Session 18-C: Why(y)'d You Have to Go?

## Key Plot Developments

Glyn, viewed as a prophet by many in the hamlet of Durhlong, basks in joy at his conquest. Y inspects the necklaces he'd handed out to its occupants; he can't detect any magic (which is odd, since they appear to magically replicate with Glyn's assistance). Glyn speaks with Rufus, the town's battle-master; Rufus indicates that he's pleased that Glyn was able to inspire some confidence in the town. Mayor Pierce is less enthused, and privately speaks with Glyn. She persuades the young goblin that he should set his sights elsewhere; she offers to be the steward of the town in his absence. She reminds him of key lessons of leadership, including effective delegation. He eventually agrees. She makes a political appearance with him, confirming that she has his blessing to continue to govern.

Glyn receives a substantial amount of gold and other valuables from the grateful townsfolk, most of whom are convinced that he was chosen to lead them through the End Times. He decides to meet up with the rest of his family; when last they met, they were in Anna's garden. He asks Y to join him there.

Y can't teleport them into the garden directly; he says that the place is teeming with faerzress. However, he can return them to the Silken Paths. They get back, but are ambushed by giant spiders. Glyn and Y, not wanting to risk capture or death, escape.

Finally, they return to Anna's garden. Annarei claims to have been visited by a prophecy from the Dark Prince. She fears that Gracklstugh may soon attack her grove. She doesn't want that to happen and she asks if Glyn can do anything about it. Glyn, filled with confidence from his exposure to Mayor Pierce's lectures on leadership and his apparent conquest of the town, agrees to go directly to the Deepking and convince him to call off any pending attack.

Y, poking around the grove, finds Giggles the ogre. He recognizes her from the Society of Brilliance and attempts to remove any curses or conditions that may have been placed on her. His efforts fail. He reaches out to Grazilaxx for assistance and privately receives instructions. He looks at Glyn, looks at Anna, and comes to a stunning realization. Wishing Glyn well, Y rushes out and teleports away.

Glyn, stunned that Y would leave so soon, asks the grove's members for any information they have on Gracklstugh. Zeks and Edsel say that they used to be carrion crawler commandos for the Deepking's army, but deserted after being shown Anna's alternative way of life. They're very familiar with the warring factions of the legalistic, slave-dependent city. They promise to guide Glyn to Gracklstugh using the Darklake, but will not enter its borders; they are unwilling to return to the home that would, they say, kill or enslave them if they are discovered.

Glyn is introduced to various factions on his way to the city, including the Council of Savants (a group governed by the Derro--the best and brightest of an ethnic group enslaved and forced to live in substandard conditions by the Deepking), the Keepers of the Flame (a group tasked with keeping the city's forges lit), and the Council of Lairds (a group where prominent families are represented and ordered to inform the Deepking).

Glyn is not very concerned with these political intricacies. After all, he just conquered a city. What's one more?