House of Ash and Ruin

**House of Ash and Ruin** is the forty fifth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party, reunited with their old friend Seren and having survived their first encounter within a strange new dimension, find a less friendly face and discuss their predicament.

## House of Ash and Ruin

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Reminder : The ABSQ main campaign will soon be switching to a recorded format. Episodes will still be posted on Youtube and all your favorite podcast services, but will no longer be streamed live on Twitch. We will still be holding on to Twitch for potential future projects
* Also the first week of every month there will be no release to fend off future burnout for the cast and crew

### **Part One**

As the party, after hearing the voice, took stock of the graveyard room they were everyone, but Sterling, noticed on the shoulder of the stone figure holding a staff, that adorned the fountain near the center of the room a water genasi man, with badly burned skin, dark rooted purple veins stretched from the wound, wearing a black breasted coat. The figure asked if they really thought he would just walk into what they were trying to do and Bo instantly cut the tension to tell him he believed he vastly overestimated the plan the party had. The man asked if all of “that”, referring to the combat that just occurred, was really just “tomfoolery” and Bo and RX readily agreed. Seren asked who he was and the figure slid off the statue’s shoulder, and before hitting the ground activated his *Shroud* causing the all too familiar black robes that allowed the Reaper to float just a few inches off the ground to surround him. He started to speak in a broken harsh voice before he deactivated the *Shroud* and apologized that it was a symptom of becoming undead before he introduced himself as Robert Vaultanis.

Robert asked for the group to introduce themselves and RX and Sterling offered their names. Meanwhile Quincy, still stuck to their waist in their grave, to panic as the sight of the Order of Ruin member threw them into hallucinations of when Esmeria killed, revived and killed them again in the streets of *Quarryhold,* immediately started to panic and desperately tried to scramble out of the dirt. As Alaerith was about to cast *Invisibility* on himself noticed her attempt he made his way to help Quincy along with Seren. Yashani introduced herself and when Robert asked if her first name was all she knew just silently scowled.

Robert then asked who was stupid enough to mess with “Kalistock’s mirror” and almost every one turned to Sterling as he sheepishly noted that it was a brutal coincidence. Robert asked why he would do that and come into “their home” and Sterling argued it was a cool mirror. Robert asked how if he knew how long it took him to make it and Sterling retorted that he used one *Fabricate* spell and that it was shoddy craftsmanship. Robert indignantly argued that it was a portal to a demi-plane and Sterling restated his point and added that they could have made it portable. Robert replied that it wasn't meant to be portable as it was a shortcut and when Sterling noted they were now there with him added that the rest of the Order of Ruin were there as well. Sterling asked if Robert was from this place and Robert said no, that he was originally from Palamoa like them and this place was where the Order of Ruin were stuck when they weren’t needed. Sterling insinuated they were put in a cupboard for storage and Robert described it as home, prison and entrapment. Sterling suggested it was similar to the lost Forefather and Robert says they would need to talk to someone else about that one. Sterling asked to be pointed in a direction and when Robert simply said no said that he could still try on his own. Robert said he could before explaining they had now had the time to think on what to do with the party. Meanwhile as Seren and Alaerith finished helping Quincy out of the dirt Alaerith returned near to Yashani, while Seren wrapped them protectively in his arms and against his shell, in an attempt to cover their ears and advert their eyes. As the party wondered what they planned to do with them Bo piped in to ask why they were exchanging nice pleasantries with a person that he had been told had tried to kill them on more than one occasion. Robert offered they could try to kill him now and RX pointed out that the party was in no state to attempt to. Sterling pointed out Robert also had the chance to kill them and Robert admitted the Order of Ruin had been told not to kill the party unless they absolutely had to because Lunala had plans of her own and that it meant the party couldn't be forced to join them and had to do so of their own volition, which was why so they were brought here. Robert noted that they weren't actually brought there as they were there due to Sterling, but was still beneficial as it seemed the party was already on their way and told them

