Vermin Shroud
A Vestige of Divergence tied to Dristuul, the party’s rogue. The Vermin Shroud is a cloak fashioned from rat leather, closely connected to Dristuul’s shapeshifting nature and his unusual relationship with vermin.
Discovery
- Moelwyn revealed in Session 36 that the Vermin Shroud was already in Dristuul’s possession, alongside Korin’s Sword of Trials and Theros’s Grimoire Infinitus
- The revelation that three party members had been carrying vestiges without knowing their true nature was a turning point in the campaign
Awakening
The Vermin Shroud was awakened through a seppuku ritual — a harrowing ordeal in which Dristuul died and was resurrected as part of the process. The awakening materials included rat leather, a fitting catalyst for the Shroud’s vermin-aligned nature.
The Dreamscape Trial
During the ritual, Dristuul was drawn into a dreamscape vision:
- A shadowy city — He found himself navigating dark, unfamiliar streets
- Rooftops — He moved across the skyline, relying on instinct and agility
- A hall of mirrors — Every reflection was smiling, though Dristuul himself was not
- A decayed marketplace — The ruins were rigged with bell traps, demanding stealth and precision
The Raven Queen’s Message
At the climax of the vision, Dristuul was pulled from a pool. A porcelain mask materialised before him, and the Raven Queen herself appeared. Rather than claiming him, she urged Dristuul to cherish life and not join her too soon — a rare and deeply personal intervention from the goddess of death.
Connection to Dristuul
The Vermin Shroud appears to be intimately linked to Dristuul’s shapeshifting abilities. He has demonstrated the ability to assume rat form and giant wasp form, powers that may be amplified or even granted by the Shroud. Each Vestige of Divergence is unique, shaped by the wielder’s experiences, and the Vermin Shroud reflects Dristuul’s affinity for stealth, survival, and the creatures most people overlook.