Known Realms Recaps

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## Chapter 1 - Ask Nicely

**Our story begins.**

The story begins on a road cutting through the Crosstara Woods in the Republic of Shenthyr. Tiefling/triton warlock Xio (he/they), fairy ranger Lazuli (she/her), and high elf vampiric bloodhunter Nivien (they/them) travel as prisoners of the Magus Arcanum en route to Aldengate alongside three traveling companions: drow cleric Kaylin (he/him), halfling rogue Jenn (she/her), and firbolg druid Bellen (he/him). These companions are members of the Thortell Guild. This guild follows the tenet of free knowledge under the banner of the goddess Ioun. As Lazuli inspects her manacles and Xio vibe checks their companions, Kaylin explains that the Thortell Guild works to undermine the Magus Arcanum and disseminate knowledge across the continent, frequently working alongside the Brightfury Guild. Nivien inquires into the motivations of the three strangers. Kaylin explains that his trio wishes to travel to the village of Lockinge, which was disrupted by some sort of incursion. Xio reveals they have freed themself of his shackles and the group begins to plan an escape.

Outside the city of Aldengate, reborn paladin Ser and aasimar wizard Echinacea stand with two members of the Magus Arcanum: human wizard Kasimir and half-orc fighter Ross. It is revealed that Kasimir has instructed Ser and Echinacea to jailbreak the individuals traveling to be processed by the Magus Arcanum. Kasimir outlines a plan that will not protect the pair from the wrath of the Magus Arcanum, prompting Echinacea to scold Kasimir for endangering their newly gained freedom by valuing secrecy above communication. Ser assists in intimidating Kasimir and the remaining planning is ceded to the two party members. Kasimir tells the pair that they might find answers to Ser’s condition in Lockinge, where the feywild is bleeding into the material plane. Ross summons the griffin Tulip, Ser summons the war stallion Shade, and the group sets off to free the prisoners. The paths of the group converge. In the cart, an escape discussion devolves into realizations that everyone has to piss. Realizing Xio is unshackled, Kaylin asks the warlock to unlock the door. Xio demands Kaylin ask nicely. He does so, prompting an incident where Xio’s thieves' tools are destroyed by an Arcane Lock.

Arriving at the edge of the wood with the cart fast approaching, Kasimir casts Greater Invisibility on Ser and Echinacea and gives Echinacea a spell scale of Knock. Invisible atop Shade, Ser charges the front of the coach and convincingly takes on the role of a vengeful ghost. As the guards scream, invisible Echinacea announces it’s a jailbreak and unlocks the cart with the Knock scale. Despite Echinacea announcing their presence, Xio believes themself to have successfully unlocked the cart. The prisoners pile out of the cart as Ser further intimidates the guards, convincing them to ride until they can go no further. Echinacea convinces the guards that the items on the cart are cursed, prompting a rapid unloading of items as the cart continues down the road.

Lazuli gathers and organizes the guards’ discarded items, including six antimagic shackles. Not realizing Ser sits atop Shade, Xio believes he has discovered a talking horse and attempts to climb on. A befuddled Ser attempts to explain his presence, prompting Kasimir to drop Greater Invisibility. Seeing Ser’s looming spectral form for the first time, Xio asks if the reborn is Isteris. A voice in the back of Xio’s mind tells the warlock not to use his name with strangers. Meanwhile, Nivien in a bout of superstition kneels at Echinacea’s feet and calls them a deity. Ser introduces himself to the group and Xio attempts to climb him while Lazuli starts to take notes on Ser’s hulking spectral form.
Kasimir explains that Xio, Lazuli, Nivien, and the Thortell Guild members were wrongfully imprisoned by the Magus Arcanum, having been punished for seeking out an item despite the fact that it did not belong to the Arcanum in the first place. Kasimir mentions a fey incursion in Lockinge and Kaylin invites the group to accompany the Thortell guild to Lockinge, promising compensation.

Lazuli explains that the group is already on a mission to visit her “uncle”, seeking counsel about a situation with a relic the trio had found. Though Kasimir insists that the goals of the five align, Lazuli insists that whether or not she continues to travel with Ser and Echinacea will depend on Ishror’s opinion of them. Kasimir seems familiar with this individual. Excited, Lazuli has Kasimir reach out to Ishror. Ishror, in turn, excitedly reaches out to Lazuli and enquires after an orb. Lazuli seems uncomfortable with the question. Xio has Kasimir promise to reach out to an individual named Try in the Brightfury Guild.

Lazuli and Xio attempt to befriend Tulip the griffin. Xio summons their familiar Lulu the pseudodragon and Lazuli casts Speak with Animals. Nivien quietly asks Xio if they think Ser and Echinacea are gods, to which Isteris promptly answers “no” and checks in on the status of the orb. Xio can still feel its energy pulsing through himself, describing the experience as akin to the ghost sensation of feeling the water around you long after leaving the ocean. Kasimir gifts the group a folding carriage, which Ross helps Ser attach to Shade. Kasimir opens up to Echinacea, revealing he is trans. Hugging the wizard, Echinacea says their goodbyes to Kasimir and Ross. The two men depart, and the party finds themselves alone with the Thortell Guild members.

Nivien, barking, earns a submissive attitude from Kaylin. The vampire also tells Echinacea they’ve realized the aasimar is not a god, but admit they still think Ser might be a divine entity. Lazuli also shares that the orb, a relic of some power, has been absorbed by Xio. Echinacea seems more concerned with Xio’s health than with the artifact in question, to Lazuli’s distress. Xio disguises themself as a miniature Ser and the group sets out, planning to travel through Helmfast to Lockinge. Never having driven a carriage before, Ser tires Shade out quickly and the party sets up camp early.

Xio and Nivien teach Ser how to play their dice game, which consists of rolling the dice back and forth. Ser suggests adding the numbers up, slowly adding rules to the game. Echinacea discusses their first camping excursion with the three plants in the floating terrariums circling their head. Ser then formally introduces himself to Lazuli. She promptly asks “what are you?” This prompts the revelation that Ser is a person who died 50 years ago and emerged from the ground a couple weeks prior. Though he and Echinacea witnessed his death, he has no recollection of his life beforehand. Lazuli then asks if he died wearing this armor, prompting a horrified Echinacea to intrude on the conversation in the hopes of shifting the line of questioning. They tell Lazuli that rifts to the Shadowfell opened 50 years ago in the northern regions of the Republic of Shenthyr. Given that rifts are now opening to the Feywild, there may be a connection between these planar events. Undeterred, Lazuli presses for more information on the vision Ser and Echinacea shared and learns that Ser is wearing the accoutrements of the Ebon Eyes, though the skulls decorating the armor were not present at the time of Ser’s death. Commiserating, Nivien tells Ser that they died once at the hands of a Doctor Sitash. Nivien declares themself “dead friends” with Ser, and promises they will be able to discuss their shared experiences at a later date. Seeing Nivien’s teacup, Lazuli offers to make them tea. Amused, Nivien explains they don’t usually use the teacup for tea, but they’ll make an exception. Oblivious, Echinacea asks what they do drink from the teacup. Nivien’s answer is “the blood of my enemies - and now from your enemies.”

As the others drink tea together, Xio finds himself invited to communicate with Isteris. Using Spider Climb, they ascend a nearby tree. Xio finds themself suddenly surrounded by water at a familiar beachside. For the first time, the warlock meets his patron: Isteris, tall, lithe, leafy earthen features almost haglike and weak. Isteris’s visage reminds Xio of home. Isteris reveals he knew the Scorched Isles before they had a name and goes on to tell Xio he has “processed” the orb’s primordial current. It will grant Xio access to magics that Isteris helped to create, as will orbs that can be found in the north. Sitting with their patron, Xio asks Isteris what he is afraid of. Isteris is fearful of what his name means to mortals, saying that mortals are selfish, all-consuming, and a blight on the world. They are, he continues, the reason he appears as he does to Xio in his weak condition. The patron then suggests that “as we grow in strength together, maybe the world can look more like this. Fewer spires and deconstruction of the bedrock it was born in.” Xio expresses appreciation at the idea of the world looking more like a current. Isteris shifts into leaves on the wind. With that, Xio awakens atop the tree and rejoins the group.

The party enters Sy’gourn’s Humble Abode for the first time, each character’s input shaping the space. Ser adds a stately study, bedroom, and hearth complete with baaing goat; Nivien adds a gothic “emo deluxe” bedroom; Xio adds a treehouse; Lazuli adds a spiral staircase, crawling vines, and an ornate bedroom full to bursting with trinkets and bric a brac; Echinacea adds a garden and, after some hesitation, “Lorian and Echinacea’s room.” Peeking in, they spy a painting depicting themself and a large elven man on the aasimar’s graduation day.

Echinacea finds themself suddenly recovering a memory in which their confident pre-amnesia self is congratulated by Lorian for becoming a doctor. Lorian then drops to a knee and pulls out a ring, fumblingly beginning to propose. He tells Echinacea he would like to watch them heal the world. Echinacea drops to their knee and tells Lorian they’ve known since the night they met that he was the best of them. Revealing their own intention to propose, Echinacea pulls out a ring for Lorian. The memory ends with the pair exchanging rings. Echinacea opens their eyes to see the same ring on their finger.

Ser checks in to find Echinacea still overwhelmed by regaining this memory, clutching the image of Lorian to their chest. Recognizing Lorian as a figure from their shared vision, Ser ponders if it is a blessing for himself that he cannot remember any slivers of his past. He then offers Echinacea his room, as he cannot sleep in the bed he has concocted. Echinacea suggests they make a tearoom next time they utilize Sy’gourn’s Humble Abode and Ser ruminates on the way that tea lingers with him: “like the ghost of something just beyond the peripheral - a lingering remembrance of something just out of grasp.”

As Nivien meditates in their room, they contemplate a missive referred to as a Note of Defection. There is a faint whisper in the air: “Do you dread it?” Nivien recognizes the voice as Master Crimson, and replies that they look forward to it. Master Crimson asks why Nivien still prays. Nivien responds that it connects them to the part of themself that is mostly dead. Master Crimson tells Nivien they are the most interesting thing she has ever encountered. Nivien asks if Master Crimson is a god. She responds “No, but one has aspirations.” Master Crimson then urges Nivien to feed. Nivien cites their reasons for not wanting to feed on the rest of the party: “two of them freed me, one of them contains my future, the other I respect.” Master Crimson directs Nivien toward the Thortell Guild members, asking if Nivien would like to live deliciously. Nivien promptly seeks out Kaylin. Feigning giving him a palm reading, Nivien spills some of Keylin’s blood by cutting across his palm. Drinking the blood from their teacup, Nivien reveals their vampirism to the cleric. Kaylin tells Nivien they are “just like everybody else, with different tastes” before asking if Nivien often kills people for their blood. Niv replies that they don’t just kill people for their blood. To that, Kaylin suggests there don’t have to be victims when Nivien feeds. Just ask nicely.

In the morning, Xio learns that Ser doesn’t sleep. Xio summons Lulu and explains that the pseudodragon doesn’t have to sleep. From here on out, Ser can have nightly company. Lazuli suggests a sleepover and Xio mentions that they used to have sleepovers with their twin sister Io. The group learns that Xio has asked Io to overcome her hesitance to leave home in order to come find him.

As the party breaks down Sy’gourn’s Humble Abode, Echinacea finds that the painting of Lorian doesn’t disappear. Xio asks who the painting is of, and Echinacea explains they believe it is a painting of their husband. Nivien asks what the likelihood is that Lorian is just a friend. Echinacea explains that though they have no memory of it, there is a wedding certificate. While they don’t know their husband, they know they have one. Ser clocks Nivien’s disappointment before clocking the sudden charge of two owlbears from the trees.

## Chapter 2 - Hold the Line

**Owlbears and goddesses and memories abound.**

Ser notices two large Owlbears rushing towards the party and combat erupts. Upon closer investigation, these are clearly no ordinary owlbears. Their gaunt features create a macabre mimicry of life, sinew and viscera on display as the undead monstrosities descend upon our five and their newfound Thor'tel Guild allies. Lazuli, Ser, Xio, and Echinacea take on two of the creatures while Nivien, Keylin, Bellen, and Jen surround a third. Ser leads the charge, displaying an ability to make his allies incorporeal and using ghostly powers to land impressive smites against the undead owlbears. Echinacea heals their allies while Lazuli swiftly weaves across the terrain and lands solid strikes using her arcane firearm. Xio, using their growing connection with nature, finds himself dealing extra elemental damage as a result of their absorption of a primordial orb.

The fight proves to be a treacherous one. Chased away from the others, Lazuli is knocked unconscious and caught in one beast’s decomposing maw. Ser immediately gives chase and is able to kill the creature outright with a final blow. Echinacea barely manages to finish off the remaining owlbear before healing Lazuli from a distance, stabilizing the fairy ranger.

Attackers neutralized, the party assesses the damage and tends to the wounded on the field. Ser and Echinacea prioritize healing Lazuli only to learn that the halfling Jen is gravely wounded. Having reached the limits of their magical healing capabilities, Echinacea uses their recently recovered medical knowledge to not only stabilize Jen but create a salve to sanitize the wounds. Xio checks in with Keylin, both sharing a genuine moment of concern as Xio affirms that it is okay to \*not\* be okay. With wounds dealt and resources low, the group chooses to reform the Humble Abode and rest before traveling any further. As everyone moves into the abode, Ser informs the group that he will be surveying the area to look for more threats. In this search he finds a grim stench of necromancy and a faint essence of something dreadful deeper in the Crosstara Wood. Ser opts to move in and investigate further. Lazuli utilizes her Primeval Awareness before entering the Humble Abode and picks up the trace of an aberration within a mile of her, deeper into the wood where Ser is heading.

Inside the abode, Xio summons Lulu the pseudodragon to raise the party’s spirits. Wanting to learn more about restorative magics, Echinacea asks Keylin how he does it. The drowish man responds that his magic comes from a divine source: Ioun, the subject of his worship. Keylin then asks if Echinacea worships any deity. Unsure of whether they once worshiped a god in their unknown past, the wizard closes their eyes and calls out to Ioun. However, it is not she who answers the call. Instead, the goddess Mystra (she/they) introduces herself and informs Echinacea that their tenacity is one of the reasons the wizard is able to cast healing magic. Urging the aasimar to pursue that tenacity, the voice fades. Echinacea excitedly tells Xio and Keylin that they talked to a god.

Back in the woods, Ser and Shade travel deeper in search of a lead to follow. Much to his surprise, Ser hears a woman's voice calling for help. With his imposing appearance in mind, Ser warns her to not be afraid upon his approach. Catching sight of Ser, the woman realizes she has heard of the reborn. Tylanis is a member of the Swiftstride Rangers of Iyo Thalor: the city in which Ser rose from the ground. The two become familiar, discussing how Tylanis came to find herself in distress in these woods. Ty aims to omit some details, but Ser is able to catch on to this attempt at deception. He successfully pleads with the ranger to share the details of the evil in these wood. Tylanis shares that there is a being in the Crosstara Wood calling himself the Owlking. While he was once Tylanis's brother, she explains that he is no longer human. Concerned, Ser and Ty head back to the party.

Meanwhile, Xio and Echinacea investigate the corpses of the undead owlbear. Xio expresses disgust at the owlbear bodies being forcibly brought back from death. Xio explains that they view death as a form of freedom that ought not to be meddled with. This prompts Echinacea to worry that bringing Lazuli back from unconsciousness was the wrong choice. This prompts a discussion in which Xio consents to revivification, provided they are still themself. Lazuli assesses the damage to her clothing and heads out to meet the others as Ser and Ty return.

Ser informs the party of Tylanis’s quandary and insists that he aid her, explaining that Tylanis is connected to Iyo Thalor and Lady Whittemore: the woman who took Ser in when he first emerged from the ground. The rest of the group quickly agrees. With the group inside, more information is given about the Owlking and his raising of the creatures. Both of these siblings were raised by a Swiftstride ranger and aimed to follow in their father's footsteps. Unfortunately, their father was killed by owlbears during an expedition. Though Tylanis realized that her father had been reckless, Tyrlamir held a grudge against owlbears from then on. Eventually Tyrlamir came upon a green hag who promised to make him the lord of the very creatures he despised. It was then that the Owlking was born. Understanding that darkness may give the group an advantage, the party chooses to take the day to rest so they can hunt the Owlking at night. Lazuli informs the group that he is likely the aberration she had sensed earlier. During the course of this conversation, Tylanis mentions Lucien Whittemore, brother of Lady Whittemore. Ser has an obvious negative reaction, which Echinacea clocks.

Over the course of the rest, Xio checks in with Lazuli regarding her fall in battle. Conversation turns to Xio’s heightened powers as a result of the primordial orb, about which Lazuli appears less than thrilled. Xio admits he himself isn’t alright and Lazuli finds herself unable to broach the subject of Xio’s mental state. Instead, the two craft instruments and play music together.

Meanwhile, Echinacea speaks with Tylanis privately, demanding she tell them what Lucien’s been saying about Ser. Tylanis says that Lucien has been taking actions against Ser, viewing Ser as competition and trying to assert himself as the man of the Whittemore estate. Suspicious of this, Echinacea probes into the death of Lord Whittemore and learns that it has been reported that Lady Whittemore’s husband died in his sleep. The aasimar then insists Tylanis sing Ser’s praises when she returns to Iyo Thalor in order to combat whatever Lucien Whittemore has been doing to undermine their reborn friend. On watch, Ser is joined in a moonlit grove by Keylin. The drowish man thanks Ser for his heroism. Keylin informs that he will do the same to the others when they aren't occupied. Echinacea, Lazuli, and Xio wake to thank you letters when rest concludes.

Stalking Keylin in the dark, Nivien jumps out to scare the cleric and chides him for slacking on his watch. Keylin asks if Nivien has “come to feast.” Noting that they didn’t ask nicely, Nivien instead assists Keylin in gathering firewood and is caught up to speed on the issue of the Owlking. They seem most interested in the Owlking’s pact with the green hag, calling it wise. Keylin explains the party will be attempting to thwart the Owlking. Nivien cheerfully calls it a date, prompting a flustered Keylin to agree. With that, Nivien finds Ser in the moonlit grove.

Asking whether Ser considers himself to be alive or dead, Nivien explains to the reborn that they themself are a monster: someone who straddles the line between mortality and immortality. Nivien then probes further, asking if Ser remembers what he used to look like. Ser in turn reveals that he possesses only one memory, shown to him and Echinacea by the Magus Arcanum oracle, in which he witnessed himself dying, pulled into the ground of a terrible field of battle. Nivien is sympathetic to the tragedy of his memory, but Ser is adamant that the tragedy is lost on him as he does not remember any of the people with whom he died. He counts not remembering as a blessing. He then probes Nivien’s experience with undeath and learns that the blood hunter pursued their vampirism through science and more inexplicable processes. Ser is surprised that Nivien chose such a path and commends the power they wield in making such a choice. Nivien’s response - that it is “not enough” - startles Ser. He asks what more power they could want, garnering Nivien’s chilling response: “the power of the gods.” They remark that Ser seems very close to that power, which makes him very interesting to them. Though Ser is unsettled, he nevertheless agrees to a game of chess with Nivien.
After the long rest, Echinacea mends Lazuli's shredded clothes and gives her their Bag of Holding. Lazuli then invites the aasimar to work on a Vox Seeker wind up device that she recently completed tinkering. Hearing an encouraging word from the voice of Mystra, Echinacea is able to enchant the mechanism with the characteristics of an automaton. Lazuli thanks her new friend and promises to try and repay the kindness.

As the moon sits high in the sky, the party, Keylin, and Tylanis venture into the Crosstara wood to hunt down the Owlking. With Tylanis and Keylin aiding them, the seven move into the woods and find a grim opening, one that oozes necrotic corruption. Tyrlamir, the Owlking makes himself known and after a rousing and inspiring speech from Ser, the groups clash. Heavy blows are exchanged but ultimately, the Owlking is defeated. After this victory, the group is met with a shock as Ser's ethereal flame dims dramatically and he falls into the murky puddle in front of him. What the group doesn't see is the mist covered memory that Ser relives. As a Knight of the Ebon Eye, Ser Declan is promoted by his commanding officer and then invited to an operation in the city of Ilynbelle. Commander of the Larethian Order of Knights, Lorian Belnades extends the personal invitation to Ser Declan, in hopes to command a force able to defeat the creatures bleeding in from the Shadowfell. Without hesitation, Declan accepts. We then see the vision fade as Declan celebrates this promotion and shares a warm moment with his brother, sister-in-law, as well as his niece and nephew. The tenderness momentary as the chapter closes with the party looking down at their incapacitated friend.

## Chapter 3 - Tethers Can Be Broken

**Ser makes his oath.**
Lazuli, Nivien, Echinacea, and Xio gather panicked around Ser’s incapacitated body. He is not dead: though Ser is catatonic, there is a strong flame-like light within his armor. Lazuli lifts Ser out of the puddle and Xio casts Thaumaturgy in hopes of rousing Ser as they had done in the fight against Tyrlamir, to no effect. Echinacea rests their hand on Xio’s and then casts light to illuminate the armor of Ser. The aasimar then casts Cure Wounds and sees that the restorative magic does indeed take effect. However, Ser remains incapacitated. Tylanis recommends taking Ser to Iyo Thalor, where a smith named Harry Outen can take a look at him. Keylin begins to investigate Ser. As he does, we move from the group's vision to Ser’s.

Inside of Ser’s vision, Ser Declan Alcott sits in a military caravan headed towards Ilynbelle. The energy inside is tense as young members of the Ebon Eye fear what will meet them once they arrive. In an effort to bring some comfort and confidence to his comrades, Declan shares stories of past battles, focusing on tales where no matter how stacked the odds, victory was achieved. As these stories are shared and some confidence is gained, we meet a few members of the Ebon Eye: Gimmick, a mousefolk ranger and cartographer for the Ebon Eye who speaks on the clear path ahead and how his owl companion will be able to warn of any danger; William, a human soldier assigned to the Ebon Eye after committing a crime who scoffs at Gimmick; and Thordic Bittersteel, dwarven commander of the Ebon Eye who tells the convoy to prepare for the worst. Ser Declan sets about preparing his company for the journey ahead. With more words of strength said, a familiar mist moves into Ser’s vision as the words of his companions making their way to him:

Echinacea asks, “Are you going back to your body?” prompting Ser to recall Echinacea’s visage and the robbery they thwarted together in Aldengate. Xio, after tapping Ser’s armor, says, “that was really cool, big guy. It’d be cool if you got back too.” Lazuli says, “you saved me, now let me save you. There is a debt to be repaid.” Nivien gruffly demands, “Come on then, it cannot be that easy to take you out. Don’t make me change my chart. I haven’t beaten you at chess yet.” The moonlit game of chess runs through Ser’s mind before his vision returns to the grim sight of a battlefield near Ilynbelle. The forces of the Larethian Knights and the Ebon Eye are woefully overwhelmed by the forces of darkness. Gimmick sits, holding his deceased Owl familiar and crying out. Declan moves Gimmick back and orders a retreat. As Bittersteel attempts to order his men, he is struck and killed by a shadowy tendril that drags him into the earth. Ser Declan stands strong in the front line, demanding his men retreat, as Ser’s companions are heard once more.Echinacea, Lazuli, Nivien, and Lazuli see the green flame grow within Ser’s armor. Xio, Nivien, and Lazuli demand that Ser return, while Echinacea bids him a farewell if he is going to a better place.

Hearing the words of his companions and seeing the struggle on the fields of Ilynbelle, Ser struggles with whether to stay or to go. In a moment of departure from the Aldengate Oracle’s initial vision, Declan drops to his knees as the combat roars around him. Knowing how this ends, Ser hears the flapping of large wings. Commander Lorian Belnades orders Declan to retreat and the darkness envelops him. Ser awakes with his companions, fearful and gasping for breath. The reborn paladin looks to Nivien and says that he may not be as immutable as the pair previously believed. Echinacea offers Ser a space to talk about his experience and Ser informs the aasimar that they have much to discuss, including an important figure from Echinacea’s past. Tylanis mentions going to Iyo Thalor to see Harry Outen, who may have some insight into what just happened to Ser. The party agrees and begins to explore Tyrlamir’s cave.

Echinacea hangs back and casts Detect Magic in the space where Ser fell. They get hits of Necromancy and Transmutation from Ser himself, but nothing in the space he fell. In the cave, items are discovered and dispersed: a +1 Shield and a Potion of Climbing go to Ser, a pair of Boots of Springing and Striding goes to Xio, and a Darkshard Amulet goes to Nivien. Echinacea finds a heavily marked map of the Crosstara Wood. There is a small sketch of a Hut titled ‘Viola’s Home’ near Lockinge.

Hearing low and mournful calls from deeper in the Owl King’s cave system, Nivien and Ser depart to investigate. Upon a closer inspection it becomes clear that Tyrlamir was holding an Owlbear and two of her cubs captive. Nivien earns the mother owlbear’s trust by offering scraps of cured meat. Nivien and Ser break the shackles, allowing the owlbears to escape. On the back wall of the cave, Ser notices a stone-like eye closing followed by raspy laughter. Ser asserts that the group may be watched, prompting Echinacea to address the eye as Viola. The cackling entity offers Echinacea help with their lost memories. They reject it with a “fuck you” and Viola tells the group she will be waiting patiently for them to visit. Xio affirms that Viola sounds gross as the eye in the wall disappears. Lazuli sketches the eye from memory. With that, the party returns to the Humble Abode.

The party regroups around Ser, who relays his experience of retreating into a vision of the past, wherein he learned that his name in life had been Declan Alcott. Noting that he had used his newfound eldritch abilities in combat, Ser wonders if this will happen the more those abilities are utilized. Nivien and Echinacea recall a series of Ser Declan the Gallant novels authored by Lyla Alcott. These stories follow a noble knight journeying through Tolesh and aiding the disenfranchised. Ser recalls his niece, Lyla..Echinacea notes that she last published only two years ago and suggests that the party can try to find her. Ser insists that she may be better off remembering him as he was, not as he is. At this assertion, Echinacea grabs their friend's metallic hands. The wizard then affirms that if they can become adept enough at magic they are learning for Kasimir, they may be able to help Ser regain his corporeal body.

Ser admits that he does not know what he is, but he knows that he is tied to something dangerous. He appreciates the support and affirms that Echinacea has their own woes to pursue. The reborn then tells them about his regained memories of their husband Lorian, who granted Ser Declan his rank. He tells Echinacea that Lorian was a hero. The aasimar processes that information, reflecting on the strange state their amnesia has put them in. Though they were married to Lorian, they have less memory of him than they do of Ser. For that reason, they find themself just as invested in Ser. They will seek out a means of returning him to his body, unless Ser says otherwise. At the mention of bringing people back from the dead, Xio leaves the Humble Abode.

Musing on this shared experience of ties to both the past and the present, Ser informs the party that he heard every single one of them call out to him. He grapples with his obligation to what was lost and his obligation of that which has yet to come. Ser continues that it seems the party’s fates are intertwined, though he knows not why. He worries that he is tethered to the Shadowfell, which may one day pull him back. Echinacea stubbornly insists that tethers can be broken.

Echinacea speculates there is someone who may know more about Ser’s situation: a fey entity named Koliada. Lazuli remembers the following Feywild lore: Koliada was the leader of the Winter Court who had struck up some sort of deal with the God Corellon of the Alloyed Pantheon. In an exchange for power within the Winter Court, Corellon made her blade called Rime. A combination of magic from the Feywild and Shadowfell, the blade's construction made it unstable. Over time it began to corrupt Koliada, heightening her worst traits. She grew more selfish and power-hungry until she was overthrown by denizens of the Feywild and thrust into hiding. Whispers saying that she swore vengeance on Corellon and his lineage. Lazuli also recalls hearing about two phoenix's residing in the Feywild around the time of Koliada's banishment. One managed to leave the plane of existence while the other was forced to stay. She remembers hearing tales of an individual riding the phoenix that stayed in the Feywild as it was assaulted by a large raven-like monstrosity: a Vilderavven, a sworn knight to a Fey being. Lazuli chooses not to share this information.

Unaware of the context at Lazuli’s disposal, Echinacea shares what they know about Koliada: Koliada was the figure they and Ser saw in the Aldengate Oracle’s vision of the battlefield in Ilynbelle. Upon Ser asking what her connection to the Shadowfell is, Echinacea says that Koliada has a blade of black ice forged from the Feywild and Shadowfell. Koliada is the person responsible for Ser’s death and Lorian’s fate of being consumed by a corrupter corbeaure. The two amnesiacs lament as they console one another. Ser states that the pair is full of holes and Echinacea likens themself to a clam that lost its pearl.

Meanwhile, Xio sits in a tree outside of the Humble Abode and reaches out to their Patron, hands outstretched. The Primordial Current present within the tiefling’s veins arcs out with teal electricity. At that, Isteris is heard in Xio’s mind. He tells his warlock that the Current is settling in quite well.

Perturbed by Echinacea’s talk of retrieving Ser’s body, Xio asks Isteris if he’s ever offered himself the safety of ignorance. No. The great old one states that he must know what is ahead in order to plan. Curious, Isteris asks why the question was posed. Xio asserts that there is knowledge in the world that he doesn’t want or need to know. He doesn’t want to have a reason to think people are bad. Plus, he hates planning. Isteris insists that childlike ignorance will only go so far. Xio blows raspberries. The conversation takes a turn as Isteris pulls Xio into a liminal space where waves crash around them. Upon Isteris asking who Xio fears to be bad, the tiefling admits that they are concerned about certain traveling companions. Xio goes on to explain that there is an order to things, then asking Isteris if he believes that there is a time and place for people to fall out of that natural order. Isteris says that he does believe there is a time and place for it. The arcane is a fickle thing.

Isteris then reveals that he has used magic to heal and revive friends and loved ones. The latter admission gains Xio’s interest. The patron then muses about a lost love. “He was the very air that surrounded us. The warmth of a summer’s kiss. The bite on a winter’s wind. The inviting smell of leaves on grass. Everything beautiful this world had to offer.” Xio then tries to get the entity's name, but Isteris refuses to share that information. Xio muses that Isteris sounds happy talking about this being. The old one asserts that their time has passed, but that this partner is still the wind and sky. He then asserts that he believes that Xio has nothing to worry about with their companions.

The core of the issue then comes to light. Xio’s fear stems from the possible failure that may greet his companions. Moreover, Xio fears what that potential failure may do to their companions. The choice to come back to life should be made by the person being resurrected. Xio seems to think members of the party do not understand that.

Isteris then puts a scenario in front of the warlock. In this liminal space, Isteris creates an illusion of the Scorched Isle. Just off of the coastline is a Wavebreaker Turtle with a Triton rider on its back. This is a depiction of Xio’s father. In this illusion, lightning strikes the water and Xio’s father falls off of his mount and washes onto shore. The figure is unmoving. Isteris then asks if Xio would try to save him. This patron then goes on to say that “even the dead deserve a choice.” Isteris then states that he wishes he had a choice. Upset by Isteris’s question, Xio ends the engagement. Their pseudodragon Lulu then asks if they are alright. Xio says no and the two share a comforting embrace. With that, Xio returns to the abode and then scrambles to their room.

Back within the Humble Abode, Ser asks Lazuli what she is doing with the Goat Table. The excitable fairy then explains that she is creating a map table for the group to strategize with. Lazuli then asks about the group's travels. With two amnesiacs and a secretive blood hunter… this line of conversation doesn’t go too far. The group then breaks down key places of interest. Bleating goat-like chess pieces are placed on: Lockinge, Iyo Thalor, Ishror’s abode, Ilynbelle, and the Weyvern Peaks School of Botanical Medicine. Echinacea explains that this last location is where they became a doctor. They also note that it is close to Ishror’s residence. Lazuli asks if they needed to be bundled up and Echinacea confirms that they did. The school was placed within the Weyvern Peaks to protect the sciences and practices being developed. At the academy however, the temperatures are controlled and maintained via the arcane to make sure all plant life is kept healthy.

Curious about the medical school’s proximity to Ishror’s home. The aasimar closes their eyes and enters their mind palace. It resembles a small castle brimming with flowers and whose walls are constructed of giant, largely blank pages. Beyond this castle lies a garden vista that shifts into a neat and tidy orchard stretching as far as the eye can see. However, the trees of this orchard are covered in black ice. Echinacea runs through this orchard as fast as they can until they reach two trees at the orchard’e edge. These trees bear golden fruit underneath the black ice: these glowing fruits hold the few memories Echinacea has regained: all the memories of their education at the Weyvern Peaks School of Botanical Medicine, and two memories of their husband Lorian. They scour their memories of the medical school in the garden of lost things, looking for Ishror. There they discover a guest speaker: a silver haired “man” named Ishror who gives a lecture on the implications and implementations of Arcane Wards on buildings and structures. Outside of the mind palace, Echinacea grabs Lazuli’s hand and repeats Ishror’s lesson that day. Elated at this discovery, Lazuli holds Echinacea’s hands and asks if they know what this means. It means that Ishror knows them, and that he has a great memory. Lazuli suggests that the group should visit Ishror. Echinacea happily agrees.

Undeterred by Nivien’s earlier shiftiness, Lazuli asks again where the bloodhunter has traveled. Nivien is familiar with Sunwall and Squall’s End, dropping the name of The Order of Cleansing Flame. They note that they are familiar with places with the most vile of monsters. At the mention of this Order, Echinacea recalls some information on the group's founder: Loredana Colt. This flaming haired aasimar woman sacked the city of Squall’s End, ridding it of the Vampire Coven in power. After this act, the Order of Cleansing Flame was founded. A silence falls over the room, prompting Nivien to leave in order to stress hunt and avoid attention.

As the night winds down, Echinacea seeks out the drowish cleric Keylin. The aasimar finds him on his quiet watch. The two discuss their different approaches to magic, Keylin noting the oddity of a wizard capable of casting healing. The two ponder if wizards have been able to cast healing magic this whole time. Perhaps the only thing stopping them from doing so was a lack of initiative. Curious about the mutability of magic across different practices, the two hunker down to test the theory. Keylin successfully teaches Echinacea Guiding Bolt, proving that cleric spells can be learned by at least this wizard. The two create a new magical shorthand in the process, moving beyond the realm of purely arcane language by tapping into divine and primal magics. The two then discuss the Thor’tel guild. Keylin explains that the guild disseminates information to the people via a network of bards, artisans, mummers, city criers, and even some political figureheads. The drow further explains that the guild is working to be more public: Inspired by the idea of public dissemination of information, Echinacea laments the fact that libraries belong to institutions and private entities. The two excitedly discuss some sort of public institution that could serve the same purpose.

Back within the Humble Abode, Lazuli runs to her room and quickly attempts to craft a puzzle box that becomes a spinning top once completed, all in the hope of making Xio feel better. After tinkering, her gift only resembles a top. Still pleased with the gift, Lazuli joins Xio and Lulu in the warlock’s treehouse bedroom. Lazuli asks how her companion is, to which the tiefling replies “I saw something I didn’t like,” referring to the discussion of Echinacea returning Ser’s body to him. Xio continues that he is taking some time to be alone. Lazuli reveals her gift and Xio immediately crawls and inspects the top, spinning it immediately. After this, she asks if the tiefling would like company or to be left alone. Xio confirms that they need time to make sure they are at their best tomorrow. Lazuli relates to the experience, stating that her Ankhin Ishror has done similarly. Lazuli then creates a bell on a string for Xio in case he needs anything. It will ring in her room if he does. With that, Lazuli retreats to her room, leaving Xio to process.

The next day, the party sets off for Iyo Thalor. During the trip, Nivien stress hunts. Without explanation, they leave hunted game at the doors of both Keylin and Echinacea. After a few nights of this, Nivien realizes this might be off-putting. They find Echinacea, explain their stress hunting, and ask if it bothered them. Echinacea admits to fearing they may be haunted, but affirm they are grateful for the gifts and express interest in learning how to clean and cook the game. Nivien agrees to teach the aasimar, prompting Echinacea to create two new rooms in the Humble Abode: a kitchen and the room of the Aldengate Oracle. The latter room's details are fuzzy, but the paintings the wizard intended to replicate are present. The entire party joins the cooking lesson, Xio sneaking food, Lazuli inspects the space, and Ser knocks things over before hastily retreating.

Echinacea asks Nivien how long they’ve been unable to eat. The high elf reveals that they can, they’ve just lost the taste for it. The aasimar then asks Nivien when they decided to start consuming “something else” (blood). Nivien relates their experience to a war, stressing the importance of doing whatever they could to win a seemingly unending battle. Echinacea then explains that Nivien is operating under a False Choice fallacy: one where two options are presented as the only options. Nivien sidesteps the assertion, commenting instead on their own curiosity: they know more than they did before Sunwall and they only want to learn more. At that, Echinacea lights up and asks the blood hunter what they know.

