Verru

At sea, to the south of Myste-Hass, during the final phase of Operation Pincer, the crew of the Dead Man's Raft encounter a pod of Aldani.

The Aldani crawl over the side of the ship, assaulting its crew, and screaming about a sacrifice to "Verru" to appease their suffering. An amulet is found on one that has a faint magical aura, giving it some form of connection to some unknown entity.

The Myste-Hass Calender

14/10/22

Alfred joins Father Howell looking into the open crate, lined like a coffin within.

Alfred inspects the heap of dead bodies nearby, it is withered and wrinkled, but breathing. A huge chunk of flesh has been torn from the man's neck. Father Howell sends Bear to get help. A man bursts from the pile of bodies, he had hidden in the bodies as the vampire killed the rest of the crew. Father Howell investigates the man thoroughly and finds no bites or scratches.

Bear emerges and delivers the message that there is a box without a vampire in it, but there may be many vampires.

Crassus calls the crew to action, to sweep the Dead Man's Raft for intruders.

The survivor said they picked up cargo from Brindle, and the vampire burst from the coffin. He was over 6ft tall, bald, with pallid white skin. He looked like an orc.

The man suddenly turns around, serious and powerful. He says his name is Nash and wants to make a deal, that no lives will be taken on our crew. He just wants to live. He says that what he's told us is true. The creature that came out of the box was terrifying and he doesn't know where it is.

He was fed on, then he healed and awoke. He's been on the ship for a while, waiting for someone to come by.

The vampire tries to control Father Howell's mind, but the cleric resists and screams for help. He reaches out trying to hold the vampire and fails. The other adventurers run to assist, but they are quite a distance away. Alfred deploys Igor, his iron defender.

The vampire jumps onto Father Howell draining him, and speaks directly to Elril, telling him that he expected better from him. He should know what side he is on.

Crassus leaps from the Dead Man's Raft onto The White Orc.

The vampire turns to ash in the rays of light from the broken deck above and Crassus's moonbeam.

Elril tries to neutralise any infectious part of the vampire bite on Father Howell.

The group does their final checks of the ship. Elril searches for a crate that is big enough for the large white spider to have been in. Alfred inspects the alter and the captain's quarter, finding a log book stating that there is a shipment of soil to be delivered to a certain R Cain, with further deliveries to come. It was signed for by the name Garrick.

Father Howell says some words over the dead, then most of the group make their way back to the Dead Man's Raft.

The White Orc is burned, whilst the raft heads on towards Myste-Hass as the sun sets.

During the voyage, Elril chats to Mutina, talking about gods and skirting around the topic of destiny vs choice.

The ship moves into the Southern Docks. Crassus writes a list of supplies he wants Pelis to procure - sail cloth, rope, a months worth of supplies and other essentials. Crassus looks for ballistae and rowing boats. There is a ship left over from Morthel's occupation called the Sea Tiger which is being stripped. Mert Slater is in charge of the operation. Mert is a beaded man with voluminous hair, wearing a long coat. He is looking for a greater work force for retrieval of special goods. It appears he deals with the salvage of ships that have been sunk.

He has three ballistae and two row boats, one damaged. The ballistae are 500gp a piece. The row boats are 100gp. The man is a tradesman in a number of goods, and he seems very interested in the diamonds Crassus is interested in. Crassus also procures a bunch of bolts for the balistae.

Sylleth wanders the town, casting locate object and searching for his book. He gets more and more frustrated, about the book being hidden and the betrayal of his friends.

Alfred and Father Howell make their way to The Halls. Alfred speaks to a frazzled receptionist asking about a census. It is an issue that has been raised by the Council of Myste-Hass. Goraz is speaking to Sten, they are arguing. In conversation with Goraz, Alfred is told that Goraz is not welcome in the Southern Docks. The tiefling takes Alfred into his office for a drink, and discusses what happened on The White Orc with the vampire. They speak about what happened to Father Howell, who Goraz says is a notable individual who very much has the eye of the Council of Myste-Hass.

Alfred asks about Garrick, looking for further details on this individual. They discuss R. Cain. Goraz says he is going to take on the issues, bring it before the council and put his best people on the case of this Garrick. He says he will let Alred know if there are any further findings.

Goraz also says that he will send someone to check on Father Howell, given the vampire attack. He then, very weirdly, tells Alfred to be careful before he leaves.

