Out on the Town, Felderwin

26th Dualahei

Recap after the break. Ian reinforced:

* The loss of Kenna, and the breaking of Mount Mentiri
* The discovery of the journal of D.D., the Marrow Mugger, which detailed reporting to Mara,
* The abandoned tower
* The backwards gold pocket watch with 13 hours, engraved with D.D.
* Korvok leaving the party

      Energy on the restart:

* Moss continuing to gather plants, kind of quiet aside from the Roleplay Conversations over the break. She talks to the group about Korvok's absence once prompted, but is confident he can handle himself.
* Hartmut is anxious, the group is too far from the road and civilization. He takes longer than the rest to notice Korvok's absence, and seems pretty neutral about it. Implies that Korvok was trouble, the party gently disagree, but most of them seem to understand why he would leave.
* Morrigan is trying to establish plans for the group. She spends a lot of time trying to check the status of Mount Mentiri, but it's difficult from here. When the party are within sight of Felderwin Morrigan puts the circlet back on.
* Llunet is studying the crystals and talking with the party. Komani and Llunet have discussed a lot, big picture stuff. OOC Alyssa mentions giving Moss 'bad advice' in one of the Roleplay Conversations. She has tried to study the watch and confirmed that it is non magical. Just a 13 hour, backwards ticking watch.
* Komani has been talking with the group, and practicing combat with her Echo. She has had limited success trying to fight it, but gained a better understanding of the ability. She has been furious that Korvok left without any word - he was meant to be helping protect the weaker members of the group (specifcally Moss and Hartmut which is rude). It's also reminding her of her missing sister.

The group see two young-ish halflings fishing in the river, and decide to give them a wide berth. Hartmut asks if it would be rude to say hello in gnomish. While trying to pass, the halflings are attacked by two wyrmlings and a Wyvern. The Wyvern grabs one of them and immediately stabs him through the chest. Moss spots this and cries out. The other halfling sees the group and calls to them for help, to save Bobbin. The group try to run over to rescue the remaining halfling. A mysterious figure in a cowboy hat and long cloak appears from the brush, attacking the wyrmlings and wyvern. The party are trying to help, to varying levels of success. Hartmut misfires the Tinkertop Bolt Blaster into his neck. Morrigan misses several strikes on the wyrmlings. Moss attacks the creatures with giant eagles to limited success. Komani and Llunet struggle somewhat to get in range. While the party are getting in position, the mysterious figure takes several shots at the Wyvern with a long rifle. The Wyvern attacks the halfling and Morrigan with frost breath, freezing the halfling solid. He dies holding Morrigan's hand and staring into her eyes.

As the party gain ground on the Wyrmlings, the Wyvern holding Bobbin's body retreats to the South East (?). As it flies away, the party notice a rider on the back of the Wyvern. They appear to cast haste on the Wyvern, which begins moving too quickly for the party to catch.

The Ironlot question the human woman with the rifle - her name is Delta Dawn. She's in her 40s, with sandy hair and ragged brown leather gear. Her gun sounds exactly like the distant firing the party had heard over their travels. She does not tell the party, but she has been hunting a dragon cult. She offers to show the party Felderwin, she used to live just outside town with her family. They ask her to show them to the pub Belrond is most likely staying in, and she agrees. The town is beautiful, but has damage from the Purple Wyrms of a Kryn attack a year earlier.

Felderwin is separated into sections, marked by their distinct roofing tiles.
 Green
 Yellow
 Red

The party and Delta travel to the Golden Meadery. Hartmut orders burgers for the party, 8 for Komani and 1 for all the others, excluding himself and Moss. He gets mead for Komani and himself, saying he didn't know what the rest of the group would want, or if they had anything fancy enough for Llunet. Moss goes to order for the others. When she finds out they do not in fact have anything finer than mead, she asks the bartender to add a garnish to Llunet's to make it seem nicer. Delta buys her own mead and sits with the party.

Hartmut tries to quiz the bartenders (one in training named Ander, and one senior staff member who sounds kind of tired) on Belrond and the cart and Linok. The older bartender gives some twisty response, that if he had seen Belrond then Hartmut would know that song he plays. Morrigan overhears this and understands it as a pass phrase for the Golden Grin, and starts trying to play a song on her panflute in answer (The Grinning Fool). She's beaten to it by Hartmut - who recalls the Ballad of the Chroma Conclave (these might be switched). The bartender is named Willoughby Goldfounds. He tells them both to meet him outside. Hartmut returns to the table and tells them he's going outside. Morrigan seems mildly annoyed by this. They turn down backup and head out together.

Moss lets Wes on to the table to beg food from Komani. Delta seems unsettled by the sudden appearance of an unexplained rodent. A small child wanders up and asks Moss about the 'cat', then grabs Wes roughly. The memory of Kenna crushing Corvid is still fresh and Moss snatches Wes back, tries to hide him in her hood using sleight of hands and fails, then point blank tells the child there is no animal, while Wes hisses at the child, entirely visible. Delta seems bothered by this level of cruelty towards a child, and offers to help the kid find another cat. They head out to search for one.

Komani and Llunet grow restless waiting at the table. Komani asks Llunet to read the message board posted in the bar, and is immediately fascinated by the article about the "Scymir Serpent", a great beast that is reported to live in the lake. These rumours come from a man who has recently been arrested for raving about it. Komani is eager to go find this creature and fight it.

Outside, the bartender passes a token of the Golden Grin to Hartmut. He tells them its been days since he last saw Belrond and the cart. The Starosta asked Belrond to find and stop the Marrow Muggers, the same assholes who threatened Komani and Korvok in the woods. They have a hidden fort that no one has been able to locate ("The Marrow Muggers hideout, an old Julous Dominion fort used in The Marrow War" ), and are heavily armed ex-crownsguard. Morrigan and Hartmut re-enter the tavern, after suggesting they will potentially go find him. After all, he has the cart.

Delta and the child only find a single cat, and this one belongs to a store. The child says they could take it anyway. Delta starts asking where his family are and who he is, and the kid says he shouldn't tell her, and starts to get really cagey. She says she'll find him a cat. He asks for the one they already saw. She says no to that.

Inside, Moss has been sitting quietly and drinking alone, staring off into space. The others return to the table bit by bit. Morrigan and Hartmut wrestle over the badge, which she believes is hers by right. It gets heated, both of them using magic to gain the upper hand, but Morrigan narrowly snatches it. Hartmut knew the Golden Grin song because of a friend of his, Eagle's Nest. A tabaxi with a drug problem?

