Session 10 - Copilot
Portents and Plans
Our party found itself at a crucial juncture. Bikke suggested we return to the Lazaretto to confront and eliminate Mother Verduna, collect our reward from Dominico, and demand more from Armitage del Veign. Hugh looked to Kira for guidance. With determination, she agreed. We believed Mother Verduna was the hag the shadow elemental had warned us about.
Return to Bad Doric
Before heading to the Lazaretto, we decided to stop at Bad Doric. We encountered MickMuck and the freed human slaves, who, despite their unfamiliarity with the West, followed us. The journey took a couple of days, and upon arrival, we found the ruins as we had left them.
Kira transformed into a fish and communicated with the shadow elemental we had encountered before. Through a telepathic exchange filled with emotions, the elemental revealed its plight. It was being drained and violated by the very place itself. Rage surged when Kira mentioned Verduna, confirming our suspicions.
A Cleansed Lazaretto
After Radovan purified the spring at Bad Doric, we traveled through Mirefen, noticing a significant change—the emotional drain was gone. Arriving at the Lazaretto two days later, we were greeted by unusual activity. The fog had lifted, the skies were clear, and the place seemed to be healing.
Sister Nightsong, maskless and joyful, greeted us, calling us miracle workers. She informed us that Mother Verduna had left for Port Maraisa with Albrecht Moray and Lepett. Hailed as heroes, we boarded a boat back to Port Maraisa, receiving adulation from the recovering people.
Celebration in Port Maraisa
Port Maraisa welcomed us with open arms. Strangers greeted us, showering us with sausages and beer. Mayor Dominico Falcone, thrilled to see us, led us to the Town Hall, where we were offered fine scotch. Recognizing the importance of our efforts, Falcone planned to celebrate our achievements publicly at the night market.
Suspicion and Strategy
Wary of the sudden shift in behavior and alliances, we visited the Big Tree Inn to speak with the Small Brothers. We learned of Verduna’s suspicious actions and the strange harmony among the guilds. Berryroot, a practical halfling, expressed his doubts about the situation, hinting at possible ulterior motives.
Berryroot said, “Roses grow in bullshit, and I smell a lot of bullshit.”
Gavin asked, “From us or from Verduna?”
Berryroot replied, “I’m not accusing anybody of anything, but it seems a little convenient to me how things have gone the last few days and a few folks have been acting out of character.”
Uncovering Plots
At the Merchant Consortium, Barrick knocked on the door and was greeted by Lepett, who looked healthier than ever. Lepett informed us that Verduna was not there, but Albrecht was at the Gold Coin. Suspecting deeper plots, we headed to the inn.
In Albrecht’s room, we revealed our mission and the connection to Etienne Auttencort. Albrecht disclosed his plan to disrupt the Auttencort family’s influence by enraging Etienne with poisoned blood, leading him to kill his fiancée, Ottillie Rhindaun. However, our primary concern was Verduna, whom we believed to be a night hag.
An Unholy Alliance
Albrecht, willing to assist us in exchange for our help against Etienne, agreed to our terms. Now aligned with Albrecht, we prepared for the sunset event.
The Night Market
As night fell, Port Maraisa transformed into a beautiful and hospitable town. Paper lanterns lit up the market, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. A small stage was set up, and the town’s power brokers, including Elena Delphino, Dominico, and Lorenzo, were seated on the dais.
Lepett led us to the stage, where Dominico greeted us and addressed the crowd. He praised us for our invaluable assistance to Port Maraisa. The town’s power brokers took turns expressing their gratitude, with Elena Delphino taking credit for our achievements.
Mother Verduna then stood and, with projected humility, thanked us personally. She expressed her readiness to lay down her burden and leave the Lazaretto, confident that the town would thrive without her.
Gavin asked Radovan to say a prayer for Verduna’s travels, during which Radovan cast Detect Good and Evil. Hugh also used Divine Sense. We both saw Verduna’s physical body as an old woman, but Radovan also saw a vortex of evil tendrils branching off from her. Hugh saw elements of Fae, the Hells, and Shadow, indicating her dark and widespread nature.
As Radovan finished his prayer, Verduna looked up with a glint in her eye, knowing we had discovered her true nature. Gavin hugged her, and she whispered a chilling threat.
Falcone then stepped forward to reward us. He announced that our payment would be doubled, and we would receive an additional 3000 gold. We were also given the title “Guaritore del Port Maraisa” and presented with ceremonial gold daggers.
During the Party
Kira glared at Isabel Verduna, and Bikke whispered to Albrecht that the crowd needed to disperse. Albrecht acknowledged that the crowd was too large and would take too long to disperse.