As the party delved deeper into the mysterious terrain, Valerian’s keen senses picked up the unmistakable presence of Aries lurking to the north-northwest. This revelation spurred the group to reconsider their path after reaching a frustrating dead end. In the eerie black pudding cave, Valerian’s curiosity about harvesting remnants was met with disappointing news, prompting the adventurers to push forward. He directed Lysanther, his angelic archer companion, to hang back as they advanced into the unknown.
Drawing closer to an unexplored northern section, Valerian’s ears caught the sound of chanting wafting through the air. The ever-cunning Bitey, the rogue with a flair for the dramatic, deftly crossed a chasm, skillfully maneuvering through strong updrafts to spy several figures floating in serene meditation. Donning a Hat of Disguise, Bitey transformed into a wind cult leader, slipping into the area undetected, ready to gather intel.
The party soon entered a ritual chamber where wing-robed Aarakocra Wind Cultists were deeply engaged in a sacrificial rite. Through telepathic whispers from Iressi, they learned that captives were being prepared for a grim fate, with Isaac clarifying that these sacrifices required being “lashed by the wind.” Among the cultists, the sinister figure of a nycaloth, a fiendish leader, stood out, prompting the party to concoct a daring plan. Valerian pretended to join in the chant, casting Spirit Guardians while sparing the shackled captives from its effects, catching the cultists off guard and igniting the flames of combat.
In a flurry of action, Bitey ambushed a floating cultist, landing a critical strike, while another fell victim to a swift follow-up attack. The remaining cultists retaliated with a flurry of thrown daggers, wounding Bitey, yet his resolve remained unshaken. Xeiros transformed into his Starry Form, unleashing a radiant shot at the nycaloth, while Evilandral attempted to incapacitate the fiend, but it shrugged off the effort.
The battle intensified as an Aarakocra cultist unleashed a ferocious Lightning Bolt, striking Zonga, Minibin, and Evilandral, with Minibin absorbing the brunt of the attack. Valerian repositioned his Spirit Guardians to unleash their wrath on the enemies, utilizing Radiance of the Dawn with devastating precision. The nycaloth retaliated, vanishing from sight and teleporting away after launching a vicious strike at Valerian. However, Valerian, using See Invisibility, pinpointed the nycaloth’s location, allowing Isaac to deliver a powerful blow with his Staff of Power, enhanced by Divine Smite.
As the clash raged on, Zonga delivered the final, decisive blow to the nycaloth, sending it crashing down, while Bitey swiftly dispatched another cultist nearby. With the battle won, the party turned their attention to healing the captives, which included two Wind Cultists and a terrified drow named Balix. The drow shared a harrowing tale of him and his companion Jelix’s quest to document ancient ruins, revealing the tragic news of Jelix’s demise.
From the captives, the party learned of their mistress’s desperate state and received directions to her location, igniting their resolve for the next leg of their adventure. Bitey returned with a remarkable collection of daggers, and he and Zonga eagerly swapped weapons. As they approached the chasm, they strategized their crossing, with Xeiros using his DragonForm flight to navigate the obstacle with ease.
Upon reaching the hostage chamber, the party was met with a grim sight: three individuals bound and barely clinging to life, guarded by invisible foes. Valerian’s clever use of Faerie Fire revealed the hidden threats, and chaos erupted as a Barlgura demon lunged at Isaac. The party fought valiantly, with Zonga neutralizing cultists and Evilandral working tirelessly to heal the hostages.
Amidst the fray, they discovered that one of the hostages was none other than Dessena Norveil, a high-ranking diplomat from Water Davian. After a tense and exhilarating battle, the party emerged victorious, ensuring the safety of the hostages. With the immediate danger behind them, they steeled themselves to confront Ariesi, the air cult leader, who was found in a state of panic, pleading for help against Valerian.