Llunet tells Komani they can't fight the serpent tonight because it's dark out and she can't see. Komani attempts to sneak the night vision goggles from Morrigan, who is unfortunately hyper-alert after the wrestling over the badge and stops her.

The party talk about finding Belrond extremely briefly, and don't appear to make a decision. They head up to the rooms. Hartmut suggest Moss, Morrigan and Komani share, and he and Llunet will take their own rooms. Moss seems slightly alarmed by this and asks if they're ok being alone. They're fine.

Delta makes the honestly kind of wild choice to tuck in Komani and Moss. She has a familiarity with the motions, and seems to be doing it almost on instinct. Komani finds it sweet but a little strange, vaguely reminscent of being swaddled by the tentmother. Moss has a series of very strange emotional moments as it happens and finds she can't fall asleep for hours.

Llunet goes to try to cast Leomund's tiny hut for the first time, and Hartmut asks if he can watch that. She says sure. As she's beginning to cast the spell, Hartmut peeks into her spellbook. He asks her directly what language it is in. She tries to divert his question again. He tells her it's in Undercommon. She asks why he would know that. He closes the door to the room while telling her he's not trying to be threatening - and that he learned how to read it so he could understand the enemy. She tries to ask more questions about him and he shuts that down, and tells her to "be open". She says no outright - she might die if she's open.

L: "You like the crownsguard a lot" H: "They protect people" L: "They kill people" H: "So does everyone, so do we"

She digs more - Hartmut reveals his brother knows undercommon and dunomancy. Hartmut doesn't know his brother's political beliefs really, they didn't talk about it. Hartmut says he's intimidated by Llunet, that she could kill him easily and that he is the worst magic user. Llunet asks what he means, he has some unusual magical abilities. He says improvising those is not impressive, it's just extending on other people's work. Llunet says she has had to study a great deal, and seems slightly mystified by the idea of editing spells like that. Hartmut mentions he stole his brothers old notebook to get his spell glyph tattoos. Someone else did the tattooing. He returned the book before his brother noticed.

Llunet finishes the spell - the inside of the room is dotted with stars. Hartmut heads out to his own room and the party rest.

Delta leaves, heading out of town. Ian points out that there is an elven lady watching.

Delta's notes on the party:

* Hartmut holds himself as if he's far from home
* Morrigan has the odour of insecurity
* Komani has a great deal of grief
* Moss is burdened
* Llunet has a light inside her - it reminds Delta of Hope (a person we don't know but sounds like one of Delta's dead kids?).

END VIGNETTE: Somewhere a person is sent hurtling back through time. He wakes in a mechanical instrument not disimillar to a pod from the matrix. Around him, the Age of Arcanum is in full swing, mechanical and magical creations beyond our characters' imagination. Arcane Ascendancy?

He asks to go back again, and moves back to the pod.

## A Quiet Town

27th Dualahei

There are clouds over the Ashkeeper Peaks in the distance - they might be coming towards us, it's impossible to tell.

Llunet encourages the party to find a high point to look over the city - there's no sign of the Serpent, which Komani is eager to find. Giving up on scouting, Komani dives off the clilff with little warning, heading straight to the river. She lands heavily, taking 22 hp damage. She immediately encounters Delta, who was standing nearby the river. Delta asks her "What did you get from that." apparently unimpressed. Komani tells her about the serpent she's hunting for. Delta says she knows the one - Ulmer the Hog has been ranting about it. Delta offers to help search, in exchange for the help of The Iron Lot. Komani is noncomittal - wants to speak to the rest. Komani asks why Delta wanted to tuck us in the night before. Delta says we seem very young to her.

Moss starts looking for an alternative way down - Morrigan scoops her up to fly down. As they're leaving the cliff, Moss sees an Elvish Woman's face appear in the dirt under Hartmut and panickedly asks Morrigan to take them back up, apologising. Moss tells Hartmut to step back, worried, and tries to inspect the dirt. There's something strange about it - like the soil grabs her for a second - but there's nothing else there.

The party meet up halfway up the hill - Llunet asks Delta if she knows anything about the elf woman Moss saw. The hill might be haunted? Cal Juluus Dominion fought for this hill (oh my god why are my notes like this). (was this another romance thing how are my notes this bad). (Imalva the Glazier?)

We head over to the Green Hall to try to get more information about Belrond's whereabouts. The Starosta/Hallmaster might have more info. Hartmut heads in first, there are people laughing in the Hall (possibly at him notes unclear). There some halflings who look authoritative speaking - one is in half plate Dwendalian armor. They're discussing an upcoming increase in Tithes. Llunet, Morrigan and Komani discuss what Tithes are, and incorrectly identify them as fees which go to the king.

Hartmut asks them about where Belrond was sent - the hideout for the Marrow Muggers is further along the Gravelway Path, towards Zadash, if you pass the Egerlin Quarry then you're gone too far. The halflings warn that the muggers have horses and guns, are well armed ex-crownsguard and there are known to be about a dozen of them. Moss asked about a specific guy, curious if they knew of him - they didn't. The halfling admires the Tinkertop Boltblaster and Hartmut asks if there are any specialist stores in town. Brenatto Apothecary. On the way out Harmut corrects the group on tithes - they go to the Cerberus Assembly directly.

We visit the apothecary and buy 3 potions - Moss promises to make more. The apothecary is being run by an underling of Yeza Brenatto, as they've left. Harmut asks if their prices are so high because of the incoming rising Tithes - the shopkeeper is distressed and tries to overcharge them, but Llunet shuts that down saying we'll buy 3 at the normal price or none.

We stop by an armorers (Scaled Armory) - Moss picks up studded leather armor that's oversized, and changes into it right away. The shopkeeper asks if they can buy her old sisterhood leather vest which Moss shuts down immediately - safely tucking it away in her pack. The shopkeeper recognises Hartmut - it's Cade Gerhardt, from the Mugger's Cup in Rexxentrum. Cade is upset at him for 'abandoning' him before an important day at the restaurant. Hartmut says it's because he was turned into a bear (mentions people giving him a potion, people who used to hang out outside the tavern). Cade is not sympathetic, says that a bear came in and destroyed part of his store, and Hartmut tries to apologise. Cade tells him to get out of the store. Moss debates turning into a bear to scare the guy but instead goes outside to commiserate with Hartmut. Hartmut sounds like he feels guilty about it, Moss says it's not his fault and the guy is a jerk. Llunet inquires a little more about the events and is told that Hartmut disappearing messed up an important event with Idolmaster Rankin from Bysaes Tyl. Llunet comes out to join the others and says he's mad because it upset some bigwig from Bysaes. She does not mention Rankin's name.

