Behind the Waterfall

**Behind the Waterfall** is the fifty second episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party meet new faces familiar to Yashani and learn new things about the history of the Order of Ruin.

## Behind the Waterfall

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Reminder, the first episode of the *Well Versed* premiered last week, check out The Prophecy!
* Check out episode two this week!
* (after the intro) Another Bad Side Quest has been nominated for the New Jersey Web festival, along with our special guest @KrissyInColor who was also nominated for her own work!

### **Part One**

The remaining party, after Yashani had activated *Ob’s Charm* to let them know they could come, made their way up the stone stairs up to the temple at a slow pace as the still exhausted RX led the way, with his joints creaking painfully with each step up. Yashini introduced each of them to Valeu as they made their way inside and when Sterling, who had already begun taking notes on his way up with his *Wizardly Quill*, asked Valeu if it was alright to do so agreed there was nowhere Sterling could go to do any real damage. Valeu turned to the others, introduced himself as the master to Yashani before he introduced himself as Valeu Somnis. He also added that he was Yashani's uncle before asking them what brought them there since she left. Sterling explained that they did not know exactly what it was that brought them there and, after looking to Yashani for permission to continue who nodded her approval, asked if Valeu knew anything about the Rakhind Forefathers. Valeu said he was, noting there were books in the library and Sterling replied they were in resting place of 'the exile', the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse*, and found remnants of things to break others. Sterling added they were trapped there before found an exit that led them here, although they were unsure they had managed to truly escape it. Valeu said he would like to see this door soon, but, on the topic of the Rakhind Forefathers, also suggested they talk to the librarian, Briale, as she had a book on Rahkind myth that might answer more questions. He added that it was written in Primordial which Sterling, Quincy and RX added they did as well. Yashani noted it was a learned group, but when Quincy sounded some dissent Sterling added that some of the group picked up where others were not as strong.

Quincy segued to mention their Nana told them stories of the monks, though it was assumed to only be a myth, and Valeu said the stories were true, that people could bring those ailed beyond regular healing to a small cabin outside of *Su'Hish* in the swamps and after lighting a fire and leaving the person alone for the night would return in the morning to find the person is healed. Valeu explained that with how the *Skorian Empire* viewed their gifts, the monks preferred it to be a myth to avoid it being taken advantage of. Valeu added that they were the first visitors in 40 years and after Quincy asked who was the other revealed he didn't know as Briale was the one who met them at the front gate and would be who they needed to ask. Sterling then asked if there was anything the party could do to help while they were here and Valeu replied the monks were very capable of taking care of themselves. Sterling asked if they should find lodging elsewhere, as not to impose, and Valeu noted as the monks’ numbers had dwindled over the years there was plenty of room for them to stay here. Seren asked with this place being a myth if their silence was of great importance and Valeu noted they would see, offering that if there was a second way into the monastery it may have already breached. Seren noted that if the monastery was still secret it meant the second door had shown no proof they were discovered yet and either way their silence was promised as he glanced at Sterling still taking notes. Valeu asked it to be private for now and Sterling agreed as he scratched out some of his workshopped book titles with a sheepish smile. Valeu asked to see the door again and as he left the room, turned and bowed in the direction of the large marble pedestal, followed by Sterling, Seren and Alaerith who also did so. Valeu then put his mask on and as the group noticed his mask mirrored Yashani's mask made their way to the door.

As they walked, Sterling pulled Quincy aside to suggest they split up between the door and the library as they had research to do. Quincy agreed, noting Kaz might also know Primordial and asked Yashani if that would be ok, but Yashani warned there was no signs to point them there and as no one knew them would feel more comfortable with someone Briale was aware of. Valeu agreed and added if Master Viqs saw them without knowing who they were would punch them and Yashani noted they would not want that. Quincy pointed out they had seen Yashani cave someone’s skull in before and agreed it would be bad and Sterling agreed likewise before noting it was terrifying to know Yashani was only an apprentice to others who know more.

