The Moth Witch

**The Moth Witch** is the thirty first episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party and Sterling makes plans as to what they will do with the book and meet a new foe.

## The Moth Witch

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
* Music and sound made possible by Syrinscape and Epidemic Sound!
* Haelley to tell you about a new D&D notebook from GMDice!
* Tell your friends about the show! Spread the love and get together to watch and enjoy the chaos
* Look out for the previously mentioned "sneaky as fuck" stuff as that is being released tomorrow! The new release will also include some interesting new plans headed to the Youtube this spring

### **Part One**

Sterling looked up from the page after his mother responded back when he cast *Sending,* smiled and directly quoted his mother's response. Quincy said they liked his mother already and Sterling defensively told them not to say that and it was not her job to like her. He then asked what the group's plan was, noting that he didn't tell his mother they were in *Nij'a* and suggested they could meet her in *Cessunaler* when the time came. Quincy restated that the party came to *Nij'a* to regroup and plan after what had happened so it might be better if they met her there and Sterling suggested they could always meet his mother in *Krak* instead. Quincy reminded him she wanted to avoid major cities on the coast and Sterling asked if that was a personal preference or an "Order of Ruin thing" and Alaerith replied it was the second, as he made eye contact noting that Tollanessa had left. RX added that they did not have a good track record with the Order of Ruin in major cities considering what happened in *Kra'Kash*. Sterling stated it might take a while for his mother to send correspondence on when she would come and RX noted it may be long enough for their commissioned items to be finished. Sterling added that she was but, that a lot went into the usurping of a Baron and why he suggested to head toward *Krak* or at least somewhere in between since he did not think they should remain within city limits. Sterling noted they could also lay low, but suggested they should not return to places they had been together and should be where they had not been before.

Quincy agreed quietly before she asked if Sterling knew any way of disguising someone and Sterling admitted he could figure something out. Quincy admitted they would feel better going to *Krak* if they were unseen, and as Sterling flipped through his spellbook said if they were careful they could make themself okay with going to *Krak*. To demonstrated a disguise technique, Sterling cast *Minor Illusion* to alter the color of Quincy’s skin and hair to make them a redhead with fair skin and freckles, but warned they should keep their hands and chest covered as he could only do so much at once. Alaerith asked how long it might last and Sterling said as long as he focused. He also noted he had the ability to make them all look different, if only for a few minutes, if they stayed close to him.

Yashani asked Quincy, at the risk of sounding nosy, if it would benefit the group to know what they were looking out for in *Krak* since she did not know what she was looking out for right now. Quincy asked RX if he remembered what the water genasi at *The* *Shipyards* in *Kra’Kash* looked like and RX recalled that he was on the ship docked next to *The* *Misty Moon*, called the *Sapphire Star.* Sterling flipped through his notes of RX’s summary of the party’s travels together and noted they were the one who looked vaguely familiar and had run up to the ship saying he recognized someone. RX perfectly recounted his *Keen Mind* mental image of how the man looked and Quincy said they needed to look out for anyone in relation to the *Sapphire Star*. Alaerith cast *Disguise Self* briefly to show the uniform and confirm that was what they needed to watch out for and Sterling called the task simple. Quincy called the situation messy and Sterling asked if these people were actively hunting Quincy or if they needed to simply not be noticed. Quincy explained they had effectively avoided these people for over a decade and that *The* *Shipyards* was the first close call they have ever had. Sterling then questioned if this was the ship that laid siege on *The* *Misty Moon,* throwing them from the ship, but Quincy didn't remember that ship as the day it happened was still blurry.

Sterling asked if there was anything else they should be on the lookout for, anyone else with a dark backstory they hadn't shared yet and Yashani commented there should not be anything waiting for her in *Krak*. She did warn that if he heard a haunting melody played on small pipes to be concerned, try to grab whoever was nearby and run away. Sterling took the warning well enough and said they were walking into his hometown. Quincy asked if home was a good thing and a good place for him and Sterling said he would not call it that if it wasn’t, that it is where his family was and had not been back in over a year, though he kept in decent contact with his mother while he was away. Sterling noted the only enemies he had were the ones he made in boarding school, though they were nothing compared to the people he had encountered since he meet the party.

