The Last Camp

**The Last Camp** is the forty first episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party venture to Eveed and meet a number of new people in the hunting camp, including one they have been looking for.

## The Last Camp

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* 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**

The party sailed along the southern coast of Palamoa, in their newly christened ship *Sanctuary,* passed the edge of the *Puhan Trading Company* and onward along the *Maltrop Strip*. They sailed through the night and into the next day as they rounded the far edge of the *Maltrop* *Strip* and followed the coast back towards the continent until they reached a large inlet, where a small dock resided. No far beyond the docks were dense, thick trees of dark bark, that stood silent and waited as a fog settled between them and saw between the dock and the trees was a small outpost where a lone guard sat, leaned out the window for a moment to wave and then went about his business.

As the ship was tied off and anchored at the dock Flamecannon asked if they thought they were ready to go or if they were staying for a bit. Sterling asked in response if they planned to leave anyone with the ship and Flamecannon said he, Charles and Luntz would stay behind. Sterling said the three would likely be the only line of defense between their ship and whatever tried to force its way onboard and Quincy and Flamecannon simultaneously reminded him of the 30 pseudodragons scattered about the ship at Luntz’s command, which Sterling noted he forgot about while Quincy gave her annoyance by the amount of noise they made and Flamecannon lamented the smell. Flamecannon told them to come back alive and when Quincy said it was always the goal Flamecannon pointed out Boreal knew what lived there in the *Maltrop* *Strip.* Bo agreed there were many dangers and when Sterling requested a briefing added they may not have to worry about people trying to attack their boat so much as any manner of creature and that the flora and fauna was not normal there. Alaerith wondered if it might be a better idea for the boat to be disconnected from the dock to avoid the danger and Bo agreed it could be good, but noted there was a non-zero chance they would be running for their lives back to the boat at some point. Bo asked Sterling how far he could cast *Sending* back to the boat and if he could do it while running and Sterling replied it could be multi-planar and that he could do it on the move, but not at full speed. Bo said that would be perfect before suggesting they could let the crew know when they were on their way back and, if they were coming in quick, so the ship could dock as they arrived.

Flamecannon asked if they wanted one of the pseudodragons to follow them and when Sterling readily agreed disappeared below the deck to ask Luntz. The party talked about how they had not been to the camp before and RX said it might be a good change of pace while Sterling agreed it should as long as they weren’t eaten. Quincy took the moment to ask Bo about Abigail Grey, Tabernacle’s daughter, and Bo didn't know the name Abigail, but noted he knew a rather feisty girl named Grey who lived with Tank. Quincy looked to the others and said they would figure out how to handle that when they survived getting to the camp. Sterling seemed confused by the timeline, citing his understanding Tabernacle was rather old and Grey was a “little girl” and the party reminded him of Tabernacle’s undead nature, while Quincy defensively added Sterling wouldn’t look great if he floated out on the sea for who knows how long. Sterling tried to leave the boat while they waited on Flamecannon and a pseudodragon and Charles, wondering what was taking so long, headed below deck as well. The group heard a loud thudding noise a moment later and RX headed to the stairwell to investigate, just as Flamecannon came up with a smile, holding a pseudodragon, while Charles lied in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. Flamecannon introduced the pseudodragon as Louis and RX went to take hold of Louis, who immediately flew off and landed on Alaerith's shoulder, which saddened RX. Sterling greeted “good morning” in Draconic, which got a “good morning” in kind, and noted with Alaerith and RX the group had three of them who could speak it as well. Bo tossed the *Ioun Stone of Awareness* into the air to orbit his head while Quincy called back for Flamecannon to not put any more holes in the ship. Flamecannon said he made no promises and the party discussed the probability of multiple holes being in the ship when they returned.

They group headed off in the direction of the treeline, while the anchor for the Sanctuary was hoisted up and moved a little from the dock. Louis took off from Alaerith’s shoulder with a comment of “eyes in the sky” and hovered 100 feet above them. Sterling partially summoned Tollanessa from the book, with the Goddess appearing as a smaller version of herself holding a tiny version of Sterling’s spellbook to sit on his shoulder, before asking Bo what kinds of flora and fauna they would be seeing. Bo apologetically told him he didn't know the names of most things, but noted if he had fought it he could describe it and tell him about it. Sterling asked about the ecosystem and Bo only really knew the *Maltrop* *Strip* was mostly dominated by magic, citing that Sync and Tank discovered Bo in a magical storm that appeared to happen fairly regularly. Bo noted that things wandered into the *Maltrop Strip* and if the magic didn't kill them were altered in various ways.

