Session 53 - Tale of a mad dwarf

12/07/300 (evening) - The party are gathered at the Hall of the Sky after their run in with the Caretaker. Ruric orders mead and the group discuss their options. Braith and Elnorin spot a scop, Kent Devyn, who imparts news to them in exchange for news from the North. His news includes;

• Troubles between a Lugi Ri and a Regni Banrion as gnolls run rampant
• The Regni are gathering to select a new champion
• There are tenuous rumours that Dunregni is being fortified. 
• The western expedition has secured sources of iron and clay but the dwarves there are unwilling to trade salt.
• A 'ghost' of a dwarf, cloaked in green, has been seen across the western and central reaches of Vannin 

At the same time, following deeds, he names Braith (Truearrow and Fiend-blinder) and Ruric (Giantfriend). 

The group settle for the night. Ruric offers to take first watch and Heskan, following an unspoken exchange with Elnorin, sits with him. After a short while Ruric asks Heskan whether he understands the Oddments and Oddities book. Heskan says no and Ruric begins to give a lesson on dwarven runes. Heskan, fatigued from the days battle, falls asleep. Elnorin wakes Heskan an hour later. Ruric has gone. The group make haste to the stables and Elnorin takes to the skies, seeking out the fleeing dwarf. The others follow in their mounts.

Elnorin catches up with Ruric and, after a brief exchange, Ruric offers to stand down and extends his hammer to the elf. Elnorin steps forward and is snared by the kobold trap they'd evaded earlier. Ruric presses towards the tomb but is attacked by a summoned constrictor. The battle is brief but Ruric wins out, Elnorin freeing himself seconds later. Elnorin gets into the tomb just in time to see the secret door close. He pushes and eventually opens the door.

Below a stallo mage, unexpected by Elnorin, launches firebolts at Elnorin. Elnoring hears Ruric hit the ground and peeks around the corner long enough to see Ruric float away, lifted by an unseen force with the Caretaker floating ahead. Elnorin attempts to dash past but is struck by stallo magic. At this point he realises that it is an illusion from the deck. Elnorin collects Door and Ruric's hammer before giving chase. Each door he reaches is barred and, eventually, he reaches the laboratory. A brief, telepathic discussion later Elnorin is aware that the Caretaker wishes to examine Ruric thoroughly....for 17 years. He returns to the ground floor.

Shortly later Heskan, Braith and Bankanir reach the workshop. The group discuss things briefly before Braith leads the charge below.

Heskan breaks the door down and battle ensues. The Caretaker turns, revealing tentacles where a nose and mouth should be. A mental blast stuns all but Heskan, who fights alone. Braith is attacked by the creature who quickly devours her mind, leaving her dead. Heskan responds with deadly smites, laying the beast low. He finishes off the remaining beats with the help of Bankanir before bring Braith back before she passes beyond the gate in the underworld.

The group find Hadar's belongings, find the disturbing room where the tear is/was and recover to Sheskin. 

13/07/300

The group rest and recover before the local priests use expensive ritual components to cure Ruric.