RX asked how people responded to automatons in *Krak* and Sterling said exceedingly well in his circles, noting that the common person might find him fascinating, which was better than seeing him as spare parts as the less than good people might. Quincy warned RX, based on Sterling’s reaction, that he may need to be prepared for a lot of prodding and when RX commented he had already grown used to Quincy cringed and said they might want to have a conversation about boundaries in the future. Sterling watched on and called the exchange fascinating that a robot was learning from a pirate. Quincy smoothly corrected Sterling that he must have misheard and that she was a privateer, not a pirate, which Sterling agreed was what he heard from RX, but inferred the rest. Sterling said the two were generally the same from what he had heard, but noted experience with sea-farers was limited, which Quincy agreed with.

Yashani asked if they were then agreed to head to *Krak* and Sterling said it would be the only place to outfit themselves with the right tools to storm a castle. He also noted it was important to sit down and go over the details of usurping the Baron with the people who would do the usurping. Yashani asked if it was possible to first stop by *Nij’a* to pick up the items RX and Quincy commissioned before leaving and RX lamented the loss of his sword as he held the staff Yashani loaned him. Sterling said if they spent the night out in the cold beyond the city, then he could return back to the city to pick the items up. RX explained his armor would need to be affixed to him, that he would need to go as well and asked if Sterling could disguise him. Sterling cast *Minor Illusion* on RX’s face to make it more human, though the effect was a little too uncanny and couldn't speak since the mouth of the illusion couldn't move. Quincy rehashed the plan, they would sleep in the carriage, go to *Nij’a,* send RX and Sterling to retrieve their items and then leave for *Krak.*

They all agreed and Yashani said it would be a crowded couple of days as she shifted in the tight space that was the carriage. Sterling noticed the uncomfortable movement, noted that the *Tiny Hut* was temperature-controlled and suggested sleeping on top of the carriage would work, which Yashani seemed to contemplate. Quincy asked if they could move the *Tiny Hut* out of the carriage and outside, but Sterling reminded them the horses needed to be in the sphere, which Quincy accepts. Sterling jokingly made an offhand remark about coastal privateers and Quincy muttered while they hated to say his bullies were right, he sometimes said things that made them wonder. Alaerith quietly pointed out that Quincy was saying things first and Quincy groaned as though betrayed.

Alaerith went on to say he had thought about the group had called the first book a ‘decoy’ and that he had two thoughts dependant on if that was true or not. RX said they should refrain to calling it a decoy as both could be real and as Alaerith started to comment that was his thought, Sterling noted that the second book they found gave a significantly stronger magical aura then the first and that the first book’s necrotic aura seemed to dissipate after Sterling had been hit with a prior casted *Glyph of Warding.* Alaerith asked if any of the group remembered what the half of a book they had from *The* *Underdark* looked like, if it had writing or any details on the cover, but no one could recall for sure as no one took the time to examine it. Alaerith asked to compare what they remember of the two books they found in the ruins and Sterling noted both looked almost exactly the same, bound in flesh and with the name *Minoraus* in Infernal along the front cover. Sterling suggested if they said there were nine books to be found, but the blue light of his spellbook, Tollanessa, told him there were only five. When Sterling asked that there were nine in total Tollanessa explained there were only five she was aware. Sterling moved on to comment that it may be safe to assume there were nine in correspondence with the nine layers of Hell.

Alaerith then asked the question of who made the decoy and why they did it. Sterling said the person who made it was the person who watched them through the Divination magic he detected and Quincy added that the purpose of a decoy was to protect the real book. Alaerith agreed and explained his inquiry if the decoy was put by a bad guy who tried to protect the real book from being located or a good guy trying to subvert it being found by someone bad, along with if there was someone doing as the group was doing and if the other books had decoys as well. Sterling gave his opinion that the Order of Ruin members they met in the Aetian ruins likely teleported there, which was powerful magic, but the Divination he detected never wavered as it would if interrupted by the use of another spell and believed whoever watched them also put the decoy book and mirror puzzle in the ruins. Alaerith asked if this meant they had a possible ally and Sterling agreed it could be, but also warned they could also either be dangerously curious or of a deeply Infernal nature. Yashani also questioned if the Divination magic could not have been residual from when the book was placed in the ruins, but also noted these may not have answers to them.

Sterling steadfastly believed they should try, that there was only one real way to do that, seeing as how the ruins likely had nothing else of note, to read the book. Yashani told him she would not let him read the book and when Sterling asked why Quincy told him nothing good came from that book. Sterling agreed, but also insisted nothing good came from the Order of Ruin and noted if they learned who the book belonged to they could get a better idea as to where the other books might be. Yashani suggested the possibility that the book belonged to someone in the third layer of Hell and Sterling explained that mortals had dominion over their own plane and that he had spells he could use to *Banish* the devil that came. Quincy pointed out that Sterling has been touting the person as very powerful from their Divination magic, and asked what made him so sure what they might summon wouldn't push through his defences and slaughter them. Sterling assured them it wouldn't, that they would take to this with precision because he had learned that risk was what it took to get the answers you need.