Before they can answer, Nivien feels a sharp pain on their neck: an arcane collar placed on them by Doctor Sotash. His voice rings in Nivien’s mind as he warns them not to mention his name. If they did, one Sly would have to be sent their way. The agent of Sunwall affirms that the Doctor can trust them. His vision leaves them. After having Echinacea repeat the question, Nivien gives the following answer: they know the complexity of life within every drop of blood. They know the secret voices of gods that answer the same call. Echinacea and Nivien then talk about gods. Asked if they have ever seen a god, Nivien falls into a memory:

Before Nivien was inducted into the Sunwall academy, the high elf found themself splayed out on a battlefield after a botched hunt, the blood leaving their body faster than the air can enter their lungs. Nivien recalls wolven beasts clawing and ripping their form. On the brink of death, alone yet surrounded by the bodies of dead kinsmen, Nivien calls outwardly for help. Desperate not to let go of life. The heavily wounded Nivien hears footsteps approaching as the sun rises. A voice calls out “I can help you.” The figure's hands grasp Nivien’s face and “she” tells them to hold on. She is not ready for Nivien yet, they have a long life ahead of them. Nivien then hears an exchange between this figure and another, debating what to do next. The feminine voice affirms that Nivien will be found. Her companion states that he trusts Illyana’s judgment The blood hunter is left stabilized and is later rescued. With that, the flashback ends. Nivien now knows that entity is the Raven Queen

Once Nivien has recounted their tale, Echinacea quietly laughs and notes how strange it is that the two have looked upon the same God. The two muse that coincidences might not exist. Echinacea explains that the Raven Queen took someone when they met. After Nivien apologizes, Echinacea explains that they think he is alright, in his own way. Nivien muses that everyone is alright in their own way. Echinacea calls Nivien wise, much to the bloodhunter’s dismay.

During travel, Lazuli seeks out Echinacea to work on something to sell once they get to Iyo Thalor. After Lazuli lists options such as Pixie Dust, a Pyro Converger, or Prosthetic Limbs, the ranger then taps into her economic acumenl to see what has the least overhead so she can gain the group the most capital on the Toleshan market. Recalling the needs of the people, Lazuli settles on Arcane Conductors. These devices are able to direct the flow of arcane magic through constructs, architecture, and even as apparatus’ on arcane practitioners. With Lazuli and Echinacea working together, Echinacea provides a magical spark to Lazuli’s masterfully intricate designs.

While crafting, Echinacea reflects on the conversation with Keylin. They focus on the different sources of magic and, pulling a piece of chalk, trace the weave made manifest in the air. An oilslick arcane shimmer begins to materialize as they chase the weave throughout the space, pulling it into a waltz. This weave forms into a humanoid shape as Echinacea goes to offer the weave to a new partner: the Arcane Conductor. The oilsslick arcane trail transforms into an orb and suffuses into the Arcane Conductor: a sundial of Lazuli’s design that attaches to the wearer's hand, gyroscopic in shape with a brilliant blue gem in the center.

After this, Lazuli asks why Echinacea uses Chalk during their castings. The aasimar admits that they only use it because others before them have. Looking at the floating terrariums around them, they see a dying petal floating from Johnathan. Echinacea catches it and asserts that they wish to use something more organic. They then ask Lazuli what the Arcane Conducter does. In classic Lazuli fashion, the fairy explains “it powers things and hopefully makes us lots of money.”

Over the trip, Xio spends the majority of the time testing his connection to the primordial current. As the group makes camp, Xio finds a tree outside the Humble Abode to practice this ability. The tiefling casts Lightning Lure and Shocking Grasp for the first time before seeking out Ser. As the unsuspecting paladin cuts wood with his glaive, Xio casts Lightning Lure to aid their reborn companion. The two converge and greet each other awkwardly and Xio asks if Ser is excited to go home. Ser states that Iyo Thalor isn’t home. It is the place where he crawled out of the ground. It just so happened that the people of Iyo Thalor were kind enough to take him in. Some of them, anyway. Xio then asks if Ser is being forced to be here. Unsure how to answer, the paladin states that he has his agency and that it feels correct that he’s back with the group. Obviously concerned, Ser asks if Xio is okay: he can sense a weight on their shoulders. Xio attempts to deflect but Ser is aware of their general feelings. He calls them a light and affirms that the group cares for Xio. At this, the tiefling asks Ser if he prefers Ser or Declan. The paladin confirms he claims the name Ser but will not allow this deflection to stand.
Xio tells Ser that people often don’t seize the opportunity to live life to its fullest. The warlock does not like the prospect of life ending sooner than intended, but they believe that people need to understand and process that sadness. Xio worries that some in the group may not, referring back to Echinacea promising to return Ser to his body. He is worried about what might happen if the process of death is halted by the group’s healer. Ser believes Xio to be talking about ambitions to “shackle,” which Xio confirms. Ser chooses not to speak for his companions. He states that his shackles drag him to a place that he does not want to be: the place where he relives his memories. Ser affirms he wishes to escape that place. The paladin then affirms that he looks for answers for himself and for Echinacea. Xio promises that they have a personal investment in Ser’s freedom. Ser states that he is happy in his soul to know that Xio is there to keep the group in check. The warlock laments the responsibility.

Late late into the night, Ser attempts to sneak out of the Abode. He comes upon Jenn singing a tune about cleaning her nails and quickly informs her of his presence. After a fright, a thrown knife, and a Wizard of Oz reference, Ser makes his way to a moonlit copse. He uses this space to explore his eldritch abilities, using Watchers of the Fallen to see the faces of the fallen spirits. The spirits are: Captain Bittersteel, William, who died to save Gimmick, Janna Silverhand, an elvish commander that held the line with Ser Declan, and Ser Declan Alcott himself.Ser studies the faces and commits them to memory, pacing down the line of spirits. The paladin then sits for an hour and defines his oath: the Oath of the Departed is one made in the name of unfinished business, a great duty yet to be fulfilled, a task that he has returned to complete. While pacing, Ser looks at the spirits and promises to finish what they all started. On the wind, Ser hears a voice that says “You are not done.” Ser then sits and soaks in the night.

To round out the trip, Echinacea assembles the group to ask who is comfortable receiving healing magic and who is comfortable being resuscitated. Everyone but Xio heartily consents. Xio listens to the answers and, nodding quietly, gives consent. He makes his doubt in Echinacea clear, specifying that he only wants to be resuscitated as long as he will be himself. Echinacea confirms that they are not interested in animating corpses. Ser, Lazuli, and Keylin then gain the party’s consent to heal and resuscitate them as well.

The session ends as the party arrives in Iyo Thalor, where they hope to glean more information about Ser’s condition. There, they are greeted by Lady Elizabeth Whittemore. Her attachment to Ser is made immediately apparent, as is Lucien Whittemore’s disdain for the reborn paladin. The session ends with Nivien recognizing Lucien.

## Chapter 4 - A Good Man

**Lucien's nefarious plans are discovered.**

The chapter begins with Lucien and Elizabeth Whittemore guiding the party to their rooms. Xio, excited about meeting twins, begins pestering an obviously irritated Lucien about their shared experience. Elizabeth, learning that Xio’s twin is in the Scorched Isles, informs the warlock that he might find something interesting in the estate. Nivien throws a mouse at Lucien, prompting a vague conversation about each’s reasons for being in Iyo Thalor. It is revealed that Nivien and Lucien met at the Sunwall Academy. Ser is mortified by the party’s etiquette and panics when Echinacea asks him if he’s brought Elizabeth a present. He expresses his mortification and reveals that he feels responsible for the party’s behavior. Echinacea is contacted by Kasimir via Sending Stone. The wizard informs them that it was difficult to extricate himself from the Magus Arcanum, explaining that its ruling body the Major Arcana did not want someone of his significance abandoning his post. However, Madame Zerini vouched for Kasimir, allowing him to return to his and his deceased husband’s home. He makes plans to visit Iyo Thalor in the coming days.

Ahead, Elizabeth sets off toward the estate. Xio uses this opportunity to steal Lucien’s coin purse, gaining 400 gold. Once in the estate, Elizabeth pays the party 3000 gold for their service in the Crosstara Woods, despite Ser’s intention to protest. Ser stays behind to speak with Elizabeth as the rest of the party heads to their rooms. Xio, put off by the finery, immediately begins to rob the Whittemore’s.

Alone with Elizabeth, Ser fills her in on his travels since he first departed Iyo Thalor and reveals the incident of his own collapse after defeating the Owlking. Elizabeth tells Ser that she has cleared the smithy Harioten’s schedule so that the smith can look into Ser’s attachment to his armor. Ser tells her about his vision of his own past. Recognizing the name Declan Alcott, Elizabeth informs Ser that his niece lives in Iyo Thalor. Ser asks her to keep that information secret. He fears that he will not be able to remain on the material plane once he has finished his business on this plane, though he adds that he believes his obstinate companions may insist that he stay. Elizabeth assures him that is his choice to make. Tentatively, Ser confides that he worries for “other attachments made” - to Elizabeth herself, though this remains unspoken. Elizabeth tells Ser he is a very good man, and though it is unspoken, it becomes clear that she returns Ser’s feelings.

In their room, Nivien is visited by Lucien. He asks if Nivien was sent by “him” and asks what they are looking for. Nivien confides in Lucien that they found what they were seeking, though not in the form they expected it to take. In following it, Nivien found more than they were looking for. Nivien learns that their friends are safe and loses their composure upon hearing that Lucien has seen Sly. Gleefully, Lucien withholds the details of this meeting and taunts Nivien about their attachments. Nivien responds by tackling Lucien. Though Nivien considers killing the man, the physical altercation is short-lived. Nivien promises Lucien that if he is involved in harming any of their friends, they will make him wish he were dead. Lucien’s response is merely to inform Nivien that Lucien is in the city before exiting the vampire’s chambers.

Meanwhile, Lazuli grabs a map of Iyo Thalor and heads to Echinacea’s room. Echinacea, having never gotten to choose for themself where to go or what to do, is excitedly eyeing a location called the Lorekeep. Lazuli correctly intuits that Echinacea may not leave a library once they enter it and suggests they go to mystery lunch first (the mystery being the location, which will be decided by a dice roll). Echinacea concedes and the duo head to Xio’s room.

Xio, toting a satchel of Whittemore loot over their back, declines joining the pair for mystery lunch until they meet with their guild. Asking Lazuli to order them everything, Xio spiderclimbs out the window. Echinacea spots Lazuli blushing at Xio’s display of magical ability. Excitedly, Echinacea asks Lazuli to tell them what those feelings are like. Our perspective shifts back to Ser, who spots Lucien approaching Nivien’s room. Lucien lies about knowing Nivien. Seeing through the lie, Ser scolds Lucien for lying. Lucien claims he can lie in his own home, prompting Ser to call him an asshole. Lucien displays his affront at the statement and leers at Ser, questioning why Elizabeth takes pity on Ser as the paladin is “not a man.” Suggesting that the same goes for Lucien, Ser joins Nivien in the vampire’s room and immediately delivers a bombshell: he is certain that Lucien intends to kill Elizabeth.

Ser goes on to say that he does not intend to let that happen. Ser initially considers knightly combat, but the conversation shifts to the possibilities of either clandestine murder or imprisonment. When asked if Elizabeth would imprison Lucien, Ser expresses doubt. Elizabeth is intelligent enough to be aware of her brother, and no such action has yet been taken. Nivien admits they do not want to kill Lucien, piquing Ser’s curiosity about how the two know each other. Nivien refuses to tell Ser, and the two turn their attention to the possibility of imprisoning Lucien. The subject returns to murder, leading both Ser and Nivien to realize their code of conduct prevents them from killing Lucien. They decide instead to search for evidence of his guilt, with Nivien pursuing a contact in the city.

The conversation turns to Ser’s city of origin in life. Nivien tells Ser that Sunwall is where they became a monster. The academy was, during his time, a prestigious school, and the city was not a place to be feared. The Ebon Eye existed to protect scientific discovery. Sunwall in the present age is a military state intent on seceding from the Trilateral Government. Juggernaut mechanical apparati and arcane means of military power are being developed there. The students at the Sunwall Academy are being taught the arts of war and torture. It is a breeding ground for political unrest and the seat of dark experiments. Nivien informs Ser that the Ebon Eye was disbanded 25 years ago and absorbed into Sunwall’s military forces. Ser states that time truly decay all and discovers he is coming to find individual agency more and more important.

Lazuli and Echinacea find Ser and Nivien. Lazuli proposes mystery lunch. Nivien declines, prompting the newcomers to worry about their state of mind. Echinacea offers to help Nivien, to which Nivien responds that they ought not “help a sword.” Elaborating, Nivien explains that they view themself as a weapon. Not to be aided, but to be pointed toward things that need to be destroyed. Placatingly, Ser promises to fill in the others during mystery lunch while Nivien goes on their errand. Echinacea insists that Nivien is not a weapon, but a person to be kept safe. They then cast Invisibility on Nivien in order to provide some of that safety. The party departs the Whittemore estate and heads in their separate directions.

Meanwhile, Xio heads to the Wastes: the Lower Block of Iyo Thalor. Spotting a symbol of a scale burned into the wall of a tavern, Xio discovers a bartender friendly to the Brightfury Guild, as well as several green cloaked individuals who appear to be members. Depositing the Whittemore loot, Xio approaches the green cloaked figures with the statement, “Our burning fury casts wide shadows, and from the shadows we measure justice.” Learning that these Brightfury members are just passing through, Xio returns to the barkeep Melana and gives her Lucien’s 400 gold as well, entrusting her to gift the spoils to the people of the Wastes. She tells Xio the Brightfury are always welcome.

Ser fills in Lazuli and Echinacea about his suspicions that Lucien intends to kill Elizabeth. A dismayed Echinacea questions the wisdom of splitting up and suggests that the party ought to keep an eye on Elizabeth to ensure her safety. Explaining that Nivien is out information-hunting, Ser explains that he wants to have evidence of Lucien’s malintent before returning to Elizabeth. The conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Kasimir teleporting into the city. Intent on filling in Kasimir on the apparent murder plot, Echinacea abandons their intent to travel to the Lorekeep and Lazuli finds her mystery lunch plans dashed.

Reunited at the Red Feather with Xio, the party retreats to Kasimir’s newly purchased rooms. Ser fills in the wizard on his suspicions. Kasimir’s offer to watch over Elizabeth spurs Ser to take on the task himself, believing it to be his duty. He asks the others to aid Nivien, but Xio insists on accompanying Ser. The warlock’s joviality, the party realizes, vanished with Xio’s realization that one twin intends to kill another. They make it clear they take the matter personally.

After Xio and Ser depart, Echinacea informs Kasimir that Lucien and Nivien both attended his alma mater. Armed with this knowledge, Kasimir believes he can locate them both by seeking out a particular brand. Lazuli, sensing Kasimir’s mental acuity, suggests conducting research on the Sunwall Academy at the Lorekeep. Knowing that Kasimir and Nivien underwent transformations at the Sunwall Academy, Echinacea posits that Lucien may have undergone something similar and hopes that this research will provide a more concrete answer to what that transformation might be. The group departs for the Lorekeep.

Meanwhile, Nivien discovers Sly’s calling card: white lilies left in city alcoves. Following this trail, they locate the gray tiefling woman appearing to idle in a shady region of the Wastes. Still invisible, Nivien sneaks up behind Sly and reveals themself by telling her she is lovely. Sly tricks Nivien into giving them a kiss on the cheek, dropping Nivien’s invisibility. Nivien informs Sly of Ser’s suspicion, but Sly assures Nivien that Lucien is too much of a pussy to kill his sister. She reveals that Lucien’s ambition has him on the outs with the Sunwall Academy and offers to kill him. Sly resists providing information about why she is in Iyo Thalor and redirects the conversation to Nivien’s recent activities. Nivien invites Sly to join the party, but Sly declines and instead provides Nivien with evidence: a missive from Lucien to the Sunwall Academy requesting weaponry. In exchange for the missive, Sly asks Nivien to look into a cure for vampirism. Though the question upsets Nivien, they promise to do so and the pair share a kiss.

Nivien asks Sly if she would leave them behind and a conversation follows where the pair’s differing opinions on vampirism emerge. Asked why they want to live forever, Nivien explains they want to see what happens to the world. Sly voices a fear that the future will be dreadful, to which Nivien responds that they will either fix or destroy such a world. Nivien asks why Sly wants to stop and learns that Sly fears for what they will become. Without a mind built for longevity like an elf’s, Sly worries she would decay into a husk of herself rather than the goddess Nivien anticipates. Nivien makes clear that they believe vampirism is what makes themself special, despite Sly’s protestations. Sensing Nivien is hurting, Sly apologizes and Nivien thanks her for knowing. With that, Nivien reunites with Kasimir, Lazuli, Echinacea just outside the Lorekeep. Nivien informs the others they have found incriminating evidence and the group hurries toward the Whittemore estate.

At the Whittemore estate, Ser and Xio find Elizabeth and Lucien together in her study. Ser situates himself protectively alongside Elizabeth and Xio speaks into Elizabeth’s head with Awakened Mind, asking her to separate herself from Lucien. Elizabeth sends Lucien and Xio to retrieve her chess set. Alone with Elizabeth, Ser explains he has fears regarding Lucien’s murderous intentions. The two begin to read Lyla Alcott’s stories of Ser Declan the Gallant. Meanwhile, Xio tries and fails to get Lucien to admit to the murderous intent Ser suspects. Summoning Lulu, Xio then casts Charm Person on Lucien through the pseudodragon. Asking what Elizabeth wanted to show them regarding the Scorched Isles, Lucien explains that there are students from the region staying at the estate. Xio then accompanies the now charmed Lucien back to Ser and Elizabeth.

Nivien, Lazuli, Echinacea, and Kasimir reconvene in Elizabeth’s study, where Nivien provides Ser with Sly’s evidence. Xio informs Ser that he has charmed Lucien and rejoins the party. Once shown the missive, Elizabeth demands Lucien drop his blade or lose the hand that wields it. Elizabeth tells the guards to take Lucien away. Echinacea asks where, and when Elizabeth responds the dungeons, Ser agrees that they are a good place for him. Xio tells Lucien sisters are a privilege, and they hope he rots in his shame. Ser begins to comfort Lady Whittemore, but Echinacea butts in to ask if there is some sort of due process that should be enacted before locking Lucien away, as the group is not an arbiter of justice. Though Elizabeth assures Echinacea that the lawmasters will decide what is to be done with Lucien, Echinacea finds themself having a panic attack. They flee the room and Nivien, Xio, and Lazuli follow, leaving Ser to comfort Lady Whittemore.

Echinacea runs to the tea garden where Ser arose from the dead. Nivien follows and reassures them that Lucien is a bad person. Echinacea seems unconvinced and distracted, looking down at their empty hand throughout the conversation as if it is holding something. The two share a hug and Nivien tells the aasimar that if all rulers felt this way, the world would be a peaceful one. Echinacea insists they are not a good person, and the two expound on what they admire about one another: Nivien does not share Echinacea’s compassion, but they respect it and insist they will follow it because it is right; Echinacea sees Nivien on a path to protect those they love by any means necessary while Echinacea’s own fear of imprisonment prompts them to defend a possible murderer. Nivien insists Echinacea is nothing like Lucien, but they are unable to relinquish their horror at the thought of imprisoning him without certainty that he has committed a crime - especially if his motives, like Nivien’s, are to protect those he loves. Stalwart, Nivien assures Echinacea that there is very little love in both Sunwall and Lucien. The vampire continues that Echinacea seems to be holding guilt for something, prompting the aasimar to look down at a heart in their hands that only they can see. The two sit together in the gardens. Xio watches from the shadows, listening throughout. The more he learns about Echinacea, the more discomfort he feels.

Nivien perceives Xio watching the conversation had between Echinacea and themself. Realizing this is where Ser emerged from the ground, Echinacea investigates the hole from which Ser arose. Casting Detect Magic, they senses an overwhelming presence of Necromancy. Echinacea uses one of their magical terrariums to communicate with a lily in the Lady’s tea garden, sending the terrarium of Duchess Delilah over to Nivien so that the vampire can hear the conversation as well. The lily, Claudette Marie Laveux II, remembers hearing bestial noises heard as the earth shifted underneath her. She also recalls two figures clad in green and black robes visiting the site just days before Ser erupted from the earth. These figures wore strange masks with only one eye. Listening to their conversation, Claudette overheard: “If their tethers could be broken, so could others. He will be pleased.” Both unfamiliar with a one-eyed entity, the two resolve to look into this odd symbolism.

Back in the Whittemore estate, Ser looks for Xio and eventually finds them looting valuables from the room they are staying in. Under Ser’s scrutiny, Xio reveals his affiliation with the Brightfury Guild, explaining that they ‘steal from the rich and give to the poor’ - much to Ser’s dismay. In hopes of showing Xio the seriousness of the situation, Ser asks if Xio would steal from family no matter how better off they were. After Xio answers yes, Ser abruptly departs. Shocked, Xio pursues the paladin. With firmness, Ser explains that Lady Whittemore is like family and that he cares deeply for her. This being the case, Ser will not chase, chastise, or celebrate Xio’s choices. Xio reluctantly hands the items they had stolen to Ser as an apology and asks if ser could ask Elizabeth to go the Lower Block when next they see each other. Xio also shares that he snatched Lucien's coin purse and gave it to denizens of the Lower Block. It is obvious the tiefling is hurt by the wealth disparity within the city. As a show of good faith, Ser asks Xio to complete a sneaky task.

Taking the 600 gold pieces off his person, Ser asks his companion if they can drop this off to Lila Alcott, his niece. The ghostly paladin admits that he is not ready to face his familial ties and asks Xio to be discreet about them. Xio accepts the terms and affirms that Ser does exist, the door to a possible reunion staying open for the time being. Utilizing Spider Climb, Xio walks out a third story window and begins his journey to the Alcott home.

After leaving the Whittemore Estate, Xio heads into the more affluent district of the city and finds a warm red-brick building with two old dogs sitting out front, curious about their new guest. Xio makes his way to the front door and is met by a curly red haired human man named Declan: an ode to Lila’s beloved Uncle. The warlock asks for Lila and shares that they have a gift for her. After some time, the much older Lila descends the stairs and welcomes Xio inside. Talking about his situation, Xio is surprised by the Alcott’s kindness given their fame and status. Lila informs them that kindness is the least she could offer. The bag of gold is handed to Declan as the Tiefling makes a request for something in exchange to bring their friend: an item that might help him stay a bit longer. Lila agrees and goes off searching for something appropriate, leaving Declan and Xio to talk a bit about friendship. Xio affirms their desire to know him.

As the warm conversation concludes, Lila returns with three items: a painted portrait of Declan, his brother, along with his niece & nephew; a torn banner; and a journal. Xio, looking at the portrait with reverence, affirms that Declan looks a lot like Ser Declan Alcott. With warmth, Lila nods and tells Xio to send her thanks. Xio reaffirms that he intends to spend time with Declan and Lila informs them that Declan works at the Smith Thee.

Finding herself bereft of the party’s company after the confrontation in the study, Lazuli takes the night to assess the city of Iyo Thalor, utilizing her skillset as a ranger to navigate this favored terrain. She hears songs sung about Avandra, The Changebringer. As the fairy drifts through the Lower Block, she sees the construction of a hospital beginning and hears the locals talk of the wealth disparity within Iyo Thalor. In spite of that, morale is still quite high. She also spots the booming businesses of the Guild Host, a place where she might be able to sell items created by her and her companions. Lazuli seeks out the highest point in the city: the top of the Whittemore estate.

Seated at this high point looking down on the city, Lazuli begins to draw what she has seen in her sketchbook. Her mind wanders to her Ankhin, Ishror. As Lazuli continues to sketch, she hears the voice of Ishror checking in with her and, to her confusion, politely asking if he can take a seat. Confused, Lazuli agrees. Confusion quickly gives way to delight as an astral form of the dragon Ishror’s humanoid form sits next to Lazuli. The two begin to catch up as Lazuli talks about her mysterious new traveling companions. Upon diving into the more complex situations of Echinacea and Ser, Ishror not only recalls Echinacea from the Weyvern Peaks School of Botanical Medicine, but affirms that the two worked closely on an intensive project.

Ishror reveals that Echinacea in the past worked on an alchemical means of separating the fey entity Koliada from her corrupting blade Rime. Concerned for his long lost friend's safety, he informs Lazuli that this relates back to where she is from: the Feywild. The silver dragon continues to explain that Echinacea had hidden their work in a safe place, and that Koliada is weakening in power the longer she is separated from the Winter Court. Lazuli informs Ishror of Koliada’s role in Ser’s death. Ishror decides to travel to Iyo Thalor to check in with Lazuli and talk with Echinacea. The two share a warm goodbye, Lazuli embracing Ishror’s astral form until it vanishes.

Inside the dungeons of the Whittemore Estate, Nivien questions Lucien. They grill him and ask if Elizabeth was a part of his scheme to take over Iyo Thalor for Sunwall. Lucien denies this and then questions Nivien’s alignments: are they with Sunwall or against it? Nivien affirms that they have their own goals - goals that align with Doctor Sotash’s. Spitefully, Lucien asks if Nivien’s companions know how monstrous they truly are. As the tensions begin to boil, Nivien leaves with a warning: they can show him that monster.

Echinacea returns to the Red Feather and talks with Kasimir. Kasimir affirms that the impact Echinacea has had on him exceeds the time they have known one another and refers to them as a Northern Star, illustrating that they changed him and his perspective in a brief period of time. Grappling with something, Echinacea looks at the invisible heart in their hand and tells Kasimir, “I can still see it.” Kasimir repeats “You did not kill my husband” as it is revealed that Koliada modified the memories of Echinacea to make them think they killed Valor. He comforts Echinacea, who expresses the fear that they will have their memories taken away again and be left with nothing but the vision of killing Valor.

Responding to Echinacea’s fears that Lucien is being imprisoned too quickly, Kasimir reminds them of the tangible proof that Lucien attempted to orchestrate a coup. This seems to spark an idea in Echinacea. They grab Kasimir’s shoulders and recall a time when Zone of Truth was cast on them. Echinacea reveals to Kasimir that they can learn divine magics and suggests questioning Lucien with the spell to make certain that he is indeed guilty.The two run to Keylin and Kasimir watches as Echinacea learns a Cleric spell and casts healing magic for the first time in front of him. He tells Echinacea they are his best pupil. The chapter ends as Echinacea promises they are working toward Valor.

## Chapter 5 - Another Kind of North Star

**A terrible deed is discovered.**

The session begins the night of the 11th of L’eint. Xio returns to Ser with the Lyla’s journal of first drafts for the first Ser Declan novella, portrait of Ser Declan Alcott with his family, and banner of the Ebon Eye provided by Lyla Alcott. Ser is momentarily worried that Xio has told Lyla about Ser, but the warlock quickly reassures him that the gifts were given without that knowledge having been shared. The two are surprised that Lyla so easily gave these items away. Xio adds that they met Ser’s nephew: Declan Jr. Ser asks what Declan Jr. looks like and seems moved to hear that Declan Jr. looks like Declan in the portrait. Xio suggests that this is a reason why Ser should “stick around,” to which Ser replies that it is at least “good to see that life continues onward.” Before they leave, Xio asks for Ser’s permission to befriend Declan Jr. Ser gives his consent, but reminds Xio to keep his family’s presence in Iyo Thalor secret from the others. Xio summons Lulu to keep Ser company and the two read from Lyla’s first draft.

In the wee hours of the morning of the 12th of L’eint, Nivien finds an orchard outside of the city limits. Once there, Nivien anoints an amulet they have been saving with their own blood and reaches out to the Crimson. The Crimson assures Nivien that she is always present, as her blood runs through Nivien’s veins.It is revealed that the Crimson is the progenitor of Nivien’s vampirism. Nivien asks for the Crimson’s thoughts on Doctor Sotash and learns that the Crimson has disdain for the doctor, as he creates things he cannot control out of hubris. Nivien asks if Doctor Sotash deserves loyalty. An apple falls from one of the orchard trees and the Crimson appears to Nivien for the first time: a woman with shock-white flowing hair, yellow eyes, crimson red gown, a golden armored mantle, and sharp, perfect features. Asked if they are more loyal to Doctor Sotash than to herself, Nivien immediately disavows the doctor in favor of their progenitor. The Crimson agrees that he does not deserve the loyalty of Nivien, nor that of the Crimson’s other kindred. Nivien asks if they should defeat Doctor Sotash instead, to which the Crimson merely responds “have fun” and repeats that Nivien should “live deliciously.” The Crimson then assures Nivien that she will come calling when she needs something. With that, the Crimson disappears. Nivien’s amulet shifts from black to sanguine red.

Lazuli, waking from her perch atop the highest point of the Whittemore Estate, sees Nivien returning from the orchard. She flies down to greet them and attempts to learn what Nivien has been up to, but is merely told that Nivien has been meditating. Nivien asks about Lazuli’s ambitions in this new location, to which Lazuli replies that she has been learning much by observing and notes there is much to do. Nivien confesses they admire the parts of Lazuli they do not understand and would like to invest, handing her 300 gold. Lazuli immediately wants to purchase something for Nivien, but Nivien explains that they already feel taken care of by their new group of “friends” and are attempting to trust the strength of others where they themself have weaknesses. The two link arms and return to the estate.

Pouring over Lyla’s journal, it becomes clear to Ser that her inspiration for Ser Declan the Gallant stems from missing him. There are moments from their shared past which she intends to capture in her stories: a fishing trip with Ser Declan and her father, helping Ser Declan clean his armor, and the like. In the early morning hours, Ser slips out and tours the Wastes of the Lower Block. The wealth disparity between the upper and lower blocks becomes immediately apparent to him: food is scarce, buildings are dilapidated, and the inhabitants seem unprepared for weathering the coming winter months. Investigating further, Ser finds the hospital being constructed in the Arms District and learns that its construction is being funded by the citizens of the lower block. Believing Lazuli can help in this endeavor, Ser returns to the estate.

Seeking out Lucien Whittemore’s rooms, Echinacea finds a guide in Lucette: a longtime employee of the Whittemore estate who also was employed by the Revardin family. As Lucette guides them to Lucien’s rooms, Echinacea learns that the Whittemore family had founded and built Iyo Thalor, but that their control of the city was undercut by the Revardin family. Only 150 years ago did the Whittemore family regain the estate after the Whittemore twins’ great grandfather won a civil land dispute with the Revardin family. They also learn that the tea garden where Ser emerged was a new addition to the estate: before that, the Elder Revardin did personal work in a shack located in the same spot.

Setting about investigating Lucien’s rooms, Echinacea discovers drafts of Lucien’s missive to Sunwall, the text The Political Standing of Sunwall, a Bestiary, and a chest emitting Hemocraft and Abjuration magic. In the Bestiary, Lucien has dogeared pages on vampires, vampire thralls, curing vampirism, lycanthropy, and occult-borne illness. Specifically Hagrot: a bloodborne disease stemming from a blood pact with a hag. Heterochromia is listed as a symptom. Echinacea takes these, leaving iou notes in their place. After trying and failing to Mage Hand the chest open, Echinacea murmurs that they may need Xio. Xio promptly appears in the doorway, intent on robbing Lucien. He makes this clear to Echinacea, who retracts an offer to investigate after realizing theft is Xio’s intent. Xio collects 200 gp worth of silver bracelets and baubles, explaining that they intend to sell these in order to help the less fortunate. They cheerfully add that Lucien won’t need them while rotting in a cell.

Discomfited, Echinacea asks Xio why he is happy Lucien is “rotting in a cell,” given that the evidence the party has found - that of an attempted coup - is not evidence of the crime Ser believed Lucien to be plotting: the murder of Elizabeth. Xio is adamant that what Lucien was planning would have hurt Elizabeth. Xio then muses that he could end up rotting in a cell himself, prompting Echinacea to respond vehemently that they will not let that happen. Xio asks if Echinacea is okay, and once again Xio finds himself in a conversation discussing how it is okay not to be okay. Echinacea uses Floating Disk to transport the chest out of the room (also leaving an iou). While they are preoccupied, Xio discovers a locket of the Whittemore family: Lucien being held by his father on one side, Elizabeth sitting with her mother on the other. Etched in thieves cant is written “why was it me?” and “I’m glad it wasn’t you.” Deciding to return it to Elizabeth, Xio pockets the locket.

Nivien leaves white lilies at the estate so that Sly can find them, along with a drawing of a bat in a birdcage. The party then coalesces. Xio attempts to reach out to Isteris, asking if opening the chest will hurt them. Isteris does not respond, but Xio opens the chest without issue. The party finds elven chain and a scimitar of speed, after which Echinacea returns the chest to Lucien’s room. Lazuli suggests the party have breakfast at the baker’s guild and the group sets off, running into Keylin along the way. Nivien greets Keylin as ‘breakfast’ and feeds from his wrist in the middle of the street, much to the surprise of the party. Xio holds out their wrist to Nivien, asking what they taste like. Lazuli seems equally interested in the answer. Nivien tells Xio they taste like cilantro.

Arriving at the bakery, the rest of the party orders a less sanguine breakfast, Echinacea casts Silence to give the group privacy, and they inform the party of the necromantic magic present in the tea garden where Ser emerged. They also inform the party about the visitation of robed individuals wearing one eyed masks and their discussion of breaking tethers. They share suspicions of the Elder Revardin’s involvement, given the former presence of his shack in the same space. Lazuli recalls an entity known as Silence whose cult of worshippers emerged after the Scalescourge. His iconography is a masculine humanoid face with one eye. Ser is disconcerted at the notion of his existence being the result of cultish activity. Lazuli tells Ser that it was Koliada who initially pulled Ser into the Shadowfell. She also relays knowledge of two phoenixes entering the Feywild 50 years ago, one of which had a rider. The phoenix with the rider was attacked by a large ravenlike creature while the riderless phoenix was ousted from the Feywild back to the material plane.

As Lazuli mentions these phoenixes, Echinaea remembers being encased in amber. In front of them, beyond the amber, is a chained phoenix. Eladrin guards clad in black and silver guard them as if to prevent both Echinacea and the phoenix from leaving. In that moment, Echinacea recalls that the chained phoenix is named Igni; her spouse, Pharos, was the phoenix ousted from the Feywild. Retreating to their mind palace, Echinacea attempts to uncover more information regarding these phoenixes. Lazuli casts Druidcraft to assist them, creating a sphere of snow in her palm in which she provides glimpses of the information Ishror previously shared with her.

With Lazuli’s aid, Echinacea remembers that Igni was aiding Ishror and Echinacea in separating Koliada from Rime. Phoenix feather was an integral part of the alchemical formula necessary for the task. Echinacea is able to recall having undergone academic trials with Igni to earn her aid. Igni, Pharos, and Echinacea went on an expedition to the ruined Winter Court in the Feywild in an attempt to sever Koliada from Rime. They were unsuccessful. In an assault on their party, Igni shielded Echinacea from harm, encasing them in amber. Lazuli informs the party that Corellon made Rime, the blade that now corrupts Koliada. This is a concerning discovery, given the histories books only state that the Elven God created the Vestiges used by the Alloyed Pantheon in the Scale Scourge. Lazuli explains that Ishror views Corellon as a selfish, manipulative wrongdoer. Lazuli then informs the group that Ishror will be there soon to talk with the group.

Expressing the belief that the group came to Iyo Thalor in order to look into what happened to Ser after the group's fight with the Owl King, Echinacea apologizes. Ser reassures them that the party is looking to gain information that contextualizes everyone’s situation, and that they are moving in the right direction. The Paladin tells his Wizard companion that there is no need to apologize.

The conversation returns to Koliada and Rime. Echinacea theorizes that, given the fact that they were working with Ishror to separate Rime from Kolida, it may be that Koliada is trapped by Rime. Lazuli informs them that Ishror believes Echinacea has something to help separate the fey queen from the blade. Though this unknown thing is hidden, it should be able to help once located. Ser takes stock: he was tethered to the Shadowfell, and the Silence - or the Silence’s followers - have severed that tether. Ser was killed 50 years ago in combat with Koliada and his agents. At the same time, Echinacea was sealed in amber by Koliada’s court. Since then, Koliada has been free and has at some point become separated from the Feywild. All the while, a corrupting blade created by Corellon has been influencing her. Xio expresses concern at the notion that this being is being controlled by a blade made by a God. Xio also notes how strange it is that Ser was once a Knight of the Ebon Eye, sensing there may be a connection there.

As the conversation shifts, Xio, Ser, and Lazuli bring up the socioeconomic disparity that plagues the lower block. Ser wants to help,suggesting petitioning Lady Whittemore for financial support as he has no money of his own to his name. He informs the party of the hospital being constructed in the lower block and suggests that the group offer their assistance in its construction. He seems perturbed that no support seems to be provided from the upper blocks and enlists Lazuli’s aid in the matter. Lazuli begins brainstorming fundraising possibilities and expresses the desire to suss out word on the street. Echinacea offers to train doctors for this new hospital.

The group reflects on Lucien Whittemore’s request for weapons and armaments from Sunwall to begin the process of taking over Iyo Thalor, hoping to be a vassal to the state. Echinacea asks Nivien, an individual more familiar with the Sunwall Academy, where they found the missive that incriminated Lucien. Nivien tells the aasimar that a mutual friend gave it to them and that Sunwall has seen it and opted to ignore the request. Remembering that the Nations of Driftdenn are aiming to secede, Echinacea, with Nivien’s insight, intuits that they are unwilling to enter open conflict at this time. With this context and with disparate goals to achieve, the party splits.

Xio goes to the Lower Block to meet with Melina, the owner of the Hole in the Wall. As they enter the district, the tiefling is met by a more chaotic sight. Iyo Thalor guards are walking around and questioning individuals on the street. Melina is seen crying outside her place of business. Xio runs to her, asking if she is okay. Stunned, Melina tells Xio that the three Brightfury members he had met the day before have since been murdered and gruesomely displayed in the tavern’s main floor.

