Madam Carrington was once a noblewoman, but her family fell on hard times, leaving her as the last of her line. Despite this, she is highly respected in the Fallen district for her skill in interpreting dreams, and she is guarded by the spirit of a former lover.
The group arrived at her flat, which had seen better days. Despite the state of the building, there was evidence of an effort to maintain it, with tents set up around it. Sabrina knocked on the door, and they were instructed to place their weapons inside a wardrobe.
Entering a room with fine but faded furniture, they found an ancient woman with a slack left side of her face but bright, active eyes. Beside her was a peculiar device, a desk with an arm equipped with gears. The arm grabbed a feather, dipped it in ink, and began to write, producing a slip of paper for Zita. It read, "Why have you come to me to pierce the veil of dreams?"
Zita explained their quest, asking what would bring Leng spiders into their realm and put them in servitude. The Mystic responded, "The dread arachnids of Dracor do not typically spend time in this plane and wouldn’t be placed into servitude."
Zita continued, "Are you asking about the Brotherhood of Spiders?"
"Yes," Zita confirmed. "What knowledge do you have of the brotherhood?"
The Mystic suspected that the Dread Brotherhood was distributing a dream drug causing havoc in their neighborhood. She provided a slip of paper with a symbol of a black spider on a web motif, identifying it as the Brotherhood's emblem. Their dissemination of poor-quality Shiver had given the area a nightmarish quality.
Zita asked, "Where would we find the Brotherhood?"
"That is not known to me," the Mystic replied. "Your best bet is to find one and interrogate them. Does the name Greely mean anything to you?"
Zita inquired about an antidote for the dream drug. The Mystic explained that only time could counteract it. She mentioned another man, Frell Tan, who had tried to sell items to buy more Shiver, including a book on dreams, which he wanted too much for.
Zita asked what other weapons or strategies the Brotherhood might employ. The Mystic revealed that the Brotherhood sought to awaken the foul creature they worship, Mog-Lathr. Dah suspected this cult was part of the Cults of the Dragon Below.
Audrey Rose asked how the terrors manifested into reality. The Mystic explained that the tainted Shiver was affecting Lucid Dreaming, bringing night terrors to its users. Those who died in their nightmares died in real life.
Zita asked how to fight dream creatures. The Mystic assured them that the creatures of Dalcour could not exist in the material plane.
Dal asked, "What would happen if someone were sent to the dream realm and had to fight creatures there?"
Madame Carrington, with the help of her clockwork dictation apparatus, replies:
"The plane of Dal Quor, the Dreamlands, has many inhabitants that have emigrated from the Material Plane: moon beasts, Leng spiders, humanoids of every shape. And all dreaming creatures enter Dal Quor psychically when they rest, returning to their native realms upon awakening. But the true natives of that realm, a host of beings collectively called the quori, are the living embodiments of dream and nightmare. They resist magic, are immune to enchantments involving sleep, fear, or charms, and shrug off most elemental damage. You won't see one in Sharn, or anywhere on Eberron, though, as dream matter cannot exist in the waking world. They would be snuffed out in an instant."
Dal asked about the environment favored for their rituals. The Mystic indicated it would be somewhere nearby.
London asked, "Is there anything to eat?"
Audrey Rose and Zita discussed compensation for Madam Carrington. The Mystic mentioned that Mr. Tan and Mr. Greely were notable figures. Audrey Rose revealed that Mr. Tan was dead, to which the Mystic responded, "Yes, I know. He was killed by the Brotherhood’s witch."
Audrey Rose pressed for more information about the witch. The Mystic mentioned Sally Scrabblebones, a night hag of local legend who haunted children's nightmares. To kill a night hag, one needed to take her heart stone, a gaudy gemstone she kept close.
After exchanging gold for information, the group was offered shelter in the Mystic's domicile. She introduced them to an acquaintance who consumed bad dreams.
As they left, Audrey Rose advised London on when to give money, prompting Sabrina to playfully suggest he always give her money. The hobgoblin joined the game.
The group headed to the well. London sniffed the water, confirming it was just water. They found places to lurk. Zita and Sabrina hid in dark doorways, while Bosley and Audrey Rose staked out the well. Dahl disguised herself as a local resident, and London sprawled on the street to nap.
A coffee vendor approached London, who barked him away and ordered skewers of unidentifiable meat. Sabrina and Zita noticed a pattern at the well, where people frequently bent over to tie their shoes. Investigating, Zita found a loose stone with a small leather pouch and empty glass vials.
The group gathered to inspect the findings. The pouch was empty, and the vial had contained Shiver. London identified the faint smell of the drug.
A homeless person approached, revealed to be Dahl. They strategized about the drug deal's usual operations. Hours passed with no activity until a squirrely young woman with tattered red hair informed them the dealers wouldn't come while they were around. For a hundred gold, she offered to lead them to the dealers' location.
She guided them to Ship’s Tower in the harbor district, pointing out a jetty and a boarded-up shed. Audrey Rose handed over half the gold, and Sabrina approached the door, discovering the fake boarding.
Inside, they found four shabbily robed individuals. Sabrina bluffed her way through, claiming an inspection. They revealed their ignorance about the Shiver's supplier. Suddenly, the water rose, and a water elemental emerged.
A battle ensued. London swam back to land, casting Heroism. Sabrina used Forbid Action on the elemental, while Zita floundered. Audrey Rose drank a mutagen and swam towards the door. Dahl enlarged London, who cast Bull Strength. Sabrina maintained eye contact with the elemental, commanding it not to attack. The elemental missed London but struck Bosley.
Audrey Rose threw a shock bomb, dazzling the elemental. Tweetie Bear dragged Zita into flanking position. Dahl climbed onto the roof, enlarging Tweetie Bear. Bosley used Shocking Grasp, and London struck with his sword.
Sabrina's Forbid Action held, and the elemental stared at her. Audrey Rose threw another bomb, and the elemental imploded. The water didn't recede, and Audrey Rose suspected a caster's presence. They all heard thumping, revealing a reptilian creature in the shed.
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