With their path ahead uncertain, the heroes voted to investigate the lake, hoping to uncover its secrets. However, before fully committing to the journey, they took a detour to circle around the lodge, recalling that a black dragon lurked in the muddy terrain nearby. Not yet ready for such a confrontation, they wisely chose to steer clear.
Once again, they approached the lake, this time navigating its outer edges. They discovered strange crystals, inspecting them closely when Rocky glided toward a nearby island—only for a bizarre bird, a cauthooj, to swoop down, mistaking him for prey.
Reacting quickly, the party rushed through the water to aid their companion, but their movements drew the attention of something much worse beneath the surface. The battle became chaotic as the cauthooj’s singing spread confusion, causing infighting among the heroes just as tentacled fish creatures emerged from the water, attempting to devour them. Fortunately, the fish suffered from the same confusion, turning the fight into pure chaos.
Torren, recognizing the dangerous influence of the cauthooj, cast silence on Bags, cutting off the creature’s song. Disoriented, the cauthooj attempted to flee, but Bags pursued, landing the final blow. Meanwhile, Rocky had been swallowed whole by one of the fish creatures, prompting Torren to dive into its belly to heal him from within. As the remaining heroes eliminated the tentacled fish, Rocky was rescued, and the waters fell still once more.
In the waters by the island, the heroes uncovered yet another lens, the ochre lens, believed to have been lost. Their journey across the lake had led them to another crucial artifact, but their exploration was far from over.
Thumper, eager to push forward, flew over the lake, spotting a vault. Without hesitation, he opened the door, finding a clay statue of Belcorra inside. As he called to his companions, the statue began to move, preparing to strike.
A battle erupted, with uncertainty about whether to fight or flee. Ultimately, the heroes stood their ground, engaging the construct. As the battle intensified, an undead guardian emerged, furious at the destruction of Belcorra’s likeness. Screaming in rage, the creature joined the fray, but despite its fury, the heroes emerged victorious once more.
With the ochre lens in hand and another dark remnant of Belcorra defeated, the party continues their descent, knowing that the deeper they go, the more dangerous the vaults will become.