The Fireball Gazette

Though the crew was initially a bit wary of her intentions, particularly when she offered them Lishy’s blessing, her earnest plea eventually swayed them. Tatyana assured them that the blessing would protect them against the various unpleasantries lurking beyond the door. After a bit of a civilised debate, the party accepted her into their ranks, her divine magic now bolstering their own abilities, which was quite helpful, actually. Together, they stood before the massive stone door, bracing for whatever nonsense lay on the other side.

The Potion Riddle
The next chamber they entered was unlike anything they had seen before - a bit much, if I’m honest. Four stone podiums were lined up in a rather tidy queue at the back of the room, each inscribed with glowing runes. One of the podiums already bore a dragon statue, while three were conspicuously empty. Without any hesitation, Tiyana sent forth Mad Matt’s loyal undead monkey companion, Sir Spencer, to place the three dragon statues they had collected earlier in their journey. As the final statue was placed, a low rumble echoed through the chamber - not particularly pleasant - and a hidden compartment on the far wall slid open.

Inside the compartment, the party found an assortment of vials, powders, and shimmering liquids in gold and red hues. A provided letter, written in an ancient dialect (quite difficult to read without proper spectacles), offered a cryptic riddle about mixing the ingredients to create a protective potion. Deva, using her knowledge of alchemy, deciphered the riddle with the group’s help. Each member took turns carefully combining the ingredients, their hands steady despite the tension in the room, which was getting a bit much for everyone's nerves. When the mixture was complete, they drank the potion, feeling a warmth spread through their bodies like a proper hot cup of tea against a winter chill.

Tiyana, eager to test the potion’s effects, cast a small firebolt at Mad Matt. To everyone’s amazement, he didn’t even flinch - not even a wince. When Deva held her hand over a torch, it took several seconds for the heat to register, which was rather impressive. Emboldened by this newfound resistance, the party prepared to press onward, knowing that their preparation might be the key to avoiding an untimely end.

A Bit of a Labyrinthine Nightmare
The next section of the temple was a cruel trick played on the adventurers’ minds and patience; it was a total shambles. When Tatyana and Marina opened the massive rotating doors at either end of the potion chamber, they found themselves staring down two narrow corridors, each with four additional doors. The crew groaned in frustration, realising they had yet another maze to navigate - quite an inconvenience, really. Each corridor they opened seemed to branch into yet more hallways, creating a seemingly endless labyrinth that was simply not worth the bother.

Finally, after opening several doors simultaneously (a bit of a queueing nightmare), they discovered that all the paths converged into a single chamber. The room was littered with debris: rusted chains, shattered shields, and fragments of armour. The air was heavy with the scent of old blood and magic, and rather damp, which is never ideal for one's temperament. Though exhausted by the maze, the crew felt a small sense of relief knowing they wouldn’t have to split up or double back.

One final door loomed at the far end of the chamber. When the crew opened it, they stepped into a breathtaking scene. The room ahead was vast, with clouds of steam rising from bubbling pools of water - much like a poorly managed spa. The floor was adorned with gold sigils, glowing faintly in the dim light, and in the distance, hills of gold coins sparkled like stars. The sight was mesmerising, and yet Tatyana, ever cautious, urged the crew to wait. “Do not be blinded by greed,” she warned. But Mad Matt, being quite reckless and lacking any sense of decorum, demanded the door be opened fully.

An Attempt at Diplomacy
The air grew thick with tension as the adventurers cautiously crossed a narrow stone pathway leading into the vast treasure chamber. The ground beneath them sparkled with the promise of untold riches - mountains of gold coins, glittering gems, and ornate artefacts stacked in chaotic grandeur. But just beyond the hoard, coiled upon a small peninsula, was the couatl.

It was a magnificent creature, its serpentine body shimmering with a mix of iridescent blue and molten gold. Its broad wings, adorned with radiant feathers, stretched outward as it gazed upon the intruders with piercing, intelligent eyes. The couatl’s presence was as beautiful as it was terrifying - a divine being made manifest, exuding an aura of ancient, unyielding power.

The party froze at the sight; their instincts were warring between awe and fear. Tatyana was the first to act. She stepped forward, deliberately sheathing her sword, and raised her hands in a gesture of peace. Her voice rang out steady and clear, laced with the authority of her divine patron.
“Great one,” Tatyana began, her tone firm yet incredibly polite. “There are many of your kind who serve as guardians of good and protectors of the innocent. I believe you can choose to walk a similar path. If you promise to stand as a force for righteousness rather than destruction, we will not harm you, nor will we desecrate this chamber.”