The party decide to try Sending to Kenna, now that Llunet has the spell. She asks Kenna where she is, is she safe, and tells her that her princess was worried about her. Kenna's response is short and kind of mad -

"I trusted you. Why did you put me in danger? I'll find you."

As the message comes through Llunet grows uncomfortably warm, and gets visions of a stone city - it's dark, and theres an orange Aurora floating above it. Everyone there has been turned to statues. She relays the message to the others.

Moss is a little worried about whether we can trust Kenna - she's an envoy of Asmodeus. Is there anywhere we could learn more? In the Halls of Erudition.

Once she recovers, Llunet Sends to Belrond - "Belrond we would like the cart. Where are you? Tell Linok that Korvok went home."

Belrond's response is short and sounds pained "Don't come. It's too dangerous."

While Llunet is working on the spells, Moss moves closer to Hartmut and asks him in Zemnian about his magic-user killing training. "If I asked, would you do that for me?" Hartmut is kind of resistant (reasonable), Moss isn't a danger, does she mean to knock her out? Moss says maybe, but maybe more than that, and tells him about how the dagger has been firing at random without her control. It's worrying her. She avoids specifics.

Hartmut asks if she uses a spell focus and she tries to show him - but instead pulls out the dagger. She freaks out a little and tells him that's not what she meant to do - it's a sprig of pine from the pearlbow, and that she doesn't use components. He suggests separating her from the knife might work, Moss is very insistent that he shouldn't touch it - this is why she's panicking. She asks him again and he very vaguely agrees - but doesn't seem happy about it.

As they're walking back to the Inn, with Moss at the rear, she goes pale. The others might hear her speaking quietly. "What do you mean - where - ... help?"

## Delta's Story

27th Dualahei

Morrigan rejoins the group - she wants to visit the store Delta had mentioned - Imalva Glazier's glassworks and trinkets store. The party head in and meet the owner, Imalva, a large genasi with firey red hair and dark skin. Morrigan asks to see any interestign items. She's shown a staff, some rings, a wand, some dice and a new backpack, a tuning fork, deck of cards, divining rod, and a tarot deck with the executioner card missing.

Llunet inspects the rings closely - the shopkeeper doesn't want her to, they've had problems with kids stealing things recently. Morrigan checks out the staff - it makes bird noises when it hits stuff, and used to belong to a druid. She tells Moss this excitedly. Moss is very checked out. Morrigan tests out the staff but finds it poorly balanced for her style. The shopkeeper spots Hartmut squinting at the items in the cabinet and offers some glasses. He puts them on and is immediately able to see much more clearly than before - he's staring at the far end of the store and excitedly announcing the things he can see. The shopkeeper suggests Moss should buy a matching pair of green sunglasses. She puts them on and pays, still absent as hell. She also buys some pants, and immediately puts them on, matching her new leathers.

Llunet identified the rings as a ring of swim speed, and a ring of mind shielding. She purchases the latter, borrowing (?) 16g from Hartmut, in exchange for temporarily (?) loaning him the Ring of Fog Cloud the party acquired from Sken Zabris. Llunet also exchanged her Potion of Bewitching to cover the cost. The shopkeeper mentions the thieves - mostly teens looking for trouble, and to fight Olmer's serpent.

The group head out, unsure exactly what to do next. They're discussing next steps when Moss says she wants them to talk to Delta. The group are a little uncertain about it but Moss is weirdly flat and pushy - we know things about her, we should just tell her the truth, find out what she knows. "Why don't we try **not** lying, for once" She sounds a little mad about it. The party agree and they head to the church Delta stays at, then move to Cal's Watch.

Llunet prompts Moss to actually start the conversation - it's clear Moss didn't fully think this through. Starts by asking if Delta knows a fire genasi - she knows one in town, but appears to genuinely not know of Mara. We show her the book from the river body. She agrees that her name is in there, but doesn't appear to be the author of it. We show her the watch we found, which definitely freaks her out. After a short explanation of the events of Renewal Fest, Delta tells the party some of her story.

Delta had a husband, Nathaniel, and child, Maggie. Her husband left years ago (like between 5 and 3 years) to support the war efforts in Eiselcross. He became an Idolmaster - Idolmaster Nathaniel Dawn. She was told that he died. She seems less than certain he died.

A while after that, she met a Xhorhassian drow runaway who called herself Hope. Hope was dressed in 'rich clothing' and was in hiding. Delta and Hope lived together for a while, Hope and Maggie got along very well. Delta and Hope may have been in love? But Hope may have been the reason Felderwin was attacked by Xhorhas. In the attack, Delta was killed and revived by something she describes as a light. She thinks her daughter was also targeted by the light, but her daughter hasn't found her way back yet for some reason. Delta can sense her presence around Felderwin sometimes. Above the table, those who are familiar with CR canon might know what she's talking about. She has felt the light within 2 of the party members [?].

Delta agrees to leave Felderwin with the party to try to rescue Belrond and Linok - she's opposed to the muggers. She thinks their leader is not a tabaxi, but a cat fiend of some sort, a creature with distinctive backwards hands. [Crack of Thunder is likely a [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/16990-rakshasa Rakshasa]]. Delta (like several other NPCs) warns the party off attacking the muggers directly.

The party agree to meet her tomorrow to leave town. After this shockingly fruitful conversation they decide to find Ulmer the Hog, the prisoner who says he saw the Scymir Serpent, to find out what's happening there. The party head to the prison.

## Chasing The Scymir Serpent

27th Dualahei

Inside the prison, Komani negotiates passage to visit Ulmer. The guards want to know if theyr'e here to tease Ulmer like the kids earlier.

Ulmer tells them about where he saw the serpent at a tributary of the Scymir - south past a broken bridge that stops larger boats. He found odd statues of fish there (one of which he gave to Ari at Brenatto's Apothecary to study. He says that Ander from the Golden Meadery showed him a kindness and had him thrown in prison to stop endangering the locals with his rumors. He's pleased to have a roof over his head and three meals a day, and says he'll likely start drinking again if freed.

He says that he saw a cart (non-mechanical) by the river close to the first time he saw the serpent. He tells us we can find a map to the Serpent at his house, as well as a little about his family who died in the Kryn attack. He makes a point of telling the guard, Bran, that it's not Ulmer's fault if The Ironlot die. The party venture to his house, where they do find some strange stone fish, victims of petrification. There's a teen hiding there, named Venetta, she was looking for the map to follow her friends. Rayburn and Lill. They're off hunting the serpent. The group offer to help save her friends, and head out.

On the way out of town Llunet rushes back in to the cells to give Ulmer an empty flask he said had value to him.