Yashani told Sterling that risk had only brought them death in the past and Sterling countered that risk brought him to the shattered consciousness of a Goddess. Quincy told him that risk brought them the deaths of two of their friends not even two days ago and they weren't willing to take the risk again, not at this time. Sterling told them that he couldn't go on with them if they weren't willing to take the intelligent point of view and would keep losing people. Yashani asked if he was implying that the intelligent point of view was reading a devilish book and called it pompous. Sterling accepted that they might see him as pompous, but did not intend to read the book carelessly like a novel and intended to take the necessary precautions like preparing particular spells or even involving a priest. Sterling admitted the whole scenario scared him enough that he is seriously considered helping them and that he did not want to see his city burn. He noted that the only danger he had ever been in were problems entirely created by himself and offered to take counsel from his book, as it was the consciousness of the Goddess of knowledge. Yashani said if Tollanessa said that reading the book is something he could do without risking them all, then she would consider letting him do it, otherwise it would remained locked. Sterling thanked Yashani for the concession.

RX spoked up to say he did not think reading the book was an awful idea considering their current plan to go to war with the Baron was dangerous enough. Sterling added that if taking an Infernal book with them was risky enough then they should listen to Ilvwinter. Yashani said she felt it seemed as though Sterling was implying she is unintelligent, but assured him even without his fancy schooling she was indeed very smart. Sterling stated that he never implied she wasn’t, but Quincy assured him he did several times. Sterling started to defend himself again, but Yashani interrupted him to tell him she did not hold it against him. Yashani reminded him to talk to his Goddess and Sterling noted that was all he wanted, that he did not imply she was uninintelligent and apologized if that was how he came off.

Sterling then asked how long until their items are ready with Ember and when RX told him not until tomorrow said that was plenty of time to get “chummy”. RX turned to Yashani and told her they still had 4,700 Infernal lessons to go over, but Sterling, seeing Quincy cringe at that, offered to take a walk with RX, noting they could swap lessons in Infernal and Celestial. Quincy requested they stay within sight as they both exited the carriage. Sterling and RX walked around the carriage, with RX stopping them when then reached the 100 feet away, and when Sterling wondered if that was the range of their communication device RX confirmed it was. While they walked they noticed several small wildlife, weasels, a few birds and a moth that fluttered nearby.

Alone in the carriage, Quincy admitted they were concerned and when Yashani asked what about noted that going to *Krak* was something they could get over eventually, but Sterling pushed to read the book. Quincy commented that Sterling was smart but also incredibly stupid and Yashani replied he had not lost the way they had. Alaerith asked how they could know that for sure, but Yashani pointed out he described his life as easy, a good life. Alaerith said people can lose people and still have a good life and Yashani admitted it could be true. He went on to say he didn't think the plan was a bad one and reasoned to knowing someone would rob a bank, finding a journal with all of their plans in it only made sense to read it to stop it. Yashani said he was assuming there was anything of importance in the book other than something magical and corrupting that could affect them. Alaerith noted it might be, that they didn't know and Yashani said they didn't know a lot of things and a lot of those things have hurt them. Alaerith said that was the contradiction, that the things they didn't knew could hurt them and finding out those things may also hurt them as well. He thought back to Ob's conversation to him, but brushed it aside. Quincy asked if they ever asked Ob, as the champion of the God of secrets might know something and Yashani tapped her charm and reminded them he said he was always listening.

Sterling and RX returned from their walk, asked what the group appeared to be planning. Sterling offered to sit outside the carriage and wait, but Quincy insisted if he intended to stay with them, they shouldn’t keep secrets from him. Yashani pointed out he wouldn't be able to hear Ob, but RX noted he could repeat what Ob spoke. Sterling cast *Detect Thoughts* but RX purposefully overloaded it’s abilities as he saw the spell as redundant to his personal capabilities. After Sterling dropped the spell, Alaerith focused on *Ob's Charm*, called out to Ob, noted he was unsure if he had already heard everything they have discussed so far, explained they found one of the books, wondered if there was a danger in reading it or if there was something they could learn to stop them.

