Strands of Fate

**Strands of Fate** is the thirty ninth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. Yashani, Boreal and Alaerith travel to the Qho'sovo Salt Mines in search of a man who glows a faint green as Yashani was told to find by Ob to unlock another portion of the Book of Sanguis.

## Strands of Fate

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* With the party currently split, we have half the group today!
* Reminder, that advertisements going as a pre- and post roll. Darrin isn’t quite finished with that, though, so it will be premiering soon

### **Summary**

Having made their pinky promises, received their hugs and borrowed the *Bag of Holding* from RX, the trio of Yashani, Bo and Alaerith, who cast *Polymorph* to turn into a giant eagle. flew them from Twynn's house to the *Qho’sovo Salt Mines*. They continued to fly, just as the two suns begin to set, until they saw the lights in the distance, along with large stone pillars that rose from the surprisingly small town. Alaerith touched down in a nearby forest as he dropped *Polymorph* and with Bo’s help, the trio found a path, headed towards the town and found its entrance guarded by both Puhan Trading Company guards and Skori Police, aware that the mines were dug as a joint effort due to its proximity to the Skorian Empire border. As they entered town and headed for the center of it, they found the stone pillars they saw from above and saw the pillars were wrapped in chains, as thick as they were, and the pillars stood in a circle around a very deep hole and dropped down into darkness where about 30 or so people seemed to be waiting for something nearby. They also saw, across from this central location, a massive willow tree trunk, as big as a house, that had since been hollowed out and was now occupied by *Nature’s Monastery,* overgrown by moss and vines in places, but with clear symbols of Osgonan and Kenala.

As they took this in, Bo cautiously placed a hand on Alaerith's shoulder and asked if he was alright, as Alaerith had cast *Polymorph* eight times that day to get them from *Krak* to there, but could tell Alaerith was clearly exhausted before he answered. Bo turned to Yashani and suggested they try to give Alaerith a rest before they did anything else and Yashani agreed with him. Yashani then cheekily commented on the last hole Bo threw himself into, with no regard for safety like he did last time, and suggested not to here and Bo assured her he wouldn't. Yashani thanked Alaerith for pushing himself so hard, noting he didn't have to exhaust himself, but was appreciative they got there as fast as they did and Alaerith, tiredly, replied he did because he knew getting there was important and meant she could have a day there instead of just a little while. Yashani activated *Hand of Healing,* knowing it wouldn't heal his magical exhaustion, but still felt more at ease because of her comforting manner and warm waves of energy. Alaerith pulled out the *Bag of Holding,* offered it to anyone who wished to retrieve their backpacks and both chose to retrieve their bags, along with the 12 volumes of Ostence Bronte’s journals Bo brought as reading material. Yashani joked that some of the pages have blown away to Bo's dismay before she looked around for a place to rest and found a tavern with a sign out front, that shimmers almost magically, and read *Tally’s* and suggested they get something to eat.

As the trio headed towards the tavern they heard loud sounds from behind them. They turned to look, saw the large hole in the center of town now had a large platform in the center of it and the 30 people, who had been standing around waiting, stepped on with various supplies and waited before the platform began to move back down. Bo asked where they might be going and Yashani said that this was a salt mining town, so likely the mines. They stood for a few minutes to see how long the chains go to let the platform down, but as Alaerith began to sway five minutes in decided food was more important. They walked into *Tally’s*, saw it was busy and nicely furnished with just about nowhere to sit. They also saw a Tiefling girl running between all the tables and an older Tiefling woman behind the bar. The trio managed to find a small table pushed along the wall, which Bo helping lead Alaerith to, while Yashani kept a closer eye on Skori Police who sat around the tavern, wondering if they were keeping an eye out for someone like her or someone wearing a mask, but found they were mostly unnoticed. Yashani did, though, end up noticing the woman behind the bar says “Tilly” would be with them before she shouted for the girl in question, Tilly, who then called back to “Mom” that she was busy.

