Wandering Stars

### Rewards

Our animals, purple food powder, Money for the Magnica quest, A sending paper to contact General Richard Rylance, Gerome's Mage Hand, food, toys, & hamster balls, Jacob Willsworth's book, some holy water, Some hints at Creon's backstory, a Prime Institute Uniform, & the Horn of Secrets.

Our first Between Major Arcs arc! And yet, somehow, some of the craziest shit in the campaign so far went down in it. Enjoy!

(Also: It's hard to know what's too much detail and what's not enough. Quite genuinely, if someone wants to help tell me what the medium between This behemoth and bullet points is, I'd genuinely appreciate it.)

## On The Road Again

###### Session 12

Post our somewhat harrowing trip Magnica, The Party headed off once more to Keller, via the light pathway. Sheevah asks Gerome to construct something to throw things at her to improve her dexterity. Zephi asked for someone to hit her, to improve her constitution. Gerome crafted a hook from scrap metal to replace his lost hand. Vigil made a bond with the Starfather's axe, which he took from the Ironbane Mines; it now flashes red when it's being used or summoned.

Creon, searching for a ship to sell him weapons, spots a ship helmed by a Mercane. Zephi messages him, and he pulls over and introduces himself as Elias Sildur. He shows off his wares; a number of animals in cages. Zephi gets excited about the mini giant space hamsters and buys one, and Gerome buys the remaining 4 hamsters. Creon buys a "War Toad". It's a Toad. Sheevah asks if he has anything with wings, and he reveals a baby owlbear, which she buys. Vigil checks on the cows while everyone is distracted. Lots of blank staring. He feels weird about it after. Sheevah names her owlbear Fuzzy Wuzzy.

Sildur returns and sells Creon an arcane purple powder that can transform into enough sustenance for an entire day. Gerome and Zephi buy 30-day supplies of food for each of their mini giant space hamsters. Elias Sildur and Creon have some tension when Creon accuses him of hiding something, but it's like, sexual tension and its weird. Sildur invites him over that night, everyone else stands watching in mild horror. Creon visits Sildur that night. We still don't know what happened. He's there for 3 hours. We continued flying for another day or two, pop out of the lightway, and land on Keller at the Western Quarter Docks on the 22nd of Fralas.

## Back on Solid Ground

###### Session 12

We decide to head straight for Rylance, and debate on what to say about Karn. As soon as we enter his home, Rylance mentions Gerome is missing his hand, and Gerome replies, "We're also missing a party member if you hadn't noticed." Vigil explains what happened. Gerome tries to bully Rylance into feeling bad and giving us insurance. No dice.

Rylance seems vaguely familiar with the concept of the Phlogiston, the 'place between the stars' or 'beyond the stars'. (1:33:00) He does not seem to recognize Spawn or Vash. Zephi shows him the tree she remembers, and he confirms he recognizes it as the Tree of Worlds. Vigil checks in about Vega, and Rylance reveals he's *keeping Vega in his basement.*There's an antimagic shell, sure, but my god. He says it's the safest place they have to detain him, and that Vega has serious animosity against Vigil and Yfrit. Rylance says the Spinning Black may be a way to access the Phlogiston.

Rylance pays us 750Gp, 150GP each. Gerome is salty about the lost hand, and Rylance suggests we go to our pal George Ullin who may have something to help. We mention the plate we found with Karafel's face on it (1:47:00) and gives us a general description (/1:50:00). Zephi takes out the plate and allows him to look at it. The right eye is chipped off, the left eye is where the gem is. Rylance mentions an old war buddy who helped on science things who would have called it a Vice, and says finding this friend, Hector Gilligan, (1:56:00) will help in our quest to learn more about it.

Creon and Vigil go down to confront Vega. He's not restrained, he's just in an anti-magic field/bubble. Vega says he doesn't know about the Phlogiston and reemphasizes that he wasn't working in a team, or for anyone. Vigil asked if he ever met a Halfling [!], Vega has not, but is weird about it. Rylance confirms he is a spellcaster.

