Fishing and Feather Beards

**Fishing and Feather Beards** is the second episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Nameless Protagonists seek out more information and attempt to make a plan for facing the ghast problem in The Underbelly.

## Fishing and Feather Beards

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

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### **Part One**

Quincy, having realized that RX wasn't with us, left the barracks to find him and was quickly joined by Seren. The two passed by Nomzyo's library on the search and ran into RX, who was about to pocket the two books he had found. When questioned what he was holding, RX showed the two books, one written in a pictograph sort of language, and the other in a jagged elvish script, and once determined that none of the three could read either of the languages, RX put the *Two books* into his bag. Seren asked if they were available for taking, to which RX cited a lack of information to say otherwise was not allowed as justifying his actions. Questioned by Quincy, RX noted he was seeking out information and books were made to hold information. Quincy agreed, saying she spent a long time knowing only things from books. Quincy then took a little time to look for fiction books in the library. She found *three hand written notepads* that looked like that seemed abstract, like a story, written in the same jagged elvish script as one of RX's taken books, and pocketed those for herself as the trio made their way back to the barracks.

Back in the barracks, Tabernacle, still in his slightly drunken stupor, told the others that he would call it a night as his head was pounding, and took a cot in the corner. Yashani hearing this approached him, laid a hand on his shoulder, and activated her *Hand* *of Healing* to heal him. Yashani then took a position on the floor in front of a cot, and began to meditate, with her mask still covering her face. Meanwhile Killian approached Alaerith and asked if Alaerith would take a walk with him and speak without prying ears, which Alaerith hesitantly agreed to as they both took a drink and headed outside. Once they left, Tabernacle asked Yashani how she felt on the "one with purplish skin" and the "one with a more regal aptitude". Yashani responded that she didn't know how to feel about someone who needed money to help people, and that she wasn't sure about Alaerith with his hesitation before, but he did seem to be coming around. Tabernacle agreed, but admit he still felt something off about Alaerith. Yashani resumed her meditation as Tabernacle cast *Invisibility* on himself and headed out of the barracks to follow Killian and Alaerith.

Killian and Alaerith passed by Seren, Quincy and RX as they returned from the library, and had a brief conversation before the groups continue on their own directions. When they arrived in the barracks, Seren noted the lack of Tabernacle's presence, and asked Yashani about it, but eventually just resigned to finding him later. RX also approached Yashani to ask about her meditation which she patiently explained despite RX's confusion. Quincy headed off to bed, as RX powered down for his as well, leaving a progressively less patient Yashani to her meditation. Seren also bedded down in front of a cot, rocked back onto his shell and slowly rocked himself to sleep, all while he sang a song to himself, which slowly became a chant, as his shell glowed faintly.

Killian and Alaerith walked through The *Underbelly*, where there were still people roaming about, as if daylight and daytime were not really a concept down there, all while Tabernacle followed them unawares. When they found a place, Killian, who had noticed that Tabernacle always seemed to try to have Alaerith in his peripheral vision, began the conversation, saying he knew that he didn't know him well, but asked if Alaerith was okay, to which Alaerith appeared confused as to the meaning of his question. Killian went on that to say that Alaerith seemed too young to be untrustworthy, and officially introduced himself as Killian to him, and Alaerith did likewise with a smile, and a handshake with his left hand. Killian spoke about his wife, Samara, how she was a full elf and was treated "less than kind" because of it, and even as a half-elf Killian wasn't treated well either. Killian admitted that he was worried for Alaerith, and wanted to look out for him. Alaerith admitted he hadn't encountered similar experiences in that way, but that he appreciated the thought and his kindness. As they turned back to the stronghold, Tabernacle remained a little while.

When they returned to the barracks, Killian checked on RX before he took a cot and wrote a few letters before bed. Alaerith meanwhile went to the cot in the corner and put his back to it facing everyone, in a similar position as Yashani, for his trance. Tabernacle made his way back to the barracks, waited until everyone was asleep, and walked over to Alaerith. Observing him, Tabernacle noted that Alaerith...that it...is what he has been looking for, to solve a problem for so long...Tabernacle quietly apologized for judging him, then went to his own cot, dropped his *Invisibility* and started to rest.

