Crossroads Episode 1: The Sacrifice

## Synopsis

10 Highsun 1258

The party remain outside where the house of oddities and curiousities once stood. Stünislav and Wyrm lying on the ground as Nep'Rixa desperately attempts to heal them both, praying for Fayer's assistance.

Fayer asks Nep'Rixa to rest now and he will accept her into the fold so they can lead Domanaris to the afterlife. Stünislav and Wyrm return to consciousness and Nep'Rixa says her goodbyes and disappears.

Saddened at the loss of another friend, the party think on their next move and as they do Cerin appears in the distance.

Cerin explains two nights had passed with the party trapped inside and he knows of the candlemaker's death. He shows the party a small box on a leather cord and opens it to reveal a small glowing orb within.

He explains the candlemaker has died three times prior to this and every time this object has appeared afterwards, in the past the object has remained until it has been in the presence of a dying child upon which it enters them and they become the new candlemaker and Cerin's order watches over them.

Stünislav tells of his experience with soul possessions like he saw on Raesik and his belief that the candlemaker was Domanaris the whole time. Cerin explains that every time it has happened he has experienced a dream in which he believes he had encountered Domanaris and children were being held captive. Cerin believes Domanaris possessed the candlemaker's body and ejected the soul within, he believes the orb is the candlemaker's soul.

The party question if Domanaris was named in Cerin's dream, Cerin reveals he wasn't but when the party mention the name Domanaris it just seems to fit. Thinking on it some more he recalls the name in the dream was Mad Mr.Mek and it seemed in the dream Domanaris was working for or had been enslaved by this Mad Mr.Mek. (see: Revenge of the Snorwhackle)

No closer to understanding the situation the party decide they need to move as they have bigger priorities right now and no answer will come from standing in a crossroads.

The party decide to head to Mütvia in search of Magda but before they could be on their way Kreel stops to bend over and pick up the remaining possessions of Nep'Rixa including the Acorn left by Bojnay. A Highwayman appears in the crossroads hacking it's blade down into Cerin's shoulder taking off his ear in the process.

Combat ensues and Wyrm manages to take down the Highwayman, Kreel stands up with Nep'Rixa's belongings completely unaware the Highwayman had appeared or an altercation took place.

The party now realise they need to get rest before moving on to Mütvia, Cerin scouts ahead of them as they all travel to a nearby village.Tasya realises they only have 2 days to find Magda or they die their first death and explains the Mütvian tradition with the significance of the blood amulet to the party.

Not having the energy to make it to a local village the party set up camp and Cerin volunteers to take watch as they hear wolves howling in the distance.

Before Cerin leaves to scout around the camp, Tasya produces an ornate dagger and tells Cerin if he comes into contact with any of the wolves to show them the dagger and try to talk before attacking, what they hear may not be just any normal wolves. Apprehensively Cerin agrees and leaves.

The party have a peaceful night's rest and as morning arrives and Cerin returns to camp, he returns Tasya's blade and proclaims "he will never doubt them again" as a huge werewolf appears from through the trees and enters the camp.

The werewolf turns out to be Szerzen Bolivar, an old friend of Tasya and the one who gave them the dagger.

Bolivar mentions he and the other Lupescoi drósti have a camp not far away and leads the party there.

The party arrive at the Lupescoi camp where greetings are exchanged, stories told and celebration at reuniting with old friends and making new ones.

Before long the conversation turns back to Magda. Bolivar, knowing the time sensitive nature of the situation for Tasya, offers to take the party to the last known location of Magda where they can resume their search.

The party agree and Bolivar gathers others of the lupescoi drósti in their wolf forms to transport the party at speed. Arriving at the location some time later the lupescoi take their leave and return to the camp as the party continue into the woods on foot.

After a short while the party find themselves in a clearing at the foot of a tall broken stone tower, outside of it stands a tanning rack with a large wolf fur.

*Synopsis written by Caffinated Viking*

## The Party

* Beatrix Qiroris - Lvl 6 Half-Elf Wizard
* Kreel - Lvl 6 Tengu Witch
* Nep'Rixa of Skor'Ritha - Lvl 6 Sadrath'il Cleric of Fayer
* Stünislav Marekoi - Lvl 6 Tiefling Redeemer
* Tasya Marinov - Lvl 6 Human Fighter
* Wyrm - Lvl 6 Goblin Rogue