In the wake of a brutal clash, Isaac stood resolute, conjuring a Wall of Force to shield the party from Aerisi, the winged elf cult leader of the Howling Hatred. This magical barrier provided a much-needed moment for the group to regroup, while Evilandral Darksbane, the cleric, worked diligently to heal Bitey, breathing life back into him. With a flick of his wrist, Xeiros joined in, channeling his healing magic to restore Bitey to full vigor. Meanwhile, Valerian scoured the chamber, eyeing the lavish treasures adorning Aerisi, who remained safely ensconced behind Isaac’s protective wall.
But chaos had its way; Evilandral Darksbane accidentally stumbled into the Wall of Force, prompting Xeiros to creatively use Minor Illusion to send messages across the barrier. The party’s Arcana checks unveiled that Aerisi had cast Mage Armor on herself, her vitality bolstered by Isaac’s earlier healing. Despite this, Bitey’s bloodlust surged, and he began to withdraw, leading to the Wall of Force’s collapse and opening the floor for dialogue.
Isaac, feigning an alliance with Aerisi, sought to earn the party’s trust, but his claims were met with palpable skepticism. Valerian took it upon himself to further heal Aerisi, who expressed her gratitude, yet Darreth, the stoic guardian, voiced his disapproval, reminding the group of their duty to guard rather than kill. In a chilling revelation, Aerisi recounted her dark past, including her betrayal of Darreth and the murder of his comrades to summon Yan-C-Bin, the master of air.
With a chilling conviction, Aerisi articulated her belief in humanity’s inherent flaws and shared her harrowing vision of destruction that Yan-C-Bin would unleash. Valerian, tapping into Detect Thoughts, sensed her irritation at their inquiries and her dismissive attitude toward Evilandral Darksbane. The group speculated on Darreth’s ominous connection to Yan-C-Bin, pondering the implications of his growing power and how it might fuel the dark ambitions of the air deity.
Determined to leave the Wind Temple behind, the party escorted civilians to safety under Aerisi’s guidance, navigating through a frigid chamber with a frozen pool before finally reaching the surface. They took a long rest on their way to Feather Gale Spire, with Isaac assigning Darreth the task of watching over Aerisi. Bitey kept a wary distance, his eyes never leaving her, while Zonga whimsically summoned a giant fly as his steed.
Before settling down, Valerian executed Planar Binding on Lysander, ensuring his aid for another ten days. Their journey sparked discussions about wyverns and giant vultures at Feather Gale Spire, during which Aerisi shared her personal losses and the origins of the Howling Hatred. Isaac persuaded Darreth to maintain vigilance over Aerisi while they privately discussed their future plans.
In a moment charged with tension, Bitey issued a cryptic threat to Aerisi in an unknown tongue, to which she responded defiantly. As the atmosphere thickened, Isaac relinquished his attunement to the cursed trident Drown, allowing him to speak candidly about the mind control tactics employed at the tower. He reaffirmed his oath to protect Aerisi, weighing the risks tied to Darreth’s link to Yan-C-Bin.
Valerian’s magic shone as he cast Raise Dead on a fallen drow woman, reviving her and gifting her with prayer beads before she departed. However, their attempts to glean information about Ishmael’s phylactery fell flat, with Evilandral Darksbane’s Legend Lore yielding no answers and Valerian’s Scrying on Marlos Urnrail thwarted.
Upon their arrival at Feather Gale Spire, the party was met with reverence as members bowed to Aerisi, who proudly introduced them as her companions. After hours of preparation, Aerisi offered Valerian the opportunity to free a soul from enchantment, identifying Savra Belabranta as the target. With a deft touch, Savra was liberated from her confusion, and Valerian provided her with a mount for her journey home.
To evade recognition in Earth territory, Aerisi proposed casting Seeming to alter their appearances, stressing the importance of caution. The party agreed to return to the interconnected temple levels, setting their sights on striking directly at the heart of the Earth Temple. As they descended, they encountered two hill giants guarding a passage, engaging in a lighthearted tic-tac-toe contest for entry, which Zonga decisively won.
Venturing deeper into the temple, they navigated treacherous caverns and faced various challenges, including a circular chamber where they made offerings to a lurking creature. After deciphering the passphrase required to cross a stone bridge, they pressed on, stealthily traversing a cavern where they confronted Marlos, the Black Earth leader.
In a bold move, Isaac offered himself as a sacrifice to deceive Marlos, who brandished a magical War Pick as proof of his deity’s favor. The party took up ambush positions, and as combat erupted, Bitey struck first, unleashing a devastating blow on Marlos. The ensuing chaos shook the ground, creating fissures across the battlefield, complicating their struggle as they faced not only Marlos but also reinforcements in the form of gargoyles and earth elementals.