## Let's Split Up!

### Research!

Zephi has a moment with Rylance; she shows him the plate again and her lute. Rylance reveals Vices are more accurately called Soul Vices (3:05:00). Zephi shows Rylance through some prestidigitation that there are three figures in the mirror behind her. Rylance reveals more about Jacob Willsworth, telling her to go find some of his academic writing, which also referenced an Orb of Immeasurable Power, at the Central Library. 3:12:00.

Sheevah goes to the library to meet with Yfrit. They talk about dragons. (2:16:00) Mostly about the Crystal Dragon, who seemed to be in charge. I won't info dump that here, partly because it may be too meta. But Yfrit does mention a scale with a lot of power. Argarians had some problems with the Yuan-Ti, largely forgotten or absorbed in the DSK/Haladesh conflict.

### Shopping!

Gerome makes his way to Arcane Answers and meets a Very happy George Ullin. They devise some Wild shit to replace his hand. Just wild. Gerome charges the bill to Rylance's "tab" with a 19 deception check, and only pays 75GP. Sheevah, Creon, and Vigil walk in. 2:37:00, Stella passes her first level of enchantment. (2:55:00) list of things bought.

Gerome makes his way to Gormon's, which sells bits for spells and devices. He buys some odds and ends off a goblin named Krank, and also asks about explosives, and somehow manages to convince the guy to sell him 2 packets of gunpowder. Everyone ends up at an animal supply shop run by a Firbolg, Phillim, and also meet his pet cat Ferdinand. We buy food, toys, and hamster balls. Phillim also mentions a Mercane fellow by the name of Gillium, who is his supplier.

### Backstory!

###### Session 13

Creon heads to the military cemetery. There is a funeral ending, and Creon meets with a man called Uthorim who had attended. They spoke about Admiral Aldour Portant (23:00), the man who had died, and some cryptic stuff about death. They return to his office to drink, and he mentions that Condor Surge (**?? @Darcy did i hear this right??**), Creon's old training officer, is ill and will be making his last visit to Keller soon. Creon... fills a vial with some of the whiskey?

Zephi goes to the research library and goes Full Zephi mode. She sets out for Yfrit, and gives her a paper with Jacob Willsworth's name, and the term Soul Vice, and asks for all of the information on it. She receives *On The Study Of Worlds: The Collective Journals Of Academic Jacob Willsworth Vol I*. Yfrit says Soul Vices are restricted material and you would have to be a professor at the Prime Institute to gain access. She asks Yfrit where the best place to get lit is, and Yfrit responds The Flaming Coven. She sneaks out with the book.

Sheevah tests some strange springy shoes for Gerome; it doesn't go well. Suddenly, the ship is engulfed in silence, and when they turn, Adlaema is standing there. She holds out bracelets to them, and after Gerome's hesitation, she says "You do trust me. Eventually," and accept them. She asks if we'd met Spawn yet, (yes) or Tiberik (no). And she disappears.

## Getting Lit

Zephi and Creon return back to the ship just after Adleama disappears. Sheevah brags about the bracelet. Zephi convinces everyone to come to The Flaming Coven, convincing Creon to come by deciding that we were actually having a Meeting there.

Zephi does her signature on the ceiling as Sheevah notices a Kobold with their hood up by the bar, and makes sure to hide from his sight for the rest of the evening. Zephi splits off and everyone else orders drinks and Creon orders chipped ice in a glass. A tielfling with red skin, curled horns, & a black suit announces to the crowd that there's a contest and anyone could sign up to compete in a 1v1. Gerome signs Vigil's name. Zephi signs the list at the top and speaks to the tiefling, who takes interest and introduces himself as Gilderoy DeVille. They chat, (1:06:00) and Zephi flirts with his posse.

The contest begins and Zephi is of course up first, and her fighting partner is some half-orc named Gorthax. Creon runs forward before she can say anything and says he will fight on her behalf. Creon Inflicts Wounds on this guy's neck, and is way too into it. They start grappling, and Sheevah sneakily manages to heal Creon. Gerome places bets on Creon winning. Creon finishes Gorthax, to wild applause. Zephi climbs up and sits on Creon's shoulders.