The group sat at their table and a moment later the younger Tiefling came by, wearing simple working wear over her light purple skin and horns that curl up and behind her head, with one being black and the other being white, who introduced herself as Tilly and apologized for the wait, citing that it was only her and her mom. Yashani asked for the house favorites and learned they had a pumpkin pie, which Bo immediately ordered. Yashani suggested Alaerith may need something of more substance and Tilly suggested a beef stew. Bo wondered if Alaerith even ate meat and when Alaerith confirmed he did Yashani ordered the stew for both of them, as well as water. As they waited on food and drinks, Bo looked out over the tavern, found a number of people dressed in overalls that he assumed work in the mines, as well as more Skori Police and PTC soldiers. Bo asked Yashani if she might fill him in on why they were here and Yashani agreed, though she noted her concern at Bo’s willingness to come along on this trip without any other information. Bo shrugged and said he was willing to help guide her through the tundra, which Alaerith fixed that, but when Alaerith pointed out he did not know where to fly and needed him to point that out said they could call it a team effort. Yashani explained that a friend told her to come here and find a man who glowed a faint green to get answers, and started to remind Bo of RX’s recap on their adventures so far, how she left her home and that she now possessed an important book. Alaerith pointed out Sterling was the one who had the full recap, while Bo only had information on the Order of Ruin and was unaware of the book and Yashani admitted she had met so many new people it was hard to keep track of who knew what. Yashani went on to say that though leaving the monastery was rare, those who did apparently also read this book, but it required help to do so. Yashani commented that she and Bo might have something in common that way, in that they both had a bit of reading material to get through.

Tilly soon arrived with platters holding plates of food and passed them around the table. Bo asked if she needed any help, seeing as how the group may be here for a bit and Tilly declined and admitted she was working on how she handled stress, but said her brother might need help in the mines. She told them to wave her down when they were done eating and that she would talk to her brother in the meantime before hurrying off to stop shenanigans elsewhere in the tavern. While they dug into the unfairly good food, Bo, noting he was from a rather secluded encampment, wondered if the “creatures with horns” were common in the rest of Palamoa, referring to Tilly being a Tiefling, and while Alaerith was unsure Yashani did know of the stigma around Tieflings in the Empire due to an event that happened in recent history. Yashani explained as much to Bo, along with their supposed fiendish heritage and that they were usually not welcomed much and Alaerith recalled that one of Quincy’s friends from *The Wandered Eye* was a Tiefling. Yashani suggested it was something he shouldn't bring up and Bo noted his reason he asked, with that information, was that he was even more concerned about how he might be received in the Skorian Empire in the future. Yashani wondered if he was hiding horns somewhere, but Bo said no, though he had been called a “ghost” on many occasions, with Alaerith commiserating with him as he scratching the scaled right side of his face. Bo remembered what Sterling had explained about being a guild and how they could get away with a bit more in the Empire. He also noted that even if he was arrested it would not be hard for him to escape as he was capable of moving through most objects and walls and demonstrated his ability to phase out for a moment.

Alaerith noted it was a useful ability and flickered for a moment again and Yashani, noting that she thought she felt like she was losing her mind, called called it out. Alaerith wondered what she meant and Yashani described it like a candle flickering in the wind, along with Bo who said as someone who also flickered had also seen it. Alaerith looked down at his hand, just as he looked at Bo, and as it happened again was startled and admitted he should probably be more freaked out about it, but enough had happened lately that he was able to not be as shocked. Bo asked Yashani if that had happened before his arrival and Yashani said no before agreeing weird things had happened, but found this more up there. Bo noted his flickering had been happening for five years, but if Alaerith’s issue was newer he might be able to ask Sterling or Tollanessa about it. Alaerith admitted it happened when he thought of Bo's image before he focused on his hand and accidentally cast *Mirror Image* causing several copies of himself to appear, much to the concern of Bo and Yashani who asked him if he was able to stop it it as to not cause concern with the number of guards and police in the tavern. Alaerith complied, relaxed his mind as he dropped *Mirror Image* causing the copies to disappear and noted he must have learned new magic.

At that moment Tilly appeared by the table, asked Alaerith to scooch over as she sat down, said she was on break and figured she would sit with them because they seemed cool. Tilly introduced herself fully as "Tilly Tamaran" and the party replied in kind. Tilly asked if they still planned to help her and when Bo said he offered himself and the other two didn't have to Yashani offered she was willing to help though was unsure of what was needed to be done. Tilly explained her brother Thomas needed some supplies brought to him down in the tunnels to the tavern there. Yashani wondered what tunnel and Tilly said the “worm tunnel” at the center of town, explaining further that the salt mines were in *The* *Underdark* about five miles below the surface. Alaerith expressed concern that the worms she referred to were purple worms and Tilly explained they had long since passed and now used the tunnels for transport and the mines, thought travel took so long that now most of the city lived underground. Yashani asked if there was a glowing man in the city below and after confirming she meant Brock said he was in the *Nature's Monastery* right across the way from the tavern and the elevator.