As this is a fresh and ongoing investigation, civilians are not currently allowed to enter the scene. Xio asks Melina’s opinions of the city guard, as they are wary of trusting the rich and privileged themself. The barkeep asserts that the city guard isn’t bad, but that they are not in the Lower Block often. Still unsure about the guard, Xio tells Melina that he can conduct an investigation at a later time and keep her informed. The tired barkeep says that she can allow Xio to investigate on her behalf. Melina warns the young warlock that a grim sight awaits them. After Xio affirms that they’ve seen bad things, Melina states that she had thought the same thing. Xio tells the Iyo Thalor guard that they are a member of the Brightfury Guild. The guard promptly allows them access to the scene.

At the crime scene, Xio gleans that the Brightfury were not only torn down viciously and displayed, but were also drained of their blood. Comparing the puncture wounds on their wrist from their engagement with Nivien earlier in the morning to the wounds on these people’s necks, it becomes clear that some sort of vampiric individual is responsible for the gruesome deaths. Xio also spots a white lily on the counter. In some sort of macabre diorama, the bodies were made to look as if they were reveling in drinks and good times, holding tankards with ghastly smiles forced on their faces. As their investigation continues, it is clear that this was a targeted attack against the Brightfury Guild. Before departing, Xio snatches the White Lily.

Leaving the scene, Xio is stopped by a drowish guard. The guard apologizes for what happened to Xio’s guild members, affirming that the Brightfury does good work and the people did not deserve to die like this. Xio returns to Melina, giving her the objects and trinkets they’ve taken from Lucien’s rooms. Xio then asks if any strange individuals have been seen around these parts. Melina describes a grey-skinned tiefling woman who entered the bar and bought a round. She carried two blades and was a new face. Relieved that his new friend Nivien wasn’t described, Xio thanks Melina. They bring up the efforts to build the hospital and inform Melina that Xio and his companions plan on aiding in this endeavor. More focused and quiet, Xio departs.

- Now walking the streets of Iyo Thalor, Ser looks for the home of his friend and renowned smith Harry Outen. He finds himself between the Upper and Lower blocks, across from the Guild Host, and in the height of the Arms District.

Ser knocks on the door and is met with angry questions of who has arrived and why combined with the assertion that the Lady had given him the time off. At Ser’s voice, Harry’s tone immediately shifts. Excitement and a warm welcome to follow. The two enter the home as Harry pours whiskey and brews Ser some tea. After some confusion on whether or not Harry’s ex-wife was a hag, Ser informs the man that his child Primrose is safe at the Toleshian Academy of the Arcane. They are also dating, which causes a bit of paternal distress.

Moving on from that line of conversation, Ser begins to discuss the situation with the Owl King. The ghostly paladin explains that he believes he was dragged to the Shadowfell after this conflict, his body going dim and causing distress amongst the group. Noting that he is not an expert on the Shadowfell, Harry says he can use his skills as a smith to investigate Ser’s armor to see if there are any remnants from. He puts on large leather gloves enhanced with an Arcane Conduit and begins to investigate. Upon closer look and equating Ser’s situation to what he knows, Harry claims that the reborn reminds him of a forge of some sort. The green flame within acts as an indicator of where Ser is at any point. Harry also states that if he were a philosophical man, he would liken the flame to Ser’s soul: it is what gives the armor solid form and purpose. Harry then affirms that this may mean Ser has a body out there.

Ser almost shares an additional thought but decides to try something instead. He attempts to focus on his physical form being the flame instead of the armor he wears. Focusing deeply on the form within, Ser moves to step outside of the armor. He manages to free a leg from his grieve, the form a mist-like flame. Worried about the state of his existence, Ser stresses the importance of ascertaining what he is, as he believes himself tied to cults, powerful beings, and even a conflict of deities. With that assertion, Ser fully steps out of his armor.

Now free from the armor he’s worn since he rose from the ground, Ser stands a form made of flickering mist. It shifts and flicks like a fire, the momentary glimpses of limbs, skulls, and a somewhat corporeal form. Ser then reenters the armor, drawn together like pure magnetism. Ser states that he ‘feels more real’ within the armor but thanks Harry for helping him with this discovery. The paladin affirms that he will come back to visit before leaving Iyo Thalor. Now Harry begins his work and tends to Ser’s armor, telling Ser that he better bring his companions next time. He looks wistfully at the empty house. Ser promises he will and the two set to work on fixing up Ser’s armor.

Meanwhile, Echinacea visits Kasimir on their way to the Lorekeep. Recalling that Kasimir believed he could find Nivien via a brand of the Sunwall Academy, they ask to see his. Kasimir shows them the burned arcane symbol for “imprisonment” on his back and explains that it allowed his superiors to Scry on him, though not at will. It also provided them with Kasimir’s general location and assisted in the casting of transportation and teleportation spells. It could also be used to inflict pain: for Kasimir, brambles would shackle and throttle him. Echinacea asks how it was dispelled and learns that Valor nullified the brand with a casting of Remove Curse.

Worried that Iyo Thalor will be endangered by Lucien’s presence in the Whittemore Estate’s dungeons, Echinacea asks if there is a way to ward the prisoner with the Nondetection spell Kasimir offered to cast during the jailbreaking of Nivien, Lazuli, and Xio. Kasimir promises to work on an item to accomplish this. Kasimir then tells Echinacea they remind him of Valor. They are moved by the compliment, prompting Kasimir to tell them how he and Valor met: Kasimir likens himself to Lucien: a shithead working for the Sunwall Academy. He was arrested by the Magus Arcanum. The guard responsible for Kasimir’s cell was Valor. Despite Kasimir’s resentment, Valor was kind. He would talk to Kasimir about the weather and bring him books. Over time, the two began to talk. Eventually, Valor asked him a question no one had asked him before: why. Why did Kasimir waste an opportunity to do good?

The aasimar promises to do their best to live up to Valor. Their voice shifting and losing some of its mousy breathlessness, Echinacea tells him that the story of Kasimir meeting Valor is its own kind of north star. With this promise, Echinacea heads not to the Lorekeep, but to the dungeons of the Whittemore Estate. There, they mirror Valor, telling Lucien about the weather. Irritated, Lucien asks why they have come. Echinacea explains that they do not want him to be imprisoned, but quickly refuses to just let him out. Pulling out his drafts of the Sunwall Academy missive, they note his desperation in the documents. The two discuss the nature of desperation and Lucien again asks why they are here, suspecting that Nivien or Sly have planned this as some sort of trick. Echinacea repeats that they do not want to see anyone rot in prison. Whether Lucien does is not up to Echinacea, but up to Lucien.

Echinacea proposes that Lucien begin efforts at reformation, with them acting as his advocate. Seeing Lucien respond in anger at being pitied, Echinacea continues that they are doing this selfishly: they have spent 93.75% of their living memory in prison, and they wish someone had advocated for them sooner.

Lucien asks how this might get him out of prison sooner and Echinacea lays out a process of accepting responsibility for wrongs done, repairing damage he may have caused, and reintegrating into society. They suggest the hospital being built as a means of starting to repair the damage he has done to Iyo Thalor. They then offer Lucien a means of dispelling his Sunwall Academy brand and give him the book Fairytales of Aeyosha. Lucien’s demeanor shifts, and the aasimar is able to discern that he is already looking for a way to manipulate their offer. He tells Echinacea he will think on the offer and, learning they are a doctor, snidely calls them “good doctor” as they begin to depart. The words seem to irritate Echinacea into offering Lucien the Sunwall Bestiary from his room. As he accepts it, they list the dogeared subjects, ending with hagrot. Looking at his heterochromatic eyes, they ask if he was diagnosed as a child. Lucien’s anger flares again at being pitied. Undeterred, Echinacea looks for visual signs of Sunwall Academy transformations similar to those exhibited by Kasimir and Nivien. They find signs that Lucien is a werebat. Promising Lucien the removal of his shackles and a more comfortable living space with his efforts at reintegration (should he accept their offer), Echinacea departs.

Having purchased booze, Nivien crosses paths with Echinacea as they head to visit Lucien as well. Nivien expresses surprise at finding Echinacea, who explains that they want to interrogate Lucien at a later date with the entire group, utilizing the spell Zone of Truth. Nivien asks if there is any way they can help Echinacea, to which the aasimar responds that it would be helpful if Nivien didn’t kill Lucien. Nivien assures them they have no such intentions, though they suggest Echinacea not be too nice to Lucien. With a grateful squeeze of Nivien’s hand and a glance toward the spot where they suspect a Sunwall Brand may sit, Echinacea departs. Nivien gifts the guard a flask of booze and is greeted by Lucien whining at not getting any peace. Nivien quickly stifles this with the gift of Lucien’s own flask.

To Nivien’s amusement, Lucien immediately asks if they sent the doctor. They assure him they did not, laughing that Echinacea is just kind - something that took them a while to believe. Lucien responds with distaste at being expected to reflect on his actions and the conversation turns to his plans. Nivien asks if he thought Sunwall Academy would really take him up on a coup in Iyo Thalor, to which Lucien refuses to respond. When asked why he planned this coup, Lucien makes clear that after seeing Sunwall’s capabilities and creations, he believes that The Republic of Shenthyr and the Kingdom of Khol Dural will be unable to protect themselves when war breaks out. Lucien had hoped that offering up Iyo Thalor to Sunwall Academy would result in his protection. Nivien scoffs that fear is his reason. Lucien insists that calculation and foresight led him to the failed coup and asks Nivien what they are doing. They respond that they are becoming a liability, to which he vehemently agrees.

Nivien says that he knows what they both must do now: defect. Miraculously, Doctor Sotash does not hear this conversation. Lucien admits the idea appeals, but insists that doing so would be joining the losing side. When asked if they would be happy to join the losing side, Nivien muses that everyone has to die at some point. Incredulous, Lucien shouts that the whole point was ascending to godhood and living forever. Citing Ser, Nivien insists there is more they don’t know. They ask Lucien if he wants to be a pawn forever, but Lucien is adamant that defection would mean looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life.

Lucien then asks if Nivien knew why Sly was in Iyo Thalor and reveals that she came on a job at the behest of Doctor Sotash to kill members of the Brightfury Guild. He details the gruesome murders witnessed by Xio. These Brightfury members seem to have gained information on Sunwall. Nivien tells Lucien he is a caged animal and chides him to take back a bit of dignity. Asked if he thinks Doctor Sotash will come to save him, Lucien responds no. He shares the fear of someone clad in Sunwall attire coming to wake him in the morning and tells Nivien they should fear the same. They do, but not for themself. Lucien scoffs at the notion of Nivien’s “friends,” realizing Nivien has to tell their friends what Sly did. He tells Nivien to enjoy the high ground while they have it and Nivien implores Lucien to think about his options. He rails about Echinacea’s proposal and Nivien suggests he might have friends soon too. Lucien scoffs that they are a long way from friends, but admits that Nivien is the closest thing he has to one.

Almost conspiratorially, Nivien tells Lucien there is more: they’ve met their progenitor. Nivien insists that there may be more: a real god. Irritated, Lucien notes there are many gods. Nivien clarifies: a god for “us.” Lucien scoffs at the notion of finding religion and correctly guesses Nivien has met the Crimson, deducing she is pretty and speaks well: Nivien has a type. Nivien bids him think about his options one last time and leaves.

Elsewhere in the city, Lazuli ventures into Iyo Thalor to take in sights, investigate, and make some purchases. She buys Thieves' tools, a black tricorn hat, a scarf from the Scorched Isle, a Dreucamishian Deco Tea Set, twelve healer’s kits, blank keys, and spell components. Shopping completed, Lazuli sets her eyes on understanding Iyo Thalor. She takes in the human touch to the architecture, made more clear by the context about the city’s history gained earlier in the day from Ser and Xio. Lazuli then recalls information about Avandra, the Changebringer, as she notes that she has a large presence in the city. She remembers the god’s Domains, Tenants, and Iconography.

She then gleans the fashion of Iyo Thalor and some of the Republic in general. Very Victorian gothic in nature and fairly modern in comparison to attire from across Tolesh. Lazuli then assesses the plant life of the city, seeing what is in-season. Given the cold weather approaching, not much is thriving here. In hopes of finding the city’s hot commodities, Lazuli happens upon a set of stuffies designed around the Summer Season Constellations and a wooden Ser Declan the Gallant figure. She quickly grabs the figure of her companion and manages to haggle the price down a bit.

With the city under her wings, Lazuli then flies to check out Celine’s Spire. She flies to the top of this religious outpost built in the honor of the Whittemore sibling’s late mother, Celine. Upon digging deeper Lazuli finds that Celine was revered for her philanthropy and care for the city she governed. A plaque reading “We are only as strong as our least cared for.” - this strikes a chord given the disparity between the upper and lower blocks. Given this information, Lazuli flies down to the ground and uses Druidcraft to create a grouping of sunflowers. She does this in hopes to raise morale and remind the people of Celine’s wisdom and care.

Upon departing to look into the Candlemaker’s guild, Lazuli ponders the city’s industry and it is clear that industry is mining. Iyo Thalor is known for mining three specific ores: Iron, Cold Iron, and Obsidian. Cold Iron feels strangely familiar though Lazuli cannot put her finger on why at this point. With the city thoroughly investigated, Lazuli rushed to meet Echinacea at the Lorekeep.

Traversing the Lower Block, Xio senses the uneasy air in the district due to the presence of the City Guard. Nivien remembers that their companion said they’d be in the Lower Block and they easily locate Xio. Nivien immediately apologizes for what happened to his guildsmen and gives him the chance to ask questions.Silently, Xio pulls out the White Lily. He looks towards Nivien to gauge their reaction to the plant and sees Nivien’s pained expression at the sight. Xio asks if the person responsible is a kinsmen of Nivien’s. The blood hunter quickly confirms that it is, reminding Xio that they introduced themself as a monster. That still stands. Nivien quickly references the political strife in Tolesh, hoping to find a reason for this event amidst a sea of motives.

Xio asks for assurance that the people will not be hurt. Nivien is unable to give that to their companion. They continue that they may be drawing lines between their past and future, and question whether the group would be safe if they stayed. Xio pushes the White Lily into Nivien’s chest, prompting Nivien to clasp their hand over Xio’s. He tells Nivien that he cannot promise he wont be called upon by the Brightfury Guild to enact retribution or justice. Nivien, aware of the darkness acts like these can bring, just replies “I know.” Xio advises Niv to give Sly a fair warning. Truly worried, Nivien weighs the options. If that warning is given, Sly could kill Xio and the others. If it isn’t given, Xio may try to kill Sly. Nivien admits that they are just starting to think of others as more than just their fellow pawns.

Xio affirms that they have not yet been called to action and that the goal of their Brightfury Guild is to uphold the people of Tolesh. That means that their lives are layed down for the people. In response, Nivien states that they both wear targets on their backs. Nivien promises that they will not harm Xio or the Brightfury guild. Xio quickly tells Nivien not to make them that promise. They go on to say “If you call yourself a monster willingly, I don’t think I can trust you to make that promise to me.” Nivien notes that this is a wise choice. Xio then makes it known that he hates it when people lie to him and that he will not lie to those around them. No matter what.

Not expecting to be believed, Nivien affirms that they have not lied to Xio and they don’t plan to. Xio tells them he believes them. Niven avows that they will help you in any fight but this one. That said, they will not stand in Xio’s way. Sly knows what she’s done and she knows the consequences of her actions.

Xio asks Nivien if there was any way to not become a monster, would they take it? Nivien responds that their monstrousness is all they have to offer, but they can see that as a possibility. That said, Nivien tries not to think about it. Xio states that they don’t view Nivien any differently and Nivien returns that they don’t see Xio as an enemy. With that, Xio goes to walk to clear their mind. He chooses to linger near the Smith Thee where Declan Jr. works. As Nivien departs, they take the White Lily from the crime scene and soak it in blood: a sign for Sly to stay away.

Accompanied by Keylin, Echinacea buys a mask and a book on etiquette as the two head to the Lorekeep. Echinacea pointedly notes that, as Keylin’s doctor, they do not recommend letting people drink his blood. No matter how attractive that person may be. Keylin insists he lets Nivien drink his blood because he is curious about vampirism. When Echinacea suggests he learn from a book instead, Keylin admits it’s a folly of his to want to test his theories firsthand. Questioned on what those theories might be, Keylin speculates that Nivien is not a full vampire. If more vampiric qualities were to manifest, Keylin would stop. Keylin worries that his presence might make Nivien something they don’t want to be and admits he has not asked Nivien if they want to be a vampire. He had hoped that giving Nivien a reason to trust him would prompt them to open up to him. Echinacea calls Keylin a simp and asks him not to try to change Nivien. If Nivien wants to change, they’ll do it on their own. The two then reach the Lorekeep.

Interestingly, the Lorekeep depicts the iconography of both the Alloyed and Unalloyed Pantheons as well as stained glass depictions of Toleshan history. At the reference desk, they meet Gloria, “Rivet” to her friends. The two procure library cards for themselves and Echinacea learns that Keylin’s surname is “Vrinn.” Echinacea immediately delegates research relating to Nivien to Keylin “in the name of simpdom.” He runs off to research encounters with the Matron of Ravens and the Order of the Cleansing flame while Echinacea turns their attention to the issues plaguing Ser and themself: Shadowfell/Feywild bleeds, rifts, and tethers, as well as the creation of vestiges. Pausing in their reading about planar rifts, bleeds, and tethers, Echinacea asks Rivet if she knows about any of the recent goings-on in Lockinge. Rivet reveals that the town is becoming more civilized. She also reveals that there is a guardian of the woods near the town. The locals call him the runaway prince.

Echinacea then reads about the creation of vestiges. The histories state that Corellon, Pelor, Lolth (known then as Araushnee), Eilestraee, the Raven Queen, Bahamut, and Moradin banded together as heroes - possibly not yet deities - and Corellon began to craft items as icons to his allies. He built the Song of Arvendor for himself along with several other items of power. The story goes that these items granted deific power and grew with the wielder. There is no mention of Rime in this text. Since the Scale Scourge, Corellon has created no more vestiges. However, clerics have since been known to forge lesser divine artifacts which they bestow upon champions.

Echinacea unconsciously takes out the mask they purchased on their way to the Lorekeep. Puzzling on what sort of vestige they might create and who they would make it for, the aasimar asks Mystra why Corellon hasn’t created anything since the Scale Scourge. The space around Echinacea dims as if lit by a setting sun. They greet the sensation with a rising sun in their own chest. To Echinacea’s shock, Mystra reveals herself to them: a tall bluish feminine form with six angelic wings and a crown of seven pointed stars. They respond to Mystra’s casual greeting by bowing, uncertain of the rules when interacting with a god. Mystra explains that the two are far more familiar than Echinacea remembers. She also tells them that the life breathed into the Vox Seeker was not her doing, but rather Echinacea’s own magic. Mystra simply offered a word of encouragement. Surprised by this, Echinacea asks a different question than the one they intended: can they make vestiges?

Instead of answering, Mystra relays her own tenets: love magic for itself. Do not treat it just as a weapon to reshape the world to your will. True wisdom is knowing when not to use magic. The Weave is a preternatural force worthy of your respect. Conduct yourself humbly, not proudly, whilst using magic. Use the Art deftly and efficiently; not carelessly and recklessly. Seek always to learn and create new magic. In response, Echinacea asks if Mystra will accept them as a follower. She does, informing the aasimar that they are fate touched: that is, touched by divinity. In this case, hers.

Mystra saw the potential in Echinacea to “create and do wonderful things.” So, when Echinacea was born to their spring eladrin mothers Sage and Poppy Belrose, Mystra gave them a bit of her own spark. Mystra then promptly her divine intervention to retrieve the lost memories of Echinacea’s childhood, reviving the memory of Echinacea’s mothers and their little brother Dorlan. The aasimar was raised to be kind, brave, and to never let anyone tell them what they couldn’t do. The divine intervention grants them glimpses into trips to Calmont in Dreucamesh and a cabin in the Wayvern Peaks built by their grandfather Maximus. Echinacea revels in these retrieved memories, reconstructing a crumbling section of their mind palace. A candle lights in one of these rooms sitting upon a cliff face, its warmth spreading through the space. In the liminal space with Mystra, Echinacea kisses the god’s hands and promises to do their best to live up to her gifts. Mystra assures them she has no doubt they will.

Remembering their purpose in reaching out, Echinacea then asks why Corellon hasn’t created any vestiges since the Scale Scourge. Mystra tells them Corellon didn’t make the vestiges. Lolth did. Overwhelmed by this information and by Mystra’s mere presence, Echinacea finds themself unsure of what to ask, what to say, or how to proceed. Mystra assures them there will be more conversations. Asked if there is anything her new follower can do, Mystra simply replies “whatever you think is right.” She does not grace people with fate to tell them what to do with it. Rather, she finds beauty in the possibility her fate touched wield. Echinacea raises the mask in their hand and toasts to possibility. Mystra and the liminal space fade.

Lazuli, reaching the Lorekeep, spots Echinacea staring at the mask. Joining them, she asks what they have. They respond they don’t know yet. Lazuli notes the shift in Echinacea’s shift and paradigm. Asking if Echinacea has come upon some revelation, the aasimar tells Lazuli yes: they have been told they are meant to do something, but not any one thing in particular. Lazuli cannot relate, as she chooses her own adventures. Echinacea fills Lazuli in on the revelation that they are fate touched, their encounter with Mystra, and Mystra’s place in the Alloyed Pantheon as the weave: the source of magic in Aeyosha. They then ask Lazuli what she feels called to do. Lazuli’s answer shocks them: both everything and nothing all at once. Lazuli explains that in the absence of any true calling, she finds the glimmer in everything and chases it. Her purpose, she continues, is in finding things and sharing them.

Once you have a thing you sought, its tangibility is lessened and one may lose sight of the desire to seek. Lazuli sees many people achieve goals on their respective paths, but feels that achieving one goal might cause a person to stay or stop along their path. She concludes that the pursuit of knowledge never leads her wrong. Sensing a scattered desire to chase something in Lazuli, Echinacea focuses on the similarity in Lazuli’s eyes to Mystra’s own. They tell Lazuli they will assist her in that chase. They realize in this moment how enigmatic Lazuli is and ask about her childhood. Lazuli reveals that she does not remember. She, like Ser and Echinacea, suffers from amnesia.

Asked if she wants to remember her past, Lazuli expresses uncertainty. She worries it may complicate things, as she likes Ishror and wandering where she pleases. Lazuli prefers directing her attention outward rather than inward. She goes on to say she would explore her past for other people’s sake, if it were necessary. That said, Lazuli feels no compulsion to pursue her lost memories. She doesn’t want to spend energy seeking out her past, but she would be interested if information fell into her lap. Perturbed at the differences between their perspectives on amnesia, Echinacea apologizes to Lazuli for asking and settles back into their research. The session ends with Lazuli excitedly pondering a name for the Vox Seeker.

## Chapter 6 - If Friends Can Be Like You

**The party defends the Lower Block hospital from extraplanar forces.**

The session begins with knocks on the doors of each party member. The estate staff informs the group that Elizabeth wishes to talk to them about a particular task. On their walk to the lady’s office, the group discusses names for Lazuli’s Vox Seeker and the possibility of visiting Lucien before the subject shifts abruptly when Xio and Nivien inform their companions about their connection to the Brightfury murders in the Lower Block. Ser and Echinacea plead for clarity. After some initial dodginess, Nivien gives them the name Sly as the culprit. Concerned about the number of Sunwall agents in Iyo Thalor, the party arrives in Lady Whittemore’s office.

Elizabeth is sitting at a large desk, tired and rifling through paperwork. Five seats awaiting the group as they enter. Xio opts to sit on the desk, which Elizabeth allows as she informs the party that she has caught wind of the Hospital being constructed in the lower block. She wishes to officially sanction the group to work on this project. The group happily accepts this offer, especially after hearing Elizabeth and other politicians within the city will be allocating funds to the hospital. It seems that the Lady of Iyo Thalor is reclaiming her mother’s vision of leadership.

As this conversation comes to an end, the tone shifts considerably as the group informs Elizabeth of the murders of the Bright Fury murders. When Nivien is pressed to provide the name of the individual responsible, Xio interjects, stating that it may not be wise to have Nivien give this info. Echinacea chimes in, informing Elizabeth and the rest of the party that Sunwall can watch Nivien at will via a brand on their neck. Upon learning this, Keylin is called to cast Remove Curse as he is already within the estate. Awaiting the cleric’s arrival, Elizabeth leaves to retrieve some items from her quarters, as well as tea and breakfast. Echinacea asks to come and the Lady welcomes it, Ser following silently.

On this walk, Echinacea informs Elizabeth about the Nondetection Amulet that Kasimir is making, noting that it’ll help keep Lucien out of the Academy’s vision. The Aasimar then inquires about the location of the deceased Brightfury member’s effects. Lady Whittemore informs them that they reside within a guard outpost within the Arms District. Ser and Echinacea then share a conversation via message about the name Sly, both Nivien and Lucien having mentioned it before. After processing the information and options, Ser speaks out loud to Elizabeth. He stresses that the safety of the Whittemore twins is more important than ever: the Sunwall assassin Sly is taking lives in the city of Iyo Thalor. At the name Sly, Elizabeth chuckles with recognition. She has seen the name in Lucien’s writings, where he detailed his infatuation with Sly despite her monstrous treatment of him. Ser asserts that monster is not the right word for Sly: sociopath is a more fitting one.

Once Elizabeth’s items are retrieved, she hands them to Echinacea to give to Lucien, as the lady herself currently does not feel up to the task of visiting her brother. The trio makes their way back to the others. Back in Lady Whittemore’s office, Xio sits on the desk, Nivien contemplates their emotions and current situation, and Lazuli snoops. The fairy finds mundane legal documents, a writ of marriage between Elizabeth and her late husband, and letters from the Lady’s mother Celine. After a moment, Ser, Echinacea, and Elizabeth return - Keylin not far behind. At being called breakfast again, this time by Xio, the drow tells Nivien that the two need to talk. He successfully removes the curse from Nivien’s Sunwall Academy brand. The bloodhunter is now free from Sunwalls vision. As they talk about the repercussions of this action, the party settles in for breakfast.

During this time, a genuine and appreciative conversation is had between Xio and Lady Whittemore. The two seem to find common ground. Xen’dryx comes up in conversation, leading Echinacea to recall the surname that Keylin gave in the Lorekeep: Vrynn, an indicator of his Xen’dryxian nobility. With their breakfast complete and goals for the day set, the group begins to set off for the hospital. Echinacea lingers for a moment alone with Elizabeth. The two talk about the Hag Viola, Hagrot, and how this disease came to the Whittemore line: her great grandfather made a deal with a hag in order to wrest Iyo Thalor from the grasp of the Revardin family. With Viola’s location near Lockinge known, Elizabeth officially asks them to look into this Hag. Echinacea just replies, “Consider it done.”
Now out in the streets of Iyo Thalor and headed to the hospital, the group notes the community wide effort to assist. Musicians play songs in the honor of Lady Whittemore, excited for the resources being sent to the Lower Block. Members of the City Guard walk alongside the people, guiding and helping where possible. The air is light and eager, change just on the horizon. As this is being taken in, Nivien is met by the voice of Sly in their mind. The two share a heated mental conversation, obviously struggling with accepting responsibility, change, and what they have done to survive. With Sly on the defensive, Nivien offers her the same treatment. Her curse can be removed as well, if Sly is willing to prove herself trustworthy. This seems to infuriate Sly. Nivien states that they miss Sly, but the voice of their paramour is gone.

At the hospital, the group splits to complete their own goals. Echinacea and Keylin work to teach the volunteers present how to make healing potions and locate the botanicals necessary for the healing arts in the off-season. Ser and Nivien work to bring in tables and other furniture, assembling necessary medical apparatus. Lazuli flies around the construction site and picks up any slack she finds. Xio takes this time to pretend to work, but this quickly gives way to teasing his new friend Declan. Nivien follows and looks intimidating so the two are not bothered. After some Mask of Many Faces madness, the cheeky tiefling reveals themself. Declan then tells Xio that they will be helping him deliver handouts to people in the area. With everyone engrossed in their work, something begins to change. Strange plants sprout from the ground and unearthly noises are heard. It becomes clear the party is experiencing a Feywild Bleed. Two Ogres and Two Mothfolk are displaced to the Material Plane. Ser hears the voices of two individuals in Sylvan state, “This will be a good place for it” and “We have some theories to test.” Then Ser hears an arcane explosion emanating not from the material plane, but from the Feywild itself.

With creatures of the Feywild running amok, the party moves into combat. They conduct themselves as a true unit for the first time. Now more familiar with each other's skills, abilities, and each other in general - Lazuli, Nivien, Ser, Xio, Echinacea, and Keylin make quick work of the creatures of the Feywild. Xio harries one of the Ogres, offering their allies a chance to take advantage of the opening it creates. Ser utilizes his otherworldly abilities to shield his allies and deal massive damage. Echinacea delivers magical balms as well as impeccably timed utility with their diverse spell list. Lazuli capitalizes on her speed, flight, and fey magic to control the field. Nivien rushes in and delivers vicious attacks onto the enemy, their blood magic on full display. Echinacea and Keylin work all the while to keep one of the Mothfolk alive for questioning. They succeed in this goal.

With everyone surrounding a very injured Mothfolk, Echinacea begins their line of questioning. They learn the following: a group of Shadow fey had used a Rhagwor Machine to create a Bleed between the Feywild and the Material Plane. They did this just outside of the Golden Vale, a place North of the Bear Kingdom and East of the Riverlands. This Mothfolk reveals the identity of the Runaway Prince, the entity rumored to be looking over Lockinge. The Runaway Prince is actually a Fey Lord by the name of Urimil, otherwise known as The River King. After his husband’s infidelity was discovered, Urimil left for the Material Plane. He has a flair for the dramatic.

They learn that the Winter Court is in ruin and Koliada has been on the Material Plane for about the last 50 years. The castle there was left empty. She is intent on completing her mission, killing the line of Lorethian. The Corbeure that Koliada summoned find more of their past selves the longer they reside on the Material Plane. This Mothfolk speculates that they’ve scattered after the toxic fog of the Shadowfell leaves them. They also learn there is another Feywild portal within Aldengate.

Echinacea, with the help of a looming Ser, makes a deal that this Mothfolk can leave if they answer the aasimar’s questions and reside in the Crosstara Wood peacefully. Scared and shit out of luck, the Mothfolk agrees to the terms. Echinacea then asks this creature what he likes to be called, with reluctance he answers Herald. A HERALD OF DOOM AND DISMAY… well not anymore. With a deal made and information gained, Herald departs. His ego and body were heavily wounded that day.
During this time Ser listens alongside his Wizard companion, Nivien collects some gold from the bodies, and as Herald leaves; Lazuli stands watching. The Fairy processed her first encounter with the Fey on the Material Plane. Dazed a bit as she doesn’t recall her time in the Feywild.

We then shift to Xio and Declan, the two recounting the adventure. Declan admitted that Xio and their companions' actions were extremely cool. The young smith opts to venture around the local streets and inform anyone hiding like he was that the area is safe. Declan thanks Xio and informs the tiefling that he’ll be seeing them around. Before the two split, Xio reminds Declan to not be afraid of making friends. In response Declan says that if friends can be like Xio, he is much more comfortable. The session ends with Xio returning to the party.

## Chapter 7 - Crimson Rivers

**A threat to the continent is uncovered, the dead are buried, and Xio's patron reveals himself.**

In our last Chapter, Crimson Rivers, we picked up within the streets of Iyo Thalor, the group taking stock after their fight with the Ogres and Mothfolk from the Feywild. Echinacea utilizes the calm to teach the doctors and volunteers how to treat wounds in an emergency, the trainees gaining proficiency in nonmagical healing. Xio returns to the group after their walk with Declan. Meanwhile Lazuli, Niv and Ser survey the area after the combat's conclusion. Lazuli, after using her Primeval Awareness, picks up the track of an undead within the Whittemore Estate. Immediately panicked, Ser informs the group that they should inform the party and move quickly. Having conducted their own investigation, Nivien concludes that Sly has been watching them as well as the group. The undead signature is Sly.

With no hesitation, the group rushes to the Whittemore Estate. Echinacea calls on Kasimir via their sending stone, the elder wizard flying in from the Red Feather. Ser utilizes his eldritch abilities to shed his armor and move swiftly through the Iyo Thalor streets. The party navigates incredibly using their magic and skill sets to reach their objective. Once at the estate the group splits; Echinacea teleports Ser into Elizabeth’s office before following Nivien, who heads straight to the dungeons to check on Lucien. Xio and Lazuli follow quickly behind Ser, spider climbing and flying their way up the estate. In the Lady’s office, Ser is met with no sign of Sly but stands his ground, on guard. Lazuli and Xio quickly join their Paladin companion to protect the office.

Nivien and Echinacea are met by a gruesome sight in the dungeon. Lucien is heavily wounded. Sly attempts to escape the hall, but stops when Nivien calls out her name. Covered in Lucien’s blood, Sly grins that they had to take out their aggression. Echinacea asks if that’s the vampire talking, or if the monster is buried deeper. Nivien agrees that it’s brutal, even for her. Defiant, Sly tells Nivien they don’t need to look for a cure: she feels more alive than she ever has. Accepting responsibility? She doesn’t want to do that. Lucien gives a weak “fuck you,” to which Sly taunts she can come back for him. Echinacea firmly tells Sly she will not and sets about tending to Lucien’s wounds as Nivien has a difficult conversation with Sly.

Nivien asks if the power is greater than the cost, to which Sly explains that the cost has already been paid. Sly has become something Nivien has not yet achieved. It seems that the tiefling has accepted the beast within, Nivien noticing that Sly is far more unhinged than they have ever seen. At this moment, Kasimir enters to aid. He tells Sly to drop her weapons and surrender. Nivien asks if Sly was told to kill the Bright Fury as viciously as she did. Sly replies it was her choice. Nivien, horrified, tells Kasimir to take her. Sly knows she can’t win this fight and she drops her swords. Echinacea tells Sy her imprisonment will not be permanent. Sly turns herself in, but not before stabbing Kasimir in the leg. After this, Sly is locked in the high security wing of the Dungeon.

At the weight of this encounter, Nivien drops - overwhelmed with emotions. They tell Echinacea that Sly was the only one to never break, which makes them fearful of what is to come. Nivien expresses terror at becoming like Sly and asks Echinacea to end them if they begin to lose themself. The aasimar quickly takes Nivien’s hands and shakes their head. If Nivien gives way to the monster, Echinacea will not “end” them. However, Echinacea promises, if Nivien undergoes the same shift, the doctor will not rest until they have fixed it. Nivien had thought that vampirism was a choice. Echinacea muses that some choices have consequences beyond our control. Echinacea then moves to heal Lucien while Nivien collects themself. Kasimir informs the two that he will stay with Lucien until they can safely move him. With that, Nivien and Echinacea rush to the Lady’s office.

Back with Ser, Xio, and Lazuli, the group stands tense and ready for any threat that may arise. Ser and Elizabeth share a moment as she expresses thanks, affirming that she feels safe. The tension in the room is broken as there is a knock on the door. A guard from the Dungeon informs Ser, Xio, Lazuli, and Elizabeth of what happened. With that the alarms are dropped and the whole group reconvenes.

Now together again after a very trying Tridae, the group takes stock. Echinacea mentions that the Estate may not be safe with a Sunwall agent locked away in their dungeons: it may be smart for Elizabeth and Lucien to stay elsewhere for a time. Lazuli steps in to inform Lady Whittemore of the Feywild Bleed. The conversation shifts as Echinacea recommends the use of Cold Iron to fortify the city's infrastructure against Bleeds and their effects. Ser steps in to affirm that this action can have substantial economic and tactical value. This line of conversation ends as the inception of the Belrose Botanical Nursery begins.

Meanwhile, Xio sneaks out of the office to have a conversation with Sly. Kasimir offers Xio support, which the tiefling refuses. Sly expresses surprise that Xio has come to speak with her. Xio explains he wanted to see who killed his kinsmen and notes that Sly is special to Niv. Sly replies she had thought Nivien was special to her, but the bloodhunter needs to regain the spark of who they were. Sly believes Nivien is being tainted by their new “friends.” Asked why she killed the Bright Fury, Sly tells Xio plainly that it was an order. They had something they weren’t supposed to have.

With disdain, Xio judges Sly for being someone who just follows orders to survive. With equal disdain for Xio, Sly revels in the artistry of their work and asks with glee if the deceased Bright Fury looked happy. Solemn, Xio replies they did not. When pressed for the information gained by his Bright Fury companions, Sly says she would have to kill Xio if she told them. Xio expresses doubt that Sly could, calling her presumptuous. Xio continues to say that they will find out what information his kinsmen had, and he will see Sly again, even if it’s at the end of her blade. Sly is impressed by Xio’s resilience and the tiefling reiterates that he knows the threat he faces as a Bright Fury. Just as Sly knows what can happen to her as a Sunwall Academy agent. In the midst of this tense conversation, the voice of Isteris reemerges in Xio’s mind after a number of days of silence. Isteris tells Xio to breathe deeply and steady themself. They will be alright. Xio smiles and says aloud, “It’s why I’m not scared. I have you with me.” Leaving Sly, Xio sees Lucien being loaded onto a stretcher by Kasimir and Anatole. Clearly still heavily injured, Lucien asks if Elizabeth is okay. Xio assures him she is and asks if Lucien is rethinking what he’s done. The poor little rich boy plugs his ears and begs to be taken away.