Bo continued to lead them along a barely visible path he seemed to know well and as they past through the trees and vines over the rolling ground beneath them saw the fog almost immediately cut off their view of the shore behind them when they entered the treeline. Bo warned they should watch their step, citing that Transmutation magic had “fucked up” the terrain and when Yashani asked what that meant explained the ground might suddenly shift beneath them or try to trip them so it was best to be on the lookout. Bo and Quincy, who activated *Earcuff of the Vampire Bat* to aid their hearing, heard heavy footfalls in the distance. Quincy noted it sounded similar to RX but larger and Bo said they were automatons who were dumped there by a magical storm from Mechanus and suggested they continue quietly onward as they were not hostile unless provoked. Sterling cast *Enhance Ability : Cat’s Grace* on RX, Yashani and Bo to quiet their movement, which was not enough as RX scraped against the trunk of a tree, and the tree in response, let out a high pitched scream before it’s roots burst out of the ground. The tree nearly grapple RX to the ground as Sterling cast *Vortex Warp* to teleport RX away from the roots and to his side.

The party quickly ran from the area as the sounds of the automaton appeared to be coming closer and picking up speed. As they ran Bo spotted a familiar blond and black streak leap overhead, through the trees behind them in a blur before the sound of rending metal was heard, followed by a large thud. Bo told the party they should be safe to stop and the party stopped even through their confusion. Bo led the group back who saw a seven foot tall Leonin man, with blond hair, a black furred chest, with a barbed war ax in one hand who he greeted as Sync. The two hugged as Sync noted Bo’s new friends and introductions were made with Bo noting Sync ran a shop back in the camp. Bo added the group was a long story and that they were passing through to get to the *Dusterbyan Lighthouse*. Sync said that was a conversation for Tank before he introduced himself properly and that he was the one who found Bo in the storm, naked which was a detail Bo had not shared before which amused some of the party and Bo added Sync was the one who made *Passus.* Sterling noted Sync was a beautiful man, having returned from scouring the ruins of the automaton and picked a few random gears after discovering the automaton was only a third of its whole self from Mechanus and Sync introduced himself to Sterling. Sterling asked if Sync had a unique language and Sync responded that he spoke Common. Bo told him he couldn't go around asking people things like that and Sterling noted he didn’t mean anything by it and was simply curious in a new locale. Sync sniffed the air and suggested they get a move on, noting there were three dire wolves in one direction and some type of aberration in another following them.

As they headed off Sterling cast *Web* on the trail behind while Quincy cast *Mage Armor* causing the ripple of electricity to cover them. Sterling followed suit causing his spectral oversized knight’s armor to appear and Bo, seeing the use of magic, warned them off noting magic acted differently here, while Sync added that a person lost their hand last year trying to cast a simple *Cure Wounds*. Quincy, alarmed by this, reminded them one of their party was made of magic and asked why they weren’t warned and Yashani pointed out they had been told about the *Maltrop Strip’s* unusual effect on magic before. Tollanessa said she had a headache as her form flickered and went back into the book on Sterling's recommendation. Bo continued on to say magic weapons and items should be fine, since *Passus* was made here and he had never had a problem and Sterling activated *Wizardly Quill* causing his quill to appear and saw it barely hold it's form. Alaerith lamented he would be even more useless and though Bo explained magic wasn’t useless but would be a gamble if they used it. As they continued to discuss Sync and Bo led the party through odd terrain before they came to the top of a hill covered in snow, came to a fence and a gate where they could see *Eveed* sprawled out below. They saw the camp looked as though it had been influenced by every city they had ever been to, with even some hints of architecture from *Gilesha,* as people from all over had settled there and it's diversity was even more stark by the smaller population, as the camp was home to less than a thousand people, with whole houses of wood and stone, to tents and carts made into moving vendor stalls, as well as buildings that appeared to have been there for some time.