Gerome 'steps in' for Vigil, which is super, definitely dumb. His fighting partner is Felwind, a half-elf. He pulls out one of his turrets which projects.... two people fucking?? And we're off to the races. Gerome is very obviously outranked here, and Sheevah tries to sneakily heal again, but she's spotted. Creon does the same and is also spotted. To give the approaching guard reason to avoid them, Zephi swings around Creon's neck, slaps him (using thaumaturgy to make the slap loud), and starts loudly fighting with him about stepping in for her in the previous round. Creon goes along with it and the crowd is suddenly all upset with Creon.

The commotion doesn't distract Gilderoy, who approaches Sheevah and has her escorted/thrown out by a bugbear. Zephi and Creon make it over to the bar, Gerome is knocked out and promptly healed by the in-house cleric. Vigil grabs Gerome, and carries him out, Creon and Zephi close behind. Zephi leaves a note tacked to the door; "Gilderoy; sorry I had to leave early; looking forward to next time." and autographs it.

## Ship

The party heads back to the ship, and as it's only been a week, Zephi suggests Getting to Know You games. Creon teaches us the rules to a strategy game **(HEY JULIA/DARCY WHAT IS THIS CALLED?)**. Creon and Zephi are neck and neck when the voices in her head suggest a move and she wins. Creon gets up, leaves, and slams the door. Gerome makes hamster balls for each of the ship's 5 hamsters. Creon asks Gerome to make the War Toad some armor. Vigil, Zephi, and Sheevah chat, and then Zephi goes up to read Jacob's writing. Gerome writes a letter.

23rd of Fralas. Gerome goes to Arcane Answers and completes what he needs for his mage hand, and then goes back to Krank at Gorgon's for some other supplies, including armor for the War Toad.

Zephi starts looking for a boutique to buy some sweet new digs, accompanied by Sheevah, and finds one run by a human woman **(@Darcy wanna retroactively name her/the store?)**. They both get cute new outfits, which I keep meaning to draw and will put here. (2:30:00). I didn't remember Sheevah's jumpsuit was emerald! Zephi pays for both outfits completely unflinchingly, and then everyone heads to Rylance's.

Rylance says they're looking into the Spawn, but otherwise has nothing. He gives Sheevah a Sending paper that we can use to write him and he can reply. Rylance brings up Hector Gilligan and Creon and Gerome get weird about it. Rylance says he doesn't want to hear about our drug stuff. and also confirms what we're doing for him is kinda *illegal*. (2:46:00). Zephi asks if Rylance knows any professors, and he says he doesn't. Did Rylance not go to college??

## Out and About

Zephi goes to the prime institute, Gerome goes to the Post Office, Sheevah goes to the Temple she found, having bought some cleaning supplies, and starts cleaning, and leaves it looking immaculate as possible.

At the Prime Institute, Zephi looks for the History building and stops a student to help her find it. She says the general history department is on the east side of campus, and they walk together. She introduces herself as Jenny a Transmutation student, and Zephi as Zeep, a first-year with an undecided major. They chat a bit, and Jenny invites 'Zeep' to a party. It's at the Eastern Dorms in Apartment F103, and asks Zephi to bring booze. Jenny drops Zephi off at the building, and she begins looking for a Necromancy professor who could help her understand what a Soul Vice is. She knocks on the door of Kruk Ashfinger. A few seconds later a tiny kobold answers the door, and Zephi recognizes him as the one from The Flaming Coven that Sheevah was avoiding. Zephi says she has some questions, and convinces Kruk she's in one of his classes (with a 22!) Zephi shows Ashfinger Jacob's book and asks about Soul Vices; he says Jacob only studied 'Planar Stuff', and says of Jacob and his writing;

> He's-- a bit of a crackpot, honestly, he's not much of a reputable source, he-- I mean look at the way he writes his journals, they're not-- they're not-- they're not scientific, they're personal logs, it's fucking terrible. Also it's 400 years out of date!
>
>

Zephi asks if there's anything new that's been discovered, and Ashfinger insists it's not a topic that's been pushed because it's silly. After some back and forth, Ashfinger makes it clear that he doesn't know who she is and refuses to give her information, as even senior students have to go through a whole process to study dark magic. He asks her to leave but she's already out the door.

