08/16/2024
Tough as Dirt and the Gaping Maw of Sound met outside Govvanath, both having goals to accomplish within the city.
After a quick discussion about the Divinaxiom in which Tough as Dirt explained they were not ready to hand it over to anyone, the groups entered Govvanath and found it completely deserted
After a quick look around, the groups found a small whisp of smoke, remeniscent of the being the Gaping Maw saw in Caim when the Church of the Sacred Flame members were compelled to fight the Wing Guard. It carried within it a small red gem it seemed to be using as a focus to help manifest its corporeal form.
The groups removed the gem, and the smoke fled.
Winslow decided to go and speak with his favorite patch of moss in town, who said the people were being pulled out into the streets by vines, which Obie remembered was a form of punishment her grandfather used to use on her.
In an effort to understand what was happening in the town, the groups decided to visit Obie's grandfather, Elm'Orth, but when they arrived at his home, they found it vacant as well, except for another whisp of smoke, which the Gaping Maw presumed belonged to the Raven Queen.
Eventually, the group found many of the townsfolk, all being controlled seemingly by the smoke creatures, and the spirits of Govvanath were being forced to possess them.
The groups found Elm'Orth in a public garden in a trance, and were able to knock him out of it long enough to discover they needed to inflict their will upon the in-progress possessions.
The groups split into three parties, one for each group of Govvanath citizens in the process of being possessed. Tough as Dirt and the Gaping Maw attempted to dominate the black smoke's forced possession plan through sheer force of will, which succeeded.
The smoke around Govvanath dissipated, and all the citizens, including the spirits and Elm'Orth, were set free of its influence.
Elm'Orth rewarded Tough as Dirt with the scrolls they were seeking, and the group said goodbye and made their way back towards the Ropeway and their ship.
The Gaping Maw of Sound, however, still had much to discuss with Obie's grandfather.