Father Howell finds Geoffrey and they have a terse conversation about the dangers which Father Howell has been putting himself through and the idea that Howell may have been protecting acquaintances, Cpt Percival Wainwright from the justice that must be provided by the court.

Elril goes to the secret worship spot to Fate. He speaks with Tane about Mutina, and has to stop the man from taking action himself. Elril says he wants to embrace the urge himself. He asks to undertake the ritual that confirms him to his path, marking his body.

Crassus returns to his quarters to find a massive sahuagin over the elemental bowl. He attacks with spells and changes into a crab. He shouts - "you have betrayed Verru, then tries to steal the elemental bowl. He throws the bowl from the window, then pauses to say "Verru will come for you." He leaps into the ocean. Crassus leaps in after him. He summons a tidal wave behind the bowl, throwing the bowl towards himself.

Toni and other crew members are firing arrows into the water, before Gleeson shouts to hold because their captain is in the water. He grabs the bowl and then swims manically to the boat, covered by arrow fire from the crew. Crassus makes it back on board.

Alfred and Father Howell speak with Engaro at the Temple of Imogen. He casts some spells to ensure the cleric is blessed.

25/10/22

The morning breaks, and Myste-Hass is rife with rumours about three attacks from creatures - lobster-like blue creatures and green-skinned fish creatures.

Father Howell goes for a run, then returns, joining Alfred and Sylleth, after a night at the Temple of Imogen.

Cpt Percival Wainwright tries to leave the Dead Man's Raft, but Gleeson apprehends him and informs Crassus that the crew have been whispering that Percival may have summoned something overnight.

The two captains head out into town on errands.

Sylleth confronts Father Howell about the book again. Then, they head to the Western Docks where Alfred tries to go to Lotion and Libation to sell his harvested spider pincers, but its still boarded up. They then collect fishing tackle and rations.

Elril goes to Offensive Defence and hears Bow singing. The paladin wants to commission a set of plate armour with a symbol on the inside. He charges 1500gp, plus 5gp for the etching and a fair amount for his discretion. He asks for a 100gp down payment. He tells Bow he will return in 6 days. Bow refuses to mark the armour with the symbol until the full payment is made.

Elril then heads to the graveyard, nodding at a woman who passes on her way out. He then goes to the freshest grave. He uses eldritch blast to clear the top soil from a grave, then makes ten packages of dead meat. He then uses his shield to shovel the loose back into the grave, marking the body with the symbol of Fate before he does so.

Crassus and Percival head to a mapping and chart shop, Bellganta's Sea Chest, buying lots of stationary from the halfling shop owner. They then go into the Godly Tides, trying to recruit more sailors. A minor confrontation starts, where Percival drinks a troublemakers drink, then gives him a crappy bottle of wine to quell the situation.

Crassus gets two new sailors - Egstard and Giles.

Percival buys a barrel of ale from the barkeep Lexsend. The offers are a standard barrel for 12gp and some pretentious craft beer for 21gp - it has a picture of a parrot on the side of the barrel. They buy five casks of the more expensive barrel.

When most of the group return to the ship, Gleeson says they've caught a mermaid, but it's Bellatrix. When released, she pushes Gleeson down the stairs. Percival makes it look like Gleeson has soiled himself with prestidigitation.

Father Howell convinces Bellatrix to join, then Agnirik and Kames are retrieved.

Crassus rouses the crew with a speech, and a prayer to Alaie, then the Dead Man's Raft sets off.

Percival asks Sylleth for his staff back, and tension arises, the captain threatening not to help Sylleth if tension continues.

Later, after six hours of sailing, the ship runs into something. A spire of stone has caught the Dead Man's Raft, debris all around the ship. Alfred begins mending the spire of rock. Elril uses an eldritch blast to break the tip of the rock. It looks like worked stone. As a number of people climb into a boat, a rogue eldritch blasts smashes into the boat, capsizing it and knocking many people into the water.

The spire appears to be the tip of some kind of cathedral. There are markings on the rock.

Crassus swims for Alfred who is sinking. Bellatrix rights the boat. A shark swims directly for the group, but descends into the water when it takes a fair amount of damage.