Moss is able to tell the party a little about sea monsters - this sounds somewhat like a Swavain Basilisk, but much much larger. Potentially the freshwater could have had an effect on it. It can petrify you with the venom in its bites. She warns everyone to avoid that.

At the rivers edge, near the collapsed bridge Ulmer had mentioned, there are cart tracks. Someone unloaded something heavy into the river then returned towards Felderwin.

The group cross the river using Moss' new summoned eagles. Moss clambers onto the first, and Hartmut behind her. Llunet and Komani take the second. Morrigan opts out, instead choosing to fly herself.

From the air, they spot the serpent, 45 feet long in the water. Ghost dips down to check if it's awake and alert, and it sure is. The Ironlot spot the children, mid way up the cliffs behind the river, far too close to the serpent. It appears to have noticed them. As combat seems inevitable, Komani lifts Llunet and places her to the back of the eagle, where Komani can protect her. Ghost and Corvid try to distract it, with no luck. Llunet hurls fire at it, and the group quickly fall into combat. Morrigan is first to actually take a hit from the creature, and it hits very hard. The serpent successfully paralizes and shatters one of the giant eagles in a single turn. The party fare reasonably well at first, but its final attack before retreating is powerful enough to immediately knock down Llunet and Morrigan, and decimates the health of the others it hits.

## Summoning Death

27th Dualahei

The snake tries to retreat into the cave, Komani chases it and very nearly splits it down the middle. Moss heals Morrigan, Hartmut heals Llunet. Hartmut Llunet and Morrigan run into the cave after Komani. Before following, Moss spots that the cave has decorative markings of a dragon claw holding the cave entrance open.

Deeper inside, Komani runs into a giant chamber, with many enormous entrance and exit caves. The wyvern riding figure (who the party encountered with Delta) is inside, chanting in infernal. On the floor, a huge sigil is drawn over a mosaic depicting Tiamat. A pile of treasures sits on top of the sigil. There are three town guards standing at the edge of the circle, and the teens are trying to hide on the far side.

Komani continues moving to attack the serpent. Moss is able to decipher the smallest amount of what the figure is saying - "Lord Arkhan. We've found the Dodecahedron, send a spawn, this sacrifice...". Hartmut takes a shot at the figure with the Tinkertop Boltblaster, but it's too late, and Komani kills the serprent on top of the summoning circle. The rider seems pleased - and the pile of gold and the serpent corpse disappear into the sigil. Through the sigil, giant hands appear, and a thunderous voice says that the sacrifice is suitable, and will summon Shiv Barasha, the diamond barrage.

Slowly, the head of a white dragon pulls up out of the circle, clambering into the room. The wyvern rider commands it (in common) to raze Felderwin and find the Dodecahedron.

At the side of the room is the guard Ander, and two other guardsmen. Upon hearing this they begin to protest - they brought the tithes as a sacrifice to return their lost loved ones, not for this.

Komani is in the centre of the room, attacking the dragon as it rises. Morrigan is holding back, still horribly wounded from the first encounter. She suggests the group retreat. Llunet runs forwards to strike the dragon, pushing past Morri. Hartmut tells Moss she has to promise him she'll get him out of there - and also dashes past, to Komani directly under the dragon. He pushes a potion of enlarge onto her, with a promise it's not a love potion. She warily accepts it. Komani, now 19"2 tall, is wrestling with the dragon in the centre of the room.

Moss is to the back of the room, and casts Eldritch Blast on the wyvern rider. The outside viewer might notice her having a brief exchange with the knife, looking distressed and shaking her head. She summons her totem to help heal the group.

Hartmut manages to knock down the wyvern, and Moss is able to set her wolves on the rider. Quickly, he is defeated and falls to ash. Komani takes a swing at one of the guardsmen, instantly killing him. The other looks horrified and is theoretically trying to help the group fight the dragon.

The dragon fully frees itself from the portal and rises into the air - Llunet is able to leap onto its back, and begins attacking it from there. [The dragon has been hit for about 30 damage by Komani, about 8 from Llunet, about 8 from Moss, any others?]

It uses its breath weapon - hitting Komani and Moss, for 44 and 22 damage respectively. The second guard is also struck, and dies immediately. Komani is knocked down. Morrigan rushes in to get Komani back up. The dragon begins to run, apparently chasing the youths, who are hiding in the north corridor. They get free and run back out towards the entrance the Ironlot used. The remaining guard, Ander, is hiding that way and seems to want to help them.

Llunet lands a hit on the dragon from its back and it begins to retreat - stopping to try to dislodge Llunet each turn. She's unable to hit it again but keeps trying. Komani, Moss and Hartmut give chase. Moving too slowly, Moss wildshapes and grabs an alarmed Hartmut, trying to dash after the dragon, followed by her wolfpack. It's going ok until the dragon gets free of the caves and is able to move at full speed. It races off into the distance.

Llunet continues attacking it to limited success, and is finally thrown off, further towards Felderwin. She's able to featherfall, control her descent, and falls holding her gem sword.

## The Days Keep Coming

Deep in the woods off the gravelway path, Llunet is alone. The bushes begin to rustle and she can hear footsteps. Glowing yellow eyes peer out at her from the dark. It's spotted her - she tries to climb a tree to hide from it. For a moment it seems to have worked. From the darkness, cold sickly breath drifts over Llunet's cheek. Scant inches from her, the ghoul sits, murmuring his lost loves' name.

Back in the plains, Hartmut and Moss are able to spot the figure of Llunet falling from the dragon as it speeds towards Felderwin. Still in her warhorse wildshape, they race after the elf.

Inside the cave, Morrigan talks to the children and the Hallmaster, Ander. He is absolutely terrified of Komani. Komani gives one of the children, Lil, the spear from the guard she killed - it's so oversized that Komani has to break it in half for the child. Morrigan convinces them to take Ander's cart and head towards Oldfield, to get backup for Felderwin. Komani and Morrigan head towards Felderwin, over the plains, as quickly as they can.

Hartmut and Moss reach the woods - Llunet's tracks are everywhere, Ghost's feathers scattered along her path. She must have left the tree. She's very injured - the tracks are easy enough to follow, they're spattered with blood. Hartmut calls out for her, and Moss starts racing after the tracks again.

Much deeper in the forest Llunet is running - trying to use Ghost as a gauge for how close the creature is. There's a muffled screech, and he disappears completely from her senses. She can hear the other two somewhere in the woods, but too far to reach her. She can run towards them, but it'll take her past the ghoul, and exhaust her to do it. She makes the decision and sprints past it, taking an opportunity attack that almost knocks her down entirely. Llunet turns to face the creature and screams at it, keeping her eyes on it exactly as it circles her in the woods

Moss and Hartmut finally reach the clearing Llunet is in - immediately moving to attack the ghoul, with fire and the Tinkertop Bolt Blaster. They're able to deal some serious damage, and are shortly bolstered by the arrival of Moss' wolfpack. Almost immediately after that, Morrigan and a still-giant Komani thunder into the fight.