After a few moments, Ob’s voice came over the charm and told them the book wouldn't kill them to read it. He explained that the third layer of Hell was controlled by the King of greed and avarice, that he was unaware who it currently was now and that it contained what made people greedy. Sterling, practically shouting in RX’s ear to talk to Ob, introduced himself and asked if Ob implied that who read it would be overcome with greed and Ob agrees it was possible. Ob also said that while the person who had the book in his time was greedy, the person right after him wasn’t particularly so, but was more pestilent. Sterling went on to ask, though he stopped to wonder if this was more for the woman of knowledge than the man of secrets, if there was a way to put up a barrier between them and Ob said possibly in theory. When Quincy asked if that was something he can help them with, Ob noted it was not his territory, though it was Bolton’s, which made a lot of sense to Quincy. Sterling seemed to recall a bit about Bolton from RX’s summary when Ob noted that was not something he knew RX could do said he enjoyed getting to take notes and listen to recordings of their voices. Ob asked if he should send Bolton and Quincy hesitantly said they wouldn’t say no.

RX asked if they were to do this now and Sterling suggested waiting until they get to *Krak,* but when Ob pointed out it was a bad thing to do in a populated area noted he realized just after he said it. Sterling suggested instead somewhere between the two instead, and when Quincy said maybe on their way to *Cessunaler* and added either that or on their way to *Krak*. Quincy explained to Ob they had plans on their return to *Cessunaler* to end the Baron and Sterling cut in to say “usurp” was the word he preferred. Ob noted there was no usurping, that he was going to kill the Baron and Sterling said killing could come after usurping as he wanted his family to have the goldmine, which Ob and Quincy could agree to well enough. RX pointed out that killing the Baron after usurping him would be easier since he would have fewer resources to protect himself with. Sterling asked the party quickly if they could trust this person and the party readily agreed, which earned a small, humorous snort over the charm. Sterling briefly considered talking about Tollanessa, but decided it might not be a great idea to do so right now considering her and Velix’s history. Sterling then said if they removed him from his position of power, then they would also have access to his collection, though Yashani warned he might have moved it since it was broken into recently, which the party was very aware of. Quincy thanked Ob for his help and told him they would likely be in touch again in the next few days.

Sterling asked where he can get a charm and when told Ob gave them out commented that he felt “out of the club”. Quincy asked what happened to still deciding to help them and he replied helping didn't affect him wanting a nifty communication device. The party agreed that they would wait outside of *Nij’a*, then the next day Sterling and RX would go to Ember to get their items, get RX fitted to his armor and leave for *Krak*. He added that they would then make a plan for *Cessunaler* and destroy the book when Bolton arrived to help them, though Sterling noted his preference they not bring it into a populated place. Sterling added that he had heard of artefacts infected with demons that had a mind of their own and when Quincy poked at him that he wanted to read it Sterling stated it was the only option that he believed would keep those they loved safe. Quincy said it sounded like they had a plan, noted that they thought Tabernacle would be proud of them and Yashani said he would only be proud if they managed to stick to it without screwing it up. Sterling said they had a day to kill and when Quincy asked if anyone would like to play dice RX excitedly agreed and noting how he won by a landslide before. Quincy noted that that cards, which was easy for him as he had the perfect poker face, but dice was all up to chance. Sterling said he was awful at cards and Quincy said they would teach him how to play poker properly.

The group spent some time playing dice games and took a short rest before Sterling suggested they move the cart a bit before they bedded down for the night. Quincy said if someone was willing to loan them their coat, they could drive the carriage a little ways away and RX offers his. Quincy took a moment to feed the horses some of their feed and checked the carriage, while Sterling also climbed out of the carriage and on top of it. Quincy asked what he was doing as he cast *Detect Magic* and Sterling told them he would keep an eye out for anything odd. On the way, Sterling offered to keep an eye out while Quincy focuses on driving, cast *Enhance Ability : Owl’s Wisdom* on himself, dropping his *Detect Magic*, as he looked out into the tundra around them. Quincy found a decent place to stop near an outcropping of rocks, brought the carriage to a halt and checked the horses once more as Sterling cast *Detect Magic* again to make sure the area was alright. Sterling called on his spellbook, asked if they could try to appear again so she can take a look around as her incorporeal could fly a decent bit. On agreement Sterling activated *Manifest Mind* causing Tollanessa to reappear in her ghostly form and Sterling admitted there has been a lot of talk today that has put him on edge, hoped she could help take a look around and she floated up into the air to do just that.