Percival then brings a bunch of the wreckage to the boat, to be lifted. One contains alcohol, another spoiled grain. The row boat heads over to a tiny row boat with a chest inside. They secure the chest. Crassus fills the lock with water and turns it to ice, cracking it open.

Percival uses prestidigitation to form some of the symbols on the rock. Elril and Sylleth can understand the language as abyssal.

Meanwhile, there is another, far larger ship, sighted on the horizon, to the rear of the Dead Man's Raft. Crassus turns the raft into the wind, hoping to gain on the larger ship. But, the other ship starts gaining, storm clouds forming above. It is the Eruption, indicated by the crucified bodies affixed to the front of their ship.

A hail of ballista bolts slam into the raft. Crassus directs the ship into the fog, losing the wind. There are voices in the mist. Sylleth uses Kira to scout above the fog, spotting the Eruption skirting the edge of the fog bank. Ahead is a large tree, leafless-branches high above the sea. There is a slight movement ahead, a feathered wing perhaps.

Sylleth uses a dispel magic, clearing the fog all over the ship and fifteen feet all around. A soft voice on the air says - "Do not worry, we are here to help you. Follow my voice. I will bring you forward to safety."

The voice becomes more melodic, and Bellatrix seizes up, but Sylleth saves her. She takes hold of the ballista, firing bolts into the harpies.

A harpy lands, carrying away the sailor, Giles, in the crow's nest. Then a swarm of harpies descends on the crew.

During the fight, the swarmed crew see a bolt of black light hit the water not far from the Dead Man's Raft.

Then a white-skinned, featureless, creature appears, surrounded utterly by silence. It looks like some kind of devil. It carries with it an aura of dread.

Sylleth, unconscious, sees the creature pulling his soul toward it. Then, he is healed and his soul returns to his body. When he wakes, he can see the creature is real, and the harpies are frightened of it.

The creature moves towards the captain's cabin, looking at Sylleth, then fades away.

Most of the harpies flee, but Elril holds concentration on a hunter's mark on one of the harpies. Crassus jumps from the side in crab form, chasing after a crew member that was thrown off the edge by a harpy.

10/11/22

Crassus starts swimming, pursuing the scent of those taken. He loses the smell though, and turns back to the ship, with darkness to his back.

The rest of the crew take stock of those that have been taken. Pelis calls Johnny and Nonda to help retrieve the ballista from the walls of the captain's cabin.

Alfred takes some feathers from the dead harpies.

Gleeson tells Crassus that Percival has been ordering around others, with Pelis cosying up to him.

Crassus orders Mutina to prepare the dead for the funeral rights, removing the extra gold for Xeru. She is concerned about the creature that arrived on the ship.

There is no wind, but the ship seems to be getting closer to the tree ahead. It looks like several trunks all wound together, gripping this singular outcropping of rock in a very unnatural way, with just a few leaves and purple fruit hanging from its distorted branches.

Pelis used to be in charge of a boat, where they just rowed along the coast of Myste-Hass doing tours.

Toni has been put in charge of the anchor.

Alfred and a number of the crew hear a voice on the air. "Come closer, please. I need help," is whispered in the air. The voice identifies as the tree, asking the group to come closer. Toni starts talking to the tree blatantly. The tree is limited, rooted to one spot and desperate for the sky.

Percival messages the tree, Sirama, and the tree says it is divine, created by Imogen and Alaie. It needs help to clear this fog. It can feel that there are priests among the group, and the tree needs sunlight. It should be filled with leaves for absorbing the light. The fruit is healing. The tree said this area wasn't always water logged. It used to be land, but the tree is all that is left. The tree says they are safe in the fog, nothing comes in.

Gleeson always keeps ear plugs in case of sirens.

Sylleth speaks with the tree, saying that Sirama has been here for a very long time. She says that there are many trees like her, created by Imogen. Sylleth hears another voice as well, just before the tree speaks, almost guiding the tree. Its a tree that no one has ever seen before. Sylleth has seen this tree in his book. It was surrounded by buildings and flourishing.

When Father Howell and Percival pray to Imogen, they instead hear the voice of the entity influencing the tree. They claim that they can encourage the tree to move the boat out of the fog.

Gilas and its follows infected this area of the world. The existence of Gilas is abomination against nature and love.