As they enter the camp Sync asked if there was anything Bo needed to do or if they should head to the house. Bo said he should probably see Tali first as he had not seen her in nearly two years and Sync reminded him the shop and the house where they always were when he was done. Meanwhile Sterling and RX noted their lack of money and when Sterling asked Bo about their plans to make money there Bo said they could meet Tali, who he described as his sister of sorts, but noted she would likely be in a bad mood and Sync could help with work. Alaerith asked Sync if he knew of Abigail Grey and Sync said he did, though she hadn't heard the full name for a while and only went by Grey now. Sync asked why they wanted to know and Yashani admitted they knew her father and though he was gone now had expressed interest in finding her again. Sync, unperturbed by this, said he didn't know where Grey was now and was probably running around doing what she normally did. Sync pointed out they should not sneak up on her and, while Quincy agreed was good advice for anyone, asked why Grey in particular. Sync explained Grey was still not very good at controlling her own abilities and when Sterling showed particularly interest in that part asked what Sterling’s deal is. Sterling replied he was happy to be along for the ride while RX said they should find Grey. Sync said Grey was more likely to find them which Quincy considered a good thing as the party would need time to practice how they approached her so they didn't scare her. Sync turned to Bo, questioned if these were really people Bo wants to keep around and when Bo, without hesitation, said yes Quincy added that after this long he had no way out of this. Bo offered that they could meet Tali, warned she would be in a bad mood and would likely try to punch him without being able to and Quincy said it was almost reason enough to go and watch. The party agreed to let Bo visit his family alone, that the rest of them would follow Sync to find some work and Bo would meet them at the shop, noting they would get to meet Tank when he returned from his trip up north.

Bo made his way to a different end of the camp than the others and came to a building with a sign that read *Hunter’s Guild Lodge*. Bo approached the front of the stone building, spotted a familiar Mud Genasi man who he greeted warmly as Cheeks, who questioned Bo about his time away. Bo waved it off as needing a change of scenery after being in the camp for so long, asked if Tali was inside and Cheeks assured him she was and guaranteed she knew he was there. Bo said he would see Cheeks later and Cheeks said not if he saw Bo thrown off a staircase first. Bo headed to the front door at the top of a short set of stairs and the moment he opened saw a book sent flying through the air and through Bo him, followed by a woman’s voice that screamed about him being away for so long. Bo admitted there was really no way for him to talk his way out of this one as he greeted Tali and she agreed and pointed out he didn’t say good-bye when he left. Bo said he was back now and when Tali asked how long before he ran off again cautiously admitted he would likely leave again in the morning. Tali threw another book and Bo made himself corporeal so the hit would lands for Tali’s satisfaction before she came up to give him a hug.

Bo admitted there was something he wanted to discuss with her and was at least half the reason he is back in town. Tali picked up on Bo's more somber tone and led them into her office, which Bo was very familiar with. Bo started by reminding Tali how he appeared in a magical storm and asked if she remembered the clock on his back which she did. Bo recalled they assumed that meant he was good at time magic, which he was, but explained that he met an adventuring group and in their travels met a witch. Bo added that the witch also had a mark, an hourglass, that she called herself a “skein”, that when the hourglass stopped turning she faded from existence and was important because the witch said Bo was same as her and assumed at some point it would happen to him. Tali took that in for a moment before she leaned over her office desk, slapped Bo, asked him what he meant by all of this and Bo said that was all he really know. Tali asked when and when Bo said whenever the clock on his back stopped was not particularly pleased by his answer. Bo noted his only staying a day stung a bit more now and Tali said if chaining him to a post could stop him she would do it. Bo promised whenever he was finished helping the group he was with that he would spend whatever time left he had with her and Tali demanded he say good-bye the next day. Bo promised to do that, noting he would say “see you later” instead before apologizing, noting he didn't want to cut this short, that he needed to find the people he was with and would be at Sync’s if she wanted to meet them. Tali agreed agreed to join a little later before commenting Cheeks was digging a moat outside and Bo noted that was interesting before he went to join the group.

