Session 06 (2024-09-13)

Under The Temple in Bad Doric

After taking Amelia back to Lepett and resting, we returned to Bad Doric the next day. Evidence suggested that the White Skull had used the town, not the temple, as a temporary camp. Kira, curious about the springs in the temple, transformed into a fish to explore the water. She discovered a bound shadow elemental from the Shadowfell, likely the source of the corruption. The creature seemed to be fed through the well, possibly via herbs or other offerings, and was immobile, indicating it was bound.

At Camp, near Bad Doric

We discussed our next steps, referencing Kira’s discovery and the Order of Hospitalers Journals. Some theories emerged:

• Mother Isabel Verduna might be the daughter of the Isabel mentioned in the journals.
• The journals referenced a sweating sickness but not the rot, which Mother Verduna said had been around since she took over the Lazaretto.

Hiking Back to the Lazaretto

We spent two days hiking back to the Lazaretto with Lepett and Amelia, encountering and easily defeating some goblins along the way. Lepett expressed his high regard for Mother Verduna, calling her the closest thing to a saint.

The Lazaretto

Upon arrival, we met with Mother Verduna. Hugh described our findings in Bad Doric and showed her the journals. She pulled us into the Temple of Ilmater to read through them and discuss. Mother Verduna revealed that Mother Viola Laguna was the last of the Hospitalers, an order of healers using natural springs, tracing their origins to an old elven god, Delphian. She also shared that her mother, Isabella, had come from Bad Doric to help with the sweating sickness but had given her away as a child.

We found Albrecht Moray in the infirmary, feverish and in the early stages of rot. Gavin tried to get Albrecht to think about his plot while Kira used detect thoughts. Mother Verduna told us that someone had left Albrecht at the Lazaretto unconscious, and she believed he wanted the poison. We were provided with a cabin for the evening to discuss our findings.

That Night

Bikke informed Lepett that Albrecht had been sending children to Riatavin and insisted that Albrecht should not leave the Lazaretto. Lepett agreed, stating that if Albrecht survived, he would live out his days there. Gavin speculated that Albrecht might try to escape if he survived, though it would be difficult. Bikke overheard Mother Verduna telling Albrecht he needed to rest to have the strength for what was to come, likely referring to withstanding the rot. Her interest in the serum seemed suspicious.

Hugh wondered if there was a connection between the planar plants in the mirefen and the shadowfell shadow in the well. Kira speculated that a mix of planar plants, well water with shadow, milk, and semen on a sacrificial altar/bench in the tunnel might be creating the shadow creature, which could be corrupting the swamp and everything else. A nature check revealed that the feywild is a place of intense emotion and heightened feeling, while the shadowfell is its inverse, likely causing the malaise experienced near the swamp.

Armitage mentioned that Albrecht had gone to Port Maraisa and disappeared, possibly to do something with an orc gang profiting from a shadow elemental, and presumably translating that into action against the Auttencourt and Tethyrian royal family.

Ideas For Next Time

• Have Dominico Falcone send a message about finding Albrecht, but consider alternative methods due to the Auttencourt family’s involvement.
• Continue to investigate Mother Verduna’s sketchy behavior.
• Investigate the shadow elemental in the temple to determine if it produces the poison or causes the rot.
• Track goblins and orcs into the mountains to find their base and locate Laguna-kin.

Our journey continues to unravel more mysteries, and we must tread carefully as we uncover the truth behind the corruption and the shadow elemental.