Elril is below deck for all of this, chatting to Agnirik and Kames. Kames is keen to get back and right was done. Kames says he can attempt to dispel the magical fog to get them moving again. He says he wants to call upon his patron, draw some symbols in blood on the floor and ask for guidance beyond the vale.

Agnirik says he we'll watch over, though he doesn't like the act.

The entity that is controlling the tree said that they can control the water for about a mile, providing we help.

Father Howell casts water walk on the adventurers. They head out toward the island. Elril uses a divine sense and detects nothing. The tree is very large though.

Percival uses mage hand to pick a piece of fruit. Alfred cuts the fruit and eats a piece, feeling the juices to be healing.

The other person addresses the group, saying they are in fact Sirama, an Avatar. It speaks of Gilas, the entity which is Verru's patron. One of a series of entities vying to gain power over others. Verru has been alive for a long time, Gilas is a foul demon that has come about recently. However, Gilas recently subjugated Verru, giving him more power for servitude. Gilas is not new, but new to this plane. Ankelus and Keturah are others of these beings.

Crassus touches the tree, praying to Alaie. He hears a voice. A dark pull hangs over this tree, and over these waters. The influence of perversion is spreading wildly. There are things obscuring my sight. I cannot see my followers here.

When Crassus speaks aloud, Sirama jumps in, saying that is Gilas. The group gets the sense the voice is lying. Father Howell suggests that Imogen called her Avatars home, and the voice says not all.

Sylleth feels evocation and transmutation on the tree.

Elril says that he's set some things in motion. Sirama seems concerned. He privately messages the tree.

Percival heals the tree and the bark becomes healthier.

Elril encourages the group to back off, though the group picks a large bounty of fruit. He has been informed the individual by the tree is Amaris. The head back to the ship. Father Howell wants to rest in order to cast daylight.

Below decks, Kames has finished talking to his entity. He says that he is willing to help, but a deal must be made. His patron is one of the competing demons. Elril heals the man, who is nursing his arm painfully.

Mutina says some words in the Sardonyx at the ceremony of the dead crew members, before they have a burial at sea.

Elril prays to Fate at a crude shrine he makes below decks. There is a change in the air, a whisper. Mutina interrupts, she seems pleased. She leaves and then Fate speaks - "There is much going on. Your prayers are not unheard. My influence spreads, and with each passing day we gain more following. This temporary flux is a momentary delay in the inevitable overwhelming success that we will achieve. You like all of my followers cannot know where you will end up. But rest assured all is proceeding as I have planned it. From the fall of the Harbinger, she moves ever closer to completing my plans. From my new acolytes and other followers, to my increasing powers. These new upstarts are nothing. There is no choice to be made my follower. You will do as I intend.

A night of rest passes, with the crew being given a casket of ale. Alfred doesn't gain the effects of a long rest.

On paper, Elril notes down that the tree is Amaris, and he wants to spread his seed. Sylleth points out Sirama is actually Amaris backwards. The groups plan, then takes a vote to purge the tree.

Father Howell casts water walk on the group and they head over to the island again. Howell asks Syleth to return Percival's staff to him.

Crassus casts speak with plants on the tree, the voice says that there is someone else there inside them. Aramis seems concerned. The tree says that it is being forced to make fruit, but it is not healthy enough. The tree says that Aramis has come upon him without its consent. The tree is divine. It has tried to force Aramis out, but its not worked.

Crassus starts growing the tree, funnelling power into the bark. Meanwhile, a man shaped figure rises up from the tree. He is devastatingly handsome, with deep pink and purple skin. His hair is braided, swept back from his face, he has horns and his eyes are deep blue. Father Howell and Percival sees it is very similar face shape to Dramos.

Syleth tries to banish him, but fails. Crassus looks at the creature and is instantly charmed, thinking that Amaris is Imogen incarnate.

Combat ensues. Amaris moves in on Crassus and kisses him, hurting him badly, but breaking the charm. Percival uses a lightening charge on Amaris in the water, but it also burns him through the liquid. Amaris escapes, swimming deeper and deeper, even though the group are sending spells after him.

After he has left, Father Howell casts daylight on the tree, Percival using cure wounds. The mist clears and the tree begins to bud and regain health fast. NEw fruit, now a bright red appear on the branches. They look like oranges.

The tree tells Crassus that he is feeling better. He heard Amaris's plans. He wanted the adventurers to kill him, or make a deal, or hurt Gilas - then he would win.

