The party, pulled into Valachan and living in the bodies of strangers, found one another at the Pantara Lodge. Chakuna set the rules of the Trial of the Hearts, and the party was the last group to leave the lodge. On the first leg of the trek they were attacked by giant poisonous snakes, found a competitor’s corpse with its heart ripped out, and camped beneath a tree hung with withered hearts.
Recap
The other bodies
The party’s consciousnesses had been violently pulled from the bridge at Ataaz Muhahah into Valachan. They awoke in the bodies of strangers at the Pantara Lodge, stripped of their gear and powers but retaining their memories. Taenae is in the body of Selene, an acolyte of Lathander. Vogal is in the body of Mazati, an apprentice. Takhesis Calva is in the body of Jarek, a native thief and brother to Lira. Vonara Silverstream is in the body of Lira, a native thief and sister to Jarek. Glade is in the body of Atzi, a squire of Lathander.
The party finds each other at the lodge. Vonara calls out for cigarettes.
The rules
Chakuna, the Dark Lady, appears and establishes the Trial of the Hearts. There are to be no new alliances, so the party is locked in. They must reach the shrine at Kiru Island or at Anquara Plateau. They must kill or be killed. Losers rot.
The infirmary
Before the party leaves, Glade secures a salve for Vogal’s chest pain. The locals are cold and unwilling to help.
The party is the last group to leave the lodge and is already at a disadvantage. With them is Patux, a child they have taken under their wing.
The snakes
Giant poisonous snakes attack the party. Vonara and Taenae are badly hurt but survive.
The corpse
The party finds the corpse of a competitor with the heart ripped out. Glade takes a bow from it and gives the bow to Patux, and keeps a potion.
The tree of hearts
Taenae goes catatonic for hours, hearing the trees whisper “Blood.” The party makes a terrified camp underneath a massive tree, which is adorned with oversized, withered hearts hanging from its branches.
It is the party’s first day in Valachan, the thirty-second day of the expedition, in 1492 DR.
Aftermath
- The party was bound to the Trial of the Hearts and was making for the shrine on Anquara Plateau.
- Patux was under the party’s protection.
- Gained: a bow, given to Patux, and a potion.
Appendix
Present
Taenae · Vogal · Takhesis Calva · Vonara · Glade, each in the body of another. Patux was present as a companion.
References
Places: Valachan · Pantara Lodge · Ataaz Muhahah
Other: Trial of the Hearts