Synopsis November 15, 2023
Osarn’s dagger is with [Aven Royalshine]; he’s like a doppelganger or something. The captain mentioned that we smelled like ‘divinity,’ which is the power we’ve encountered before in Sigil but can’t remember. The bag she gave us contains a chain that allows us to communicate with the captain. Climbing down the chain into the bag will take us directly to her ship. If we travel, we will find a chained woman in the Hell desert. Following her chain will lead us to a portal area where we can get back to Sigil.
Now, we are outside of the ship, and a creature named Shigat is waiting for us. Shigat is a massive 10-foot-tall creature with a merchant stall on his back, filled with trinkets. He looks like a mound of blankets with hands peeking out from beneath rags. His head is a hairy appendage with a plain, human-like mask on the end. Two arms stick out, and although he doesn’t wave, he looks at us and bows at Zanze.
Shigat’s stall is filled with jingly trinkets. Seth mentions that he doesn’t wave but acknowledges us with a glance. We hear a grumbly voice as Shigat introduces himself, saying he’s been tasked with taking us to our destination. Joel bows to him. In the distance, we spot Fort Knucklebone.
Shigat offers to take us to the portal to Sigil, but we are considering whether we should visit Mad Maggie to gather information about Osarn’s Dagger. Shigat sniffs us and comments that he sees why Captain Lash is interested in us. We inquire about Haruman’s Hill, and Shigat describes it as a cursed place of pain. Joel discreetly asks about Captain Lash’s disagreement with Mad Maggie, and Shigat, after some diplomacy from Joel, reveals their long-standing dispute. Maggie refuses to fix Lash’s ship, causing tension between them.
Joel suggests playing both sides and asks if Shigat would be okay with us visiting Mad Maggie. Shigat doesn’t mind as he’s been paid to take us to one location. We ask why Haruman’s Hill is cursed, and Shigat explains that it’s the site of a great battle between demons, devils, men, and a few angels. The hill is named after Haruman, a servant of Zariel who died in that battle but continues to exist in Hell as an enforcer. He places Zariel’s enemies on spikes to make them suffer. At the apex of the hill, a man named [Jander Sunstar], in life and death, was a traitor and is now on the tip of the hill, being fed by bird-like monsters’ blood while enduring eternal agony.
Shigat concludes his explanation, and suddenly we find ourselves at Fort Knucklebone. Inside, we see two guards at the gate, a Gnome creature with a scythe (a Redcap) and a standing Hyena in leather with a sword and shield on its back. Other creatures move around inside, and the place resembles a shanty town filled with broken machines and vehicles. There are about 13 buildings, with a large central structure and a cave entrance under a hand-shaped mountain, likely Mad Maggie’s location. The town is populated with armored Gnolls and fewer Redcaps, who eye us with indifference in this neutral area.
We notice a big, loud machine with two huge birds working on it, not violently but rather playfully. It’s a massive, spider-like vehicle with a wrecking ball at the back. Intrigued, we decide to head to the central pub in the town, entering through saloon-style doors. The pub is enormous, bustling with Gnolls. At the center table, we spot an old woman dressed in red and covered in amulets, accompanied by a bulbous ogre-like creature. As we enter, she watches us, and Spin tips his hat, while Joel nods and heads to the bar.
The bartender is a Redcap, who silently serves different drinks for us without asking for payment. The drinks are unique, tailored to our tastes. Joel attempts to pay, but the bartender refuses. Taylor asks the bartender if the woman in red is Mad Maggie, and he nods affirmatively.
Spin inquires if the bartender can speak, but he cannot. Spin then asks if he can approach Mad Maggie, and the bartender allows it. Spin and Duckfoot decide to take the drink to Maggie, with me accompanying them. As we approach, Maggie gives us a stern look and mentions that she just bought our drinks. She asks why we’ve come directly from Captain Lash and questions if Lash sent us. We clarify that we came of our own volition and explain that we’re looking for a clan dagger. She’s curious about why we’ve come to her, and Spin hints that she might know about Aven Royalshine’s whereabouts.
Maggie agrees to trade that information in exchange for our services. She explains that Aven Royalshine is not his true name; he’s an imposter and a thief. She last saw him heading to the Valley of Doors. Spin inquires about the specific door she’s looking for, and she describes it as a portal to a new world, accessible only to those with divine favor. Maggie senses that we carry something special with us, a scent of divinity. She wants us to help her pass through this door, and in return, she’ll provide information about Aven Royalshine. Spin considers the offer, suggesting that her information may not be worth taking her through the door. Maggie counters, emphasizing the value of her information, but it’s clear there’s tension between us.
Joel interjects, asking about divinity and the discrepancy between Maggie and Captain Lash. Maggie dismisses Lash and refers to her as a troublemaker. We negotiate and agree to a contract that includes our help in taking her through the door. One stipulation is that we can’t hurt her.
Joel mentions his desire for revenge against the dragon that killed his family, the Great Green Worm. We propose that Maggie helps us achieve all our goals, and she agrees. A Redcap appears with contracts, and Kate adds a stipulation that Maggie can’t harm or betray us. The contract is finalized, and Kate keeps a copy.
Drax talks about Green Dragon Lore
We decide to take Maggie to the Labyrinth, and when we approach Shigat, he asks if that’s our destination. We confirm, and he opens his rags to reveal a dark, musky area. We enter, with Maggie following, and Shigat promises we’ll arrive soon. We don’t feel any movement, but we hear Shigat’s hands moving and stamping on the ground until he stops and raises his arm.
Spin exits first to find a grassy area with a yellowish sun and a sky with a black dot above. Rolling hills and colorful flowers surround us. We spot a town of tents resembling a medieval fair, beyond which we see walls of pyramids leading to a vast black stone labyrinth. The air is clear but carries a faint scent of rot. In the town, we notice a line of beings waiting at stalls, all eager to reach a new world. Maggie explains that this is the entrance to the Labyrinth, and only those with divine favor may enter. She assures us that we don’t need to worry because we smell of divinity.
As we approach, we realize that the figures in line are devilish beings. At the gate, an impish creature with a stack of contracts stands ready. People in line occasionally sign contracts before descending into the labyrinth. Huge guards with whips and tiny wings are nearby. Joel asks Maggie if we should expect any challenges, and she confirms that adversity is likely.
Maggie boldly walks past the line, and we follow her. She encounters a muscular bone monster that stares at her but proceeds to the imp with the contracts at the entrance. The imp recognizes her, and there’s a brief exchange where he refuses to let her through. Maggie calls us over, and the imp slides a contract our way while scowling at her. The devil behind us becomes furious and attacks us after Spin antagonizes it. Now we must engage in a fight.