Episode 62
Rising Smoke
With the light of the Espial Beacon snuffed out, the Soul Survivors say goodbye to new friends, taking the teleportation circle to the industrious hill-town, Vuldohr.
Recap
The Soul Survivors wrapped up brunch at the Silver Spirit Inn, trading lighthearted banter about eggs, treasures, and names for Old King Cluck’s future chick. Zypheros arrived to lead them to the Skyhaven Council, where they recounted their victory at the Broken Tower. Though Anton tried to downplay their heroics, Zypheros made sure the Council knew of Gemma’s devastating Disintegrate spell against Grazadok.
Grateful, the Council thanked them, warning that the Domaarian Empire might not ignore a lost agent for long. As reward, Thistle Briarwhistle presented them with a bag of magical beans, curious and unpredictable in their effects. After warm farewells and one last stop at the Cracked Anvil to sell Grazadok’s greataxe, the party made their way to the ancient circle. Torgrim Ashkiln provided Skyhaven’s sigil sequence for future travel and with a rush of arcane energy, the Teleportation Circle sent them away.
The world settled into smoke and stone. The party arrived in Vuldohr, the dwarven city terraced into the hillside. Immediately, they confronted a street preacher named Thalren, who shouted fiery words about the town’s future ruin, the Flamemother, and the return of fire’s judgment. His sermon drew a wary crowd, his message stirring both fear and fascination. Anton challenged the preacher on his ideas, and the party noted the unmistakable signs of cult activity taking root.
Passing through the stone streets, they entered the Bastion of Iron Armory. Inside, they met Bramnir Stoutbrand, a proud dwarf smith. He shared news of King Dhoric Stoutbrand’s death, his distant cousin, and spoke of the growing tensions between his own clan and the rival Leadbelly Clan. Bramnir’s eyes darkened when they mentioned Thalren, confirming his own suspicions of cult influence in town. Willa quietly asked him to put out a word for a new maul with fire magic.
With their business in the armory concluded, the Soul Survivors followed directions to the Barrel & Bucket, a lively tavern filled with the hum of voices and clatter of mugs. They ordered food, including the signature Bucket Feast, and a round of mountain spirits before settling into their environment. It wasn’t long before they met the bard Symphona, whose performance of the Ballad of the Vowbound Vigilant excited the patrons.
Between songs, she recognized the adventurers from tales of Riverhold and Khel Kuldir, and they joined their table. They shared tales of Vuldohr, the unease within its streets, and the presence of Vildash, the amethyst dragonborn Willa sought, in the Emerald Enclave quarter. Within their words, the town’s mysteries began to unfold – the cult’s shadow, the clan rivalries, and new paths awaiting the Soul Survivors.
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