With the ruins proving increasingly perilous, our heroes took time in Otari to gather crucial artifacts tied to the Roseguard. Their first stop was Odd Stories, where they inquired about Zarmavdian’s belongings. Morlibint, the owner, revealed the Threshold of Truth, Zarmavdian’s spellbook, but hesitated to part with it. Wanting reassurance that the book would be properly cared for, he put Shadow Bell to the test. With her crafting expertise, she proved herself worthy, and Morlibint agreed to loan the book to her.
Meanwhile, Slych, while going about his usual business, overheard a troubling rumor—the Dawnflower Library had suffered a fire. Alarmed, he gathered the group and rushed to investigate. There, they met the head priestess, Vandy, who welcomed them amid the ongoing investigation. Suspicions rose as the heroes theorized the fire was merely a diversion, and their hunch was soon confirmed—Vol Rajani’s sword, the Cooperative Blade, had been stolen.
Determined to recover what was lost, the heroes turned to Mayor Oseph, knowing his lineage traced back to the Roseguard. Hoping he could assist in locating Aesephna Menhemes’s brooch, they explained their mission. The mayor acknowledged their cause and agreed to loan them the Hunter’s Brooch, also providing his guards to escort them to Carman Rajani’s home, where they suspected the stolen sword had been taken.
However, Carman was nowhere to be found. Tracking his movements, the group followed his trail into a cave, where they discovered him studying the stolen sword. Attempting to avoid detection, the heroes sneaked in, but when Carman noticed them, Sol rushed forward and grappled him. Tension filled the cave as the heroes demanded he relinquish the blade, but Carman refused, only agreeing to speak if Sol released him. After much deliberation, the group relented, allowing him to keep the sword—on the condition that he accompany them to the ruins to use the blade to break the mysterious barrier.
Returning to the Gauntlight, the party approached the altar, only to be immediately assaulted by wisps. Overcome with fear, Carman fled, only to return moments later, now confused by the wisps’ influence. He lashed out at the heroes, forcing them to knock him out of his confusion. With the artifacts gathered, they placed them upon the altar, causing the barrier to dissolve. However, they were far from safe—undead warriors erupted from the sarcophagi, though they posed little threat against the heroes’ might.
With the path finally open, curiosity drove them deeper, where they encountered moaning grothluts and a gibbering mouther lurking in the shadows. The battle was grueling, the creatures relentless, but with strategy and determination, the heroes prevailed.
The legacy of the Roseguard had granted them passage, but the horrors below remained vast and unknown. What new dangers awaited in the depths? The Gauntlight’s purpose had become clearer—yet still, secrets lingered in the dark.