The party departed Alamander's ruined estate, speculating that the memories found there might belong to Zaranda Rhinduan, given the differences with Ottillie Rhindaun. They followed a trail south, passing through the river lands toward Saradush.
On the road, Kincaid caught up and shared his conversation with Rowan Savelli. Rowan claimed the Savelli family would ally with whichever side proved victorious, but he himself despised the games the nobility are playing.
Arriving at Hoofwright Stables, the party met Magnus Hoofwright, who was suffering from memory loss. Hugh attempted to connect with him, but the situation quickly escalated when High recognized the two stablehands were soldiers and they threatened the party when challenged. One threw a bead from a necklace, unleashing a fireball that killed Magnus. The party subdued the remaining "stablehand", executing the murderer and interrogating the survivor.
Barrick: "You have 5 seconds to tell us something useful to save your life."
Farid: "All the trade routes were destroyed during the war. Zev Faheem bailed us out when the routes dried up. We started working for him to eat. When anyone asks Zev or disobeys Zev or fails to follow Zev's orders, Zev makes you disappear. That's why we made them drink the beer."
Barrick: "Last chance."
Farid: "I can tell you where they go. Southwest, 10 miles, give or take. There's a path into the foothills. That's where they come from."
Hugh executed Farid for his complicity in Magnus' murder.
The party discovered horses bearing the livery of Riatavin's royal guard and noted the absence of other stablehands and Magnus' family, likely victims of the drugged, mind-blanking beer.
Gavin took a waterskin of the drugged beer.
Following Farid's directions, the party entered the foothills and encountered Bruno Custode, injured and alone. Bruno explained that Matteo Vigili had been taken by the Vuotomente, and that Zev was using mind-wiped peasants to build an obedient army mixed in with the populace in Riatavin.
Bruno: "I don't know if these people can be saved, but if you aren't in danger, don't be a danger. As I was taught in the guard, respond with a single degree more danger."
Bruno revealed that runners from the Sandstone Palace had been heading to Alamander's estate, prompting his investigation. He urged caution, unsure if the mind-wiped could be saved.
The party entered the Vuotomente Caverns, determined to rescue Matteo. Inside, they found many brainwashed townsfolk and asked Bruno to evacuate them, given his injuries.
The caverns were guarded by large, armored hyenas and a powerful construct—similar to the one found in Session 15, but newer and ominously black. Zev Faheem himself was present, wielding an enchanted crossbow with walloping bolts and a scimitar of limb-severing.
The fight began when Barrick, frustrated by a passive hyena blocking their path, demanded its submission. When the hyena tried to back away, Barrick attacked, sparking a chaotic battle.
The construct revealed itself as a spellcaster, resurrecting fallen hyenas and unleashing cloudkill and lightning bolt. The party split their forces: Gavin, Hugh, Barrick, and Kira Felorin focused on the construct, while Kincaid and Bikke Alder flanked Zev. Kincaid cast invisibility on himself and Bikke, sacrificing his own stealth to attack Zev, but was knocked out by frightened hyenas inadvertently sent his way by Gavin. Bikke maintained his invisibility, hoping for a surprise attack.
Kira was knocked out but rolled a natural 20 on her death save, springing back into the fight. Hugh barely survived with a single hitpoint before healing himself. Bikke grappled Zev in a brutal exchange, but Zev struck back, severing Bikke's left arm at the shoulder.
A whispered exchange between Zev and Bikke went unheard by the rest of the party before Zev fell dead. Hugh remarked, "What lives in caves and thinks hyenas are a snack? The damage to this hyena's armor are from something much scarier than another hyena," hinting at deeper dangers yet to be revealed.
Despite heavy losses and expended resources, the party emerged victorious. None of the brainwashed townsfolk died, as far as they know. Kincaid was rescued, and the party secured Zev's enchanted crossbow and scimitar, though further looting and the search for Matteo remain unfinished.
The session ended with Bikke maimed, Zev dead, and the fate of Matteo still unknown.