As Tatyana attempted to have a civilised chat with the creature, the rest of the party, less concerned with diplomacy and more interested in the shiny bits, began to move. The glittering gold was far too much for them to resist. Deva crept toward a nearby pile of coins, her fingers twitching with excitement, while Marina cast a longing glance at a mound of treasure just beyond. Even Tiyana, normally more restrained, allowed herself to pocket a few gleaming trinkets - one can't be too careful about extra income, after all.

The couatl’s gaze shifted to the adventurers looting its hoard, its expression darkening. It let out a low, guttural growl that reverberated through the chamber like a warning bell. “You speak of goodness while your companions pillage what is mine. If anything, you are the evil here.”

Before Tatyana could offer an apology, the couatl’s wings flared, and it unleashed a devastating cone of fire. The flames roared through the chamber, engulfing Tatyana and Tiyana, who happened to be standing far too close to the cleric. The inferno singed Tatyana’s robes, and her armour grew blisteringly hot, but her divine protection held against the worst of the blast. Tiyana was less fortunate, stumbling back as her garments caught fire - quite a frightful way to start a fight.

The couatl reared back, coiling its massive body as the chamber erupted into chaos. The battle had begun.

The Couatl’s Wrath
The couatl struck first, lunging toward Tatyana with alarming speed. Its glittering scales reflected the golden light of the hoard as it snapped its jaws, aiming to ensnare her in its powerful coils. Tatyana, still recovering from the blast, sidestepped the attack with a quick prayer to Lathander.
Deva, standing amidst a pile of treasure, raised her hands and summoned twisting vines from the stone floor in an attempt to ensnare the couatl. The creature, however, was too agile. It darted upward, its wings propelling it into the air, leaving the vines to snap uselessly beneath it.
Tiyana, scorched but undeterred, considered unleashing a Fireball but hesitated – what use was fire against a creature born of flames? Rather, she extended her hand, casting a barrage of Magic Missiles. The glowing projectiles streaked through the air, slamming into the couatl’t body and drawing an angry hiss from the beast.
Meanwhile, Mad Matt began to sink into the gold. His eldritch abilities allowed him to blend into the glittering surroundings, his skin shifting to mimic the hues of the coins and jewels. Hidden from sight, he positioned himself directly beneath the couatl, readying a rather nasty surprise attack.

Marina, true to her fearless nature, charged headlong at the creature. Her greataxe gleamed in the dim light as she brought it down with a ferocious swing, carving deep into the couatl’s side. The serpent let out a screech, its tail whipping around in retaliation. Though the tail struck her, Marina’s armour absorbed much of the blow, and she remained standing, determined to press the attack.
The couatl, now enraged, turned its attention to Marina. It lashed out with its jaws, attempting to sink its fings into her shoulder. Marina twisted away at the last second, the creature’s teeth grazing her but failing to do significant harm.
From the side of the chamber, Deva saw an opening. Clambering up a mound of gold, she transformed into a massive warhorse. With a powerful leap, she hurled her equine form through the air, slamming into the couatl’s head with enough force to send it reeling. The serpent let out a guttural roar as it struggled to regain its composure.
Tiyana followed Deva’s attack with another volley of Magic Missiles, the glowing darts slamming into the couatl’s wings. Marina, undeterred, swung her greataxe again, carving another deep wound into the serpent’s body.

Below the couatl, Mad Matt made his move. Emerging from his camouflage, he thrust his Greatsword of the Deep upward into the creature’s underbelly. The eldritch blade, imbued with the dark power of What Lies Below, tore through the couatl’s scales with horrifying ease, leaving a gash that oozed with ethereal light.
The couatl retaliated with another blast of fire, this time aimed at Marina. The potion they had prepared earlier shielded her from the worst of the flames, but the heat was still enough to singe her hair and armour.
Deva, emboldened by her earlier success, scaled another mound of treasure and leapt again, aiming for the couatl’s head. This time, however, the serpent twisted away, and Deva’s massive form sailed harmlessly between it and Marina.
Tatyana, her robes still smoking, called upon the power of Lathander. A radiant aura surrounded her as she channelled divine energy into her allies. Tiyana, bolstered by the blessing, summoned a necrotic hand that clawed at the couatl’s wings, dissolving the radiant feathers into blackened ash.