While the party rested, Yashani saw visions of a waterfall from her home. She saw the water with flecks of red, as if something had tainted the source or was now within it, and felt a thrum and pulse through her body that almost interrupted her rest, but she managed to stay calm. Later in the early morning Tabernacle started to sweat as he saw flashes in his head of a sunken ship, chunks of ice, a floating faceless woman and child screaming, black water flowed over a pile of bones, a shot of cannon fire and the docks of *Krapjess*, what once was his home as it pushed into the distance. He saw as the black water now turned to mud became thicker, once again pouring over the bones, nearby sails that turned to ice, mud turned to sand, black sand poured over a bone set of skulls, with Tabernacle laying face down on a blackened coast with the three moons above, with the moon Venitha pulsing with green energy of the Æther, pulses that Tabernacle felt in his chest as he was pulled from his sleep, sweating and cold, sitting in a pile of black sand.

He spotted something from the corner of his eye, but the moment he looked it was gone. Tabernacle heard an indistinct murmuring in his ears, as Tabernacle called out to be left alone, claiming he didn't deserve retribution, asking to be left to drift in the waters like them. There was a faint whisper of the word 'Fate' as the images left, the murmuring disappeared and Tabernacle's body warmed up. Tabernacle continued to call out to what he calls 'spirits', claiming he been placed on this earth for one thing and served his time, saying he thought it was over, that he could leave that life and wondered why he was given a second life, but heard no response. Tabernacle asked to at least know what "they" want from him, and soon after detected the smell of salted air from an ocean he didn't recognize. While trying to commit the smell to memory he called out that refused their plea, that he paid his dues, but as long as he was made to it, he'd do it with a smile and remained awake for the rest of the night and stared where the strange shadow in the corner of the room, which left him with a point of *Exhaustion* from not getting his full long rest.

Alaerith awoke from his four hour *Trance* and noticed Tabernacle still staring at the corner, but went unnoticed by him and unsure said nothing. Killian woke up soon after and attempted to shake Tabernacle out of it, asking what he was looking at as only he could see it. Tabernacle replied with an apology for his early judgement of him, and Killian accepted the confusing apology. He attempted to convince Tabernacle to rest while he and Alaerith made breakfast for the group, but Tabernacle declined and instead stood, took his lures and fishing kit and left the barracks. Killian turned back to Alaerith and together they left to find something to make for breakfast. Outside *Nomzyo's Stronghold*, Tabernacle found a fishing hole in the nearby coves closer to *The Shallows*, pointed along by several signs and things made by the people of *The* *Underbelly*, and spent time fishing. Meanwhile Killian and Alaerith politely raided *The Stronghold* kitchen and gathered enough to feed the party, while conversing about Tabernacle's strange state and decided if he wasn't back soon, that they would go looking.

RX woke next, having seen Tabernacle's whole ordeal through his *Sentry's Rest*, and left *The Stronghold* in hopes of finding him, with the educated guess that he has gone fishing, based on what Tabernacle took with him. After trial and error, RX located the fishing hole Tabernacle was at. Noting the magic he had seen him do, RX took a moment to look Tabernacle over, scanning for magic and found that Tabernacle's fishing kit containing his lures, gave off a magical aura. After being startled by RX's presence, RX asked him what the box of lures was. Tabernacle replied that he shouldn't snoop, and then changed topic to ask if RX has ever fished before. When RX eventually told him no, after confusion on his end of 'fish' as a noun or a verb, Tabernacle insisted on teaching him. He started by asking RX to pick the lure he considered the prettiest from his fishing kit, but RX insisted he had no way of determining such a thing, and eventually just chose the lure closest to him, as Tabernacle started to teach him.

