With the city of Mihlaj at their eager fingertips, the party decides to head up to the palace with Zohadisha. Given the circumstances, it’s important to provide water to the people that haven’t evacuated the city yet. Especially if the Palms of Charity are charging for a basic need.
Zohadisha coordinates the efforts to gather as many containers as possible and the party gets to work. Over time, the stream of water from the Decanter loses strength. Fun knows that this may be the result of the obscenely hot weather, but it could also be a limitation on the number of liters the decanter can produce in a given time period.
Once enough water has been gathered, Fyn, Fobias, and Richard head down to the pool to inform the people. Despite their best efforts, mob hysteria sets in and the crowd rushes to the palace. It isn’t until Master Ryn Sussola addresses them that the people form an orderly queue.
As the water is distributed, Master Ryn introduces himself to the party. In their charming fashion, the party begins to grill Master Ryn about the situation. As it turns out, the Palms apparently have access to some magic that creates water. According to Master Ryn, the Palms don’t forcibly charge people for the water. Instead, they strongly suggest a donation in return for their kindness.
Barnaby senses this is poppycock. The party secretly plans to check out the Palm’s headquarters at some point.
A Wing and a Prayer
With the immediate issue resolved, the party begins their investigation in earnest. First stop: the Alabaster Cistern.
The rumors end up being true; the entrance into the inner workings of the Cistern are guarded by a pair of Tengu belonging to the Tenders of Sarenrae. Despite showing them the writ from the Fading Council, the guards refuse entry. They only respond to their leader, Ozekai Kujor. Without his permission, the party isn’t getting into the Cistern.
Under the glow of the setting sun, the party ascends the terraced cliffs to Ozekai’s cave. His home is simple and modest, which might be expected from a member of the cloth. Initially, he dismisses the writ as well. It’s time for Trace to shine!
The paladin of Sarenrae engages in a philosophical conversation with Ozekai. The Tengu believes that the water removal is a divine punishment by Sarenrae. In fact, this entire region used to be a lake until it dried up. Apparently, the merchants’ greed was the apparent cause of Sarenrae’s ire. Could history be repeating itself here?
Eventually, Trace’s diplomatic nature wins Ozekai over. The Tengu requests that, while in the Cistern, Trace collects a branch from a hemlock tree that supposedly grows deep within. It’s apparently a symbol of resilience against impossible odds and would make a suitable artifact and holy relic for the Tenders.
Before leaving, the party asks some additional questions about the circumstances around the water’s disappearance. One of the Tenders, Sedge, was incredibly distraught about the potentiality of Saranrae’s punishment that he left the city entirely. He hasn’t been seen since.
Furthermore, Ozekai gives the party information on the djinn. They call themselves the Manic Chains, and they reside within the fluorite structure above Mihlaj. Colloquially, the people refer to the flourite mass as Mihraj, although its true name is Ayneimara.
Possessing Ozekai’s blessing and a tangible key, it’s time to enter the Cistern.
If nobody has entered the Cistern for generations, what will the party find within? What shady business are the Palms up to? Are Tengu offended by others using feathers as fashionable decorations?