Alone, Ser and Elizabeth speak. Ser asks what Elizabeth perceives her duty to be. Elizabeth tells him her duty is to protect and uplift the people of Iyo Thalor. To rule the city with grace, kindness, and care, no matter the cost. Ser asks her what the cost of doing the right thing is. He and his peers have consistently chosen to do the right thing, but at what cost? As a soldier, he marched people to their deaths to do the right thing.

Ser finds himself at an impasse. The right thing is to hold Sly. The potential cost is Elizabeth’s life. He asks if Elizabeth is willing to gamble her life; she says she is willing to give it. Just as Ser would lay his life on the line for people he cares for. She is done ignoring the plights of half of the thousands of citizens of Iyo Thalor. That said, Elizabeth accepts the offer to leave the city, though she fears lives will be lost in her stead.

Ser says he respects Echinacea’s suggestion that Elizabeth temporarily depart from the city, but he charges Elizabeth to remain in Iyo Thalor and lead. He trusts her to succeed as a leader and to keep herself alive. Impassioned, Ser tells Elizabeth she cannot flee from the dangers of a Sunwall assassin or hide from cowards like Sly or Lucien. Between the agents of Sunwall in her city and hags near Lockinge, Elizabeth says she lives in a turbulent world. She will weigh her options and speak to the oracle. She trusts Ser holds his words close to her heart. Ser goes on to say he fears his companions do not understand the burden of leadership. While he wishes to tell Elizabeth to hide, that is not her duty. Mulling over the conversation, Elizabeth admits she dreads the day Ser leaves the city. She asks him for one teatime together before he departs. Ser accepts, honored.

The group converges in the hallway as Xio returns with Lucien, who is carried away by Kasimir and Anatole to his rooms. Xio expresses a desire to learn what the Sunwall agents were up to, prompting Echinacea to suggest enlisting Keylin to speak with the deceased Bright Fury members. The wizard believes the party has a duty to learn what information was so important that it resulted in the deaths of these men. Xio is perturbed at the thought of speaking to the dead and insists he doesn’t have a duty to learn this information, as he was not tasked by his guild to learn it. Ser reminds Xio that, tactically, following this line of inquiry is vital to understanding the party’s enemy. Though Xio believes this act will disrespect the dead, they eventually concede after Echinacea promises that the deceased men will be put to rest with deference, and that their families will be informed. Lazuli suggests that the deaths of the Bright Fury may not be in vain if the party is able to glean the knowledge that got them killed. Xio reminds the party that they will be on Sly’s list. Ser muses he would love to give Sly a reason to come after him (daddy?)

Kasimir returns, informing the group he has given Lucien an altered Amulet of Nondetection. He intends to make another for Sly. Unaware of the conversation between Ser and Elizabeth, Echinacea gains Kasimir’s consent to have the Whittemore twins temporarily take up residence at his mountainside cottage. Kasimir notes that he and Lucien have a lot in common, prompting Nivien to recall a prolific figure within the Sunwall Academy: an esteemed mage who taught the art of torture before defecting to the Magus Arcanum (daddyyyyyy?). Expressing a desire to follow a similar trajectory, Nivien asks Kasimir if the two can talk sometime. The party then seeks out Keylin. Now that it is no longer morning, Xio, Lazuli, and Nivien discuss whether or not the cleric is supper, afternoon tea, or a snack. Keylin reiterates that he is not food. Echinacea informs him of the situation with the deceased Bright Fury and asks if he is willing to speak with their corpses, with the possibility of earning the ire of the Sunwall Academy. Keylin heartily agrees, stating he is already in opposition to the Sunwall Academy - why not make it open? He also offers funeral rites. The party agrees and set off with Keylin toward the Guard Outpost in the Arms District.

As they walk, Xio informs Nivien that Sly is upset with the changes in her paramore, blaming the party for “tainting” Nivien. Nivien explains that the training and treatments they went through were intended to strip Nivien, Sly, and Lucien of their humanity. Nivien had thought this was to make them more powerful. They now see, however, that it leads to something more monstrous. Xio insists there has to be a certain level of emotion and affection for someone to care about another person and hurt over the loss of that person. He continues that there has to be some humanity in Sly for her to be hurting. Noting that Xio is offering Sly a great deal of compassion despite her murder of his kinsmen, Nivien expresses surprise. Xio explains that they want to understand people and feel that they had failed to do so with Lucien, overcome with anger at the possibility he would kill his twin. Xio goes on to say that, talking with Echinacea about Lucien, he realized he may have been biased. Knowing how much Sly means to Nivien, Xio does not want to approach Sly with the same biases. Nivien admits they feel shocked over the change in themself: not long ago, they wouldn’t have batted an eye at what Sly had done to the Bright Fury members. Xio asks if Sly was right: is the party at fault for changing Nivien? Nivien responds that they had considered themself to be expendable. This part of themself had sought out power, usefulness, and control. Since meeting the party, they have found this lessening. Nivien goes on to say they appreciate the party’s influence and brings Ser into the conversation.

Given that Ser is an ethical man who has, as a soldier, taken many lives, Nivien asks the reborn to give them classes on morality. He tentatively agrees to do so, though he warns that his memories of his time as a soldier are foggy at best. Nivien insists they wish for Ser to give them counsel before they take certain actions. Ser asks the same of Nivien and Xio, reminding them that he mistakenly presumed Lucien guilty of attempting to murder Elizabeth. Reminding them he is not infallible, Ser nevertheless offers his counsel. Walking behind the trio, Lazuli surreptitiously assesses Echinacea. Seeing them appear preoccupied and anxious, she falls into silent step with the aasimar.

Arriving at the Guard Outpost, the group is required to sign in before they can see the Bright Fury victims. Echinacea messages Keylin as they do so, asking if he intends to sign with the noble Xen’dryxian surname “Vrynn.” Keylin responds that he will not use Vrynn, revealing his Xen’dryxian accent as he does so, and explains that he selfishly did not want to lie to Echinacea about his heritage when the two went to the Lorekeep. The rest of the group signs in without issue, the party informs the outpost that Herald the mothfolk will be living peacefully in the forests outside of Iyo Thalor, and Keylin begins the process of preparing to speak with the dead. Nivien gifts him a bagel as he does so, prompting Keylin to reiterate that the two need to have a conversation. Lazuli druidcrafts the scent of lavender and the sensation of snowfall to bless the deceased. Xio questions Keylin about the ritual, learning that the cleric will only be able to question one of the fallen. Xio tells Keylin to begin with the phrase, “our burning fury casts wide shadows.” Keylin uses these words as the verbal component of his spell. His eyes milk over as if dead, the milky eyes of one of the deceased open, and the questioning begins.

Sensing the group’s discomfort with the aasimar’s plan to glean information from the dead, Echinacea asks the first question: “what actions can we take to respect the bodies that remain as you step into the afterlife?” The corpse and Keylin respond, “Build a pyre, say our names, send us off in flame.” They then ask, “Who should we contact regarding the passing on of you and your companions?” A person named Try is mentioned, as are the names and locations of their families. Echinacea checks in with the group one last time, explaining they will ask the question that will put them on Sly’s list. The party gives the go-ahead and Echinacea asks, “What information did you have on the Sunwall Academy?” It is revealed that, beyond aiming to secede from the Trilateral Governments, Sunwall is making allies with the Iron Legion of Josiertu. Once they have successfully seceded, Driftdenn aims to mount invasions of both Khol Dural and Shenthyr. The correspondence he received was from Mistress Filgwen Selto, Headmistress of the Sunwall Academy and functional leader of the Nations of Driftdenn to the Iron Commander of the Legionnaires of Josiertu.

Xio takes over the questioning, asking who this message was being delivered to in the Bright Fury and learns that this information has already seen the Grand Commander Kharroth Stirr of the Bright Fury Guild. The deceased men had been working on sending it to the Thor’tell Guild’s leader Kristopher Elmsong in Iyo Thalor before they were intercepted. A tear falls down Keylin’s cheek as this information comes to light, prompting Nivien to awkwardly attempt to comfort him. Xio asks about Grand Commander Kharroth Stirr’s last known whereabouts. The corpse and Keylin reply that he was last located in the Kingdom of Khol Dural in Normthrume. They believe he was headed toward Seameet in the Nations of Driftdenn. Echinacea quietly notes that both of these cities are locations where planar bleeds have occurred.

Noting that Keylin is drained by the spell, Nivien commends his good work and offers him a seat at their morality training with Ser. Keylin counter-offers dinner after the burial. Xio excitedly agrees. As near rigor-mortis sets in over Keylin, Echinacea casts Spare the Dying on the cleric until the death-like effects wear off. Ser, noting Keylin seems worn, offers to conduct the ritual of the Bright Fury victims’ pyre, along with the deceased feyfolk from the morning’s attack. Keylin agrees thankfully. Xio, with the help of Nivien, chooses a safe clearing in the forest of Iyo Thalor to put their compatriots to rest. Xio puts a gold coin on the lips of each of the fallen and Ser begins the ceremony. Grinding something in his closed fist, a breeze emerges from nowhere as silver flecks catch on the wind and seem to turn to green embers. The green shifts to a silvery bright light as these embers waft up to the pyres, slowly lighting each. This bright silver light illuminates the clearing, a surprising warmth emanating as Ser stands at attention in front of the pyres.

Echinacea reaches for Xio’s hand and, when he doesn’t pull away, begins to tap the drumbeats Xio has played in the Humble Abode using Minor Illusion, filling the space with the sound of Scorched Isle rhythms. Lazuli joins with her panflute, filling the space with soft music. Standing unusually stoic, Xio leads the rhythm of Echinacea’s Minor Illusion as tears run down his cheek. Xio then speaks aloud, “are you there?”

The winds of Ser’s ceremony pick up and Xio spots the 10 feet tall, bark-bodied humanoid form of Isteris at the edge of the treeline. At first, only Xio can see him. Isteris lifts his hand and the autumn leaves begin to create a humanoid form that dances to the tune of Lazuli’s panflute and the rhythm of the Scorched Isle drums. As he does so, Isteris looks to Xio and says “They really do have value, don’t they?” Xio drops Echinacea’s hand and strides toward Isteris, arms outstretched like a child. Isteris drops his staff, revealing his form to the rest of the party as he wraps Xio in an embrace. Xio confides that he lied to Sly: he is angry. Isteris tells Xio he knows the secret of the warlock’s heart. He can feel the pain Xio feels, and in that moment, the fallen Bright Fury felt like Isteris’s family too.

Aside, Ser leans to Nivien, saying he believes this entity to be a god. Nivien agrees. To Xio, Isteris says, “Find warmth in the life they’ve lived. Know that their winds may have stopped in this world, but they soar in others.” Isteris then looks toward the group, telling them they are valuable. He thanks them for showing him something different, and for keeping Xio safe. Shocked into silence, the group simply nods in response. Isteris then departs, apparating into fall leaves. Xio tells the group they’re lucky: Isteris barely wanted to speak at their first meeting. Echinacea asks who that was, to which Xio responds “just a friend.” They go on to explain that the entity doesn’t like his name being said out loud. Echinacea probes, asking if he is unwell. Xio explains that the entity has suffered greatly at the hands of humanity. Nivien asks how Xio managed to befriend a god. The warlock explains that he just kept talking one day, and the entity eventually answered. Xio seems moved that Isteris blessed the fallen, speculating that the entity is becoming more accepting. The tiefling then announces he is hungry. An excited Lazuli recommends a tavern called the Salt Bug. The ceremony completed, the party heads to the tavern.

Reaching the Salt Bug, the party spots Jenn and Bellen already drinking and playing cards. Xio immediately snags some of Jenn’s food, prompting her to yell for Xio to scram. In recompense, Echinacea eyes the cards of the person playing against Jenn and messages the rogue her competition’s hand. Jenn wins the round and the party finds a table with Keylin, where they begin discussing next steps. The party discusses remaining tasks to complete in Iyo Thalor: the party will meet Ishror and discuss his urgent business; Ser will have tea with Elizabeth; Echinacea will aid in the design of the Lower Block hospital’s Medicinal Nursery; and some or all of the party will question Lucien. The party then intends to head to investigate the planar bleed in Lockinge, deal with Viola the hag, and then head to Ilynbelle.

Echinacea questions Ser about events earlier in the day, when green mist seemed to temporarily leave his armor while the party was running to Elizabeth. Ser tells the party about his visit to Harry Otten, where he learned that the green flame in his core seems to operate as his soul and semi-corporeal body. Lazuli asks if it hurts and Ser explains it does not, though he believes it does signify his nebulous connection to the Shadowfel. Lazuli asks Ser to show her, and Ser dutifully reveals his spectral green hand separate from his armor. Though it is reminiscent of ghosts, Ser is able to achieve a one-sided corporeality. Lazuli is able to glean that Shadowfel essence is fading from Ser’s form. Echinacea adds that tethers to planes can be severed by exorcisms, resolving unfinished business, completing the terms of a pact, or the tether-creator severing the connection itself. They speculate it may be an exorcism, noting the oddity of Ser dying in Ilynbelle only to be brought back to the material plane in Iyo Thalor. Echinacea believes the Revardins to be involved in necromancy, given that the elder Revardin formerly had a workshop where Ser was brought back. They also speculate that a similar exorcism is planned for the Silence, given the words spoken by the cultists at Ser’s resurrection site. Lazuli counsels the aasimar not to try to draw any conclusions yet.

Changing the subject, Ser asks Lazuli what her fondest memory of Ishror is. Lazuli recalls nights of telling stories, and remembers the night she got to pick her room in Ishror’s estate. The memory of her room reminds Lazuli of her purchases. She gifts Xio a tricorn hat and thieves tools, Echinacea a set of spell components, and Nivien a hunk of obsidian. Lazuli then asks Ser what he might like, as “he is an item himself.” Echinacea objects to talking about Ser as if he were not a person and Ser quickly reassures Lazuli that he does not need a gift. Undeterred, Lazuli gifts Ser an emerald.

Seeing Keylin quietly taking in the evening, Echinacea thanks him for all the work he’s done for them and offers to teach him a Wizard spell. Keylin expresses doubt that he can learn such magic, but agrees to try. Nivien adds that they would also like to repay Keylin and offers to let him bite them. The question seems to push Keylin over an edge, and he tells Nivien they will be having the previously-referred to conversation now. He goes on to say that he is a person. Being referred to as a meal, especially in public, is disheartening. Nivien apologizes, and Keylin goes on to explain that he had gotten lost in the idea of what the two had done in private. Nivien immediately leaves for the Lorekeep.

Grabbing a piece of charcoal, Xio leans in front of Echinacea and quickly writes the name “Isteris” for them to see. Once the wizard reads the name of Xio’s patron, the warlock erases the name from the table. Echinacea messages Xio, thanking them for trusting them. In recompense, they then tell Xio that the god who talks to them is named Mystra. Clearly fixating on the revelation of Isteris’s form in the pyre clearing, Echinacea asks again about the pain he seemed to be in. Xio calls their patron a curmudgeon, and explains they’re doing their best with him. Echinacea tells Xio, “if anyone can change a god, it’s you.” To Xio, gods are just like people. Having been around so long, they lose sight of how to just live. This seems to strike a chord with Echinacea. They ask Xio if he could tell them more about how one just lives, they themself having only done so for eight days. Xio expresses surprise, but agrees to do so and toasts to eight more. Xio then turns to Keylin and apologizes for referring to him as food. Realizing Nivien has left, Ser goes to retrieve them.

Walking to the Lorekeep, Nivien begins questioning the Crimson. About whether gods are capable of morality, and whether or not she is a god. The Crimson tells Nivien she is not yet a god, though she has aspirations. When asked why, the Crimson continues that she sees vampires as her children. The conversation turns to Sly and the Crimson tells Nivien that Sly is living deliciously. This clearly bothers Nivien, who states that you can take a life while still respecting the living. The Crimson disagrees: you put yourself above others to live. Nivien insists that their is power, and the misuse of power. They insist that sly misused her power, getting carried away in the vicious murders and subsequent arrangement of the Bright Fury corpses. The Crimson disagrees yet again. Nivien asks if the same behavior is expected of them, and the Crimson tells Nivien to do whatever they desire. They do not have to be like Sly. But that blood must be shared all the same. Nivien agrees bloodshed is unavoidable and asks the Crimson if she has regrets about what she is. No; the Crimson was born the way she is, and her blood gave life to vampires in the darkest days of this world. She is ancient.

Perturbed, Nivien asks why Sly seems to be losing her composure the closer she gets to the Crimson. The Crimson rightly presumes that Nivien fears the same fate on their own journey toward the progenitor vampire. Nivien wants to become more of themself as they gain power, not less. The Crimson insists that power is change, and that the parts of Nivien that embrace power are that parts that will become amplified. Ultimately, the Crimson refusing to disavow Sly’s actions, as she encourages Sly to make her own choices. Nivien decides that, if cruelty is not expected of them, then they will continue to follow in the Crimson’s path. They are greeted by an uncomfortable silence. After a time, Nivien tells the Crimson they know they are a dog that has been trained and made malleable by many hands. They choose the Crimson to shape them, but not the Crimson alone. Asking if the Crimson will reveal herself to Nivien’s kinsmen, the bloodhunter is met with a firm “no.” Nivien’s kinsmen have not earned her visage. The conversation ends with the Crimson telling Nivien that not all gods are selfish, but she has met a few.

Ser locates Nivien. As the two walk together to the Lorekeep, Nivien asks if the code of the Ebon Eye is ingrained in him or if he remembers its tenets. He cannot recall their tenets and posits a question: why does Nivien keep looking to others to ascertain what is right or wrong for themself? Nivien admits they do not trust what they may become. They hope to build moral muscle memory of right and wrong. Ser presses, asking what Nivien currently believes to be right or wrong. Nivien brings up the subject of murder, stating that together, Nivien and Ser’s blades have “filled crimson rivers.” To them, it seems that Ser has not done so immorally. Ser reiterates that people misstep. He himself recently accused someone of something he did not do. There must first be grace for oneself in their mistakes. Xio. for instance, does not operate under the same code as Ser, and Ser does not expect them to. But when it comes to taking a life, one is inevitably causing harm. To take a life requires consideration and thought. Something that is not always attainable in the moment of conflict. What it boils down to, Ser continues, is having the faith in your convictions to stand by them. And having the grace to step away from them when they are wrong. Ser insists Nivien is already doing so. The bloodhunter silently hugs him. After a moment, Ser asks if Nivien is well. They say they are, then revise their statement to say they will be. Together, the pair continue on to the Lorekeep.

Back at the Salt Bug, Echinacea sets about attempting to teach Keylin a Wizard spell. The two pour over Echinacea’s spellbook ciphered to appear to be a medical text of botanicals, where Keylin is drawn to a cipher depicting the utilization of winterberries: Shield. Assisted by Echinacea, Keylin begins to craft his own understanding of the spell that incorporates his own grasp of divine magic. Echinacea works on a nonmagical book of ciphers as he makes his progress, eventually asking the cleric if he will teach them Undercommon. Keylin quietly replies that he will, his voice shifting to his Xen’dryxian accent. Hearing this, Echinacea asks if he wants to talk about the reason for hiding his nationality. He explains that his relationship with Bellen and Jenn has remained professional, and that he had hoped his deception might protect his compatriots should his past rear its head. He goes on to explain that he is the youngest child of one of the eight matriarchs of the Vrynn dynasty. Keylin fled Xen’dryx at the age of 14 alongside Kristopher Elmsong, the current leader of the Thor’tell Guild. After having been told about the life he could have outside of Xen’dryx, the imprisoned Kristopher convinced Keylin to break him out of Vrynn custody. The two managed to sail to Tolesh, Kristopher teaching Keylin a Toleshan accent during the voyage. Keylin then says he will stop using it. Proud of this decision to be honest, Echinacea tells him they prefer hearing his real voice.

In this moment of safety, an arcane blue tower shield forms behind Keylin: unwittingly, he has successfully cast Shield for the first time. The shield, interestingly, depicts a crescent moon in addition to the eye of Ioun. Only after Echinacea marvels at the casting does Keylin realize what he’s accomplished. Overwhelmed and still shaking off his doubt that he would be able to cast arcane magic, Keylin thanks Echinacea for helping him. Echinacea tells Keylin that magic is far more mutable than practitioners have been led to believe and thanks him for trusting them with the story of his escape from Xen’dryx. Keylin thanks Echinacea for being trustworthy. Keylin then states that he would like to inform Bellen, Jenn, and the party about his past. He wants to move into Lockinge with nothing but honesty. Echinacea tells Keylin he is brave, and adds that Xio will be proud of his honesty. The two spend the rest of the night talking about magic they one day hope to master. Echinacea returns late in the night to the Whittemore Estate. After checking on Lucien and finding him stable, Echinacea leaves him the nonmagical book of ciphers.

In the morning, Lazuli wakes to the familiar sound of draconic wings flapping. She peers outside to find a silver dragon circling the estate. Ishror flies down to Lazuli’s balcony and shifts into a humanoid elvish form as he lands. The two embrace in a tender reunion. Lazuli excitedly tells Ishror about a tea set she has purchased for him, but Ishror seems focused: he asks if Lazuli is ready. Lazuli, confused, asks what she should be ready for. The dragon explains that he wishes to talk to Lazuli’s party immediately. Quickly composing herself, Lazuli wakes the party, announcing that her Anken has arrived to save the day. The session ends with the party and Ishror convening in Elizabeth’s office.

## Chapter 8 - Everyone Protects Themselves in Different Ways

**Ishror arrives.**

The party and Ishror convene in Elizabeth’s office. Xio tells Elizabeth to check on the city, as the dragon-sighting may have caused alarm. Elizabeth leaves with her guards and Ishror dives immediately into explanation mode. The party learns about a guild called the Preservium. Created nearly a millenia ago to combat Tiamat during the Scalescourge, the Preservium now runs a black market operation out of museums and theater houses, supplying lost relics, art, and other items of significance across Tolesh. At the behest of its leader Gale Umbridge, members of the Preservium are heading toward Lockinge in order to recover a primordial current sphere similar to that absorbed by Xio. Ishror notes that this is unusual: the Preservium is not usually interested in items of arcane power. Echinacea suggests the Preservium may have a new client who is interested in the arcane.

Ishror explains that primordial giants called Fah’marr created the elves, dwarves, and humans that now populate Aeyosha. The Fah’marr utilized the primordial current for this act of creation. A few thousand years ago, a mage named Rearis Oliphant wanted to seize control of planetary weather patterns in an attempt to dictate Aeyoshan climates, hoping to control worldwide agriculture and ecosystems for the purposes of creating his own global economic monopoly. He assailed the primordial current to do so. Valorant Sashani, leader of the Magus Arcanum at that time, led a band of heroes against Oliphant. He was thwarted, but the primordial current was torn asunder. The Fah’marr worked to condense the primordial current into small physical manifestations. Fortunately, the Preservium is weeks away from arriving at Lockinge. This gives the party time to reach the town - and the primordial current orb - before the guild.

As Ishror continues his explanation, Xio reaches out to Isteris, asking if the Preservium is the group that injured him. Isteris explains that he was harmed long before these beings existed. However, he does reveal his connection to the primordial current spheres. He himself was a Fah’marr mage: one of the first beings to ever walk this world. He cannot wholly remember how he was harmed, but he know mankind was at fault: their selfishness with magicks tore him apart, reducing him to his current state. He continues to tell Xio that the Preservium must be stopped. It is for this reason that Isteris reached out to Xio. He needed someone as strong and tenacious as he once was. Xio tells Isterus they will not let the Fah’marr down, and that he can lean on them.

Ishror addresses Xio, asking about the warlock’s absorption of a primordial current orb. Xio displays their lightning abilities, insisting they are fine. Partially reassured, Ishror tasks Lazuli with seeking out the primordial current orb in Lockinge and gathering intel on the Preservium. He then begins explaining his connection to Echinacea. The doctor approached Ishror in 870 PS in the hopes of creating a means of separating Koliada from the corrupting blade Rime. He agreed. Combining alchemy, magic, and the restorative properties of a phoenix feather, the two designed the first draft of a Sigilsphere: a contraption that would separate an attuned item like Rime from its wielder (in this case, Koliada) and dismantle the item itself. Dubbed “Restorative Alchemy,” it would restore a target to its original state, removing any statuses, magics, or effects from a creature, item, or artifact through a magically infused alchemical process. In 885 PS, Echinacea informed Ishror that the Sigilsphere had been perfected, and that the plans were being held “close to their heart.” Ishror believes this to be in Ilynbelle.

Having cast Legend Lore on the corrupting blade Rime in the past, Ishror had discovered that it makes Koliada immune to abjuration magic. However, the blade itself is not immune. Ishror confirms that Rime is Corellon’s creation and that Koliada is one of many consorts Corellon had taken in the feywild with the intent to align Arvendore with the Feywild. When this attempt failed, Corellon gave Rime to Koliada. The blade corrupted her, causing Koliada to seek out and murder her descendants. Horrified and angry, Echinacea asks if Ishror has ever considered how one might kill a god. Ishror says he will look into the subject.

Ishror then tells Echinacea their home in Ilynbelle is still safe: a person named Ygritte checks on it every day with her grandchildren. Ishror offers to get them in contact. Recognizing the name, Echinacea tears up and thanks Ishror, who reassures the aasimar that he still thinks of them as a friend. Ishror goes on to say he is done being a coward: he wants to help the world. Xio presses the dragon on the topic of what scares him and learns that Ishror is something of an agoraphobe. Beyond that, he fears his creations in the wrong hands could do great harm. Nivien tells him that he is brave to face those fears.

Lazuli asks what Ishror intends to do with the primordial orbs. When Ishror explains he wishes to study them and keep them out of hands that would misuse them. Asked how the primordial current orb makes Xio feel, the tiefling explains the sensation of standing by the edge of water as the waves ebb in and out. They go on to say the orb has helped their “friend,” not naming Isteris aloud. Xio continues that the primordial current orbs should not be locked away: they are not Ishror’s to keep. They explain that they didn’t choose to absorb the orb. If Xio had their way, it wouldn’t be within them. Ishror leaves the decision to Xio, who in turn asks for Lazuli’s consent to use the orbs to help Isteris. Lazuli explains she has no attachment to the orbs: she was just seeking them for her Anken. The subject shifts to heroic quests, and Lazuli informs Ishror that Ser is the subject of the Ser Declan the Gallant tales by Lyla Alcott. Ser promptly inches his way out of the room.

Echinacea asks about news of Pharos and Igni and learns that Pharos is alive and well. Igni, however, is recovering. Having jettisoned with Echinacea back from the Feywild into the Material Plane earlier this year, she was heavily wounded and perished. Being a phoenix, Ishror assures them that Igni will be fine and that he can make contact with the phoenixes. He insists that Echinacea has earned their trust, prompting an outburst from the aasimar who feels they do not deserve that trust if they managed to get Igni killed. The aasimar leaves to join Ser. Ishror messages Echinacea, insisting Pharos and Igni knew what they signed up for. He implores the wizard not to blame themself for something they cannot recall and promises to reach out to the phoenixes. Nivien and Xio follow, giving Lazuli space alone with Ishror.

Seeing his guilt over Ser and Echinacea’s responses, Lazuli assures Ishror that they simply need time to process and commends him on coming to Iyo Thalor at all: that step took great courage. Lazuli then offers to have Ishror stay with the party in Sy’gourn’s Humble Abode, but Ishror insists on supporting local businesses and finding an inn. Lazuli suggests the Red Feather, where Kasimir is staying. Ishror recognizes the name and his demeanor immediately shifts. Asked if Kasimir is walking around free, Lazuli confirms he is and adds that he is “helping Echinacea.” Ishror grows horrified, telling Lazuli that Kasimir is a psychopath. Lazuli suggests that Kasimir has done a lot of growing since his time at the Sunwall Academy. Upset further by the knowledge Lazuli has seen Kasimir, he asks if the wizard has hurt Lazuli. She assures him “no.” Ishror decides he will stay at the Red Feather, intent on sparring with Kasimir (verbally, not physically - the dragon is scared). Lazuli demands the party be present and Ishror offers to buy dinner that night, where he also intends to give the party gifts. In the meantime, he heads to the Lorekeep - but not before namedropping the Gildenfyre, the golden dragon Pelgond, who has been giving Ishror bravery lessons.

Outside, Ser inquires after Echinacea’s emotional state, hugging the aasimar when they seem unable to speak. They begin to ask Ser if he would want something but stop short and deflect by offering him a text on etiquette and gallantry. Ser notes the deflection and offers instead to be a companion in silence. Nivien and Xio swat at a moth until there is a break in the conversation, whereupon Xio takes Echinacea aside and informs them that Isteris is a Fah’marr. Xio then informs Ser that they intend to check in on “Junior” if Ser consents. Immediately uncomfortable at the mention of Declan Junior, Ser assures Xio that they don’t need permission to see their own friend. Xio suggests bringing “Junior” to dinner, which deepens Ser’s discomfort. The reborn attempts to communicate as vaguely as possible in front of Nivien and Echinacea, saying that he is not sure he is ready to face that part of his life. Nivien suggests a smaller group outing for this mystery person. Xio assures Ser he’s allowed to not be ready yet. Sensing Ser’s discomfort speaking on this subject, Echinacea leaves abruptly for the hospital. Lazuli reunites with Xio, Nivien, and Ser, informing them of dinner and a show at the Red Feather. Keylin joins the group and greets the voice with his Xen’dryxian accent, which Ser immediately notes. Keylin explains he is trying to be more honest and hopes to explain his voice when the group is together, prompting Xio to invite Keylin to dinner.

Keylin and Nivien then speak in private. Nivien explains that, when they first met, they had assumed their acquaintance would be temporary. They treated Keylin accordingly. Keylin insists Nivien has nothing to apologize for, and apologizes instead for publicly discussing his discomfort with Nivien’s treatment of him rather than bringing it up in private. Nivien suggests it was only fair, but Keylin is adamant. He doesn’t want his acquaintance with Nivien to be temporary, and hopes the bloodhunter will some day see him as a friend. Nivien assures him they already do, and goes on to say that being their friend comes with a great deal of troubles. Nivien goes on to confide that they had assumed all of their endeavors would be temporary, as one does when they run with a bomb into an enemy encampment. Obliquely referring to “our dear friend” who has made them see they have been giving up on other people and themself, Nivien asks Keylin for a favor: work with Echinacea to mitigate their vampirism. Keylin tells Nivien his magical capabilities are at their disposal and reassures them that people will go out of their way to help them, and are willing to stand beside Nivien whether they are asked or not. Nivien thanks Keylin and promises not to call him anything that could be found on a menu or in a pantry. Keylin chuckles and suggests the two can work up to that privately.

At the Lower Block hospital, Echinacea finds most of the work of constructing the botanical nursery underway, utilizing a coldiron alloy to protect the space from any further Feywild bleed. Finding themself superfluous with the construction already beyond their means and the botanicals already gathered by Roselle Bronzekettle, Echinacea sets about creating healing potions for the hospital and designing floor to ceiling dual-doored lockers along the wall facing the road where free botanicals and medical supplies will be accessible to the denizens of the lower block. Roselle asks during this time what Echinacea’s favorite flower is, prompting the aasimar to realize there are many opinions they have yet to reformulate since losing their memory. Informing the Lower Block residents about Herald the new mothfolk resident and collecting pain relievers for Lucien, Echinacea leaves to find Keylin so that the cleric can remove the curse on Lucien’s Sunwall Academy brand.

Xio and Lazuli head toward breakfast. On the way, Xio begins attempting to tell Lazuli about Isteris. True to her inquisitive fashion, Lazuli interjects with a number of whys about Isteris’s desires and behaviors. Xio finds themself unable to answer Lazuli’s question as to why Isteris doesn’t like his name spoken. They tell Lazuli about Isteris’s connection to the Fah’marr and the primordial current orb, accidentally saying his patron’s name aloud. Lazuli explains the difference between the arcane nature of the weave and the primal nature of the primordial current, suggesting that the primordial current is unlimited where the weave is limited. However, the primordial current is more chaotic than the weave. Considering this, Lazuli attempts to medically assess Xio to see if this current has negatively affected him. Unable to detect any ill-effect, Lazuli demands that Xio tell the party if he notices anything change.

Back in the Whittemore estate, Ser visits Lucien. Asked what he wants, Ser explains his intentions are twofold: first, he wants to apologize for the assumptions he made regarding Lucien’s intent. Though Lucien’s plans were malicious, that malice was not directed at Elizabeth. Secondly, Ser has come to remind Lucien how lucky he is. Lucien is being perceived as a victim. While it is true he is a victim of Sly’s violence, the things Lucien has done could have resulted in a far worse fate. Ser asks Lucien if he can see how much pity he is being shown, but Lucien is resistant to the notion. Ser asks what Lucien thinks of himself in this state, and Lucien admits to seeming pathetic - not too different from his normal state. Ser continues that what now matters is what Lucien decides to do next.

Lucien asks Ser what the paladin believes he intends to do next. Ser sees a man who doesn’t know what he intends to do next, which Lucien confirms. Ser tells the assassin that there are good people who are going to show great concern for him. In the brief time Ser has known Lucien, it seems his decisions are predicated by self pity. Though he loathes feeling pathetic, he consistently paints himself to be so. Ser charges Lucien to stop caring about whether or not anyone finds him pathetic. Lucien is silent, unable to offer any counter-argument. After a moment, Lucien muses that Ser really does care for Elizabeth. Ser notes that Lucien does as well, though not in ways that help Elizabeth as all of Lucien’s choices have been determined by his own sense of self-worth. Ser demands the assassin take himself out of the equation: the value is in the actions one does for others. Lucien asks Ser to continue to keep Elizabeth safe. Ser charges Lucien with the same task. Ser leaves with a final admonition: “pull your head out of your own ass.”

Xio leads Lazuli to the Smith Thee, baked goods in tow. Xio explains that she will be meeting Declan Jr. If Lazuli makes the connection to Ser, she does not vocalize it, instead asking what he is like. Xio compares Declan Jr. to Ishror: someone who is afraid of a lot of things. Xio then outright tells Lazuli that Declan Jr. is the descendant of Ser. Lazuli muses that Ser is afraid of many things, but is brave nevertheless. As is Ishror, she continues, pronouncing that everyone protects themselves in different ways. Confident that Xio can help Declan Jr., Lazuli is shocked when Xio calls her his first friend - within the group, at least. Lazuli delightedly states she’ll take it. As the two walk, they take in the city’s preparations for the Harvesttide festival. Xio notes that no one seems particularly perturbed about the recent feywild bleed and Lazuli speculates that rumor and hearsay can inspire a degree of skepticality amongst the populous. The conversation leads to Herald, prompting Lazuli to conjecture that she seems to have no connection to other fey.

The Smith Thee initially appears to be an average smithee until the two spot the work of automatons and warforged being built. They spot Declan Jr. hammering out a ribplate, deep in his work. The dwarvish proprietor of Smith Thee, Grendel Stormtankard, welcomes the two warmly. Stunned by the specialty in construct creation, Xio notes that this sort of work is precisely what Lazuli does. Lazuli seems distracted by Declan Jr., immediately blushing at the blacksmith hard at work. Xio brings a stunned Declan Jr. breakfast and introduces Lazuli, who appears utterly smitten by the man who’s been working reeeeeally hard. Learning that the Smith Thee has a backlog, Xio suggests that Lazuli help Declan Jr. The fairy excitedly shows him the Vox Seeker she has created. Declan Jr. admires the artistry and asks for tips later.

Seeing Declan Jr. make a new friend, Xio watches on in delight. The conversation turns to commerce and Lazuli offers to sell him antimagic shackles, but Declan Jr. tells her he would feel guilty taking these off her hands. Lazuli instead asks for blueprints and scrap metal, acquiring a book of schematics for prosthetics. Xio grows excited, musing this might be useful for Ser in the future. Declan Jr. asks who Ser is, prompting Xio to quickly redirect the conversation to automata, asking how warforged exist and whether any have been sentient. Declan Jr. explains that all warforged are sentient: he sees them as people. Xio asks if Declan Jr. has ever heard of anyone’s soul being placed into the body of a warforged. He has, but it takes magical practitioners far more talented than himself. Likewise, a warforged can be transposed into an organic body. The process, however, is grueling. Xio asks for the name of anyone who has enacted this process before and learns that Filgwin Selto, headmistress of the Sunwall Academy, has, as well as a mage named Mordenkainen. Xio and Lazuli recall that Mordenkainen has worked with a famous adventuring party called the Seven before. During this conversation, Lazuli reveals that her home with Ishror is also home to two warforged. Lazuli offers to introduce Declan Jr. to Ishror, and the trio departs for the Lorekeep. Lazuli and Xio promptly ditch Declan Jr. with Ishror in the hopes that the two introverts spread their proverbial wings.

Nivien goes to visit Sly, who seems to be in the midst of an adrenaline drop. Nivien slips their hands through the bars, holding Sly’s hand. Asked if she is happy, Sly replies she is not. There is no fixing what she has become. According to Sly, Nivien can still be saved. Sly cannot. Nivien, however, refuses to give up on Sly. Nivien ruminates on who they used to be. Their old self would have hated what Nivien and Sly have become, having been raised with a great many biases. Having gotten to know Sly, Nivien thought they could heal the biases of the people who they had called family by showing them that there are good and bad vampires, just like people. Sly interrupts that, with the Crimson flowing through their veins, there are no good vampires. Nivien argues that the Crimson has given them a choice, but Sly is adamant: that is just what the Crimson wants Nivien to think. They have both been told that, as long as blood is shed, a vampire may choose the manner in which they do so. However, Sly has come to realize that all the Crimson wants is blood. At a certain point in the vampiric transformation, the Crimson has a way of tapping into one’s worst instincts. Amplifying the monster she wants you to be. The murder of the Bright Fury members took its gruesome turn with the Crimson nudging Sly every step of the way. Nivien asks what happens when Sly pushes back, but Sly has been too afraid to try. She wants to survive.