The ghoul struggles against the reunited group - and Llunet is the one who deals the killing blow, still weak from the last fight and fall.

As the creature dies, Morrigan sets it alight, worried it will regenerate again.

Worried about the dragon that must have reached Felderwin by now, the party immediately begin marching back to town. They take turns to take advantage of the giant Komani, who is happy to carry them while they short rest. Llunet is even able to take a long rest, between Komani's arms and riding on Warhorse-Moss.

They arrive at town in good health and find... nothing. There's no destruction, no signs of an attack. Morrigan tries to warn the guardsmen at the gate, but without any proof there's nothing much to be done. The party head into town cautiously - some of them thinking about the possibility that the dragon is hiding amongst them, in human form.

They make their way to the Golden Meadery. Hartmut tries to get everyone food on the token, from the trainee bartender. Komani more successfully gets them all food and drink, by coincidentally running into Willoughby Goldfounds. Hartmut runs to find Delta, along with the trainee bartender Ander. Trainee bartender Ander suggests Hartmut lie [about something] and Hartmut reacts badly. Ander says he lies for the greater good sometimes. Delta is not at the Dawnfather shrine, where she was staying. Hartmut mentions he used to worship the Dawnfather. They head back to the bar. Hartmut eats and heads quickly to bed, exhausted.

Immediately after eating Komani heads to the blacksmith, returns to the bar to steal a keg, and heads back out (i went to pee i have nfi what happened here).

Morrigan is tired. Heads up to the roof. She can see her monastery from there, high in the clouds. Considers leaving - then remembers her mentor might be able to help them all.

Llunet and Moss are briefly alone at the table. Moss has been trying to get the group to talk together, unsuccessfully. She's moodily fidgeting with the dagger. After a while, she asks Llunet "why does Kenna think you want to hurt her?". Llunet says she has no idea what Moss means. Moss explains that Kenna used Sending to tell Moss - "Moss, it's not your fault. I need help. Llunet is going to hurt me." Llunet suggests that Kenna is upset at her for putting her at risk. Moss seems less than satisfied with this response. "I know we've been travelling together for no time, from your point of view, I know - but I want to trust you" "do you?" "uhhhhh".

Komani finds Delta while out on her keg adventure. Delta is returning from drinks out with her friend Imalva, the fire genasi who owns the general store. She and Delta talk for a little, and Delta politely declines to drink directly from the keg Komani is carrying. There is a brief moment where Komani offers to tuck Delta in, if she would like, which she seems confused by. Delta invites Komani to come meet her at her fishing spot, the next morning. Komani heads back to the Inn.

Moss and Llunet pull Morrigan and Komani upstairs, where they barge into the room Harmtut is sleeping in to talk and plan for tomorrow. Komani mentions meeting Delta in the morning, then the plan to head out to Belrond and the Cart. Hartmut is (sleepily) on board. Morrigan tells the group she may be able to contact her mentor for more information on Tiamat and the dragons they've been fighting. She'll have to fly directly to the monastery - which she reveals hovers above Wildemount, and is filled with cloud giants. She could potentially take one other person with her? Everyone is so exhausted, no one can face it at the moment. It will take her hours to fly - she could be back, rested, by midday. The party agree to meet at the northern gate to town then.

Morrigan raises that they're still not equipped to fight their way into the Marrow Mugger's stronghold, and maybe they should find reinforcements somewhere. The party suggest Delta - Morrigan says she doesn't think that's enough. Moss speaks up - she has something that might help.

She tells them about how on the journey to Felderwin, the night that they realised they'd marched downstream all day by accident, she'd encountered a strange man. He'd clambered out of the river, gravely injured with a gunshot wound to his chest. He'd been slightly rude and demanding. Moss had cast Cure Wounds on him, but instead found herself stabbing him directly through the chest with the Obsidian Dagger. She's insistent that she had tried to heal him, only heal him. He was the body the party had found the next day - she'd left him in the river and run away, and he must have drifted downstream.

She didn't want to tell anyone about this, but it might help them get in to the Marrow Mugger's hideout. She shows them the dagger's ability - taking care to hold it with her hand clasped around the hilt and blade. She is swiftly covered by black inky tendrils from under her skin - when they clear a pale 6 foot tall middle aged man with horrific burns across his face and body stands in her place. He looks sheepishly at the group - his posture and armor still entirely Moss'. The oversized studded leather jerkin fits him rather better than it did her. "We need to show Delta - she might know him, or she might be the one who shot him?"

Komani makes a swipe for the knife, clearly distressed by the unnatural shapeshifting. The knife moves quickly to dodge her, and Moss' voice says "He was dead already". Moss looks distressed by this.

Hartmut sounds disappointed in her - "this is so much worse, Moss". There's some discussion about killing people, where Hartmut AGAIN mentions that "we've all killed people" and insists he means the Kobolds. Llunet specifically asks him if he killed someone when he was a bear. He says no, mostly small game animals and birds. Morrigan asks Moss to turn back, unsettled. Moss does so, visibly relieved. The group agree to find Delta the next day. Komani is comfortable sleeping alone in the Sons' room with Moss - Moss is worried about this. Hartmut is visibly annoyed with being awake and the convesation ends quickly.

Llunet disappears to her room, perfectly energized. Morrigan takes to the skies. Hartmut, Moss and Komani go to sleep for the night.

The next morning, Komani and Moss wake early and head out to find Delta.

Delta is in her usual fishing spot, when Imalva's daughter stops by to talk to her. Jacinda, who was a friend to and babysitter of Maggie, is a grown woman now. She sits by the river and reminisces with Delta for a while, it's clear they're very close. Jacinda talks about helping people unlock their true potential, and what amazing things people can do in the right circumstances.

Komani and Moss turn the corner and see Delta, ankle deep in the river and politely conversing with Mara.

## Jacinda Glazier

Moss and Komani are spotted by Mara and Delta - they're frozen in place, both debating fleeing. Delta calls them over and they go. She introduces them to her Goddaughter, Jacinda, who might be able to help them fight the muggers. The conversation is immediately weird. Mara moves back to the banks of the river. Komani and Delta talk a little about meeting up last night. Moss approaches Mara cautiously. "Did you know what the knife was, when you gave it to me? It really wants you dead." Mara is unphased and unsurprised. She wasn't "allowed" to give it away - Moss asks "allowed by who" and is ignored totally. Moss asks her about the Marrow Muggers, her friends, and Mara says they aren't hers any more, they've been taken over. She knows about the Rakshasa. She wants the Ironlot to help her defeat the Rakshasa - as a wizard she's at a loss against it and its magical resistances. Komani and Moss seem unconvinced about working together, and she invites them to lunch at her mother's store to talk further. Moss and Komani sort of agree to this - and disappear back into Felderwin to alert the others.

