Session 25 — 23 August 2026
Daiki asks, “So what’s the plan, everyone? How are we going to handle this? Who is good at sneaking?”
Another possibility arises, the one that actually was already mentioned by Vissa: simply putting the artifact back. It was easy enough to slip inside before, though the number of guards has recently doubled. Kroak says they are good at distractions. Lana agrees that Daiki is especially good at them, and there is a suggestion that Sszethik’s older brother could distract the priestess. Kroak jokes that he and Ruben making out in public would certainly create a spectacle.
Daiki notices Ruben’s silence and asks whether he has a brilliant plan brewing. Ruben answers that he thought they had already decided to return the artifact, and he does not understand why they are still debating it. Lana explains that she wanted to discuss another option. Ruben says he does not want to endanger Sszethik, his family, or Lana. Kroak points out that sending Lana alone would not solve that problem.
They settle on two broad choices: distract the guards so someone can sneak the artifact back, or attempt diplomacy with Lana presenting it as something she found. Daiki favors the distraction plan and praises Ruben’s strategic mind, comparing it to chess—after briefly losing the word. Daiki explains that Ruben can study the guards’ movements and guide them through the gaps.
Daiki asks for something to sketch a map on; he uses a large leaf and a muddy stick. The actual settlement proves much more complicated than Daiki expected. There are more houses, more islands, and more details than fit on one leaf. Kroak offers to find more leaves, accidentally making a pun: “Leave it to me.” Daiki describes the settlement as a cluster of islands with huts, water all around, and a large temple at the end. He says there is one route through the islands: over the first island, then the second, right to the third, then the large island with a fiery pit, and finally the temple island, where there is a blood well and a massive pyramid-like temple. There are swamp trees around the paths.
Ruben asks whether anyone can get in stealthily. Daiki says he did it while invisible. Vissa says she simply walks in without being seen: “It’s quite simple.” Ruben concludes that stealth is possible if one is stealthy enough. Daiki declares, “Everything is possible.”
Daiki proposes making everyone cold, but Kroak misreads this as a plan to kill all the yuan-ti. Sszethik urgently objects: no one can be killed. These people are his family, and if they trace the theft to them, his family will die. Kroak proposes dropping the artifact at someone else’s house and blaming them, but Lana objects fiercely. She says they will not put the crime on someone else because they have a moral compass, though Kroak’s may be “a bit crooked.” Kroak suggests framing the priestess instead. Sszethik insists that this is not merely Vissa’s problem; Vissa is his sister, and he has to protect her.
Lana apologizes, then explains that she cannot take part in a stealth approach. Her armor makes her “a clinkery-clackery soundish person,” and she will not remove it because she is vulnerable without it. She can hit people, hold them, or distract them, but she will not kill anyone. Kroak suggests that Lana and they create a distraction while Daiki turns invisible and Ruben flies quietly into the temple.
Daiki suggests Lana use telepathy as a communications link, but Lana explains that her mind link only reaches a limited distance and she cannot see in the dark.
Ruben asks what Lana can contribute, since she has mostly listed what she cannot do. Lana calls the question snarky, but explains that she can communicate, distract people, play music, hit hard, and hold people. Ruben agrees that music would be excellent. Lana decides, “I’ll do that.” Ruben says he likes the idea. Lana responds dryly, “Well, good that you blessed me with your seal of approval.”
Daiki imagines Lana as someone who can maintain an overview and warn the stealth team, but Lana repeats that her telepathy will not reach them if they go too far away. Kroak offers her a sending stone instead. Daiki sees the team clearly now: a distraction team and a stalking team. Sszethik does not know what he can do, but Lana reminds everyone that he can dance, and Kroak adds him to the distraction team.
Sszethik points out that he has to be with them; strangers cannot simply walk into the relic site and announce a show. Lana calls them “the musical group,” while Ruben frames the performance as a gift from visitors in gratitude for the village’s hospitality. Kroak suggests calling it a foreign ritual. Ruben assures Sszethik and Lana that they can pull it off.
Vissa says she can be distracting too. Kroak claims this was a joke, but Vissa takes it seriously. Lana believes the simplest solution is still for Daiki to become invisible, fly in, place the artifact on the altar, and fly back. Ruben worries about magic that sees invisibility or invisible guards. Daiki says he was not noticed that morning, though Lana reminds him that he was only at a windowsill, delivering a distracting and intimidating note.