Back at the barracks, everyone slowly roused with the breakfast Killian and Alaerith had brought in, with not all of them happy about it. Yashani awoke, having kept herself carefully turned away from the others, and quickly put her hair up, and put on her mask before rising from bed. Seren being the last to wake was roused by Killian. Seren started to stand to his feet with his staff, that was now oddly berryless. Seren quickly noting those who were missing enquired the lack of RX and Tabernacle. Killian explained that Tabernacle went out fishing and that he assumed "Roderick" had joined him. Alaerith asked about the name "Roderick", to which Killian and Quincy explained it was a nickname RX gave to them for ease, when they did not grasp his original full name fast enough. Meanwhile, mid conversation, Seren left *Nomzyo's Stronghold* to find dirt outside, settled into a kneeling position and did his morning prayers to Kenala. He also planted his staff into the dirt causing an illusion of a much larger tree to appear for a brief second as he cast *Goodberry,* producing ten berries at the top of his staff, and let out a sigh as he ate one before he made his way back to the barracks. Yashani in all this didn't join the group for breakfast, but instead slipped out of bed into her meditation position, and ignored attempts to persuade her into joining.

Over breakfast, the remaining group discussed plans of rescuing the kidnapped victims, and pondered the idea of going back in the tunnels where they were chased by ghasts. Quincy brought up the possibility of the ruins, then asked about where Seren, Alaerith, Yashani and Tabernacle came from before meeting her, RX and Killian. Alaerith explained in following what they presumed were the ghast's tracks, they came in through a crack in the rocks, they followed the path to a circular room with two doors, and they had been investigating one. Seren stepped inside mid conversation and finished by saying the hoard came crashing through the other. Killian noted that everyone should be here if they were to plan, and after a moment of panic when Quincy suddenly realized she hadn't noticed RX's absence, Seren offered to go find RX and Tabernacle, and Alaerith offered to join him.

Seren and Alaerith easily tracked down Tabernacle and RX, finding Tabernacle in the middle of teaching RX how to fish. Seren gathered their attention, informing them it was time to go. He also noted. and and told Tabernacle that he looked awful. Tabernacle tried to finish the lessen on how to cast a line, but mistakenly used the word 'toss' which resulted in RX hurling the fishing rod away to crack against the opposite side of the cove. But in pulling in his net Tabernacle also found that he'd caught about a dozen fish, and quickly divvied the bounty before the four headed back to the stronghold.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

While headed back to the stronghold, Seren continuing to notice that Tabernacle looked terrible, and not his usual kind of terrible, decided to cast *Lesser Restoration* to relieve him of the poison before they arrived.

Back in the Stronghold, Tabernacle walked into the barracks and had the fish dumped on the floor, one of which was picked up by RX and promptly put into his bag. Quincy attempted to dissuade him from it before Tabernacle told her that if RX was her boy that she owed him gold for a new fishing rod. The party discussed the next step, deciding to either see Cofin, or discuss battle tactics. Tabernacle replied he would be take a backseat today because he didn't feel well and RX decided to help by throwing him over his shoulder, and walked him of the barracks. After a bit of shouting about grabbing his things from his cot, with Yashani grabbing the last of breakfast, and Killian insisting on holding onto Tabernacle's gun until he was back on his feet, the party made their way out of the barracks. Quincy attempted to convince RX to remove the fish from his bag, and was nearly countered by Tabernacle, but succeeded in the end. Meanwhile Seren dropped to the back of the group where Yashani was trying to eat out of sight, with her mask partially up, and offered her one of his *Goodberries* which she took, and not only tasted like the tastiest fruit she could imagine, but also left her fulfilled no longer needing to eat for the rest of the day.

After a while they arrived at Cofin's "shop". The building's walls were made of small bits of metal fashioned together in an assemblance of walls for the ramshackle store, smoke coming out the top and the sign announcing the store, simply called "Cofin", was poorly scrawled across it. The party heard a clatter, a small burst and a strange voice inside. Tabernacle decided, while he would love to meet Cofin decided it would be best if he stayed outside, and Killian joined him on that idea. Quincy called them cowards and marched inside. RX placed Tabernacle back down and followed suit, joined after by Yashani, Alaerith and a begrudging Tabernacle after he retrieved his gun from Killian. Inside, there were piles of metal, barrels of different colored liquids, gears, drawings that made no sense and a counter where behind was an old, human looking man, smacking something against a counter that sparked and lit his hair on fire, which he quickly put out.