The rest of the party followed Sync to a nicely built shop with the building of a similar design to what one found in the *Badlands* just as Louis came to rest on Alaerith’s shoulder. They entered and saw the inside was lined with all manner of beautifully crafted weapons and armor, with a door left open along the back wall revealing a forge left open to the air around it. Sync put down his barbed axe, made himself comfortable and offered the group a drink. Quincy asked whatever was special to the area and when Sync tried to warn Quincy off insisted they could handle it. Sterling asked for a vodka tonic and Quincy teased him about adding cranberries to it, which Sterling happily asked for. RX asked about any oils and was provided a barrel that contained heavily muddied oil used for quenching metal. Alaerith whispered to Louis RX might like to be his friend, extended his arm to bridge the gap to RX’s shoulder and Louis dutifully went to rest on RX. Louis noting he felt like he was sitting on a building and RX, citing liked buildings, took as a compliment. Louis agreed he did too and RX said they would have much to discuss. Yashani asked to join the vodka drink, while Alaerith joined Quincy for the special even as they tried to note Alaerith’s lightweight ability to handle alcohol. Bo returned as Sync started to make the drinks with what he had and asked for a special for himself. Sync set the the vodka and strange muddled berries for Yashani and Sterling, which they were pleasantly surprised by and three shot glasses filled with black liquid. Taking a cue from Bo Quincy knocked back the large shot they were handed, while Alaerith took a moment to sip it before doing the same. Bo, used to the drink, was entirely unaffected while Quincy fell over in an immediate black out, which Sync commented against her claim of being able to handle it. Meanwhile Alaerith was immediately brought to the drunkest state he had ever been near and in spite of being at the point he couldn't talk Sync noted he was at least still standing. Alaerith drunkenly stumbled down to Quincy's level, cast *Prestidigitation* to mimic the scent of smelling salts and Quincy came to, also superbly drunk. Alaerith and Quincy giggled on the floor while Yashani asked how long they would stay like this. Sync asked Bo how long he was drunk his first time and Bo said he was still a little tipsy when he woke up the next morning.

Yashani commented they may be down two people to talk to Abigail while RX tasted his quenching his oil and found it tasted like black ash. Alaerith drunkenly patted Quincy with his right hand and Quincy cast *Minor Illusion* causing illusory little fish to fly through the air, though they appeared like badly drawn children’s drawing of fish, but still pleased themself and Alaerith all the same. Sterling told Quincy it was a good job before asking if they were not supposed to talk to the child of one of their dead companions today, but was swiftly distracted by Alaerith who cast *Prestidigitation* to make the fish bark. RX commented that they would be handling the brunt of their conversation with Abigaril and Yashani replied that she feared it did not bode well. Sterling asked Sync if there was a backroom to put Quincy and Alaeith in as Quincy hurriedly told him not to put them back in the closet as they just got out of that. Sterling assured them that they weren't going in the closet and Sync confirmed he had a place they could rest. Sterling asked them if they can walk there and offered he could turn them into a chicken, but Quincy insisted they didn't have feet. Sync pushed through the chaos to simply lift Quincy and Alaerith, the latter who delighted they were flying, carried them to another door to reveal a living room, placed Quincy and Alaerith on separate couches and instructed them to take a nap before leaving the room. Quincy almost instantly asked if Alaerith was asleep yet, to which Alaerith said he didn't know if he was, causing them both to erupt into a fit of giggling as Sync closed the door on them.

Sync commented to Bo that he knew what would happen to them before stopping short and admitting it was funny. Bo asked if Sync had any improvements for *Passus*, noting he knew Sync had been working on something before he left. Sync said he had a highly untested something, which Bo noted was fun, and that he would have to talk to Tank who had the parts. Bo took out *Passus* and his remaining gold, said he would leave it with him to do as he saw fit considering he got the first sword for free, even as Sterling noted it was the last of the gold anyone had. Sterling asked Sync if he had jobs or ways for the party to get gold around the camp and Bo first mentioned Cheeks was hoping to build a moat, though Sync warned Tali would never let that happen. Sync then suggested Bo should show them the bounty board not too far from the shop to see what is up for grabs, leaving Sterling excited. Sync noted he didn't think he would like what he found and when Sterling admitted he was usually the one who paid the bounty and was currently poor. Yashani admitted her concern at the group’s ability to kill anything here and Sterling offered that they have killed a demon before. Yashani reminded him that was when magic worked properly and RX agreed with Yashani’s point, but also gestured to the bag of coins between Bo and Sync and said they wanted and needed gold. Yashani admitted her fear was not for herself as she recalled the story of someone losing their hand, that she thought Sterling would be insufferable if he lost a hand and Sterling noted that implied she didn't find him insufferable right now was a plus. RX commented his hands could be replaced, and the group agreed they might as well look at the bounty board before refusing the idea altogether. Sync again asked Bo if he was sure about these people and Bo replied they were capable. As the group left Quincy asked if there were any snacks and Sync begrudgingly agreed to make pancakes to Quincy and Alaerith’s drunken delight.