Vissa claims that the guards did not see her when she walked in. Sszethik reacts with embarrassment as Vissa jokes that the priestess eats children. He insists that she does not eat children. Vissa keeps teasing him, and it works; he becomes visibly tense.
Ruben asks for the map again and wants to know how they will bypass the guards after distracting only a few. Daiki explains the islands and the route once more. Ruben asks whether the passages have cover, walls, or foliage. Daiki says there is swamp and trees. Vissa says the trick is simply not getting caught: “We just place it back and no harm, no foul. Everything is fine.”
Daiki gets distracted by the sight of cute flamingos or ibises nesting on rocks. Ruben and Lana accuse him of being predictably distracted by birds. Daiki protests that there are birds. The others realize this detail may keep him from focusing on the map.
Ruben summarizes the mission: Lana and Sszethik will perform a ritual or orchestra near the entrance, hopefully drawing out a few guards. The stealth team must still pass the remaining guards, return the stone to a doubly protected area, avoid killing or touching anyone, and get out safely. Daiki admits that he does not know how they will pass the inner guards. Vissa says she was simply not seen. She suggests hiding underwater with reeds to breathe through while approaching.
Daiki confirms that the settlement is made of little islands, so they can swim. Kroak can swim especially well. Ruben asks what lives in the water. Daiki remembers birds, crocodiles, and swamp cats. Vissa says there are quite a few things in the water, but it will probably be fine. Ruben concludes that they need food chunks to distract the creatures. Daiki remembers food being prepared on a huge table near a large skeleton, perhaps something dinosaur-like. Kroak suggests potatoes, but Ruben says preferably not potatoes.
Daiki explains that if he holds the artifact while invisible, it remains invisible until he lets it go. Ruben wonders how they will get out afterward and whether someone must stay midway to keep guards or crocodiles distracted. Daiki asks whether they can disguise themselves as yuan-ti. Ruben can make minor illusions, but Sszethik says they cannot convincingly become members of his people. The villagers know everyone.
Lana proposes taking the performance into the temple, allowing its sound to cover the stealth team. Daiki latches onto the idea of making music as an offering to the Great Serpent Lord. Lana points out that this was already the initial idea. Daiki is enthusiastic about joining the performance himself, imagining magical effects and a dramatic disappearance, but Lana tells him it would be more convenient if he stayed sneaky and left the playgroup when the music begins.
Ruben tries to clarify the layout: the party approaches through murky water and bridges toward the temple. Daiki insists on drawing it. Vissa helps with the sketch, adding a few details, exaggerating others, and insisting certain islands are much larger. Ruben asks how they will track Daiki while he is invisible. He could use magic to see invisibility, but it costs energy. Daiki says Lana can mind link with him, though Ruben points out that if they enter as a group, they need to know where he is. Daiki apologizes for not having an answer and says he will do what he needs to do while the others distract people.
Ruben proposes skipping the entrance islands altogether and coming from the north. Daiki is surprised but agrees. Ruben and Daiki can fly; why should they go through every hurdle at the main entrance? Daiki says the performers need to use the normal route. Ruben agrees, but reasons that guards will expect attention from the south, so the stealth team should approach from the east, southeast, or north instead.
Daiki imagines poison arrows as the likely defense against anyone approaching from the north. Ruben asks whether there are guards on the walls. Daiki does not remember many guards, but the guard presence has doubled. Ruben offers to scout from above. Daiki worries they will see him, but Ruben trusts his vision. Daiki appreciates that they are actually thinking things through, recognizing that their lives, several families, and perhaps the guards’ lives are at stake.
Vissa confirms that the artifact belongs on the green magical altar at the top of the temple. There is no true interior room; the temple is a layered pyramid with an altar on top. Corrupted vines have grown around it, blocking much of the way. The vines are thick enough to form an effective roof over the temple, enclosing what would normally be open air.
Lana and Sszethik will take the official route as the real performance group. Daiki, Ruben, and perhaps Kroak will decide their own approach. Vissa asks what team she is on. Lana says that Vissa can join the performers if she does not ruin things, but warns her: “If you are joining my group and you are fucking shit up, we are done. I will hand you over. I will say it was you.” Sszethik pleads, “You cannot hand my sister over.”
Daiki tries to rally everyone: “Behave. Behave. Okay, let’s do this. We can do this, Heroes of Chult.” Vissa likes the name.
Ruben wants to scout from the air. Daiki suggests he pretend to be one of the local birds, an ibis, heron, or pelican. Sszethik says Ruben is far too large to pass for one. Ruben thanks him sarcastically. Sszethik blushes and says Ruben can scout from above, but they first need to get there.