As the tree regains health, it looks less and less like the version Sylleth has seen in his Sylleth.

There is a breeze picking up. The group heads to the Dead Man's Raft, leaving the sunlight on the tree.

The city that was once here was called Galamine, filled with elves, scaled-folk and teiflings. The city went real quick. The water came rushing in from the east. The tree says - "Remember, before you go, you have to get the sun on your face."

Then the tree helps move the boat.

Father Howell and Percival both eat some of the new fruit, which provides nutrients for a full day and some health.

The raft pushes on for a full day. The adventurers take a long rest. In the morning, the boat pushes on for a further few hours until the see a rock formation, like two hands with the fingers sticking out of the water. Beyond is a beautiful island, with beaches and cliffs, but surrounded on all sides with columns of stone. The columns of stone were not there when Kames and Agnirik came this way before.

13/12/22

The Dead Man's Raft meet the pillars of rock about a mile off the island. Some of them look unnatural, carved, almost like a finger nail.

Gleeson and Cpt Percival Wainwright have another public disagreement.

There is movement on the beach ahead. Sylleth sends Kira off to scout the beach.

Whilst moving the ship through small gaps in the rock, something scores the bottom of the ship damaging the Dead Man's Raft and causing the boat to take on water. Elril talks to Pelis, the Master of Arms getting flustered by the damage. He runs to the top deck and seeks Percival. The captain sends a crew down but Percival sends them back. The three remaining men, along with another crew member, begin using tarr, canvas and mending to fix the boat.

The captain sends the three crewmen, Wissam, Nonda, Tebin, Jessar and Roebin, back down to man the pumps. Together the group manage to seal the leaks with tarred bungs and pump the excess water.

The ship anchors an easy row from the shore. Kira returns, seeing just one short humanoid on the sand. This creature is carving the word "HELP" into the sand beyond the boat. The dwarf sees a row boat amongst debris just off the coast. He swims out towards it, revealing a sun-bleached bold head with flecks of ginger hair to those on the Raft. He pulls the row boat back to the beach, whilst the Captain has the ballistae trained on the dwarf.

Pelis asks Elril not to mention his failure to stay in control with the leak issue, and Elril promises not to say anything to the captain or Gleeson.

Back on the shore, the dwarf tries to get back in the boat. But, the boat transforms into a mimic! The ship launches balistae bolts at the creature. But, a stray bolt hits the dwarf, knocking him unconscious.

Father Howell casts an emergency water walk on those in the row boat, now moving towards the beach. The priest and Elril jump overboard and run towards the dwarf.

On the shore, the group meets with the dwarf, Bolt. They remove the balistae and heal him. Percival gifts the dwarf a scimitar and some chainmail.

Bolt was shipwrecked from the Tainted Dragon, five days before. He was a hire priest, helping with the blessings of Alaie for their sea journey.

Bolt had been captured by lobster people, killing a number of people for Verru. Those that survived were being brought deeper into the island. The island have experienced a sure of abundance of growth.

The group carry the row boat to the treeline where it is very hot. The others search the supplies, collecting some rudimentary items, including some spicy sausages.

Kira searches the skies for the notable obelisk that the survivors had seen. Meanwhile, the others follow the path which Bolt used to flee the forest. Kames is angry that the group are trying to use them as tools, he draws his swords until the situation is diffused. Agnirik takes Kames aside, then apologises on behalf of his friend saying there are bad memories associated with this place.

The sound of running water is heard ahead as the group start moving to the river, but The captain hears some aldani ahead preparing to follow the tracks of Bolt. The adventurers scatter to find hiding spaces. Three aldani emerge from the treeline followed by some kind of stone golem.

Kames draws his sword and points it at the lead aldani. He asks if the group has come to prey to Verru. Elril makes it sound like a large group is chatting to the side. Then, Sylleth casts fireball. Combat ensues, as more aldani and sahuagin emerge from the forest.

The construct creature seems unnaturally focused on taking down Percival. Meanwhile, one of the aldani escapes, running off into the forest.

Using water walk, the group travels upstream along the river to prevent tracks. During the journey, Bolt prays to Alaie and hears a male voice respond. The individual says that the faithful of Alaie have been left alone far too long. It guides them to a supposedly safe spot to rest, a place where the individual will watch over them. Bolt questions the voice being male, and the individual says its made itself pleasing to him. He says that every prayer goes to them, we the gods are behind them.

