Session 77 & 78: Nanakin Skywalker

When they arrive back in the temple, Cho passes out from stress. Nan explains to Von that they spoke to Anaereth. Now that her quest for truth is complete, Nan needs to tell the townspeople something, but she needs to think about it first. The others return to the town while Vojta takes the teleporter to Obscurity’s base. There are people inside, who are confused at his sudden appearance. He explains how he got here, so they decide to put some guards around the teleporter. Vojta then seeks out Obscurity and they discuss their situation.

Her gang took up residence in the temple after it was cleared, because it blocks out divination. She still has no word from Saleekh, but she does have reports that Gyrraleth has been speeding up his efforts to release Cerebarieth, placing dozens of crystal trees in pocket planes. He has new aberrant servants now, called Heralds of Cerebarieth, which can be recognised by the whistling sound they make. When the time comes, she is willing to take on the blessing of Mereteth and join them at the Glacial Stream. She is also willing to help with the invasion of Kadoma. She can offer 150-200 soldiers, which she can covertly station in the cave network under the Eecdividian Plains, north-east of Eecdevid.

At the village, Cho takes out his frustration on a training dummy, but it shatters too quickly, so he moves on to smashing rocks. Afterwards, Nan gives him a keg of barley wine to drink his worries away. Meanwhile, Nan considers what to tell her people. She wants to tell them that they’re free from the ideal that kept them here. Cho wonders if they should know what Sa did to her peer, but Nan leaves that decision to Von. Nan wants to somehow send out a message across the continent that the truth has been found, for other seekers out there. Arran offers to send messages to some of the archives. When Vojta returns, he informs the others of his talk with Obscurity. They then rest for the night. In the morning, Cho does some sparring with the recruits of the village, teaching them how to work together against a stronger opponent. After discussing with Von, Nan announces that there will be a feast tonight where she will give a speech.

By evening, lots of tables and benches are set up and most of the town is gathered. When it's time, Nan flies onto the podium. She starts by talking about her travels in search of the truth, then about Sa and how she founded this village to protect the temple, though she omits the part about Sa imprisoning her sister. She says that their way of life will change now that they’ve found the truth, that they should become more connected to the rest of the world. The villagers are worried about leaving their town, but she assures them that they don’t have to leave, only that they can be much more than they are now if they reach out. The town’s response is mixed, but they participate when Cho starts a toast to the truth. Nan then talks to her parents. Her mother is very curious about the outside world, so Nan tempers her expectations by warning about the dangers out there. Her father is worried that the town might fall apart, so she reassures him that their integration with the outside world will be a slow one.

When Nan rejoins the gang, they discuss what to do next. Nan suggests using the sending stones previously used by Arran and Vojta to stay in touch with the village. They agree to this and give one to Von. They also decide to put the leaders of the town in contact with Obscurity, who is effectively their nearest neighbour. Cho says that he wants some simple grunt work to do, to get all the divine stuff out of his system. He suggests looking for jobs to do in the Watershade area. This may also get them a good reputation with the people of Watershade, and they may be able to acquire the Reticent Butcher. Nan suggests that they should go back to Namos sometime and see whether the temple of Turagh has a teleporter to the temple of Tereth. In the meantime, Cho wants to minimize the risk of something getting in his head again, so he asks the spellcasters to cast some mental spells on him, so he can practice resisting them.

After the feast runs its course, the gang rests for the night. In the morning, Vojta prepares more powerful healing magic and they visit the House of Arms. Dot and Xo, the head warriors, were both heavily wounded in the fight against Disiver. Vojta can only do this once per day, so Xo says that Dot has priority, as he can still lead from his chair. Vojta casts his spell on Dot, causing her broken bones to gradually repair themselves.

Nan invites Von to join them in visiting Obscurity. Once there, Cho tells Obscurity more about their plans for invading Kadoma. Obscurity says the people of Namos have been rapidly recovering, so may be able to help them. Cho wonders if they can get Fayekro on their side, since Blacktusk has been preparing for war against the dragonborn anyways. Nan questions if their navy will be strong enough to assault an island. Kadoma has a floating bridge connecting to the mainland, but it can simply be destroyed if a land army shows up. Cho brings up the Hatchetmen, who are capable seafaring mercenaries with ties to Watershade. Obscurity mentions the Fayekran Corsairs as well, but allying with them may cause problems with Blacktusk. For manpower, Obscurity notes that they can hire the private armies from the Hollow Mountains if they have the finances, but she doesn't. They hope to initiate the invasion in two months time and agree to meet again in a week. The group then heads out while Von stays behind to discuss further with Obscurity's people.

Vojta teleports the group to the shore outside San'edhe. Arran and Nan go to the Ashen Archive while Cho and Vojta go to the Investor. Cho tells the golden skull at the Investor's palace that they want to discuss the price of information about military factions. After confirming that "Traitor Joe" is not involved with this, the skull gives them an appointment overmorrow at 7 in the evening. They can't bring anyone else than the two of them. After they walk away, Cho suggests that he should go in alone after all, since Vojta is associated with Joe, with whom the Investor might have issues.

In the meanwhile, they go to the docks. There are ships from various places, including some military ships from Watershade and a tiefling political ambassador ship. There's a hostile discussion happening between the Investor's enforcers and the ambassadorial guards, which ends with the ambassadors being escorted away. Cho and Vojta seek out a dwarven ship from Xandarbor. One of the dwarves confirms that the Hatchetmen are part of the naval blockade around the Spike. He invites them to have a drink in the Clocked Elevator tavern in the evening.

When the four of them regroup, they go to a fancy inn in the magus district. At Nan's request, they get a room that is warded against divination. Nan then reveals four books on demonology that she stole from the forbidden section of the Ashen Archive. They are closed with locks and seem enchanted. Cho warns against using them because she will be tempted and manipulated, but Nan tells him it's none of his business. They argue about it until Cho gives up and walks out. Vojta doesn't know what to think of this, but asks if Arran is okay with Nan stealing the books. He ambivalently says that he'll allow it as long as he's not incriminated.

Arran relates that he talked to Peregrin, an advisor of the archives. He explained their invasion of Kadoma and Peregrin will see what the archive can do. They have battle mages and a good connection to Galead. He also confirmed that the Verdant Archives have been taken over by the dragonborn. Arran is going to try to get in contact with someone in Kadoma, but he will have to get a scroll of Sending first.

Arran and Vojta then head out in search of Cho while Nan stays behind to study her books.