Mad Matt, still beneath the creature, reached out with his free hand and called upon Nalzagoth the Star Deverourer. Dark tentacles erupted from the void, slithering into the gash in the couatl’s belly. The serpent thrashed wildly, but the tentacles ravaged its insides, tearing through flesh and bone with relentless ferocity.
With a final, agonised screech, the couatl collapsed to the ground. Its body convulsed for a moment before falling still, its golden scales beginning to fade. Within seconds, the magnificent creature disintegrated into a pile of ash, leaving the chamber eerily silent.

A Second Foe
The echo of applause rippled through the chamber, louder and deeper than Mad Matt’s self-congratulatory clapping. The reverberations filled the treasure-laden hall, bouncing off gold-covered walls and pillars until it seemed as though the temple itself was alive, mocking their triumph. The party exchanged wary glances; their victory over the couatl, hard-fought as it was, felt rather distant now. Something – or someone – else had taken notice.

The applause grew deafening before abruptly cutting off, plunging the room into an uneasy silence. Then, in the centre of the group, a figure shimmered into view as if stepping out of the air itself.
Standing over three metres tall, the being was unmistakably dragonborn. His scales gleamed like molten gold, and his polished armour seemed to catch and amplify every flicker of light in the chamber. Each movement radiated power and authority, his piercing golden eyes glowing faintly as they swept over the party.

“Well done,” the dragonborn said, his voice deep and resonant, each word vibrating in their chests. “Few have the strength – or the audacity – to challenge the couatl, let alone defeat it. You’ve done well.” He paused, his lips curling into a sharp smile. “Allow me to introduce myself: I am Chrysalon.”

The weight of his presence bore down on the party, and none dared to speak at first. Then Deva stepped forward, her gaze steely as she drew Auralis from her satchel. The small golden idol fit easily into her palm, its intricate form depicting a heart cradled in golden hands. From within the figure emanated a faint, warm glow – the weakened remnant of Auralis’ once-vast power.
Deva raised the idol high. “Then let’s settle this,” she said, her voice steady. “If this is truly Auralis’ temple, then you and Auralis should decide who holds dominion here.”

At the sound of Deva’s words, the glow within the idol flared faintly. Auralis’ voice, soft yet ting and with sorrow, spoke aloud for all to hear. “Yes,” said Auralis. “This is my temple – built in my name when the people of this island lived in harmony and shared their wealth with open hearts. But now…” The glow dimmed slightly as Auralis hesitated. “Now I sense only greed and malice here. Chrysalon, what have you done?”

Chrysalon laughed, the sound low and cruel. “What have I done? No, Auralis, the question is what you failed to do. You let the people squander their gifts, leaving the temple and this island vulnerable to the Moon Church. When they came and stripped this place of its gold, you were too weak to stop them. Too naïve to see what was needed.”
Auralis’ glow flickered as though recoiling from Chrysalon’s words. “You twisted their suffering to nought,” Auralis said, the voice tinged with anger now.
“Twisted?” Chrysalon scoffed, spreading his arms wide. “I filled the void you left behind. When the Moon Church stole the gold, they left behind only greed and bitterness. And from that, I was born. I am not the usurper here. I am the inevitable successor. Every adventurer who comes here, drawn by the promise of riches, strengthens me. You could never comprehend such power, Auralis. You were always too blinded by charity.”
Auralis’ glow dimmed further, the spirit clearly struggling in Chrysalon’s overwhelming presence. Deva clutched the idol protectively, her jaw tight as she stared down the towering dragonborn.

Chrysalon’s Temptation
Chrysalon, his point made, turned his attention to the party. His glowing eyes lingered on Tiyana, the noble dragonborn sorceress. “And you,” he said smoothly, “you must understand. We are both dragonborn. You know, as I do, that wealth cannot be entrusted to the common rabble. They waste it on frivolities. But you – you come from noble blood. Surely you see the wisdom in my rule.”
Tiyana lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without flinching. “I used to think that,” she said. “But I’ve seen what greed does – what it’s done to this temple, to this island. My time with this group has taught me there’s more to life than gold.”

Chrysalon’s smile faded slightly, his expression hardening as he turned to Tatyana. “And you, cleric,” he said. “You cloak yourself in righteousness, but you’re here for the treasure, just as much as the rest. Don't deny it.”
Tatyana stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “I came here to rid the world of evils like you,” she said firmly. “If you think you can tempt me, you’re quite wasting your time.”

Chrysalon’s gaze shifted to Marina. His smile returned, this time almost pitying. “Marina,” he said softly. “You’ve tasted fame before. When your sister passed, you stepped into her place and wore her glory like a mantle. Why did you ever step away? Wasn’t it easier to let her legacy carry you?”
Marina clenched her fists. “Because I didn’t earn it,” she said through gritted teeth. “It wasn’t mine. I left to make my own name, and I’m not about to give up now – not to you.”