*“Welcome to the Lighthouse”.*

As the party grappled with this information Seren motioned for RX to come to him, passed the still-shaking Quincy to RX to hold and stepped up to Robert. Seren asked where *“it”* was and Robert, instantly knowing what Seren referred to, noted he meant “the Formless” and that he knew of it because he researched where to find it. Seren demanded he return it and Robert said he didn't have to, that he importantly didn't have it and that Esmeria was the one who had it. Seren asked where Esmeria was and Robert said she was likely somewhere in the *Manor Room.* Seren asked why he was brought there and Robert said that in moments of desperation the Order of Ruin occasionally sent people here, noting that he must have caught Esmeria in a bind, that he would be easier to deal with there. Robert added that it was only happenstance that Seren managed to run into the rest of the party. Seren asked where the *Manor Room* was and when Robert looked to the ceiling Seren followed suit before he went quiet and stepped back with the rest of the party.

Robert reminded them that they were already on there, that this was the *Dusterburyan Lighthouse,* that they built it a long time ago and slowly stacked several demi-planes on top of one another. He added that they were the ones who caused the magic of the *Maltrop* *Strip* to be so disastrous, that they funnelled the power there and the mana storms were a sort of offset of construction. Yashani asked if that meant the Order of Ruin built their own prison and Robert explained that they didn't build it, that the prison was there first and they levelled what was inside it already. Robert added that this was the prison built for the exiled one, Sezrin, though they could call him Kalistock now. Robert walked through Seren for a less disadvantage position, informed them that their friend Ob, or Velix Rex Agnus as he was originally known, believed himself to be the first to bring destruction to the world, but he was wrong and the original was Sezrin. He added that what was required to bring ruin again is that every person who partook in this event had to agree to it and since the Order of Ruin knew Velix would never agree they put him away where he could not cause them any issues and brought one of his bloodline here to be broken to the point they agreed to help.

Alaerith asked if the voice he heard in the mirror was Sezrin's voice he heard in the mirror, when they investigated the basement of the outpost, and Robert smiled and admitted the voice was a part of the mirror’s enchantment as a joke to warn people off from touching the mirror, though he noted what good that did. Robert told them it was really inconvenient that the party was here, that “she” got excited when they arrived and now the pressure was on for them as well as the party. Robert said he would rather just kill them but wasn’t allowed to and Sterling brazenly told him to hurry up and get to the information that was important to them. Robert explained this place was built to break them, one by one, and if they wanted anything that had been taken from them then they would need to continue. He then summoned the lost *Handy Haversack* from the ground and noted that was what they were allowed to return. Alaerith instantly cast Misty Step to appear by it, grabbed it and cast *Misty Step* again to appear next to Yashani. Robert remarked on his ambitiousness and while Alaerith held his head questioning his action Yashani grabbed the bag from him, turned it upside down, shook the contents out and found *The Book of Sanguis* inside*,* along with *Vile’s Fang*, a number of Sterling’s old missing spell scrolls and *Panache*, though *Soul Piece* was no longer attached to it. Sterling cast *Mage Hand* to retrieve scrolls and Quincy retrieved *Panache*. Yashani asked why they would give up these items and though Robert said the items were of no use to them. Yashani questioned it as an interesting decision if they were trying to convince them, but Seren said it was because Robert believed he had something greater.

Robert reminded them this place was built to break Sezrin himself, but he never did and instead built upon it. Yashani asked what made Robert think it would break them if it didn’t break Sezrin, but Robert explained it broke all of the rest, including himself, Ilvwinter, Esmeria and Darie, that it broke them all. After a a moment of quiet Bo announced

