The Company of the Yellow Banner is an adventuring party that entered Omu more than six months before the player characters’ arrival, seeking the fabled Eye of Zaltec—a powerful ruby said to possess the ability to resurrect the ancient dead. All members of the company are now deceased, killed throughout their expedition in the Tomb of the Nine Gods.
Party Composition
The company consisted of five members:
- Lord Brixton - Cormyrean knight and leader (died in area 63, poisoned by gas)
- Bravus Boulderborn - Gold dwarf cleric of Moradin (died in area 35, killed by locusts from a floor trap)
- Devlin Bashir - Calishite wizard (died in area 19, killed by tomb dwarves; cursed with goat-like features)
- Seward - Chondathan human ranger (corpse used to create a tomb guardian in area 27)
- Sephirius (“Seph”) - Dragonborn paladin (died in area 32, skeletal remains found in rotating tunnels)
Expedition History
According to Devlin’s journal, the company made landfall at Kitcher’s Inlet, followed the River Olung to Lake Luo, then cut southwest through the jungle toward Omu. They searched for puzzle cubes in the ruined city, had encounters with the yuan-ti, discovered the true tomb entrance, and successfully penetrated into the Tomb of the Nine Gods.
Their Quest
The Company of the Yellow Banner carried a ghost lantern containing the spirit of the Starfallen, a female moon elf warlock who died nearly a thousand years ago to a fomorian. They were questing to find a way to restore her to life, believing the Eye of Zaltec possessed the power to raise the ancient dead. They tracked the jewel to the tomb but perished without ever finding it (the Eye is actually guarded by a stone juggernaut in area 62).
The company also captured an awakened lizard in Omu, intending to use it for setting off traps. The lizard escaped and survived (found in area 46).
Evidence of Their Presence
- Area 9 (Omu): Their abandoned campsite with a yellow banner flagpole and a letter from Lord Brixton to a missing comrade
- Various tomb locations: Their remains and equipment scattered throughout the tomb
- Area 50: A doppelganger named Pox, disguised as “Biff Longsteel,” is trapped in the Mirror of Life Trapping after following the company into the tomb
- Area 52: Blind undead artists are painting over scenes depicting the company’s fall, with only an image of Lord Brixton choking on gas remaining
Legacy Items
The company left behind several notable items that characters can find:
- Lord Brixton’s longsword with dragon-shaped hilt (grants ability to speak Draconic)
- Seward’s ghost lantern containing the Starfallen’s spirit
- Devlin’s journal chronicling their journey and final entry in the tomb
- Bravus’s equipment including shield and armor
- Various other equipment and treasures
The Starfallen’s spirit, if freed from the lantern, has grown forgetful over time but can potentially provide hints to help characters navigate the tomb’s challenges.