Bo led the rest of the party to the bounty board, a large wooden sign post with four bounties brought by the *Hunter’s Guild,* including “blood sentinels”, a “horde of tyrannosaurus rex(s)”, something generally "unknown" and an “aberration”. Yashani said they all sounded terrifying before Bo offered that his specialty was aberrations. Sterling pointed out there were a lot of things classified as aberrations and Bo said he hadn’t met one he couldn't kill, though Sterling pointed out that it was true until it abruptly wasn’t. RX took a closer look at each of the posters and found the blood sentinels bounty was worth *2,000 gold*, the tyrannosaurus horde was *5,000 gold*, the aberration was *1,000 gold* and the unknown was listed as payment upon retrieval based on what was discovered. Sterling tried to say a herd of T-Rex seemed reasonable as they were non-magical, with the issue being the amount of them and Tollanessa informed him a *horde* of T-Rex was anywhere from 30-40. Bo offered there was no guarantee the creatures are not magical, or even undead, if they were within the *Maltrop Strip*. Bo also took a closer look at the board, noted that the unknown bounty had been up since before he left nearly two years ago, the paper for the aberration bounty looked newer than the others, the horde was definitely outside of their skill range and was a no good and that blood sentinels, a form of construct, were doable as he recalled Sync and Tank had taken down blood sentinels easily enough in the past. Bo said while the blood sentinels or aberration could be a safe bet, whoever asked for the unknown had waited sometime and would pay especially well, but Yashani pointed out that also likely meant many people had died trying.

While the group discusses the aberration Sterling noticed a rustle in his pocket, turned to look, found a scrawny looking girl with long dark hair had plucked some papers from his pocket and was walking away as they dipped around a corner. Sterling told the party he had been pickpocketed before he darted off after her, with RX outpacing him quickly, but when they rounded the corner found no one was there. Yashani and Bo followed, with Bo taking a second to rip down the unknown bounty and stuff it in his pocket, while Sterling cast *Locate Object* on his missing papers and felt the magic ping nearby to guide the party and followed the feeling.

Back in Sync’s shop Sync returned to the drunken Quincy and Alaerith with pancakes which they accept happily, with Quincy calling him very nice as they did not expect him to actually make pancakes. Sync warned them to eat before the alcohol rotted their stomachs and Quincy suggested they have a waiver for the “special” though Quincy wouldn’t have signed it anyway. The three heard a loud bang as the front door opened, saw a girl dart inside, come through the shop, into the living room, past Quincy and Alaerith snagging a pancake in the process, into a side room and closed and locked the door. The remaining party crashed into the shop behind her, with Sterling running to the door she disappeared behind and knocked loudly, but was stopped by Bo and Sync. Bo came up to the door, knocked gentler than Sterling, and asked Grey to come out. Grey said no, even as Bo said please and Sterling explained the papers are of no value to her. RX loudly announced they wanted to speak to her about her father, to the surprise of the group with some who told him that was a bad idea. In the following heavy silence, Sync once again noted the oddness of the group to Bo while Sterling warned RX that was not something they should say like that. Bo went incorporeal to walk through the door and startled Grey who said he knew she didn't like it when he does that though and Bo agreed no one did. Grey noted they were talking about her father and Bo said from what he had heard they met him on their travels. Grey said that didn't seem possible seeing as far as she was aware her father was dead before she was even born. Grey added that Bo ran with strange people, which made him laugh in agreement, but also called them liars. Bo agreed they had lied before, but didn't think they were lying about this. Grey handed over the papers she stole, which Bo took, and said she didn't want to talk to them, insisting no one knew her father. Bo said whenever she was ready to talk she could come out of her room and when she said she might when Tank returned left the room the way he came.

