08/19/2022
The group went shopping around Cypress before returning to he mansion where the portal could be found
Confirming the portal was still there, and sticking a broom handle through it which dimmed in color, the group went to dispatch of the beast that was once Bojangles
Luring the ichor beast from the room, they baited it over a floor trap, sending it crashing to the first floor, and then crashing into the basement accidentally
Looking down into the basement, they saw a creature with yellow eyes staring back
Concocting a plan, the group sent Xakaris down in the guise of The Word, which tricked the creature in the basement to treat Xakaris as an ally
The creature, who ostensibly came through the portal, had six arms from different races and animals, a long serpent body, and large reptilian legs, with no nose and large amber eyes
Thinking he was speaking to The Word, the creature asked how the plans were going here in Vault -- he spoke of a "Master" who would be pleased with the progress
He also asked how the painting in Trine worked, and whether "The Word" was able to summon "the Demon Lord" through their art
Xakaris artfully dodged the questions, while also teasing out that the people of Serenity Shores were in danger due to this Master's plans
The creature went back into the portal, shutting it behind him and the group burned down the mansion with the ichor beast still inside
They also were able to get out a chest from the upstairs containing Bojangles costumes, a magical dagger, and the deed to a ship anchored off the coast south of Cypress