Dream Walker (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 3)

**Dream Walker (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 3)** is the thirty second episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party meets a new pair of travelling companions who have searched for some time to find them and discover their newest goals might perfectly align.

## Dream Walker (The Ballad of Bo & Gal - Part 3)

### **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!
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* We've been joined by our second special guest Krissy! A self described local friendly ttrpg mercenary who can be found on twitter or tiktok!
* Tell your friends about the show! Spread the love and get together to watch and enjoy the chaos

### **Part One**

Boreal, hearing the sound of Nubbi teleporting repeatedly in the distance, along with the sounds of several voices before she teleported back to him, turned to Galatea and said there might be people up ahead, possibly the people Gal was looking for. Nubbi teleported a little ways ahead of them and waited, as if it asked for them to follow, and Bo and Gal followed until they spotted a group of people next to a carriage, with light that poured out from inside the vehicle. As the group looked in confusion over the disappearing white fox, Yashani spotted the two figures in the distance, with one who glowed faintly as they approached and warned the group of what she sees. Some prepare for a fight, while Sterling cast *Dancing Lights* causing prismatic beetles to fly out and light the area better giving the party a better look at who approached.

Boreal glowed a faint purple which contrasted against his grey skin, partially translucent like a stained glass window, with a shock of white hair, wore black studded leather armor, a lilac colored cloak around his shoulders and carried a black steel blade in a partial scabbard and a mahogany hand crossbow on his wrist. Galatea, a beautiful young woman with an almost ethereal radiance about her and a very hopeful look on her face, wore a long blue gown, a light veil that both seem speckled with starlight and carried a staff that appeared to be made out of meteorite and topped with starlight in a glass orb.

RX with his sword half raised, confusedly waved with his free hand and greeted the new people, while Sterling asked for their names. Alaerith explained the group had a hard night and asked if there was any trouble but Galatea was quick to say there was none and that she was looking for Quincy. Boreal also added, after a moment of confusion, that he was looking for a disciple of Sanguis. Sterling leant into the group and asked what they meant by looking for Quincy, while RX pushed Yashani and Quincy forward. Quincy turned to Yashani, asked if this was the same voice from their dreams, as they slung their new rifle over their shoulder with its strap and Yashani agreed it was. Yashani asked the strangers to show them their hands and when she saw neither had the mark of the Ruin Moon noted they couldn't be worse than who they had already met today. Quincy stepped forward to ask who was asking for them and Gal, who recognized Quincy, rushed forward to wrap them in a tight hug and explained she had looked for them for so long. Quincy asked awkwardly if they forgot something important, but Gal pulled away and said they didn't know her. She also added that since Yashani had “blocked” her a few times she felt like she knew her as well.

Galatea officially introduced herself and that she was told to find Quincy by her Uncle Galvan. The name seemed to throw Quincy off momentarily before they shakily asked why she was sent to find them and Galatea explained she had searched for a year because he said Quincy could help. Quincy admitted they had not seen Galvan in years, but Gal assured them Galvan spoke very highly of them. Quincy asked what Galatea needed and she said she wanted to go home but noted it was a long story, that they had traveled for so long and noted they looked like they had a long day as well. Galatea introduced Boreal Khrist as her traveling companion and Bo in turn introduced Nubbi who he called back as she sniffed at Alaerith’s feet. RX stepped forward to shake Bo’s hand and Quincy introduced themself formally to Bo before and their companions. Nubbi made a little noise which distracted Quincy and asked if the fox was his and Bo explained he was and that he found Nubbinaga in a shop. Sterling asked what it was and admonished him when he didn't know for sure, though Bo said he thought she was a fox and noted they didn't tend to teleport.

While Bo and Sterling talked, Alaerith activated *Ob’s Charm* asked if the people were alright to keep around and RX pointed out that they seemed friendly. Yashani added that they showed their palms and at the very least were are not members of the Order of Ruin. Alaerith also confusedly asked if Bo was a new champion of Vaust, citing that they could partially see through him and seemed similar to Tabernacle's transformation. Yashani said from what she remembered of Tabernacle’s oddities it included a smell, along with green and black things and noted Bo was more pastel. RX leant in close Bo and took a deep and obvious breath to investigate and reported that Bo smelled of nothing. Sterling apologized for the group standing silently and looking at each other and explained they had an item which allowed them to speak telepathically to each other and Bo excitedly said that Gal could do something similar. Yashani verbally explained that Alaerith wondered why they could see through Bo and why he glowed. Bo shrugged, said he did not know and explained one day he simply woke up like that and most people from the place he came from didn’t seem to care.

Sterling asked where he was from, formally introducing himself as well and Bo excitedly connected Sterling was Lysandra Myleheart’s son. He asked if it was still possible to get in on the excavations of *Nij’a* or if it was too late and Sterling noted it was a complicated story and could be filled in later. Bo explained he was from the *Maltrop Strip* and was part of a hunting camp out there in *Eveed,* which got Quincy’s attention but they quickly pushed it aside and said it was a conversation for another time. RX noted there were several lines of questioning to pursue. Sterling asked if Bo could shake his hand to figure out if Bo was fully corporeal and when he complied and found Bo could be fully corporeal and felt just like human skin. Bo explained that it took a bit of effort to do so, as Sterling's hand slowly slipped inside of Bo's, but didn't pay it much mind and Sterling noted he had seen plenty of stranger things in the last few days.