Yashani led them through the residence hall to the door and Valeu inspected it before he entered into the icy hallway. He described that the fact it existed and was completely made of ice remarkable before he closed the door, said it he recommended keeping it shut and activated *Ki Lock* to lock the door with chains. Sterling offered that with time and supplies he could cast *Glyph of Warding* to make it so that if anyone did get past the lock they were in for quite the surprise, but Valeu noted the only way to was break it. Valeu added he didn't care what he did as protecting the monastery would be of the highest regard and that Briale would have more arcane supplies as they mixed and matched with arcane when they were bored. Yashani noted she wished to grab breakfast and Valeu agreed as he made his way down. Quincy noted if he was the one to teach Yashani how to cook they were desperate to get something to eat. Yashani noted they would need to on the way as food wasn't allowed in the library and as Valeu commented that Phaust was the only one there who wasn't a monk yet was allowed to stay led the group there.

The party made it to the kitchen and were greeted by a large spread of food such as dark wheat rolls, potatoes and fish and assorted fruits. RX asked for something more “hydrophobic” and Yashani explained to Phaust that RX drunk oil. Phaust went into a walk-in cupboard, returned with vegetable oil for RX to drink which he did happily and found it tasted a bit like a salad. Seren told Quincy they were headed to the gardens and to find them when they were done and left. Quincy asked Kaz if they wanted to sit and eat something as they knew it had likely been a long time since Kaz had a proper meal and when Kaz agreed she wished to sit and let Quincy go on without her said the library could wait until late for them. Quincy let Sterling and RX they would join them later and Sterling poked fun at them being romantic.

Near to the garden Seren felt a tap on his shoulder and found Valeu had followed him. Valeu asked where he was heading and Seren admitted he was hoping to plan a question for Valeu. Valeu asked what it was about and Seren, after checking no one followed Valeu as well, asked him to join him at the gardens. As they walked along the gardens together Seren told Valeu Yashani had told him very little about her time in the monastery, but had revealed that she struggled with something deep inside her, that she had recently faced it head on and seemed to at least be coping if not triumphant in her efforts. Valeu said it was good to hear before noting that inner feeling of raw power was why her mother requested him to hide her there from what was hunting her and her mother. Seren asked if there was a way to stop it and Valeu said he did not know, otherwise he would have tried already. Seren admitted he not only asked for Yashani, but for another who was consumed by something inside and sought wisdom from the master who taught Yashani self balance, inner healing and meditation to help him reach this other. Valeu asked if this thing was harmful to the person or could be and Seren noted it was perhaps harmful, as it was yet to be seen, and was more all consuming, possessing and terrifying. Valeu offered that there were ways to prod what was inside them, but noted the better way was for the individual to confront this power on their terms and needed to do it. He added if it was all consuming that it was on a timeframe before noting he understood why he asked as time was something he didn't have much left of. Seren commented that he didn’t realize he was such an open book and Valeu explained the monks trained in the ways of feeling the connection between all life and that Seren’s had been greatly extended by the power of fey. Seren admitted he thought for a long time that was his home, but had since realized his home was wherever people needed him the most, that there was great need with the people he came with and didn't know how to help them this time. Valeu noted that no one ever knows how to help until it was needed in that moment before adding that, for the friend similar to Yashani, they needed to confront themselves. Seren asked if there was anyway to buffer or take the brunt of it himself or provide perspective or if it might get in the way. Valeu warned without knowing what it's nature was it might be damaging or not before adding that Seren could not bear the brunt of someone's internal struggles and only be there after, that he cannot fight everyone’s battles for them. Seren thanked him and as he returned towards the kitchen, Valeu split off to meet with Master Chon.