Chrysalon turned to Deva next, his tone sharpening. “And you, Deva. Always the grunt, always at the bottom. Even here, you suggested your so-called friend pay her way into the group. You know the truth: gold is what makes the world turn. Join me, and I’ll ensure you’ll never be at the bottom again.”
Deva smirked, shaking her head. “This group might be a bit of a mess, but they’re my mess. I wouldn’t trade them for all the gold in your temple.”

Finally, Chrysalon’s eyes locked onto Mad Matt. Ignoring the others, he stepped closer to the pirate captain, his expression almost reverent. “And you,” he said. “You understand. Your life is built on treasure, on the noughty pursuit of riches. You barely pay your crew enough to eat, yet you keep them loyal through fear and ambition. You know what gold means. You could have everything if you stood with me.”

Mad Matt’s Resolve
Matt hesitated, glancing at his crew. The lure of Chrysalon’s offer flickered in his eyes; the promise of unimaginable wealth was tempting even him. Chrysalon extended his hand, his golden claws gleaming.
But then Matt pulled back, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Tempting,” he said. “But I’ve already got a deal. Sorry, mate.”

At that, Matt’s eyes turned black, his grin widening as dark energy burst from his body. Writhing tentacles erupted from his chest and arms, lashing out violently as the room darkened. Deva averted her eyes instinctively, while Marina and Tiyana peeked through their fingers, quite horrified but unable to look away. Tatyana, unaware of Matt’s pact with Nalzagoth, stared openly. Her expression twisted in horror as Matt transformed, his body becoming a vessel for the Star Devourer.
For a few agonizing moments, Nalzagoth’s presence filled the room. Chrysalon staggered back, his confidence shaken. The eldritch voice of Nalzagoth echoed, shaking the temple itself. “This one is mine,” Nalzagoth said. “And you, golden usurper, are nothing to me.”

As the eldritch energy faded, Matt heard Nalzagoth's voice in his mind, low and menacing.

WELL DONE, MY CHOSEN. YOUR LOYALTY DESERfully REWARDED.

Matt chuckled nervously. “Reward’s nice, but what kind of stuff did you have in mind? I need all my limbs – bits and pieces, you know?”

YOU'LL HAVE SOMETHING BETTER"

,Nalzagoth replied. Pain shot through Matt’s left hand, sharp and unbearable. He gritted his teeth, watching in shock as his hand fell to the ground, severed cleanly.
From the stump, dark tendrils coiled and twisted into a single tentacle. At its side, razor-sharp clamshell blades snapped menacingly. Flexing it, Matt smirked.
Turning to Chrysalon, Matt raised his new appendage. “Alright, shiny boy – your turn.”

Battle Against the God of Greed
The fights against Chrysalon erupted in a whirlwind of fire, steel, and desperation. Deva charged in first, her Flame Blade igniting the air around her as it slashed into Chrysalon’s shimmering golden armour. The dragonborn hissed in pain, but his fierce grin only widened. Mad Matt followed suit, his newly-formed tentacle blade striking with unnatural precision, carving deep gouges into the pristine metal.

Chrysalon retaliated with terrifying speed, claws raking through the air. Deva managed to dodge his strike, but Matt wasn’t as lucky – a single swipe left him staggering back, clutching a wound that spilled blood across the gold-strewn floor.

Seeing fire was effective, Tiyana finally unleashed her long-awaited Fireball. The blazing explosion engulfed Chrysalon, scorching his armour and leaving molten trails across his body. Tatyana, still shaken from her earlier encounter with Nalzagoth, focused on blessing her allies, divine energy washing over them as she planted herself between Chrytan and the group, acting as their shield.

Marina surged forward with her greataxe, the blade biting into Chrysalon’s side with a force that sent shockwaves across the chamber. Deva and Matt pressed the attack, their blades flashing, but Chrysalon suddenly teleported a few metres back. In a dramatic flourish, he scattered glittering gold coins across the battlefield; their radiance was quite captivating, to be sure.
Deva, Matt, and Marina froze, their gazes locked on the treasure, unable to resist its pull. Only Tatyana saw through the illusion, her divine clarity cutting through the greed-enchanted haze. Rushing to her companions, she dispelled the charm, snapping them back to their senses just as Tiyana launched another devastating Fireball.

