Episode 98 - A Huge Jamonculus

## Synopsis

In the Wildcliff Dining Hall, Penny rolled up the scroll inviting SWIM and Artis to the Raethran Estate. Mira asked if she was sure about the invite given how the last party went, but was told they were sure. However Penny also told Mira they needed to talk at some point, a hint of menace in her voice.

Integrity complimented Penny’s dress, who thanked her, but said she was intensely embarrassed by the situation, and left to get changed for class. After she left, Serinepth questioned why she seemed so mad at Mira, who didn’t know but suspected it had to do with Delnys.

The students went to class. Mira had music with Elrich, Integrity and Serinepth had planar research, and Winsler had Zoology. Just before her music class ended, Professor Raethran asked Mira if she was planning to come to the party. She said they were, and would talk to Artis about it too. He asked how she was after recent events, and if she’d made any rash decisions, heavily implying her decision to fight Neska after confessing to Delnys. As they left he told her, “*Don’t hurt my daughter.”*

Meanwhile, Serinepth, Integrity, and Phillip were working on Planar Research exercises. Part way through, while Serinepth was distracted, Integrity heard Phillip *Message* her. He told her he had needed to talk to her for a while, and discreetly slid a wrapped package towards her. He told her it got thrown through his window the night before, and Integrity opened it to reveal a pebble with the message, “*Two more enter into the fold, we welcome thee. On the eve of storms most fierce, the avoracious Raethran’s collection must burn bright. We entrust this to thee, Integrity Philllip Idleberry, and Flaegon Deeptar*” written on it.

### Flashback (Serinepth)

To destroy the elemental snuffer from Professor Deeptar, Serinepth made a fire completely without magic in her room. Throwing the object in, it immediately sucked up all the fire, and sent out a flurry of snow that covered part of her room. After that didn’t work, she tried to dissect it with her knife. Half an hour later, the snuffer broke apart with a hiss and purple smoke.

### Present

Integrity and Phillip continued to discuss what they should do, with Phillip emphasising that he didn’t want Serinepth to worry about it. Eventually he asked Serinepth’s for help with a question, ending the conversation as Integrity put her head to the desk, wondering what had happened to her life.

After their class finished, Phillip thanked Serinpeth for her help, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Mira and Integrity were ecstatic for a now stunned Serinepth, and the three waited for Winsler to finish his Zoology exam.

Meanwhile Winsler had been wearing a thick apron and gloves, and was dissecting a huge, jellyfish-like creature. It’s tentacles more closely resembled barnacles, and it had a hard shell on its mantle, the Jamonculus. While working, he felt a hand grip his shoulder. He heard a voice say, “*Come with me now,”* and turned to see an unfamiliar elf in a floral blue and yellow dress. She said he looked just like “*they*” said he did, and told him they needed to talk in a private area.

Once there, she said that the Archive assistants told her that he broke into the garden, and upset her friend. He tried to ask if she meant the greenhouse Ava Redding, but she cut him off before he could say her name. She did however say he was thinking of the right person. He told her the modrons did not like him, and lied about him breaking in. She replied that she didn’t care how it happened, she cared that her friend was terrified of him doing it again.

After some more arguing, she said Winsler needed to apologise by bringing her friend a rare book. She told him her name was Kyra Hagen, and to find her when he was ready. She then left, and warned him not to mention what he saw to anyone, even in the Archives.

Winsler returned to his dissection, finding a cozy Mr. Wiggles snuggled in his backpack. Unfortunately the interruption threw him enough that he completely botched the exam. He was forcibly removed from the classroom and met up with his friends.

The students headed to Artis’ office. His door was open, with a rope keeping it that way to avoid any more Integrity shenanigans. He was sitting at his desk with a massive book. Determined to cause chaos, Integrity tried to swing the door closed a bit more, causing several books to fall from the shelves and be destroyed. Artis, resigned to his fate, asked what they wanted. Mira said they were actually there to ask him to a party, and explained the situation.

Despite his early reluctance, Integrity was able to persuade him with the promise of food, friendship with Elrich, and possible Delra drama. He looked at Serinepth and told her to get the gift bottle of wine from the break room. He seemed absolutely overjoyed when told that clothes would be provided.

Digging through the break room, Serinepth found a bottle of wine labelled, “*Happy Birthday Artis!*” from Ava Redding. Artis told them the book he was reading, “*Thriving in Immersion, The Untold Tales of the Marsh,*” was preparation for their next trip to Isathil. Together they made their way to the Raethran Estate, with Artis bringing his wine, and Winsler bringing his book wagon.

They went to the rebuilt and reinforced Concourse, complete with new attendant, and travelled to the Raethran Estate. Standing on the landing, they saw Professor Raethran and the elderly elf butler, Felice, in a silver suit. The shiny elf shuffled over to them and welcomed them to the estate. He offered to take their coats and books, but was rejected by Winsler. Elrich then also welcomed them with a magically magnified voice, and told them to follow Felice for their outfits.

Elrich then called for Artis to follow him to his study for a private conversation. Felice quickly grabbed the wine he had brought, and lead the students to a fitting room. Before clothes were designed, he informed them that they would be creating and randomly selecting new personas for the evening. After they submitted the names, Feliz began measuring them for their clothes:

* Mira: A puffy white pirate shirt, with a grey plaid waistcoat, and striped trousers, Crowrigami has a deerstalker hat
* Serinepth: A large, green over shirt, with a dark vest and tie, and dark trousers
* Integrity: A gold and white, poofy Victorian dress, with a removable skirt, and a pirate hat and eyepatch
* Winsler: A smaller copy of Felice’s suit, a silver tuxedo with a dovetailed jacket, thick trousers legs, and pointed shoes, but with a bow tie