Sterling turned to Gal, who introduced herself fully as Galatea Nostru, and bowed as a greeting. Bo asked if he was supposed to bow when he met her and Gal told him no and prefer if he didn't. Sterling awkwardly apologized and attempted to wander off with his notebook and sit, but Yashani suggested he might make a warm place where they could all sit. Sterling agreed and quietly asked, after insisting he really needed one of their charms, if they were really trusting these people enough to keep them around, citing once he let them inside his protective dome he couldn't lock them out. Quincy said if Galvan sent Gal then yes and Sterling questioned about Bo. RX asked blatantly if Bo and Gal intended to harm them and when they said they were here to help if anything the party seemed to trust them enough. Bo started to make a fire, while Sterling started to ritually cast *Tiny Hut* and asked Yashani if she could cook as he wanted to have something homemade since he heard of her skills. Yashani said she would see what she could do with their rations and would really showcase her ability, but Sterling insisted anything was good as his metabolism was fast. Gal approached RX and curious with him asked if she could touch him and as she poked around RX commented that several people had done so in the past. Gal called him fascinating while Quincy watched Gal quietly and deep in thought.

Meanwhile Bo, concentrating on the the fire, cast *Moment to Think* to use the few seconds with the world frozen around him to get a read on the new people and found nothing to causes any alarm, but could figure the party was on edge, though maybe not just from Bo and Gal’s arrival. When Bo returned to the flow of time, Sterling's shrunken heads stared at him and none too subtly whispered about Bo’s odd appearance until Sterling shushed them and threatened to stuff them in his bag. Gal approached Alaerith and introduced herself and Alaerith greeted her back very reserved and noted it had been a long day. Gal accepted his answer, turned to Yashani next and said she had been around her presence but Yashani interrupted and pointed out she didn't know what that meant. Gal explained that Yashani protected Quincy from Gal’s attempts to look in on their dreams, that she can see in other's dreams and didn't have her own and when Yashani asked if she was the one who told them to run confirmed it was. Quincy asked if Gal had seen their dreams and Gal admitted she had seen some, that she didn't try to spy, and explained her ability allowed her to know where someone was if she saw their dreams. Sterling asked if she was a Kalashtar and Gal replied that she was, though more specifically her mother was. Sterling noted his childhood best friend was one and spoke a few words in Quori and Gal responded in kind. Sterling said that the dream talk made sense then and Gal admitted not everyone in her childhood was fond of her abilities and didn't use them often, but was desperate to find Quincy.

Gal told Yashani that not many people had ever stopped her from entering a dream before and Yashani admitted it wasn't something she was conscious of. Bo interrupted to remind Gal they had something for Yashani, explained that they met a lion-man in a cave and told them to give her something. Gal lamented that they should have started with that as Bo handed Yashani a plain white mask with some intricate carvings over the left eye. Yashani, noting they were being honest, recognized the mask was from her monastery and specifically recognized the carvings as a symbol from the walls of the monastery as the symbol for extended life. Quincy asked who the lion-man was and they said his name was Poackel. Yashani questioned this and Bo said Poackel told them the mask was for people who left the monastery and assumed he wanted them to give it to her as he knew she left as well. Yashani, from under her mask, looked incredibly surprised, but collected herself enough to enquire if the man she needed to look for when her studies were concluded was somewhere nearby and Bo confirmed he was and was currently in a hole. Quincy exasperatedly told Bo they needed him and Gal to get better at telling stories very soon and Bo apologized, citing it was a few days ago. Gal explained she helped Poackel locate something he was looking for, but opted to finish the search on his own and didn't want to delay them as he knew they were searching from someone. Yashani was unsurprised considering how much training he had likely received, thanked them for the information and quietly admitted she thought she would feel it if Poackel was nearby, but now realized that thought made no real sense.

At that point Sterling finished *Tiny Hut*, with the rounded over the top of them, while giving the dome a reflective interior to keep the heat in better while allowing the smoke to escape, the space large enough to house them all, including the horses, but not without a bit of a squeeze. As they settled in, Sterling noted Yashani’s new mask and asked if he could take a moment to magically identify it and Yashani agreed. Bo, a little curious, cast *Detect Magic,* causing the dome, the entirety of Bo and all the group’s magical items to ping brightly as he did so, but noted the mask carried a necromantic energy which made them all a bit concerned. Sterling asked to see it further and when given permission noted he would consult his “dead Goddess”, which got Bo’s attention, but Quincy told him not to worry, entered the portion of the carriage in the dome and began to ritually cast *Identify.*

Alaerith approached Yashani, offered to help repair her staff in case she needed sooner and she gratefully accepted and handed it over. Alaerith sat down, first cast *Mending* on the portion of his coat that had been bitten by the wendigo before he cast *Mending* over all the places where the wood had splintered from RX’s misuse. Gal asked about the rumor that she and Bo heard in *Cessunaler* that the group stole from Baron Vintorvas, which caused Sterling some alarm from the carriage. Quincy told him to focus on his magic while Yashani clarified it was less stealing and more reclaiming. Gal warned that they have the Baron’s son after them now and was not something they want, though Yashani was more surprised that anyone would have children with the man they faced. Sterling practically tumbled out of the carriage in his haste, handed the mask to Yashani and explained that as a monk of Sanguis she could attune to the mask, a process he offered to walk her through if she needed help, and would allow her to cast *False Life* on herself once a day.

