17 June 2023
While in the paradise, [[Ishtar]] meditates on his drop in alignment.
Sasso, the golden naga, appears in a vision to [[Ishtar]], saying “You’re asking the right questions.” [[Ishtar]] asks for help figuring out the answers. Sasso, “Simplicity! Do you not know what your fight is? What is your battle?” [[Ishtar]], “I don’t think I know what my battle is anymore.” Sasso, “And that is why you are lost!” [[Ishtar]], “I think it’s to help [[Gammy]], get stronger, and help people along the way.” Sasso, “Just [[Gammy]]? The answer is right in front of you (referring to Tal).” Sasso tells [[Ishtar]] that he needs to work on getting the party united and on helping people.
Before the long rest, Tal Sends a message to Aetumal. Aetumal responds, “Grantex squad here in Lazemore. Notice of quarantine from small red insect that rusts metal. Sheldon made it? Good News. Beware orange gem being traced.”
— Long rest —
In Vecrum, the airship runs into a strange 10’x10’ “window”, which appears inside the paradise, showing through to both planes. Another strange window appears in both places. [[Camden]] realizes that it’s a “portal storm” and people shouldn’t go through the portals. Tal and [[Ishtar]] agree to not go through the portal unless things get worse in the paradise. Another portal appears outside, and there is the sound of something charging up. Both parties do their best to dodge the portals and run away, eventually succeeding.
That night in the paradise, Tal Sends a message to Urilian, letting him know that travel continues. Urilian warns Tal that the captain (presumably of the airship) is not what he seems and he’s been continuing to investigate the gem shipments. Tal Sends a message to [[Gammy]], passing on the info about the captain not being trustworthy.
Tal dreams: darkness. illumination, revealing fog around him, which is uncomfortable (which is unusual, considering how comfortable he has become with water). A strange force tries to invade the back of his mind, which he shakes off, waking himself. Presumably the aboleth was trying to affect him somehow.
— Long rest —
Party members chat and realize that they’re not on course for Grantex and it seems that the captain is sabotaging their speed. [[Gammy]] asks Shelldon if they’re still on track for reaching Grantex. Shelldon is confused, since the captain told him that they’re heading for a different place. But Shelldon’s explanation seems genuine, so the party is put at ease.
The airship flies to the nearby lake and lands. Several party members disembark the airship to go with the captain to meet his contact and collect the “boost”. He wanders off into the fog and is lost from sight. Lizardfolk try to sneak up on the party and start to net them. Combat continues, with the lizardfolk using poisoned weapons. Party manages to take them all down (except one who runs), with only [[Camden]] going unconscious.
Party discuses trying to find the captain or going back to the ship. Find the captain hiding nearby. He makes excuses and continues to lead. He leads them deeper, eventually finding a zone free of fog. Inside the clearing are pools of water and a hut, from which emerges a beautiful elf woman who invites everyone in for tea. Moments later, a hag-like creature emerges from the hut. The hag attacks the party, and when she notices that a fey is in the party, she gets very excited, cackling about “fey blood”. The will-o-wisps with her attack the party, doing massive damage to [[Gammy]] and also hitting [[Pip]]. Puncture wounds appear on [[Pip]]’s neck, and the hag cackles about just needing “the witch’s blood” now. The blood hag knocks [[Pip]] out, tears his face off, and then knocks out [[Gammy]] after [[Gammy]] stabs her a couple more times. [[Urtho]] heals [[Gammy]]. The blood hag turns into mist and appears next to [[Camden]], knocking him out with a claw attack. [[Urtho]] heals [[Camden]] and [[Gammy]] uses a spell to make the hag run away. The party considers running away, agrees to run, but then the hag returns and the fight continues instead. [[Urtho]] is teleported somewhere else in the swamp. [[Gammy]] and [[Camden]] go down. [[Pip]] continues to fight from the sky, but the blood hag blinds him temporarily.