The Wandering Isles: Session 28
The party’s journey took a grim turn as they ventured deeper into the caves beneath Vulcanus, their path lined with nothing but remnants of death and destruction as they wander. As they walked, hours stretched on, and the macabre trail of charred bodies grew steadily worse. Each corpse was a haunting testament to some unseen, ferocious power—scorched remains, twisted limbs, and, increasingly, skeletons left barely intact.
To recuperate, they retreat. Amaedrianna and Dash found themselves chatting under the muted starlight, and the conversation turned to Dash’s stealth skills, or rather, the apparent lack of them. He took her words to heart, surprising everyone by disappearing into the night and reappearing silently back at camp. His grin at Amaedrianna was one of pride; perhaps his skills weren’t quite as lacking as they’d seemed.
The party finally packed up, trudging onward. Amaedrianna took to the skies to get a lay of the land, spotting something unusual in the distance: a blast pattern spread across the frozen landscape, stretching out in only one direction. The sheer scale of the blast and its precise directionality defied the usual chaos of explosions. Her keen instincts pushed her to investigate further; she dug beneath the snow, uncovering frozen layers of earth and stone. Yet, the source of this strange devastation remained elusive—there were no bones, no scales, nothing to explain the force that had carved a scar into the frozen landscape.
The cold night brought them closer together. Huddled around the fire, they shared stories, talking of past lives, dreams, and regrets. Each tale brought them deeper into each other’s histories, binding them together against the stark loneliness of the icy wastes. After some hours, the dim lights of Dagtorp finally appeared on the horizon, a small, rugged town struggling against the bleak northern elements.
Dash and Lysa decided to scout ahead, slipping into Dagtorp to assess the town's atmosphere. Lysa, craving warmth, found a roaring fire in The Molten Mug, securing food and board for the group. Meanwhile, Dash found himself in an almost confrontational encounter with the locals as talk turned to Palperroth, a nearby wealthy city whose resources were never spared for Dagtorp’s struggling people. It was clear there was resentment simmering just below the surface.
Exploring further, Dash discovered an industrial research station nearby, complete with a rail network that ran to Molten Crown—a popular destination for tourists and a necessary transit point for the station’s employees. The station’s connection to the Molten Crown hinted at a dual purpose: part workplace, part attraction, all wrapped up in the region’s volcanic mystique.
The group eventually reconvened at The Molten Mug, where they shared a meal and discussed their plans. Their conversation turned reflective as they debated the true worth of life—was value measured in wealth, or was it in the bonds they made and the ideals they pursued? Amid this philosophical exchange, Dash and Amaedrianna concocted a scheme to learn more about the village by pretending to be drunk, laughing and staggering about to loosen lips and gather intel.
Their efforts led them to a weathered but formidable woman named Orla Voltheim, a legendary figure in Dagtorp. Orla’s rugged appearance and gruff demeanor spoke of a life forged in fire and danger. However, her gaze turned icy upon Eos, her purple skin and taste drawing immediate disdain. Yet Orla’s story soon unfolded, revealing a lifetime of challenges and survival that had shaped her into a local hero.
In 1523, Orla’s father, Gunnar, had died in a rockslide following a volcanic eruption, forcing Orla to take on his role as the family provider and village hunter. In 1529, she had slain Ember-Tusk, a monstrous boar that had terrorized the village, and hung its tusks in the tavern as proof. Her feats continued over the years: in 1534, she led an expedition into the uncharted regions of Vulcanus, and in 1539, she even brought down a Fire Drake that emerged from the volcano, earning her a legendary status.
As the evening continued, Orla confided in the group about a new threat that had surfaced—an eerie, humanoid creature that had begun killing villagers, researchers, and anyone who dared to cross its path. The party took on Orla’s mission to track down and stop this mysterious creature, setting the stage for a dangerous hunt.
Before they set out, Lysa presented a pouch of black powder, a substance capable of extreme destruction. Amaedrianna, familiar with its volatile nature, demonstrated its devastating power. The powder was dangerously hot, potent enough to melt stone, and a hazard to anyone transporting it. They realized they would need to exercise extreme caution with this deadly tool.
With their path set and their resolve hardened, the group prepared to face whatever lurked in the shadows of Dagtorp’s icy wilderness.
