14. July 3, 2010

Shelby Thundersword, Kayla, and Darwynn all enter the dream state while in the Myconian cave to scout Vadish's encampment. Kayla is able to get the group to the general location and they find that they are hiding out in a set of ruins. Darwynn is able to determine that this was once a fortress, but all the mortar has decayed between the stones so a decent hit could bring down large sections of the wall. Kayla identifies the piles of ruble as good places for a sniper or assassin to hide, and discovers a couple of crates. She also notes that there is an excavation happening in the round building. Shelby Thundersword believes that there are nine sleeping beings in the camp, all located in one structure. Darwynn can tell that there are 5 sub-levels to the ruins and the only access to these levels is through the excavation site.

Shelby heard tell of a rumor that there was a mythical place called Bael'Turok that was a Tiefling city. It was said that risidium could be mined right out of the ground and pulled up in the water from the local well. This was the most magic place in Tiefling city and was said to be the gift offered by the original demon with whom they made their pact when their race was first established. It's possible that this ruin is related to the rumor.

After conferring, Shelby, Kayla, and Darwynn decide to pull all nine enemies into the dream state and then scare them by warning them away from the area and bringing the walls of the dream building down on them. They successfully pull 6 Gruum into the dream state and scare them. Kayla and Darwynn repeat this the following night, scaring 3 Gruum.

On the third night, Kayla takes on a magical affliction that is imparted to her during the dream state by a more powerful entity. Kayla did not bring this entity into her dream state with her, but it was still able to affect her. Shelby recognizes that this affliction has 3 phases, and in this first one Kayla now has +1 to all Initiative checks and a -4 to all Wisdom-based rolls. The second phase has +2 to all Initiative checks and a -8 to all Wisdom-based rolls. The third phase is a +4 to all Initiative checks and no Wisdom-based rolls. This affliction renders the victim incapable of restful sleep and dreams and drives them insane. Shelby and Darwynn suspect that the most likely person to impose this affliction would be the Nezahualpili, Cannin, or Vadish (or a wizard who works for Cannin or Vadish). The Party doesn't believe that the Nezahualpili are involved, so the most likely candidate is Vadish.

The Party decides to continue on to take out Vadish, and carry Kayla with them. Kayla rests and her condition worsens. Kayla tries to steal the Party's store of residium from Glowen who catches her in the act. Kayla starts to run away from the Party, but Shelby lures her back with the promise of residium. Glowen knocks Kayla unconscious, Gunter sits on her, and Shelby ties her up. Kayla wakes up and attempts to escape, but is not able to do it. After handing Kayla a piece of residium and gagging her, the Party continues. Kayla eventually escapes, but is now fixated on the residium at Vadish's camp thanks to Darwynn's attempt at redirection.

The Party arrives at Vadish's encampment and prepares to engage the enemy in battle.