Gambler's Delight: Episode 09

### YouTube VOD

***Gambler's Delight* Episode 9** was streamed on Arcadum's Twitch channel on May 23, 2020, and premiered on Arcadum's YouTube channel on May 26, 2020.

## Summary

              The group sail to the island of Ghels Tehar. On the way, they find dolphins, which they feed. They find driftwood which they salvage supplies from, including potions to turn into sharks. After a few more days, the dolphins return with mermaid, who give the group pearls as thanks for feeding their flock. After days of sailing, the group arrive at the island.

             The group stop at the lighthouse just off the island. Eustace sticks his head in the water, finding that there are centuries worth of ships upon the sea bed, all of them bisected down the middle. The Captain, wanting to make sure their crew remains safe, drops off the group, Xetor, and Ill’ith and sails the ship away to a safe distance. Eustace investigates further, seeing the ships being bisected under the moonlight. With it still noon, the group head to the main island to investigate.

             They find the island decorated for a festival, but the various buildings abandoned. Standing atop a building, they find various points of interest. They start by finding a building encased in amber. They try to open the door, but they fail to get through the amber coating. They next go to the blacksmiths shop, where the smith, Solemn Dai. Ahst finds the ghost is able to see her when she is in the form a of Vega, but cannot see her friends. When she puts the sword of Wondox in his hand, be turns back to the form of a Vega, seeing reality for what it truly is. However, he reverts to a ghost when the sword is taken away. The group use this fact to rob his shop; Toot taking weapons while they are preoccupied, and the entire group resetting him to empty his safe.

             The group and Dai go to the Oracle, which they originally find empty. While paying for a prophesy, the Oracle arrives; an Oracle clearly possessed by an unknown creature. Moe asks her how the town can be restored; she laughs and says it cannot. All this time, Dai looks on, the sword of Wondox showing him the truth. Ahst attempts to take the sword so she can see too, but a figure appears, warning her to not touch the blade. The Blacksmith’s eyes glow Violet, and he fades away, only to have his head taken by a Violet hand. They quickly leave and return to the Blacksmith shop, seeing it enveloped in a Violet light, before disappearing, being replaced by a park, as if the building and its owner had never existed.

             The group plan an attack. Returning, Moe and Toot hide behind the curtain. Ahst asks the Oracle what happened to the Blacksmith; she answers he saw what cannot be seen. Ahst asks where the cyclops are; the Oracle states they sealed themselves because they saw more then they should. Toot takes this opportunity to stand behind the Oracle, using Remove Curse. This was a move the shadow had not expected; Toots brave and foolish action manages to successfully dispel the shadow. However, before he succeeds, the shadow grabs him by the throat, giving him visions of not just his past, but that of an orcish man. As the vision fades, his eye breaks into a seven-pointed star, giving off a pale Violet light.

             And so the first Eye opens.