Creon wants to make holy water, so he meditates and thinks of war. (3:05:00). Slowly the world slips away and he hears battle cries and other sounds of war. Unlike a usual meditation, however, he feels a hand on his shoulder, and 'looks up' to see an Elven figure saying, "Creon, you're wrong, you're very wrong, you're so wrong," who drops to his knees. Creon can't react much, but it's Ellisar Naeleth, who continues calling out to Creon, and with increased intensity and fear in his voice, eventually disintegrates. The vision fades and Creon is left alone, and seems to feel it was worth it. He may wipe away a tear first.

Zephi gets Sheevah to comfort her and agrees to let Sheevah read her the book as a 'bedtime story'. In the book Jacob mentions Gregor Tiberak, which rings a bell from when Adlaema gave Sheevah and Gerome bracelets earlier. The name makes the scales on the back of Sheevah's neck go crystalline. She asks her God who Tiberak is, and the response is, "I have not always been who I am now. This is someone... I may have wronged." Sheevah asks in what way, but the voice fades.

Gerome: at the post office. 1 secret one, and the second to the stock exchange. The party meets up to discuss our next move; Gerome suggests finding a church as a starting point to figure out how to resurrect Karn. Looking at the central part of the map, Gerome notices a small temple. Creon racks his brain for a life cleric, rolls a nat 20, and remembers The Temple of Vitality; we decide to check out the small temple first.

## Pilgrimage! To the center of town

###### Session 14

Homebrew Resserection rules until (00:03:50)

00:04:00- 0:55:36. The party heads to check out the temple in the center of town. It is a large building made of the same stone as the rest of K-Central, with two large spires in front with gold energy pulsing on them like veins. Outside, there is a statue of Otia, "warrior of life" & "breathbringer", a major deity of Zamana. She is covered in plate armor with a radiant sun on her chest, holding a sword. Creon tries to open the door quietly but we make a small scene; he heads to the back of the temple, where another large statue of Otia stands. The rest of the party sticks to the back; there are some civilians in pews, as well as acolytes or 'Woken' of Otia, scattered throughout the temple. All of the Woken wear long white robes, have shaved heads, pale white skin, and blue shapes running across their skin.

Gerome approaches one of the acolytes or 'Woken' of the temple who, like civilians, are scattered throughout the temple and the pews. He asks what their policy on reincarnation. Rein-Karn-ation, if you will. They explain that we have likely come to the right place, and offer to take us to the head of the temple, a 'Dawnseer' named Sybil, and we follow. Meanwhile, Creon is knelt in front of Otia, right hand clasped over his left shoulder, as is the customary position for her faith. He doesn't notice the rest of the party leaving.

Sybil welcomes us into her office. There's a suit of armor in her office holding a sword, but it's too dark to tell if it was ever used in battle, or if it's just decorative. Sybil has a golden circle running through her temple, similar to a halo tattoo. Sybil asks us how we can help, and Gerome reiterates his question. Sybil explains that Otia is the goddess of life, and so, in a way, there's no better deity to turn to. Sybil explains that Otia, and her followers, work toward the preservation of life in all instances; Otia is the warrior of life. Back in the early days of the universe, Otia was the first to pitch creatures that were lesser than deities, what the deities could create and bring to life. But it was taken that there should also be consequences, *so they created death*; cut to;

Creon, (our *grave* cleric), still kneeling before the statue of Otia downstairs, has a calming sense that all his skin that the light is touching is warmer than it would be normally.

Cut back to Sybil; the other deities created death, but that's where 'warrior' comes from; Otia doesn't like the thought of death, and it is her fight to get life to continue on. She's the right person to put faith in if we want to resurrect someone. Vigil asks if it's more of a test of faith than it is one of components, though Sybil clarifies we need someone who can possibly resurrect (Creon). Sybil says to help, we could find someone at a larger temple, closer to the Open Territories, and speak to those who were involved with the war and knew about resurrection intimately. There's one near Thaphus.

