Meiki agrees with Seraphina. "Yeah - just guessing isn't likely good enough. And the unicorn is looking really bad..." he looks over to see black tendrils showing on the unicorn's skin, showing the rapid progression of the foul poison in its veins. "We'd better act quickly. What if we start with the VII jar, then pour exactly 3 units into the III jar. That leaves 5 units in the VII jar. If we pour everything from the III jar into the V jar, that leaves room in the V jar for 2 more units, and there's still 5 units in the VIII jar..." he says as he does it, then looks to Seraphina for the next step.

19 - 3 rounds spent talking - 3 rounds completing Meiki's actions = 13 rounds left

• VIII - 5 units
• V - 3 units
• III - 0 units

Cybele just stands back and lets Meiki and Seraphina discuss, at the ready for any instructions from them. She doesn't think she'd be much help anyway.

8 rounds left. (As the DM, I can't solve the puzzle for you...sorry!)

(I'm sorry, I was really struggling with this.)

Seraphina takes hold of the VIII jar and pours two units out to fill the V jar.

She then fills the III jar with 3 of the units from the V jar...  (3 in VIII, 2 in V and 3 in III)

Then empties the III jar into the VIII jar.  

And pours the 2 units from V to III jar.

Next she pours 5 units out of the VIII jar into the V jar.  (1 in VIII, 5 in V and 2 in III)

Pouring one unit out of V jar into III jar to top it off..(leaving 4 units in V)

she then empties the 3 out of III jar into VIII jar to make it 4 units.

And sits down with a heavy plop.

Cybele give Seraphina a pat on the back, thoroughly impressed at the attempt anyway. If Seraphina weren't here the unicorn surely wouldn't have had any chance. 

Completing the ritual, all three jugs flash with emerald light, and tendrils of energy extend from the jugs into the pool. The water shines with green light, then fades to a pristine, almost mirror-like surface. A gurgling of water can be heard as the empty jug fills to the brim with purified sacred water. Dribbling this water into the unicorn’s mouth awakens him. He stands tall and proud as strength returns to his body. The inky-black shell around his horn begins to crack and streams of golden light shine through, until the darkness is dispelled with a loud CRACK and entire horn glows with light. The unicorn bows his head to you and says, “My name is Ehlonna-Vassorum, guardian of this wood. I am in your debt.”

Cybele sighs in relief when the jugs fill, and her shoulders relax as the unicorn essentially comes back to life before her. She watches in awe at the show the creature makes, and her jaw drops when he introduces himself. 

"Ehlonna? Like the goddess Ehlonna?" Cybele asks in astonishment. 

The unicorn responds, "Yes, the goddess of nature known to humankind as Ehlonna. This forest and all its creatures are my charge, and I deal swift justice to those who fell the forest’s trees and slaughter its children. Or poison the sacred pool of Ehlonna with blasphemous magic..." He looks off into the distance, as if plotting how he will find the culprit and punish them. "But I am in your debt. How can I repay your service?"

Seraphina gives a little bow back to the unicorn, unsure of what else to do.  As the beautiful creature starts talking about dealing swift justice, her ears perk up, "Do you know who poisoned your sacred pool?  I mean if we hadn't come along... I'd hate to think what would have become of you."

When she asks about repaying their service, "Well, we are looking for someone, perhaps you know of Vassorum?  I think he is around these parts?"

"You don't owe us anything, friend. But if you would like you could join us. And we could help you with what you need to do as well. You just name it, we're pals now! I'm glad you turned out all right there." 

Cybele nods along to Seraphina. "Yeah, Vassorum. We've got celestial business of sorts going on, as well as a sword. We are hoping to get some more insight. He lives in the woods somewhere nearby." 

The unicorn neighs - actually mostly just snorting - and says, "Yes, I am Vassorum. I am the dedicated servant of Ehlonna, which is why I put her name first. Why were you looking for me? Who sent you?"

"Oh YOU'RE Vassorum. I thought it was a crazy coincidence you both had the same name! Could you help us? We came from Delfen, he was helping us translate this scroll but he couldn't read the celestial language. We were hoping you could help?" 

"Delfen? He's still alive?!!? Well, you tell that old codger that he's long overdue for a visit," he whinnies a laugh and tosses his head at the thought of his long-time colleague. "Come, show me this scroll. It must be a rare find if Delfen could not decipher it."

Vassorum intently studies the scroll for many long minutes, occasionally huffing or snorting. Finally, he looks at the three of you and says in a somber tone, "This is a prophecy of vengeance and doom - a dire warning from an ancient time. Before I reveal the translated text to you, I must ask how you come to be in possession of this scroll? Tell me everything - leave out no details."

(While you prepare your story, go ahead and level your characters up! That way we're ready for the next phase of the story!)