Before leaving, Daiki calls for a group hug and a superhero yell. Lana refuses. Ruben asks Daiki whether he can see in the dark. Daiki says of course he can.
Sszethik nervously tells his parents that the group is going on an errand. He is vague and unconvincing. His parents watch him return to the others with suspicion.
After a brief pause, the party sets out through the jungle at night. The path takes about forty-five minutes on foot. Moonlight faintly illuminates it, allowing Lana to follow, though the jungle remains dark.
Ruben flies high above the village to scout without becoming a silhouette against the moon. From above, he sees the temple, the swollen mass of vines around it, the guards at the stairways, guards near the fiery areas, guards near Nasiri’s hut, and other villagers roaming below. The temple cannot be approached directly from above because the vines have overgrown it too heavily. They are threaded with beads and shrines, where monks have furiously added offerings as the vegetation continues to spread around the temple.
From the north, there are several stairways toward the temple, but every stairway has a guard. The upper-right area looks darker, though it is also heavily defended. Ruben asks Vissa about secret temple entrances. She only knows the temple’s lore: it sank long ago, and the village uses its pedestal’s power to drive away undead. She does not know of a secret route. Ruben despairs briefly, but Vissa maintains that it will be easy if they sneak in, leave the artifact, and sneak out before dawn, when the ritual is supposed to happen.
Ruben returns to the group and proposes that Lana’s music draw attention southward while he uses magic to put a northern guard to sleep and creates an illusion that the guard is still standing. Daiki can then slip inside invisibly. Lana wants clarity about where she is supposed to play: originally inside the temple, then outside. Ruben believes the official performers may be stopped at the entrance, but Lana says she will try to convince them to allow the music inside.
Daiki clarifies that the temple is normally open-air, though the vines now create a grown roof. He agrees that if Lana can get inside and begin the music, it should be their signal to move. Lana promises to play at the main gate if she cannot get farther.
Ruben considers preparing magic that can understand languages or detect magic. Lana says, “Yes to both.” Ruben points out that this is difficult, though technically possible. Kroak asks when they are doing this. Lana answers, “Right now.”
Daiki magically strengthens his skin like dragon scales. Kroak agrees to disrupt the crocodiles or provide a midway distraction. Vissa asks whether she is with Lana’s team. Lana tells her she may join, but she should “shut up and be pretty” and do as Lana says. Vissa says she can do one of those things. Kroak points out that Vissa had been supposed to sneak, but Lana says Daiki is the sneaking one and Vissa should keep her hands off anything she can steal.
Vissa gives Daiki the artifact. It is hefty, but he can carry it in both hands. Kroak gives Lana and Vissa each a vial that lets them fly for ten minutes if they need to save the others. Lana tunes her violin, worried that the heat will quickly knock it out of tune.
The distraction team consists of Lana, Sszethik, Vissa, and Kroak. They walk toward the temple as though Lana is a tourist and religious student. Lana asks Sszethik to explain the settlement and temple to her, projecting faith, belief, interest, and spirituality. She maintains a mental link with him, helping him choose words and appear confident.
Daiki and Ruben wait to the north, away from the main path. Daiki prepares to fly in invisibly once the music begins.
The village is quiet but lit by scattered lights. Yuan-ti monks and villagers tend homes, food, and one another. Some walk with careful, trance-like purpose. To the north, the temple roots give off a sickly green glow mixed with the dim orange light associated with the artifact’s protection.
Sszethik approaches the acolytes. His voice cracks at first, but he recovers. He tells them that the group brings a gift of song and dance. Lana holds out her violin and bows deeply. “I would consider it a great, great honor if I could play for the deities of this settlement,” she says. “It would be the most amazing experience in my entire life.”
Vissa unexpectedly steps forward. She straightens herself, commands the acolytes to bow, show deference, and pray that they may be allowed to live. She says they bear gifts for the priestess. The acolytes look to Sszethik, then bow and step aside. Vissa tells Lana through the mind link that they have power here and that Lana should assert dominance. Lana tells her to shut up, though she appreciates the help.
The group reaches the central area, where Nasiri herself emerges. Vissa gives her reverence. Nasiri smiles at Sszethik, greets him warmly, and asks what brings him to her home. She focuses on him so intensely that Vissa is almost pushed aside. Sszethik explains anxiously that the visitors bring a performance—song and dance.