We worry we need extra stuff to make this happen because Karn was a Certified Big Boi (Sheevah lifts Gerome up to Karn's height to demonstrate); Sybil confirms we only need one diamond worth 500gp and someone who can cast the spell. We ponder where Karn's soul even is, but Sybil says that if we have someone in the party of faith, she can help locate his soul Right Now. We realize at this moment we don't know Karn's last name. Oops?? We go downstairs to fetch Creon, who makes a whole thing about it, until Gerome says, "come on, doofus" and we all follow Sybil up to the top of an open parapet, with carvings of Otia fighting, skulls, and Otia fighting death itself up the walls.

### Bring Him Home/Run For Your Life

Sybil asks if anyone of us is of faith; Vigil says he's on his way, Zephi points at Creon who says "some might say." Sybil probes further, "Faith in who?" And Creon, ever the bitch says, "in what, rather." Another probe from Sybil gets Creon to admit "of War." Sybil confirms that all in all, that's not that different than Otia's belief, as they fight a war too, a war against death. Creon's very into this, and Otia, and was hoping she'd say that.

Creon and Sybil take each others hands, and the halo around Sybil's head glows golden. Creon's chest glows, and the world falls away. Everything is unclear and resisting being seen, just light and blurring color before things settle. Sybil asks for Karn's name, and Creon has a moment but says Karn. A golden thread appears in the air which she pulls, and the rest of the world moves, and blurs. Will Creon get lucky? Unfortunately not. Sybil says his soul is difficult to find, and her information on him is very vague, as she's trying to find a soul on a single name.

But Creon wants to try another name, grabs Sybil's hand tighter, and asks her to look for Ellisar Naeleth. The two appear, holding hands, in a black iron wrought chamber. It's fairly physical and realistic now. There's cauldrons full of green cracking flame, and slowly they begin to hear wailing, crying, and then we change the music from Sherlock so we stop giggling. Creon leads the way, and can pass through physical layers, and finally comes across a figure huddled in a dark corner. Creon approaches, and yes, it's Ellisar. Sybil seems very uncomfortable and asks where Creon is taking her. Ellisar starts sobbing, and saying Creon's name. As he gets closer, the face of Ellisar turns and is... wrong. It's this skeletal figure, with two red eyes, and long black marks across the bone. It looks up and gives a creepy smile-look. Sybil panics and asks where they are, as the figure gives a somewhat sinister "bye" before Creon yeets the two of them out and back onto the tower, in reality. (Was this Vash? Karafel?)

The party sees none of the rest of this. Sybil and Creon were just standing there. They both looked fairly upset toward the end, Sybil especially. Creon says Karn can't be found and rushes down the stairs away from us. We again ask about Karn, and Sybil says that the first friend could not be found, and when we ask about the second friend, who the rest of the party didn't know Creon would try to contact, Sybil just says that Creon is more troubled than he seems, and was seeking something, and the place they went was disturbing.

Sybil says she can't try again today, and advises we talk to Creon about this. She says it's not necessarily a bad sign that we can't find Karn, and that more information would help next time. We go back to the ship.

We interrogate Creon. 1:02:00. It's so fucking funny. We're not going to Thaphus (near the Citadel of Vitality) right then, because of the party. We also need to find Hector Gilligan, but like... after the party, you know? Especially because Nym is a planet that is really really difficult to place. Gerome is "not in love" with the idea of going back to Nym for Hector, anyway. Zephi tries to explain why they need to go to the party; steal a uniform, so she can talk to a professor, who could take out a book from the library on soul vices, which are in the restricted section of the library. Gerome spends some time making some boots, which pays off. He shoots up 20ft into the air, does a flip, and falls into Vigil's hands "like a little baby boy". VIgil tries them on, and... doesn't do great. He takes a big nap to sleep off the 10 damage.