RX approached first, and the man was fascinated by the warforged, stroking his metal, before Quincy stepped in to stop the strange behavior. Once RX confirmed the man was Cofin, he immediately asked about his inventions. Cofin pulled a box out from behind his counter that he claimed he had just made. RX picked the box up and found it to be a cube, made of smooth almost seamless metal, and upon asking what it does, Cofin said he was still figuring it out, which concerned Quincy enough that she suggested RX put it down to which he complied. RX afterwards asked for anything he had that was more 'refined', and Cofin brought out a few things, including the glove demonstrated by Nomzyo's goliath guard Kik and an oblong box that Cofin said he made a few weeks ago, before smacking it, causing the box to pop open like a small ballista and shoot a blast of energy that vaporized a shelf across the wall before becoming a smooth box again.

Tabernacle approached Cofin ~~with the seal from Nomzyo that would hopefully give some leeway with the inventor~~ and explained to Cofin that they were a group aiding Nomzyo to rid the ghast problem. He said they might purchase from the items afterward, but for now they would commandeer them. But Cofin quickly pulled back all his things, snatching away his inventions, and defensively, pulled out the cube from before, and opened it up, revealing a green glow from inside. Tabernacle attempted to close it, but failed, right before RX reached out, grabbing the cube and threw it out of the shop...meanwhile, outside the shop, Seren asked Killian about his name, wondering if 'asshole' was his actual name, just before the cube was tossed out the door and exploded in the city street. They turned in reaction to the explosion to find everyone across the street now had beards made of feathers.

Tabernacle told Quincy he attempted intimidation and maybe they should move to physical force, but Quincy told him to hold off so she could try a nicer approach. Before she could, RX stepped forward again to ask for any items that could manipulate electricity. Cofin dived under his counter and came back with a small orb, and demonstrated by throwing it against a wall where it sparked before returning to Cofin. RX delighted tried to find out the cost, but mid conversation Cofin ate the orb. RX managed to grapple him in, and attempted the Heimlich manoeuvre on him, but put a little too much power into it and managed to crack at least one of Cofin's ribs, making Cofin to gasp in pain. Yashani attempted to stop RX from trying again, but was already in motion, and on a second failed attempt cracked a few more of his ribs. Quincy stepped in then, but found Cofin had gone limp and was unconscious in RX's arms. On instruction RX put Cofin down, Yashani stepped in and activated her *Hand* *of Healing* to revive Cofin despite Tabernacle's protests. Cofin snapped awake, immediately screaming, just before Tabernacle threw his net over him. The net burst into flames and soon Cofin stood before them, with two balls of fire in his hands, watching them warily. Tabernacle attempted to cast *Hold Person* to no affect and Cofin looked ready to hurl the fire at us.

Quincy then stepped forward, holding the seal Nomzyo had given like a shield and attempted to apologize, but Cofin told Tabernacle that he had to leave; meanwhile Killian previously left when he heard the commotion inside, telling Seren he would be at Morgan's shop if they needed him. Tabernacle left the shop and found Seren on his own, informed him that it seems to be going well, and also noticed the passer-by's with feather beards. Tabernacle recapped what had happened, and after bonking him with his staff, Seren hurried inside. Seren quickly took the reins of the conversation, and with the seal, and one of his *Goodberries*, managed to calm Cofin enough for them to borrow 2 items that he allowed, ranging from: the box that vaporizes targets, a few metal orbs and one of the gloves that RX had tried from Kik. When asked what the orbs do, Cofin threw one down, and a puff of smoke that filled the room effectively casting a sootier version of *Fog Cloud*; meanwhile outside the shop and seeing the soot and smoke, Tabernacle decided to head off to Morgan's shop. When RX enquired if there were more of the lightning orbs like the one he swallowed, Cofin coughed it up and placed it in his hand. After more conversation and attempts to gather more information from the especially frazzled Cofin, the party left with the *Big Box*, the *Glove* and as a bonus the *Lightning Ball* and some extra *Ball Bearings* for Quincy as ammunition for her pistol that she showed to him.