Yashani told Tilly that the group had work to be done in the town, but depending her need they could help move her supplies. Tilly said she just didn't have time to do it herself right now and Yashani assured her they were happy to help so long as there were no spider dragons waiting down below, with the thought of such a creature disturbing Tilly and surprising Bo. Bo rounded them back to talk of delivering and offered Yashani could go talk to the glowing man while he and Alaerith delivered with Tilly, but Yashani noting they were in unfamiliar places and should stick together as their numbers were fewer and historically didn't like what happened when she let her friends out of their sight. The group agreed to do the delivery now and then come back for Yashani’s task. After each paying *five silver* for their meals, with Bo offering *one gold*, Tilly offered rooms in the building next door or that they could stay in the rooms near the tavern in *The* *Underdark*, which Yashani did not seem thrilled by, but said they would see when they got there. Tilly led the group around the back of the tavern, pulled out two decent sized crates and a barrel and the trio helped transport them to the hole at the center of town just as it came up. They loaded them on, waited a few minutes for the platform to lower and after the fairly bumpy 20 minute descent bumpy the elevator came to a rest at the bottom and the trio was greeted with the lights of the *Qho’sovo Salt Mines,* three rows of streets and along each were lights that glowed an array of colors, powered by magic where buildings line each path, as well as steam and smoke that poured out of the tops of some of the buildings.

As people milled around Tilly led them down one of the streets and found many of the buildings were built in the tunnel’s walls, but the streets went down and out of sight as the city was shaped to the tunnels left by the purple worms, with mostly miners, and considerably less military and police mixed then in the town above. They arrived at another tavern where a Tiefling man came out, greeted Tilly telling her she was a day late before he introduced himself as Tally’s brother, quickly correcting himself as *Tilly’s* older brother and Tally's son, and wondered why their mother named them like this. The group helped put the crates and barrel in the back of the tavern before Tilly thanked them again and offered that they could stay in the tavern, return to the surface or peruse the area. Yashani admitted this place was very different from the section of *The* *Underdark* they had seen before and Tilly explained, as far as anyone could tell, this section was secluded, that the tunnel they came down the elevator in appeared to be the only way in or out and nothing had come through the mines in the 19 years he had lived there. Thomas said the people would be crazy to live here if it was dangerous, but Yashani mentioned the people of *Quarry Hold* lived next to a spider dragon which boggled her to hear again. The trio indulged in the free drink offered and noticed Tilly wandered away to chat with someone in the corner. Yashani described the place was very “active” and Bo agreed, noting while Tilly’s offer of a place down there was nice, didn't appear to be a good place for a good night’s sleep. The group said good-bye to Tilly and Thomas,, left the tavern and headed back to the elevator. As they headed back up, between the first trip down and the ride to the surface, Bo completed the second of Ostence’s journals where he had begun to explore Geomancy and Dwarvish rune magic. Meanwhile Yashani quietly practiced self-introductions of herself under her breath and Alaerith, noticing everyone's presentation, cast *Prestidigitation* to clear everyone up when they neared the top.

They arrived at *Nature’s Monastery* when the suns had mostly set and saw it was lit by a number of fireflies that lived among the branches of the massive tree. Yashani stood before the double doors of the monastery, flanked by Bo and Alaerith, before she adjusted her mask and practiced her introduction one last time as she knocked the door accidentally denting it slightly. They heard the sound of footsteps before the doors opened to reveal a 5'9 humanoid man, who did indeed glowed a faint green, with short, close cropped black hair, rounded features and wore monk garb very similar to Yashani’s, just more green and brown. The man, Brock, asked how he could help and Yashani introduced herself as a monk of Sanguis. While surprised by her statement his eyes moved to Bo and Alaerith, with Alaerith giving a small bow while Bo admitted he also glowed and conceded when the man pointed out he could also see through Bo. The man gestured for them all to come in and follow him and Yashani activated *Ob's Charm* to ask Alaerith if he might be able to fix what she did to the door before they left, which he agreed to help with later. They saw the monastery was a mostly an open main floor, with sections that went up further into the tree that looks like rooms, and several pillars carved to look like the three Wild Sisters, as well as Sognov, even Tellum of the Rakhind Forefathers, as well as a central pillar carved with symbols of the four elements.