Back in the kitchen, the remaining party saw that Yashani had never looked happier and was laughing, with her mask off while she happily ate the food put in front of her. Quincy asked how many monks were here and when Yashani noted she didn't really keep count Phaust, after some calculating, noted there were 19 people in the monastery including Yashani again, 18 if counting monks specifically which he was not. Sterling asked if work was delegated or if everyone helped and Phaust quickly claimed the garden was his own, citing the last time he left the garden in the care of someone else, 10 years, ago, he returned from *Su'Hish,* found his turnips ruined and hung the monk up in a tree. Yashani noted she didn’t know he still held a grudge and when Sterling asked who was held up over that revealed it was her. Quincy noted that meant Yashani was only a child then before realizing none of them knew how old Yashani really was. Yashani explained she had never really kept track as it never really mattered there and noted Valeu would likely know the exact figure, but believed she was probably 20 years old. Sterling celebrated with Quincy, who noted they were 26, and Sterling revealed his glee that there was another one who was 20 like him and was glad for someone young like him. Quincy called it a bit tragic as Sterling noted that they figured Alaerith might be 100 as Elven aging makings it hard to guess along with their culture reached maturity about then. Quincy asked him to stop talking about him like he wasn't there and when Yashani pointed out that it is quite inappropriate to ask someone’s age apologized for their prior error in asking her. Sterling noted he had almost died with this group several times and could ask what their ages were before asking Alaerith's age. Alaerith, distracted by tightened his cloak further around himself, asked what his question was and Sterling asked him again. Seren returned and distracted the party with his bad attempt to slip back into the room unnoticed, but as they returned to Alaerith quietly and apprehensively admitted he had only been a week out of his 18th year when he first met Yashani.

Yashani pointed out that RX was still the youngest there technically and RX noted he had no details on when he was created. Quincy offered that they could use the day he was first turned on as his birthday, but RX asked what a birthday was. Sterling recalled how his mother would always plan a get away to a vista in the *Puhan Trading Company* with his family and friends and, now realizing most of the other kids were bullying him, that his dad would run drills and skirmishes for them and was a bit of fun. Yashani pointed out that he didn't explain what a birthday was and Quincy stepped in and said a birthday was the day each year that you celebrated being alive and you did something special. Quincy added that her Nana made their favorite lemon cookie and RX said he would like to try that sometime. Sterling said he had a year of waiting, but Quincy retorted there was nothing wrong celebrating a little early. RX worried there will not be much fun to be had in the tower, while Yashani sincerely hoped they were not still in there a year from now. Sterling offered that when they returned to the ship they would have plenty of time to celebrate and noted it would be extra needed now that he knew Alaerith was a child less then a year ago. Quincy told him to shut up, but Sterling went on noting that he thought he was silent old Elf type but instead was just traumatized from something. Eventually, the party decided it was time to go to the library, if only to get Sterling to stop talking and Phaust commented that self reflection was something taught to Yashani when she was five years old. Yashani countered that there was plenty of time to self-reflect when your main past time was staring at a cave wall causing Sterling to excitedly think about learning how to meditate while they were here. Quincy asked Kaz if she was alright to go to the library now and Kaz said it was fine, but when Quincy realized she had barely eaten said they could stay a while longer. Phaust agreed to take them to the library when they were done and Yashani led Sterling, RX, Seren and Alaerith, who's stomach rumbled as he declined to eat, to the library.

As the rest of the party left, Kaz told Quincy they didn’t have to stay and that they were alright, but Quincy insisted they did. Quincy asked Kaz to try to eat and as Kaz nibbled on some fruit admitted they felt hypocritical as it was not long ago that Yashani was doing the same to them. When Kaz asked about it Quincy admitted it was after Killian and Tab had died. Kaz asked how long ago it was and Quincy said it felt like centuries, but likely only a month or so. Kaz noted it wasn’t long after she had met them and Quincy explained how the party was brought to the *PTC* by Bolton, how Seren left and then the party was mixed into something much bigger than them as they often had. Quincy asked when she was taken and Kaz said she made it to *Vayilcor,* that they searched for work when “she” found her, brought her to the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse* for an unknown amount of time as she didn't know how long she had been in each room as time always felt different. Quincy said they didn't need to continue the conversation and Kaz said she preferred not to. Kaz said it sounded like the party intended to go back and asked why they wished to and Quincy quickly explained how they and Sterling believed the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse* may suck them back in at any point. Kaz asked how long they were stuck there and Quincy said a few days, although likewise they were also unsure as time did pass different.