*“With least do respect, we ain’t ya’ll”*

and Robert explained they were mentally strong as Ilvwinter, by his standards, and he only made it to the third level. Seren pointed out they had each other and Robert replied he hoped they could assume so. Sterling added that they could assume they would have each other's backs and that it was risky at best, but Robert countered they would be surprised how much they know so much of the group, how they would use it to cause them to fight internally by planting seeds of disbelief and once they fight amongst themselves it would be easy to get them to agree. He added that was how Lunala liked it, that it brought her entertainment, but he felt it was sadistic and would rather just murder them. Yashani asked what happens if they get to the top and Robert said he didn't know. Yashani asked what if they meet Sezrin and Robert told them he could only give them information he was told to before admitting he was the lowest on the totem pole. Yashani pointed out that his minions literally crawled from the ground and Robert agreed before noting he never wanted the *Shroud*. Yashani asked how they graduate to the next level and said he didn't know that either. He went on to explain that the mirror they travelled through was an entrance to the Lighthouse, that the Lighthouse was not just in the *Maltrop Strip,* but also had a few entrances in Palamoa, as well as more scattered throughout Gilesha. Robert said that did mean they could leave if they found one of these doors and could choose not to return, but the Order of Ruin would still have what they want regardless. Sterling asked if Lunala could see everything happening there and Robert said she couldn't, that she wasn't omnipotent or present everywhere. Sterling asked then if this was his castle and Robert said it was more like a prison.

Bo began to move about the graveyard room they were in and inspected each of the doors he found, including the mausoleum door he stepped through before the battle and several others. Meanwhile Quincy, having somewhat calmed down from their previous panic attack and cast *Disguise Self* to still resemble a different looking storm genasi before they finally faced Robert. Yashani wondered how the party escaping and not coming back would get them additional recruits, but Robert shrugged it off, noted it would not stop them getting Velix’s bloodline to agree, that they were the only person they needed and was important to one of them. Meanwhile, Sterling stepped to the back of the group and begins to ritually cast Tiny Hut. Bo activated *Ob’s Charm* to ask the party if any of them knew any Sand Genasi and Alaerith said yes, while Yashani noted Quincy knew of one, referring to Kaziyea. As Quincy connected the dots Quincy and began to hyperventilate once more Bo took the reaction as an answer. Sterling told RX to lead Quincy back and into the *Tiny Hut* to hopefully help them calm down and RX picked up Quincy and deposited them in the hut.

Robert said that this had been going for a long time, that the party were each there for their own reasons as well and their meeting of each other was not coincidence but pre-ordained by “the madam” long ago. Yashani mockingly called it an elaborate plan and Robert explained their fathers and forefathers were of no importance, though he noted Yashani in particular was quite important. As Yashani said she would have to take his word on it Alaerith moved closer to Yashani's position. Robert added that the only ones not accounted for were Sterling and Bo and Sterling noted they came in a little late.

Sterling asked if Robert had anything else for them before they were on their way, aware that he was asking Robert to expedite the process of getting to the point of killing them and Robert sighed before admitting he would kill Lunala if he could and that he didn't wish to be there, same as the others didn't. Yashani asked if they signed contracts and Robert said they did and restated they needed to sign it willingly. Yashani asked what would happen if the contract was destroyed, if they would be free or die and Robert admitted he didn't he did not know, but best he could assume is that they would die since they had to be dead to make the deal. Robert explained that the contract was a plea for your life, that when they died they were brought to this place, broken and convinced that it was a punishment till they were willing to sign Lunala’s contract. He added for the group it was no difference to them as might as well already be dead and when Sterling said there was no freedom in death when they could be resurrected as part of their team noted if they wouldn't do it willingly alive they will make them do it when they were dead. Sterling thanked him for the sentiment, offered to “re-establish” him as dead when they left this place and appreciated the camaraderie.

