Bandits in the Night

Having woken up to a group of bandits surrounding their camp, the group had to act fast to survive... or perhaps to profit. After initial negotiation with the bandits -involving some vague threats involving pitons - failed, the situation quickly descended into bloodshed.

Four of the bandits were slain through conventional means. Two were subsequently sent to sleep by Nimphora Baliae Daphymira Stumbleduck's magic. Jonora saw the opportunity here: a threat sent via pitons. One bandit was executed in their sleep by a piton through the throat and two were allowed to run away to carry the message.

The final one was awoken and questioned. Cairns Root and Algernon 'Gerry' Dracovia saw a potential convertee. After a brief religious chat to ensure that the bandit hated Tiamat, the two set about convincing him that he should repent and dedicate his life to Bahamut.

Scouting the Perimeter

The party set their sights back on the task at hand: infiltrating Salsvault and finding a cure for Frigid Woe. Scouting the perimeter of Salsvault, Jonora and Cairns Root determined that the complex was sinking into the ice. Deep frigid water had reclaimed large chunks of the facility to the east, allowing wildlife - a giant octopus - to find a new home. Due to the dangerous temperature of the water they decided the best approach was the front door.

Entrance

A gray stone door is carved to look like a face with a half-exposed skull. Scribed above the door is the word “SALSVAULT.”

The door to Salsvault was frozen shut. Not on purpose, and not a long time ago, but rather reclaimed by nature. With a shoulder to the door and some support to prevent slipping on the ice, Cairns Root cracked the ice to open the door.

Inside, the party found a lobby with two doors shooting off of it. The southern door was slightly ajar.

The heavy stone walls of this room dampen the cold and the howling wind outside. An inscription in what looks like Draconic runes is carved into the east wall.

"Welcome to Salsvault! Visitors, please wait here for an escort, and DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WITHOUT PERMISSION."

Disease Storage

Smashed stone tables litter the floor in this chamber. Two stone chests built into the floor stand next to each other along the far wall. A door to the west is inscribed with words in Draconic runes. A large iron lever is flipped into the up position on the wall next to the door.

The western door was inscribed with two runes which read "DISAPPEAR" in Draconic. The lever was determined to have flecks of red paint and a plaque which read "DISEASE STORAGE - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" in Draconic. The two chests, under careful scrutiny, also had runes: "ICE."

Nimphora Baliae Daphymira Stumbleduck had a theory that the runes were ancient Aeorian traps - either the source of, or the trigger for. The party set about very carefully determining the nature of these runes.

Through piton experimentation (throwing pitons at the runes) it was determined that the "ice" runes permeated the entire chest with magic, unleashing a bolt of cold energy against anyone who damaged the chest. Jonora very carefully etched out the runes and found the magic deactivated. Inside the chests, the party found four vials of frigid woe buried in tightly packed fine sand.

The western door posed more of an issue. Pulling the lever down caused a constant hiss to sound from behind the door, ceasing when the lever was returned to the upright position. Piton experimentation showed the runes to cause anything which touched the door to disappear in a flash of light. Attempting to peer under the door, Algernon 'Gerry' Dracovia saw the floor blackened and charred - a sign of fire.

The party decided to leave this for now and investigate what lay behind the eastern door. They found three shambling zombies, dispatching one which was unaware - but not before it let out a dying scream as its body unnaturally clung to life. From the lobby, Nimphora Baliae Daphymira Stumbleduck heard heavy metal boots joining the fray.

The ensuing fight featured three zombies - effectively returned to death by the party - and two animated armours which berated the melee fighters with blows from metal gauntlets. It was hard fought but the party came out on top. Algernon 'Gerry' Dracovia even managed to recover some of the animated armour which was well preserved my magic. He piled it at the front door for future use.

Disappear

With the western door revealed to lead to a sprawling corridor with many doors, the party attempted to get through the door to disease storage. If nothing else, this would give them one direction from which they were sure no enemies would come.

Jonora set about etching out the first of the two runes. She slipped in the process and scratched a deep gash into the right-hand rune as a bright flash permeated the complex. When the party regained their vision, Jonora was nowhere to be seen...