Quincy called after Sterling to ask what he is doing and Sterling said he was taking a look around, while Tollanessa took in their surroundings. She offered that she saw a lot of snow and Sterling commented that she had been a book for a long time. As Tollanessa descended, she paused, looked momentarily concerned before she told Sterling that she felt *hungry*. Quincy asked if that was normal and Sterling asked if they had ghost food, but Tollanessa still looked serious and asked if he didn't feel *that.* She dropped down to hover at his height and warned him to get back to the carriage. Sterling called for Quincy to “start” the carriage and though confused complied as he and Tollanessa moved back to the carriage, but not before Sterling felt something cold wash over him and sunk into his stomach where he felt a gnawing hunger that prevented him from moving and left him *Paralyzed*. Behind him he heard a deep growl appear from the darkness.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

As Sterling was frozen on the ground, he saw a bipedal monstrosity that looked to be a horrible cross between a bear and a deer, with a wolf-like mouth that dripped freezing spittle. Sterling failed to resist the the Wendigo’s *Aura of Starvation* and was left still *Paralyzed* within 10 feet of it, while over 70 feet 70 feet away from where the carriage was parked and the rest of the group where. Quincy rushed towards Sterling, and unsure of how it normally worked called on whatever was dark and scary within them cast *Cause Fear* on the Wendigo causing the sparks of red in Quincy’s hair to grow brighter and snap like burning wood as fire erupted from the ground at Quincy’s feet, but as the wave of heat washed over the creature resisted the fear. Disappointed, Quincy pulled out *Panache* which had *Soul Piece* affixed to its pommel. RX, seeing Sterling was unable to move on his own, ran forward as well, told Sterling they would save him and activated *Telekinetic Movement* to pull Sterling back towards RX’s side.

Yashani, seeing Sterling was safely out of the way, stayed put and readied herself if the Wendigo got any closer. Alaerith moved from Yashani’s side closer to RX and Sterling when he noticed another one of these creatures come snarling out. Alaerith confirmed they didn't want these things around, and when the party vehemently agreed Alaerith told the creature it had been a long day and is was unwanted as he cast *Dragon Roar*, as midcast *Vile's Fang* sparked yellow lightning to the Wendigo leaving it *Frightened*, activated *Metamagic : Quickened Spell* to cast *Fire Bolt* as a bonus action, which it seemed to be immune to into as the fire sputtered out to no effect, then pulled out his right, scaled arm in sight of Sterling.

The Wendigo still *Frightened* by Alaerith ran from him to an outcropping of rocks, hissed at Quincy as they called them "little storm girl", activated *Frozen Spittle* to spit sticky saliva in their direction, as RX used his reaction to activate *Protective Field* to reduce the damage to Quincy. The second Wendigo, seeing RX help Quincy said problems, activated *Frozen Spittle* to spit in his direction. Sterling managed to break out of the paralysation and thanked the group for saving him. Quincy looked between the Wendigos that spat on them and RX, fired radiant energy on the Wendigo that spat at them with *Panache's* *Soul Piece* causing their pistol to glow, as Quincy took the radiant energy into themselves, reduced by *Shaman’s Ward*, noted it hurt less than the last time they used *Soul Piece,* then fired *Soul Piece* again and activated *Deeds : Bite the Bullet* to regain some health.

RX activated *Second Wind* as he positioned himself between the still recovering Sterling and the two Wendigos and readied himself in case they got closer. Yashani, seeing the Wendigos attacked her friends, activated *Step of the Wind* to rush past Quincy to the first Wendigo they saw, struck it with one of her two palm strikes, while activating *Bloody Smite* to slam a shard of red energy into the creature. Alaerith stepped ahead of RX, looked to two creatures before he shouting they should both run as he activated *Metamagic : Twinned Spell* to cast *Dragon Roar* at both of them, only affecting the one he already targeted who felt the psychic energy, but could no longer be afraid of him.

The Wendigo in front of Yashani stood to its full 8 1/2" tall height, struck her with one of it's two claw attacks, as Quincy used their reaction to activate *Gambler’s Taunt* to fire on it and nullify the successful attack and bring it's attention to Quincy, but with disadvantage still bit into her. The second Wendigo no longer frightened of Alaerith, approached him, struck with it's claw, as Alaerith used his reaction to unconsciously cast *Shield* as lightning blocked it's claw, a second claw that broke through the barrier, as RX used his reaction to activate *Protective Field* to reduce the claw strike, and finally bit into Alaerith’s scaled arm. Sterling climbed to his feet, called Alaerith’s work impressive, said he may have picked up a few things, activated *Metamagic : Twinned Spell* to cast *Phantasmal Force* at both the Wendigos, who both fell for his magic as they saw themselves as much smaller, bullied by other, larger Wendigos and Sterling teared up just a little as the illusion seemed to be based on his own experiences in life.