### Party Rock is in the Dorm Tonight

Zephi goes to a liquor store and buys 5 6-packs of the Equivalent to White Claw. It's called White Claw. Sheevah comes along and takes Fuzzy Wuzzy. We stop by Arcane Answers to say hello. Vigil & Gerome also decide to come as well. We don't do Great on stealth, and a security guard comes over to check us out. Zephi and Vigil slip away leaving Sheevah (carrying one of the White Claw packs) and Gerome to fend for themselves. Zephi and Vigil go into the East dorms, and find Jenny's dorm. The party is, I cannot stress this enough, lame as hell. Zephi sets out to fix this, and claims Vigil is her bodyguard. There are only two other people inside, a gnome and a half-elf. Zephi changes the colors of the lights, and uses her special lute extension to play party music, and makes it 3x louder with Thaumaturgy. The lights start popping with the beat, and Sheevah and Gerome, being escorted away by the security guard, turn to see this throw a window in a dorm nearby. The security guard runs off to deal with the party. Gerome and Sheevah sneak behind a building, crack some White Claws, and chat about nothing.

Zephi runs out of the dorm and knocks on Every Door. Students slowly emerge from their dorms and filter into the parties. Vigil is very excited by the experience, as he was homeschooled, and drinks super irresponsibly. He's dancing so, so much. There's a knock at the door, (obviously a cop) and Zephi uses Thaumaturgy to make some rumblings and screaming for security outside the building, and they hear the security guard leaves. Zephi snags the half elf's cape and pants from his room. Zephi needs to find a bard to pass the party onto; Laura and Elizabeth insist there is one jackass who brought a guitar. Zephi overhears a conversation between the gnome and half-elf, Fent and Daelen respectively, Fent insisting he'd really love to give it a try and play some music, though Daelen says "I love you man, but I don't think you're there yet...". Zephi offers Fent a try and a point of inspiration. He goes for it, and he's not quite as good, but he's managing, and Zephi grabs Vigil and hauls him out as she blows a kiss goodbye to Jenny. Vigil was contemplating doing a crowd dive, so it's a good thing they got out when they did.

Gerome notices the student metalworking shop and breaks in with thieves' tools. He looks for anything interesting, ("like a senior thesis project that could really do some damage") and finds a bunch of scrap metal, more smith's tools, and a long piece of brass with two openings. He takes all of these things, and an apron with the Prime Institue logo on it.

## There's No Earthly Way of Knowing Which Direction Nym is Going

We all head back to the ship. Creon's been waiting for us, disapprovingly. Sheevah feels the sending paper being used, tells us all and we pour over to look to see the following written by Rylance;

> Hector Gilligan captured. Find Nym, find Gilligan, return to Keller, 1200GP.
>
>

So, we have a mission! Sheevah writes back '1500GP'. He writes back '1200 Gold Pieces.'. We tried! She writes back "Yeah. How?" He writes;

> That part I'll leave up to you; the gnome friend should be able to help, Nym is difficult but not unobtainable. It is a secret, its location.
>
>

Gerome knows that we need to find or make something to locate Nym, but the Wand of Secrets we found in the Ironbane Mines won't help us like Sheevah suggests, though it's not a bad start. Nym's movements are chaotic, so Gerome doesn't have an idea where it might be now. Gerome suggests we build a magical compass, with the wand of secrets as a starting point. Vigil suggests we look for a recently docked gnome ship in the morning, and Gerome also decides to ask the post office how they deliver mail there in the morning as well.

24th of Fralas!

We all go to the post office, where a tall wood elf with a WILD voice answers our questions (2:12:45 if you wanna refresher.) He says that it takes quite a bit of time, and one of their ships first has to find it, which involves some divining magic, and one of the guilds is usually responsible for finding them. Also apparently in order to receive mail again, you do have to return to that post office. huh. they should get email. The wood elf says that we can inspect the skiff-like spelljammers they use to search, with their rotating "bugle of detection", and IMMEDIATELY Gerome is like ***OH SHIT!!*** because that horn he found at the Prime Institute IS ONE OF THE HORNS! FUCKING NAILED IT MY DUDE. AND Y'ALL JUDGED ME FOR WANTING TO GO TO A PARTY. 'WHY ARE WE HERE' YOU SAID. 'THERE'S NO PLOT REASON FOR THIS'. SUCK MY NUTS AND GIVE GEROME 10 GOLD THIS WAS GENIUS. Anyway, the bugle is made by the DSK Military and uses their technology and blueprint, without which it's difficult to make but is relatively simple in actual construction, just the bugle and the wood piece at the back.

