Faith Shaken

The next morning(21:42) the party heads down the road toward the Crystalline Academy. They find a sign that says it is closed for visitors and new students, and that it is staying out of anything related to the war.

Deirdre remembers(32:22) an old trail that cuts through the marsh that would get them to Adare a few days faster, but might be more dangerous. This would also avoid Feybreach, which Rey points out has probably become embroiled in the current civil war. They decide the shortcut through the swamp is their best bet.

Heading down the road(41:37), the rest of the day is uneventful. Maudit finds a moment alone to talk with Rey. Rey says that he's getting a bad feeling, the closer they get to Adare about what they're going to find there.

During Kesra's watch(52:04), the group is attacked by bandits, demanding gold from them.

After this fight(1:35:38), Rey finds a red bandana on the leader of the bandits, indicating that these are members of a notorious bandit group called The Reds that are active all along the east coast. He continues to go through the bandits' things, finding a necklace that belonged to his fiancee. They also find a detailed map of the east coast, along with some jewelry and rations.

In the morning(1:52:56) the group heads off into the swamp. As they go, they spot several crownsguard(1:59:45). Kesra and Rey notice they don't have any insignias on their uniforms - they are deserters. They've come from Feybreach where the crown is laying siege to the town, and are heading to Azmarin. Rey asks a few questions about formations and officers, clearly displaying military knowledge.

They continue into the swamp(2:10:14), and the rest of the day passes without incident. Eventually, they make camp for the night. Kesra and Leona have some bonding time during their watch. During Rey and Maudit's watch, Maudit asks him about his military service. In return, Rey asks about Maudit's life before the group, and about what he thinks Deirdre will find in Adare. Deirdre and Amaryllis discuss the Feywild and Eachthighern. Rey and Leona talk about his former fiancee, a famous bard, and about seeing the best in people.

The following day(3:01:37), they arrive at Adare. They quickly head to her dad's jewelry shop, and find Deirdre's father there, but he doesn't recognize her, and says he's never been married. They go to where Deirdre remembers her house to have been, but there's no house there. They also run into a family whose child Deirdre helped deliver, but they don't recognize her either, and barely remember her mother. Rey says that he knows someone who might be able to help - a woman named Synestra - and they head there.

After a short walk(3:16:22) into the woods, Rey leads them to a massive tree in the woods. A beautiful young woman who looks just like Rey comes running out and hugs him. Another young man comes out and introduces himself as Evan. Rey introduces the woman as his sister, Analena. They head inside and meet Synestra, an old human woman with blue and white robes.

They chat with Synestra(3:24:02) as they drink tea. Deirdre tells her about people in the town not remembering her. Synestra casts Zone of Truth and demands to know whether Deirdre is or has ever been associated with Vecna. When Deirdre says no, Synestra tells her that, about a year ago, someone very powerful wiped the memory of her house and all its inhabitants from everyone in town. Deirdre says that she suspects Varonestra, because she's after her. Synestra communes with Ioun, via a renegade spirit from the Plane of Dreams. Ioun tells her that it was Eachthighern who wiped people's memories of her. Deirdre writes to Eachthigern in her journal to ask him about it, much to Synestra's fascination. Deirdre shows Synestra the scars from when Eachthighern saved her from the fae fire, and tells her about that day. She also tells Synestra that Eachthighern took her to the Feywild, and that she lived there, expecting to be injured for it. Synestra tells her that this place is shielded from the fae, and casts the Identify spell on Deirdre. She then demands to know the rest of their names, and whether they're with the Covenant. She tells them that Deirdre is marked as a Keeper - a part of a bloodline of Aasimar who are associated with the Divine Gate. Only a certain Keeper can open the Divine Gate, so many Keepers are hunted and killed. Maudit asks her to cast Identify on him too, and she does, telling him that he also has the Keeper sigil, but it's corrupted with some kind of infernal influence. She demands to know who he is, and he tells her what he knows of his mother and father. Deirdre attempts to commune with Ioun herself, but doesn't learn any more.

Synestra moves to talk to Rey and Analena(4:01:23), as Rey looks white as a sheet. Leona informs the party that "Rey" is, in fact, crown prince Aureo Macierre. He adds that he was also recently promoted to Brigadier General before taking leave to look for his sister, and that his other sister Alethea tried to have Analena killed. He says that some people are already looking for Analena in Adare, and that Leona was the only person he told about her. He asks her if she told Roman Kentigurn, which gets Analena's attention. She tells them that Roman refuses to take "no" for an answer from her, that he watched as his friends beat Evan up a year ago for even speaking with her. She says that he changed when he joined some group that he wouldn't tell her about. Leona says that she needs some air and steps outside.

Leona uses the sending stone to contact Roman(4:13:27). He tells her that his organization found out information about her parents, and that he's coming to see her. She is confused, but tells him she will see him soon. Kesra steps out to check on Leona, catching the end of that conversation.

Back inside(4:21:20), Deirdre is still processing things. Maudit comforts her, telling her it will be ok. As Leona comes back in, Analena approaches her. She thanks Leona for what she and the group did to help Rey find Analena. She asks if there's anything she can do to repay Leona, and Leona asks to speak with her mother, the Empress. Analena tells her that she thinks her mother was one of the ones trying to have Analena killed, and she doesn't know why. She says her mother fired all her counselors last year, and brought in new ones. Leona says that there was information that the Empress had that changed her. Analena doesn't know anything about this. She tells Leona that Rey is quite fond of her, and Ana hasn't seem him act like this with anyone other than his fiancee.

Synestra invites them all to stay the night(4:32:37), and they settle in for the night. Deirdre decides to stay with Maudit. She tells him how she feels foolish for having trusted Eachthighern now that it seems that he's betrayed her. She breaks down in tears and he kisses her.

Leona gets a knock at her door(4:41:49). He apologizes for the way he spoke to her in frustration about her having told Roman about Lena earlier. She says that she never intended to put anyone in danger, and he says that he knows, and he's glad he found her, and she's a good person. He says he doesn't know what he's going to do next, but he doesn't want to be apart from her yet. He also mentions that Lena and Evan are together now, and that he's glad. He gives her hand a kiss and says good night. Leona prays to Sarenrae, seeing guidance about what she should be doing.

Kesra gets a knock on her door(4:51:09). Synestra says she forgot her tea and gives it to her. Kesra is highly suspicious and refuses to drink from it. Maudit dreams of flying over Wolfecrest, coming across a white dragon encroaching on his territory.