Quincy, a little singed from *Soul Piece*, put away *Panache,* pulled out *Peril & Pain,* looked between the two, finding the one closer to Alaerith was more injured fired on them, moved near to Yashani, activated *Barrage* and missed as they fired on the Wendigo again. RX, seeing the Wendigo in front of Alaerith was released from Sterling’s magic, took his borrowed staff, struck it with one of his two strikes, while activating *Psionic Strike* to empower the bludgeoning strike and managed to resist the Wendigo's *Aura of Starvation.* Yashani resisted the Wendigo's *Aura of Starvation* before she struck it's chest twice, activated *Flurry of Blows* to grab it by the chin with both hands and applied pressure before she struck again with a slam in it's nose as the bones cracked under her palm.

Alaerith, being so close to the Wendigo in front of him, failed to resist it's *Aura of Starvation* and fell to his knees feeling the hunger and cold and was left *Paralyzed*. The Wendigo looked to RX, told him it wasn't done, struck with a claw attack, as Quincy used their reaction to activate *Gambler’s Taunt* to fire on it and nullify his attack, and despite the disadvantage struck with it's remaining claw and bite as it looked angrily at Quincy. The Wendigo in front of Yashani missed with it's claws, but managed to bite her. Sterling looked to Tollanessa, who’s incorporeal form watched the entire encounter, and told Quincy to shift out of the way as they held their action. As Quincy stepped five feet to the side and Tollanessa quickly moves through the otherside of the Wendigo she was nearest to, positioned herself, cast *Lighting Bolt* through both Wendigos, who both managed to resist the brunt of, but still seized up in pain as the Wendigo in front of Alaerith and RX was reduced to a pile of smoking bones and decayed flesh, while the other dropped to a knee in front of Yashani, all while RX and the *Paralyzed* Alaerith watched the spell in amazement.

Quincy announced they were tired of all of this as they pulled out *Panache*, fired *Soul Piece* burning a radiant hole in it's chest, and fired a second time through it's head, as the radiant glow burned through it's skull and out it's eye sockets, causing the remaining Wendigo dropped dead in the snow.

As the area around them grew quiet again, Alaerith was released from his paralysation and groaned in pain. Sterling rushed to see if he was alright, asked Yashani for some first aid and Yashani sighed, bruised and beaten herself, activated *Hand of Healing* to heal Alaerith first. From somewhere behind them, all but Alaerith who was distracted heard a slow clap and an almost patronizing *“good job”*. They all turned around, saw a figure who sat on an outcropping of rocks in long robes, with long black hair that fell down from under the hood, with another figure, a midnight black satyr, with a broken horn that stood silently to the side. The figure said they did better than they expected and when Quincy asked who they were held out their left palm and revealed a white mark of the Ruin Moon. Sterling quickly, telepathically asked Tollanessa who that was and she told him

*"That would be the destroyer, the next, the one that they intend to stop”.*

The figure said they thought it was time they all met. RX said hello before Sterling questioned if they were Lunala and she confirmed she was. Sterling noted he didn’t think he would meet three champions or Gods in one day and Lunala stated she was neither of those. Sterling asked what she was and she replied that she was the essence of ruin and destruction itself made whole. Sterling questioned her word on not being a God or that she was less powerful then one and she stated that she was more powerful.

Lunala slipped down from the rock she sat on, said the group was not very intimidating considering what Esmeria said about them. Yashani asked what Esmeria said and Lunala replied that they were fun to play with. RX questioned if she found that intimidating and Lunala explained that Esmeria only liked to play with things that posed a challenge to her. Lunala asked what they intended to do and Sterling told her they have business in the Puhan Trading Company and intended to go home eventually, but wasn't sure what everyone else’s plans are. As Lunala approached, Yashani stepped further in front of the still hurt Alaerith and Sterling, seeing Yashani was still in pain, cast *Life Transference* to heal Yashani while necrotic energy damaged himself. Quincy, having deftly avoided her panic attack at the sight of an Order of Ruin member, maneuvered themself in front of the entire group and warned Lunala to keep her distance. Lunala defiantly leant in closer, asked or what, if it would be like last time, slipped her hand over her face and morphed in Baron Vintorvas. Lunala said they had been fun, but had gotten away with too much, that it had put a dent in her plans and Quincy mockingly told her it sounded like a problem for her. Lunala angrily told Quincy to watch their mouth or she would put them in the ground and Quincy remained quiet.