The man invited them to sit in the main area, left to fetch water for them before he returned to sit with them, said to himself that his Master told him would happen someday and asked what he could help with. Yashani explained she was told by a friend that someone named Brock glowed green, which the man confirmed was him, that he could help her unlock a portion of a book and pulled *The* *Book of Sanguis* from her pack to Brock's surprise that it was real. She added that Chuluu helped her open the first section and assumed she needed to learn from others to unlock more portions. Brock said his master warned him someone might come and when Yashani asked where his master was said they are dead, which she apologized for. Brock said it had been a few years, but that his master did say a monk of Sanguis might come one day and though he thought it was all nonsense he was told he would need to take them to go see “her”. Yashani asked where she was buried, but Brock explained he didn't mean his master, he means the Skein Witch. Yashani admitted it was strange to hear, asked if the witch was also a monk and Brock said technically. Yashani, seeing he was nervous, asked about why and Brock explained the witch was the person who made him glow. He added that she was a guardian and the monks worked with her, but that she wasn't fond of ignorance, that he was stupid in his early times and couldn't sneak around when he was a spotlight. Yashani said he did not have to go with them and just tell them how to get there, but Brock said he would take them, that they had to do all the talking, though he might see about getting his curse removed as it had been a while.

Yashani noted Brock’s comment about the witch not liking ignorance and he admitted he wasn't sure how that would apply to her as Sanguine monks weren’t supposed to exist anymore after what happened. Yashani asked what he meant and he clarified about how the Skorian Empire took over, killed the old Gods and how her monastery went into hiding. Brock added that he never thought to seriously consider whether her order might be real and Yashani replied that disbelief was why they survived for so long. Brock said he could take her to the witch in the morning and offered several open rooms as there were not many monks left and when Alaerith wondered why shrugged and said it was probably a lack of interest. Yashani said if her presence made him uncomfortable the trio could sleep elsewhere but Brock explained it was not something you saw everyday, with Yashani being like a walking myth to people. Yashani admitted it was a strange space to exist in and thanked him and Brock said he would do what he can and try to wrap his head around it with meditation. Before he could leave Bo stopped him, asked with his experience with the witch if Bo’s appearance might be a curse, but Brock didn't know for sure. Brock reminded Bo that he was also see through and Bo agreed and just worried he might have angered someone and didn't remember it. Brock added that maybe if someone messed with magic in the *Maltrop Strip* revolving around the hour of the Æther might make it possible and headed to his room.

After he left to his room Yashani asked the other two if her introduction was too forward and both reassured her she did fine. As they quietly talked Yashani and Bo realize there were several small animals in the monastery including a squirrel on Yashani's shoulder, a rabbit between at Alaerith’s feet and a bird attempting to sit on Bo’s head but somewhat kept falling through. Bo said he would take them to his room, happily gathered up the squirrel, rabbit and bird and headed to bed. Alaerith and Yashani headed to the front door and Alaerith quietly cast *Mending* on the damaged portion before they all headed to bed.

### **Part Two**

The trio found breakfast laid out courtesy of Brock, appearing to be wearing more traveling clothes, and they sat together and ate, while Bo wandered about the animals, brought several of them with him to the breakfast table, with even more of them coming to him of their own violation. As they ate, Yashani asked for tips for interacting with the witch and Brock told her she should tell the absolute truth and warned that went for all of them, not just Yashani, which brought instant discomfort to Alaerith. Brock added to just be respectful and answer her questions. Alaerith noticed in the following quiet that Yashani was more picking at her food than eating as much as she usually would and Alaerith quietly said food was fuel before admitting he was the last one who should say that to her agreement. Alaerith told her it would be ok and when Yashani said she hoped so told her while he didn't know what he and Bo could offer they were both with her. Bo picking up on the odd atmosphere offered Yashani could cuddle any of the animals he had collected. Yashani thanked him, but said both of them being there was more then she could ask. Brock said they could leave whenever they were ready and Yashani stood up so quickly she knocked back her chair and almost toppled it, but caught it with a white knuckled grip and said she was ready.