Seren asked what Lunala wanted “the Formless” for and Robert said she wanted it as a contingency, that if she couldn't bring the ruining by agreement she would use to bring it by herself. Robert added that she can't exist without it happening and when Seren said he thought it consumed and destroyed as opposed to granting life explained she would use it to consume and destroy the world, not the moon, maybe the continent or all of it, though he confessed he didn't know for sure. Seren offered himself to sign whatever contract could be offered in exchange for the release of his companions from this place and the return of "the Formless". Robert explained he did not access to his own contract or that he would have destroyed it, that none of them did and Seren said they just need to find a contract. Robert went quiet before noting the group had a contract, Jonathan Ilvwinter’s contract, and the Order had been told to leave it with the party. Yashani called it an interesting instruction and Robert said sometimes he did not understand everything. Quincy quietly commented that it must infuriate him and Robert admitted, in a less casual tone, that what infuriated him was that when he had his friends, he died, that each were corrupt and bad in their own way and came to this place alone until they agreed.

Seren asked how long he was here before he broke and Robert said he only lasted six months. Sterling asked about Kalistock and Ilvwinter and Robert noted Kalistock had been here for thousands of years while Ilvwinter lasted five years. Seren asked who never broke and Robert said it was Kalistock and that he would come and go as he pleased. Yashani asked if he worked of his own free will with no contract and Robert affirmed it was true. Sterling commented how bad the flatmates were and Robert noted they hadn't seen the rest of the house yet. Meanwhile, as Bo finished his check of the doors in the room he found all but the door he came in through and another door in the south west corner were locked. Bo steps in through that door he hadn't seen, found shelves upon shelves of urns and plaques and though none of them appeared to have names at first glance, the deeper in the room he went something caught his eye.

Robert pondered how long the party might last and who might go first. Sterling asked why he could not magically locate their items and Robert explained many of them got into this room through a potted plant, that this place was connected in so many ways to break their mind, where everywhere was nowhere and nowhere was everywhere all at once. Sterling commented that it didn't help and Robert quipped that it was the exact point before telling them to try a couple of things, that they would be surprised, but to not get ambitious. Quincy asked from the safety of the *Tiny Hut* why Robert joined the *Holy Collective* as he seemed to have no need to and Robert reiterated that being born in the Skorian Empire with any natural affinity for magic made you a target and that he was tricked into joining the group when he proved to be especially good. He added that he was told he would be doing good and instead ended up slaughtering people and when Quincy blamed it on politics Robert said it was just people with power forcing their will on others. Sterling said they ought to get to it and Robert remarked that they would either escape or die here, and once they they did manage to escape would want to find their way back. Sterling commented how lucky they were and Robert stated luck would have nothing to do with it. As Robert began to walk away he came near to the dome, leant in to take a deep breath and muttered to Quincy they couldn't hide their smell before he disappeared in a wash of shadow.

The moment Robert was out of sight Sterling admitted how terrified he was after trying to come off as macho, but pointed out they did get quite a bit of good information and RX said he enjoyed the change of pace. Seren stepped into the dome and as he gestured for Yashani to join him noticed when the *Handy Haversack* was emptied by Yashani a small slip of paper came out along with their belongings. Seren picked it up and saw Yashani’s name on it, followed by another name. Seren tucked it away as he sat, though was noticed by everyone as he did, asked if the book she was holding was the contract Robert mentioned and as Yashani sat said it wasn't and told him he had seen it before. Seren commented it had been a long time and asked to be reminded and Yashani said it was what Chuluu gave her, *The Book of Sanguis,* though she admitted the contract's current state looked similar to it as it was chained up. Seren asked if he could see the contract and when Yashani asked said he wished to see it. Yashani gave a firm no and when Seren in turn asked why said that she would not let Sterling read the book. Seren asked if he was Sterling and Yashani made it clear no one was opening that book. Seren asked why and when Yashani said it was a very bad book said that they were in a very bad place and knowledge was their friend. Yashani argued that if what Robert said was true, that they want them to have this book, that she didn't believe opening is the correct course of action. Sterling mentioned that Tollanessa said reading from the book could be incredibly smart, but would also be grave mistake and Yashani added that Tollanessa believed the book belonged to Esmeria. At the mention of her name Sterling felt a faint static in his mind as the familiar blue light signifying Tollanessa’s presence appeared in the corner of his vision and called to Sterling. Sterling asked if it was her and when Tollanessa said not entirely Sterling assured her he would get the rest of her back and soon and if not the originals, he would copy down what he remembered. Sterling asked if she was capable of manifesting briefly appeared as a faint outline of the miniature version of herself on Sterling’s shoulder before it flickered out of view. Sterling brought the conversation back and agreed with Yashani's statement, but had reason to believe every other sense was correct and that there was something they weren't understanding between the relationship of the book to Kalistock and Esmeria.