Lana quickly checks through the mind link whether she should remain calm. Vissa answers, “Do not assert dominance at her. She will murder you.” Lana tells Nasiri that they bring the gift of music and that it would mean everything to play in such a remarkable place. Kroak adds that it is “kind of like an offering, but without the bloodshed.”
Nasiri keeps her gaze fixed on Sszethik rather than Lana. She calls for monks to prepare a stage. Kroak follows the monks, offering to help them gather what is needed. Nasiri remains close to Sszethik, pressing into his personal space and asking whether being home brings back memories.
As the monks prepare a small altar and stage, Kroak tries to draw more people in, insisting that it must be massive and that they need more hands. Meanwhile, Lana uses her mind link to urge Sszethik to ask Nasiri whether they may perform at the temple itself. He protests that Nasiri is not his girlfriend, but he asks anyway, nervously suggesting that an offering would be better nearer the holy temple.
Nasiri approves immediately. “Sszethik, you’re so smart,” she says. “I think that is a great idea indeed.” The monks carry the makeshift stage and materials toward the temple.
At the temple approach, Nasiri marks Lana’s forehead and arms with blood from a red pool, telling her she may safely enter the temple grounds. She marks Sszethik, Vissa, and herself as well. Lana worries through the mind link that this mark may be necessary for safety inside the temple. Sszethik does not know; he has never been there. Lana tries repeatedly to reach Daiki or Ruben with her mind link, hoping they come within range, but they remain too far away.
Nasiri directs Lana toward the shrine. There, Lana sees an alcove clearly shaped to hold the artifact. It is empty.
Nasiri says, “Play for our God. Honor him.”
Lana realizes how exposed they are. She tells Sszethik through the mind link, “Well, this was stupid.” Then she takes up her violin and performs. She has planned a spiritual set suited to returning the artifact in the middle of the night. Her music is restrained and humble rather than showy. She plays in service to the temple, Sszethik, her friends, and the hope that they can restore the artifact. She moves artistically as she plays, doing her best to keep every eye on her.
The performance is powerful. Even under pressure, Lana projects calm and devotion. Sszethik looks close to breaking as he glances repeatedly between Lana and the empty alcove. Vissa looks entirely comfortable.
Kroak sees that people are distracted by Lana’s music and the movement toward the temple. They slip into the water, hoping to hide. A young villager notices the splash and asks, “What are you doing? Are you not enjoying the show?” Kroak says they are heading for a better spot and invites him along, warning that he must be quiet because the show should not become crowded. The villager follows.
Kroak uses the river to reach the temple’s southern entrance. Then they burst in, soaked through, wings spread, hair wild, tattered robes dripping, shouting, “Why did you start without me? I tried to cause the biggest scene ever! I want to praise the gods! How could you start without me?”
The guards turn toward Kroak and Lana. The sudden chaos is exactly the opening Daiki and Ruben need.
Ruben notices the blood markings on the performers and wonders what they mean. Daiki says they should stick to the plan. The guards are looking at the music and Kroak, so Daiki turns invisible. Ruben blesses Daiki and himself just before Daiki departs.
Invisible but not silent, Daiki flies low and slips past the distracted guards. Ruben remains near the outer wall, clinging close and watching, ready to use magic if anything goes wrong. Daiki circles around the stairs toward the altar while Lana plays and Kroak remains the center of chaos.
As Daiki approaches the alcove, the artifact in his hands begins pulling toward it like a magnet. He releases it. It clicks into place.
The sickly green corruption stops against the orange power of the restored artifact. A wave of force rolls outward.
Kroak feels the artifact’s pressure immediately. It becomes hard for them to breathe, as though they are underwater without the ability to breathe underwater. Lana sees Kroak caught in the force and moves toward them while continuing to play. Through the mind link, she asks if they are all right and tells them to move back.
Kroak tries to reply, but cannot get enough air to speak properly. They croak and stagger away, fleeing down the stairs toward the water.
Nasiri looks at the altar, then at Sszethik, Lana, Vissa, and the confused crowd. She announces that their god has accepted the offering and transported the artifact from her safe storage back into its alcove. “Nobody will die tonight,” she declares.
The artifact shines. Its yellow-orange light pushes the sickly green corruption back. The vines retreat and become more natural vegetation, opening the temple back to the air.
Daiki flies away from the expanding wave, hoping not to be discovered. The wave catches him, but passes through him without harm. He returns toward Ruben, taps him to signal success, then keeps moving away.