The Crimson is the First. Sly realizes she has no idea what kind of power the Crimson wields. Encouraging their frightened paramour, Nivien reassures Sly that the Crimson is not a god yet. They go on to say they will stand with Sly if she tries to fight back. The two sit together in silence when Nivien suddenly hears the flapping of wings. The bloodhunter is transported mentally back to the grove where the Raven Queen first gave them a second chance at life. The Raven Queen appears once more, masked in porcelain, and Nivien asks if she is their savior. They tell Nivien that is up to them. Nivien asks why she saved them and learns that the Raven Queen saw potential in them. She asks Nivien why they live. Nivien muses they have always had something to prove, but that something is always changing. The Raven Queen tells them the beautiful thing about life is that it is always changing:

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“We fall to rise again. The darkest days are not the ones that define us. They are the ones that mold us and make the light more beautiful.” The Raven Queen does not make choices for those who witness her. She tells those beings that there is always another road. “One not marred by darkness, but graced by moonlight.” Nivien asks how to walk it. The Raven Queen tells them to change in the ways they wish to, and to be a force for change in the world. There are many who care about the path Nivien ends up on. Disgruntled that Mystra beat her to it, the Raven Queen tells Nivien they, like Echinacea, are fate-touched. Nivien marvels at finally having found a god. The Raven Queen shares her true name: Illyana. In that moment, Nivien vows to serve the Raven Queen.

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Echinacea finds Keylin outside of the Whittemore estate. Unable to cast Remove Curse themself, Echinacea asks if Keylin is still willing to do so. He is, though he adds that he will be teaching Echinacea to do so in the future once they are able. Unaware of Ser’s earlier conversation, Echinacea confides in Keylin that they hope to butter up their patient with an offering of tea before asking him myriad questions. Keylin tells them their plan is smart and adds that he remembered Echinacea mentioning that they have recovered childhood memories. The aasimar quickly mutters that they don’t have to talk about it. When Keylin presses, Echinacea confides they are afraid to delve into those memories: having only three months of memory under their belt, Echinacea is afraid that delving into 15 years may be too much for them to handle. Keylin insists Echinacea is brave and takes their hand, imploring them to give themself the grace to explore those memories when they are ready. Echinacea is adamant: they are 411 years old. If they are afraid to delve into a meager decade and a half, they will never be able to recover “the real Echinacea” and their four centuries of existence.

Keylin insists once more that Echinacea is not being a coward. Echinacea firmly tells him they will have to agree to disagree. At an impasse, the two set off to the kitchens. Echinacea discovers a number of recipes, one of which - Angel’s Dream - is labeled “the kid’s favorite”: Angel’s Dream brewed, the two head up to Lucien’s room. After giving the beleaguered wizard his own cup of tea, Keylin and Echinacea find Lucien seeming surprisingly contemplative. There is a further look of reverence as Lucien seems to have an emotional response to Angel’s Dream.

Keylin and Lucien’s introduction is surprisingly hostile, with Keylin exhibiting strange defensiveness and Lucien characteristically blowing raspberries despite the cleric’s intent to help him. Eventually, Keylin is able to remove the curse from Lucien’s Sunwall Academy brand, leaving the werebat curse at Lucien’s behest. Echinacea thanks Keylin and begins asking Lucien a series of questions as they change his bandages.

Echinacea initially asks Lucien to stay with Kasimir for a time, mistakenly believing Elizabeth will accompany him. They reason that it would look bad for a Shenthyr representative to knowingly imprison a Sunwall agent while Driftdenn is aiming to secede. If the Whittemores are not lodged in their estate while Sly is kept prisoner, there is plausible deniability that would shield Shenthyr from Driftdenn detractors. The people who decided to imprison Sly were Kasimir, Nivien, and Echinacea themself. Since Kasimir and Nivien are already enemies of Driftdenn, Echinacea believes this will shield Shenthyr from a political debacle. Lucien agrees to cohabitate with Kasimir, though the idea obviously frightens him.

Citing Ser’s charge that Lucien think outside of himself, Lucien answers a number of Echinacea’s questions. He details how he would have taken the city of Iyo Thalor, prompting Echinacea to ask him to reflect on means of protecting the city from similar aggression. He then details Sunwall’s military resources, which includes the Solargarde mercenary group, an extensive militia, and machines called juggernauts manned by soldiers and arcanists and equipped with siege weaponry, firearms, and the like. Probed for their weaknesses, Lucien cites an arcane core on the juggernaut’s back. It’s destruction dismantles the juggernaut. Probed on Sunwall’s military leaders, Lucien identifies General Theodore Oliphant, the descendant of Rearis Oliphant, as well as Headmistress Filgwin Selto. He also reveals the name of Dr. Sitash, explaining that Sitash was hired to complete secret operations throughout Tolesh. His assassins are infused with supernatural curses such as vampirism and lycanthropy. Oliphant created diplomatic immunity for certain entities in exchange for access to their magicks.

This line of conversation prompts Echinacea to ask why Lucien was researching vampiric thralls. Lucien explains he had initially feared that Sly and Nivien may be such entities. Citing their perceived free will, he insists they are not. Thralls are almost indentured servants to an elder vampire. However, Lucien’s conviction on this subject seems to waver. Seeing him waver, Echinacea assures Lucien it will be okay, but it’s okay that he doesn’t believe that to be the case. Lucien admits he does believe Echinacea, and that scares him. He thanks Echinacea for standing up to Sly in the dungeon, saying that no one has defended him against someone like Sly before. He goes on to say he has done nothing to deserve that. Echinacea insists that basic kindness isn’t something people ought to earn. They wish for him to find companions in the future who treat him with basic respect and more.

Echinacea informs Lucien that the party will be pursuing the hag Viola during their excursion to Lockinge. Lucien explains that Viola does not have a coven, having consumed hers. This makes her incredibly powerful. Echinacea asks to borrow Lucien’s Sunwall text on the subject, prompting the twin to grouchily note that Echinacea seems to be borrowing a lot from him already. The IOUs have not gone unnoticed. Reminded that the text was given to Lucien in his cell, the assassin blithely suggests he will go get it himself. Echinacea reminds him that he is still a prisoner, despite his relocation. They reaffirm they are still willing to advocate Lucien and implore him to reflect on how to protect Shenthyr, obliquely referring to the danger Driftdenn and Josiertu will present. Lucien affirms he will do so and inform Kasimir, going pale with fear once more at the name. Echinacea assures Lucien that Kasimir will not kill him, but reminds the assassin that Kasimir’s skillset includes a variety of unpleasant methods not involving murder. Lucien half-jokingly tells Echinacea he’s scared of them too. The aasimar seems pleased.

Lucien tells Echinacea that a force at Driftdenn’s border will be necessary for pushing back when the nation inevitably attacks, but that it must be done so covertly. Openly fortifying the borders could be seen as an act of aggression on the part of Shenthyr and Khol Dural, which could strengthen Driftdenn’s case for secession. He suggests utilizing the tunnels that the Viper’s Hand uses.

The subject shifts to Ser’s emergence from Elizabeth’s teagarden. Lucien speculates that the death-obsessed Revardin family must be to blame, as they have always been steeped in the occult. When this was the Revardin estate, strange robed individuals called the Green Ghosts of Iyo Thalor walked the grounds. He also confirms that a Shadowfel planar bleed is present in Sunwall, but that nothing has emerged from the bleed. The land has been affected though, and people experience hallucinations and whispers in their dreams. Asked about the Silence, Lucien confirms the sect began in Sunwall. They were told that Aeyosha was a prison, and that the key was within the world. The Silence seeks to unlock the secrets of death and unlife. Lucien speculates the entity known as the Silence is bound somehow to this world, much like Ser. Lucien muses he is definitely a traitor now, and invites Echinacea to bring up Angel’s Dream anytime. The aasimar agrees to do so while they are still in the city, though they will be leaving soon for Lockinge and Viola. Thanked once again for his assistance, Lucien tells Echinacea to thank Ser. Bemoaning the terrible man he himself currently is, Lucien determinedly says he will be putting in the work to become a better man, thanking Echinacea for the opportunity. Echinacea tells him that sentiment is precisely the thing that makes them want to advocate for him. Seeing Lucien is staving off tears, Echinacea gives him the space to process alone. As they leave, Lucien makes a point of using Echinacea’s name in bidding them goodbye.

Walking away from leaving Declan and Ishror at the Lorekeep, Xio and Lazuli notice the city preparing for the holiday of Harvesttide. Back at the Whittemore Estate, Ser struggles through preparing tea for his teatime with Elizabeth. After much strenuous effort, a few mishaps in the kitchen, and the assistance of a serving person named Estelle, Ser sets tea in Elizabeth’s garden. Ser gives the patch of grass where he arose a long look before being joined by Elizabeth.

Ser’s nerves get the better of him and he dives into reviewing his morning discussion with Lucien and his stabbed state, immediately regretting his words. Elizabeth clocks Ser’s nerves and makes clear she considers him important. Ser explains he has been avoiding the subject of himself. That said, he nevertheless dives into the subject of Ser Declan the Gallant and his discomfort with the presence of his family in the city. The subject turns to Declan Alcott. Elizabeth informs Ser that the boy uses his sorcerous talents in the creation of warforged and has been spending time with Xio.

Elizabeth tells Ser she will await the arrival of the oracle before coming to a decision, but she is leaning toward staying in Iyo Thalor. Ser appreciates that inclination and suggests that Lucien nevertheless be evacuated. Informed that Echinacea has already seen to that, Ser notes the aasimar’s mind for politics and the subject turns to Ser and Echinacea’s encounter in Aldengate. Noting that Ser saved the wizard from imprisonment, Elizabeth calls Ser gallant and the reborn begrudgingly takes the compliment. Ser marvels at the party that has coalesced in such a short time, prompting Elizabeth to say that “The bonds we make in a short time can be deeply impactful.” It is clear she is talking about her bond with Ser.

Elizabeth presses on: Ser will always have a home in Iyo Thalor, and he will always have a companion in Elizabeth. In that moment, Ser realizes he has been fleeing the shadow of his former self. He believes now that he will never be that person. Ser wants to be Ser. Not Declan Alcott. Ser has Echinacea, Xio, Nivien, and Lazuli. Ser has Elizabeth. Declan Alcott never did. More frightening than the facts of Ser’s past are the impact those facts might have on the life he’s made for himself in these few short weeks. Elizabeth assures him she knows and adores Ser. Who he chooses to be is all that matters. Ser admits he preached the same at Nivien and Lucien, but finds it difficult to apply those words to himself. The two interlace fingers, and Elizabeth tells Ser she’s never known a better man than him. There are many people who would follow Ser into the darkest of days just because of who he is. The two sit, thankful that Ser burst from the ground in Elizabeth’s garden. Elizabeth then charges Ser with a duty: when he is done on his path, she asks that he return to Iyo Thalor as her knight, Protector of the City, and Defender of the House of Whittemore. Ser agrees.

Looking for Echinacea, Nivien pauses outside the aasimar’s door, seeing a strange prismatic sheen seeping through the crack. Opening the door, Nivien sees this sheen spiraling like the funnel of a tornado into Echinacea’s hands, where the aasimar holds a plain white mask. The doctor is praying to Mystra about Nivien, asking that the bloodhunter have the agency and self-assurance to forge their own path. A Nivien guided by their own light is far more worth following than a Nivien guided by the dim candles carried by anyone else. Mystra answers Echinacea’s prayer and joins the aasimar, seven wings unfurling from their back in a representation of the goddess’s aid.

From the door, Nivien tells Echinacea they are too generous and informs the aasimar they talked to a goddess: the Matron of Ravens. Nivien calls Echinacea spectacular, prompting the wizard to pull the bloodhunter into their ritual. Placing the mask in Nivien’s hands, Echinacea explains that this - the Prelude of Nivien Lenore - will take the shape of Nivien’s choosing, and will grow with Nivien as the bloodhunter takes steps down their path. Nivien jokes that it's “no pressure” and promises to cherish it, though they worry they may need help choosing their steps down the path in the future. Echinacea reassures Nivien that they’re allowed to need help: the great thing about choices is that you don’t always have to make them alone. Nivien admits making choices are harder because of their newfound care for the party. Yet somehow, Echinacea always seems to know what to do. Echinacea objects strongly.

Nivien then asks that Keylin and Echinacea work to slow or inhibit their vampiric transformation. Delving into their medical knowledge, Echinacea recalls that vampirism is a disease with a treatment. It will take time to cure, but it is possible. Echinacea agrees to do so. The two pray over the mask for hours until finally, the prelude melts into Nivien’s skin and forms a tattoo of bloodred stripes and floral patterns across one side of their face. Crying, Nivien thanks Echinacea for their kindness. The aasimar reminds Nivien they deserve kindness. Nivien counters that Echinacea deserves everything.

## Chapter 9 - Your Ghost Are Mine

**Ser's secret comes to light.**

The group coalesces around the Red Feather. Ser comments on Nivien’s new tattoo and Lazuli giggles over the verbal showdown she anticipates between Kasimir and Ishror, mentioning Declan in the process. Aware that Ser’s name in life was Declan and unaware of the presence of the Alcott family in the city, Echinacea and Nivien express confusion. Lazuli, unaware that the Alcott family’s presence in Iyo Thalor was meant to be a secret between Xio and Ser, blithely flies into the Red Feather. Xio, seemingly also forgetting about this secret, gives Nivien and Echinacea a kernel of context into “Junior” before following the Red Feather, leaving Ser to explain that he is aware that his family members live in the city. Ser further explains that he had not wanted to face them in his current state and apologizes for not confiding in the two sooner.

Ser goes on to say he is constantly readjusting his perspective on what steps are the right ones. Recalling Keylin’s words earlier that day, Echinacea implores Ser to give himself some grace when confronting the things he’s lost. Nivien offers Ser an out in a trip to the Lorekeep, but Ser muses that he still has things to learn from Ishror. The three join the others in the Red Feather.

Kasimir greets the party, along with his great danes Duke and Lady. Xio and Nivien notice Kasimir’s lightning scars for the first time as the party settles into their table. Grabbing Kasimir’s arm, Xio examines the scars and asks where they came from. Appalled, Ser suggests to Nivien that they bring Xio into their manners lessons. Kasimir confirms that his scars’ originate from a familiar magical source: as a student at the Sunwall Academy, a primordial current orb was used on Kasimir in order to enhance his evocation magicks.

During this conversation, Lazuli casts Speak with Animals. She immediately learns that Lady is judging the party’s manners. Lazuli apologizes, prompting Lady to tell the fairy not to speak to her. Lazuli turns her attention to Duke, who immediately claims the fairy as a friend. Lazuli considers utilizing Duke as a mount as she feeds him bread. Lady demands a crouton before sassing Lazuli and heading back upstairs. Horrified by the party, Ser apologizes to the host.

Echinacea checks in on Kasimir, who admits he is nervous to remeet Ishror given the Sunwall defector’s sordid history. Echinacea affirms that Kasimir is on a new path and promises to stick up for him if Ishror is unkind. Kasimir is moved by Echinacea’s willingness to defend him. Nivien joins the pair, revealing their new tattoo. Echinacea explains that Mystra has imbued the tattoo with the capacity to grow as Nivien chooses their own path, while Nivien states it makes them feel more like themself. Awed, Kasimir suggests this is akin to a vestige. But the word “vestige” suggests something lost to time. Echinacea prefers “prelude,” as the word indicates better things to come.

Meanwhile, Xio sets about consuming every piece of bread at the table. This prompts an increasingly mortified Ser to dive into a discussion of etiquette, during which Xio climbs atop the reborn’s shoulders. Ser asks Xio to sit beside him and model his behavior, but the latter part seems to elude Xio. Ser goes on to attempt at explaining proper decorum, but Xio stops him with teasing: Xio knows what is proper, but they do not care. Nivien joins in the teasing, putting both of their pinkies out. Ser stiffly orders a bottle of wine for the table as Xio continues to tease him, Lazuli makes puns about the fire genasi server being hot, and the party settles into their dinner.

Once the party’s chaotic energy simmers, Ser informs the group that he will be returning to Iyo Thalor after the party’s adventures are completed in order to become a knight to Lady Elizabeth Whittemore. He expresses relief in the thought that there is potential for a future for himself. Nivien adds that Elizabeth is hot and compares her to the table wine, prompting general party agreement and Ser’s consternation. Nivien presses on, asking if Ser is thirsty. He does not understand the innuendo and explains that he is incapable of physical thirst.

Without warning, the space darkens and the space begins to thrum. A beat picks up: a rhythm from the Scorched Isles. As a triton performer named Ulma Wavechaser sings and dances into the space, Xio catches sight of their father Aiolus, who works security for Scorched Isle performers and traders. As soon as the performance ends, Xio dashes across the tabletop to embrace their father. They each explain why they are in Iyo Thalor, Xio marveling that it has been so long since the two saw each other. Aiolus is an attentive father, making sure Xio is eating well and traveling safe. He also informs Xio that their twin Aio is heading off to school soon. Xio tells Aiolus they didn’t think they would see him again, prompting the tiefling’s father to call them dramatic. Xio introduces Aiolus to the party. Nivien makes a point to tell Aiolus that Xio is a badass and the party learns that Aiolus’s troupe will be heading back to the Scorched Isle after this last performance. Xio and Aiolus fall into bickering, as Aiolus doesn’t want to accept any of Xio’s money. He then departs for his troupe.

Ser comments on the fatefulness of the encounter, prompting Xio to admit seeing their father makes staying away from the Scorched Isle harder. They muse that if they’d never left the Scorched Isle, they would probably be here in Iyo Thalor with this troupe instead. Ser suggests that the party is lucky this didn’t happen, as without the tiefling’s support in combat they could all have wound up dead. After this conversation, Echinacea tells Xio via message that the Scorched Isles are the frequent first targets of attacks by Josiertu’s Iron Legionnaires. Given the alliance between Driftdenn and Josiertu, they worry that Xio’s family may be in danger once Driftdenn declares war. Xio assures them the Scorched Isle can protect itself. They make clear that they dislike the idea of evacuating their family, as it would feel like a betrayal. Echinacea concedes and suggests instead that Ishror could ward vulnerable areas on the island. Xio asks why Echinacea hasn’t said anything about this to Lazuli yet. The aasimar explains that they didn’t want to take any action without Xio’s consent. The warlock beams.

Ishror arrives, distressed. He explains that he was left alone with Declan by Xio and Lazuli. Not knowing Ser’s identity was a secret, Ishror brought up Ser Declan the Gallant’s presence in Iyo Thalor. Ishror apologizes for revealing a secret that was not his to reveal. Stunned, Ser assures Ishror he knows it was not intentional. Xio tries to get Ser’s attention, but Ser leaves.

Declan Alcott is pacing outside. Laying eyes on him, Ser sees the resemblance to his living visage and stops. Declan asks if it’s true. Ser nods in confirmation, prompting Declan to question why Ser has not sought out the Alcott family. Ser explains he fears seeking out the Alcott family would greatly harm Lyla, believing she has grieved him once already. Declan challenges that notion: Lyla has never grieved him. Rather, she speaks as if Ser Declan the Gallant could still be alive and out there in Aeyosha. That said, Declan says he will keep Ser’s secret. Ser is silent in response as he retreats, becoming more like a lit suit of armor than a person. Hurt by the lack of response, Declan leaves.

Back in the tavern, Nivien finishes Ser’s drink. Upset and processing, Lazuli turns to Ishror for comfort. Seeing the interaction between Declan and Ser, Xio stares blankly forward in uncertainty. Echinacea leaves to follow Ser, finding him still dim and immobile in the street. The aasimar holds his hand. Ser murmurs that he is being selfish and asks how he tells a person who has dedicated her life to memorializing him that he does not want to see what he has missed. Ser wants to look forward because he is saddened that he was not present to see her succeed. Lyla has spent her life praising a man who did not exist. Ser insists he deserves none of the accolades in those tales: he marched to war and died. He cannot face Lyla. His unwillingless to face his family has now hurt Declan, whose form is still retreating. Ser laments not having faced his family on his own terms.

Though Ser and Echinacea have much in common when it comes to lacking memories and missing time, Echinacea muses there is no one clinging to the memory of themself the way Ser is being clung to. That has to be a weight on Ser’s shoulders. They affirm that having died in war is not nothing. Even if Lyla’s stories are not true, Ser Declan was noble. That said, they agree Ser should have been able to reveal himself to his family on his own terms.

Hurts can be remedied. They tell Ser he has time to consider what he wants to do next. If he decides to, he has time to mend hurts. If he chooses not to, that is valid. He is contending with so much. Ser says he is eternally grateful to know Echinacea. He does not think navigating this without them would be possible. Echinacea calls Ser a candle in the wind for them too; a light in the dark. Needing time, Ser departs and heads to Shade. Echinacea follows Declan.

Nivien acquires two bottles of wine with the intention to hand them off to Ser. However, seeing Ser has departed by the time Nivien exits the Red Feather, the bloodhunter instead drinks a bottle. Xio bows to Ishror and takes full responsibility for the debacle, explaining Lazuli is not at fault. Ishror gently tells them that every game has a loser. Xio reaffirms that they are intent on holding themself accountable. Aiolus rejoins Xio to hug him. Xio reflects on the times they made their twin cry. Aiolus reminds Xio that he didn’t make Aio cry because he hated her, but because he’d made a bad decision. Aiolus reaffirms that Xio is “good people.” Aiolus’s care doesn’t end just because Xio’s made a mistake. Bolstered, Xio leaves to find Declan.

Upset and talking with Ishror, Lazuli insists she doesn’t know why it was wrong to reveal Ser’s connection to Declan. Though she understand it causes pain, Lazuli insists that Ser ought to want to know his family. That knowing them would be worth the pain. Crying angry tears, Lazuli breaks down, insisting it will be better in the long run. Ishror reminds Lazuli that it is not up to us to decide what is right for others. Ser’s agency was taken away. That said, he knows Lazuli was not behaving maliciously. Not realizing that Lazuli was unaware that Declan’s connection to Ser was a secret, Ishror charges Lazuli with not making decisions for others in the future. Lazuli agrees not to do so, though she insists that surprises can be the best part of people’s lives. She cites her arrival into Ishror’s life as an example. He agrees.

The conversation shifts to Declan. Ishror lauds Declan’s character, but laments the hurt their conversation caused. Lazuli asks hopefully if the two are friends now, but her hopes are dashed. Given the day’s revelations, Ishror would be lucky to call Declan a friendly acquaintance. That said, he would like to have made a friend in Declan. Kasimir chimes in, suggesting that first engagements don’t always go well and that people make mistakes. Listening to Kasimir extolling the values of righting past wrongs, Ishror begrudgingly agrees. Lazuli asks Ishror to reach out to Declan in the future. Her attention turns to Declan’s physical strength and Ishror realizes Lazuli has a crush. In the meantime, Nivien heads to the Lorekeep. There they purchase the first five novellas in the Ser Declan the Gallant series, along with an Ebon Eye banner pin.

Ser reaches the stables. Safe in Shade’s presence, Ser quietly sobs. As he does, green flames flicker from his hands to Shade’s mane and eyes as the two form a Find Steed pact. This creates a telepathic bond between the two. Shade speaks into Ser’s mind, asking if he is alright. Ser explains he is contending with his ghosts. Shade tells Ser “Your Ghosts are Mine.” The two continue talking, Ser reiterating he is not ready to face his family yet. Each step and moment Ser avoids addressing it further complicates the matter. His peers want to help him, but Ser does not want their help. He muses that some graves are best left unearthed. Shade tells Ser it sounds like he has made a decision: he is not ready to face his ghosts. Ser is allowed to tackle things alone. That does not mean Ser is alone.

Ser asks Shade to do something foolish with him and Shade accepts. The two spend the night riding through the countryside, terrifying the populace of Shenthyr with his ghostly rider visage. Back in Iyo Thalor, Echinacea catches up with Declan. After timid introductions, Echinacea offers Declan a means of busying his hands and “a companion in silence,” echoing Ser’s offer earlier that day. Not wanting to be alone, Declan accepts. As the two walk toward the Lower Block Hospital, Declan asks if Ser is a good man. Echinacea reassures Declan that Ser is the best man they know: he saved them from the Magus Arcanum. Seeing that Echinacea was wrongfully being held prisoner, Ser advocated for their freedom. He saw someone in pain and decided to fix it.

The two reach the Belrose Botanical Nursery. Echinacea learns that Declan made the cold iron alloy used therein by whispering to the materials. By asking it to only do away with fey who have ill intent, Declan made it possible for benign fey entities to safely enter the space. Echinacea marvels at Declan’s abilities. The pair spend time building a windowbox for herbs as Echinacea tells Declan about their adventures with Ser. Declan notes similarities between these stories and those penned by Lyla. Echinacea explains that the Ser Declan the Gallant tales trouble Ser, as he finds it impossible to live up to a body of literature praising a life he did not live. Ser is a hero, but he is a different hero than the one Lyla imagined. They muse that having to tell someone you are not the hero that person hoped you’d be is a herculean task. Clearly hurt and grappling with this context, Declan murmurs that Ser couldn’t say a word to him. Echinacea tells him that silence is a difficult thing to break.

The two move on to the subject of Declan’s work. Declan reveals a love of warforged and his advocacy for their rights as sapient beings: people in their own right. It also becomes clear that Declan infuses warforged with that sapience. Echinacea’s concern for the young man shifts to awe the more he speaks.

Meanwhile, Xio’s search for Declan leads him first to The Smith Thee and then to the Alcott house. Realizing Declan is not home, Xio waits on the front stoop. Falling in and out of sleep, Xio is startled awake by Lyla nudging them awake. She invites Xio inside, but Xio believes he isn’t “allowed” in. When Lyla presses, Xio explains he does not wish to cross a boundary by accepting. They do accept a blanket, however, and Lyla gives the tiefling tea and cookies.

A few hours later, Declan does return to the Alcott home. Stunned to find Xio, Declan is immediately concerned for his tiefling friend. Declan starts apologizing for Xio’s wait, but the warlock is adamant that it is their turn to apologize. Xio didn’t mean to keep anything from Declan. They were just trying to be a friend to both Ser and Declan. Xio brings up the times they have hurt their sister by acting before thinking. Xio had thought what they were doing was in Declan’s best interests, but it turns out it wasn’t. Because of that, both Declan and Ser are hurt. They apologize firmly for that hurt coming from a friend like them, echoing the words Declan had spoken to them the day of the feywild bleed.

Declan explains he doesn’t want or need an apology. He understands Xio was protecting Ser and he respects that. Declan is also very aware that Xio didn’t purposefully hurt him. Declan reaffirms he will keep Ser’s secret and that Xio is still his friend. Xio tells Declan that it was Ser who had asked them to reach out to the Alcott’s. Since meeting, Xio has been excited to get to know Declan more. Declan requests that Xio spend time with him once more before the party leaves. Xio agrees.

Still upset and disturbed, Lazuli leaves Ishror with a curt goodbye and heads to the Lower Block Hospital. Examining the feywild bleed, Lazuli witnesses the impact her fey kin have made on the space. Seeing the damage done by the trolls and mothfolk, Lazuli feels a painful similarity. Believing she has dealt emotional blows akin to the physical destruction enacted by the feywild creatures, Lazuli curls up and feels a keen sense of being an outcast.

Nivien spends the evening restlessly making rounds, checking everywhere for Ser but finding him nowhere. They then go to Sly, where they read the tales of Ser Declan the Gallant to their imprisoned paramour. Sly finds the stories boorish, but Nivien insists they both can learn from Ser Declan’s gallantry. Sly does get Nivien to hand over one of the novellas, though her interest seems primarily to be in the attractive lady on the cover. Sly rails against the notion of having to become better and grumbles about being in a cell. Nivien says they’ll figure it out, prompting Sly to ask Nivien to break them out. Nivien admits its tempting, but Sly drops the subject.

Returning to the Red Feather, Echinacea finds Kasimir and Ishror deep in conversation, an unlikely kinship forming. The three retire to Kasimir’s room, where Echinacea informs the men of the allegiance between Josiertu and Driftdenn, as well as the possibility of Sunwall sleeper agents in Iyo Thalor. Kasimir offers to craft an object that will identify Sunwall brands.

Echinacea then explains to Ishror that their memories have been ripped out of their skull by Koliada and thrust into the chests of mindguard corbeaure. This means that the memory of where the Sigilsphere is located and how it is crafted lies not in Echinacea, but in the chest of a corbeaure. Therefore, it is possible that the plans for the Sigilsphere may have fallen into Koliada’s hands. Ishror says he will call on Pelgond, a golden dragon known as the Gildenfyre, to see if he can find the Sigilsphere. Ishror apologizes for the harm his words during their first meeting caused, and Echinacea in turn apologizes for not being the person he remembers. Ishror is the first person from Echinacea’s old life that they’ve encountered. Meeting Ishror has made clear to Echinacea just how diminished they have become. They say they will do their best to become half the person the old Echinacea was. Ishror voices a determination to mete out justice for those who did this to Echinacea. Once he clarifies that he means Corellon, Echinacea enthusiastically agrees.

Ishror also says he will work on a means of tracking corbeaure. He tells Echinacea he still knows them, and will help in whatever way he can. Echinacea asks him to consider means of crafting arcane wards for Shenthyr and Khol Dural’s borders, citing the arcane cores that power Driftdenn’s juggernauts. Ishror shamefully admits to having been involved in the creation of the juggernauts’ arcane cores. Ishror says he will work on a means of isolating those signatures in order to shut down the juggernauts. Echinacea has a final request of the dragon and Kasimir: to reach out to powerful entities they trust, with the hope of gathering allies for the citizens of Shenthyr and Iyo Thalor if Driftdenn attacks. Ishror agrees to do so, and before leaving mentions that there have been sightings of a large, emaciated raven-like creature near Squall’s End. It may be the Lorian under the influence of a corrupter corbeaure.

Alone, Kasimir tells Echinacea of the burgeoning, tentative friendship between himself and Ishror. He also opens up about his experience at the Sunwall Academy, where Doctor Sitash used the primordial current orb to empower him. Knowing Xio is connected to the primordial current orb, Echinacea asks if that connection causes harm. Kasimir explains he heard the plea of the Fah’marr during Doctor Sitash’s experiments, during which the scientist cast spells through an arcane apparatus channeling an orb in his Sunwall laboratory. He speculates that, though his own connection to the primordial current causes him daily pain, he suspects that Xio’s will not because the tiefling’s connection is natural and symbiotic. Kasimir cites the pain of his scars as an important reminder of what he has done wrong.

Echinacea asks if Kasimir would reconsider holding onto the pain of the primordial current if he knew that it could heal someone else. Rather than continuing to torture himself as he has been taught to do for decades, Kasimir could aid in the healing of a weakened entity.Kasimir thanks Echinacea for calling him out on his shit and agrees to reconsider. Echinacea speculates that they will have to steal Doctor Sitash’s apparatus, noting that Xio is an accomplished thief. The two hug, and Kasimir reiterates that he cannot wait for Echinacea to meet Valor. Kasimir spends the remainder of the night teaching Echinacea Counterspell.

After a less than restful night, we pick up with the exhausted party members meeting one by one in a common room within the Whittemore Estate. Xio apologizes to Ser for dragging the paladin into a situation he had hoped to avoid. Ser accepts the apology, musing that some of the issue is of his own making. Nevertheless, Xio promises to make it up to him and suggests starting by practicing manners. Nivien joins the two and shows Ser a collection of the Ser Declan the Gallant stories. They then tell Ser that they have seen the paladin do far more impressive magic. Still upset by Ser’s response to meeting Declan, Lazuli lingers away from the group in a nearby hallway, her normal sparkle absent. Echinacea arrives last, still toting their windowbox.

Once everyone is present, the group decides that once the Oracle meets with Elizabeth, they will depart from Iyo Thalor. Elizabeth arrives, informing the group that the Oracle will arrive shortly and that this meeting will be brief. Ser and Echinacea seem unconvinced. With that, the group heads to the office where the Oracle Tifna is revealed to the group: a visibly exhausted Satyr person being secured by two shady Magus Arcanum Eyeguard. After Tifna begins to share her information, Echinacea sees a striking and far too familiar expression on the satyr’s face. The aasimar immediately messages Tifna and asks if they need help. The oracle affirms that she is tired. It is clear Tifna is uncomfortable with the Magus Arcanum Eyeguard.

Echinacea openly tells the two guards that they’ve obviously not given the oracle ample time to rest and recover. At their pitiful defense and assertion that the oracle is fine, the wizard stands strong. Brows furrowed and panic apparent, Tifna tells the room that she has given the bulk of the information she has. She then offers the following prophecy: “If the blood remains underneath the House of Whittemore, the smoke will come and claim it’s blood.” Hearing this and drawing from the past experiences of Ser Declan, Ser is able to discern that Tifna is not forcibly withholding any information. Responding to the sharply rising tension in the room, Elizabeth stands and plays her political power, ordering the Eye guard to take rotations and make sure the city is secure - especially since Iyo Thalor has just experienced a feywild bleed. The two guards begrudgingly obey.

Once safe, Echinacea casts Silence on the door and the group checks in with the oracle. Tifna affirms that she is tired and details her experience as an oracle. Oracles are selected by the Major Arcana, the secret leaders of the Magus Arcanum. When asked if she’s encountered the Aldengate Arcanum head Zereni, Tifna adamantly says she has no idea who that is. Grappling with this and giving way to her exhaustion, the oracle sits in a chair within the office and falls asleep. Xio summons their pseudodragon Lulu to offer a companion to Tifna.

With the Oracle resting; Elizabeth reveals that she is staying in Iyo Thalor. She pays the party 20,000 gold pieces, and the group theorizes what the oracle’s prophecy could mean. Ultimately, they land on the blood representing Sly and the smoke representing the Nations of Driftdenn. After this, the group debates on whether or not to take Sly with them or leave her in Iyo Thalor.
Many options are discussed: Sly going with Kasimir, Ishror taking in the Sunwall agent, or having her travel with the party. None of the options are good or particularly safe ideas and the five are not able to reach a consensus. This reaches a boiling point when in response to the statement that Kasimir might kill Sly if she went to stay with him, Xio asks if that would be a bad thing. Echinacea says it would be. Xio goes on to ask what Sly offers, other than a gentle hand for Nivien to hold.

The harsh statement is met by strong opposition from Echinacea, the doctor unwilling to devalue someone’s life. They continue that it is wrong to leave one person alive because that person is useful to the party, while killing someone who has no obvious utility. They then ask Xio if he’s killed anyone. The room grows eerily quiet after the tiefling states that he has. The conversation about Sly picks up again and, frustrated, Xio leaves. Nivien quickly follows after the tiefling. Lazuli insists that they should ask Sly what she wants and the fairy makes it known that she is going to the dungeons to have that conversation. Echinacea asks to accompany their friend for this talk and Lazuli approves. The chapter ends with Ser and Elizabeth left alone in the office.

## Chapter 10 - Feels Like Fate

**A decision about Sly is made.**

Nivien follows Xio as the tiefling storms out of the Whittemore Estate. Nivien apologizes for the situation and implores Xio to talk to them, but Xio expresses the belief that Sly coming along with the group has already been decided. They tell Nivien they will live with that decision, but they don’t want to look at Nivien or speak to anyone in the party. Nivien retreats from Xio, who seeks out Aiolus at the Salt Bug.

Finding the Scorched Isle troupe departing, Xio gives their father two thousand gold after a fair bit of arguing where Xio refuses to compromise. Seeing Xio’s distress, Aiolus gets them to admit they are not okay. Xio explains they are grappling with grown-up things they don’t want to think about. Aiolus tells Xio the world is a scary place and implores them not to lose their light. Xio relays the information that Sly killed their fellow Bright Fury members for discovering: the Iron Legionnaires of Joziertu will likely attack the Scorched Isles as they have done before, but this time they will likely have advanced military backing. Aiolus expresses relief at the fact that Aio will be heading off to Driftdenn for school: she has been accepted to the Sunwall Academy’s engineering program.

Immediately panicked, Xio begs Aiolus not to let Aio go to Sunwall.Though Xio had told Aio to leave the isles, Driftdenn was not where they had wanted their twin to go. They allude to Sly’s list, prompting their father to become immediately furious. He demands to know more, but Xio does not tell their father about Sly’s murders in the Lower Blocks.Frustrated, Aiolus tells Xio that he will talk to Aio, but that where she goes to school is her decision to make. Xio is adamant, asking their father if he’s ever seen them this scared. He has not, prompting Aiolus to consider taking Xio home.. Xio refuses, explaining their place is here while simultaneously expressing the feeling that they feel lost. They suggest that Aiolus send Aio to Iyo Thalor to stay with Lady Whittemore. Aiolus reiterates that Aio is an adult who will make her own decisions. Undeterred, Xio suggests that Aio become an apprentice at the Smith Thee. Xio bids their father stay safe and departs.