Brock led them north out of *Qho’sovo* and into the forest and, as the trees became thicker an hour into their journey and the snow hardly made it to the ground, the trees eventually opened up to a clearing where trees and shrubs grew in a curved shape and created an odd, oblong sort of hut with a dim torch either side of the front door. Brock nervously asked if they were ready and walked up to the door to knock. The door swung open on the third knock and found the hut was sparsely decorated with a large fireplace, a bear skin rug and a table with several ingredients and objects, with a hunched figure in a dark cloak. As the door shut behind them the figure asked what she had been brought and Brock told “Madam Skein” he had brought a monk of Sanguis. Yashani stepped forward and bowed and Madam Skein called her a rare breed before asking if she had the book. Yashani said yes and the witch asked if she got it from “the Leonin”. Yashani said no, that it was left in *Quarry Hold* and when the witch confirmed it was Chuluu, referring to him fully as Chuluu Untorou, Yashani said yes and it was given to him for safekeeping until another monk of Sanguis came to take it from him. The witch corrected her that it was not left but fated to stay, before she stood from her chair, and cast away her cloak to reveal she was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, much like Ob. Alaerith noticed that she appeared to be glowing just underneath the bandages with a gentle blue-white color. The witch asked who Yashani had brought and Yashani told her she brought her friends and introduced them. The witch seemed to take a particular interest in Bo, called him “twisted in time” and took a step closer, but when Bo took a step back, disappeared and reappeared beside him. The witch asked what he did to be like that and Bo said he didn't know and politely wished to put distance between them, stepped back again and behind Yashani. The witch looked to Yashani, said it was clear she had come for assistance and asked what she had done to earn it. Yashani admitted she did not know if she had done anything to earn the witch’s help, that she found the book by chance, in a place she did not intend to be, but thought it might be fate. The witch asked Yashani, in her head and in Celestial, what she intended to do with the powers of the earth. Yashani told her the earth was home, it permitted life, that all she has ever wanted to do was heal and aid people, and that being a monk of Sanguis allowed her to do so, even if she didn't have choice in that matter. She added that she didn't wish to see more destruction then she already did, and so the answer to her question she she would use these powers to protect and the witch asked if she was worthy of giving that protection.

Yashani soon noticed something moving in the corner of her vision, one of the witch's bandages that had extended across the ground and towards her, which missed as it attempted to strike her and the witch went on to say that Yashani would need to show she was able to protect. Alaerith asked Yashani what they should do and when she suggested not getting wrapped up agreed with her, focused on the new magic he learned and cast *Mirror Image* on himself causing several three after images of himself to rotate around and moved to Yashani's side. The witch cast *Misty Step* to appear behind Yashani and in front of Bo, struck him once with her bandages flooding him with radiant energy. She then asked Yashani how she might protect someone else to keep *herself* safe, caused a tugging sensation in Yashani's chest, but as she failed to activate *Bind Fates* on Alaerith who resisted the attempt, caused it to end and noted her friends were quite strong. Bo cast *Instant Replay*, causing *Passus* to glow a light blue, nearly missed with his attack as *Instant Replay* caused his arm to flicker and reappear in perfect line to slash the witch, while activating *Torment* to add necrotic energy to the attack, and slashed her a second time afterwards.

Yashani looked at the witch and, deciding to try something new, gathered her energy into a ball of red light, activated *Ki Lock*, pressed it into the witch like she did with the devil book, causing red chains to wrap around the witch and left her *Restrained* while she hovered over the floor, then activated her *Mask of Extended Life* to cast *False Life* for temporary HP as the runes around the one eye glowed faintly red. The witch twisted her head to Yashani, told her fate could be bent, activated *Bend Fate* to break free from the restraining chains and flung them at Bo leaving him *Restrained*. Brock stood nervously to the side before he raised his hands, snapped his fists to activate *Fangs of the Fire Snake* causing them to be engulfed in flames, said this was a bad idea before he stepped into the fray, threw fiery punches at the witch, activated *Flurry of Blows* and missed with the next two strikes, then activated *Step of the Wind* to get himself out of melee. Alaerith, seeing Bo was restrained and in the thick of it, moved closer to him and the witch, cast *Thunder Step* teleporting the two to the far wall of the hut, while the witch took the full thunderous blast, and while still *Restrained,* to Alaerith's disappointment, Bo thanked him before Alaerith activated *Metamagic :* *Quickened Spell* to cast *Firebolt* as a bonus action on the witch. The witch, seeing the three within a general area activated *Distortion Wave,* and despite Bo using his reaction to activate *Temporal Points* to give Alaerith a few seconds more, all took the the full force damage, while also causing the *Ki Lock* around Bo to release him and leaving him unrestrained, and attached the red chains to Alaerith leaving him *Restrained,* then cast *Misty Step* to appear behind Bo.