Bo told the group she didn't want to talk, but may come out when Tank returns and Yashani sarcastically said she was shocked. Quincy reminded the party when they suggested the group should practice. Sterling also said to RX, even knowing they weren't aware, that they needed to understand that when talking of the death of a loved one, it was something that needed to be handled with care. Yashani pointed out RX never mentioned anything about anyone dying and more importantly Abigail never met her father as Tabernacle had gone to sea and died before she was born. Bo said that Grey always believed her father to be gone and did not think they should tell her he was alive, with Quincy tacking on they definitely shouldn’t say he died right before he could reach her. Yashani suggested they say they found a will, which Bo was hesitant in the idea to lie to Grey at all. Sterling believed they had backed themselves into a corner though and Quincy interrupted again to say it wasn't lying to say they knew him when he was alive, technically speaking. They heard a crackling sound like electricity fizzling out as she cast *Darkness* causing the area around Grey’s door to go black and cursed in frustration. Quincy called out to ask if she needs a light as Bo just slashed the air in front of the door with *Passus* while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to dispel it and Grey called out with a thank you. Sterling, surprised by the sudden use of magic, asked Bo about Grey’s magic but Bo only knew they were tied to her emotions.

Sterling went to the door, pushed the papers back and asked if the markings on them made any sense to her or had meaning but she pushed them back and said she was just trying to pick his pockets. Quincy suggested they shouldn’t all congregate in her living room and Alaerith noted they often forget they hade *Ob’s Charm.* Quincy immediately activated theirs to say hello, confusing Alaerith and making them laugh, and Sterling removed his for the time being while RX wondered if there was an off switch to them. Sterling tried to continue the conversation without the “drunken idiots” and Quincy threatened to shoot him for being rude and pulling out *Panache.* Sterling worried how no one thought to disarm the drunk people and after a disappointed look from Yashani Quincy puts the gun away. Yashani told Quincy and Alaerith that she would cook something if they behaved themselves and slept and Quincy immediately obeyed, followed by Alaerith who hesitated before following suit and immediately falls asleep.

Sync led the rest of the party out of the room where they slept to talk and noted his amazement over how they handled that. Bo suggested he head back for Grey when Sterling stopped him and suggested they discuss how they would handle things from here. Bo made it clear he wouldn't say anything and only hoped to tell her stories of his travels as she always liked that when he came back from hunts before. As Sterling started to relax the front door of the shop opens a Halfling with broad shoulders entered and immediately asked when Bo got back into town. Bo said an hour or so ago and that he thought Tank would be gone longer and Tank replied he was hunting when the terrain shifted and that a large wall was in his way so he had to turn around. Bo introduced Tank to the party, including the two in the living room who had the special, in which Tank went to investigate and told Sync he should know better than to give the special to non-natives, but still laughed at the sight of them. Tank asked if Grey was here and the party explained Grey pickpocketed Sterling which Tank admitted wasn't unusual. Sterling commented he needed to work on that, citing it was his fault and without hesitation Tank dropped Sterling to the ground, stepped on his chest and dared him to say it was his fault again. Bo tries to defend Sterling, but Tank continues as Sterling said some of the group knew Grey’s father which was why they were here, but it hadn't gone well because RX didn't know social cues. Tank noted neither did Sterling and Sterling begrudgingly admitted as much and apologized before he was let back up. Tank admitted he had tried getting Grey to stop stealing and Yashani wondered if that doesn’t cause problems in such a small town. Sync and Tank said most people were used to it and they always tried to return what she took. Sterling noted it sounded like the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree and Tank replied that he didn’t know her father, just the guy who dropped her off. Sterling asked who that was but Tank made it clear it wasn’t important.

Back in the living room, after checking Alaerith was asleep, Quincy stumbled to their feet, went to Grey’s door and knocked gently. Grey asked what they wanted and Quincy slurred that they knew Grey doesn’t want to talk to them, but Flamecannon was at the dock if she wanted to talk to him and was one of their friends too. Quincy heard a rustle from behind the door before it opened revealing Grey who asked if he was really here. Quincy told her yes, that he was the one who told them where she was and showed the spider tattoo on the back of their left hand, in case Grey recognized it. Grey asked if Quincy promised that and Quincy readily agreed and held out their pinky for a pinky promise. Grey took the finger with her own pinky as Quincy said that they could break it if she broke their promise, but didn't plan on breaking it. As the promise was made Grey started to emit a dim light, warm and comforting before the two parted ways before Grey headed back into her room and returned to the couch.