Sterling went on to say the details about the Baron were left out of RX’s summary of events and asked if Gal knows Tristan. Gal explained she and Tristan were engaged to be wed, something not her choice and explained that was what she needed their help with, that Tristan and her brother were very close and together took everything from her and now could not return home. Sterling noted Tristan used to shove him into lockers as a child and Gal agreed Tristan was a horrible person. Gal added that her brother was Garrith Nostru, who Sterling recognized was the family that ran the Skorian Empire’s vaults and banks, a very rich family and where all the gold mined in *Cessunaler* went. Sterling commented that Galatea was related to the richest man in the Skorian Empire and then to be wed to soon to be one of the most powerful men in the Puhan Trading Company. Galatea explained that the Nostru fortune was all supposed to go to her and Sterling noted they had a lot to catch up on. Galatea explained her mother was a traveler, that she did not think her lifestyle was suited for a child and that the Nostrus kindly took her in. She added that Garrith never liked her much, did not take kindly to her Kalashtar talents and when he discovered their parents intended to leave everything to Galatea, because they didn’t believe he had the temperament to handle it all, poisoned their parents with a slow poison that took months to kill them and made it look like an odd illness. Sterling asked if she knew the poison, but Gal only remembered it must have come from *Mathi*, a place that was known for making poisons and things.

Gal added that Garrith must have found out about their parents plan from their advisor and Gal was only aware of this because of Galvan and that she assumed the only reason she was still alive was because Tristan had always been obsessed with her and instead was forced into marriage. Sterling commented that had the wedding gone through, Tristan would have been privy to anything Gal had gotten in her parents’ will. Gal went on to say that while planning the wedding she met someone, a guard assigned to Tristan’s protection named Donovan that she fell in love with, but when Tristan and Garrith found out killed Donovan and framed it on her. Gal said that she was offered the choice to either marry Tristan or meet some horrible fate and so instead she ran and had been gone for many years. In that time she found the Feywalker tribe, who taught her her druidic powers and helped her harness her Kalashtar gifts. Gal then went to Galvan who told her when she was ready to go back to find Quincy for help, that she was now ready to go home and would be grateful. Quincy apologized for Gal’s loss before noting while they were how exactly they could help, the party already had a vendetta against the Vintorvas family and would be happy to bring Gal along. Gal said she would be in their debt which, if it worked out how she hoped, would be a very powerful favor to have.

Sterling interrupted to say he would need to go over details with Galatea and confessed wasn't fond of fights. He added that his mother was Lysandra Myleheart, a powerful figure in the Puhan Trading Company and asked if Gal was listed as a criminal in the PTC. Gal realized she hadn’t thought of that before, but Sterling said it would be an easy thing to fix when it was all cleared up after they finished the paperwork to remove Baron Vintorvas from power. Galatea thanked him for the thought, but noted if the group helped her how she hoped they might wouldn't be necessary. Yashani asked what kind of help Gal was hoping for and Gal explained if it were just her brother she would willingly face him herself, but couldn't with Tristan and all his people involved as well and needed help to fight them. Quincy assured her while Sterling may not throw a punch, the rest of them were willing and capable, which caused Alaerith to sweat and Yashani explained Alaerith wasn't one for a fight either. Gal noted she wasn't much of a fighter herself and that Galvan seemed to have a lot of faith in Quincy, but if they didn’t want to do this she always had the Feywalker Tribe to go back to.

Yashani asked to clarify that the intent was to take their lives and both Bo and Gal readily agreed. RX said that they seemed to have a common goal and that his companions were already set on killing the Baron. Quincy noted that they were usurping him first so Sterling could “do his thing” but Sterling admonishes them, noted that his plan would be beneficial to them all, that as criminals they would be hunted down like dogs, which is why they should take away his power before trying to kill him. Sterling added that he was alright with the murder, but insisted they do it with more precision and promised Gal if Tristan and Garrith were not dead by the end of the month, they would be shackled in the worst labor camp there was and that there was fates worse then death. Gal commented that Sterling seemed to have a lot of faith in his money, but that money didn’t save her parents. Sterling agreed but also noted his realization over the past few days that he had four very skilled people with him. At the same time, Quincy had their new rifle in their lap and was finishing up the last of the firing components, while Bo watched, enraptured, as he has never seen a gun before. Gal says she wasn’t worried about being labelled a criminal, that she was sure when they took Garrith down there would be evidence of his murdering their parents. Quincy reminded her Galvan was a witness to something and Sterling agreed that once they proved it, all the criminals would be easier to pick them off.