Quincy asks about *Vayilcor*, about the other girls from *The Wandered Eye* and crew of *The Misty Moon* and Kaz said everyone was fine, that they settled in though the ship left soon after dropping them off and wondered where they were now. Quincy said they had their usual routes and liked to think of them somewhere safe at sea. Kaz apologized and noted it had been a long time since she has had a full meal but Quincy told her it was fine. Quincy asked Phaust to take them to the library and when he agreed Kaz pocketed a piece of fruit with her. As the trio stepped from the kitchen Quincy looked into the hallway, screamed and backpedaled back into the kitchen. Kaz quickly asked what was wrong and Quincy tried to brush it off before they explained they though they saw Esmeria in the shadows of a corner. Kaz went to check, returned when she saw nothing and Quincy assured her that it just hadn’t sunk in that Esmeria was really dead and that they had lived for months assuming Esmeria would jump out of any shadowy corner as she actually done it a few times. Kaz assured them she was gone before the pair returned to Phaust, who did his best to ignore whatever had happened, and led them to the library.

Meanwhile the rest of the party moved through the various halls of the monastery before they stopping at the library doorway. Sterling, already gearing up to go, summoning his *Wizardly Quill,* pulled out his mechanical monocle and cast *Enhance Ability : Fox's Cunning.* Yashani warned the group that the librarian, Briale, was kind, but very particular, noting they shouldn't take the books out of the library, not to dog-ear the pages, not to write in the books, noting they would likely find their quill in their eye, and to return the books to their proper shelves and if unware where it should go to let her do so for them. Sterling happily agreed before he called out for Briale into the quiet of the library and recieved a sharp sting across his cheek causing it to bleed. A voice called out to ask who was yelling in the library and as a Halfling woman, with a shock of orange hair, a dusting of freckles and a few quills behind her ears, who Sterling assumed was Braile and introduced himself, adding that he was a friend of Yashani’s. Braile turned to see Yashani, expressed surprise that she was back and Yashani introduced the group as her friends. Yashani told her Valeu mentioned she had books about the *Rakhind Forefathers,* with Sterling specifying the book on Rahkind myth. Braile headed back into the library, behind a desk, disappeared behind it as the sound of a door was heard opening and closing. Sterling quickly turned to Yashani, asked for talking points as he desperately wanted Braile to like him and Yashani noted Braile liked books and tolerated people, though it was a good sign that she deemed him tolerable enough to go find a book. Sterling offered that he could interact with Braile through the proxy of Tollanessa and Yashani admitted that would be interesting to see.

As the group waited, they noticed a wide flat edged throwing dart embedded into the stone wall behind Sterling, presuming it was Braile threw at him, and Seren picked it up. Phaust appeared with Kaz and Quincy and Quincy asked why they are were all crowded in the hallway. Seren asked Yashani if they could enter and on her word entered, but noticed an engraving in the archway above the door

*"Please remove your shoes."*

and pointed it out to the group. Sterling and Quincy took a considerable amount of time removing knee-high and thigh-high shoes, with RX revealing boot-shaped feet under his own boots with hinged toes, but the rest of the party easily slipped their footwear off to enter. As Yashani made her way in Phaust told Yashani she had interesting friends and side-eyed Quincy before he left for the kitchen again. Yashani admitted she didn’t expect them so soon, but welcomed them in. Sterling panickily told Quincy that he yelled into the library and accepted their disdain when he admitted he was used to his private library at home.

Once they all entered the library, Braile returned with a large book that appeared to be made of wood. Sterling approached with both hands deep in his back pockets, observed it as Braile laid it out on a nearby reading table and saw the book was bound in thick piece of bark with each page a thin carving of the center of a tree. Sterling also saw the words were burned into the wood carefully and that the book was clearly very old and rotting a bit at the edges despite efforts to preserve it. Sterling excitedly activated *Manifest Mind* to summon Tollanessa as he looked it over as Braille looked on in stunned silence before Sterling introduced her to the translucent figure of the Goddess. Quincy quickly explained to Kaz that Sterling was new and came with a pocket Goddess which Kaz good naturedly offered how the group continued to take on normal people. Sterling explained to Braile that the Goddess was not in her entirety, just a portion that he found in a spellbook that he had discovered to be hers. Braille looked to Yashani, asked if she is being messed with and Yashani assured her Sterling was very good at finding valuable things, Sterling added that Tollanessa was his crowning jewel and was his life’s work to restore her to her former glory.