Bo activated his *Temporal Points* to increase his AC before he moved away from the witch, as the witch used her reaction but missed striking him with her bandages, then shot her with his crossbow twice, with one activated alongside *Sharpshooter* and the second with *Anti-Magic Strike.* Yashani rushed to her, grabbed her weaponized wraps to punch the witch twice, while activating *Stunning Strike* which the witch failed to resist and was left *Stunned* temporarily and causing her to drop to the ground, then activated *Ki Lock* to release Alaerith from the red chains and leaving no longer restrained. The witch activated *Bend Fate* to break from the stun and and left Bo *Stunned* instead. Brock cursed as he activated *Gong of the Summit* to pull electricity from the air, whipped it around the direction of the witch to cast *Shatter,* which she took the full thunderous blast of and was left *Prone*, then backed towards the door and asked what they should do. Alaerith, hearing the question, looked to Yashani who questioned that they were proving she was worthy, and on confirmation to go big, Alaerith took in the size of the house, activated *Metamagic :* *Quickened Spell* to cast Polymorph as a bonus action to turn into a polar bear, now with after images of the polar bear from Mirror Image, then bit and clawed at the witch. The witch's bandages struck Alaerith twice, with one destroying one of his *Mirror Image* forms, while the other flooded him with radiant energy, then cast *Misty Step* to get out of the way and said it was enough.

The witch reached out with her bandages and sprinkles a light dust through the air, just as Alaerith dropped *Polymorph* and turned back to normal, and they all felt their bodies healed. The witch told Yashani she had proven herself able to protect herself at any time, and at any cost, and asked to see *The* *Book of Sanguis*. Yashani placed it on to the table at the witch's direction and the witch said much came from what they did to help her, placed her palm over the chains and the cover and as green light sparked from her hands around one of the chains, causing it to spark, the chain clicked and fell away from the book. The witch said

*"My nature's way assist you Sanguisian disciple"*

and Yashani said she hoped to be worthy as she bowed in thanks. The witch then waved her hands causing several items to float on to the table, which she called gifts for her, including a long quarterstaff with hollow rings cut in the length of it that made a low humming sound when swung, a large backpack with one main pocket and two on the side, an ear cuff shaped like a vampire bat and a small oblong blue stone. The witch turned to Yashani, told her that much came in fated time, then looked to Bo, said that the one twisted in time would understand fate, then finally to Alaerith and said the one who had seen fate would understand their plight. Yashani thanked the witch for her help and her gifts and the witch said she hoped it would help as they ran from the black sun.

