The Whispering Tree

Gavril continued to read his Manual of Quickness of Action trying to have enough study to receive its bonus.  The rest of the party attended to healing and then they determined that four members would need Restoration spells to remove the strength damage the Shadows had inflicted.

After that was put to rest they began identifying the magic items.  The potions were all of Cure Serious Wounds while the short sword was a Luck Blade with one wish remaining.  The white gem sporting diadem was a Kineticist's Diadem which was of no use to any of the party.  The mouth of the heavy, dark iron cauldron is shaped like a monstrous maw and is large enough to accommodate a single Medium creature. It was determined to be a Cauldron of Resurrection, which could either perform Raise Dead or Resurrection on a single medium or smaller creature.  The cost was heavy at 5,000 or 10,000 gold worth of materials but if one of the party happened to die it could come in handy.

Chaos's Calliope

In the morning the group stepped out of the tiny hut into seemingly normal light.  Looking up at the sky they saw two pitch black spheres surrounded by a nimbus of pale, yellow light.  Cassilda indicated that the twin suns of Carcosa never shed more light than they saw.  The daytime sky was alien, as the surrounding star field remained just as visible as it was at night.

"The suns are such that you can even look at them without damage," Cassilda assured the party, "Though doing so may lead to nausea, headaches and bad dreams."

After sharing a meal and memorizing spells, Cassilda addressed them once again.

"I bid you good luck and promise to watch out for you and aid you if I can.  You recall I cannot oppose Hastur directly. You should head to the east/southeast." She then teleported away.

Plaza of the Pallid Mask

 “I do not know how you are here, alive, but this is where your quest ends. I will see to it myself!” the Pallid Mask intoned before casting a spell at Erevel.

Ciprian identified the spell as Phantasmal Killer but Erevel withstood the horror for minimal damage.  Gavril had targeted the creature as his Quarry while Ursina moved out of direct line of sight.  Paullus fired his bow at the creature but did no damage and Armania tried to hit the enemy with Magic Missiles but the spell fizzled.

Erevel stood dazed, looking absently toward the sky.

Audience with the Queen

The party stood wondering where they actually were.  What were they supposed to do and how?  Where would they go next?

"I am in need of a restoration and can supply healing for everyone who was damaged," Ciprian began.

"I am in great need of healing," Armania said hurrying over to Ciprian.

The rest of the party moved to surround Ciprian as he began the Greater Paths of Glory.  After that was accomplished, Ursina cast a restoration on Ciprian healing his Wisdom damage.

"Do we need to squeeze through these cracks?" Erevel asked.

"There is a wider passage down here in the southeast," Gavril added.

Where Dark Winds Whisper

"Does anyone need a restoration or limited wish?" Ursina inquired.

"I will need one after we sleep.  I am still down strength," Gavril responded.

"After reading more about the Path to the Black Stars ritual, I may need a restoration after performing or maybe in the middle as I will lose wisdom as the ritual continues," Ciprian said more worried than earlier.

"I will take two of them after the sleep," Ursina responded.

"Will you need help in casting the ritual?" Erevel asked.

"It would help some if I can get four people to be secondary casters," Ciprian said.

"We can decide tomorrow," Armania said.

The Mandate of Heaven

"I really could use a rest to regain spells.  I have used several today already."  Armania stated.

"Will the Saffron Prince have an issue with us activating the last Stela?" Erevel asked.

"I could send Barnabas to scout the area to see if there is any creatures wandering the city or at the Stela." Agna suggested.

"It would be good to know if any wandering monsters could hinder us on our way," Armania added.

"I will send Barnabas to scout," Agna replied.

Star Sworn Nagas at the Ritual

After getting Ciprian's attention, the group began to discuss how to proceed from here.  Paullus was unresponsive so Armania cast Limited Wish on him and he snapped back to his reticent self.  But at least he responded to the party.

After some additional healing and restorations to bring the party back from some of its greater damage, both to body and mind, the group decided to take another day of rest on the morrow as they still needed to heal.  Hoshbagh joined them, and began eating their food once again.  Gavril was looking for some more healing potions as he had used all he had.

The party then spent a night of restful sleep although Agna was around as they woke up.