Tollanessa noted that the book was roughly 9000 years old and Sterling excitedly wondered how before asking if they could spend time with the book in the library. Braile happily agreed, but asked to have time to converse with Tollanessa when she could and Sterling agreed likewise. Sterling also noted that the *“master of the monastery”*, alluding to Valeu, said Braile could be helpful in another endeavor, but Yashani corrected that Valeu was the master to Yashani, not the monastery as a whole and Chon was the leader of all the monks. Sterling explained Valeu said to talk to Braile about protecting gates and to ask about the opening of a gate that he mentioned. Braile noted she was the last one to open the gate the last time an outside came and Sterling stated that Valeu said to talk to her about it though he didn't know why. Quincy cut in to say they were only curious about the last visitor before them and Braille said she was an “odd duck” and noted she was at least half Dark Elf. The party tensed at that and when Sterling wondered if she was part Changeling Braile noted that was harder to discern. Alaerith asked if they had short hair and Braile said kind of. Quincy asked what her name was and Braile noted they didn't get the name. Alaerith offered that Quincy should look away, but when they politely refused Alaerith cast *Disguise Self* to take Esmeria's form and Braile noted it was pretty close. As Alaerith dropped *Disguise Self* the party asked what she wanted and Braile explained she was in a panic and wished to be let in through the main gate, but didn't let them in. Seren, having done the math and knowing Esmeria would not have been a part of the Order of Ruin at that point in her life. told the group she wouldn't have fallen in by the "bad sort" then. Yashani wondered what Esmeria wanted and how she found the monastery, noting she was part of the Holy Enclave which would never want to be at their doors, while Sterling explained to Braile that she was recently killed by them, and was a part of an order of devils seeking to destroy this world or part of it. Seren asked about her mention she was panicked and Braille said she wanted inside, that something was coming for her, that she was being hunted, but they didn't let her in as they couldn't break their code.

Braile asked about the mention of destruction and bringing down the plane and Sterling elaborated, noting the Ruin Moon. Braile noted it was further back then that, went back to the book, flipped a few pages before pointing to a section that she thought may be illuminating. Sterling, Quincy, RX and Yashani read the Primordial words, while Sterling simultaneously cast *Minor Illusion* to translate to Common for the others to read.

*"Several 1000s of years ago Sezrin made a deal with a witch in the forest referred to as Salia, to help his people and family from invaders. He asked the witch for magical strength and if he succeeded then he would have to give the witch his life in return for protecting all his family. Sezrin won against the invaders, but tried to fight the witch in an attempt to save his own life so he didn't have to give it up. In the long run Sezrin won and he beat the witch, but in her dying hex she cursed the people of Belroadine and Sezrin's people with eternal life and an undying sustenance which now today is known as vampirism. This angered everyone of Belroadine and so, over time, they built the Lighthouse and exiled him there. After 100 years Sezrin did return and he dropped a moon on the island, destroying it. After what they had become in eternal life and eternal existence they became callous, took hostages, they took slaves for labor and food."*

They saw written afterwards

*"100 years and 100 more, teach one large lessons."*

Seren asked who this book was written by, but Braile could only presume it was someone from *Belroadine*. Sterling noted it was someone who wrote Primordial and the party thought back on what they found in the Dead Room, with the plaque Bo found *Yannhis M. Belroadine* written, the urns, tombs and the key Yashani had found. The party, with that started to realize there were connections, and reflected this was likely the first night of the Ruined Moon while also thinking about *Belroadine* and it's location, noting it was in a place ships would have no reason to pass. Yashani noted that Sezrin, or Kalistock as they better knew him, had at least one sibling being Belknock in *Krak,* but wondered if he was 1000s of years old what it would make Belknock. Quincy pointed out Belknock could easily be a vampire, though he did not appear as how the stories said vampires would be, while Yashani offered that she wondered if he was also 1000s of years old and a God. Sterling offered two theories, that the power of Sezrin was something passed on, one to another, much like the Aj’Snaga had Champions to pass along a title, and also noted that true vampires were very different to vampire spawn which Quincy was likely thinking of in her stories. Alaerith meanwhile mentally reflected on his recent altercation with Kalistock and noted, comparing to Yashani, he did appear off and his features were a little sharper then hers.

