In a thrilling exploration of knowledge, the party delved into a treasure trove of books lining the chamber walls, brimming with secrets about Absalom. This newfound wisdom granted them a significant bonus to future knowledge checks related to the city, igniting their curiosity.
Eager to explore further, they turned their attention to a ghostly librarian, pondering whether their ally Borbo could convince her that her duties were complete. However, Lightwing’s attempt at persuasion fell flat, provoking the librarian’s frustration and igniting a fierce combat encounter.
The ghost librarian unleashed her despair ability, wrapping Slych in a shroud of sorrow that weighed heavily on him. She targeted Lightwing with a vicious strike, but luck was on his side as she missed her mark. Meanwhile, Slych, sensing the brewing storm, chose to retreat from the fray. Sol’andriel, ever the supportive ally, attempted to exorcise the ghost librarian but failed to recall the necessary information. Lightwing retaliated with an intimidating glare that instilled fear in the spectral foe, while Shadow Bell launched frostbite spells, but the librarian’s resistance to cold proved formidable.
In a moment of clarity, Shadow Bell recalled that the librarian had no weaknesses—only a vulnerability to force, ghost touch, spirit, or vitality damage. The ghost librarian struck back, dealing damage to Lightwing, but Slych’s kinetic impulses found their mark, leading to her ultimate defeat. The victory was bittersweet, as the party debated the necessity of destroying her belongings to prevent her return from the afterlife.
With the librarian vanquished, Shadow Bell discovered a hidden door that opened to a new hallway filled with scrolls and papers. Among their finds was a locked cabinet containing valuable tomes and a scroll inscribed with an unreadable contract. Using a key retrieved from their earlier adventures, they unlocked the cabinet and decided to take the contract back to town for further investigation, also resolving to obliterate the room to avert future complications. Upon returning to Korlok, their ally expressed heartfelt gratitude, gifting his glaive as a token of thanks and revealing the existence of Urevian, a devil who might hold even more contracts deeper within.
As their journey continued, Shadow Bell’s keen eyes spotted edible fungus in the jail area, which the party collected for future sustenance. They prepared to confront a Morlock named Augrael, who was initially lost in the pages of a book. Lightwing struck first, catching Augrael off guard and igniting yet another battle. However, as Augrael attempted to flee, Slych positioned himself to block the path, preventing Shadow Bell and Lightwing from pursuing him. After a brief discussion, the party ultimately decided to let Augrael escape, leaving them to ponder his true nature.
Following this, Slych expressed his dislike for a man he had seen with a wolf, convincing the group to confront him. When they arrived, the man revealed his true nature by transforming into a werewolf, prompting an intense combat sequence. The werewolf cursed the group during the fight, adding to the tension as the party sprang into action, with Shadow Bell and Sol’andriel aiming to land effective blows.
Despite their best efforts, the werewolf retaliated with ferocity, healing itself amid the chaos. Slych used kinetic impulses to affect both the werewolf and its wolf companion, while Sol’andriel focused on defensive tactics to shield his allies. After a series of intense exchanges, the werewolf attempted to surrender, offering to teach the party how to control their werewolf curse. Shadow Bell, assessing the sincerity of the werewolf’s desperate plea, sensed truth in its eyes.
After a thoughtful discussion about the implications of the curse, the party agreed to train with the werewolf, planning their downtime accordingly. Lightwing sought gold to purchase scrolls, while Slych proposed acquiring a striking rune for his rapier. As they sold off unused items, they learned of Doriana’s worsening condition, prompting Lightwing to confront the mayor for answers. Their investigation into Doriana’s toys revealed a hidden ruby within a stuffed gryphon, casting shadows of suspicion on the enigmatic figure known as the “motley man.”
Inquiries with the mayor about Doriana’s health and the toys led to deeper revelations, hinting at potential magical influences on the girl. As the party settled in for the night, strange occurrences unfolded, including Doriana dancing with her toys. In the middle of the night, the ruby they had found in the stuffed griffin disappeared, prompting Slych to investigate. He successfully retrieved the ruby from the toy while the girl remained asleep, and the party resolved to destroy it, hoping to alleviate Doriana’s distress. Yet, despite their best efforts, the girl continued to show signs of suffering, leaving the party to reflect on their choices and the potential consequences that lay ahead. The weight of their actions hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy in their perilous journey.