Gaping Maw of Sound #23

The Gaping Maw of Sound greeted and sought to understand what had happened to their old companion Neya to create this new entity standing before them, calling themselves Yaen. Yaen claimed they no longer held revenge in their heart but endeavored to spread the word of change, the doctrine of Shapeless

The group turned their attention to the lens they discovered, the Sword of Tyr, or what they now believed was a portion of the nominal "sword."

• Sydni claimed he had an artificer friend in the city, and on their way to recruit him to repair the lens, they passed a gnome selling mechanical doo-dads

Kit, missing an eye from the Battle of Broken Dawn, bought a mechanical eye, and Kaos took part in a blood transfusion where he gave up his Tiefling blood and was instilled with dragon blood instead

• Kaos was able to feel the living essence of creation within him, and became far more aware of his living surroundings

They found Sydni's friend, an orc named Barfa, and convinced him to come take a look at the lens in the basement of the church

Upon arriving, Barfa questioned what they wanted with the lens considering the blood and signs of struggle throughout the church basement

• The group tried to convince him they were altruistic, but upon not being persuaded, he attempted to shatter the lens, knowing only that the Sword of Tyr was a "terrible weapon" that shouldn't be weilded by anyone

Ser Balen and Oby were able to protect the lens, and Yaen had a frank conversation with Barfa where they were able to convince the artificer that the Listeners would never allow the sword to fall into the wrong hands.

Barfa repaired the lens and shrunk it in size so the Gaping Maw of Sound could carry it with them.

As thanks, the group claimed they'd now go retrieve Sydni's drums, an act which Barfa silently warned Ser Balen not to do

Barfa departed and with the lens in hand, the group heard the trumpets calling from Banner Plaza -- the Church of the Sacred Flame were initiating their plan to kill Wing Guard nearby, and they had not done their part to allow the plan to succeed.