A Bit of a Spot of Trouble in the Salt Plains: An Adventure of Gold, Enigmas, and Rather Unpleasant Conflict | Jan Teschner

Arcadia, Northern Treasury, Inside the Great Portal Book – The party stood about the portal book, waiting quite patiently for their turn to step into the shimmering portal within the pages. Just as they were about to proceed, a rather sudden shadow fell across the group, which was all very disconcerting. Looking up, they saw Tiyana and Selah, who had arrived alongside Moon Priestess Selene. With a bit of Selene’s magic - and after ensuring everyone was standing in a proper, orderly fashion - the newcomers were shrunk to match the party’s size, and together, the group stepped into the portal.
On the other side, the party found themselves in a vast, endless expanse of heat and rather unruly wind - not at all the sort of weather one enjoys when trying to enjoy a nice biscuit. The ground shimmered like gold, firm underfoot, while a grand, ornate temple complex stretched before them. The environment was quite surreal - a desert-like plain, but unlike any they had seen, and frankly, a bit much for a Tuesday.

Exploration of the Golden Plane
The party began their exploration with appropriate caution. Deva, ever the cautious soul, tested the golden ground by dropping a hairpin, wary of hidden dangers - much like one checks if a park bench is too damp for sitting - but the pin rested undisturbed. They moved toward a gazebo-like structure filled with ornate furniture, though it appeared quite neglected and hadn't been used for ages, which was rather a shame. Signs of life were sparse, limited to a few birds fluttering in the golden skies. Beyond the gazebo, the group discovered an octagonal structure crowned with spires. Tiyana sensed magical traces leading inside, prompting the party to investigate, much as one might investigate a mysterious draught. Inside, they found a massive spiral staircase descending deep into the ground. Smaller staircases branched off into the spires, which Mabel identified as ancient observatories. Opting for the main staircase - though it was quite a long trek and rather taxing on the knees - the adventurers descended into the stoney depths.

Caves of Mystery
At the base of the staircase, the party entered a spacious cave, where a fallen golden gate marked a long-abandoned mining camp. A second gate remained intact, and after a bit of effort and some polite persuasion, Tiyana and Ace managed to unlock it. However, beyond this gate lay an even larger and more fortified golden door, securely locked from the other side, which was quite an inconvenience. Marina and Selah scouted the cave’s walls, finding a damaged side gate. With a bit of elbow grease, Marina opened a person-sized hole, and the party ventured through, albeit with a few complaints about the dust. Navigating a hidden passage, Selah led the group around the fortified door, emerging into a grand chamber. Sand-like waterfalls framed the room, and golden chandeliers glowed above. At the chamber’s center stood a pedestal, crowned by a pearlescent, glowing sphere and five staircases leading up to it.

Encounter with Auralis
The pedestal held an idol – a 30cm tall golden figure clutching a heart. Tiyana felt magical energy flowing into the idol, including the energy of the mask spirits the party had pursued. Mabel approached first, while Selah climbed onto a chandelier to observe from above - a rather daring move, if you ask me. Selah attempted to sort things out with some holy water, but there was no effect, which was quite disappointing. With cautious magic, Tiyana used Mage Hand to move the idol from its perch. As the idol touched the floor, a radiant trail of gold and pink light emerged, forming into a humanoid shape. The light solidified, and Auralis, a magnificent golden being, addressed the party:

“I am Auloris. Why do you want to take me from this place? Do you want to break my heart again?”

Revelations of Auralis
Tiyana attempted a polite explanation, noting that the group was sent by Selene to destroy the mask spirits, but Auralis’ response was rather charged with anger and pain:

“The Moon Priests stole my idol from my temple and imprisoned me here in this infinite salt plain! They attacked my people, desecrated my temple, and shattered the Order of the Golden Heart. Any who align with them are my enemies.”

As the party asked questions - trying their best not to be rude - Auralis revealed more about the idol’s history. Long ago, Auralis was revered by the Order of the Golden Heart, a now-destroyed religion. The idol that housed Auralis was at the core of the temple, until the Moon Priests attacked, stealing the idol and imprisoning Auralis within the golden plane of the book.
Auralis confessed that parts of Auralis’ essence had been projected outside the book, allowing Auralis to possess artifacts like the masks. These artifacts acted defensively, especially when Selene approached.
The party debated what to do; it was a bit of a muddle. Mabel asked Auralis if returning to the original temple was possible. Aurally expressed a desire to be free and demonstrated incredible power by melting a section of the golden floor with ease upon Selah’s request, which was quite startling. Deva, attuned to subtle deceptions, determined Auralis was genuine in intent - no need for any suspicious behaviour there.
Ultimately, the party decided to carry the idol housing Auralis back to the real world, as one does.

Return to the Cathedral
Back in the real world - thankfully, as the heat was becoming rather much - a drowsy Selene restored the adventurers to their normal size. Mabel – Auralis in pocket – and Tiyana hurried to the boat, while the others lingered to have a proper chat with Selene. Selene revealed that the collection of relics and artifacts within the cathedral were taken as spoils from “ruthless pagan barbarians,” which sounded rather uncivilised. When the party requested the promised reward (one does like to settle matters properly), Selene offered a Greataxe of the Deep and the recipe for Holy Hand Grenades. During this exchange, Deva quietly pocketed a golden oil lamp, and Ace scooped up a handful of coins, though they were very subtle about it, of course.

Family and Farewell
As Mabel and Tiyana returned to the boat, they encountered Mabel’s estranged daughter, Hazel, who had found a new life as a healer in Arcadia. The reunion was rather awkward, to say the least. Hazel accused Mabel of following her to Arcadia, expressing a desire for independence and some distance. Hazel made it clear she had found peace and purpose among the kind-hearted people of Arcadia. If religion ever helped her overcome her resentment, Hazel promised to send word to Mabel’s home in Fairview - a lovely thought, really. With Tiyana’s urging, Mabel reluctantly left for the boat.

A New Journey
Aboard the ship, the party revealed their next destination to Auralis: The Forbidden Island, home to the ancient temple of the Golden Heart. The group charted a course for Camp Sonoma, an adventuring outpost near the Forbidden Island, ready for the challenges ahead (provided the weather holds up). What secrets will the Forbidden Island reveal? Can the party restore Auralis to the temple and unravel the mysteries of the Golden Heart? Stay tuned, readers, as the Fireball Gazette chronicles the unfolding epic!