares that he was right, hoisting a fish above his head.
When Teagan turns back to Connor... his form became spectral, a blue-teal hue. He shrunk slightly but broadened in the shoulders. Folded ears were instead pointed. Stone patterns formed on his forearms. The face is unfamiliar... a boy, perhaps no older than Connor was.
"Dead he may be... but he remains alive in your memories. What lingers remembers you." "My mother has changed... I don't recognize her anymore. Do you... Do you think she'd recognize me?
Teagan, with confidence, responds that a parent never forgets. The mote smiles. Back in the chamber, the room begins to descend as the remaining mote takes on the appearnce of an Airborne with a silver mask and tear marks down her face.
"Hear my words, you still of the living. Tievel was the first of an undying company bound by oath. Only once the oath was complete could an obsidian soul reach the Gates of Malachor." "For some, it was decades. For others, centuries. But for Tievel… he remains… Until Tamasvi herself releases him. And there are no hollow souls in pursuit of obsidian left."
Teagan comes to as the room halts in its descent and the blue-teal motes vanish. Teagan notes that he met Tamasvi's son and briefly saw his own. Aiaoue is hopeful that perhaps they can talk to Tamasvi about her son and get her to call off Tievel.
At the Gates of Malachor (or Pilfering Part 2)
The large chamber at the base of the Temple of Malachor is covered in shattered obsidian and dessicated corpses still trapped within their obsidian suits. At the far end of the room – standing perfeclty still in front of a massive obsidian wall – is Tievel.
Yenush, Cadence, and Milo immediately head to the right. Yenush is easily able to tell that the stone tablets here are... molds. He finds a mold for a chest piece and decides he'll be taking that with him. On the other side, Aiaoue and Arkyn see an inert obsidian forge. Aiaoue is more interested in the tools, pocketing a few she recognizes and some she doesn't. Teagan kneels down to one of the bodies and tries to remove the helm, but finds it is stuck to the head within. He releases the head and moves towards the altar.
As Teagan draws near the broken altar, everything changes. The room is filled with spectral humanoids moving about. The altar is repaired – a finely forged obsidian jackal skull in the center. The obsidian wall is gone, revealing a massive set of gold and copper gates. Seated in front of the Gates is Malachor, the Death Scribe. With her head upon her lap is Thana, asleep and peaceful. And that peace is shattered. A distant explosion. A cry for help. A scream of agony. Her eyes twitch and her face contorts. Another scream. The crunch of bone. The smell of singed flesh, the aftermath of a mage's lethal spell. Thana's body tenses. Black tears stream down her face. Malachor continues unperturbed even as Thana's face continues to contort... until her eyes shoot open, glowing ruby red.
The Gates open, warp, and bend before slamming closed in front of Malachor. The silhouette of the Death Scribe, cracks, bubbles, and oozes from beyond. The obsidian wall returns and the battered obsidian armor stands. A silhouette behind the wall – nothing more than a bubbling mass with spikes of obsidian impaled into it – breathes in... and out.
The battered armor jerks and twitches, joints cracking in protest. Blackened blood drips to the stone floor. A wave of malice pours out from beyond the obsidian wall. Through the obsidian... you can just make out eyes glowing ruby red.
As the battered armor snaps to attention, the Book of the Dead flies open upon the altar.
Awaken, Tievel.
The battered armor jerks and twitches, joints cracking in protest. Blackened blood drips to the stone floor. A wave of malice pours out from beyond the obsidian wall. Through the obsidian... you can just make out eyes glowing ruby red.
Unburied. Guilt stains your very soul. Fret not, pitiful mortal. I will ensure you are buried. Tievel... kill them.
As the battered armor snaps to attention, the Book of the Dead flies open upon the altar.
Report Date
18 Jul 2025
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
Your Guides Through the Temple
Shanti's Angel
The Angel that gave her life for Shanti and, having pity for Tievel, chose to linger. When Tievel rests, Shanti's Angel keeps the battered and damaged soul company, joining him in his dreams. Tamasvi, and the Obsidian Company, are products of circumstance, agony, and pain. Even Tievel's ambitions can be explained by pain – his desire to never ben in a position to grieve again.The Memory of Tamasvi's Son
The lingering memory of Tamasvi's Son, but not his soul in true. He tends to latch onto the memories of lost loved ones in other people, manifesting as said loved ones. Although childish, he is never malicious.The History of the Stonelands
(1) Blasphemous Affair – A “drow” woman kneels, clutching a swaddled child in her arms protectively. Leaning over her, as if to shield her, is an Airborne. He looks over his shoulder, brows furrowed andeyes alert. The woman glances at him with fear on her face.(2) The First Loss – A broad-shouldered Earthen Dhara woman has been carved on her knees, in front of two graves. Her face is contorted in sorrowful agony. Her hands are buried within “carved dirt” as if preparing to move it to cover the two graves: one with acorpse… and the other empty. The graves read: "My Other Half" and "My Whole Heart".
(3) March of Vengeance – A hoard of Earthen Dhara hold stone weapons at the ready as they rally behind a figure in pure obsidian. In one hand, she holds an airborne by the throat as her other hand is buriedwithin its ribcage. The Airborne’s face is contorted in pain.
(4) Tamasvi's Arrival at the Gate – A figure in obsidian armor stands in front of a Drow figure donning long robes. In his hands the Drow holds an obsidian helmet, blood drips from his hands where the sharp helm has cut deep. The armored figure’s head is angled down, a tired expression on her face.
(5) The First of Obsidian – A Drow man is dragged by a figure in full obsidian armor. The armored figure holds the struggling man by one hand and does not glance back. With anger and fear in his eyes, the man looks on as his lower body is consumed by obsidian.
(6) The Rise of Four – Four Drow figures have been carved, all dressed in finery. Each has one hand outstretched in front of them, palm down. Beneath their hands is a vague carving of a city, built down into the earth rather than up. Each has a royal symbol: Mal Mavkazan, Mal Kerrym, Mal Vrammyr, Mal Korvian
(7) The Book of the Dead – Atop a mound of carved skeletons and bones is a single Drow figure. In one hand he holds a large tome, familiar though devoid of its gold encasing. With the other hand, he traces the pages. At the base of the mound of bones, obsidian figures kneel.
(8) The Drow Emperor – A gaunt Drow figure stands tall with the Book of the Dead in one hand. His other hand extends outward in front of him, pointing down. Beneath him is a carving of a familiar city, the Temple of Malachor at the bottom. In the confines of his robes, 5 figures hide with daggers drawn: 3 royals, a Gravesinger, and an Airborne.
(9) The Families Three – Three Drow figures have been carved, all dressed in finery. Each has one hand outstretched in front of them, palm down. Beneath their hands is a vague carving of a city, built down into the earth rather than up. Each has a royal symbol: Mal Mavkazan, Mal Kerrym, Mal Vrammyr.
(10) The Prince & the Gravesinger – Two figures stand, one on either side of a massive stone bed. The figure on the left is familiar… Prince Valtaris, his likeness captured in stone. With one hand, he clasps the hands of the other figure: A Gravesinger.
(11) The Last Prince – Prince Valtaris, gaunt and lich-like, stands surrounded by figures in obsidian armor. Beneath him, a city has been carved, crumbling beneath the weight of its oppressor.
(12) The Unburied & Lost – A flatter statue… devoid of figures. Instead, open graves have been carved… perhaps left waiting for the bodies that were never able to be buried in them.
Thana
Comments