Ja’shaarat—There ARE Better Vacation Spots

Zarantyr, 998 YK

Getting through Malleon’s Gate and the Cogs with this crew was not a problem. A minor scuffle here and there but Goth and Maasha were Dhakaani stock with all the training that went with it and proved themselves completely capable against some of the riffraff that thought they might be able to take us. Once we were past that we really didn’t have any issues. We found Ja’shaarat, at least the outskirts, and managed to acquire some artifacts that I know Prof. Galrith would love to get his hands on, but was sworn to silence about them by Jhazaali. There was a little incident with some ghost things, but Mich dealt with them quite handily. Traps were easily found and disarmed. Mithic was amazing at finding and disarming the mechanical ones and Gil cast some dispelling magic at those that needed that kinda thing. This group was seriously good at what they did, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing here with them except that Jhazaali hadn’t wanted to see me beg to go. I took notes on everything and added sketches and etchings where possible. The place was a maze of ruins with many areas inaccessible due to collapse. Jhazaali admitted that she’d need to send a long-term team in here but that she had one area that she was seeking in particular. Apparently, this is where I came in. Oddly enough, my fascination with string also makes me good with maze-like puzzles. Not sure how Jhazaali knew this but it seems she did. Not only do we come upon a maze-like puzzle attached to a trap that seemingly can’t be disarmed by rogues and wizards, after I manage to figure that out, it opens up into a room with thousands of byeshk wires that crisscross and surround what appears to be a   heavy sword in what must be an ancient treasure room of sorts. This is what we’re really here for and for three days we move around these wires and study them to figure out exactly how we can get past to the sword. Just cutting them will set off some horrible trap. Allowing them to touch one another will set off the trap. Removing them in the wrong order will set off the trap. I’m not too sure I’m the right guy for this but then I see it. There’s a collapsed column that appears to have had a stairway built around the outside. We work out the height of the original column and where the stairs would have ended. Gil levitates me up to that point and I can see a key point that was likely the home of a brazier. We set up a good fire there and then send me back up where I can then see the wires in the new light. The various reflections on the byeshk wire create a rainbow effect that I use to decipher the correct wire to remove. It’s time-consuming work but we get it finished. As the last wire is removed there is an obvious path between my location and the sword. The sword abruptly chooses to use it and flies straight at me and into my hastily outstretched hand. This would have looked pretty cool if it wasn’t apparent I was cringing away. And my high-pitched scream may have reduced the awesome factor somewhat. Anyway, it slams into my hand (hilt first) and that’s when I hear its voice.

A sentient sword of solid byeshk that called itself Daelkesh Toreshk, Demon Slayer. I think it tried to get into my brain (beyond just the talking) but I managed to maintain. It had a lot to say about killing Daelkyr and insisted that was now my job as its new companion. Ummm… I explain to Jhazalli what’s goin’ down and she tells me to give her the sword. I try to hand it over and a blast of force shoots out of it and sends her flying about 30-40 feet back. It wasn’t me! She seems pretty badly beat-up but gets up and comes to look at me and the sword. She nods and turns to the others telling them to pack up, we’re heading out. She turns back to me and simply says, “You’re going to have to hold onto that for now. You’re coming with me back to Darguun.”