Back in the inn, Hartmut says he barely remembers the conversation last night. Throws up in front of Llunet, prestidigitates it away, very hungover. Asks if he dropped any bombshells while drunk - like about sad things about his home life like his lost ex, his dad, his brother. Llunet says no? Llunet asks what he's worried he said to them and Hartmut calls her out on 'classic Llunet' behaviour. They talk in the taproom a little, very vaguely. Hartmut eats a second breakfast. Hartmut seems to be pushing to talk about the Luxon, but they're both being extremely vague about it. Llunet asks what he knows about other, non-empire approved gods, and he mentions they've found that trinket to Rae - and that the illegal gods were too chaotic and caused problems. Llunet asks if he thinks the "light" Delta was talking about is causing problems in Felderwin and Hartmut says maybe. They're both being vague and doging talking about it. They move up to the rooms.

Llunet says she's been working on something, to help him figure out how he can trust her. Hartmut reacts weird. Llunet has been working on amplifying magic using the crystals we harvested. She wants to help make an enchanted jacket or cloak for him to keep him warm using the sigils and crystals - he's very eager to help. Immediately a little out of his depth - "that's so much math". They start immediately.

Moss and Komani burst back in through the inn and find Ander (tavern Ander) eavesdropping and taking notes in a book outside their doorway. Komani grabs the book and holds it away from the kid, Moss tells him "we don't have time for this, you're not getting this back" and the two swiftly move into the room and slam the door on him, Inside, they find a shirtless Hartmut trying to transcribe his rune tattoos and struggling with translating from zemnian to elvish to match Llunet's. Llunet is writing in her sketchbook. Morrigan alights outside on the roof and clambers through the window.

Moss and Komani tell them they found the kid spying on them but also that DOESN'T MATTER because Mara is here in town, and she knows they're here, and she is asking to work with the Ironlot. "are you sure it's Mara" "yes she remembered the knife, she knows about the muggers" "Delta is her godmother apparently" "her mum runs the general store" She wants to meet them at brunch at her Mum's house, to plan? During this conversation Hartmut gets his top back on.

Morrigan tells them her trip to the monastery and back revealed the dragon hasn't been seen by them, but it's likely underground. White dragons are big dumb animals who like to bury and tunnel. Tiamat the scaled tyrant, dragon god of evil, possibly more followers around.

The little book Komani grabbed from Ander was 'tips on how to flirt' taking notes on Llunet and Hartmut's conversation. The tips are bad, universally. Most of the group add better tips (fight something for them, ask them about their travels, give them a token, buy them food) and Moss returns the book to him. Hartmut warns him the advice in there is bad.

The Ironlot head to Scaleds, Moss and Hartmut stay outside. Komani, Morri and Llunet browse, Komani buys two whomping arrows for herself and a roll of crossbow bolts for Hartmut. Llunet chats with Cade who mentions northern crownsguard are coming to bolster the defenses in Felderwin and the surrounding areas. Tyllian crownsguard coming south. Llunet tells Moss this when they exit and Moss pales, reacts badly. Llunet digs further, Moss says there was a guy, an Idolmaster Rankin, who just used to get at her, all the time, for no reason. "thought she was up to something, when she really wasn't". Llunet says she's heard the name before. Hartmut vaguely remembers this guy being the one whose meeting he messed up by being awol, as a bear. Moss is stressed, but says the odds of running into him are so low, it's not going to happen.

The group get to the general store. Mara/Jacinda is helping behind the counter. The energy is bad. The party ask if Imalva has any diamonds for sale and she says no, only the temple would have those, for healing. "Gardaine SIlveraxe" might be able to help. Hartmut is still sick. Komani realises she still has a fish from this morning in her pocket. The party are lead into the back room. Imalva's has heaps of artsy silhouette cutout lanterns hanging in the back. The house is nice, comfortable. There's art on the walls, of all exotic places. It's from Mara apparently, who sends drawings back when she's off adventuring. Mara asks if any of us draw, and Llunet shows her her sketch book, open to a drawing of Hupperdook. Says 'when we met you there, we never found out why you were there'. Mara says she was adventuring, but hid from all of renewal fest. Llunet says we nearly died there, in the attack. Imalva and Delta commiserate with the people who died there, terrible business. Morrigan adds "well we can all take solace that the attackers didn't get what they wanted". The energy stays weird and off.

Llunet asks what happened to the child Mara was with, and calls her "Mara, sorry, Jacinda - you introduced yourself as Mara last time we met". Imalva and Delta volunteer that Mara has always sought out children to help care for them, it's how she and Delta became close. Hartmut asks Mara for her adventuring Pit and Peak - best and worst (non-traumatic) adventuring stories. Mara says she saved enslaved children in Shadyrun Creek, that was her peak. Pit would be travelling the Seriose Mountains solo, and feeling very alone and isolated there. (Note: this is where Mount Mentiri is). She asks for Hartmut's and he says seeing Komani throw a huge metal man. Imalva asks if she can tell the group a secret. There was a mechanical corpse found after the Krynn attack. Made from a metal skeleton, and leather and... jelly? Human sized, very strange. They sent it to Brenatto's first to inspect, then to the Cerberus Assembly. This would be about a year ago.

Mara says it's 'partially her fault' that the muggers are active to the north. She had initially organized the group - as the Valley Vigilants. They have been taken over by this Rakshasa creature and become greedy bandits. Did she date Korvok? Refuses to answer. Moss asks if she knows a human man who was with the Muggers, and describes the man she stabbed. Mara says he is "Sebert", a good man who tried to warn her about the Rakshasa, Crack-of-Thunder taking over the group. Asks where they met him, Moss says on the gravelway path. Mara says she hopes he is well, he's an interesting man, treated poorly for his disfigurements. Moss just hums in response when asked whether he looked well.

Imalva mentions she lived in the Mudtop Ward as a child - Hartmut tells her him too, asks who the most interesting person she'd met was. She says she met a firlborg named Egiddeous [Clay], who had come south from the Savalir, which he was trying to save. Moss questions her further - this was about 20 years ago, and he went towards the Menagerie Coast.