Quincy explained to Gal that the party lost people to the Baron, that originally their plan was to simply storm the castle and murder him, but now the plan was to wait for Sterling’s mother who would help them remove him from power as they pinned cult activity on him. From there, when he was weak and defenseless, they would pick him off and now could take Tristan down as well which would means one less defense for her brother to hide behind. Yashani asked if they could use Galatea’s presence in the PTC as a way to draw out Tristan or would it alert others and Gal replied he would most definitely bring Garrith as well, but it was a risk she was willing to take as long as she was not alone. Sterling assured her she wouldn't be alone and asked Bo if had any issues in the PTC and he said no, though noted people did tend to find his visage a bit unsettling. Sterling said that would work well enough, that the two of them and his mother could distract the people within the castle while the others went about any number of plans. Yashani said she was more thinking that could lure Tristan into the tundra, which Quincy seemed to like, citing that her new rifle had quite the range. Sterling said that might also help if they brought him out onto a balcony and was reminded of the parties Tristan would throw in the castle. Gal noted he might have seen her at one of them and the two pondered on it, but realize neither were the partying type and was unlikely they ran into each other seeing as how they both avoided most of the fan fare.

Sterling came back around to the murder planning, recalled from childhood that Tristan was formidable, even if the Baron seemsed like more of a soft target. Quincy wondered why they would risk the reveal of Gal in the area if Sterling could just invite Tristan out into the tundra for a day trip. Sterling agreed it was a decent idea, especially if it is after the usurping Tristan would be looking for wealthy allies to support him while destitute. Gal said she was alright being bait, but Quincy reminded her Tristan might bring the cavalry if he knew where she is. Sterling suggested instead he could draw out Garrith, that after Tristan lost power Garrith might look for someone else to leech off of and that he held a similar level of power as Tristan. Gal’s only note is that they had to dispose of Tristan before he can mention Gal to her brother.

Yashani asked if they should reach out to Sterling’s mom again, to ask where to meet so they don’t travel to *Krak* and miss her along the way. Sterling agreed he could spend some time to send her a letter that might recap everything they have learned, but wondered if they had a timeline and Yashani pointed out that likely depended on her response. RX said he worried that his previous plans may be of no use, but Quincy assured him his plans were good and maybe should remake his diorama, but not out of books. RX looked around them, took to the snow, asked Bo if he would help and when Bo happily agreed led the building plans. When Bo called Nubbi to help, there was some confusion if she Nubbi could understand RX’s instructions and Gal offered that she could speak with the fox if necessary through magic she learned from the druids, which interested Quincy, who commented that the party met someone like Gal before, though entirely different. Sterling asked if Gal could teach him how to speak with animals and she agreed to try and offered to start now. Sterling noted they might be here for some time and RX agreed, noting his castle was only partially finished.

Quincy asked if they could steal Gal momentarily for a quick walk and Sterling warned that it would be cold outside of the bubble before Nubbi teleported from Bo’s side to Gal’s shoulder. Yashani asked if a walk was necessary after everything they had seen today and Quincy promised they would stay within sight and range of the charm, but noted it was a conversation they needed to have alone. RX lamented one of the walls was about to fall and Bo rushed to help support it. Sterling noted the dome may be less warm before he shifted the reflective interior to something see through. Gal noted warmth wouldn't be a problem as she cast *Produce Flame* setting her hands ablaze with, but was ushered out as RX said she was melting his watchtower. As the two walked away, Quincy noticed they were being stared down by Nubbi and commented on it before they apologized and noted they were still trying to grapple with everything that had happened. Gal apologized for it before Quincy asked how much Galvan told her about them. Gal said that he didn’t say much, that after everything happened with her brother went to Galvan in distress, warned her it would take time and that when she was ready should find Quincy Desmar. She added that Galvan told her Quincy was talented, trustworthy and if they had the time and ability, would help. Quincy said that Galvan was always kind to them in a place that was not very kind and that where they left Galvan was a place Quincy had run from for a long time. Gal apologized for bringing up bad memories, but Quincy pushed it aside and told her that they have every intention of getting her home, but once she was there, Quincy’s existence was something that needed to remain a secret. Gal agreed readily and told Quincy if they ever change their mind, she would help them as well.

Gal went on to apologize again for looking in on Quincy’s dreams, but to locate Quincy she needed to do it and that she was grateful to finally be here, even though not everyone is a fan of her ability. Quincy admitted it was disconcerting to hear someone else’s voice in their dreams and Gal replied they likely didn’t even hear everything she tried to say since they never met in person, which made the connection weaker. She added that Yashani’s connection was unique as well, that it prevented Gal from reaching Quincy every time she wanted to and Quincy seems pleased by that before she reiterated that they were happy Gal was here. Quincy asked again to promise their existence would remain a secret and Gal agrees, but couldn't promise no one in the estates would see her, which made Quincy laugh. Quincy encouraged them back to Sterling’s hut, citing that it was freezing and together they returned to the dome.