Yashani pointed out the misidentification of it being Ilvwinter's book was in that his only relationship to Kalistock and Esmeria was that they worked together relationship and that he was different as he came to the party in a peaceful way, not to murder them, but to warn them away. Yashani asked why they thought anyone other than Ilvwinter would want them to have this book, suggesting they wanted them to open it or maybe to destroy it because Ilvwinter is or could be a problem for the Order of Ruin. Seren noted they would not know for certain until the book was open, to Sterling's agreement, and then placed the slip of paper face down on top of *The* *Book of Sanguis* in Yashani’s lap. Yashani asked what it was and Seren said it was in the *Handy Haversack* and was about her. Yashani picked it up and read that it had written *Yashani Umbranax* and while the surname did not remind her of anything saw the handwriting was familiar as it matched a note her mother left at the monastery when she was a child and stated she did not know why it would be there. Yashani, logically aware her mother was not there, couldn't help but look around the room expecting to see something, but as she did Seren and Alaerith also followed her gaze and noticed in the farthest corner of the room from them, from the doorway Bo entered the room from, stood Kalistock and a young sea elf before the door closed and were gone. Alaerith recognized the sea elf as Darie Anganoran, looking as he last saw her, and began to shuffle backwards in panic. Sterling noted, based on facial reactions from the group, that this place was already starting to mess with their heads.

Sterling turned to Yashani, asked her to hear him, not from a place of adversity but from understanding, brought up that they did let them hold on to the book, but reminded that Robert mentioned their goal was seeing the group split apart from the inside. Sterling added that the book has caused the party a lot of problems, that they saw it as something that would cause more fighting within the group and then could put effort to retrieve it. Sterling noted he didn't wish for more discourse, that they would not get through this separately, that they would all break, some in six months and some in five years, but without each other they were useless. Yashani said she felt he was suggesting she should be the one to yield because she was opposed to him and Seren, but noted in fairness there was more then them and called for a vote from the rest of the group. Sterling noted he would not be voting in this as Quincy sheepishly apologized, admitted their mind was elsewhere and asked for the question to be repeated. Yashani repeated the question and RX replied that currently their options were to either open the book or wander, so either option was good if they kept progressing. Sterling lamented that he did not want a vote or to cause more arguing and Yashani told him they would never see eye to eye on this matter, though that had not stopped Sterling before. Yashani asked RX to remove the book from the *Bag of Holding* and when RX did so had him set it on the ground. Yashani placed her palm above it, summoned an orb of someone liquid, yet gaseous red energy into her palm and pushed it into the book as she activated *Ki Lock* to release the chains.

### **Break!**

* Haelley jokes that the party panicked over break and used their DM-less group chat to talk

### **Part Two**

Meanwhile away from the group, Bo reached out to grab one of the plaques that held a name he recognized, Yannhis M. Belroadine, saw a number of spectral creatures made of sand and dust rise out of the urns and turned to face him and immediately used his reaction to cast *Seer’s Reaction* to raise his initiative making him first to act. Bo asked if any of them were Yannhis and when he got no response activated *Temporal Points* to safely disengage as a bonus action and leave the room, but two specters were still able to use their reactions to as one managed to attack Bo, activated *Choke* as it pushed it's way into Bo’s lungs and remained as Bo suffocated and tried to cough it back up. Yashani, after causing the chains to vanish and still unaware of what was going on, pointed out Bo’s absence amongst the group and all, but RX, were able to spot the open doorway and the lack of Bo anywhere else in the room. Seren passed the unlocked book back to Yashani for safekeeping and after a moment of hesitated disgust at having to handle the book, Yashani stuffs it into the *Handy Haversack*.