Continuing the question, she asks Moss the same - who is the most interesting person you've ever met. Moss blanks entirely for a second then starts describing someone in very vague terms. They had travelled widely before visiting Bysaes, they were her age but had seen and done so much. They took her to a non-elf bar in the bottom of the Tyl, which was fascinating. Hartmut asks if this was a "thing", waggling eyebrows. Moss says kind of sort of maybe. "did they show you the world" "i mostly showed them Bysaes, really". and then they had to leave. Imalva asks when they'll return and Moss says they won't, very matter of factly. Maybe you'll meet again? Maybe.

Llunet or Morrigan (sorry notes missing) asks "Jacinda" if she knows of a cult group called the Bonds of Bedlam. Jacinda/Mara starts off with 'who can say if it's a cult or not' and Morri says only cultists ever have to say that. Mara says she's heard they're accused of being terrorists.

Hartmut asks her her fighting style and speciality, and gives a description of the Ironlot's - Hartmut: did he say interrupting spellcasters? Moss: Plants (gee thank you). Morrigan: all sorts of things, kind of weird. Komani: strong. Llunet: fine at magic (then winks at her). Mara says she can tell Komani is very strong, nothing could ever break those bones. Identifies herself as an arcane magic user, specializing in illusion and conjuration.

Conversation lulls for half a second, before Hartmut stands up and exits quickly, excusing himself to go throw up again.

Llunet exits, wishing Imalva a "if we do not see you alive again, have a good rest of your life." Moss follows this - telling Imalva it's an old elvish saying, then curtseying and wishing her "a good rest of your life" as well. Komani and Morrigan also go to leave, Komani wants more food and Imalva makes her a to-go bag. The party meet up outside, where Hartmut is throwing up aggressively, and attempting to prestidigitate away any evidence, in an upsetting cycle.

The party agree to head to the temple of Pelor, to try to source diamonds.

## Diamonds

28th Dualahei

Moss and Morrigan take the lead at the temple - Moss, who is much too poor to buy the diamonds outright, tries to convince Idolmaster Goldaine that they're doing good works - fighting monsters and bandits, and the diamonds will help keep one of Felderwin's own safe. Morrigan makes a deal to pay half now, and half later, or return the diamond.

After discussing what they're facing, the priest ends up handing over two diamonds. Moss and Morrigan each take one. He tells them that only those who are "good" people can damage the Rakshasa - and tells them to think on it.

The party have some time before they are due to meet Mara and Delta at Cal's Watch. Llunet suggests they investigate the tillage. Moss and Hartmut both suggest chores in town.

The party head out to the tillage, which is full of tunnels from the Kryn Attack. There are Righteous Brand and Crownsguard on watch. Llunet begins casting detect magic, Moss inspects the holes, Hartmut talks to some Righteous Brand nearby.

They tell him there are several threats they know of in the tunnels - ankeg, mostly. An umberhulk. There are also rumours of a doppelganger, and now the party says there may be a dragon. The Brand mercenaries are visibly relieved when Hartmut offers to investigate further.

The group enter the tunnel bearing torches, and follow it down. There is a matte black goo dripping from the ceiling. While investigating, a drop lands on Moss' face, burning her. It appears to be a very slightly conscious creature, a black pudding.

There is the sound of bone striking bone, deeper into the tunnel. The party continue on. 15 minutes into the tunnel it suddenly turns sharply down. Morrigan, Ghost and Moss (as a weasel) head down to scout. There is a plateau, some remains, and another steep pit. They look deeper, and find unnatural stone structures which have collapsed. Returning to the mouth of the cave, they tell the others. There is a short debate about whether to go deeper. The majority want to leave - the Ironlot have an appointment. Komani and Llunet ignore that and cliff climb or featherfall downwards 'just to look'.

At the top, Moss and Wes playfight, Hartmut practices his two ritual spells, and Morrigan visibly sulks, watching the time (reasonable honestly). At the base, Llunet is searching for magic again, and Komani is keeping Ghost out of the trinkets in her hair. In particular, he has become fascinated with a key in there, with transmutation properties. Before long, Llunet and Komani hear a strange echo of Komani's voice from directly behind her. They witness a creature with dark blue skin, textured like burns, running into the caves. They call down the others.

Clearly still wanting to leave, Morrigan flies Hartmut, Moss and Wes down. The weasels are easy, grabbing on anywhere. Morrigan bridal carries Hartmut, who is worried about where to put his hands. At the base, Komani and Llunet tell them what they saw. There's a noise on the far side of the chamber and Moss pops out of wildshape to throw a flame, hoping to see what caused it. There seems to be nothing there.

It becomes clear they'll have to climb further down to continue. Moss, Hartmut, and Morrigan are all still more interested in finding Belrond, the Cart, getting out of Felderwin. Llunet doesn't necessarily want to travel with Mara, it's a bad plan.

The party spot an unnatural ice formation on the wall. The group climb down - Moss and Hartmut both dropping unceremoniously when they slip. Komani catches Moss, hurting herself somewhat in the process - Llunet is able to featherfall Hartmut.

At the base, bones and ice lead off into the distance. There is a fork in the tunnel - a natural crag heading upwards, or the purple worm tunnel straight down. The party head down. Again, the tunnel splits. The party stay on the worm tunnel. At the bottom, in the dirt, they find thicker ice and sludge, leading into a frozen chamber. Inside are Ankeg and an Umberhulk, frozen solid. Ghost surveys the room - somehow the door is closed off to the party by a fresh sheath of ice.

## Playthings of Tiamat

The group are walk further into the ice cave, Moss spots some cave mushrooms (Timmalsk? The Devil's Mushroom in common). Komani finds a frozen fish in a river running through the cave. She throws it at Hartmut, misses, and he puts it in his pack. There's a fork in the path - the first route leads to a barely formed dragon hoard (containing bad treasures like *a door* & *half a wooden cart).* Llunet and Morrigan are peering into it, when an ooze attacks them from the hoard. It looks like it's made of ice - but is likely an ochre ooze. With the ooze dead, the party move back to the other pathway.

A voice that sounds familliar to Moss calls out from the roof of the cavern. She rushes forwards - it looks and sounds like Sage, Moss' missing researcher. Komani and Hartmut verify that they see him too, stuck to the ice on the roof. He's not wearing sisterhood clothes. Moss quizzes him, and he can't answer any of her questions satisfactorially. She moves to free him anyway, but apparently too slowly because he gives up and drops the illusion. It's the Rakshasa, Crack of Thunder. He's in the cave, accompanied by the dragon Shiv Barasha. He is apparently an acolyte of Tiamat as well.