Meanwhile, Lazuli and Echinacea head to question Sly. Noting Lazuli’s terseness, Echinacea asks the fairy if she is unwell but is met with silence and a cold shoulder. The two reach Sly, where they see Sly wearing Kasimir’s Amulet of Nondetection. Lazuli begins questioning the tiefling assassin, asking what she’s been thinking about during her imprisonment. Sly evades the question and deftly begins her own line of questioning, learning that Lazuli has come to evaluate whether or not Sly can safely travel with the party. Lazuli’s line of question continues, and she learns that Nivien was unwilling to free Sly the previous night. The tiefling muses they will sit in this cell either until they are retrieved or until they are killed. Lazuli’s question about Sly’s life before Sunwall goes unanswered, but Lazuli presses on, asking what Sly wants. The assassin muses that she, unlike Nivien, is locked into a vampiric path. Echinacea pipes up, telling her she is wrong.

Recognizing Echinacea, Sly asks after Lucien. Echinacea refuses to answer and Lazuli presses once more, asking what Sly wants. The answer is simple: to survive. Lazuli asks what Sly wants to survive for, but the answer is a vague one: she won’t know until she makes it to tomorrow. The sentiment resonates with Lazuli. Echinacea tells Sly her vampirism can be cured, piquing the tiefling’s interest. Echinacea continues that Sly needs to earn some degree of the party’s trust if she wants to make it to tomorrow, though they doubt whether or not she can. In an effort to earn trust, Sly provides the information that there are two Sunwall agents heading to Iyo Thalor intent on assassinating Lucien Whittemore within the next week and a half. Assessing the tiefling, Lazuli believes her to be telling the truth.

Sly’s tone abruptly shifts to become more placating. Noting that Lazuli and Echinacea seem to be struggling, Sly apologizes for what they are experiencing and expresses appreciation for their kindness. If they help her rid herself of the tethers of the Sunwall Academy and the Crimson, Sly claims to be at the party’s disposal. Testing this about-face, Lazuli slips through the bars of Sly’s cell using her fey ability to shrink. Sly promises not to kill Lazuli as a show of goodwill. Echinacea tells the tiefling her track record is against her, noting Sly’s willingness to abuse Lucien even when he was her ally. Lazuli convinces Sly to tell them why she hurt Lucien so often: he was a sad sot who cared about people’s feelings. Seeing he would continue to train with her no matter how badly she beat him, Sly wanted to see how much abuse Lucien was willing to take from her. Because it made Sly happy and made Lucien feel needed, there was no limit to the violence Lucien would endure for Sly.

Lazuli asks if this is a normal relationship. The tiefling says nothing in Sunwall is normal: it is a military state where they train soldiers, not people. It is not a place where kind intentions flourish. Echinacea tells Sly her options are limited and that, if she continues to be a person who stamps out the good in others, those options will dwindle further. Reminding her that monsters can be regular people, the aasimar tells Sly to reflect on who she wants to become if she does survive to see tomorrow. Sly says she will think about it and see what tomorrow brings. Noting Echinacea seems to be preoccupied with something in their hand, Lazuli tells Sly to stay put and shrinks back through the bars to rejoin the aasimar, wondering if it was foolish to try to talk with Sly. Echinacea tells Lazuli she is very wise. Lazuli takes Echinacea’s hands. It appears the aasimar was looking down at nothing.

Back in the office, Ser and Elizabeth discuss the pressing decisions the group has to make while Elizabeth tucks in the sleeping oracle Tifna. Ser worries the group is splintering. Elizabeth tries to reassure Ser that the group isn’t splintering, but merely learning more about each other. Ser likens the group to a sword in a forge: one wrong strike now could break it irreparably. The group as it stands is fragile. Noting how new these relationships are, Elizabeth apologizes for the decision in front of the party, but nevertheless leaves it to the group. The group has brought so much to the city and to herself. Ser stands in parade rest behind Tifna, murmuring that while he has his own thoughts on the matter of Sly, he believes himself to be the furthest removed from the issue. Elizabeth reiterates that she will do what is asked of her, so long as it serves the denizens of her city. She stresses that this includes the party, who has a home in Iyo Thalor. The two fall into silence as Elizabeth links her arm through Ser’s as the paladin continues to stand motionless in parade rest. Ser’s light flickers a bit brighter. Anatole then arrives to take Tifna to a prepared bedroom. Noting that Xio and Lazuli have become close to the Alcotts, Ser asks that Elizabeth have a closer watch be kept on the Alcott family.

Nivien descends to the dungeons, running into Lazuli and Echinacea as the two leave Sly. Lazuli shows off her ability to shrink by sitting in Nivien’s palm. Lazuli hatches a plan to listen in on a conversation between Nivien and Sly. After Echinacea turns Lazuli invisible, the unseen fairy follows Nivien as the bloodhunter goes to speak with Sly. The two discuss Sly’s previous conversation with Nivien’s companions and Sly is visibly upset at the insinuation that she could become friends with Nivien’s party. The tiefling spits that they are not as “bright and bubbly” as Nivien is becoming. Undeterred, Nivien insists that there are perks to having friends. Nivien asks if Sly can truly travel with the party without killing anyone. Sly sidesteps the question, noting that Echinacea has offered to heal Sly’s vampirism alongside Nivien’s and informing Nivien of the impending arrival of Sunwall assassins sent to kill Lucien. Encouraged, Nivien thanks Sly, telling her they are proud of her. Sly is adamant that she is still a bad person. Nivien tries to say they are too, but this only irritates Sly further.

The conversation turns to the information Sly shared regarding Lucien. The tiefling explains she does not care whether or not Lucien is assassinated. However, the sharing of that information was useful in gaining the trust of the party. Nivien asks if Sly will need to feed before traveling. Sly blithely assures them no, and turns down Nivien’s offer of help as she muses that Echinacea made a good point: she needs to figure out who she wants to be if she lives to see tomorrow. Nivien tells Sly the changes that have occurred in them are at least in part the result of similar conversations. Sly pounces on this, calling Nivien infatuated. Nivien tries to explain they mean the entire party, but Sly delights in teasing Nivien nevertheless.

The conversation turns to the Nondetection Amulet crafted by Kasimir. Comforted at being untraceable by Sunwall’s scrying, Sly believes that the amulet also keeps the Crimson from seeing her. The thought makes Nivien hopeful. They explain a shift in perspective: once, Nivien had never believed in second chances. However, they have come to see that they have been given so many. Nivien struggles to feel they deserve them, but they have decided to try to live up to what they feel they do not deserve. Nivien then asks for a pact with Sly: she cannot kill or bite Xio, Ser, Lazuli, or Echinacea. Additionally, she cannot speak to Xio unless spoken to first. Delighted at the obvious loophole, Sly agrees.

Leaving the Salt Bug, Xio wanders the city, grappling with the feeling of being lost. Watching the city setting up for Harvesttide, Xio asks if Isteris is familiar with the changing of the seasons. Isteris answers that it is, prompting Xio to ask if people would celebrate Harvesttide in Isteris’s name if they knew of the patron. Isteris’s answer is firm: no they would not. Xio expresses gratitude that Isteris is with them. Isteris makes Xio confident they will never be alone. Isteris suggests that, in difficult moments, Xio try to look outside of themself and their own desires. Isteris asserts that Xio hates Sly, but Xio disagrees. Isteris suggests that if that is the case, it would be a bad thing if Sly dies, contrary to Xio’s assertion that morning. Xio corrects Isteris: they do not respect Sly. They then ask if Isteris will leave if Xio makes a choice Isteris does not like. Isteris says no: he has never left anyone because of a decision that he did not like. Isteris has left people, and people have left Isteris, because of actions rather than intentions. Isteris continues that the intent to help someone is a good thing, even if that person does not seem deserving of it.

Isteris asks if Xio is intent on helping him. He suggests there may come a time when Xio does not think Isteris is deserving of help. Xio is incredulous at the idea. Isteris presses that he is so diminished as a Fah’marr because of his own actions. Isteris has never pretended to be a good entity. He has made bad decisions. He has hurt people. Xio believes that Isteris is Life and Time incarnate. These things hurt people. Isteris rejects this notion: he has had his part to play, but he is not the full manifestation of these things. He further suggests that his former role has been filled by other entities since his diminishment.

Xio muses on Ishror’s earlier statement that, in games, there is always a loser. They do not like losing, but they suppose it can be important to cede. It’s not so much about losing as it is about “bowing out.” That doesn’t have to mean giving up. Isteris suggests that giving up isn’t always a bad thing either. When you run your head into a wall over and over expecting a different result each time, is giving up a bad thing? Isteris believes giving up in such an instance is the wise choice. Xio insists they would continue hitting their head against the wall until they break it. Isteris gives up on the metaphor. The entity finds himself overwhelmed by modern perspectives, but he is attempting to understand the world as Xio and their companions see it.

Back at the Whittemore estate, Echinacea writes letters to the family members of the fallen Brightfury members. They then message Kasimir through their sending stone, demanding that he and Lucien leave this day. Kasimir insists that he will not leave Iyo Thalor until Echinacea does. The aasimar finds Kasimir in Lucien’s room, where Lucien appears fast asleep. They pass on Sly’s warning that Sunwall agents are en route to assassinate Lucien. Kasimir agrees and asks if they feel prepared for the road ahead. Echinacea lies that they are and goes on to lay out what they would like Kasimir to do in the event of their death: give their home in Ilynbelle to the party, their property to those who wish to build homes, and the money they have earned to himself and the party. They also warn him not to go to Squall’s End before breaking down their reasoning: they are not going to exist for much longer and they didn’t exist for very long to begin with. The person Echinacea was is gone forever, so they are just trying to do what little they can with the time they have. Kasimir holds Echinacea and apologizes for the weight of what they are grappling with. Echinacea just thanks Kasimir for discovering their first memory of Lorian. They are grateful for having been shown that happiness.

Kasimir insists that Ishror will be able to develop a way to track corbeaure, but Echinacea insists they are unwilling to kill these entities. Since they will not kill them, the memories housed in these entities cannot be retrieved. Therefore, the first Echinacea is not retrievable either. Kasimir insists on holding out hope for another path. Echinacea insists they are not giving up: they will find a way to bring Valor back, seek out means of bringing Ser’s body back if he wishes it, aid Isteris, help Nivien - Kasimir interrupts that Valor should never come before Echinacea. The aasimar firmly disagrees: Valor is a real person, and therefore ought to come first. Echinacea tells Kasimir they love him for the first time; he tearfully returns the sentiment, calling them the child he never thought he would have.

Telling Echinacea that Lucien has something for them, Kasimir wakes the Whittemore. He asks how Echinacea is doing, prompting immediate confusion. The aasimar explains that he is leaving today and immediately regrets it as their patient attempts to stand and pack his belongings despite his still healing wounds. Retrieving a handbound book, Lucien explains he has had a lot of time to think and bids they take the book. Further confused, Echinacea looks down to see a book of handwritten ciphers. The two share a penchant for cryptography, evidenced by Lucien’s ability to craft his own and to solve Echinacea’s in rapid succession. Echinacea bids Lucien put that intellect to work by considering how to protect Shenthyr and Khol Dural. Lucien reveals he has passed along plans to Elizabeth detailing means of countrywide defense. Lucien then shows Echinacea his arms covered in tattoos of the formulae for the toxins and poisons he was taught at the Sunwall Academy. He explains that the ciphers in this book are the antidotes to each of these poisons. Echinacea thanks Lucien and, forgetting their earlier cynicism, promises the two can craft antidotes when next they meet. Echinacea admits that they do not know Lucien yet, but they would like to know the person he is becoming. Noting the ingredients for Angel’s Dream in the windowbox, Lucien reflects on his mother’s ritual of brewing it each night, even when her children had misbehaved. He thanks Echinacea and tells them he has faith that they will triumph over Viola. Seeing Echinacea further confused by that show of faith, Lucien explains that the aasimar’s words were the ones that made him believe he could change.

Waiting for Sly to talk to herself, invisible Lazuli’s plot to gain insight into the assassin is thwarted: she does not monologue in her solitude. Lazuli then heads to the Red Feather, where she finds Ishror packing to leave. He explains he has much to do: securing the borders of Shenthyr and Khol Dural from the machines he helped to create, reaching out to the Gildenfyre, and working on “things” for the party: something for Echinacea to track corbeaure, a means of tracking where Ser goes when he collapses in the throes of regaining memories, and a means for Xio to tap into the primordial current and potentially converse with the Fah’marr. He does not elaborate on what he could be making for Lazuli or Nivien. Lazuli probes to see if Ishror has spoken with Declan any further. The silver dragon has not. In response to Lazuli explaining Declan’s work with creating warforged, Ishror suggests that Declan look into the Divanthiir: Dreucameshan mages who work to create wards and who can speak to metal itself.

The conversation shifts to the fey. Lazuli timidly notes the two rarely discuss it. Ishror explains he is familiar with fey time delineation and the influence of emotion on the landscape. That said, he believes the plane is not heavily explored by any scholars of whom he is aware. Lazuli brings up the destructiveness of the feywild bleed in Iyo Thalor; Ishror explains that feywild rifts are far more destructive. Lazuli worries that she must have come through a rift, but Ishror believes the fairy was displaced by a feywild bleed: this would explain her memory loss. Grappling with her perception of her own nature, Lazuli asks what makes her different from the fey entities who caused so much destruction in Iyo Thalor. Ishror explains it is the absence of destructive intent that makes her different. However, Lazuli still worries her presence is innately destructive. Ishror implores Lazuli to allow herself the space to fail on occasion. She is becoming accustomed to a new paradigm. Growing pains are inevitable. That does not make Lazuli inherently destructive. The two comfort each other over their anxieties and share tender goodbyes. Lazuli longs to linger, but Ishror briskly departs.

Ser visits Harry Outen, apologizing for not bringing the party to visit him. Briefly upset, Harry dejectedly hands over the gifts he had intended to give to the party personally: a set of five brass rings. Guilty that he did not bring the group to Harry, Ser apologizes yet again. He then goes on to obliquely refer to the potential future danger of Driftdenn’s aggression in an attempt to warn Harry. His eyes fall on a mechanized suit, and the paladin realizes that his friend will likely be just fine if conflict comes to his door. The two awkwardly hug and Ser reveals that Elizabeth has requested Ser become her defender after his adventures. Elated, Harry tries to learn more, but Ser is not forthcoming. He quickly escapes the space via Shade.

Meanwhile, Nivien retrieves more Ser Declan the Gallant texts and memorabilia while seeking out smut for Sly. Nivien now has a tiny action figure of Ser Declan and an Ebon Eye banner pin. Returning to the Whittemore Estate, Nivien sees Keylin, Jenn, and Bellen preparing for their journey. Realizing the loophole in their pact with Sly, Nivien runs back to the dungeons. They specify that Sly cannot bite anyone who seems friendly with the party. Sly starts to get technical with the terms of the pact being expanded, but quickly submits after being bribed with smut.

Outside of the Smith Thee, Lazuli and Xio awkwardly converge. Xio walks in without addressing Lazuli, only to immediately return to her side. They explain they are not ready to talk about anything yet, prompting Lazuli to offer the two space. Instead, Xio holds the door open for Lazuli and after some chatting with Grendel, the two find him eating lunch in the attic. Attacked by a bout of shyness, Lazuli hides behind Xio for the beginning of the interaction. Xio explains they are leaving soon and Lazuli tells Declan about a means of assisting his “hard work” with warforged by relaying what she has learned about the Divanthiir and giving Declan the address for Ishror’s home in the hope that he might send letters. Lazuli tries to mitigate Declan’s recalcitrance on the subject of Ishror by assuring the blacksmith that Ishror has no other perspective-altering knowledge about Declan’s family members. Whenever Lazuli talks, her shyness disappears - only to reemerge whenever silence falls.

Once again, Declan reaffirms that he will keep Ser’s secret from Lyla. Reflecting on Xio and Echinacea’s high praise of Ser, Declan muses that to do otherwise would be unfair. Struck by Lazuli giving Declan an address, Xio asks if Declan is taking on any apprentices: they want Declan to write to Aio with an offer to become his apprentice, in the hopes that she will not pursue going to school for engineering at the Sunwall Academy. They stress that it should not seem like the idea was Xio’s. They worry it will look like they are trying to influence Aio’s decision, but go on to say with certainty that Iyo Thalor is the best place for their twin. Declan explains that he is not an engineer, but he is willing to offer Aio the position. Wearing an expression that makes it clear they are not being completely forthright, Xio gives Declan their home address.Taking Declan’s hand, Xio presses his palm to their forehead. The three hug and Lazuli wracks her mind for something to say to Declan to make him feel better. After a moment’s reflection, she tells Declan that Ser has saved her life and many others. She doesn’t doubt that he will continue to do so. With that, Lazuli and Xio depart.

Finding Elizabeth, Echinacea gives her the addressed letters for the Brightfury’s family members and asks that Elizabeth tell Mr. Harry Outen that his child’s draconic manifestations are becoming more frequent. They had learned this with Ser in Aldengate but had yet to inform the man upon reaching Iyo Thalor. Elizabeth agrees to send the letters and update Harry Outen while heaping thanks on an obviously uncomfortable Echinacea. The two exchange an awkward hug before Elizabeth charges Echinacea with keeping Ser safe. They promise to do so, pick up books from the Lorekeep, and return to their room to find Nivien asleep on their bed. They wake Nivien with a minor illusion of the sound of a music box playing. The party then convenes outside of the Whittemore Estate.

The party is joined by Keylin, Jenn, and Bellen. Pleased to find the party together, Keylin gifts them the green icons of the Thor’tell Guild. They are honorary members, if they wish to be. These will give the party access to any Thor’tell Guildhouse. Ser then gives the party Harry Outen’s rings. Xio’s is a Ring of Feather Fall, Lazuli’s is a Ring of Protection, Nivien’s is a Ring of Free Action, Echinacea’s is a Ring of Spell Storing, and Ser’s is a ring of Force Resistance.

Mistakenly believing a decision has already been made regarding what to do with Sly, Xio ascribes Echinacea’s claim that lives should not be ascribed a fixed value to the whole party, then chastises the group for respecting the value of lifeless belongings - referring back to Ser chastising him for stealing from the Whittemore Estate - by scolding him for stealing trinkets “with more value in the hands of people who need it than gathering dust in these halls.” Unaware of Ser’s previous scolding of Xio, Echinacea asks 1) who scolded the tiefling and 2) what decision they are talking about.

Xio turns on Echinacea, telling them lives most certainly have value. “What other reason could there be for a life to be stolen before it’s time?” He goes on to say Sly stole the lives of his kinsmen, who gave the party valuable information regarding what Sunwall is planning. Xio continues that every life has a value. What one does with theirs is weighed by the balance. They go on to say that of course they have killed, but that they respect having the task of stealing it. Sly made a mockery of his kinsmen, turning them into lifeless corpses. So he does not value Sly’s life as something worthy of his respect. That said, Xio says the value of the people in this city is more important than his own comfort. Thus, Xio agrees to Sly accompanying the party.

Confused, Echinacea notes that Xio speaks as if Echinacea does not believe life is valuable. Echinacea explains that they do. That is why they do not take lives. That said, they also understand that Xio has a greater stake in the decision than they themself do. Echinacea refrains from casting a vote on the issue of Sly coming with the party. They apologize for the rage they see in Xio’s face.

Xio says it isn’t rage: he is scared, and he’s never been this scared before. Xio then reveals to the party his fear that, if Sly is able to murder and make a mockery of corpses, he believes his sister will too: she has been accepted to the Sunwall Academy. Nivien takes a knee in front of Xio, putting their sword at his feet. Echinacea tells Xio not everyone at Sunwall is evil, but Xio insists that is all he has seen from the academy. Knowing that Nivien and Kasimir attended Sunwall, Echinacea is led to believe that Xio has made the value judgment that Nivien and Kasimir are evil. They go silent, and Xio reiterates that he cannot risk letting Aio attend the Sunwall Academy.

Nivien also insists that not everyone in Sunwall is like themself and Sly. Nivien goes on to say that before they went to the Sunwall Academy, they were exactly like Xio: Nivien went there because they could not find peace. Nivien went to the Sunwall Academy to kill everyone like Sly, becoming a vampire in the process in order to achieve that goal. They insist that Xio’s sister will not become what Nivien did. Nivien then makes a promise: though it will break them, they will take their blade to Sly in order to protect Xio and the rest of the party.

Ser says that Xio presumes to know his perspective on Sly. The paladin continues that having Sly close ensures that the party will be the ones to deal the blow if she missteps. Sly, to Ser’s mind, is the party’s responsibility. He will take Sly’s life without question if the necessity arises. He understands the harm that will do to other relationships in this group. Ser goes on to say he is not an arbiter of judgment, but the moment that a threat is posed, he will step in. It would take much for her to make recompense for what she has done. Ser makes clear that taking Sly with the party does not mean the party sees Sly as free of her guilt in any way. The burden is shared by the party; it does not belong to Xio alone. Ser stands by his warlock companion. Nivien does the same.

Xio grabs Echinacea’s hand. After holding it for some time, Xio says they didn’t mean to say Echinacea doesn’t value life. They had just been upset by what Echinacea had said the previous day. But if they upset Echinacea in return, they are sorry. Xio goes on to say they think that the entire party gives Xio so much more to question about life than everyone in the Bright Fury. Xio’s time with the Bright Fury felt like an adventure, but being with this party feels like purpose: like they have been tied together. Echinacea tells Xio they believe he is right. Xio presses the hand of each party member to his forehead. He ends with Nivien, thanking them. Nivien returns the gesture, pressing Xio’s palm to their forehead. Ser notes that the party consistently struggles with deciding what choices are right and wrong. Comfort sweeps across him, realizing this. The party is present to check each other. These decisions are made amongst the five, rather than alone.

The party begins discussing travel plans for the next morning, Nivien and Ser noting the party’s shared exhaustion. Wanting to honor Ser’s statement and make decisions as five rather than one, the doctor explains that they want to check on Tifna. If Tifna is in danger, Echinacea will try to help her. They recognize this may end badly for them, but if Tifna is imprisoned by the Magus Arcanum in the same way Echinacea was, the wizard feels duty-bound to try to break her out if she wants it. They cite the wish that someone had helped them sooner, and call Ser their hero. Nivien encouragingly tells Echinacea it will not, Ser says he trusts Echinacea in this, and Lazuli pulls her gun in support. Xio asks if Echinacea was imprisoned for being an oracle, but they explain no: there is an oracle in Aldengate, but it is not Echinacea. Echinacea was framed for a crime and imprisoned by the Magus Arcanum, who did not release the wizard even after they learned that Echinacea was innocent. Ser suggests that the Arcanum controls information by controlling people with information, suggesting Echinacea might be one such person. Xio lifts the Thor’tell sigil gifted to them by Keylin and states that is what the party is doing now: getting information.

With that, the party checks on Tifna. After Ser checks for hostile magic and Echinacea casts Silence on the door, Echinacea recalls that Tifna had described herself as shackled. Asked if she wants that to change, Tifna says no. Though she does want to be free, she does not want to disrupt the paths of the party. Once she is stationed in Iyo Thalor at the end of the next month, Tifna believes she will have more freedom. She asks if she can send the party letters, to which they agree. Tifna muses with sadness that everyone from her home celebrated when they learned she was an oracle, but none of them seemed to lament the fact that she was gone. She goes on to say they are allowed to not miss her, but she would like to become friends with the group. The party agrees, Xio gifts Tifna a stale loaf of bread from the previous day, and Echinacea gifts her a copy of Fairytales of Aeyosha with the legal verbiage of the Writ of Opposition scrawled on the back of the last page. Lazuli silently notes to herself that Tifna, as a satyr, is a fey. She tries to read the satyr’s emotional state, but finds doing so difficult. Tifna thanks Echinacea for asking what she wanted and the two hug. Echinacea whispers, “if you ever change your mind,” to which Tifna responds, “I know who to call.” Lazuli druidcrafts a feywild flower for the oracle. The two commiserate over being fey entities who have never been to the feywild (insofar as Lazuli can remember, at least). Tifna cherishes the flower and tells Lazuli she hopes the fairy makes it to the feywild if she wants to.

The party departs in time to catch Kasimir and Lucien preparing to leave the city. In a show of goodwill, Ser casts Invisibility on Lucien so that he can leave the city undetected. Surprised but grateful, Lucien thanks Ser and apologizes to the party for the damage he has caused. He thanks them for protecting Elizabeth and the city, expressing the wish to see the party again soon. Turning to Nivien (invisibly), Lucien admits that he considers the bloodhunter a friend. Nivien opens their arms for a hug, but receives an awkward shove instead. The contact breaks invisibility, forcing an irritated Kasimir to cast it on his charge. Echinacea gives Kasimir one last hug as the man charges the party to keep each other safe. Kasimir and Lucien then depart.

Echinacea then takes the party to a Humble Abode room they had created during the party’s travel to Iyo Thalor: a recreation of the Oracle of Aldengate’s room. In this room, there are six paintings. Five of these depict a moment in each member of the party’s lives: Nivien’s vampiric transformation at the hands of Doctor Sitash, Ser being pulled into the Shadowfell planar rift on the battlefield at Iyo Thalor alongside Commander Lorian Belnades Lorithian, Lazuli having tea with Ishror the day he took her on as a scout, Xio with his sister and father facing beasts called rotlows in the jungles of Dreucamesh, and Echinacea’s view of looking out a window at a man stoking a bonfire. Echinacea explains that the oracle painted all of these, suggesting that fate has intentionally drawn them together. Unsettled by the familiarity of these paintings and the fact that the party seemed to be foretold before they had ever met, they turn to the final painting: that of a bronze dragon looking down at a castle in sadness. Echinacea reveals that Madame Zerini is a bronze dragon, and that they believe the castle to be the Magus Arcanum at Aldengate.

Lazuli asks why a painting of Zerini is here alongside the five matching each member of the group. Echinacea is unsure. Most of the party reflects on the moment depicted in the painting: Xio’s is the first time he was scared; Nivien’s is a day of terror, when they knew there was much to be done; Ser’s is the day of his death; Lazuli’s is the day she gained her purpose. Nivien suggests these are the days the party’s fates became intertwined. Echinacea shamefully explains they don’t know the significance of their own painting. Lazuli comforts them while Xio asks if Madame Zerini is dangerous. Why does she look sad? Echinacea does not know, but they suspect the party is bound in some way to Zerini, given her presence alongside their five paintings. They speculate that, given the information provided by Tifna, it could be that Madame Zerini is operating in some way outside of her role within the Major Arcana.

Reflecting on conversations with Ishror, Lazuli recalls references to Zerini and another dragon named Pelgond. The two had a relationship, followed by a falling out. Pelgond, an honorable man, took issue with Zerini’s secrecy and her choice to put the Magus Arcanum above the people of Aeyosha. Pelgond has since denounced the Magus Arcanum. Lazuli expresses concern for Ishror’s connection to both. Ser tries to comfort her, believing the Magus Arcanum is not outright evil, but simply power-hungry. The night ends with the group deciding this is a puzzle that cannot be solved immediately. Xio says his goodbyes with Lyla and Declan Alcott. Declan thanks Xio for being a good friend and Xio tells Declan they look forward to seeing him again. Suggesting Lyla write a book about them, Xio leaves.

The next day, the party departs - with a bound Sly in tow. Sly pesters Ser, who casts Invisibility on her so that she will not be spotted departing the city. Ser then summons Shade in his new ethereal phantom steed form. Lazuli returns with an outfit change and as the party takes off, Ser returns on horseback to exchange an unheard farewell with Elizabeth. And off toward Lockhinge the party goes, treking a few hours south along the road.

Only to suddently hear a gunshot, followed by, "Take them for all they're worth!"

## Chapter 11 - It's Not That Simple

**The party's moral codes clash.**
Saithday, 17th of El’eint, 946 P.S.

Alerted by their longsword of warning, Nivien tells everyone to be ready: there are enemies on all sides. A gunwoman attempts to shoot Ser, prompting Echinacea to wreathe him in a protective dome of flame and flowers that consume the bullets before it can reach the paladin. In retribution, Lazuli places her hunter’s mark on the gunwoman and assails her with a chilling draconic claw extending from her own hand. Ser spots the largest combatant in the field - a barbarian - and immediately bombards him with eldritch magic before providing Lazuli and Echinacea with partial cover. A leader emerges from the bandits. He tells the party they will live if they surrender their belongings and walk away. Echinacea expresses clear confusion at the notion of banditry and Ser forcefully retorts that he does not abide by banditry. The bandit leader retorts by volleying knives at Nivien and Echinacea. Mystra unceremoniously reveals her earthly visage to Echinacea for the first time by flitting around the field. After examining the bandits, the goddess tells the astounded aasimar that none of the bandits are able to cast magic. She then disappears just as unceremoniously as she appeared.

Another gunman takes a shot at Xio, but Ser mitigates that damage with his glaive. Instead of absorbing that damage as he normally would, Ser finds that the bullet is once again devoured by Echinacea’s dome of flame and fire surrounding him, leaving him unmarred. The gunman takes another shot, prompting Xio to hellish rebuke the man in a torrent of fire. Focusing their fury on this gunman, Xio leaps out of the cart and charges the man, creating three illusory mirror images of himself as he dashes. Meanwhile, Nivien pulls the knife out of their leg and throws it back at its wielder, stabbing him with his own knife. They then use a bloodcurse to bind the barbarian, robbing him of his capacity to move. The bandits retort by planting crossbow bolts in Nivien and Echinacea. Rounding out the first round of combat, Echinacea heals Nivien and Xio.

Hovering above her companions still in the cart, Lazuli casts Ishror’s Icy Blades. Ice shoots in a vertical array from her back before locking in on the gunwoman. A volley of ice and bullets pepper the enemy, heightened further by Lazuli’s Hunter’s Mark. Ser engages the barbarian, smiting the combatant before the enemy is able to offset any damage with his rage. The bandit leader promptly hides. The gunman engaged with Xio misses, only managing to hit one illusory duplicate. Xio responds by grabbing the man and shocking him with the primordial current. The rogue warlock then scurries away, prompting an attack from the gunman that hits a duplicate instead of Xio as they successfully hide behind a tree. Nivien continues slashing the same bandit, who returns the damage in kind. Echinacea heals their bloodhunter companion once more before entering their celestial revelation, keeping the bandits from coming any nearer to the cart. Echinacea tells the bandits they don’t want them to die today, but whether they do so isn’t wholly Echinacea’s decision. The individual who had been engaged with Xio obligingly drops his weapon in surrender. A different bandit responds by shooting Echinacea.

[break]

The gunwoman shoots Lazuli with what would have been a critical hit, but Echinacea manages to nullify the excess damage with silvery barbs. Lazuli loses Ishror’s Icy Blades, but manages to cast an icy Rose Aegis to heal herself. Lazuli then retorts by dropping the gunwoman with a lethal gunshot and moving her Hunter’s Mark to the barbarian. Seeing the gunwoman lethally shot triggers Echinacea, who becomes stunned for the round. Ser smites the barbarian, dropping him unconscious with a blunt, nonlethal crack across the head. The paladin then channels divinity to make Nivien temporarily incorporeal. The man who had surrendered calls for his compatriots to do the same, insisting “we don’t have to bloody kill each other.” Xio reacts by using their primordial reflex to shoot at the unarmed individual. Xio misses.

The bandits continue to harry Ser, but Echinacea’s flame and fire dome protects him. Coming out of hiding, Xio tells the surrendering bandit to kneel on the ground. The bandit does so. Xio nocks an arrow beneath the unarmed man’s chin and, using Thaumaturgy, tells the remaining bandits to follow suit, using the surrendering bandit’s life as leverage. Half of the remaining combatants immediately drop their weapons. Nivien drops out of the incorporeal state caused by Ser’s channel divinity as a wave of death pummels the two bandits engaged with them. Nivien tells the bandits, “No more need to die. Lay down your weapons or I’ll taste your blood.” The bandits immediately do so. One of the two remaining bandits attacks Ser. Echinacea’s dome mitigates most of the damage before its abjurative magic is tapped. Still stunned, Echinacea stares at the fallen gunwoman. They no longer see her body. Instead, they see the body of Valor, Kasimir’s husband, with a hole in his chest. They turn to see Xio with an arrow poised beneath the chin of the surrendered bandit. They no longer sees the bandit, but instead sees Xio with an arrow against Echinacea’s own chin. Fortunately, the sight of Nivien and Ser deescalating by dealing nonlethal damage and negotiating surrenders pulls the wizard out of their stunned condition. Echinacea murmurs the word “please” over and over.

Noticing Echinacea’s distress, Lazuli lands beside the aasimar and asks if they are alright. Echinacea continues murmuring “please.” Lazuli asks what she can do. Echinacea asks her not to kill anyone. Surveying the field, Lazuli gets an idea. As Ser intimidates one of the two remaining combatants into submission by sending a wispy green skull through the front of his helmet, Lazuli reduces the other to an eighth of his size and picks him up in her palm. Still in hiding, the bandits’ leader asks the party to let his men go and pretend this never happened. Ser shouts that they will not leave brigands to raid the road a second time and charges the man to reveal himself. Despite Nivien air chomping at him, the bandit leader reveals himself and bids his men disarm themselves. As they do so, Ser misty steps to the fallen gunwoman and casts Spare the Dying, keeping her from bleeding out.

Nivien disarms the bandit leader, who calls himself Edmund. Ser takes charge of the situation, corralling all of the bandits, binding them, and interrogating the leader as Echinacea begins treating the wounded. Nivien introduces themself and headbutts the leader. Edmund complains at the continued show of aggression despite his surrender, prompting Xio to add insult to injury by taking the bandit’s gold. Edmund asks Xio if the party is actually much better than the bandits. Nivien shrugs, but Ser insists they are: the bandits instigated the fight and the party has allowed them to live. Ser then threatens to set Nivien on Edmund and asks Keylin to cast Sending to Iyo Thalor. The bandits will be collected by the Iyo Thalor guard and brought to the dungeons. Keylin does so and informs the party the guard will arrive in a few hours. Ser asks if the party is comfortable waiting for a few hours until the bandits can be taken back to Iyo Thalor. The party settles in to wait, but Lazuli seems unsure, asking what the bandits’ crimes were besides wanting money. Ser explains they would have taken the party’s lives to get it. Lazuli muses she would try to kill anyone who tried to kill her, but wouldn’t kill anyone unless they tried to kill her first. Ser again insists that the bandits are to be tried, but Lazuli continues, saying that they seem to be talented individuals who could instead be of use to the Thor’tell Guild. She asks if young, healthy people really need to be locked up in a cell.

Ser stands firm: they need to face justice. Nivien asks if Lazuli is suggesting that the bandits work for the party or Lady Whittemore. Lazuli excitedly agrees, suggesting that restorative justice may be more reasonable than punitive justice (“so that I don’t have to kill them”). Ser agrees to tell the Iyo Thalor guards about the bandits’ surrender and will pass on Lazuli’s suggestions. The conversation ends with Ser and Lazuli saying they understand each other, while Nivien threatens to eat the bandits if they do not cooperate. Edmund seems sufficiently cowed.

Ser begins binding the bandits and Lazuli begins her interrogation, learning that the band of bandits are members of the Viper’s Hand. Echinacea breaks their silence to note that vipers don’t have hands). Xio tells Edmund he’s never let anyone from the Viper’s Hand live long enough to ask a question. Edmund notes that Xio is a Bright Fury and suggests Xio is a hypocrite for thinking themself better than him - despite the fact that Xio threatened the life of a man who had surrendered. Xio is adamant: they don’t think they are better than Edmund; they know they are. The difference is not a moral one, but a practical one: Edmund is captured, and Xio has his coin.

Edmund presses further, asking why Xio thinks it is okay to take from the disenfranchised, provided the disenfranchised are on the opposite side. Xio doubts Edmund is disenfranchised and chastises him for only caring for his men. The two share the ideal of caring for their own; but where Edmund cares for the needs of his men, Xio says they care for everyone. Or most, with notable exceptions. Edmund wonders how many of Xio’s own the warlock has failed today, prompting Nivien to headbutt the bandit leader. Xio goes on to say that they make sure things are right by those in need. They then tell Edmund that everyone dies every day, and that there is a balance that must be upheld. Xio concludes that they will always look down on the Viper’s Hand as filth before going back to counting their money.

During this conversation, Echinacea begins questioning the gunwoman who had fallen as they tend the medical needs of the wounded. They learn that Edmund was not acting under the direction of Viper’s Hand leadership, that a Sunwall Academy caravan with two carriages is two day’s travel south on the road, and that the bandits hail from Narfolk, Driftdenn. Questioning their methods of travel, Echinacea further learns that the tunnels utilized by the Viper’s Hand are traversible by buggy, expediting travel. A two week travel by road can become a four day journey beneath Tolesh. These tunnels reach all large Driftdenn and Shenthyr cities (as well as Midcrest and Dulkuldir in the Kingdom of Khol Dural), with access points a mile north of each city. These are clearly marked with stones reading “Way Ahead” in Thieves Cant. The gunwoman warns that heading into these tunnels will lead the party to a network of capable Viper’s Hand members.

Xio asks the gunwoman how one contacts Viper’s Hand leadership. Nivien suggests that the Viper’s Hand may use some sort of cipher system to communicate with their underlings. The gunwoman agrees, and adds that sending stones are utilized as well. Xio notes that the Viper’s Hand members wear red and black, wear serpent medallions as identifiers, and have some sort of serpent tattoo on each of their persons. Xio uses their Mask of Many Faces to add similar tattoos to their own body. The gunwoman tells Xio that’s a start and snidely tells the warlock they won’t tell anyone about this ability. Lazuli approaches the gunwoman and apologizes for dropping her instead of Edmund. Calling her a great shot, Lazuli gives her the rose aegis she had cast earlier. The rose heals the gunwoman, and the two share a moment of mutual respect. Echinacea watches Lazuli with appreciation and admiration for a moment before unconsciously resting against their fairy companion.