As they left Cofin's shop, and headed in the direction of Morgan's, Seren lamented only knowing Killian as 'asshole' as it would seem every time he tried to ask his name something came in the way. RX explained that Killian had many names since they met, and offered to list them. Seren agreed and found the list included "Red*,* Mr. Jones*,* Bartholomew*,* Pretty Boy (as Quincy often refers to him as) and Killian". At the same time, Killian had a quick conversation with Morgan, and asked about a ship called *The Crimson Head*. Morgan told him that the Crimson Head passed through two years ago, but Morgan didn't consider their arrival worthy of note since they didn't bring anything of note. Killian then requested another letter be sent and handed over another dagger to send with a message to *Bits 'n' Bobs and Beyond* in *Zhai*. The note read-

*"Hey, long time no see. There's some stuff going down in Zhai. Might pop by in a bit. P.S. Sorry for not telling you I left.* *- Red"*

Morgan noted that Killian had asked for a lot of favors despite having not done anything about the ghasts yet, and Killian reassured him that he was a man of his word, and popped down payment for the delivery. As Morgan took the note and dagger, Tabernacle stumbled into the shop and introductions were made. Killian announced the group would be arriving soon, and asked if it would be alright if they use Morgan's shop for a meeting, just shortly before the rest of the party entered into the shop soon after.

Once inside, RX quickly introduced himself to Morgan, with the quartermaster responding in surprise to the warforged. Tabernacle reassured Morgan that RX was just a hunk of metal and steam work, which RX quickly denied. Seren asked RX if he knew what he was powered by, which seems to stall RX out for a moment before he answered that he had not had time to check and understand those processes. Afterwards, the party started to distribute items where they might be most useful. In the end it was decided to temporarily store the *Big Box* in the *Bag of Holding,* and RX would keep the *Lightning Ball,* since he had no intentions of giving it to anyone else, and also the *Glove.* Killian asked Morgan if there was anything else they could lend to take on the ghasts, which Morgan said nothing more than what they already have, so Killian thought might as well head to the ruins. Tabernacle held him back though, saying he'd seen many men die to poor leadership. Tabernacle took a moment to inform the group that fighting them up close was a bad idea and that at a range would be the best option. And with that it was decided that, as Yashani said herself her training was not from a distance, that she would be the best choice for using the *Big Box*. She retrieved the box from to take a moment to examine it before determining that she should be able to use it, noting to the party that they should not step in front of her in battle while she has it, and returned it to the *Bag of Holding.*

Once this was sorted, the party headed out of the Underbelly and back to the area where they last saw the ghasts, and where the two groups first met. When they arrived to the gate where they locked out the ghasts, they were thankful to find the ghasts had seemingly left the area. Before heading any further, Seren activated his *Eyes of Night* to give 300 feet of darkvision to those in the party who could not see in the dark, namely Quincy, Tabernacle and RX. From there the party continued to dive deeper in the dark tunnels, single file, and eventually caught the putrid scent of the ghasts. Everyone prepared by pulling out weapons, from Yashani pulling the *Big Box* from the *Bag of Holding*, to Tabernacle who cast *Armor of Agathys* on himself, and they formed a marching order, with Yashani leading, and Seren behind while he cast *Guidance* on Yashani over and over, until they reached what seemed to be a turn in the tunnel. In front of them, light flickered across the wall and the faint sounds of someone writing on parchment were heard as they drew closer to the light.

Yashani peeked around the corner to see a large chamber, lit by something she couldn't see, and yet, along the back wall was the shadow of a humanoid figure, hunched over a table and writing. They decided as a group this wasn't someone they could reason with, and instead would try to surprise the figure inside. With one last action Seren cast *Shield of Faith* on Yashani right before they rushed into the chamber. Once inside of the massive cavern, they could see a green skinned, bald figure, with pointed ears, sharp fangs snarls at them, with blue lights curving down one of their arms and completely ready for them as they seemed to hear their approach. While the rest seemed ok, both Killian and Tabernacle noted a smell that pierced their nose and felt dazed as their vision started to blur.

1. ↑ As seen in Acquaintances in the Underbelly at 3:13:57.
2. ↑ See 1:16:09. Zach mentioned that mechanically speaking, his fishing lure acted as his Warlock's "Tome of Shadows".
3. ↑ See 1:17:49. Haelley accidentally made coffee canon in Palamoa.
4. ↑ As seen in "Acquaintances in the Underbelly" at 2:50:05
5. ↑ See 2:05:24. Slight accidental oops as Nomzyo had given the card to Quincy.