Real Date: July 1, 2022
Reflecting on the strange note they had previously obtained, the group briefly discusses their next course of action. Thrunk feels intensely unwell and stumbles back into The Loose Wheel. Boone, Raz and the mysterious Guy head onwards towards 87 Eel Crescent, the destination specified in the cultist’s message. The group arrives at midnight, finding an abandoned house barricaded with wooden planks. Boone circles the perimeter, before discovering a broken window. Raz peeks through the window, where he finds three cultists having a conversation. Two of the cultists appear to be injured, clutching their wounds. The third cultist appears to be uninjured and wears a ceremonial mask. The group decides it would be wise to ambush the cultists while they converse. Boone heads to the front door with Guy while Raz prepares to shoot from the broken window. Boone throws himself against the door, but is unable to break the barricade. Raz shoots the masked cultist with his bow while Guy impales an injured cultist with his lance. Boone leaps through the glass window before casting a spell on the leader, forcing him to freeze. The second injured cultist weighs his options, fleeing before he is struck down by Raz. The masked cultist also decides to flee, but is slain with one of Guy’s javelins. When the mask is removed, Boone recognises the leader as the crying man they rescued from the Forbidden Ruins.
After the intense battle, the group decides to camp in the abandoned house for the night. The mysterious Guy properly introduces himself as Oliver, finally finding a good time to do so. Raz volunteers to take the first shift, though he sneaks outside while the others are sleeping so he can watch the house from afar. Raz sits awake for four hours, though he sees nothing of interest and wakes Oliver before heading to sleep. Oliver is only awake for two hours, though he sees a conspiracy of ravens flying towards the Temple of Souls. Boone is woken for the third shift, as the clouds darken and rain begins to fall. He initially wishes to head outside, but doesn’t want to stand in such poor weather. Everyone soon wakes, though Raz does not feel particularly well-rested. Boone and Oliver head through the streets, slowly making their way to the Demon Hunter’s Guild. Raz traverses to the temple, where he can sleep for a few more hours. Boone and Oliver pass a group of five cultists in the street, though the cultists seem cautious and quickly retreat to the shadows. When the two finally arrive at the guildhall, Ivo Steelspine is nowhere to be seen. A senior member within the guild informs them that Ivo is away on important business. Boone and Oliver tell the man of their recent encounters with the cult, warning him of areas the cult has been spotted. The two paladins sit at a small table and eat some cabbage stew for breakfast. When they finish eating, the two get up from their table and leave the guildhall. Raz finishes sleeping and briefly assists the sombre holy ceremonies before leaving the Temple of Souls. .
Boone and Oliver look around the town some more, Raz decides to do the same. Boone and Oliver enter The Bubbling Brew apothecary. Oliver briefly debates purchasing a healing potion, but ultimately decides against it. Raz finds a strange angelic statue in a quiet part of town. Though the statue is covered in vines and moss, several pilgrims surround the figure in worship. Raz feels that he should do the same, so he too briefly prays before the grand statue. After a few minutes, Boone and Oliver arrive at the statue, reuniting with Raz. The celebrations are immediately cut short however as a panicked group of four Demon Hunter’s Guild members rapidly approach the party. Following the guild, the group is led down a dark street, where they hear the sounds of intense battle. A hulking figure has emerged from the sewers, its pale green skin appears stitched together many times. Long claws protrude from its wide hands and its face is covered in a metal mask. The beast charges at Ivo Steelspine as it smashes the surrounding buildings with its powerful strikes. Boone is quick to react, freezing the monster with magic before it can cause greater damage. The group battles the hulking brute, inflicting substantial wounds upon the creature. Horrifyingly, as the creature screams in agony, its wounds begin to writhe and shift before closing themselves. Despite the creature’s rapid regenerative abilities, it eventually falls in battle. Several guild members rush to shackle the beast as it lies on the ground. Ivo requests to speak with the party, leading them back towards the guildhall.
When in private, Ivo admits he may know more about the creature’s origin. He states that the beast looks similar to ancient monsters resistant to most damage, believing it to be created with powerful magic. He warns that any with this knowledge may be able to replicate the effect, creating monsters unkillable using most conventional weapons. Ivo leaves the guildhall, before heading south, reminding the group to stay vigilant. Boone, Raz and Oliver believe it would be wise to regroup with Thrunk, so the party heads towards The Loose Wheel pub.