Gerome goes back to the ship, and forges the wand to the bugle, and it starts rotating, to indicate it's looking. The new Horn of Secrets has only 1 charge per day for Looking purposes. We think it's a good idea to set off in the direction of the Citadel of Vitality, to revive Karn, while looking for Nym, and if we find it along the way GREAT, if not, that's fine. Creon decides to cast augury to see if this is a good idea, using Karn's tusk. Vigil wants to know if there's a Gnembessy, a Gnome Embassy, to ask about this first, but has no idea. Gerome considers "writing the corporate office". Vigil decides to go day drink at the Starwhale Pub and see if he hears any scuttlebutt. Creon accompanies, Gerome goes to a cafe, and Zephi goes back to the library.

### The Cheppy Chronicles

Gerome orders an Americano, and notices a small gnome, a bit shorter than him, sipping on his own drink. Gerome strikes up a conversation, they introduce themselves; the other gnome's name is Cheppy, a merchant who's also looking to visit Nym again. Laura's brain goes into overdrive but does not know why. Gerome asks how best to use our new horn, and Cheppy explains it's best to use it whenever you're in the most open space you can find that day. It's generally in the most populated areas, rather than by a small planet, like Azotis, but still tend to stay a few astral units away. Laura's brain again is inexplicably on fire. Gerome leaves, and nothing bad happens!

Vigil and Creon are awkward. Vigil tries to start conversation, Creon accidentally shuts him down without realizing and feels bad but not bad enough to do anything about it. They power walk race to the bar. Vigil wins. There are no gnomes here. Vigil steps on Creon's foot. Vigil asks about a gnome, and the bartender says there was one visiting not long ago. Creon pulls on Vigil's tail. They're both grimacing but trying to be discreet about their mutual bullying. (2:39:00. Please listen through, it's good.). Vigil asks this guy where the gnome is staying but obviously the bartender won't give him his room number, what the fuck. The bartender tells them to order, and they simply do not. Creon loudly announces "sixteen silver for information on the gnome" and that does not work. simply at all. They start whispering angrily to each other about doing crimes. Out of nowhere, Creon turns and decks the bartender. Darcy begins crying. Vigil runs upstairs and isn't noticed. The bartender grapples Creon and pulls him toward the door. Vigil starts checking the doors but then is reminded by a lil birdie that the gnome is not actually here right now.

Creon is still fighting the bartender and pretends to be drunk, which bewilders the bartender but he believes it. Vigil breaks down one of the doors upstairs with his horns, and reveals a cot and a leather satchel. He rifles through and finds some books and notes, and goes to break down the other door. The bartender turns hearing Vigil upstairs, and Creon swings at him. The bartender gets away and goes to run upstairs, but Creon grabs him. Vigil breaks down the next door, and the room appears to be fully empty. Some human guy comes out of the last room, and asks Vigil what he's doing. "I forgot my key!" "Did you... did you break down the door? What is wrong with you?" "Wait no I-- hey what's your name?" but the guy is already going downstairs. Vigil goes in his room where there's just some whiskey and a balled-up sweater. Vigil goes to break down the last door but gets his horns stuck. This is a room with some soft noises coming out, but he chooses not to break it down. Creon gets decked in the face. Suddenly, a gnome walks in. Creon bends down and talks sweetly to him like he's a small child. Vigil steals that human guy's dirty white sweater and puts it on. The human comes down and tells the bartender about Vigil, and the bartender runs upstairs. Creon tries and fails to use a code word. Vigil and Cheppy run into each other and Vigil tries to charm him into info about Nym.

We learn the bartender's name is Maury, who comes up, followed by the human, who tells Maury that Vigil is the guy busting down doors. Vigil responds, "Oh that's what I was meaning to talk to you about: there's someone upstairs busting down doors." Creon runs upstairs and tells them not to racially profile and assume Vigil is the one breaking them down. Vigil rolls a nat 20 deception. Maury assumes it's the human, and the blame is fully off him. Vigil, Creon, and Cheppy get to chatting, and Vigil asks him out to coffee. Cheppy agrees, and takes them to the same cafe he met Gerome at earlier. Gerome is still there.