When they arrived they saw Sterling as he excitedly talked to RX of his recreation of the Baron’s castle, but RX pushed the compliments aside and insisted it was only simple geometry and architecture. Sterling asked if he was using his psychic abilities to hold up precarious parts of the structure, which gave RX the idea to activate his *Telekinetic Movement* to bring together large blocks of snow, which impressed the people who watched him build. Quincy congratulated RX on a nearly uncanny recreation of the castle and RX pondered on taking up a career in architecture after they were done with all they needed to do.

Sterling went to the carriage again, entered the portion of it within the dome and told the others he would contact his mother. Sterling clarified that they were leaving any mention of the Nostrus’ out of this for now before he closed the carriage door behind him. After he settled cast *Sending* multiple times to recap everything they learned of Tristian’s arrival in *Cessunaler* before ending with the question if they should go to *Krak* or was she coming to *Nij’a.* Lysandra responded that she was already on her way from *Krak*, halfway to *Nij’a*, should be there by tomorrow night and suggested meeting there and heading to *Cessunaler* together. Sterling left the carriage to announce the news and found RX’s snow castle had only grown and now within the dome were several smaller scale rooms from within the castle. Sterling also found a plate of food on the carriage's step up, a nice piece of warmed bread with a spread and topped with crumbled jerky rations, happily devoured it the moment he saw it and thanked Yashani for the food. Sterling suggested they make a sort of camp before his mother arrived since they didn't intend to return to *Nij’a* and *Cessunaler* was not a friendly place to be. Gal offered to find out where Tristan and her brother were in their dreams and Sterling requested he make an appearance in Tristian’s dreams as a bully to turn the tables a bit. Sterling also offered Gal, Yashani and Quincy the carriage to sleep in if they wished and after a momentary battle of politeness Galatea eventually gave in. Sterling offered that they could put Bo in with her as a nightlight, seeing as his glow ebbed and flowed with his breathing, but with Nubbi awake at his side and growling at whoever was too close, RX noted if they woke him suddenly, he might knock over an entire wall in the castle. Yashani eventually said every moment they wasted talking was another moment not asleep and offered to follow after Galatea as they headed to inside to sleep. Quincy settled in to finish their rifle as Sterling comes to sit beside them, shooed him from sitting at the muzzle end and flipped the gun to no longer point in his direction. Sterling admitted he missed sleeping in the carriage already and Yashani tossed some blankets outside without comment.

As the party eventually faded into the realm of sleep, Galatea entered her space that replaces dreams, found only two tethers in the distance and realized Quincy’s tether was beside her, with its red orbiting star of Yashani as well. Galatea pressed into Tristan’s star first, found a dream of Tristan planning with Garrith, where he explained his wanting Galatea for himself and quickly learned Tristan was still in *Cessunaler.* Gal, not wanting her presence to be particularly felt, shifted the dream into an embarrassing one where he ran through the halls of his private school naked, with Sterling and the other classmates laughing. She pulled back from the dream and presses forward into Garrith’s dreams and saw as Garrith dreamed of their parents’ funeral while he stood beside her. She told him she looked forward to taking everything back from him and as she stood there quickly knew Garrith was in *Cessunaler* as well. She shifted his dream to a nightmare, where the rotting corpses of their parents crawled out of their graves and chased after Garrith.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

Alaerith, who *Tranced* woke first, surprised first to see that Quincy fell asleep cuddling her rifle, while Sterling cuddled Quincy, clutching their arm in his sleep. After placing Yashani's now repaired staff in her lap Alaerith moved to feed the horses and look after them. Galatea woke after, as she was an early riser, and climbed out of the carriage as Sterling woke as well. Gal thanks him before asking if Sterling was cold and he replied that he slept well next to the Storm Genasi who appeared to run very warm. Gal explained she had bad news and explained both Tristan and Garrith were in the *Castle Vintorvas*. Sterling asked if she knew why they were together, but Gal didn't know, though she did tell Sterling he made an appearance in Tristan’s nightmare which pleased Sterling. Gal added that she should be more careful with whatever they planned to do and Sterling recalled that Tristan was adept with a sword and knew a bit of magic. Sterling noted that he barely slept, but hoped to get into *Nij’a* for supplies to make a better camp for when his mother and her people arrive. Sterling called out to Bo, asked if he was up for a shopping trip and when Bo was happy to come along admitted he may be the only one Sterling could bring since the rest of the group might be wanted. RX instructed Bo to leave through the western exit of the castle and Nubbi followed along beside him, floating just a few inches above the snow.