Yashani said if Kalistock was not only a 1000s year old God, but also a vampire made him more dangerous then already, still felt he wasn't mortal in the sense and while interesting didn't change anything. Sterling pointed out it changed how they might fight him as vampires did have very specific weaknesses and that any information was important as the more they collected the more prepared they might be to find the chink in their proverbial armor. Quincy questioned why he was a part of this as he was far more most powerful then the others, outside of the witch, and Sterling noted she was powerful enough to create a race of undead beings sounded like a Goddess to him. Seren tempered this by reminding Sterling that he was capable of similar Transfiguration, like turning wood into sandles, citing Alaerith, Sterling scoffed at the idea that he could do it on such a scale. Yashani wondered how likely it was that Kalistock would aligned with the witch who cursed his people, but Sterling reminded her that the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse* was specifically designed to break people and, considering the pain they themselves went through in a short time, who knew what eons would do to someone and that 'the Fallen' wished to hurt those who hurt them.

After conversation on definitive evils Sterling pondered if it might give insight on the others, how they came into their deal with Lunala and Yashani noted the only real way to see if anything was concrete was the book they had. Quincy asked if they planned to do so there, but Yashani gave a definitive no to Quincy's relief. Quincy suggested they could try to open it in the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse*, citing they already knew the Order of Ruin was lurking in there and that way they did not put any where they considered home in danger and Yashani considered it a good point, noting they had seen Robert and Esmeria, some saw Kalistock before, leaving only Ilvwinter unaccounted for. Sterling offered that he could cast *Non-Detection* to hide them as best he can and, recalling his father's words that the best defense was offense, suggested they could cast *Glyph of Warding* idea to surround themselves in a magical protection when they open the book. Sterling asked Braile for a number of supplies including diamond dust to cast *Glyph of Warding* and Braile agreed to provide what she had in storage. Sterling also asked if she had any scrolls, spellbooks or anything arcane, but Braile noted she didn't to his disappointment. Sterling noted they might possibly need to talk to the leader of the monastery and Yashani noted she didn't like to have conversations with her as she was kind of scary, but noted it could be her memory and will want to meet them anyway. Quincy warned it may be more important for Sterling not to speak and Sterling readily admitted he was planning to keep close to Seren as he was a very good influence. Sterling also asked if someone could teach him to meditate while he was here and when Yashani offered her favorite place to meditate was there became excited by the prospect.

Quincy checked Braile if she had any books similar to the one Tali had given her in *Eveed* of Bolton and Braile flipped through before regretfully saying that she didn't have anything from the Fire Plane. RX asked about books about tropical vacation spots for his future retirement and Braile offered that Gilesha was rather tropical, noting there was a port south of *Luthinus* called *Nythelmalo* which was a nice place to start. Sterling asked if she had any books on Chronomancy, citing that their friend was good at it, that he understood some of it from what he observed and wished for a book to help fill in the gaps and Braille returned with a book written by a monk who learned to bend time that she thought may help. Sterling also asked about books about Gilesha, noting he had heard of avian reptiles stomped those plains and when Braile noted she had no books on it but recommended *Luthinus* as the place to go thanked her and noted they had a friend who turned into an ape and pictured Alaerith turned into a dinosaur as he left. As the group left and collected their shoes Kaz pressed alongside Alaerith, startling him at the contact, pressed the apple she swiped from the kitchen into his hand and said it was easier to get down when you didn't feel like eating much. Alaerith stepped back, nodded and thanked her for it and Kaz walked on. Alaerith put his sandals and reflected on the conversation of the Order of Ruin members and the sight of Darie again.