Lunala pondered if she should kill them now and when Quincy said that wouldn’t be fun Lunala said she only cared about convenience, not fun. RX started to say something but was swiftly cut off by Lunala. Sterling said killing them would make Esmeria upset, that she should keep her “lap dog” happy and Lunala cast *Power Word Stun* on him, though he managed to cast *Counterspell.* She told him she wasn't to be messed with, that their Half-Elf friend and the old Codger already learned that and that she wasn't happy. Alaerith angrily asked who cared about her happiness as his voice distorted and cast *Dragon Roar,* but Lunala unfazed by his attempt cast *Power Word Stun* on Alaerith, with his attempt to cast *Counterspell* unable to prevent it*.* Sterling asked if they could talk intelligently and when Lunala said he had gall said he was simply raised properly. Lunala laughed, said it would be fun to bring the world down with them in it and when Sterling said he would like to see her try Quincy warned them all to just shut up. Lunala said she would start with their families, friends, loved ones, then she would come for them when they were gone and how that would be fun. Lunala called the satyr to her side, turned around, and as she disappeared between the trees a moment later a swarm of moths rose over the treetops and into the sky. As Alaerith was released from the stun and passed out on the ground, Quincy muttered that maybe Killian wasn’t the only one with a suicide streak in him.

Sterling said that if they intended to go after their families they had time to get prepared and protect them. Sterling started to go on, but Quincy cut him off, panicked and asked if any of them realized what had happened, that they just came face to face with destruction itself and apologized briefly after. Yashani asked what Lunala was doing here and RX wondered if it was an angrier version of Ilvwinter’s warning. Yashani noted she wasn't sure if Ilvwinter would have allowed any of his compatriots to know what he was doing when he spoke to them and that the Baron was more ingrained in their problems than they originally assumed. Quincy reminded them the Baron had a tapestry and when prodded for more information explained the tapestry in his collection room with the Ruin Moon that reads like a story of events. Sterling pulled out a parchment and his magic quill and had Quincy describe the tapestry in as much detail as they could remember while he wrote it all down. Quincy said they should have known better than to think he was just an admirer of its history and Yashani reminded them that Ob mentioned someone worked for Lunala in the PTC, but didn’t think it would be the same person who held his items.

Sterling said this is what they could use against the Baron, that cult activity was not tolerated in the PTC and they had four witnesses to the activity right here. Quincy asked if they could be somewhere else and they quickly all agreed, RX quickly looked over the bodies of the Wendigos to see if there was anything strange about them other than that they are Wendigos but found nothing. Sterling grabbed a tooth and Quincy asked RX to snap off an antler before they headed for the carriage, with Yashani aiding Alaerith. The group noticed Sterling was covered in black burns from his *Life Transference* to Yashani and Yashani grabbed him and activated *Hand of Healing* a few times as she stated she did not like how bad he looked currently. Sterling tried to resist, insisting her handling of him was against some sort of oath, but Yashani ignored him until he looked less worse for wear. Sterling admitted he wasn't sure exactly what Yashani did, that he figured it was better than what he used because even his arteries burned and was a dark magic he had never used before. Yashani asked him not to do it again at least on her account, but he brushed her off as he went to the front of the carriage and took the reins.

Sterling asked where they were going and Quincy said away from *Nij’a.* Sterling asked about RX’s armor and their weapons and RX said they should stay near *Nij’a* and collectively agreed to find a spot outside of *Nij’a* while close enough to travel there when they needed. Sterling looked to the large horses attached to their carriage and suggested they try and get their items now and if they need to be finished could be done in *Krak*. RX reminded Sterling his armor needs to be affixed to him to work and Quincy noted their doubt they would find anyone like Ember anywhere else. Sterling agreed it might be true, but also did not like to remain in one location for so long. Quincy suggested they could checking to see if the items were done early and then leave for *Krak* and if not they could find a further place to sleep and check the next day. As the party agreed Sterling and RX took one of the horses and rid their way to *Nij’a*.

Over an hour later RX and Sterling found the city of carts had shifted as it was prone to do, but *Ember’s* remained where it always. Ember greeted RX as he entered the forge, ignored Sterling’s attempted cast of *Minor Illusion* on RX’s face to appear human, noted there were more of them and RX told her they were resting elsewhere. Sterling asked how she knew it was him and when Ember noted she could smell Sterling’s cologne from a mile away said he took it as a compliment as it was very expensive, though RX said it smelled like a dying fish. They argued for a moment before Sterling pushed RX to get his armor affixed. Ember put on her gloves and warned it was not going to be fun, at least for him and RX noted that nothing had been particularly fun since he was turned on has been. After half an hour and a significant amount of damage to RX his splint armor was attached to his body and properly integrated to his body. RX asked if Ember had any paint in black and orange and she gave him some on the house for him to use later.