Sterling, aware if he left *Tiny Hut* it would disappear, went to the far edge of it to try and look into the doorway, saw Bo was on his knees and clutching his chest as he coughed with the ash specters in the room with him, suggested someone go to help him and feeling the comforting presence of Tollanessa with him cast *Slow* in the room Bo and affected three of the five, including the one inside Bo’s chest. Quincy quickly ran from the dome to the room at Sterling’s comment, spotted Bo, rushed into the room, asked what he touched as Bo’s coughing continues and attempted to yank him out but didn't get very far. Seren followed after Quincy, though a bit behind, cast *Moonbeam* causing a bright light to shine into the room above Bo causing the specter inside him to take the full brunt of with radiant magic, then cast *Shillelagh* on himself. RX, seeing the commotion begin, sighed as he complained his batteries were low, headed over to Quincy and told them they were in the way.

The ash specter inside Bo activated *Choke* to damage Bo more from the inside. The remaining specters closed in on Quincy and Bo, where one activated *Life Drain* on Bo reducing his max HP, a second activated *Life Drain* on Quincy reducing her max HP and one of the Slowed specters activated *Choke* on them and pushed its way into their lungs. Alaerith, while partially aware of the commotion around him, was unable to pull his eyes away from where he saw Kalistock and Darie in the far doorway and left muttering in panic. Bo, still choking in the other room, attacked himself with *Passus* while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to enhance the slash, causing the specter to be expelled from his body, used his reaction cast *Anticipate Attack* as he attempted to back out of the room, but a specter ignored it's magic affect and used it's reaction to activate *Life Drain* on him draining his max HP once more before the the spell’s teleported him 15 feet away, then ran in the direction of the mausoleum door he entered the room through originally, just past *Tiny Hut.*

Yashani, barely able to see Quincy's hunched over form as they choked and assessing Alaerith was likely safe, left the dome, moved to get a better view, activated *Hand of Healing* simultaneously activating *Physician's Touch* from long range causing a red gaseous-liquid red energy to form in her palm and fired it at Quincy, forcefully expelling the specter from Quincy’s body, then activated *Hand of Harm* at long range at another specter as the necrotic energy was harmlessly consumed by the dust and ash. Sterling, no longer needing to help Quincy, activated *Manifest Mind* causing Tollanessa to appear outside of the dome and readied her to cast *Vicious Mockery* against the first specter to leave the room. Quincy rushed out of the room past RX, called out to the rest of the party to leave and chased after Bo in the direction of the other unlocked door. Seren, seeing Quincy left the room moved *Moonbeam* to the doorway so they would be forced to step through it if they wished to follow them, then cast *Healing Word* to heal Bo and returned into *Tiny Hut*. RX closed the door between himself and the specters, took a piton, pressed it between the door and its frame to jam it shut and headed back to the *Tiny Hut*.

The specters followed through, slipping under the doorframe and passing through Seren’s *Moonbeam* and took the full brunt of the radiant magic, Tollanessa cast the readied *Vicious Mockery* and told the first specter

*“You're made of dead people, stay dead”*

causing it to turn to ash. The two specters not affected by *Slow*, reached Yashani and activated *Life Drain*, as Sterling used his reaction to cast *Silvery Barbs* to distract one blow and make it miss, reducing her max HP. Alaerith, with the presence of Daria, combined with Tollanessa's comment about staying dead and the realization of their location in the cemetery, retreated even further into himself as he clutched his head and whimpered “I’m sorry” over and over again. Bo, noticing Alaerith’s state as he ran past, asked RX to grab him, yelled for the party to move for the door, then ran to the door, opened it, saw barrels like they found earlier and being sure there were no surprises held the door open for the others to join him. Yashani, further south on the map, enacted her revenge by punching the two specters who just attacked her destroying one in the process, then activated *Step of the Wind* to disengage, but as the specter used it's reaction to attack regardless Quincy used their reaction to activate *Gambler's Taunt* to fire on it with Panache and, though the bullet passed through harmlessly, still nullified the attack, letting Yashani leave unharmed, and then kissed *Panache,* grateful to have the pistol back even as the hot barrel burned their lips, causing Sterling to make fun of them as they moved. Sterling poked his head out of the *Tiny Hut*, cast *Vicious Mockery* on the furthest specter as the psychic magic assaulted them, then taunted a nearby one from the safety of the dome. Quincy followed after Bo with her full movement, assuered that it was safe as according to Bo.

