The air was thick with tension as Matthew Gondor pondered the implications of their recent encounter. The possibility of being in an alternate realm, where another version of himself existed, weighed heavily on him, especially with the thought that his grandfather might have known about it. The party convened to discuss their next steps, contemplating an audience with Matthew’s sister and the other Matthew through connections to the Onyx Chest family. Lady Antkeep suggested that closure might require confronting the other Matthew or speaking to his sister directly. Overwhelmed, Matthew expressed a desire to leave the area to calm down.
As they moved toward a more secluded location, the group debated whether to return to the inn or pursue a more active course. Marin proposed searching The Sewers for radenwights, which would assist the Onyx Chest family and provide Matthew with a distraction. Initially hesitant, Matthew reluctantly agreed to join, preferring to remain in the background unless the situation escalated. Specter suggested a controlled sparring match for Matthew, but the group ultimately decided to proceed with the Sewers exploration. Before entering Sewers, Spec stopped at a meat stall to purchase fresh meat for bait. Lady changed out of her good clothes, while Spec used his cloak as a makeshift meat sack. Inside Sewers, Lady utilized her small size to search for signs of The radenwights, successfully identifying a trail. The stench was overwhelming, prompting Marin to lead the group in covering their faces. They soon encountered a series of traps, which Gorda skillfully disabled as they progressed.
As they ventured deeper, the party noticed several ordinary rats observing them, behaving as scouts. Spec began using the meat as bait, and Matthew captured some of the rats, despite being bitten. The tunnels became a maze, and after a misguided detour led them back to their starting point, Marin decided to keep one of the captured rats, naming it Rathew, who then guided them along the correct path. They overcame a long pit and reached a passage where a small boat rested, with a more populated route leading north. Rathew indicated that the northern route was the way to go.
Continuing onward, the party waded through sludge, with Lady clinging to Marin to avoid the filth. As they approached a door, Marin heard music from within, and the group agreed to attempt dialogue rather than violence. After knocking and receiving no response, Spec opened the door to reveal a dry hallway leading to another door where the music grew louder. Marin knocked again, and upon announcing their intentions of bringing food, they were welcomed inside.
Inside, they encountered several radenwights and a few sickly Human Civilians, all eager for the food they offered. Marin introduced himself as Marin from Northport and learned that The radenwights had taken in the humans after they lost their jobs and homes due to the oppressive rule of Onyx Chest. The radenwights explained their history of living in Sewers and their former lives as street performers before being driven underground. Marin expressed his disdain for the lord’s neglect, while The radenwights shared their resilience and ability to reproduce quickly, hinting at their potential to rebuild despite recent losses.
Their conversation was interrupted when the eastern door was smashed open, revealing intruders that Marin recognized as obedient servants of Ajax. As the attackers surged in, Marin directed the Civilians and The radenwights toward Teleportation Portals prepared by Lady, allowing them to escape. The battle erupted, with Lady launching a powerful spell that decimated the lesser attackers. The ensuing chaos saw the party fighting against a mix of large brutes and smaller foes, with Gorda and Matthew contributing significantly to the defense.
As the fight progressed, the party faced numerous challenges, including explosive Collars on the fallen enemies that caused collateral damage. Gorda transformed to match the enemy and struck down foes, while Matthew utilized his powers to hinder attackers and protect his allies. Spec employed his shadow manipulation to control the battlefield, ultimately leading to the defeat of the remaining enemies. After the battle, Marin searched the wreckage for clues but found little due to the destruction caused by the Collar.
The group deduced that the attackers were likely after Marin specifically, as he revealed his surname, Marin. Matthew reassured the fleeing Civilians that the threat had been neutralized, while Spec rummaged through the room for supplies, finding a set of clean clothes he donned. They identified the attackers as War Dogs, disposable soldiers created from the dead, serving Ajax. Spec discovered the name Doregaferi by feeling the energy of the spear.
As they regrouped, Marin warned the Civilians of potential dangers still lurking in the city and provided them with gold and directions to Northport for safety. Spec suggested that the goblins could be a friendlier option for them. The Civilians, confused by Spec’s appearance, received a goblin mask as a token of identification, and the group prepared to move on. They left Sewers, where Spec set up a controlled test to study Matthew’s black-ink transformation during combat. The test revealed Matthew’s terrifying state of mind, characterized by pure terror rather than rage, leading to discussions about his mysterious past and the potential experiments he may have undergone.
Threads to Watch:
- The implications of Matthew’s alternate self and his family’s knowledge of it.
- The identity and motives of the War Dogs and their connection to Ajax.
- The fate of The radenwights and the Civilians they rescued.