The wave catches Kroak fully as they descend. It hurls them across the village and out beyond its strongest reach. Kroak lands outside the settlement, battered by the force, still feeling pressure in their chest.
Lana feels the initial pressure of the wave, but it passes harmlessly through her. She reaches Daiki through the mind link long enough to say, “Job well done. You’re great.” She is relieved that the artifact is back, but she remains concerned for Kroak.
Nasiri uses the moment to reinforce her authority. She says that their god has blessed them and insists that the villagers offer more of their lives and art. Yet she continues watching Sszethik closely.
Lana asks Sszethik through the mind link how they can leave quickly; Kroak needs help. Sszethik looks overwhelmed, but tries to tell Nasiri that Lana is tired and they should return to the village to rest. Vissa steps in smoothly, bows to Nasiri, praises her as a wise priestess who has received the god’s blessing, and thanks her for the audience. Lana follows Vissa’s bow.
Nasiri accepts the praise and promises her followers that she will protect the valley from the undead. Two monks escort Lana, Sszethik, and Vissa out of the settlement.
As they leave, Lana tries once more to tell Daiki and Ruben that the performers are departing. They remain too far away.
The party regroups outside the village, near the trees and bridges. Daiki waits hidden in a large tree until the others arrive. Kroak makes their way back from the water, soaked and irritated by the lingering pressure of the artifact’s ward against undead. Vissa offers a high five and says, “See? That was easy. We did it.” Lana leaves her hanging.
Lana tells Vissa, “We were not helping. You made us your accomplices. We were saving your lives and your family.” Kroak cheerfully insists that they did help.
Ruben chooses to return straight to Sszethik’s family home instead of meeting the others first. He plans a moonlit flight over the forest and then rest, read, or examine items from the earlier adventure. Daiki drops his invisibility near the others and exclaims, “Oh my god, that was so close. Oh my god.” He wonders why Kroak ran straight up to the temple, then asks where Ruben is.
Lana becomes worried that they do not know where one member of the party is. Daiki says Ruben is probably back at the village and that they did not make a final rendezvous plan. Lana is glad the mission worked, grateful to Kroak for the distraction and Daiki for replacing the artifact, but she does not like leaving Ruben unaccounted for.
As they walk back through the night jungle, Daiki questions Vissa. He asks why she did not tell them that the artifact was supposedly kept in a secret hideaway rather than at the temple. Vissa explains that there was no secret hideaway. Nasiri’s claim that the god had transported the artifact back from her storage was simply a story for the followers. Nasiri knew it had been gone; its reappearance allowed her to present it as divine approval.
Vissa worries about what this might mean for Sszethik. Nasiri may see the return of the artifact as fulfillment of a prophecy, perhaps making Sszethik the recipient of a divine blessing and compelling her to seek an heir with him. Lana realizes that this may have been Nasiri’s plan. Vissa says that she used the situation to make Nasiri indebted to them; otherwise, the priestess would have lost standing as guardian of the valley.
Lana wonders whether Vissa is actually working with Nasiri. Watching her closely, Lana realizes that Vissa wants to be priestess herself. Vissa remarks that “the most powerful priestess is chosen; they are not born,” revealing her ambition to dethrone Nasiri. Lana tells her through the mind link, “I see what you did there.” Vissa replies, “I did what you see there.”
Vissa reassures Sszethik that everything will be fine. The valley is protected, the family is safe, and he will return to Strixhaven. She calls him a hero—perhaps “Seth’s most devout”—because their family received the blessing. Daiki jokes that they are now the Heroes of Chult, and that their titles should grow longer and longer, like “Mother of Dragons” or “Breaker of Chains.” Vissa says she looks forward to hearing whatever titles they collect next.
Back at Sszethik’s family home, the night is cooler. Everyone prepares to rest. Ruben is there, asleep or pretending to be asleep. Lana is relieved to find him safe. She initially wants to hug him, then remembers that the household is an open floor shared with Sszethik’s parents. Instead, she gently pats him, happy simply to know that he is there.
The reverse heist is complete. The artifact is safely returned. The group remains in Chult for roughly two more days, spending time with Sszethik and his family while the valley remains protected. Afterwards, they return to Strixhaven.
Months pass toward the end of their first year. They continue their clubs and studies, and approach the point where they must choose their next school path—Silverquill, Witherbloom, or another college.
The year moves toward its final weeks, its exams, and the break before their second year at Strixhaven.