"Well, first Meiki found this cave out in the forest, so he came to us with the thought to explore it. And of course I said yes! So we went exploring this cave, I was hoping at the most to find some pretty blue gems, but instead we came across this tunnel system. There was this huge centipede we had to fight, and then we came across this old laboratory that looked like it was ransacked. That is where we found the scroll. That room then led to an entire underground hallway with a bunch of rooms where we found this group of rogues. They were all very nice and welcoming and even invited us to join them, I believe! I was going to join them too, but my friends here thought they seemed suspicious and deterred me quite a bit. Then we went to Delfen for help with translating the scroll which led us to here and to you! Oh, and I also found a critter friend along the way too," Cybele finishes her long story by pointing towards the edge of clearing where her centipede was there waiting.   

"Were there any other books or scrolls in the laboratory? Was the underground system relatively new, or an ancient temple perhaps? Did you see any markings or carvings? This is most interesting - and concerning. I must ask you to continue your quest. I need you to retrieve The Celestial Codex from Markos Delphi. He has an insatiable curiosity, and wished to make a breakthrough discovery that would propel himself and his family to new heights. I let him borrow the Codex, but we need it to further decipher this prophecy and what it means for us. Here, let me read the prophecy to you so you may better understand my concern."

'And when my sword has finished its work in the heavens, it will fall upon Edom, the nation I have marked for destruction. I will bring on you the sword of war you so greatly fear. My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless. When I sharpen my flashing sword and begin to carry out justice, I will take revenge on my enemies and repay those who reject me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword will devour flesh— the blood of the slaughtered and the captives, and the heads of the enemy leaders.'

Seraphina draws in a sharp intake of breath as she listens to the unicorn read the scroll.  "Well, that can't be good.  Good thing we found it, hopefully we can help."

She sighs as she lets the information wash over her, then asks, "So where might we find this Markos Delphi?"

"The Delphi Mansion lies in a remote area about a day and a half south-east from Daggerford - Delfen can point you in the right direction. He should be made aware of this prophecy and your destination. Before you leave, though, please fill a couple of empty potion bottles with the water from the refreshed spring. This pure and holy water will restore your body and soul in dark times. Fare well, and return when you have the Codex."  

(You each have a potion of Hope & Healing - which blends Lesser Restoration and Healing. May be easier to just add both potions to your sheet, but it's a single thing. =)

(I couldn't find anything on lesser restoration in the inventory, so I just put in a potion of healing)

Seraphina fills her potion bottle, caps it and stuffs it in her pack.  When she stands back up, she looks at the unicorn, committing the image to memory as she has never seen anything so pure and beautiful before.  She then tilts her head in a small bow to Vassorum before it gets too awkward.  "Thank you, I hope we return to you shortly with the codex."

And she waits for Cybele and Meiki to say their farewells.

(Ah...may not be an actual potion. When you drink it, it gives the same benefits as the spell lesser restoration. And a potion of healing =)

Meiki spends a few moments in quiet conversation with the unicorn - as a druid he feels a particularly strong bond towards another caretaker of nature. Plus, he is in awe of this magnificent creature! He also vows to return and spend some time learning from him.

The return trip to Daggerford goes quickly. The young adventurers are filled with wonder and are eager to retrieve this book of secrets. After recounting their harrowing story to Delfen and stocking up on new trail rations and any other gear they needed, the party sets off in the direction of the Delphi mansion.

(Make sure you have leveled up to 4th, taken a long rest to reset any abilities, and purchased any gear that you need. We'll kick off this next adventure Sunday night =)

Your trip from Daggerford yesterday towards the Delphi Mansion was an easy trek through grasslands and rolling hills, the distant peaks of mountains visible in the distance. The campsite was well chosen by Meiki, and together you all find plenty of fruit, wild berries, and even some tubers for a supplement to your rations. 

It is midmorning of the second day, and you are walking through the woods on a wide path. A ray of sunlight shines down on a tree stump by the side of path, and the disembodied head of a human woman appears above the stump.

“I was Elra Lionheart,” says the head. “My companions and I died trying to retrieve The Celestial Codex. Heed my words, lest you too fall prey to the dangers of Delphi Mansion. Markos is using the book to conjure an otherworldly being not meant to exist in this world. Meanwhile, his purple-robed cultists busy themselves with eldritch experiments. Beware creatures that look like puddles of eyes and mouths. Beware the thing that has hooks for hands. And beware the mansion itself, for it transforms weirdly. Most of all, stop Markos before it’s too late!"

“My companions and I had a camp on a bluff due south of the mansion. If you go there first, you’ll find a backpack containing a map of the mansion and some notes we acquired from a dubious source. These might help you plan your approach. Best of luck!”