Percival speaks with Verru and the entity senses where the group is on the island. He admits this to the group and tells them that Verru does not care whether we live or die.

The canopy is far denser and the forest much warmer.

Sylleth casts his magical dome, and the group then begin to take watches as they long rest, teaming up those who can see in the dark and those who can't. Bolt sets up small sound traps with cutlery and twine.

The captain sends a message back to the ship using Kira, informing them that the adventurers were planning on spending the night on the island and receive a message back about the condition of the ship. The return message informed the group that the ship was well, and Gleeson even draws a little picture of a ship.

Father Howell and Bolt have a heart to heart with Percival about self love and redemption.

On the final watch, Sylleth notices that the forest has gone completely silent. Kames is stabbing Percival in the throat, Agnirak is sleeping and white fire is coming from the paladins eyes.

12/01/23

Sylleth tries to wake Agnirik whilst Percival tries to fight off Kames. However, Agnirik's eyes are lolling back, as if he's been drugged or controlled.

Sylleth then begins waking everyone else up, and the group tries to apprehend Kames. Elril drags Agnirik out of the dome, and wakes him. The silence effect on the dome drops, but then he casts a wall of force around Elril and starts moving away.

Sylleth dispels magic on Kames, calming the effect that was causing the white fire in his eyes. But, he doesn't stop attacking, and Father Howell is forced to attack him, killing him.

Crassus runs after Agnirik, entangling him. He uses magic and escapes. The captain runs after him to no avail, followed up at some distance Bolt and Elril.

A clay necklace with a extreme magical properties, and the etchings of a shell in the surface is removed from Kames, along with all his other belongings.

The group strips Kames and move him into a bush, saying some words to their respective gods.

Then, they head off into the forest, west a little, setting the dome up again around ten to fifteen minutes away in the jungle.

Percival says a prayer to Verru, challenging him about how weak his other followers were. He hears only - "come closer."

The group successfully rest in the dome.

In the last afternoon, they head northward along the river. They follow a valley, rising onto harder ground where the trees lessen and there is an evident peak amongst the mountains.

There is an area on the cliff side, with a carved space. There is a column with markings on it and two faces carved into the mountainside. The adventurers cut towards this location.

It is here, that they see a bedraggled human peering up over the bush. He is confused by Percival's message spell. He moves rapidly towards the adventurers. The man identifies himself as Tinder, and he claims he is looking to get off the island. He arrived on the Wolf's Crest. Percival feeds him. He says he doesn't know of Verru, but there are huge lobster creatures and giant crabs. His friends went into the cave near the temple and never returned. But, he hands around out of the trees, because the lobster-like men don't like the sunlight. His group originally came here for the 'One eye Grazit's Treasure'. The captain, Sul, had a map, and he took it into the cave.

Tinder acts out, being fed cheese and food, when Percival offers him the magical fruit.

Kira flies up and investigates the cave. There are smaller faces carved into the rock above the two larger faces besides the entrances. The faces are monstrous and snarling. Vines had grown all over the mountain and started to cover the opening.

After Elril convinces Tinder to run off into the forest and seek a row boat, then row back to Myste-Hass to find a temple to Fate. He sets off into the forest, but then sees an aeldani and panics. Father Howell runs off into the forest, desperate to find the weedy man. Throughout, Percival is messaging the man with frightening messages - Father Howell sees him.

The group supplies Tinder with a knife, ration packs and a satchel, then they head up the mountainside, leaving him to hover nearby.

On the mountainside, there is a magical column, marked with the magic of enchantment. Percival goes to touch it. There is a palpable warmth near the stone.

Inside the cave, it seems that there is a blockage. Sylleth casts comprehend languages on the column, as a huge rock falls from the mountain above. It turns into a geo creature - specifically golems, emerging from the snarling faces.

In undercommon is written "Here lies One-Eyed Grazit and his acquired treasures, weapons and glories."

Sylleth then casts grasping vine, using the magical Knitting Needles which he procured from the hag's hut.

Some assassin vines attack Percival whilst the gargoyles swarm. Slowly the adventurers take out each of the gargoyles and then Alfred kills the bush.