Sterling, aware Tank was lying of the importance of the man who dropped Grey off, made it clear he didn't expect Tank to disclose everything about his ward and that they carried information she may want, but it was up to him as her legal guardian. Tank said Grey was her own person and he didn't have much say over what she did and what decisions she made. Sterling tried to reassure him they were only passing through and had no intention to take her from him and Tank called them weird people, which RX agreed with, before he left the room and into the living space past Alaerith and Quincy to fetch Grey from her room. Sterling lamented that anytime he tried being progressive with his emotions that day people had gotten mad at him and the others explained he had a very hard to like demeanour when he did it. Sterling admitted he wishes people liked him and as Yashani and Bo try to say they did like him walked away.

Tank came back out with Grey and Grey apologized for “taking the skinny boy’s shit” and Yashani admitted it was pretty funny to watch him run around, which Sterling objected to before accepting her apology. RX attempted an apology for the group, with some confusion as to what exactly they did wrong other than speak, but settled on that. As that happened the lights in the room seemed to dim, which both Tank and Bo noticed, before Tank led Grey out of the shop and the lights returned to normal.

Sync admitted it hasn’t been the easiest thing for them to deal with but had managed so far and Sterling wondered if they knew there were better ways to deal with things like that, places she could go to learn. Sync said she was fine here and Sterling agreed to hold his tongue on the matter, though he did note this place was not the friendliest to magic users. Sync admitted as much, pointing out Sterling's learned magic, but added it was dangerous to be there even if you didn't have magic. Bo added that Tali was the one to teach him when he was learning and the community worked together, with things like Bo’s *Anti-Magic* coming in especially handy. Sync warned them not to use big magic and admitted what happened to that woman’s hand was “a fluke and a half”. Sterling wondered if there was an inn they could stay in and Bo offered the *Hunter’s Guild* where Tali could put them up for the night. Sync asked what they decided for a bounty and Bo sheepishly pulled out the unknown posting, surprising the party as they had yet to make a decision. Sync instantly berated him as a bad idea before asking why and Bo just shrugged, said it had been up for two years and if anyone was to take it down it would be him. RX faked a cough to remind him the party was here, with Sterling correcting that it would be all of them and Bo eventually gave in to. Sync informed him it was further north than Bo had ever been and was close to the *Dusterbyan Lighthouse* and Yashani noted they needed to go there anyway. Sync. surprised by their plan, asked Bo what compelled him to go there and Bo said that it was a long story, but seemed he had business there. Sync was confused as to how that was possible in a place where no one went and Bo said that was why he had to go.

Sterling headed to the living room, started the process of gathering Alaerith and Quincy and noticing Alaerith was sweating in his sleep and tossing and turning on his couch decided to start with Quincy. Sterling cast *Enhance Ability : Bull’s Strength* as Quincy berated him about what Bo said about magic and as the spell was cast a popping noise was heard before Quincy and Alaerith disappeared, along with Yashani, Bo and RX. Sterling immediately was smacked by an invisible hand as RX suddenly reappeared beside him and Sterling announced everyone was invisible and no one should panic. Hearing they were invisible Quincy quietly left the couch and tried to move away to confuse Sterling and while successful in keeping hidden drunkenly smacked into a table and dropping their invisibility. Bo also smacked Sterling to drop his invisibility while RX collected Quincy and then Alaerith who had still yet to wake up from his nightmare, hit him gently to drop the invisibility and hefted him up onto his other shoulder. Quincy wriggled in RX’s grasp as they explained to RX Alaerith was having a nightmare and to wake Alaerith up, but Sterling said that was a bad idea as RX carried the two out into the shop and then outside.

As the party headed out to the *Hunter’s Guild Lodge* and said their good-byes to Sync, Quincy complained while RX was not technically bony he was uncomfortable and Sterling pointed out if Quincy could walk they wouldn’t need to be carried. In response RX activated *Telekinetic Movement* to float Quincy alongside him which they were very happy about. Sterling asked, from those who weren't inebriated, what they were doing and Yashani pointed out they were being generally tactless, which all of them agreed with. Yashani noted they couldn't do much of anything while Quincy and Alaerith were out, seeing as how Quincy might be best to do most of the talking. Bo suggested letting them just sleep it off as the group approached the lodge and spotted a Mud Genasi starting to dig a moat along the outside.