Yashani led the group through the monastery, past the kitchen and into new hallways and stepped before the door Seren saw Valeu head to. Yashani asked Sanguis to help her before she knocked once and before her knuckles could hit the door a second time the door opened, and a stout Dwarven woman, with a black pixie cut, wearing robes similar to Yashani’s and a mask with an ornate “S” carved into it. The woman, Master Chon, greeted Yashani and the two bowed to each other before she commented that she heard Yashani had brought outsiders. Yashani agreed she had, but noted that she called them friends and introduces each of them. They stepped into the room passed Chon who bowed to each of them and they all found whatever place they could find to sit on the floor with Chon. Chon told them Valeu told her of what he had learned, that she had seen the door and also activated *Ki Lock* on it it and would ask Viqs to do the same when he returned. Yashani offered to do the same to Chon's surprise who questioned that she had learned how to do that as well. Yashani noted she had, among other things and Chon asked to know what she learned.

Yashani explained in her travels they went to *The* *Underdark* and met a shadow monk named Chuluu and Chon noted they were nearly as mythological as they were. Yashani went on to explain Chuluu gave her something, formerly held by a Sanguine monk before her, but after unlocking all of it left it for someone else to find, then pulled *The Book of Sanguis* from her bag and showed it to Chon which Chon recognized as her mouth opened agape. Chon asked if it was Poackel and when Yashani noted it was told her he left 170 years ago. Yashani said that was quite some time and Chon pointed out she and the other monks that age and time for different races varied, that most of her friends will live longer then her and, looking at Alaerith, noted he would live the longest, even if he didn't want to from how scared he was. As Alaerith shrank down from the comment Sterling commented that was kind of how his face was and Seren placed his hand on Sterling's knee and squeezed it to silence him down. Yashani, in response, noted the group had been through much and had lost a lot. Chon noted that when she started her training Poackel was the current master at the time and when Yashani questioned why he would leave if he was the master said they did not have those answers. As the group sat they felt a wave of healing aura from Chon that healed and bolstered the party, including healing Sterling's cut on his face and one level of *Exhaustion* from RX.

Yashani changed the topic back to the book, explained that she knew it was of incredible value to the monastery and Braile would likely have Yashani’s head for not showing her first, but asked that she remained it's keeper for now. Chon retorted that no one else could be it's keeper before she held out a hand towards the book and the book's locks previously opened by Yashani locked up once. Yashani noted she would have to unlock them again before Chon removed her hand and the locks unlocked again. Chon explained the book was bound to her now and useless to everyone else there and Yashani promised to bring it back when she was done, if she was able, once she learned all there was to learn. Chon asked when the time came to put it on the pedestal in the temple, at least once, while she was here as it might raise some spirits to see it again.

Yashani went on to mention some of her companions wanted to speak to Chon about reinforcing the monastery’s defenses and when Chon asked who that was turned towards Sterling nearly vibrating with the effort to remain quiet as he diligently sat on his hands. Sterling introduced himself and Chon pointed out Yashani had shown what they do to help poeple before asking if Sterling knew what “Sanguis” meant. Sterling replied his understanding it was related to roots words like sanguine and sanguination in reference to blood, in the transfusion and the spilling of it. Chon explained in Varimathian or ancient Aetian it meant “life force” which they could control both ways and activated a technique that made Sterling very lethargic, bringing him to his knees and was left *Unconscious.* Chon quickly repeated his technique bringing him back to consciousness and Sterling explained he wished to do work on the runes downstairs and wanted to be sure it was good with them. Chon agreed and when Sterling asked if all of the monks could do the same technique, including Yashani, and Chon said eventually.

Yashani bowed to Chon, thanked them for her time before asking if they could be dismissed as she had a place to show her friends and Chon told hjer they had time to talk later and to take her friends around. Chon told the group they would speak later before telling Yashani she was happy for the people she had found. Yashani noted that was the highest praise and Chon replied that if they only surrounded themselves with similar people, there would be no room or reason to grow and learn. Yashani started to help all her friends to their feet, minus Alaerith who shied away from her touch, found RX was sleeping and woke him and RX complained he was finally resting peacefully. Yashani offered she had a better place to nap to RX's delight as she led them out of the room.