Session 47 – Snakes in the Grass

Tiaret clarifies her instructions. The Menseya will clear the first room for the group, and then they must simply make it beyond the walls of Moralis. Aiaoue takes a moment to get Detect Magic up and running. Once prepare, the Menseys led the way into the next room, organized neatly in ranks. The moment one of the guards showed confusion, Tiaret – whose weapon remains peace-tied – knocked out a guard. She motioned up the stairs. Up and out sister. The highly perceptive noted one of the guards slipping through the Menseya ambush and move towards a level. Aiaoue whips out her net and charges forward as Yenush moves to assist by converting his arm into a whip. Diamond, who's feeling fortunate, turns what was barely a success into a critical success. The group is able to make it up and out into the next chamber with Diamond in tow.

Beyond the door lies a hallway with vaulted and painted ceilings. Upon entering, Diamond nervously notes that she's not feeling as fortunate anymore. Aiaoue is able to detect Abjuration on the opposite door which Milo easily dispels. Yenush is able to get the locked door open and the group pushes into what appears to be a conference room... with 4 scholarly figures moving about. Upon noticing Diamond, they seem to prepare for a fight. Diamond laughs nervously: want to do anything, there's an HP Buy-In! Yenush and Teagan release an opening volley before one mage puts the rest of the group behind a Force bubble and the other banishes Teagan... to the same spot just back in reality. Yenush can just faintly hear the MWD in the spot next to him, though Teagan is nowhere to be seen.

Aiaoue manages to dig her way out of the Wall of Force dome, leaving a path behind her for others to follow. Arkyn gets Milo and Cadence out before climbing after Aiaoue, leaving Diamond alone in the dome. Yenush manages to break a casters concentration and Teagan reappears with just enough time to get big mad. After some pro-wrestling moves from Aiaoue, the casters are convinced to stand down, allowing the group to jump out the window with Diamond in tow.

Amidst the general populace milling about in the curated gardens of Moralis, a crowd seems to have appeared. Yenush nimbly dips his way through and spots a very confused looking Rhino (Vendetta). Aiaoue braces and forms a path through the crowd, allowing everyone else to follow. Once again with Vendetta, the group is able to travel over the walls of Moralis and begin to run across the grasslands beyond. Behind, the scrolls inlaid in the walls begin to activate in defense of Moralis. As the group reaches the sending post, a large shadow flies overhead, resembling the Menseya but larger. The silhouette vanishes into Moralis... as the vision fades and the miasma returns.

Looking over the sending post, it seems to retain the faint traces of directions. The group leaves whatever may remain of Moralis behind and heads to the Pride Halls.

While traveling, Arkyn pulled Milo aside. Do you think you could send a copy of your article to Oshiv'Ran? Arkyn thinks it might be nice for an official source to name drop him to his family first, to ease his existence back in so to speak. Milo agrees to reach out to his editor and see if an article can be delivered. Aiaoue, meanwhile, holds her scyring mirror up to one of Vendetta's big ol' eyeballs... and scries on Eight. Vendetta seems to be very happy and Eight, when she notices, cracks a rare smile before giving a small wave. Cadence asks if Aiaoue can scry on her dad and, as most people from Caliban keep shifted hours, her dad is peacefully asleep within the caravan. Aiaoue offers to later scry on everyone's family, though she notes that Yelkin is already here. Yenush fires back that she can always scry on his parents' graves.

Random Encounters:

1. Flight of Refugees – An encampment of refugees from various places including tiefling from Ira Xand, those unfit to fight from the Blood-Soaked Plains (Vahlair herself marches to war), and a group of Gyésar avoiding the brewing conflict between Eresh and Mevetés.
2. Sending Posts – A vision of how the sending posts used to work. There are no runes on the structure itself so the magic must be entirely contained with the scrolls.
3. Pyrus' Antagonist – A swirling sandstorm haunted by the laugh of a thousand hyenas that can paralyze one with fear. Walking amidst the eye of the storm is a frail, mummy-like individual wearing a carved and painted hyena mask.
4. Protests – A crowd has gathered to demand a full statement of what happened in Ira and, to demand the release of allr ecords pertaining to trials of Faust's Yuan-Ti, and to protest against the strict additions to Geryon's Law. Some Menseya nearby have flickers of doubt in their eyes.
5. Leonin Hunters – A group of Leonin hunters atop rhinos are in the middle of a hunt and sing a shanty as they travel.
6. Snakes in the Grass – A Menseya dive bombs from above, lifting a Yuan-Ti by the throat. An amulet around his throat bears the initials of Faust.

As the sound of gentle waves can be heard in the distance, the group approaches a particularly large pocket of miasma. Entering, a small campsite takes shape with a burning fire nearby. Diamond lays on her side seemingly mesmerized by the fire. Other groups have gathered here, but they seem to have all gone to sleep. A group of tabaxi led by a Leonin arrive. Based on their armor and garb, they appear to be hunters. The Leonin, who leans slightly on a cane, spots and then turns to approach the group.

An honor, Menseya, to be graced with your presence at such a humble waypoint!   Are you headed to the Pride Halls? Any space around your fire and among your motley crew?

The Leonin introduces himself as Osman and begins to ask about Diamond. Yenush notes that the tabaxi are arranging themselfs strategically and signals Sayah. Arkyn is called out for casting a spell, but Yenush defuses the situation. Aiaoue attempts to distract the tabaxi by calling for stories of their hunt, though they seem to use this as an opportunity to drift closer to Diamond. As Yenush calls out the strange behavior, Osman drops the disguise. With a serpentine grin, Osman leans on his cane.

Look, you have something that doesn’t belong to you.   Ain’t thievery against your Holy Law? Best to make it right and give us our missing, stolen Diamond, alright?