As Quincy woke and wondered why their arm is sweaty before Sterling and Bo headed out on one of the carriage’s horses for *Nij’a*. Quincy asked if they had any coffee left and when Yashani shook a mostly empty tin in concern Alaerith said if he had water he might be able to do something similar. Together the group gathered snow into a pot and Gal cast *Produce Flame* under the pot to melt the snow and boil the water within. Alaerith waved his hand over the boiling water and mutters a few words, and noted this was similar to what he had done for Seren before he offered a cup to Quincy who tasted perfectly made coffee, though no one had to tell them there was no caffeine in it. The group quietly sipped their not-coffee before Quincy excitedly exclaimed they finished their gun, quickly stood and wandered off to fire it into the trees. Yashani quickly followed after them unwilling to let anyone wander off alone and found Quincy dropped on their belly in the snow a few yards away from the group. Quincy aimed at a tree 80 feet away, fired at it causing the bullet to pierce through the wood before it exploded, shattering the wood and caused the tree to slowly fall to the ground on its side. Yashani and Quincy noted that Quincy would be rather good at felling trees before Quincy fired on a rock and also shattering that.

In a moment of excitement, Quincy imagined an applause as they celebrate the hit, which startled Yashani a bit when the sound of applause actually surrounded them. Yashani asked what the sound was and when Quincy asked if the noise was out loud commented on the loud clapping noise. Quincy said they were only thinking about the clapping because they shot the rock into small pieces, decided to try it again and successfully recreates the clapping noises. The two decided it was a strange skill and when Yashani wondered if it was just clapping Quincy attempted cheering upon her request and the sound of applause and voices filled the air around them. The pair agreed it was strange and Quincy wondered if they should ask Alaerith about it. Yashani agreed he was the magic user they had known the longest and Quincy added was the least likely to make fun of her for asking. Yashani pointed out he was more likely to dodge questions than answer them and reminded Quincy that Sterling was likely to never shut up about magic if they asked him.

Quincy agreed before they shouldered their rifle and heading towards Alaerith casually, but Alaerith noticed them easily and enquired if Quincy’s rifle worked as well as they hoped. Quincy excitedly replied it was, but noted they weren't there to talk about guns and magic instead, which she demonstrated as she cast *Minor Illusion* to create the applause. Alaerith, noting Galatea was sitting under a nearby tree and in listening range, activated *Ob’s Charm* to ask if this was what Quincy had mentioned in *Nij’a* about Bolton. Quincy confirmed that Bolton gave them magic and quickly Alaerith assumed it wasn't like his innate magic, Sterling’s learned magic, nor from the pantheon like Seren’s. Alaerith commented that it reminded him of Tabernacle’s magic, that was granted from someone else and Quincy admitted that Bolton said a lot, but in the end Bolton offered it and Quincy took it. Speaking out loud again, Alaerith gestured for Quincy to sit with him by the horses, brought up the dragon golem in the ruins but Quincy barely understood how that works and Alaerith agreed to start from the basics, like explaining it to a child. Alaerith went over the eight basic schools of magic along with examples of each, with Quincy chiming in occasionally with what they had learned recently as well. Alaerith then brought up Quincy's illusion was like something he can do or something else and wished to check, asked her to create the image of a mug in their hand and after a moment of concentration, Quincy cast *Minor Illusion* and created the image in her hand.

Alaerith noted that if Bolton, while slipping and nearly saying his name outloud, gave their powers, then he was the best one to ask about understanding it. Alaerith recalled the fear effect that Quincy had done, with a quick interruption from Quincy who apologized for the accident, but Alaerith recalled them using it against the wendigo with purpose. Quincy agreed that knowing they could do it accidentally made them assume they could do it on purpose. Alaerith admitted he had the same thought about the strange voice they had heard come from him on *The Misty Moon* and that he had practiced on the boat alone. He then whispered as he cast *Dragon Roar* on them, though they were unaffected by the fear, to prove his point and added if she needed to practise Bolton would be the best teacher, but would be willing to try and help if they needed. Quincy admitted they were scared when it all started but felt better to know they had someone able to help her and Alaerith jokingly commented one who could help while they other could try. As Quincy started to wander off in search of more trees to shoot, but Alaerith stopped them momentarily, activated *Ob's Charm* and asked if what Bolton gave was offered or asked for and Quincy replied it wasn't nothing they wouldn't take again. Alaerith asked if there was a cost and Quincy just smiles as she walked away without saying anything more.

While Quincy walked away, Gal approached him, asked if he is always so quiet or if maybe he didn't feel ok to speak around her and apologized if that was the case. Alaerith explained he was generally a quiet person, but that the day before was a difficult one before he stood up, gave a small bow and told her it was nice to meet her. Gal replied in kind and noted she wanted to make sure she wasn’t making him uncomfortable. After a moment of the two trying to politely let the other speak first, as they accidentally interrupted each other, Alaerith eventually asked if she was the voice Quincy and Yashani heard in their dreams. Gal said she was and explained that she had peeked in on Quincy’s dreams for a year now hoping to find them, but Yashani was a new occurrence and occasionally blocked her attempts. Alaerith asked if Gal wouldn't accidentally see other people’s dreams and Gal reassured him she had more control over it since she got older and that she hadn't seen his, which Alaerith seemed reassured by that after a momentary panic. Alaerith stated that if Quincy trusted her then he saw no reason to doubt her as well.