Marina charged again, her axe a blur of motion, but her foot landed on one of the coins scattered earlier. It detonated with a violent burst, throwing her back with burns searing her legs. Chrysalon sneered, his trap revealed - if the coins had been picked up, the damage would have been far worse. Deva and Matt resumed their assault, striking Chrysalon repeatedly, weakening the golden dragonborn further.

Suddenly, Chrysalon repositioned himself with a low growl. He inhaled deeply, and then exhaled a torrent of deadly green flames, washing over the battlefield. Tiyana dove behind a mountain of gold just in time, while Deva narrowly evaded the full blast. However, Marina, Matt, and Tatyana were caught in the inferno. When the flames dissipated, Tatyana was lying motionless, unconscious on the smouldering ground - a bit of a disaster.
Deva sprinted to Tatyana’s side, producing a vial of sacred healing water. As she poured it over Tatyana, the cleric gasped awake, her breath ragged but alive. Marina, despite her injuries, surged forward once more, hacking into Chrysalon with her greataxe, cleaving one of his wings clean off with a mighty swing.

Matt saw his chance. With calculated precision, he raised his pistol and fired, the shot tearing into Chrysalon’s face. The dragonborn staggered, but still stood, blood streaming from the wound. It was Tiyana who delivered the final blow, her hands crackting with arcane energy. She unleashed three Magic Missiles that struck Chrysalon’s head in quick succession.
With a deafening roar, Chrysalon collapsed to the ground. The golden dragonborn’s body crumbled away, leaving nothing but silence and the faint glimmer of dust where he had stood. The battle was over.

A Temple Restored
The aftermath of the battle against Chrysalon saw the crew standing amidst the glittering hoard, now quiet and still. Deva stepped forward, cradling Auralis' golden idol in her hands. She returned the idol to its rightful place atop the hills of cursed gold, and as she did, a soft golden light radiated from the figure.

Auralis' voice echoed through the chamber, steady and resolute. "Chrysalon’s influence has been eradicated," Auralis proclaimed. "However, the curse upon this gold remains. It will take years for it to fade entirely. This treasure must stay untouched until that time comes."

Mad Matt, with his characteristic nonchalance, nodded and accepted the golden idol as payment for their perilous efforts, placing it securely in his satchel. Meanwhile, Tatyana knelt beside a peculiar diamond she had discovered among the cursed trove. As she held it in her hands, she closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to Lathander. A warm, divine glow enveloped the diamond, and its curse was lifted. She rose to her much-needed rest, cradling the now-pure gem with a solemn vow: "I will only ever use this for the greater good – perhaps to save a life that hangs by a thread."

Farewells
With their task complete, the crew departed the temple and made their way back to Camp Sonoma. As they approached the shore, they were met with a surprising sight – a second ship docked beside the Stolen Property. Standing at the prow of the new vessel, with her arms crossed and a confident smirk, was none other than Cordelia.

"Mad Matt!" she called out, striding boldly toward him. "I can’t believe you’ve already cleared out the dungeon! You never wait for me." Her tone was a mix of playful frustration and genuine annoyance.

Cordelia wasted no time addressing the rest of the crew. "You know, working for Mad Matt must be exhausting. Surely someone nearly died down there?" She gestured at Tatyana, who shifted uncomfortably under the spotlight. "And let’s be real – Matt’s pay is an insult. Two gold coins a day? Really? I pay five, and everyone gets ten percent of all treasures we find. What do you say?"

The offer was enticing, and the crew exchanged uncertain glances. After a long moment of contemplation, Deva stepped forward. "Cordelia’s right," she said. "Matt, you’ve always been somewhat indifferent to our survival. That dungeon could’ve easily been my last. I’m joining Cordintia’s crew."

Matt gave a dismissive shrug, though the rest of the crew used the moment to renegotiate their own terms. The group insisted on appointing a quartermaster to manage the funds and agreed that treasures would be shared fairly among the crew, ensuring better gear and supplies for everyone - no more being short-changed. Reluctantly, Matt conceded to their demands.

Before setting sail with her new companions, Deva gathered her old crewmates for a farewell gesture. She divided her belongings among them, a heartfelt parting gift to all – except, of course, for Mad Matt and Sir Spencer.

As a final token of goodwill, Tatyana stepped forward, holding a small, intricate compass she had taken from the cursed hoard. After removing its curse, she presented it to Deva. "For navigating new seas," Tatyana said with a warm smile.
Deva accepted the compass with gratitude, her expression softening. "Thank you," she said. "Take care of each other."

With that, the Stolen Property set off once more, bound for new adventures, while Deva sailed into the horizon with Cordelia and her crew, both parties charting their own courses toward the unknown.