Ser suggests that the party make camp for the day, given that the Iyo Thalor guard are hours away. The rest of the party sets up the Humble Abode. Keylin heals Echinacea, who in turn sets about healing Lazuli, Nivien, and Xio. Echinacea then heads outside to heal Ser. As they do so, they thank Ser for his leadership. Ser responds that he doesn’t appreciate the consistent implication that Iyo Thalor is a place of injustice. Taken aback, Echinacea asks who implied this. Ser cites the hesitance to let brigands to go be judged in the city. Echinacea insists they did not say that, but Ser is firm: it is a consistent implication by the group. He asks again what it is about that place that suggests prisoners will be treated badly. He cites Echinacea’s treatment, wondering why there is a belief that prisoners would be murdered by Elizabeth - the party’s friend and companion. Echinacea assures Ser they did not think Lucien would be murdered by Elizabeth. Ser insists that the party has been consistently unwilling to treat its allies with trust. He does not understand why it was a matter of question to send the bandits to Iyo Thalor to be questioned. Ser then tempers his assertions, explaining he knows that Echinacea did not question this choice. That is why he has approached them for answers. Echinacea tells Ser they do not know the answer, and he decides he will ask the others.

Ser continues to explain that this state of affairs frustrates him. Echinacea notes the fairness of his frustration, but is visibly shaken by the interaction. Ser notices and takes a step back from his own frustration. Echinacea cites the need to start working on a vampirism antidote before fleeing to forage for ingredients. Ser raises his hand to stop them, but stops short, letting his hand fall (wah). The paladin then turns, embarrassed, to find all of the Viper’s Hand staring at him. Edmund snipes at Ser, suggesting he “tell them how you really feel”. The man quickly repents at a single step toward him from Ser, noting with horror that he’s shit himself.

In the Humble Abode, Nivien checks in on Sly, who is staring at the goat table and correctly guessing that Ser is responsible for its creation. Asked if she is alright, Sly complains she is bored and demands that Nivien fix that. Amused, Nivien notes it’s amusing to see Sly bored. Sly promptly tells Nivien to get away from her, but quickly recants to ask if she can bite one of the Viper’s Hand. Nivien muses they might let her bite the one named Edmund. Sly then asks if Nivien and the party are alright. Nivien suggests Sly is a part of that group, but the tiefling dismisses that, adamant that the trust between herself and the group is paper thin. Nivien suggests Sly work on that, but the tiefling refuses, opting to give the Humble Abode backhanded compliments. Bemused, Nivien nevertheless stays with her. Passing them with the Viper’s Hand gold, Xio goes to their room and curls up in their bed with Lulu. The pseudodragon asks if Xio is distressed. They say they are: when Xio began fighting the Viper’s Hand, all he wanted to do was end them. All he could see was their end. Xio isn’t sure what that says about them.

Xio goes on to say they are uncomfortable in this place. Lulu suggests this is because Xio is unsure about himself. Xio corrects Lulu: it is because there is a person here who makes them uncomfortable. Xio does not feel like they can be around everyone while Sly is around. Lulu tells Xio he is allowed to take his time. The pseudodragon does not know what any of this says about Xio, but she knows Xio is her friend. The two shoot dice together. Excited to be back on the road but worried about how her actions in combat may be viewed, Lazuli reflects on morality and creates a domed observatory on the roof of the Humble Abode. She goes to look at the stars, only to realize it is daytime.

Outside the Humble Abode, Jenn sets about pantomiming Ser’s stately behaviors to the extreme, marching up and down the line of captives while scolding them. Not in the mood for Jenn’s antics, Ser asks if there is someone more amicable she can bother. Jenn blithely tells him her game wouldn’t be fun if folks were amicable to it and Ser realizes he is the easiest target for the rogue’s jabs. Jenn offers Ser a cup of tea, only to be miffed when the paladin will not accept whiskey. Nevertheless, she leaves to prepare tea.

Meanwhile, having successfully collected the botanicals necessary to start Nivien and Sly’s anti-vampirism treatments, Echinacea successfully crafts anti-toxin with Keylin’s assistance. As the two work, they share a moment of mutual admiration of each other’s intentions with magic and Keylin offers to teach Echinacea Revivify. Keylin also laments his bad note-taking, offering Echinacea an accidental glimpse into his heavily underlined anxieties. Echinacea broaches the subject of discussing his Xen’dryxian royalty, but Keylin muses it never seems to be the right time. Echinacea reaffirms that they will be there for him when the right time arises. As Lazuli adds the observatory to the Humble Abode, Echinacea excitedly makes a change to the space: there are now bunkbeds in their room for the members of the Thor’tell guild.

Jenn returns to Ser and apologizes for being a bitch. Ser attempts to say something conciliatory, but Jenn teasingly interrupts immediately to suggest that Ser likes her behavior because he is deeply attracted to her. With a frank “no,” Ser says it is just a part of who she is. Jenn presses the joke, telling Ser he reminds her of her ex-husband. A flummoxed Ser begs Jenn to stop making these leaps, prompting a delighted Jenn to ask if he feels the electricity between them. Ser responds with a sincere apology, explaining that he cares deeply for someone else and would not want to give Jenn the wrong impression. Muttering she doesn’t want to fuck the tin man, Jenn then pounces, demanding Ser admit his feelings for Elizabeth. Panicked, Ser pretends to busy himself with the Viper’s Hand. Eventually the Iyo Thalor guard arrives, led by Anatole. Ser provides a written report of the morning’s events, the brigands’ affiliation with the Viper’s Hand, and Lazuli’s suggestions for the handling of the brigands. With that, the highwaymen are taken back to Iyo Thalor via armored carriage.

Ser returns to the Humble Abode, informing the party that the Viper’s Hand brigands are now in the custody of the Iyo Thalor guard. Echinacea quietly thanks Ser. As Ser retreats, Sly asks if he would like to play chess. With nothing but a clenched fist in response, Ser leaves and Sly muses she will one day crack his very tough exterior. Echinacea tells her she will not and gives the two vampires their anti-toxin doses along with tea as a chaser. Sly sasses Echinacea throughout, prompting Nivien to force-feed their paramour. Xio peeks into the space, meeting Sly’s eye as the vampire drinks her medicine. What catches Xio’s eyes, however, is the tea the two vampires are drinking.

Lazuli finds Xio curled in their bed and asks how they are doing. Xio replies that they are not good: they are thinking about their purpose, why they are here, and the people they are with. He finds himself uncomfortable with all of these things. Lazuli commiserates, and suggests that everyone else feels the same way. She then offers Xio the space to talk at greater length about their discomfort. Xio does not take her up on the offer, expressing surprise that Lazuli feels the same way. Lazuli muses on the state of transition that every member of the party finds themselves in, as well as her own feeling of newness. She suggests regrouping with the party, but Xio says Nivien and Echinacea seem busy while Ser seems mad. Lazuli touches on the struggles she sees in Nivien, Ser, and Echinacea, noting that these “soulful” members of the party can find themselves gloomy and broody. She then suggests that Ser is always mad. Xio disagrees, suggesting Ser is stoic. Lazuli suggests that Ser’s stoicism stems from constantly being “a fun little quip away” from becoming angry. “Whenever you clutch so hard onto expectations and nobility - these things I’ve heard legends about often - those people are often cranky.” Xio laments that poor Ser has a stick up his butt.

Lazuli then invites Xio to stargaze with her as evening begins to set in. Xio accepts. Lazuli then insists on regrouping with the party first, and bullies Xio into joining her with the question “are you avoiding your friends because someone you don’t like is with them?” Xio says yes, they are. Lazuli suggests the party make a glass dungeon for Sly so that Xio feels free to move around the Humble Abode. If the only thing keeping Xio from enjoying his friends’ presence is Sly, Lazuli feels certain she can find an inventive solution. Xio tells her it’s not that simple, but eventually reaching a point of emotional exhaustion, gives in as Lazuli continues to pester. Arriving downstairs with the others, Lazuli asks how everyone is doing with their terrible transitions in their lives. She continues that she is not doing well. Nivien concurs that they are not doing well either. Xio asks Nivien how the medicine was: terrible, but the bloodhunter is appreciative of it. Xio tells Echinacea “good job” and Echinacea asks Lazuli what they can do to help her to feel better. Lazuli asks Echinacea to share how they are doing, if they are comfortable doing so. Unwilling to do so, the aasimar immediately leaves the group space to make tea. Lazuli follows, and Xio holds Nien back.

Xio tells Nivien he has been thinking about their reaction to the conversation in Iyo Thalor and asks if he offended them. Nivien blithely explains that it is very hard to offend them. Xio asks what Nivien meant when they knelt. Nivien explains that it was a sign that they would protect Xio. That they understood the position the warlock was in, and that they take fault for that. Nivien cares for Sly, but Xio will come first. Nivien goes on to explain that they were raised to kill vampires without thinking of them as anything more than monsters. Fulfilling this task, Nivien came to believe that the only way to successfully do so was to become a vampire themself. When they met Sly, they reminded themself every day that it would only be a matter of time before they had to end her. But that became harder as Nivien realized there is something redeemable in everyone. Everyone deserves a chance to choose to be better than what they once were. Nivien wants to protect that right for Sly, but they will not let that desire cost Xio or the rest of the party their lives. Xio tells Nivien that the bloodhunter is holding a lot of guilt that is not their own. Xio continues that everything that happened is not Nivien’s fault. Their attachment to Sly didn’t make anything bad happen. Nivien appreciates this sentiment, but explains that if the roles were reversed and Xio was in Sly’s shoes, Nivien would do anything to protect Xio from themself, while also protecting others from Xio. Nivien carries this responsibility by choice.

Nivien goes on to say they know that Sly being here is difficult for Xio, but Xio tells them it is okay. Nivien presses, asking if there is anything they can do to make the experience easier. Xio says they are unsure at the moment. He doesn’t want to make Nivien choose - it wouldn’t be fair. Nivien pushes back: given the promise they have made to Xio, the bloodhunter has already chosen the party over Sly. Though they feel guilt for this choice, they stand by it. They reflect on the self-sacrificial nature of their original intent to become a vampire. Now they do not want to sacrifice themself. Now they want to fix things. Expressing hope, Nivien goes on to say they have skilled, talented, genius people with them to help Nivien fix it. That said, they know this hope does not change how Xio feels.

Xio asks Nivien to look at the stars with himself and Lazuli. As Nivien follows Xio, two things happen. Firstly, they take their first step down a path envisioned for them by Echinacea. This step is made manifest in their prelude: the Path of the Protector. In addition to giving Nivien enhanced strength, durability, and damage mitigation abilities, the prelude now also gives Nivien the ability to cast protective magicks, and gives the bloodhunter greater means of defending allies within reach. Secondly, Nivien hears a familiar voice in their head that says: “It’s only three more months, Nivien. Three more months until my hunt for you begins. Live well.”

## Chapter 12 - Solace In Becoming

**The road to Driftdenn is a rocky one.**
Nivien gathers the party. Given the possible intertwining of fates with the party, Nivien wishes to inform the party of all the threats they face - which may, in turn, become threats to the entire group: Doctor Sitash, the Crimson, and Father Urias Colt of the monster-hunting Order of the Cleansing Flame, of which Nivien had once been a member. Nivien expands upon the last of these: after learning that Nivien had become a vampire in order to infiltrate the Sunwall Academy, Father Urias Colt gave Nivien a year to live. There are now three months remaining before he hunts them down. Though Nivien has left traps for him, they anticipate that he might bypass these. Nivien also informs Sly of their willingness to kill her if she attempts to harm any of the party members. Sly appears understanding, if a bit miffed.

Xio expresses surprise to learn that Nivien had been a member of the Order of the Cleansing Flame. To him, Nivien doesn’t seem stiff or angry enough to have been one of the order. Nivien assures Xio they were one of the best. Lazuli asks what the order defines as monsters, learning that they seek out shapeshifters, vampires, those who undergo transformations at the Sunwall Academy, and so on. Understanding that Nivien has contingency plans for Urias Colt, Lazuli asks why Nivien still seems concerned. Nivien explains that they are used to planning only for their own safety. Having a party complicates things. That said, Nivien hopes to lure Urias Colt to a lair, where they can prove themself to be civilized in his eyes. Xio asks if the plan is to sit Urias Colt down for dinner, where the party can show off all the manners they have learned from Ser in order to get the Father to leave Nivien alone. Nivien expresses doubt that Urias Colt will be able to kill them once he sees how civilized they are, prompting Xio and Echinacea to firmly reframe the situation: the party will not allow Urias Colt to harm Nivien. Nivien implores the group to treat their own safety as paramount.

Echinacea informs Nivien that the antitoxin will remove the bloodhunter’s vampirism in two months’ time, if they continue to take it. If Urias Colt is hunting them down in three, he will not find a “monster.” This gives Nivien hope, and Lazuli suggests that the group should throw a party to celebrate this de-monstrification with the Father. Ser warns that Urias Colt’s definition of “monster” might be arbitrary, and that a fight still may ensue. Echinacea reaffirms that they will not let Colt hurt Nivien just as Keylin, dressed in a frilly apron, appears with breakfast and the intent to inform the party of his personal history: Worriedly, Echinacea messages Keylin to ask if he wants Sly to hear. Keylin suggests using this sharing of knowledge as a test of Sly’s trustworthiness, but Echinacea hears none of it. After some deliberation, Sly is escorted elsewhere by Bellen and a particularly sassy Jenn.

Keylin repeats the information he shared in Chapter 7: he is Keylin Vrynn, a native of Xen’dryx and a son of the Vrynn Empire who escaped the continent at the age of fourteen alongside Christopher Elmsong. This led to his arrival in Tolesh and his membership in the Thor’tell Guild. Learning that Keylin is 80 years old, Xio declares the drow old. Nivien and Echinacea, both older than Keylin, share a glance. Keylin goes on to apologize for keeping this information from the group, which he perceives to be a breach of trust. He promises to try to earn back that trust in any way he can. Nivien quickly affirms that Keylin still has their full trust: the past means very little to them. They add they find it neat that they’ve gotten to bite a noble. Lazuli promptly curtsies, despite Keylin’s protestations. Lazuli browbeats the cleric into showing her how to curtsy in the Xen’dryxian fashion. Xio muses that Keylin left a place whose values he did not agree with, and asserts it is not for the party to judge that choice. Keylin explains that it is his deception he believes ought to upset the party. Echinacea responds that he has only known the party for two weeks. Waiting to judge the group’s character before informing them of his history is valid. They also commend him for undertaking his first jailbreak at fourteen years old. Keylin thanks the party for their understanding. Keylin is unsure whether or not his family will ever come after him, but they have not pursued him in the past sixty years. Nevertheless, if they do come for him, Keylin asserts that he will fight that battle alone. Echinacea responds with immediate incredulity. Having said his piece, Keylin backs out of the space in patented awkward fashion and the party begins their travel through a rainy day.

Lazuli takes the lead, using her Ranger abilities and primeval awareness to maneuver the party through the Shenthyr countryside. She sits atop the carriage as she does so, playing with the Vox Seeker. Delighted by the rain, Xio takes off his cloak and enjoys the pelting sensation of the rain. Echinacea reads the Cold Bestiary they borrowed from Lucien, learning about hags, werewolves, and vampires. Ser guides the carriage alongside Shade, keeping an eye out for threats and assisting Lazuli. Nivien cycles between their companions while keeping an eye out for threats. As they do so, a chill hits their spine: Nivien sees the visage of the Crimson at the treeline, standing and watching the carriage pass. In her hands, she holds Nivien’s decapitated head. Nivien blinks, and the horrific sight is gone. They quietly murmur to the Crimson that they thought she might feel that way.

That night in the Humble Abode, Keylin and Echinacea learn the spell Knock together. Asked about his favorite spell, Keylin tells the aasimar he likes Heroism because it makes people feel better. Echinacea suggests he cast it on Nivien, who seems to be going through a lot. Asked if he cast it on himself this morning before opening up to the party, Keylin admits he did. Twice. He thanks Echinacea for supporting him through that process and promises to do the same for them, despite their protestations that they do not need anything. Once Knock is learned, Keylin teaches Echinacea how to bake muffins, adding to their limited culinary repertoire.

Ringing the goat, Lazuli summons the party. Citing her love of taverns, Lazuli asks if the party knows any games of wit. Echinacea shares a game they invented with Kasimir the only time they went to a tavern: tavern customers give a person with the cantrip Message a brief sentence or two, along with the person to whom that message should be sent. Echinacea then sends these messages. When a message is received, the recipient speaks the message aloud. The recipient and the other customers then provide guesses as to who sent the message. Whoever guesses correctly wins the pot. Delighted to learn the game is gambling, Lazuli agrees. Xio tells the Thor’tell members that Sly can be present, worried that someone will miss out on the game in order to “babysit” her. Bellen decides to watch Sly so that the party can have space, evading Xio’s protestations by wildshaping into a bird and joining the tiefling assassin. Xio makes clear to the group that it’s okay if Sly is around; she doesn’t have to be in a different room. Nivien reminds Xio that they are not the only one who doesn’t like Sly, prompting Ser to raise his hand and remind Xio that she isn’t a member of their cohort. Lazuli adds that her snideness wouldn’t be appreciated, though it might lead to a tavern brawl faster.

The game is then played. The pool rapidly grows from 10 gold a round to 50. Ser receives the message “I think Elizabeth likes you” from Nivien, though most of the guesses are pinned on Lazuli. Nivien receives an awkward “hello ahem yes very good” from Ser, which is attributed largely to Keylin. Lazuli receives a message lauding her ability with technology, which only Nivien correctly attributes to Keylin. Lazuli excitedly offers to speak with Keylin later about her inventions. Ser receives a message lauding his physical prowess from Jenn, which only Lazuli correctly guesses. At this point, Ser grumbles that he doesn’t like this game. There’s lying and insightfulness, both of which he finds daunting. The party further makes Ser uncomfortable by agreeing with Jenn: everyone finds Ser’s strength impressive and worth emulating. Xio then receives the message “pumpernickel” from Lazuli, which Nivien, Jenn, and Xio correctly guess. Bellen receives the message “you look very soft. Would you be opposed to cuddling?” from Xio, which is correctly guessed by Ser, Lazuli, and Keylin. The last message goes to Keylin, sent my Echinacea, thanking him for being their friend. By the power of deduction, Ser guesses Echinacea and they confirm it before anyone else can guess. Ending the game, Lazuli suggests that next time the party can play Two Truths and a Lie.

[Break]

Ser seeks out Echinacea and apologizes for the tone of the conversation had in front of the Viper’s Hand. Echinacea affirms that his frustrations are valid: the way Echinacea has responded to imprisonment must look, from the outside, like a condemnation of Iyo Thalor. They explain that their response to Lucien’s imprisonment had everything to do with their own trauma, rather than anything to do with their perspective on the city, Ser, or Elizabeth. Explaining he respects Echinacea’s responses to imprisonment and finds them valid; his frustration stems from the party co-opting Echinacea’s opinions as their own in a way that disrespects the group’s allies. Ser goes on to admit he struggles to understand some of their companions. He shows nothing but kindness, acknowledges their worldviews, and does not expect them to change for him. All Ser asks is that they respect him in return. Unintentionally or not, that respect is not always given. Reflecting on being forced to contend with being revealed to Declan Alcott before he felt ready to do so, Ser notes that even his reaction in the face of contending with that revelation was not treated with respect. He goes on to muse that some members of the party do not see him as the person he has become. Echinacea initially faults themself, prompting several reassurances from Ser that Echinacea is not responsible for these perspectives and muses that he is responsible for making his expectations clear.

Despite the fact that Ser reaffirms he does not blame Echinacea or think that this disrespect comes from them, Echinacea expresses distress at not not knowing what to do about this state of affairs. Ser asks if Echinacea understands that they are not responsible for fixing everything. He goes on to say that he is apologizing for his behavior, which is not Echinacea’s responsibility. Murmuring they know they cannot fix everything, Echinacea reaffirms that they made a promise to Ser and that they just want to help. Ser insists that Echinacea helps the entire party constantly: to Ser’s mind, they are a mirror into which he can understand his own plight, they keep the party safe from harm, they are working to cure vampirism, and constantly give their all. Ser does not expect Echinacea to stop doing so, but he implores them to recognize that some things cannot be Echinacea’s responsibility to fix.

Musing on Ser’s previous expression that he had found his reason for returning to the material plane, Echinacea surmises that they are looking for the reason they are still here. They apologize for the overzealous way that search has manifested, but Ser is adamant: the party needs Echinacea as the are, but it will be better for them to recognize that they cannot take every issue on as their own burden. Ser asks if Echinacea feels alone. The aasimar responds that they shouldn’t, and the fact that they do is their own responsibility. Ser cites his previous conversation with Echinacea as partially responsible for the aasimar’s feeling, but Echinacea disagrees. Looking around at the party, Echinacea sees the emotional connections everyone else has to family, friends, loved ones; meanwhile, the only person who cares for them is the man who imprisoned them. No one mourned Echinacea, no one is looking for them, and they imagine that is their fault - though they cannot remember why. Ser tells Echinacea he is finding solace in who he is becoming, and discarding the past that haunts him. That is why he does not pursue the people he has left behind.

Echinacea believes the difference is that the people Ser left behind - his family - are safe. Their husband Lorian is not: he was consumed by a corbeaure and has been forced to kill his kinsman by that entity for over 50 years. While Ser can discard his past connections knowing they are safe, Echinacea could not live with themself if they moved on and tried to become someone new before securing Lorian’s safety. Ser tells them he is not abandoning his past, but embracing who he is becoming. Doing so does not dismiss one’s past. Echinacea muses that they do not know who they are becoming, and they do not know who they were. Ser offers them his perspective on who they are: someone passionate and driven, an unstoppable force in the party: the engine that pushes the group forward and a confidante. Ser cites his own actions: he lashed out at Echinacea because, even through their pain, he knew Echinacea could handle him at his worst. Echinacea hugs Ser and thanks him for that trust. Thanking him for his insights, Echinacea asks Ser if he would be willing to stay up all night working on a project with them. Ser mistakes this for a pass at him and attempts to let Echinacea down gently as he did for Jenn. Echinacea explains that was not their intent, that they have no memory of the sort of acts he thinks they are asking him to engage in, and after much of Ser’s knightly apologizing, Echinacea explains they wish to create a Prelude for him. Ser agrees.

Beginning the process, Echinacea enters the liminal space where they have previously spoken with Mystra. The goddess appears to them in a far more formal state, in her full starry armored regalia. Mystra tells Echinacea that she made a mistake in basing their interactions off of those she had had with the past Echinacea. She continues to say that Echinacea is not a tool for herself, Kasimir, Ishror, Lorian, or anyone else. Mystra apologizes, saying Echinacea deserves to be treated like a person. Echinacea thanks Mystra, and asks why the goddess never spoke to them when they were imprisoned by the Magus Arcanum. Mystra explains that the space is warded against the presence of the divine. Mystra introduces herself properly to Echinacea, as the Mother of Magic, the Lady of Spells, and the Weave herself. Echinacea is one of her fate-touched, who will walk a path of their own choosing.

Ser finds himself brought alongside Echinacea into Mystra’s presence. He is deferential, though no more so than he would be with any mortal. Mystra does not seem to mind, and the three set about transforming Ser’s cape from its tattered, semi-corporeal state into a resplendent, fully spectral high-collared cape of green military-cut mist embroidered with golden ethereal stitching and the glowing five-pointed golden stars of the guard of Iyo Thalor. In its current form, the Prelud of Ser bolsters Ser’s hardiness, grants him the ability to dive more quickly into combat, and gives Ser the ability to charge foes into new positions on the battlefield. Ser thanks Mystra and tells her he deeply respects her choice of agent upon this world. Mystra is glad such an honorable man approves.

Outside of the Humble Abode, Xio attunes to Harry Outen’s Ring of Featherfall by meditating in the rain. Nivien finds Sly and Jenn in the kitchen. They tell their paramour about their sighting of the Crimson and the vision of their own decapitated head in the First vampire’s hands. Sly reflects on the Nondetection amulet keeping her from being seen by the Sunwall Academy and the Crimson alike, offering it to Nivien as a means of protection. Nivien refuses the offer. Sly tells Nivien it is clear that the Crimson wants Nivien dead, which Nivien takes as a compliment. Sly says it isn’t: it’s terrifying. Asked for ideas of how to defeat her, Sly is incredulous: it will take time if Nivien wants to face this entity. Sly suggests avoiding her at all costs. Nivien’s connection to the Crimson as a Vampyr is not fully cemented. On the other hand, the Crimson can tap into Sly. She cites the murder of the Bright Fury guild members. Though Sly had already been intent on murdering them, the debauchery was the result of the Crimson. Similarly, Sly cites her attack on Lucien as similarly motivated by the Crimson. Nivien begs Sly to inform them if she finds similar impulses brewing at the Crimson’s behest. Sly agrees. Reflecting on the number of enemies they have, Nivien surmises they might be dead soon. Sly implores Nivien not to waste who they are and the two discuss Father Urias Colt: the man who made Nivien who they are. The discussion moves to Jenn’s crossbow on Sly, and the two women bicker while Nivien watches in amusement, saying it reminds them of how they became friends with Sly.

Meanwhile, Lazuli seeks out Keylin and offers her inventing notes. Keylin expresses doubt that he can do what Lazuli does, as he is an arcane practitioner - not a scientist or artificer. Lazuli explains that she is primarily a Ranger, and that Keylin need not feel limited by his role as a divine caster. He thanks her for allowing the view into her notes and asks if he can offer her anything in return. Lazuli enjoys the way Keylin speaks now, citing an appreciation of different cultures and a curiosity about Xen’dryx. Keylin tells her about large lizardlike mounts ridden by Xen’dryxian nobles and tells her about his, which he had given two names: Moonshadow in front of his family, and Eilistraae in private. Lazuli recalls that Eilistraae, or the Moonweaver, is a lesser deity in the Alloyed Pantheon and daughter of Lolth. Lazuli notes a rebelliousness in Keylin to have chosen this name for his mount. The two discuss his adventuring, and Lazuli learns that he has only been traveling with Bellen and Jenn for a year. Some of his previous adventuring companions have retired; others have died. Lazuli asks if the Thor’tell members would like their own room in the abode before realizing that the bunkbeds in Echinacea’s room already serve this purpose. Worried Lazuli is concussed, Keylin offers to take Lazuli up to bed, prompting Lazuli to give a flirtatious “would you?” An embarrassed Keylin explains that is not what he meant, escorting the fairy to bed.

During their travel the following day, the party hears cries for help emerging from a bog. They follow the cries and, though Nivien’s Longsword of Warning warns the bloodhunter of four foes, the party only finds three: a corpse flower and two brackish trudges. The party cannot find anyone in distress, but it is too late: combat ensues. Ser charges the corpse flower, smites blazing as he tears into his foes. Lazuli takes to the air, supporting Ser in his charge. Xio maneuvers across the bog with the intent to shock the creatures, but finds themself set upon by a remaining brackish trudge. Finding its vegetative visage too similar to Isteris for comfort, Xio forgoes attacking the creature. Giving a surprised Echinacea a ring, Nivien casts Warding Bond from their Prelude for the first time on the wizard, who sets about healing Xio and Ser. As the corpse flower and one of the brackish trudges are downed by Ser and Lazuli, a gutteral voice rings out “You are mine.” A green slaad comes out of Invisibility, volleying fire at Ser. Though Echinacea creates their defensive dome to protect their friend, the volleys are too much, blasting through the dome’s protection and the rest of Ser’s health. The session ends with the paladin falling unconscious.

## Chapter 13 - Cloaks and Daggers

**Political moves are made.** In the wake of Ser's collapse we find the fated five still in the heat of combat with the Green Slaad. After showing calm in the face of the Brackish Trudge, a creature that reminds them of Isteris, Xio is unharmed as the beast disengages from the fray. Choosing to run as it's connection from the Slaad is severed. Seeing Ser unconscious and hearing the Slaad proclaim “You are mine!” Echinacea’s world goes quiet, still, and the rainy gray skies above the bog become a pale twilight blue. Utilizing their Fate Touched boons from Mystra, the aasimar heals Ser with their new Weave’s Mend ability and they also cast Moonbeam on the Slaad from their Read the Weave feature. This divine magic deals substantial radiant damage to the Slaad as well as ensuring Ser is taken care of.

After that turn, the entire group is conscious and ready to face off against the Aberrant monstrosity. Blow for blow Echinacea, Lazuli, Nivien, Ser, and Xio surround the Slaad and weaken the toad-like creature’s constitution. It is at the hand of the fast flying fairy, Lazuli that the Green Slaad meets their demise. Lazuli darts across the field, landing two point blank shots with her pistol and asserting that “That’s enough.” - with that, the Slaad is felled. After the bout ends, Xio rushes to follow the Brackish Trudge that fled the scene. The tiefling and fungal creature test each other’s boundaries before a voice, not dissimilar in nature to Isteris’s, is heard by Xio. The two verbally dance while trying to glean information on one another and their situations. It is alluded to that Isteris may be more eager to hurt the people of the material plane and made more than clear that this entity is, or was, connected to the patron at one point. Unwilling to divulge any further Xio ends the engagement, but not before saying that the two will talk again. The mysterious voice makes it known that they are hoping for it.

Back in the bog, the group is reunited and investigates the bodies found within the Corpse Flower. Inside the flower and on the decayed corpses sit items for the group. Items that are taken and divvied up. After splitting the loot, the party gets back on the road to Lockinge. Ser and Lazuli sit up front as the day’s travel continues. With the road widening a bit, Xio and Lazuli see a large metal carriage bearing the flags of both Driftdenn and Sunwall being towed by two large mechanical steeds. These creations emit smoke from their nostrils as the carriage itself is steered by two Driftdenn soldiers. More concerning are the two individuals sitting atop the carriage, each wearing prosthetic masks as well as attire reminiscent of Kasimir’s. It is clear these are the surprisingly boisterous assassins sent to kill Lucien Whittemore. The mood tenses as the femme assassin makes a show of her lightning magic while assessing the party’s cart. Upon looking, Echinacea sees a resemblance to Kasimir’s magic and therefore the Primordial Current. With no action taken, the Sunwall carriage passes the party without incident. Ser then opts to pull over so everyone can regroup.

Once stopped, the party runs through the strange encounter they just had. More specifically, how eerie and offputting the encounter was. With Driftdenn aiming to secede, it's strange to send operatives into the Republic of Shenthyr in such a frivolous manner. Ser worries that they may be leaving a trail to send a message to Iyo Thalor, a reminder of who did the deed. Then an idea strikes Echinacea, what if these agents are acting outside of Headmistress Fylgwyn Celto’s jurisdiction and knowledge? Niv recommends speaking to Sly given her knowledge and the group moves locations. Now with the ex-sunwall agent and the Thor’tel trio the group is healed by Echinacea and Keylin, Ser asks Keylin (the group bicycle) for his sending services, and then Nivien begins questioning Sly. Through this conversation it is revealed that the two assassins are named Ragna and Piotr, two sunwall agents that also happen to be old students of Kasimir. In addition to their abilities as Wizards, the pair have tapped into dark gifts gained from relics of Unalloyed Deities. The likely candidates are Ruin’s Eye and the Lord of Strife.

These dark powers and their relics draw not from the Weave or Primordial Current, but from the Dark Weave. This source of magic was created by Mystra’s lost sister Shar, this lesser deity now residing within the Negative Energy Plane. Sly notes the Dark Weave’s corrupting nature and muses that even she does not dare to mess with such energy. Ser asks the tiefling if she believes the group will be unable to handle the two, to which Sly affirms she knows they can not. After growing frustrated by the sociopath’s teasing, the knightmarish paladin storms outside for some fresh air, Xio running after him. After the exposition Nivien thanks Sly with some poorly drawn smut, Lazuli and Sly spark a macabre connection via anatomy studies, and Echinacea follows up with two questions. The first being how did Sly expect the assassins to get to Iyo Thalor, the tiefling states that taking advantage of VH tunnels would be the best way to get there undetected. The astute wizard then asks Sly to describe Fylgwyn Celto with as much detail as possible; she does so with flying colors as Nivien confirms the description.

Outside of the carriage we meet with Ser and Xio as the latter slams into their hulking companion’s backside. The conversation initially touches upon Ser’s fall in battle and subsequent revelation that he fears not death but being dragged back to the space he fears, the expectations laid upon Xio, and how the tiefling struggles with acting more seriously. As the dialogue continues, Ser recognizes a failing on his part: he hasn’t been honest with Xio about his feelings. Moreover, how Xio’s actions have impacted Ser’s feelings. After a plea for that honesty by the tiefling, Ser admits that the chaos left behind by Xio has affected him negatively: Declan being the prime example.  In that, Ser admitted that he expected Xio to be more careful in regards to Declan. The knight then affirms that he is a person deserving of respect and that he is indeed hurt by Xio’s actions. Apologies are given from both sides as well as a promise: Xio may not be able to guarantee that they won't do dumb shit, but Ser will be honest with them when they do. The two share a hug as these boundaries are set.

With travel picking up again, Echinacea first reaches out to Keylin to teach them Sending. Keylin then gifts Echinacea with a book of Aeyoshan holidays, citing his love for the events and hoping to help fill some gaps for the amnesiac Wizard. With cute conversations, along with a melting Lazuli, the drowish man asks if Echinacea would like to go to the Harvesttide festival in Lockinge, noting that the group will arrive in time for the holiday’s dance. Excitedly, Echinacea agrees and Keylin says he will also ask the rest of the group to go as well! At Ser’s request, Elizabeth is informed about the Driftdenn agents and notes that she will use this information and prepare Iyo Thalor just in case. As the day’s travel progresses, the group of nine begin their border crossing into Driftdenn. Fake names are given by Niv (Tino Jabrino is my favorite) and the saga of Grace the Criminal begins as the group is able to convince the Driftenn agents that they pose no threat. With a surprisingly easy encounter, the group passes into Driftdenn and makes camp. The group then levels up.

While camped, Lucien calls to check in on Echinacea and inform them that he and Kasimir are not far from the Wizard’s home. It is soft and the aasimar asks about communicating with Fylgwyn Celto to which Lucien affirms that Celto will act logically if addressed. The man then asserts his trust in the aasimar, much to their shared surprise. Xio sits outside and reaches out to Isteris. The conversation to follow is dark and foreboding as Isteris seems to struggle with the knowledge of another communicating with his warlock. Xio tells Isteris that trust needs to be had between the two: their mind is growing and they need more than just the balance. After hearing words said by the unknown entity echoed by Xio, Isteris becomes fearful. With coldness, the patron exits the liminal space, noting that Xio should reach out regarding the orb. The tiefling then just asks Isteris to trust them. Now met with the voice of the stranger, an introduction is finally made.  The voice is that of Halitus, he was once Isteris’s husband. Halitus muses that the patron was the direct cause of his downfall. The entity tells Xio to process and reach out when ready. With that the connection ends.

As the group stands together, Ser taps into his divine sense and digs deeper to find what sort of entities haunt his companions. After getting hits from everyone, he also notices the Undead and Divine surrounding himself. It is then that the Silence finally communicates and informs the gallant knight that he is one of his fate touched. The conversation is obtuse, veiled in secrecy, and a bit spooky but it ends without further incident. After the encounter with the Silence, the group takes the time to take stock: Everyone is informed about the entities surrounding them. Ser and the party break down the information given and tie the silence back to what Lucien had said to Echinacea in Iyo Thalor. Information is shared about Isteris, Halitus, and the Primordial Current to Xio thanks to Echinacea and one of the books they got from the Lorekeep. In light of this, Xio struggles with their purpose. Sharing the wise words of Ser, Echinacea asserts that not every problem is theirs to fix. Ser then struggles to accept the compliments being thrown his way. As the conversation ends, Xio voices his hope that maybe Isteris and Halitus will reconcile. Ser asserts that if anyone can convince the gods to do better, it is Echinacea, Lazuli, Nivien, and Xio. Xio and Echinacea quickly chime in that he is capable of the same.

The chapter ends as Echinacea, using their new spell, casts sending to both Madame Zereni and Fylgwyn Celto. The aasimar informs the Broze Dragon of Sunwall’s movement and urges the Zereni to use that information to stop further Driftdennian aggression. Zereni affirms to the aasimar that she will leverage the information if needed. In a surprising turn, the dragon sends back to Echinacea and informs them that Pelgond landed in Ilynbelle and that their home is safe. Frustrated but thinking critically, Echinacea pieces together that Zereni knew who they were when they were imprisoned within the Arcanum. It is made clear that Zereni has a lot to atone for and she makes it known that she wants to and will be in contact soon, admitting that she has put the Major Arcana behind her. The second message is to Fylgwyn Celto, the confident wizard commands that Ragna and Piotr be put in check or The Magus Arcanum and Republic of Shenthyr will be informed that Driftdenn has instigated war. They warn of Sylgwyn’s nation shattering before it is born. In response, Fylgwyn thanks Echinacea for the heads up. This confirming that Ragna and Piotr were acting outside of Sunwall’s direct order and knowledge. The high elf Dutchess to be then thanks the aasimar for their service.