Gal noted that she meant none of them any harm and went on to question Quincy’s new rifle and what it was and Alaerith replied he had no real experience with them other than the basic, but added that Quincy seemed real excited about it. Gal asked what Alaerith did, aware that Quincy was clearly skilled with firearms and wondered where Alaerith’s talents lied. He pulled out his left hand and cast *Prestidigitation* causing a small shower of sparks with, said he was more the arcane sort and Gal called it fascinating. The two soon noticed RX had disappeared from sight and a decently sized igloo had appeared. Gal headed over, peeked inside, saw RX creating a desk from snow and told her he now thought he understood what it meant to be ‘bored’. Gal complimented the structure, admitted she was a bit bored as well and when RX asked if she needed something told him no and quickly backed away to leave him to his building.

Gal told Alaerith she didn't want to intrude on him any longer and planned to look at her star map and Alaerith asked, with a childlike curiosity, if she could really talk to animals. Gal said she could and asked if he would like her to show him and he shyly but eagerly said yes. After checking that the horse left in front of the carriage was ok Gal started to ritually cast *Speak with Animals* slowly so Alaerith could watch her as she did and greeted the horse. The horse said hello and Gal told him Alaerith asked her to speak with them for him, then turned to Alaerith and asked if he wanted to say anything in particular. The horse cutted in to say that they appreciated how Alaerith had been taking care of them and introduces himself as Ashton, the other horse as Ludwig. All while Alaerith stared in confusion and curiosity as Gal repeated back what the horses said. Ashton called Alaerith a “nice blue fella” and Gal repeated it and noted that she agreed with the horse. Alaerith began to get flustered and brought up his hood in embarrassment as Ashton worried that he made Alaerith uncomfortable. When Gal told Ashton they might have, Ashton went up to nudge Alaerith with his nose until Alaerith gave in and petted him, while Gal apologized if she made him feel embarrassed. Alaerith thanked her and after they discussed how her spell worked noted that once in a while he was reminded that magic was fun sometimes. Gal admitted it served her well, that she liked to speak to animals, that she travelled alone for some time before she met Bo and that he was a cheerful lad.

Alaerith commented that he understood her feeling and that he thought he seemed nice. He enquired how long Bo's form remained, referring to his incorporeal existence, but Gal noted she was unsure as she hasn’t paid it much thought. Alaerith asked if that means he was always see-through and when that was confirmed started to lose a little of the color from his face. Gal assured him he didn't need to be frightened of him and Alaerith admitted the party used to know someone who could be like, with some similarities and differences, and added that he hadn’t passed out around him so that was a good thing. Gal said they would grow to like him soon enough and Alaerith agreed and noted everyone in the party was nice in their own way.

The scene cut to Sterling and Bo as they travlled to *Nij'a* if it was hard for him to stay on the horse while mostly incorporeal and Bo explained that like how it took effort to make a handshake, he had to focus on staying on top of the horse. Sterling asked if it was easier to walk, although he refused to walk at the moment and Bo answered it would be more relaxing, as he started to slip through the horse before he hauled himself back up and focused once more. Sterling asked if that really just happened one morning and Bo said he just woke up in that state with no memory of before. He added that he woke up in a magical storm in the *Maltrop Strip*, that he was found by some people who brought him to *Eveed* and never thought much of it. Bo noted that the people in *Eveed* assured him it was strange, but strange was the normal there and he had seen plenty more interesting things since then. Sterling asked if he thought he was a ghost and Bo said that from what he had heard about them he didn't believe he was a ghost.

As they entered *Nij’a*, Sterling asked if Bo knew what he wanted to get as Sterling intended on camp making supplies and Bo said a few things like food for Nubbi. Sterling suggested they make a bit of a game out of building camp to see who could do it the fastest and when Bo assured him that it was a competition he would win wondered if Bo was sure he could beat Sterling’s eons of arcane training. The two went to *Asimov's Goods,* picked up various supplies including fabric, rope, fur and wood, as well as a stop of by *Ember’s* for scrap metal that she had on hand, then headed back to camp and arrived a short while later and found everyone sitting around except RX who had continued to build his igloo, which now had a second story.

Sterling announced they had a little game to play to set camp, asked if anyone wanted to join them as they planned to split off into teams and RX shouted down from the top of his igloo that he could repurpose his igloo into a watchtower if needed. Quincy told Sterling it sounded like he had gotten himself into a competition he was trying to rope them into as well and when Sterling shamelessly agreed said Bo looked like he knew what he was doing and did not want to be involved. Sterling asked RX to join his team and RX noted he was busy while Quincy added that last they saw he was working on spiralling stairs. Sterling asked Yashani next, but she said she never been one for competition even as Sterling argued he heard about the merciless way she defeated the bare knuckle boxing champion of *Krapjess*. Quincy suggested the boys each make one tent, see who was done first, then the rest of the group would help make the actual camp, but Sterling stated he could do better than one tent. Yashani agreed and the party started a betting pool on who will win, with Quincy, Galatea and RX betting on Boreal, while Yashani and Alaerith on Sterling. Bo and Sterling had a friendly and tense moment where they each upped the bets on themselves before they were pulled away, told to get ready and began.