Seren plucked a flower off of his staff, crushed it in his palm and cast *Burning Hands* on the two *Slowed* specters as both took brunt of the fire magic causing one to fall to the flames. RX, reached down to pick up Alaerith, but as Alaerith unawares struggled only managed to get him of the dome. The two remaining specters continued to move, with one who passed through *Moonbeam* and fell to the radiant magic, while the other approached Alaerith, and activated *Choke* on him, in spite of Seren using his reaction to interpose himself, as the specter pressed itself into Alaerith’s lungs as he began to choke. Alaerith, in spite of having no fight and giving no resistance, inadvertently coughed the specter out from him. Yashani made her way to Alaerith and the specter, laid into it it and destroyed it with a single punch.

The rest of the party eventually made their way back into the room of barrels, with RX dragging Alaerith as he muttered *"I'm sorry"* and *"There's no point, go".* Quincy stabbed one to determine what was inside and as a viscous black liquid seeped out apologized and explained they thought it might be wine. RX set Alaerith down to drink from the barrel and finding it was the best oil he had yet to taste contemplated how he might go about bringing some of the oil with them as they move on. Yashani told those unware that she saw Kalistock and someone she didn't recognize enter this room before the combat with the specters began. Quincy said they didn’t see that and wondered if they should try another door to leave the area, but Sterling revealed he was almost entirely tapped for magic. Alaerith panickily looked around for who he saw and found they were alone in the room, but as the party saw the beds decided make a place to rest there, with Quincy agreeing that a place they already investigated was likely a much better idea than continuing on. Heading down the spiral stairs the party returned to the rooms with the beds and after RX quickly checked the cots for traps by tossing pitons on them and found there was no danger lurking flopped onto the nearest cot and went to sleep.

Sterling prepared to cast *Tiny Hut,* but Seren seeing this told him to allow him and started to hum a song and rock on his back as he cast *Tiny Hut* himself causing his glow to extend into the dome shape. Seren then kept his hand firm on Alaerith to keep him close to him, being wary of Alaerith running off as he has done in the past, while Alaerith just held his head. Meanwhile Sterling, noticing Alaearith was wearing clothes that didn't fit him as opposed to the ones he usually to wore and unaware why, moved to one of the remaining two cots, cast *Fabricate* on one of them in an attempt to recreate his clothes. Sterling set the clothes beside Alaerith, told him he hoped it made him little more comfortable and lamented not being able to do the sandals right, but Alaerith remained still. Sterling then put the cloak around him for comfort and kissed him on the cheek and instantly saw a look of fear in Alaerith's eyes as his hands reached to guard his face too late before Alaerith flinched and cast *Misty Step* in response. Quincy left the dome to follow after and found him sitting in the same curled position at the base of the stairs. Quincy announced their approach by clicking their heels and sat in front of Alearith who didn't respond, Before Quincy could say a word Alaerith heard a voice in his mind say

