Of Rafts and Regrets
The Veiled Vanguard secures passage to Draelwyrm through the mountains with the enigmatic guide, Shasoth, opting for the riskier, faster route. They gather supplies, face a failed mugging attempt interrupted by Brightvein, and begin their subterranean journey filled with quiet reflections, strained conversations, and lingering grief. A rafting mishap sends them tumbling into darkness—only some awaken together in a strange, overgrown cavern while others are missing, with danger already stirring.
A letter from Sanasha to her parents about recent events
Dearest Mother and Poppa,
I hope you’ve received my other letters. Liliana promised they were making their way back to Dorgenol, but I’ve never received a response back… so I don’t know.
The grove was so isolated… but the world is so big. But no… you’ve heard this before, sorry I’m just writing without thinking first. Bad habit mother, I know Orcish ladies must think before they speak let alone write.
But still… I can’t stop myself from just rambling my words out on the page, I’m so excited. I did it, I FINALLY FOUND HIM (giggle)… did you imagine me giggling there? No… back to task.
After all of the trials I went through to find this one Druid, I finally caught up with him in the wasteland of all places. If you think what I had to go through to try to keep up was wild, just wait until you hear their stories.
But I’m burying the lead, so let’s do this, I’ll break it down because honestly it’s a lot. I promise I’ll give you more details in my next letter.. or keep notes enough to give you a more academic debriefing.
When I lost track of them they were in THE ELEMENTAL PLANE OF BLOODY EARTH MOTHER. I know.. Isn’t that just fascinating? I wish I had been there… well… maybe?
There’s an ancient Xoraxan city in the wasteland just to the south of home, their capital city of Thelrion. I’ve made notes so I can show you where we entered.
There was a series of Obelisks connected to a massive monolith that was apparently draining the life energy of any undead or those revived by divine magic, which is a lot to learn was just happening and no one seemed to know it?
Another group of adventurers led by a man named Father Lyrcas were using the Monolith to break down the barrier created by the God Casmir to release the gods back into the world.
Lyrcas was unhinged, he claimed he was fulfilling the wishes of the god Mordecai but I’m not really sure.
One of our party members, a CraumGaCu was the first Xoraxan to have his soul transferred to a mechanical body, also hey did you know those automaton bodies people find used to have peoples souls in them?
This Craum… he was also the last born child of their people. They used the monoliths for their own purpose, which seems to have led to the extermination of their civilization.
The Veiled Vanguard had a literal monkey's paw (yes I mean literal, not figurative mother). They used a wish to banish Father Lyrcas’ party away, only for this pretty lady with wings to re-appear as an old woman because she was sent to the past?. Time travel feels like the conceit from a story, right?
CraumGaCu did something I would never have expected and sacrificed himself by stating, “I give myself to the void”. He was sucked into the this void along with the father leaving the monolith in ruin.
I didn’t get to know him well enough to know if his sacrifice was to save his friends, or for the greater good.
An entity named the Seer appeared before us, he was very dramatic. He appeared to be the harbinger of some other entity that seeks to destroy all we know to return existence to the void from which it came.
Creatures called the monsters of monsters will come to bring about the end. Big end of world stuff, right?
See what I mean about burying the lead. So, we saved the world as we know it, maybe just to unleash something even worse? Don’t worry though, that’s why the world needs adventurers right?
Speaking of adventurers though, this group are an interesting bunch. Most of them are really giving me a shady vibe. They hardly stopped to grieve for their friend, choosing to ignore their pain. I had to practically wrench the start of their grieving process out of them… but I feel like we made some progress. But right, shady like I was saying.
They have a Hobgoblin with them that literally kidnapped a member of their party before joining, and they’re just like okay with that?.
They all promised to… to steal something for the Demon Prince of Deception or lose the life of a loved one.
One of them, is just carrying around the wrapped corpse of a member of their party like that’s a normal thing to do. Like I said, shady… maybe just tragic is a better word?
Adventuring hasn’t really been like the stories yet Mother. I know you don’t approve of this lifestyle I’ve chosen. But I want to do something more important than just make fancy clothes or study stodgy old tomes.
There’s a whole world to discover out here, and I want to write my own story not just live someone else’s stories through a book.
I’ll write soon Mother.. Give my love to Poppa. Hopefully I’ll visit you soon.
Love, your Nasha.
P.S. I got to travel in a walking house built by a wizard that’s bigger on the inside. Isn’t that great?
Arriving in Nal'thees, the party learned from Cliff that a guide named Shasoth could navigate them through the mountain caves to Draelwyrm. After dining on unremarkable Xoraxian fish, they found Shasoth beating a human following a game. Shasoth agreed to guide them for 600 gold pieces (100 per person), warning that they must leave their Schnoggles behind—prompting Ro’Zaad to arrange safe keeping for Shelby. Before setting out, Ro’Zaad and Naoki bought poison resistance supplies from the Lizardfolk Renaldo, while Sanasha, Thalia, and Emelyne purchased a light-imbued lantern, a caged canary for mine safety, and a pickaxe from Jack’s supply shop. En route to Guildmaster Brightvein, three muggers accosted the party, but Brightvein and Big Jim intervened, crushing the leader's skull with a thrown rock. After a brief lunch with Brightvein—where they bought six health potions—the Vanguard met Shasoth to enter the subterranean pass.
Descending a slick, circular stairwell alongside a roaring waterfall, Shasoth revealed he once helped survivors escape a sinister "lottery"—a sacrifice ritual run by ancient Underdark dwellers. After Emelyne and Thalia cautiously worm-crawled across a narrow bridge, the party reached a hidden cavern behind the waterfall, boarding a tarp-covered raft. At camp, Ro’Zaad and Thalia used the first watch to reflect on their past losses, Craum's sacrifice, and concern for Emelyne, while Renatus prayed silently to Grevtrea without receiving an answer. During the second watch, Naoki offered to show Renatus his dreams; when Renatus remarked that Naoki's mind must be empty, an offended Naoki went back to sleep, leaving Renatus alone. On the final watch, Emelyne shared the depth of her feelings for Valerie and her duties as an embalmer with Sanasha, who urged her not to dwell in the past as they discussed finding the Library of Allura to revive their fallen companions.
The next morning, the party navigated whitewater rapids aboard the raft with Naoki transformed into an alligator. After Sanasha used her greataxe to steer them clear of a hidden Roper stalagmite, Shasoth misdirected the raft into a sudden waterfall plunge. Emelyne cast Feather Fall on most of the group, but Naoki and Shasoth tumbled into the current and were washed away. Battered by rocks, the rest of the Vanguard lost consciousness. They awakened in a warm, subterranean chamber filled with overgrown flora, missing both Naoki and Shasoth. As Emelyne cast magic to locate Shasoth’s hat, a horrific growl echoed through the cavern.