Morrigan takes a swing at him, and it has no effect. Crack-of-Thunder mocks her, and tells them that none of them are good people, because good people would have saved Sage immediately. He suggests that their attacks won't work unless they're good people, attacking the right way. (This means with piercing from a magical weapon wielded by a good aligned character.) Moss summons her eagles, so the party can run. There's something a little off about them - an eldritch edge to their forms. From the roof, Shyv Barasha immediately targets Llunet, knocking her (and one of the escape-eagles) out. Komani tries to attack the rakshasa, but it has no effect. The Rakshasa is mocking them throughout this - says he has the Dodecahedron, "the Luxon Beacon has no use to creatures like you". The party see that he's holding an odd object.

Moss gets Llunet back up, and sets her eagle onto the dragon. Llunet gives Komani her longsword, and Komani's attack still has no effect on the Rakshasa. Hartmut has been trying to hit the dragon with the Tinkertop Bolt Blaster with no luck. Morrigan throws a knife at the Rakshasa and misses. Llunet casts invisibility and disappears. Crack-of-Thunder is bragging about his captives, some half-orc who cried out for Belrond when [something bad] happened. [gap here! one of us said something that got him to say 'you all really know a lot, don't you? how have our paths not crossed'] He claims if we want him to leave we can just ask, Morrigan immediately asks. He ignores her. Hiding behind a rock, Llunet casts sending, furtively.

Moss throws the obsidian blade at the Rakshasa - and it cuts him. He looks shocked that any of them were able to hurt him at all. Excited, Moss starts pushing Hartmut to attack the rakshasa (instead of the dragon) "I'm sure you can do it, come on!" Hartmut misses, and apologises.

The rakshasa announces that Shyv Barasha has unfinished business, and they'll be departing. He plane-shifts away, along with the dragon.

The Ironlot are left suddenly alone in the cavern. Llunet comes out from her hiding spot. Moss and Hartmut use the eagle to check the top floor of the cavern for clues or treasure. It seems to be entirely empty.

Below, a red-headed elvish man appears suddenly in front of Llunet. He seems frazzled. He asks Llunet where the demon monster is. She apologises, father, and says it plane-shifted away. He chastises her for not capturing it, then disappears again.

Llunet tells the party he's not usually like that - she probably dragged him away from doing something important. By the time Moss and Hartmut land there's no sign of him except for Llunet's blush. The party return to Felderwin - late to their meeting with Mara and Delta.

Mara and Delta are sitting by the remains of Cal's Watch. It's destroyed - dug up by a white dragon which came up out of the ground. It found something beneath there - burst out of the earth. Under the ground there was an elvish woman made of dirt and twigs, who had been holding something. The grass around the area is dying - it's spreading outwards. The Luxon Beacon buried here may be the reason Felderwin was able to produce food for the empire.

## Before the Storm

Delta approaches the group and reproaches them - she could have used our help. The party move to the inn to discuss things less in the open.

Mara knew the Rakshasa was more than he seemed, as soon as it was clear he was not a humble tabaxi. She was fooled at first. She's being cagey about something.

Morrigan gets a bit more aggressive with her - no more games. What is going on at the fort.

Mara tells the group that there is a ley line convergence and a powerful source of arcane energy under the fort. A ziggurat. It was developed by the shiftiest of mages?

[this is where lou lost her stylus so please feel free to fix anything i'm remembering wrong]

The party argue about whether to go there or not - it's very dangerous, we barely scratched the Rakshasa last time. Moss argues the party has to go, now that they know their half-orc friend is being tortured there, they have no choice. Hartmut says he wants to go for the cart. Morrigan wants to get Belrond and Linok back. Llunet is a harder sell - she directly asks what Mara wants. The answer is the Ziggurat, and to free her men who she believes are under the effects of a Charm spell. Llunet and Morrigan both mention Mara's past attack on the group. Delta tries to ask about this, and no one answers her. Mara looks uncomfortable speaking on it in front of Delta. Delta specifically tells Mara that she doesn't have to do bad things to bring her father back - there are other options. Mara is dismissive of Delta's options - she doesn't think the light will work to bring back Maggie, either.

Mara can teleport the group to the bottom of the fort. They can infiltrate, attempt to uncharm the Muggers, to free Belrond and Linok, to fight the Rakshasa? She can come with them, or send them on without her. Moss and Hartmut argue for her to join them - she and Delta can try to help at least.

The party ask Mara to help them source magical weapons - otherwise many of them can't hurt the Rakshasa at all. They make their way to her mother's store.

Moss and Hartmut both move to speak to Mara at the same time. Hartmut encourages Moss to go first. Moss makes stilted conversation, largely about the knife. She starts by trying to explain what happened to Sebert. She didnt want to tell Mara in front of her family but - didn't want to lie. "I'm sorry Delta found out about Hupperdook" "She would have found out eventually". Mara appears to feel some guilt for the pain she's caused, but says she won't stop until she has gotten him back. She admits to trying to protect Felderwin, her home, from the attacks. Moss asks her if what she said about the dagger being able to clear the Savalir of corruption was true. No. The Dagger told Mara to say it in the moment. Moss falls back from the conversation, upset.

Hartmut moves up - suggests that Mara doesn't need to serve betrayer gods in order to bring this person back. Tells her about Sarenrae, whose entire thing is redemption. Mara says it is too hard. Hartmut says that doesnt mean she shouldnt do it - he has done it the hard way and it was worth it. The easy thing would be to have given up and starved, to leave his father and brother behind, but their lives would have been worse for it. She does not immediately seem compelled by his words.

Delta approaches Komani, asking what exactly Mara did to the group. Komani says that she hurt 'some of them' and was responsible for the attack on Hupperdook. Delta seems horrified by this. She may seriously want the group to stop Mara now.

Morrigan approaches Llunet to ask about sending a message to her old ship, before they go to the fort. While they identify someone who could carry the message for them, they decide to wait and save the spell slots.

At Imalvas General store the party pick up a staff for Morrigan (the birdsong one, which Mara says was hers) and a glass blade Llunet can use. They are both somewhat fragile, but should work.

They shortrest, aware of the trouble awaiting them. Hartmut mentions not to trust wizards, as they're all drawn to power. Moss stops to ask what he means, isn't his brother a wizard? Actually, how did his brother become a wizard? Harmut doubles down - theyr'e all powerhungry and a risk, that's why he's learning his anti-magic. Moss takes the opportunity to tell Hartmut about the sending from Kenna, when Llunet is downstairs getting her blade. It might be the knife. It might not. But she wanted him to know. He says that he suspects Llunet is connected to the krynn, but won't say how.

At the end of the rest the party gather, and teleport directly to the fort.

Up next: Ziggurat