Unndilar 13, 835
In the early evening, the Clockwork Companions descended into Cael Morrow, exploring further until they found a watchtower perched on a high hilltop overlooking the rest of the sunken city. The structure was roughly thirty feet high but appeared to have once been taller and had since collapsed, leaving the remaining structure with a jagged crown of loose-fitting stone. A single stone door led into the tower at ground level.
Peering over the roof, they saw two crumbling staircases following the inside walls as they climbed to a fifteen-foot-high balcony. Armed, wraith-like forms moved about inside the tower, like a battle-ready garrison that didn't know the war was long over. Floating a few feet above the balcony was a pale, spectral orc.
They introduced themselves as the last warriors defending their beloved priest, Hadari of Corellon. After learning that the companions were seeking to free Alyxian, they agreed to lead them to the temple.
Saying a prayer at the barrier to the stone temple in the middle of a sunken courtyard, surrounded by softly glowing alabaster pillars, Hadari allowed them to enter into the pulsing red light that issued from an archway within.
The interior of the temple was dry. Lavishly sculpted pillars lined the interior walls, and the floor was adorned with a mosaic of silver and green glass that depicted two verdant crescent moons atop a four-pointed star. At the center of the mosaic was a red crystal shard, pulsing with light in a mockery of a heartbeat. Scarlet tendrils radiated from it and crawled across the stonework. Against the north wall stands a statue of Corellon.
A vision came to them. Alyxian was on his knees in this place, his head bent and his expression haggard. He looked old beyond his years. He raised his gaze to the statue of Corellon, his eyes cleared despite the exhaustion showing on his face. "Whatever it takes," he whispered, his voice filling the room. "Even if it costs my life and my soul. I will do what it takes to protect them."
As ACHU approached the crystal, he became frightened and fled from the temple. Sarielle touched the crystal and had a vision and the crystal exploded, leaving her exhausted. Meanwhile, ACHU’s Jewel extended and grew in power.
They returned to the ruined tower for a short rest before swimming over the kelp forest where they were attacked by two giant squid-like creatures. After defeating one, the other tried to swim away, but Tymlor cast Polymorph, turning it into a turtle. As Sarielle retrieved it, the aboleth appeared. ACHU Banshied it, allowing them time to slay the remaining squid and prepare for the aboleth’s return. When it appeared, it charmed Sarielle, who attacked Tymlor, knocking the old wizard unconscious. ACHU cast Greater Restoration to restore her senses and then revived Tymlor. The aboleth tried to flee but they chased it down and slew the aberration.
They dragged the aboleth to the temple and left just outside the entrance. Once inside the temple, Tymlor cast Tiny Hut so they could all rest safely.
Once rested, they returned to the kelp forest and found the squids’ lair where they retrieved a pouch containing 556 gold coins, and a breastplate, a shield, and a ring that were all magic and Ruidium infused.
After informing Hadari that they had slain the aboleth, they made their way back to the base camp where Tymlor retrieved his Shield Guardian and they exited Cael Morrow.
On the way out, they encountered Ayo’s party entering. Tymlor was glad to see them, but soon realized how miserable they were. They all wore Ruidium-infused weapons and armor, Irvan had a mechanical arm having lost his to a crab, and Ayo had a Ruidium infection. He tried to make conversation, but they were abrupt and insisted on moving on after Ayo revealed to Tik that they were working with Alakritos from the Allegiance of Allsight.
When they returned to the temple of the mentor, Tik opened the jewelry box they had found and discovered a string of pearls and 3 rings; two non-magical emerald rings and one Ring of Shooting Stars.
They updated Jamil, who rewarded them with another 1,000 old coins and shared that engaging the aboleth was to be their next mission.
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