Nothing Ventured

The episode opens with Corrax standing before Galvent, the ~~bath~~ robed man in a temple to the old Gods. Corrax steps past him and kneels at the alter in the middle of the room. He starts whispering a prayer to the old Gods. It's been a very long time since he's prayed.

Corrax and Galvent talk and he mentions how the monk in Urok sent them, saying there was someone in Loreda who could help them. Corrax says they're looking for a safe haven to keep a child safe. Galvent questions why the child is important, but Corrax dodges the question and simply says the child has potential. This doesn't seem to placate Galvent.

There is a lot of dancing around the topic of conversation. Galvent questions the raven pin Corrax wears on his cloak. He's surprised he wears it so openly. The conversation gets a bit pointed regarding them seeking help from the Adherence. Galvent is wary about Corrax being a spy for Nulumriel. He tentatively agrees to help them, and he has a task for them in payment. However, Corrax must check with the others first, to make sure they're ok with getting help from a group whose very existence is illegal and hunted by The Reconciliators. Galvent will not risk their allies in Loreda.

Galvent leaves Corrax alone. He takes one last moment to thank the gods for their help.

The group wakes the next morning. The inn is serving a meat porridge. Mjina eats quickly, Seydlitz takes his time, and Corrax pushes the food around on his plate. Seydlitz notices this and asks him what's going on.

Corrax tries to explain the situation with Galvent without giving away too many details. Mjina straight up says if Corrax trusts Galvent then he doesn't. Seydlitz doesn't like taking a job without knowing the cost up front. Mjina swallows his pride and thinks of Sephoni and the baby's safety. Seydlitz knows he's going to regret this. Corrax asks what their opinion is on the old Gods. Mjina thinks they're all myth. Corrax reveals that Galvent is an Adherent and that helping him can put a bigger target on their backs. Corrax admits he has no problems trusting him, as he is his people.

They ask Dreshin for his opinion and he says he'd protect the child. Sephoni had visions of the Redeemers of The Afterworld, and that they helped lilke she said they would. He admits he's overwhelmed and is sticking around to save his own ass. He would die for the cause, but he very much doesn't want to die.

Mjina is willing to risk it. Seydlitz continue to distrust Corrax and laments the lies and deception so common in the Nightlands. He wonders out loud why he chose to follow that vision.

They agree to meet Galvent and head to his house. He greets them dressed in a different ~~bath~~ robe this time. He invites them into a rather lavish home with an extensive book collection which Corrax admires. He's a bit perturbed when he starts feeling something tug on the inside of his cloak. He can feel it's a book, and does his best to hide it. Galvent asks again why the child is so important, Mjina says the Dragon of Corso wants her.

The ever weary Seydlitz decides to tell him the short-short version of their story:

* They all had visions and all ended up at the same tavern in Corso
* An old man busted in frantically looking for "Redeemers", and they agreed to help him.

Galvent points out that that doesn't answer any of his questions but decides to move on. He details the parameters of the task. He needs their help protecting the town from the Casmander slave company. They have an indulgence from Nulumrial to operate outside of Corso. Their numbers are getting too strong for him to handle on his own. They all agree to help and he gives them three healing cyphers.

Corrax asks if he can borrow some of Galvent's books while they wait for the slavers to arrive. As he's inspecting the collection he sees the Book of Fate on the shelf. Surprised, he takes this second copy, and inspects it: He notes that two prophecies (Understanding and Salvation) are cleaner in their writing, and he sees the note he wrote under Liberation is there. As he's putting it away he hears a tearing sound and his own copy of the Book of Fate falls onto the floor. He posits that it's all one book; write in one, write in all of them.

After the meeting ends, they return to the tavern. Seydlitz does what prep he can for the upcoming encounter with the slavers. Corrax tries to read the bibliomancer's book but can't make heads or tails of it. Mjina gathers various supplies and borrows the kitchen. He's planning on making some homemade dream dust. It doesn't quite go to plan. Normally dream dust keeps your dreams safe from the King of Nod but this time it's the opposite.

Mjina is immediately plunged into a vivid dream. He's in an ugly forest filled with strange flora and fauna. He knows he's in Nod, and it's like being in a nightmare. He walks towards a large palace, compelled to do so, and there he meets a very ostentatious man.

The King of Nod.

They have a conversation and we learn a few things:

* He was not expecting a boy like Mjina to have bested his Nodlings.
* There are a dozen black nimbuses above his head.
* He's surprised to learn of Mjina's divinity and is curious where he got it.
* Confirms the angel they blew up in Corso was his.
* He vows to kill them and take the treasure they carry with them.
* He doesn't know how they hid themselves from him, but he will find them.

As Mjina turns to leave he sees his nimbus is visible and glowing brightly. His nimbus is a crescent moon with a needle going through it.

He then opens his eyes. Corrax is shaking him vigorously! Seydlitz stands nearby looking concerned. He's been asleep for three days.

## Corruption Bars

1. Galvent having a copy of the Book of Fate in his collection.
2. Mjina travels to Nod in his dream

## GM Intrusions

1. The Book of Fate starts behaving oddly inside Corrax's cloak
2. A seam in Corrax's cloak rips and the Book of Fate falls out.