## Chapter 14 - Stars in My Sky

**Lazuli learns a lot.**
In the morning, Nivien and Xio assist Echinacea in foraging for potion ingredients while Lazuli soars skyward to survey the landscape near Lockinge. There, Lazuli spots a blimp. Using Primeval Awareness, Lazuli identifies the presence of a primordial energy suggesting the primordial current orb, as well as fey. She is immediately contacted by the Runaway Prince. She quickly curries his favor and is invited to tea at the temple constructed in his honor. He asks that Lazuli and her companions bring their favorite things to show him when they arrive.

Returning to the ground in enchanting Miyazaki fashion, Lazuli relays what she has discovered. With the tasks of locating the primordial current orb and gleaning insight into possible Preservium presence in the town of Lockinge, the group decides to learn all they can from the Runaway Prince before splitting up to achieve their objectives, with the hope of discovering more about Lazuli's mysterious fey heritage and locating the Primordial Orb for Xio. When questioned by Lazuli, Xio makes it clear that they intend to absorb the orb for Isteris, just as they did with the first Primordial Orb.

Reaching the small town of Lockinge,the party finds the Runaway Prince's temple surrounded by fairy lights. There, the tall, blue, and handsome figure of the Runaway Prince steps through a rippling window. He affirms that he is Uramil, known as the River King in the Feywild, Runaway Prince of Lockinge. After introductions are made, dick jokes are explained, and respectful barks from Nivien ensue, Uramil sets about assessing Lazuli. He believes her to be a child of the Summer Courts, surprising Lazuli greatly.

Uramil asks why the party has come to Lockinge. Xio explains they seek the primordial current orb at the request of a primordial entity, but refuses to tell Uramil which entity. Musing that the primordial current is a terrifying source of magic, Uramil reveals that the orb is kept by Officer Richtor Oliphant, son of Driftdenn's General, in the town's windmill. Surprised by Oliphant's presence in the town, the party speculates that Driftdenn is using Lockinge to shore up its defenses for future military aggression against Shenthyr. Echinacea speculates that Driftdenn building cities upon Feywild and Shadowfell bleeds and rifts is intentional: that these planar connections have some greater significance to the leaders of Driftdenn. Asked about the presence of the Feywild bleed in the city and the possible involvement of the Feywild Shadow Courts, Uramil confirms that the event mirrored the Feywild bleed in Iyo Thalor: the sound of voices, followed by an explosion and the sudden presence of fey creatures in the material plane. Learning that Herald the mothfolk remains in the forests outside of Iyo Thalor, Uramil expresses the wish to speak to him of his experience of the Feywild bleed. This leads to Ser explaining his anxiety about the safety of Iyo Thalor and its inhabitants, given the possibility that Driftdenn may intend to use Lockinge as a military base. After sussing out the archfey's motivations, Ser extends an invitation to visit Iyo Thalor. Uramil excitedly considers it.

The conversation turns to plans. Learning that Officer Richter Oliphant frequently spends time at a farm outside of the city with his grandmother Georgina rather than at his study in the windmill, the rest of the party decides to scope out the location while Lazuli discusses the Fey with the River King. Uramil reveals he knows of the presence of the hag Viola, and promises to provide written information on the entity before the party leaves Lockinge.

The party then sets about showing Uramil their favorite things. Nivien shows Uramil their Ser Declan the Gallant texts, explaining that having stories of their hero has been a magical experience akin to predestination. Abashed, Ser tells Nivien they will discuss this later. Xio then shows their ability to change their face, mimicking Uramil until the archfey dispels the tiefling’s magic. Ser shows his banner of the Ebon Eye, gifted by Lyla Alcott. He speaks of it as a legacy of his family of gallant knights. Echinacea shows Uramil the painting of themself and Lorian recovered from the Humble Abode and Uramil recognizes them both: during a previous foray into the material plane, Uramil visited Echinacea's small medical practice for the disenfranchised "The Belrose Medical Institute," located in the Wayvern Peaks. It is revealed that Lorian was the fate-touched of Corvaeth (the god formerly known as Corellon).

Noting Echinacea's distress, Uramil reveals his awareness of Corellon's corruptive influence over The Winterqueen Koliada, who is staying in Squall's End with her legion of corbeaure. Telling Echinacea that deals are a powerful tool when it comes to dealing with corbeaure, Uramil reveals that the Winter Court no longer exists, and hasn't since Koliada left for the material plane 56 years ago. Confused, Echinacea wonders why they were held prisoner there with Koliada gone. Uramil speculates it may have still functioned as a fortress for Koliada, despite the fact that she never returned there herself.

Lazuli then reveals her two favorite things: her driftglobe from Ishror and her journal of all of her adventures. As Uramil pours over her notes and drawings, the rest of the party leaves to investigate, giving the two fey space to converse. Lazuli tells Uramil of her amnesia and her role as a scout for Ishror. Asked what sort of fey he is, Uramil explains he is an archfey, made so when he was given his title. That said, one can also visit dangerous places of power called Wellsprings to become such a creature. Lazuli excitedly notes this.

Lazuli admits her anxiety around her fey heritage and her fear that she is a force for chaos and pain in the world. This makes Lazuli unsure that she belongs on the material plane. Uramil reassures her that, while oftentimes whimsical in nature, Fey are not innately good or bad. The chaotic actions taken by the Fey in the Iyo Thalor Feywild bleed were the frightened actions of entities ripped from their homes. To be Fey is not to be a monster. Uramil commiserates with Lazuli: he himself knows what it is to feel at odds with one’s prescribed roles. He reaffirms that Lazuli has the agency to decide who she is. Lazuli muses that while she enjoys cavorting with whimsy, she sees the paths forged with intention by her companions and wonders if she ought to be doing the same.

The conversation turns to a group in the Summer Court called the Wave Scouts. They travel the Feywild delivering messages from court to court. Lazuli looks strikingly similar to one such scout: a fairy named Aura Isledale. Shown a minor illusion of the woman, Lazuli is struck by the sight of a potential relative, and seeing that despite having no memory of where she came from, she is dressed in the same regalia as this person: as if Lazuli was drawn to pieces of her past life. Asked if she wants to do the tasks assigned by Ishror, Lazuli cautiously asserts that she does. Ishror’s scouting missions give her purpose. Uramil tells Lazuli that her purpose is allowed to change, if she wishes it. The decisions we make do not mark us for life. Lazuli quietly disagrees: some of them do.

Lazuli asks Uramil about deities who might be causing the celestial aura around her, sensed on the trip to Lockinge by Ser. Uramil is unsure, but suggests praying now that she knows the entity is present. Uramil remarks that Lazuli has people around her who wish to support her in her endeavors, prompting Lazuli to call the party "stars in her sky." Promising to reach out to Aura Isledale on Lazuli's behalf and to provide her documents on the Summer and Winter Courts, Uramil gives Lazuli space to reach out to this celestial presence.

The rest of the party scopes out the windmill. Ser is able to detect primordial energy emanating from within. Spotting a guard post at its entrance, Xio strikes up a conversation. The guard, Nikolai, seems to think the windmill is an entirely decorative office. He also seems to think it functions as a giant weathervane. Xio learns that work is being done within the windmill over the holidays, suggesting that there may be eyes on the orb. Knowing a spell that allows them to see into spaces without traversing them, Echinacea suggests they can assist the party in avoiding being seen.

Waiting for Lazuli, the party purchases outfits for the Harvesttide dance. Nivien leads this charge, grabbing fancier clothes for Lazuli as well as a formal leash for Sly. The party also buys spell components and a bookmark, while Ser decides not to sell his +1 Shield at the Tilted Anvil. Echinacea takes a moment to ask Keylin what his favorite thing is, since he didn't show the Runaway Prince anything. Keylin shows them the sword given to him by Christopher Elmsong. Asked how they are doing, Echinacea admits they're preoccupied with why they were held prisoner in the Winter Court for so long: were they too incompetent to escape? Did no one come looking for them? Keylin comforts Echinacea, assuring the aasimar that he would have looked for them.

Still waiting for Lazuli, Ser suggests that the party wait to reclaim the primordial current orb until after the Harvest Tide festivities. Afterwards, the party plans to have Lazuli, Echinacea, and Keylin keep an eye on the Solargarde outpost. There, Echinacea will cast Clairvoyance on the interior of the windmill while Xio, Nivien, and Ser infiltrate the building. Using the sending stones, the Solargarde group will keep the infiltration group posted on the movements both within the windmill and within the guardpost. Hoping to make dealing with the Solargarde easier, Xio suggests that the party sabotage the guards beforehand. Ser suggests that the party get the guards drunk during the festivities. Nivien excitedly recalls the tankard of sobriety they gave to Keylin, which can be used during the scheme.

Back in the temple, Lazuli sets about praying to the celestial entity Ser identified previously. At first, she attempts writing to this entity in her journal. When her initial prayer goes unanswered, Lazuli uses Misty Step for the first time, manifesting a scattering of celestial stars as she reappears in a grove beside the temple. Lazuli then finds herself in a liminal space, where a feminine voice says hello and introduces herself as Aureli, the Changebringer, and a fan of Lazuli's work. Asked what she wants from the world, Lazuli muses that either she either does not know what she wants or already has it.

Lazuli then asks what the Changebringer wants. Aureli says she wants people to be free, and wants to be free herself. Lazuli suggests freedom of the heart is a more difficult thing to attain than freedom of the body. Asked how she feels about change, Lazuli says it's an inevitability she embraces. She then asks if there is some task the Changebringer wishes her to complete. Aureli answers "no": that would be antithetical to her tenets. She does not assign responsibilities, but rather asks her followers to define their responsibilities for themselves. Lazuli calls Aureli wise not to meddle in the hearts of others.

Asked what keeps her going, Lazuli explains her curiosity propels her forward. That said, she flounders when it comes to having precise goals. Asked why this is, Lazuli explains she considers herself more of an observer than a player in the material plane 's business. The Changebringer charges Lazuli to assign value to something and pursue it. Lazuli explains she still has to learn what calls to her, noting she is tinkering less, as she has been blissfully distracted by her quests. The Changebringer suggests that the fairy can do both.

Aureli reveals her chosen form to the fairy ranger: a Halfling woman with wild red curls, deep green eyes, and a smattering of freckles. She explains she pays homage to the halflings that worship her by taking on their visage. Looking down at the Scorched Isle sash around her waist, Lazuli muses she does the same thing. When given one question to ask, Lazuli chooses to inquire about how to cultivate a relationship with Aureli. This question alone strikes the goddesses heart as not many mortals have asked such meaningful questions.

Araeli answers by telling the fairy to reach out in moments or change, adventure, excitement, and wonder. The two then agree to communicate through writing in Lazuli’s journal. With that, Lazuli and the Changebringer say their farewells and the fairy heads off to find her party. In town, the group sees the windmill briefly unguarded. Xio and Echinacea discuss the possibility of seeing just how long the guard rotation takes when Lazuli meets up with the others. She reveals that she spoke with Aureli and that they are friends. The party responds with varying degrees of awe and fills Lazuli in on their plan to get the guards drunk, so that the group can infiltrate the Windmill unimpeded. With that, the group prepares for the Harvest Tide festival. Xio is able to sense the warm and excited energy radiating from the citizens of Lockinge. With a critical insight check, they are also able to tell that the guards are already drinking and preparing for the night’s festivities. They inform the group of this, leading Echinacea to purchase 10 bottles of high proof liquor. The aasimar delivers it to the Solargarde, thanking them for their service and imploring them to take care of themselves, noting how unfair it is that they don’t get to enjoy the holiday. Successfully deceived, the guards thank Echinacea and begin drinking with gusto.

The party returns to the Humble Abode to prepare for the Harvest Tide dance, donning formwalwear adorned with flowers from Echinacea. During this time, Ser storms out of the abode, assuming that Jenn’s provocative outfit is a sexual advance. Nivien follows, leading the group and formulating a plan with the Tankard of Sobriety: every member of the party will use it while drinking with the Solargarde, encouraging the men to imbibe more. With that, all arrive at Wellman’s Square to celebrate before diving into their plan.

Xio takes the lead, rushing the dance floor and flailing in a wild dance of their own making. Keylin and Echinacea head to the dancefloor together and Lazuli reaches out to Ser, musing that she has found some understanding in the knightmarish paladin’s situation after her talks with Uramil and Aureli. Struggling for words, Ser just pulls her in and the two begin to dance. Xio rushes to Nivien and the bloodhunter hands off Sly’s leash to Jenn. Nivien, pulling Xio’s corset strings, asks if the tiefling has a type. Xio explains that he has many types, but the person he’d like to dance with isn’t there. To that, Nivien affirms that the two should continue dancing.

Euphoric as they recall the memory of dancing with Lorian, Echinacea unwittingly casts Light across the floor as they dance with Keylin, leaving glowing footprints in their wake. The two stumble over endearments and Keylin vows to be there for Echinacea and for their group. Noting nervousness, Echinacea asks what Keylin is feeling. Casting Heroism on himself, Keylin asks if Echinacea on a date. Taken aback, the aasimar hesitantly agrees before their vision falls to their wedding ring. Echinacea asks if it would be wrong and Keylin does his utmost to assure the aasimar it would not be. Expressing certainty that Keylin is a good person who would not steer them wrong, Echinacea agrees to the date. Keylin kisses the wizard’s hand and light emits from the spot kissed by the cleric.

Lazuli and Ser dance, the two silently sharing a look at seeing the happiness that Echinacea is emitting. No words are spoken, but the two quietly enjoy themselves, Lazuli flying to keep herself at eye level with Ser. Lazuli then dances with Nivien, thanking them for choosing her beautiful icy formalwear. The session ends with Xio dancing on Ser’s feet, the group readying themselves to enact their plan.

## Chapter 15 - You Shouldn't Have Said That

**The party defends Harvest Tide and make a friend.**
As the session begins, we do not pick up with our party. Instead, we pick up in a cramped office within the Nightingale Theatre located in the Driftdennian city of Narfolk. It is there where we meet Elizziora “Eli” Frisk, a theater house manager who has been given an opportunity to not only rise above their station, but to move up in the Perservium’s organization. At the request of Gale Umbridge, the leader of the Perservium, Eli is tasked with traveling to Lockinge and ensuring the the Primordial Current orb being held by one Captain Richter Oliphant is secure ahead of an acquisitions team. The Kender is being send two weeks before the Perservium's team and is told to update Gale on any movement or interference concerning the orb. Within the office of Gale, Eli is warned of Ishror and his Scout Lazuli. They are informed, in quite a dismissive fashion, that this job is not one without risk, and that the payday will be worth it. Without much more fanfare, Ms. Umbridge sends Eli off to Lockinge.

After days of travel, Eli finally arrives in Lockinge. Once there, the Kender is intent on finding the primordial orb. They begin investigating the Oliphant Windmill and are able to hear distant rustling upstairs. Moving quietly to try and investigate further, Eli sidles up next to the windmill. It is then when the bard is grabbed by an unseen entity and forcibly dragged inside the structure. Wow, Jesus Christ, Alec. What a way to bring in a guest you absolute dick. Anyway, we then find Echinacea, Lazuli, Nivien, Ser, and Xio at the Harvest Tide dance within Wellman’s Square. Now that the Solargade are drunk and happy thanks to the party, the group splits into two teams; Team Guard Watch consisting of Echinacea, Lazuli, and Keylin & Team Investigate consisting of Nivien, Ser, and Xio. Lazuli asks what the plan with the Orb is and if Xio is going to ‘touch’ it, meaning absorb it like they have the other orb. To which the Warlock asserts that that is indeed their goal. Both Team Guard Watch & Team Investigate take a sending stone, Ser and Niven are made invisible, and Echinacea uses the Clairvoyance spell to look inside the Oliphant Windmill once Team Investigate has arrived onsite.

With their magical sensor now inside the structure, the aasimar moves to scope out the space and inform Team Investigate of any danger. The first two floors are cleared but on the third, what looks like a personal library, Echinacea finds four individuals holding a Kender, Eli, hostage. Inside the room, a Tiefling man interrogates Eli and demands to know why they are in the Windmill and who exactly sent them. Skillfully deceiving the four and ensuring that this is all one big mistake, Eli is grabbed and told to leave the windmill. It is either that or their life. As she is moved up, Eli’s bag falls and her written orders from Ms. Umbridge are revealed to the assailants. Upon reading it, an Orcish Mage taps a sigil on his chest and orders a hidden group to initiate the distraction to ensure no Solargarde make it to the Windmill. Acting quickly, Echinacea uses their sending stone to inform Nivien, Ser, and Xio of the dangers on floor three. Back in the square, Lazuli, Echinacea, and Keylin see as a large stone creature forms from the earth and four more assailants jump from the bushes. At that moment, split party combat begins.

Throughout this combat we weave between the conflict in the Oliphant Windmill and the defense of the Harvest Tide dance in Wellman’s square. Eli, Nivien, Ser, and Xio assess the group holding the Kender hostage and have a bit of a standoff. After Ser reveals that the group has their own objective in the tower, an Orcish mage mutters **“You shouldn’t have said that.”** and the battle truly begins. As Eli, Ser, and Nivien combat three opponents, the Tiefling leader of this group spots Xio and the two share a deep gaze, both seeing something strange yet familiar. Xio sees the form of a large spectral tiger-like creature while Redickted seems to recognize something within Xio. Intrigued, the Tiefling moves his focus solely on Xio. Isteris in that moment, voice shaking, warns his Warlock that they need to retrieve the orb before this Tiefling can. With that known; Nivien tries their best to harry the opposition, Ser stands firm as massive damage is dealt to him, and Eli jumps in to aid the party with her Bardic skills.

In Wellman’s Square we see as the heavily inebriated Solargarde form a flanking position around the large stone construct while Echinacea, Keylin, and Lazuli ready themselves for a fight against the hidden assailants. As one of the orcish mages cockily states that the group can hide without judgment, Echinacea immediately takes the verbal offensive by asking why attack a dance in the first place. With no answer given, the fight goes on with tensions high. Echinacea flexes their magical kit to contend with the casters as well as supporting their allies, Lazuli sets up magical hazards on the field while flying high and taking shots with her pistol, and Keylin soaks up damage while offering healing as well as some magically infused offense. Team Guard Watch exhibits incredible tactics and contends with the four assailants with relative ease. The same could be said for the Solargarde who, despite their drunk status, are absolutely doing their job of defending Lockinge.

With combats set, we weave back and forth a bit and here are some good and important moments to note:

* Echinacea’s Counterspell swallows a Shatter spell and emits a burp in the face of an enemy. Incredible flavoring!
* Lazuli casts Spike Growth and impedes the enemies movement. Helping set up Team Guard Watch for success.
* Redickted calls Xio by name, clearly gaining knowledge from their shared connection to the Primordial current. This changes the tone of the Windmill fight as Redickted focuses on and viciously taunts Xio.
* Nivien uses their quick wit and combat tactics to try and change up the course of the fight. Playing with their invisibility and trying to command the field.
* Eli quickly finds a rhythm with Ser, Niv, and Xio as they offers bardic managerial support and magical utility.
* Ser falls unconscious but is quickly tended to by Nivien’s Spare the Dying.
* Echinacea appeals to the humanity of one of the assailants and after the Solargarde defeats the construct, their words inspire more than one of them to surrender. They are then taken into Solargarde custody.
* Lazuli reduces the size of this group's leader who refuses to surrender and he is locked in a small cage by the Officer Nikolai.

In the windmill, the fight becomes a chase as Xio rushes towards the orb with Redickted hot on his trail. Calling on Isteris for guidance, moss grows on the walls - leading Xio directly to the orb. The rogue dashes forward towards their goal. Redickted *quickly* follows suit and dashes forward. Just short of Xio, he misty steps directly next to the young tiefling and tries to get them to stop their pursuit. Screaming and taunting Xio as he arrives. The mysterious Tiefling’s eyes spark an ember-like orange. Redickted then plays on Xio's insecurities, telling him that he has to protect his family, calling Aio and Aiolus by name. The Tiefling then states that Xio doesn’t have to die here. As combat ends in the square, Echinacea uses their sending stone to check on Xio. Redickted looks and cockily changes his phrasing. Now saying family *and* friends to worry about, he insinuates that the party will face danger here as well. The two tieflings land in the bedroom of Captain Richter Oliphant and both individuals feel the resonant presence of the orb. More taunting in tow, Redickted reveals that he has the elemental Balith as well as the Ilwynar on his side. Deducing that this only leaves Isteris and Halitus as Redickted's opposition.

Back in Wellman’s Square, Echinacea reads the weave to cast Conjure Animals as eight phoenix-like birds appear and fly the Wizard, Ranger, and Cleric to the Windmill. They fly forth, all in hopes of supporting their allies. The three manage to catch up with Ser, Nivien, and Eli who are also making their way upstairs to help Xio. Ser, Niv, and Eli managed to deal with their remaining enemies and rush to the stairway, Ser being the only member of the party to do so leathally. Closing the distance, the rest of the party is together and hot on the heels of Xio. Back in the room of Captain Oliphant, Xio casts Darkness as they reach under the bed and manage to grasp the box containing the highly coveted Orb. In getting to it first, Xio has successfully retrieved a second Primordial Current Orb. As it is absorbed, Xio is struck with a vision of Isteris and Halitus. The two primordial beings argue about who should access the current and use it. Isteris states his unwillingness to share this primordial magic with mortal planers while Halitus is adamant that the source of magic was *made* to be shared. The chapter ended as Isteris raises his staff to Halitus and the vision cuts to black.

## Chapter 18 - Not Alone

**Viola and the Fallout of choices.**
We pick up with Echinacea, Eli, Lazuli, Nivien, Ser, and Xio locked in a tense combat with the Death Hag Viola. As the Fated Five and company contend with Viola, they quickly experience the wide array of skills that this hag possesses. Vicious combat prowess, a wide array of necromantic magicks (including at will Shields… that bitch), and occult powers capable of temporarily banishing creatures to the ethereal plane. On top of all of that, Viola boasts a considerable and terrifying power that emits from her hut. With the macabre stage set, the group moves in to fend off the violent Death Hag.

With tensions high, we see the group utilizing their specific kits to face off against the Death Hag. Nivien calls upon their fearsome familiar to control the field and maneuver in a pinch as they swap places, avoiding being banished to the ethereal plane. Xio and Lazuli try to use their ranged attacks, both magical and mundane, to chip away but Viola proves to be quite the resilient entity. Ser contends with the two remaining Envy constructs and Phantom Warrior, shielding his allies with his eldritch abilities when able. Echinacea circles atop a phoenix offering aerial support to their allies while delivering massive radiant damage to Viola, discovering the hag’s vulnerability. Eli moves across the field and uses her Bardic skills to inspire and assist those around her.

The fight is long and over the course of the bout, Xio, Nivien, and Eli go unconscious. Luckily they have the likes of Echinacea, Lazuli, and Keylin to help them get back up. Round after round, Viola unleashes vicious attacks, cruel magic, and even utilizes the power of death itself to restore vitality to herself. Even with all of these skills, Viola fails to keep up with the party. Her physical form begins to shred and fall apart like a stuffed doll. Seam after seam tearing as Viola is dealt irreparable damage by rapid radiant strikes. With the end in sight, Echinacea makes one more appeal to the hag. They inform Viola that they do not *want* her to die, and the aasimar then pleads with her to release the curses. Viola, eerily confident, denies to do so. The hag noting that plans are already in place and that her death wont change what is coming. Fueled by rage, Xio forcefully asserts to Echinacea that not everyone will do things because of a kind word. The tiefling affirms their belief in this moment: Viola has to go down, she has to die.

After this exchange the fight forges on. Given that Viola did not have much left, it isn’t long before Ser is able to land the killing blow on the Death Hag. As she dies, the group sees Viola’s eyes shift from the Green and Gold heterochromia to a light pale Blue. Her body then shreds into nothing, the battle is won. Given that, there is still tenseness in the air.

Once combat ends, Eli, Echinacea, and Keylin heal the party’s wounds. Xio jumps off the roof of the hut as they do so and uses his lockpicks to enter the death hag’s home to investigate. There, Xio discovers a strange obsidian heart. Xio smells the heart but, gleaning nothing from the scent, leaves it be.  Eli and Nivien follow Xio off the roof, Nivien helping by carrying the kender and not setting them down. Eli blushes furiously throughout.

Still atop the hut, Echinacea approaches Lazuli and sees that the fairy’s eyes are still affected by hagrot. Asked how she is feeling, Lazuli explains she is tired and ashamed, having been unable to land a single shot on Viola. Echinacea tries to console Lazuli and informs the ranger that her hagrot still remains. Questioned about their own feelings, Echinacea reluctantly shares their anxiety with Lazuli that the killing of Viola may in fact not have accomplished anything, but instead may have fed the death hag. Meanwhile, Ser looks for anything left behind by Viola, but her accouterments seem to have disappeared along with the body of the death hag. Ser, Lazuli, Echinacea, and Keylin join the others in the hut.

Detecting Magic, Echinacea senses restorative magic from the obsidian heart discovered by Xio. They recognize it as a Heartstone, an item that provides access to Etherealness and, more importantly, cures any disease. Excitedly, Echinacea explains this to the group and suggests that Lazuli could use the Heartstone if she wishes to cure her hagrot. Asked if she would like her hagrot cured, Lazuli says she would not want to lose the gifts given to her by Viola. Incredulous, Xio asks why Lazuli would want to keep those gifts. Lazuli explains that these gifts allow her to be more helpful and grant her more powers, but she remains uncertain. Explaining that the Heartstone can be used every thirty days, Echinacea reassures Lazuli that she can hold off on using it now, safe in the knowledge that she can always change her mind and use the Heartstone later. Lazuli suggests that the Heartstone be used on Elizabeth or Lucien first.

Xio asks if they can be honest with Lazuli. Before receiving an answer, he continues that he’s going to be regardless: Lazuli was worried about Xio’s connection with Isteris and Halitus and how it could hurt Xio and others. If the tables were turned right now, would Lazuli want Xio to heal themself with the Heartstone? Lazuli insists the situation is different, as she now has more access to healing spells. Echinacea asks Xio if they have severed their connection to Isteris and Halitus. Xio replies no, prompting Echinacea to suggest that it would not be fair to judge Lazuli for being unsure. Xio says they are not judging Lazuli about that. Lazuli tries to reassure Xio by explaining that the terms of her agreement with Viola were very clearly laid out: there is a finite amount of time. If Lazuli does not collect certain items within six months, both the curse and the powers granted to her will go away. Lazuli then apologizes to Xio for the discomfort he may feel about their bargain, assuring she wants to help everyone the way Eli does. It is at this point that Nivien finally sets Eli down. (Niv was distracted.)

Still on the subject of Viola, Xio says she called Ser inhuman and was going to kill the party. Xio rounds on Echinacea, furious with them for considering sparing Viola. Before Xio can finish a sentence scolding Echinacea for seeing what Viola was capable of, Echinacea shouts that death feeds Viola. The party fed her by doing so. Xio insists there was no other choice. Echinacea firmly asserts there is always a choice. Xio insists that every choice ended in death: every road ended in the party dying or Viola dying. When Echinacea disagrees and says they believe in life, Xio insists they do too. With the single word “clearly,” Echinacea leaves the hut. Nivien turns to Lazuli and tells her that if she hasn’t felt the burden of the curse and its cost, it may be too soon to decide whether or not to cure it. Nivien then follows Echinacea out of the hut.

Ser raises a hand after Echinacea, but lets it drop and decides to investigate in order to clarify what he sees as a murky situation. Ser’s armor goes partially ethereal as he uses Divine Sense, seeking out objects or enchantments beyond the heart that may give off a signature. Ser senses a strong fey and undead signatures beneath the floorboards of the hut. With the aid of Ser’s Divine Sense, Eli and Keylin identify a hatch underneath a desk. With Ser’s aid, the three uncover a trapdoor leading to a subterranean space. Seeing Xio fuming, Eli takes out a thermos of coffee and tries to hand it to them. When Xio does not take it, Eli sets the open thermos on the ground in the hopes that Xio might change their mind.

Outside, Echinacea tries to ground themself by being useful. They discover that Viola was reading Fairytales of Aeyosha and a Ser Declan the Gallant text. Nivien catches up with them and Echinacea takes the opportunity to note the changes in Nivien: notably the change in their eye color and the raven they now summon. Nivien explains that they are now the Champion of the Matron of Ravens, prompting Echinacea to insist the Matron could not have picked a better champion. Nivien says they would not be here if not for Echinacea and asks if they want to talk about the argument in the hut. Echinacea somberly asks Nivien if they think death is the only choice. Not anymore. They did, but not anymore. Nivien assures Echinacea there are a great number of choices, especially when Echinacea is around.

Clearly regretful, Echinacea admits they wish the party had fled and learned more about Viola. They open up to Nivien about their anxiety with their amnesia: they do not know in what ways their old self might have been a pawn. Echinacea hates the thought that the party became Viola’s pawns today. Nivien agrees that the situation does not feel as resolved as they might hope and that there is a great deal the party does not understand. Musing on the situation, Nivien asks what Viola’s reason could have been. What did the death hag want? Echinacea repeats Viola’s statement that everything is in place. They fear Lazuli might have a place in that, but there may be more: Viola should not have known the party’s names, but somehow she did. Viola knew the party was coming, and she wanted the party to come. She seemed to know the party would try to solve the issue with violence. Nivien suggests it could be argued that the party saved a great many lives, and that the group will find answers. Echinacea agrees, and notes they do not think the party is “bad” - they worry that they may have made bad things worse. Nivien assures them that some things have to get worse before they get better. That Lazuli will be alright. That all of this may be interconnected, and that this may be the workings of fate. Stalwart, Nivien states that if this was a mistake, the party will right it. Together, they can fix anything. Echinacea puts their faith in Nivien. With the mutual assurance that they are not alone, Nivien and Echinacea hug and return to the hut.

Inside the hut, Keylin sits beside a still fuming Xio. Keylin assures Xio it is okay to feel their feelings. Xio insists they do not need to be patronized. Keylin insists he is not, and Xio says they were not talking about Keylin. Xio finds it upsetting to be patronized over their beliefs regarding life. The warlock insists that “it should be about the balance of life and death.” Keylin tries to assert people are allowed to have different beliefs, to which Xio is unreceptive. They insist it is simple: believing everything out there deserves a chance to speak comes to the detriment of their own safety. Keylin asks if Xio believes the same about the situation Xio is in with Isteris. Xio tells Keylin that Isteris is not in control right now, prompting Keylin to ask what Xio will do when Isteris is in control and asks Xio to do something Xio does not want to do. Xio says they know Isteris wants things that Xio doesn’t want - to destroy Sunwall and everyone involved in it - but Xio told him “no.” Keylin suggests that in doing so, Xio is fighting for the same thing Echinacea is. Xio does not want Isteris to die: they want to save him. Xio angrily demands that Keylin not compare Isteris to Viola. Keylin pushes back: Isteris wants to raise a city and kill its inhabitants. Xio is adamant: Isteris is not Viola. He is not taking pleasure in death. He’s in pain. That is the difference. Keylin suggests that one day, Isteris will not be in pain. When that happens, if Isteris still wants to kill the people of Sunwall, what makes him different in that moment from Viola? Xio has no answer.

Keylin reaffirms that he does not judge Xio for how Xio lives, but he goes on to express the hope that Xio does not judge Keylin for never having taken a life. Xio asks what that means for those in the party who have taken a life. Keylin reaffirms that it just means that everyone has their own way. Despite those different ways, Keylin considers everyone in the party his friend. Exasperated, Xio shouts they don’t understand why this is so complicated. The way they see it, Viola would have killed the group. It doesn’t matter that the party walked into it. It doesn’t matter that Viola got what she wanted. When it comes down to it, the party had to protect themselves. Xio asks Keylin what he would have done if he was the last one standing. Keylin replies that he does not know, as he has never been in that situation before. Xio tells Keylin he doesn’t feel safe if the last person standing isn’t willing to kill. Eli chimes in that the coffee sure smells good. Keylin takes pity on Eli’s efforts and drinks from the endless decanter of coffee, breaking the tension. He follows Ser into the subterranean space, but not before reminding Xio that people are allowed to be different. It’s how we choose to act regarding those differences that matters.

Ser takes point as the party regroups in the subterranean space below Viola’s hut, noting the heavy presence of necromancy as he proceeds. Ser first sees a dormant teleportation circle, but his eye is immediately drawn to an awful, eerie sight: cages holding skeletal remains and a wall to ceiling-sized green heart, beating and full of bodies. The heartbeat, Ser realizes, is dying. The party realizes that death hags gain their power from creating covens and consuming them, absorbing their power into their hearts and living off the remnants of their sisters. Eli searches for someone who might still be able to be saved, but learns that the only means of saving any of these consumed sisters is via resurrection. Ser steps up to the heart and casts Ceremony, invoking a funeral rite as a means of sending Viola’s victims to a final resting place. As Ser does so, his cape begins to billow of his own accord. Much like Ser’s encounter with Tyrlamir, there is a moment where the veil between the material plane and the beyond becomes closer. This time, however, Ser is able to exert some degree of control. As the gateway between the mortal coil and the planes beyond draw nearer to each other, the spirits dive from the material to the beyond.

Green flame jets from Ser’s pauldron as the spectral form of an owl sits beside him. From a greeve, a little mousekin emerges and sits beside Ser: Gimmick, the Ebon Eye ranger recalled from Ser’s fateful venture to Illynbelle half a century ago. Gimmick assures Ser he is doing something beautiful. Ser muses that death is not the end. But there needs to be a way to free those who have been locked. Gimmick assures Ser there is always another way, to which Ser agrees. Gimmick stands in quiet commiseration with Ser before admitting he was always so afraid of Ser Declan. He was so strong, large, and in charge. Gimmick saw in Illynbelle that Ser Declan never wavered, becoming Gimmick’s hero. Beyond death, Ser is still that hero. Just in new ways. For once, Ser takes the compliment and rests a hand on Gimmick’s shoulder. Ser thanks Gimmick for living for the Ebon Eye, and is glad Gimmick found peace. The mousefolk tells Ser he is still rooting for him. Heartened, Ser says there is still much to do. Gimmick agrees: still much to be done. In that moment, Ser takes his first step down the Gallant path of his prelude. By the end of the ceremony, each of the skeletons turns to dust and the heart stops beating. The magic of the space fades.

As the group investigates the space, Xio uses their lockpicking skills to open a large chest in the back of the cavern. Inside, Xio finds a collection of trick weapons almost tailor made for the group… cause they were. Selecting Simon's bowblade for himself, Xio informs the party of his discovery before heading above ground and playing with the bow and discovering it can transform into a scimitar. As he passes Keylin, Xio notes that Keylin has killed before, citing Keylin taking down the construct summoned by Viola. Back at the chest, Nivien finds a longsword that transforms into a great hammer, Ser finds a halberd that transforms into a kite shield glaive combo, Lazuli finds a rapier that transforms into an arcane pistol, and Echinacea finds a dagger that transforms into an arcane blade. Eli finds a Reveler’s Concertina inside the chest as well.

As Ser’s ceremony is completed, Lazuli, Echinacea, and Ser ponder what to do about the teleportation circle. While discussing the possibility of keeping an eye on the circle, Lazuli asks if there was anyone they could ask to check in on the space. As Lazuli mentions Kasimir or Ishror, Echinacea has an idea - Kasimir can scry on the space. With that, the aasimar grabs their sending stone and calls the elder mage. When he answers, Kasimir is clearly tired and overwhelmed as he shouts for \*someone\* to calm down. It is revealed that Lucien has been cured of his Hagrot. His body is more healthy and his eyes are a deep brassy brown. Clearly excited, Echinacea notes that they will check in with him later.

When it is made clear that the group has defeated Viola, Kasimir offers his congratulations. Echinacea asks if Kasimir is able to Scry on them (and therefore the subterranean space). He can and he does! While looking at the space, with I miss you’s exchanged, Kasimir reveals that Death Hags seek out and install successors; anyone with Hagrot can become a Death Hag. There is momentary panic for Lazuli, but thankfully the relationship has to be agreed upon between the Hag and Successor (Lazuli has not agreed to become a death hag). Regarding the issue at hand, Kasimir offers to reach out to some friends to check out the circle. After ensuring Echinacea and the group’s safety, and being told to let Lucien enjoy himself, Kasimir says his goodbye.

Now the group goes about investigating the space. Echinacea finds a map with Iyo Thalor, Aldengate, and Sunwall circled. The astute aasimar also finds a few books: a book of Shenthyr Social Etiquette and a book of Lineages. They take both. Nivien voices concern that the trick weapons they’ve received may be cursed but thankfully they are not. Eli, curious about the state of life and death, looks for items relating to Viola’s humanity. The bard finds a family portrait hidden in the mess of a desk. It depicts a dwarven man, a half-elven woman, and three children. While the family looks happy, the woman holds this look of yearning and ambition. With a smile, her eyes hunger for more. The image is a couple hundred years old.

Eli reaches out to Echinacea and shows them the image. Both affirm that it must be Viola in her life before becoming a Hag. In this time, Echinacea offers to help Eli find contentment in their journeys together. Smiling and looking down, Eli affirms that they think they’re already heading in the right direction and that the aasimar has already helped on this path. A path of self discovery, one that resonates with Echinacea. The wizard then tells Eli to talk to Lazuli as they share some things in common, gesturing towards the necklace of Araeli.

Before leaving the space, Ser, Lazuli, and Echiancea discuss the strategy regarding the teleportation circle. After Ser aptly explains that the party won't be able to diligently watch or monitor the space, the trio opts to destroy the teleportation circle’s sigil. The session ends as it is destroyed and the group settles into the space to take a long rest.