The PCs arrived in Bright Point by ship after a long journey from Shawsburgh. Though there were some activities at sea which kept things interesting, the PCs were thrilled to reach land again. Melir, in particular, had an interest in Bright Point Bay. From an earlier exploration, Melir learned of one of his former lives, a hunter known as Jaller. Jaller was mentioned in a journal from one of his friends, Manris Rae. The journal hinted of a desire by Jaller to seek out a genii; specifically a marid, though Jaller never let it be known as to why.
The only information Melir had to go off of was this bit of writing in a journal, and a poem that meant something to Jaller.
“Deepened and black, not blue as before,
The farther we go, away from the shore,
Consuming the world, nothing left to be,
With only one sound, the voice of the sea.”
Melir recited this poem while on the shore of Bright Point Bay, and a massive vortex of water emerged from the sea. It rose up like tower before receding back into the bay, revealing a large, muscular, blue-skinned humanoid creature. This creature revealed itself as Thelsid, the Voice of the Sea.
When he arrived, he recognized Melir, through they never met. Thelsid revealed that he was oathbound to one of the samsaran's former lives; a mage named Varian. Varian had one more wish that was left to be revealed, and Thelsid could now deliver on that wish, and free himeself from that bond. Thelsid said that Varian had wished to learn the location of an item know as the Rod of Ascendant Mysticism. The genii spoke of it location in the Temple of Scars, the lair of those known as the Wicked Kings.
When Melir spoke of this to the group, they were able to learn of the massive earthquake which reshaped Bright Point several hundred years ago; burying large portions of the city. One of the temples of Dhalavei were the lair of three mafia-like bosses of the Bright Point underworld at the time of the earthquake. This temple (more aptly named, "The Temple of Scars") was buried in the earthquake, and was the last known location of this rod.
The group headed into the northern sea wall cavern entrance, seeking to find this temple. They found the caves to be treacherous, both in its geography, and the creatures which now call this place home. The PCs had to face a large jellyfish, a hungry fog, and several phase spiders which were feasting on other adventurers who met a grim end. After defeating the spiders and looking through the remains, Melir and Panan contracted a disease known as corpse scourge. This disease eventually sickened and fatigued them before they could escape the dungeon.
Eventually, the PCs made their way to a large drop to a much lower level of the cavern where they ran across a human woman named Maleen Starwatcher. she was sobbing, and holding in her arms the now lifeless body of her husband, Kimbal. He had met his end at the hands of some deep goblins who set upon the two of them and their other companions from the Rivergard. While describing their encounter, Maleen spoke of the goblins and that they met them near the Temple of Dhalavei.
The PCs took this as confirmation that they were heading in the right direction. They moved forward, intent on avenging the Rivergard and finding the temple as well. They ran across a band of more than a dozen deep goblins, some of them mutated. They had a number of alchemical weapons (including fireworks, burst jars, alchemist's fire, and tanglefoot bags) which they used liberally at the PCs. The goblin leader fired arrows at the humans in the party from a distance.
However, despite their numbers and how well-equipped they were, they we unable to defeat the PC group; though the PCs were certainly injured by the attack. They healed their wounds as best they could, then moved on to the Temple of Scars.
Once they arrived, they found the temple to be haunted, and grotesque. The various smears of blood and limbs of other victims littered the ground and decorated what was left of the temple. This macabre sight did leave some of the group shaken, but they persevered into it to find the Wicked Kings themselves.
Upon entering the main hall, the PCs saw three mirrors suspended on the walls. Each of these mirrors contained a ghostly visage of one of the wicked kings. The first one, Akasan, was a warrior in his former life, and wielded weapons as if he still maintained hold of his physical power. He materialized in front of the PCs and attacked. His touch was painful and caused damage to the fighters who faced him. He was able to defend himself from many of their attacks, but his skills were no match against Ryoma's and Mordin's attacks. When they struck him one last time, his ghost-like body disappeared back into the mirror.
Then the second wicked king, Bala, materialized onto the hall's floor. Bala, unlike Akasan, was a priest in his former life, and still wielded divine magic, even in death. He cast unholy spells against the PCs and wailed a frightful moan, panicking Ryoma and Panan. That left Melir, Cain, and Mordin alone to fight this ghost while it continued to channel negative energy at them. But even with this advantage, Bala was eventually cut down as well.
The last of the wicked kings, a woman named Ilasma now came forth to defeat the PCs. Her very appearance chilled the room, and those who stood too close were damaged by the unnerving cold from her very aura. She brought forth a putrid, thick, green fog which nauseated some who entered the area, then she used her magic to damage those within reach, and drain them of life. Her touch sapped strength and wisdom from her targets. With each strike, she seemed to grow stronger, though this was countered by the PCs.
Panan and Melir were able to use magic from a "safe" distance while Ryoma and Mordin fought through the thick, nauseating smoke to cut down the ghost. Cain was busy doing his best to assist the fighters while healing the constant damage from the last of the wicked kings. Though brought down to their last spell, and barely hanging onto life, the PCs overcame this threat as well. Which one last blow, Ilasma also was forced back into the mirror.
All that was left was the treasure to be gathered, and the Rod of Ascendant Mysticism.