Sterling said they also looked to pick up a gun as well and Ember reminded him of RX’s sword. RX requested the gun first and was handed a 4 1/2" long rifle, with a red snakewood stock and a barrel made of black steel etched with intricate Gileshian runes along the side. Sterling called it a big gun and Ember noted it was a big price for a big gun. Ember then excitedly turned to RX, mentioned his sword and noted he had missed it as he raised up Yashani’s staff which had been splintered and damaged by using it more like a blade and less like a staff. Ember returned back with RX’s sword in a new black leather sheath and pulled out the blade, which had been remade with new metal, holes drilled into the center and the tip now forked with prongs that nearly touched at the top. Ember handed it over, offered to let him test it out, as the metal was something new she had found to be more conductive and RX excitedly agreed. Ember pressed a button that made a straw test dummy appear out of the ground and RX stepped forward, slashed once, while he used some of the latent electrical power within him and obliterated the straw dummy leaving it a pile of ashes.

RX thanked Ember for her work, moved in to give Ember a hug and received a strong squish back. Ember noted RX was warmer than she imagined he would be and Sterling noted he did just vaporize a test dummy. RX asked if he needed to pay for it and Ember waved them off and said she has plenty of test dummies that she uses to test her crafted items on, which Sterling noted was a sign that she was good to have so much excess. Sterling then said he was anxious and they needed to leave and Ember allowed it and told him to come back if he needed anything. She also told RX to tell that “sweet little thing” that she would have a lot of fun and that she hoped she got to see home sometime. Sterling came in for a hug, told Ember he would tell his mother Ember said hello and took a small bit of damage from the way Ember squeezed him back. RX and Sterling started to leave, but Sterling turned back to tell Ember to watch out for a dark elf, a man in large armor and a half orc with scrolls. Ember took Sterling’s oddities in stride and waved him good-bye as they left.

Sterling and RX rode back to the carriage, with Sterling's shoulders were slumped while RX rode excitedly while he waved his new sword. As the carriage came into view, RX warned Sterling he would do something cool and Sterling asked if he wanted to be hit with lightning midway. RX said he feared for the horse and when Sterling replied he was being sarcastic said he needed to be taught what that word meant. RX instead swung his blade up, lit it up with electricity and swung it down in a wide arc in a very showy style. Once they arrived at the cart, Sterling slid down from the horse and called for Quincy. RX said they had a surprise as Sterling went to the saddlebag, pulled out Quincy’s rifle and handed it over. Quincy held it upright as the rifle stood a good three quarters of their height, looked it over in awe as they closely examined the runes along the barrel and from their understanding of Primordial was able to gather that the marks read

*One Road Home*.

As RX spotted Yashani coming out of the carriage, he came over, handed back the staff she had loaned him and apologized for the state of it. Yashani looked over the dents and splinters created by RX’s improper usage, remembers when it was given to her by her first very good friend in a warm kitchen and looked down at the staff as she smiled under her mask. Yashani told the others that they were aware she could cook, but weren't aware she also was good with carpenter's tools and could easily fix the damage when she got her hands on those tools. Sterling unaware, asked about Yashani's ability to cook and when the party attested to Yashani’s cooking and said he had not had home cooking in over a month.

As they discussed dinner, Sterling and RX noticed a white poof in the corner of their eyes, then in the other. RX noted there was something white and fuzzy dashing around them, but as he finished everyone saw as suddenly a white, three tailed fox was on RX’s head. The confused party started to actively look for the fox as it seems to teleport at will around them and Quincy decided it was definitely fucking with them. As the fox disappeared from their sight, they heard a voice call out to them in the distance.

1. ↑ Using *Major Image*
2. ↑ Haelley makes a joke about people regretting making their characters tall. Fun fact - Alaerith and Quincy are the shortest PCs at 5’5” each, Seren having originally been the shortest at 5'2"
3. ↑ With their Pact with Bolton, Quincy is now resistant to radiant damage
4. ↑ Ian retroactively used another *Second Wind* to heal up because the damage would have been enough to put him unconscious after the fight.

Also, RX’s AC is now 19!!