Bo started his build as he went through the motions of raising a tent with rope and fabric and wood in a way that spoke to his years of experience and knowledge. Sterling sat down on a nearby rock, activated *Manifest Mind* to bring forth the consciousness of Tatiana Tollanessa from his spellbook and quietly conspired with her. Tollanessa warned Sterling that he was not reading his spell correctly, that the spell *Magnificent Mansion* was not something he could cast can’t cast quite yet and Sterling agreed but noted if he added part of it to a spell he had, *Fabricate*, he could make something altogether different. Tollanessa thought for a moment before she agreed it might be possible and quickly told him to bring up certain portions from each spell and instructed him on how to make it work together as he wrote with his magic quill. While Bo was too focused to notice her, Gal eventually saw the incorporeal form and Gal activated *Mind Link* to ask who the woman was. Tollanessa looked up and responds in Gal’s mind that she was the Goddess of knowledge and magic before she turned back to Sterling and noted he miscalculated a step. Gal asked what she was doing here and Quincy, noticing that Gal was freaking out and could connect the dots, explained Sterling happened upon the broken consciousness of a Goddess in the form of a large book and that the party had already gone over it all yesterday. Gal recalled her conversation with Poackel and the book he was searching and realized that Sterling must have found the *Tome of Tollanessa.*

As Gal grapples with that thought, Bo finished wrapping up his tent while Sterling finished his magical preparations. Sterling stood with his spellbook, cracked his knuckles, begins to cast causing a dome of glowing scrolls, while stones and tress were ripped from the ground and the fabric Sterling bought flew into the dome as a tower began to build before their eyes. As more things were sucked into the dome, causing the tower to rise story by story till there were five, Tollanessa warned him it was too much. Sterling continued to push until the top three stories crumbled and fell to the side and the material that made them dissipated on impact. Tollanessa attempted to smack Sterling, though the effect was lost in her incorporeal form, and when Gal questioned it simply said they had a complex relationship. Meanwhile, Bo looked up at the tower curious at it, and without malice, fired a crossbow bolt at it while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower it. Quincy, seeing the attack and thinking the worst, activated *Gambler’s Taunt* and fired at Bo’s feet distracting him and causing his attack to miss.

Quincy asked what he was doing, while Sterling pointed a crackling finger at Bo’s tent and asked if they were doing this and Bo sheepishly admitted he just wanted to see if it was made of stone. Yashani pointed out they never set a criteria for a winner and RX called down from his now three story igloo if they decided who won yet. Sterling looked over Bo’s tent, called it serviceable for a night and Bo pointed out they only needed it for the night. Sterling argued, as he walked away, that they could be there longer, then headed to the entrance of his tower, explained that he knew as much about the interior as they did and invited everyone inside. The group gathered in a long and warm hallway, lit with sconces, several doors and hooks on the wall, with one hook that held Sterling's *Eldritch Scarf* and at the end of the hall laid a large yeti pelt on the floor in front of a crackling fireplace, with several rocking chairs placed around it. In each of the rooms they pass along the hall are three beds stuffed with feathers, enough to house 12 people.

As Sterling led the tour, Quincy sidled up to Bo, apologized for shooting at him and Bo says he didn’t know magic was on the table otherwise he would have also used some things. Quincy explained they got a little overprotective, but Bo said it was fine and not the first time he had been shot at. Quincy went on to compliment what Sterling made though Bo pointed out he wasn't sure if it was a tent without a roof. Sterling noted it had a roof if they counted the floor above them, though he admitted the floor above likely didn't have a roof. Gal activated *Mind Link* to Quincy to ask if Sterling was always that excessive and a show off and Quincy said yes, though they learned to assume he had the best intentions. Gal called it adorable and Quincy laughed, but agreed. Sterling climbed the ladder that led to a hatch in the ceiling and when the rest of them followed as were met with the second floor, missing a roof, along with partially destroyed remains of a kitchen area, a sign that reads *Yashani* and a dining space where a chandelier made with the glowing stones from the ruins had fallen. Quincy reassured the space was still usable and Bo agreed, noting it was just an open air space and when Sterling tried to insist there was no table they reminded them they had been sitting on the ground to eat for days. Yashani said the good news was there was always tomorrow to try again and Sterling noted his hope Galatea was still around to see the top floor and that it gave him an idea.

The view left the party there as they discussed their plans, over Bo’s tent and then to RX’s three story igloo, with RX at the very top. As he rested back in a lounge chair made of snow and enjoyed the sunshine, the rest at the top of Sterling's tower observed RX's work.

1. ↑ Galvan Nostru is a name Quincy mentioned briefly while the party was making their plans to infiltrate Castle Vintorvas in "The Cold Winds of Cessunaler"
2. ↑ This being the intended destination of Tabernacle's estranged daughter, Abigail, when Flamecannon sent her out of *Krapjess* as discussed in "Captain Flame Cannon"
3. ↑ A spell from Mage Hand Press' 5e expansion *Valda's Spire of Secrets*