Bo stepped forward, noting the witch seemed to know a lot more about him than he did, and asked if he was cursed. The witch told him he was fated to a higher purpose, asked what burden he possessed and what marred his body. Bo seemingly confused before he seemed to realize something, turned his back, pulled off his cloak, lifted his shirt and revealed to the group where Bo’s glow seemed to originate, a glowing clock, ticking backwards as if counting down. The witch said he was burdened with time and that he was fated to die when he ran out of time. After a moment of quiet Alaerith asked if there was anything they could do to stop it, but the witch said no, that was what he was, why he was there, to be a martyr for everyone. She said it was unlike herself before she pushed aside some of the bandages from her chest, revealing she glowed and was transparent like Bo, and where her heart should be was a glowing hourglass that rotated slowly. Bo, completely flustered and overwhelmed with thoughts, asked what she and he were and she said they were *skein,* fated to serve a single purpose purpose through fate and once completed would die. Immediately afterwards her hourglass stopped turning and the sand began to drain into the bottom half. She asked what Bo thought he was meant to do and Bo said he didn't know and that he had the memories of a dead man. She asked what purpose the man served and what he did to bring Bo here, while her form started to fade as more sand falls to the bottom of her hourglass, and when Bo asked who he should talk to just said the *"Dusterbyan Lighthouse".* Bo turned to Yashani and Alaerith with a helpless expression, and Yashani, with a panicked expression, asked the witch if she could see beyond the surface then what did she see beyond the surface of Yashani. The witch told her “that which would bring a new life”. She also said her thoughts were black and dark, that she should not be afraid of what she was supposed to be and that she denied herself a reality. The witch, as the last of her began to fade, told Yashani to return to *Saqs* as it was there she would find her anger inside her. As only her head remained Bo cast *Detect Magic*, picked up from the items given that the quarterstaff was magical, the large bag was Transmutation, the bat earring was Enchantment, the blue stone was Abjuration, as well as Chronomancy that surrounded the witch. She told them she hoped fate treated them well as she faded fully, leaving only bandages behind, and causing Brock's glow to fade as he fainted on the ground.

Bo fell to his knees where the bandages remain while Yashani recited the same prayer in Celestial, that Alaerith had heard her pray before. As she did a wisp of one of the bandages floated up and landed in Yashani’s hands, which Bo's *Detect Magic* could tell held Chronomantic Magic, as well as Celestial Magic. Alaerith went to Brock, activated *Life Drain* using his Ruined Moon mark to help heal him back into consciousness and snapped awake, exclaimed it wasn't a dream before admitting he might have voided himself a bit. Alaerith noted he was no longer glowing before he asked if they could leave. Yashani apologized to Bo, noting his situation appeared more definitive than most as he had a tangible countdown for his life. Bo admitted it was disconcerting to think he might save the world, but wouldn't live to see it changed and Yashani pointed out neither did many of the people who had saved it before them. Yashani assured him nothing was set in stone before she turned to Brock, offered the bandage for a burial if he would like, but as Brock had gotten himself to standing only wants to leave the hut and headed for the door. Bo stood from the floor, gathered the bag on the table, put the new gifts inside it, noticing they disappeared much like their *Bag of Holding* and realized it was similar. Bo told Yashani she may want to hang onto the bandages as they appeared magical as they all headed out of the hut. Brock shut the door, told them he never wanted to return before they headed out into the woods and Alaerith gave a slight bow and whispered a quiet “I’m sorry I hit you” before joining. An immediate loud noise was heard behind them a moment later and they turned back just in time to see the hut get pulled back down into the earth disappearing as if it were never there.

Bo said he wanted to go back to the others in *Krak* and Yashani agreed, noting there was much to be discussed. They follow Brock back to *Qho’sovo* and when Brock wondered if he might want to look into a new career path Yashani assured him that what just happened likely wouldn't happen again. Brock said it was nice to meet them and Yashani said if they ever came back they would hopefully be able to offer their aide to him. As Brock returned to the *Nature’s Monastery,* Yashani heard the familiar voice of Sterling in her mind, as he cast *Sending* and told her Twynn was right about the tempest elemental in RX, that he had levelled half the city already accompanied by winds roaring in the background and RX’s voice demanding “puny organic lifeforms” bend to him. Sterling cast *Sending* to assure he was only joking, it had been educational so far, but Quincy was vibrating with boredom and were wondering when they would be coming back and signed off with his full name as usual. Alaerith and Bo, having not heard the message, saw Yashani take a sharp intake of breath before it released into a long sigh and she told the boys that the rest of their group seemed to be having a more light-hearted time then them, probably had things to share as well and suggested they head back when they were ready. Alaerith admitted he did not have as much magic currently for the full trip as last time, but they agreed they could do some running and the rest of the group would be fine before they headed off to start their journey back back to *Krak*.

1. ↑ Bo having jumped into the hole to Peligronathrax’s lair in "A Dragon’s Lair".
2. ↑ The three *Wild Sisters* is made up of Kenala, Fealtera and Gihiaz.
3. ↑ The original attack was a natural 1 but the reroll given by *Instant Replay* was a natural 20!
4. ↑ Despite the Skein Witch’s *Magical Resistance* and bonus to saves, Darrin rolled two natural 1s!
5. ↑ *Handy Haversack*