*"Why would you do this to us? You could have saved everyone...why did you let us all suffer and die? Why did you let me die?"*

and as Alaerith’s panic rose he let out a blood curdling scream before he finally passed out. Quincy yelped and, knowing the healers were in the other room, panicked and tried to drag Alaerith to them. Yashani came out of the room at the sound of the scream and seeing the sight asked what Quincy was doing before admonishing Quincy for their mistreatment of a distressed person. As Quincy explained what happened Yashani picked Alaerith up, cradled him carefully in her arms and activated *Hand of Healing,* simultaneously activating *Physician's Touch,* to ease his sleep and felt as his unconscious body slightly turned into hers and saw a gentle stream of tears as he slept. Yashani laid him down on the last remaining cot, covered him with a blanket, laid the clothes near him, then found a space of rest for herself, meditated briefly with *The Book Of Sanguis* in her lap. Meanwhile Seren, thinking back to the old times of comforting his friends casts *Calm Emotions* to help calm the group before thinking on his own situation and going to sleep himself.

With most of the party asleep or on their way to bed, Quincy asked Sterling to come out of *Tiny Hut* to help them with something, while Sterling marvelled at being able to leave the hut as it was not his casting of it and Quincy remarked he was very stupid for someone so smart. As they headed outside the room Sterling asked what Quincy needed him for and Quincy explained that they were not sure how this would work, but if something went wrong they figured having a witness may be good. Sterling agreed and Quincy said it was an experiment as they pulled out *Peril & Pain,* and Quincy, having no idea how magic items worked and only had the instinctual knowledge how spell bullets worked, placed *Peril* on the ground, cast *Witch Bolt* on it, concentrated on it's magic for it's full duration believing it could work like how they make spell bullets by simply casting the spell on the item to make it magical, all while Sterling watched in confusion, and at the end of the magic saw *Peril* remained inert on the ground and retained no magical abilities.

Sterling gently asked what Quincy was trying to do and, as Quincy's shoulders slumped, pick up the pistol, looked it over and explained they were Bolton's, they they broke them hoped they could be fixed. Sterling recalled the mana storm and told Quincy that much like how they cast magic in very different ways magic items were also made in different ways. Sterling looked at the pistols and found they were inherently elementally based and powered by elemental magic that was now gone, with no clear way to reactivate them. Sterling said there were good news and bad news, that much like a broken pot even if it was fixed would never be the same, but was now a blank slate to make it something new. Sterling asked Tollanessa about them but with Tollanessa even more fragmented than before was unable to answer his question. Sterling offered Quincy that he could continue to look it over and ask Tollanessa how they could go about re-enchanting the guns with magic. Sterling then asked if that was the answer Quincy was looking for and Quincy admitted it wasn't the answer, but was maybe the better answer in the end. Sterling assured them they would eventually find the *Soul Piece,* along with the rest of Tollanessa’s spellbook, that even if they didn't they would remake it and noted life was full of setbacks before marvelling that none of them were dead.

Quincy somberly recalled what the Reaper said about this place trying to break them and tear them apart and Quincy needed Sterling to know they didn’t hate him and realized that they, as well as the some of the party, often were rude to him, and jokingly said against their better judgment they did like Sterling quite a bit. Sterling said he hoped the others thought that way as well, but before he could continue Quincy interrupted to assure him the party didn't hate him either. Quincy then broke the odd tension by telling Sterling they should head to bed and poked fun at him for liking to snuggle as they head back into the *Tiny Hut*.

**END OF EPISODE, LEVEL UP TO LEVEL 9!**

**Rolling for hitpoints for Level 9:**

* Bo took another level of Martyr and rolled a 12
* Alaerith rolled a 2
* Quincy rolled a 9
* Sterling took another level in Wizard and rolled a 4
* Yashani took another level in Barbarian and rolled a 7
* RX rolled a 7

1. ↑ Yashani can now use *Physician's Touch* as a bonus action!
2. ↑ *Peril* is the the pistol that deals out lightning damage while *Pain* deals out necrotic.
3. ↑ Unfortunate because the ABSQ crew only rerolls 1s lol
4. ↑ while Haelley was unsure whether to take their next level in Gunslinger or Warlock, both classes roll d8s for hitpoints.
5. ↑ with all modifiers included this makes RX the first character with hitpoints in the triple digits