A waiter comes over and takes their orders. Vigil tips well. Gerome and Vigil and Creon pretend like they don't know each other. Cheppy tells them all the same things, but now remembers that Nym was last seen around Sylvion. They all have a lovely time, and I quote, "share many intimate secrets".

Zephi and Sheevah went to the library. The librarian shows Zephi the section on Nym, and learns a lot about them, all of which I put on the Nym page. This is already so long. This session was NUTS packed.

We meet back up on the ship. Vigil lies and says he bought the sweater. Zephi plays with her hamster. Vigil finally, finally mentions Cheppy's name. Darcy interrupts and Laura finally realizes why the FUCK Cheppy seems so familiar and freaks out. Zephi makes a tree, and tries to explain that Cheppy found her. The party gets it, and tells her he's at the Starwhale Pub. She runs off to go say hello.

Creon finds a moment alone, (5:50 remaining). He hears a voice quietly say, 'I didn't kill him. None of that. But, I could bring him back.' Creon doesn't recognize the voice or where, everything else is completely drowned out. "I'm not what you think I am. Thank you very much." Creon makes a wisdom check on how real this is; the voice is not an illusion, but he's not sure where it's coming from. Creon goes off to his quarters and when alone, responds as calm as he can, "who are you?"

The voice responds, "You know my name. You've been talking about me a lot lately. Karafel."

Then we ended the session and didn't meet for 3 weeks. Fun fact this is right when Julia got Nova!!

## We're On Our Own; Awesome. Wow.

##### Session 15

Still 24th of Fralas. I wasn't around for this session! I'll try my best.

Nick buys all of us stickers and distributes them. Thanks Nick!!!!

We have several options re: where to go next.

1. There's the laboratory on Nafrin, where Jacob worked for a time; Adlaema implied earlier to Sheevah and Gerome that we would eventually go there and meet Gregor Tiberak. Sheevah's patron also recognized Tiberak's name and said they may have wronged him in the past.
2. Rylance also wants us to find the kidnapped Hector Gilligan on Nym, with a reward of 1200GP being offered.
3. And, of course, there's the matter of resurrecting Karn. For that, we'd have to go to Thaphus, where there is likely a Dawnseer strong enough to return him.

So, where are we off to?

Zephi runs off to catch up with Cheppy, and returns shortly after.

Do we have enough gold to resurrect Karn? Vigil has 249 GP. Sheevah has 216 GP. Creon has 76 GP. Gerome will not say anything, but he doesn't have or is unwilling to give up 100 Gold for him. I wasn't there so Zephi didn't have to disclose how much gold she has. Elizabeth makes a google calendar for us. (Can i get a sweet link to that??) It's been 38 minutes and we haven't figured out where to go.

Creon gets broody and after hearing Karafel's name, throws his augury bones at his vanity mirror, which I guess he has???? After rejoining the party on the main deck, he casts augury on whether or not it would be smart to head to Magnica with the purpose of finding Hector Gilligan. Creon receives Woe. He then casts again if heading in the direction of Sylvion in order to find Hector Gilligan will yield good results. Creon receives Weal. Great!

Sheevah gets a weird stranger to point out the names of a few star systems; Orlin, Xent, Felwind & Linrov. Sheevah knows Xent is a B6 planet. We get the Horn of Secrets ready, Zephi manning it. We set sail! We choose not to use the lightpath because we don't want to zoom right past it by accident.

Right as we set off, Creon realizes he wants to write a letter to his mom to say he's on his way. We decide to stop at Orlin so that he can send one at the post office there. Wow. That's how that happened? That's REALLY how that happened?

Gerome convinces Vigil gnomes don't have to eat. Creon casts augury to see if landing on Orlin is a good idea. He gets weal and woe; the party loses it when Creon exaggerates what this means, and gets excited that one of us may genuinely die. Click the link it's a great moment. We Tokyo Drift towards Orlin. The Horn of Secrets does not pick up on Nym.

I'm cutting it here; we can see Orlin in the distance. To follow along, please go ahead and read Brokeback Laboratory. Holy shit. I really finished it. Wow. Holy shit. holy shit. okay. yeah!