The Enclave and Modipious Travel

**The Enclave and Modipious Travel** is the fifty eighth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party send off the Holy Enclave to deal with the Corpse Flower and continue their travels to the *Sra'jess Hot Springs*.

## The Enclave and Modipious Travel

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Don't forget - Mak is leading Ian, Haelley and Zach through an all new adventure in *Mist Connections*. Using the *City of Mist RPG* rule set, enter a world where myths and legends come to life!
* No stream September 27th, as everyone returns from *New Jersey Web Fest!* And Darrin moves the ABSQ headquarters into his new house
	+ We will be live the first two weeks of October but will be taking a break as a new mini-series airs!
* Catch *The Edensong Chronicles* on Oct 20th and 27th as Haelley, Jeremy and Sam dive into *DISASTER/WING,* a Forged in the Dark hack about mechs in space!

### **Summary**

As the flash of light left and the cherry blossom petals fell to the ground, the three individuals within the space between the party and Gio became clearer, one wearing a dark blue robe and orange sash, flanked by the two knights, one clearly and Earth Genasi and the other an Orc, in full plate armor with decorative emblems of the two suns that marked them as the Holy Enclave. The blue robed one in the middle pulled their hood back revealing their short dark hair, ears that were pointed more then any regular Elf that also curled back and eyes that were a fully pale green color asked Gio what he meant by there being a problem and Gio said to ask party for answers. The woman asked the party what the problem was and Quincy and RX summarized about the undead in the woods of the swamp, the large flower and how it had recently been bolstered by the horde of goblins. The woman asked if they had seen it themselves and Sterling stepped forward, cast *Encode Thoughts* and *Minor Illusion* to show the memory of what he saw, explaining the finer details of what happened. The woman asked to see the code, absorbed it within herself to see it and noted it was disturbingly interesting and when Sterling noted his fears the town would be next agreed with him, called Batharin and Canix, her two knights to attention, directed them to the location of the swamp and to deal with it. Alaerith paused them momentarily to warn how the Corpse Flower would shudder when attacked that they didn't understand but should be wary of and the woman gave her theory that it did so to dilute any force or damage it took of all kinds before assuring her men would be able to handle it and sent them on their way.

The woman then thanked the party for their attempt, assured them that as an Arcus she had authority to handle it from there and gave them a bag of 600 gold for their troubles from the *Skorian Empire*. The woman suggested the Corpse Flower might have travelled up from the *Mist Waters*, noting though it was a bit of a long travel journey from there to here and would have people check the land to be sure nothing was going wrong. Quincy asked if she had seen instances of undead appearing like that and she said she had in the *Mist Waters*, noting it was between *Kra’Kash* and *Su’Hish* and had a bog that made land travel more difficult so travellers had to go entirely around it. The Arcus added that she had been trying to deal with the problem for as long as she has been Arcus without being successful and when Quincy asked what they had tried noted core Enclave members were good at terraforming and Geomancy and neither had is stopped it and noted the worry it would keep expanding if not dealt with. Yashani activated *Ob's Charm* to say it sounded like the *Maltrop Strip* before Sterling asked how long it had been expanding for. The Arcus said ever since the time of the *Skorian Empire*, even in her lifetime, but added some people had volunteered to check and hadn't come back the past 75 - 100 years. Sterling thanked her before activating *Ob’s Charm* and noted they were confident it wasn't related to the their problems with the Order of Ruin and Quincy added if they were lucky it was just a natural phenomenon that generally sucked.

The Arcus asked for the party’s paperwork, having observed their use of magic and Sterling readily handed it over. The Arcus noted her surprise that it was signed by the Admiral, as Nilex was quite far up the political ladder, asked what they were doing in the area and as there wasn't a lot of jobs there and Quincy claimed they were visiting friends of the family, citing they had been at sea a little too long. The Arcus asked where they docked and Quincy hand waved the question before saying ship was quite a distance and that the party walked a little far. The Arcus called it understandable and when Sterling asked if they were needed any longer said once Batharin and Canix returned they would go back to *Rillasehje.* Quincy asked if there was any issue with them leaving as they were in a bit of a time crunch and she said she did not believe so before apologizing for delaying them. Quincy said the conversation was enlightening, how they were previously unaware of such a pervasive issue in the middle of the *Skorian Empire* and when the Arcus said there were many issues they do not tell the public to avoid hysteria agreed the party would not open their mouths on it. RX noted he didn't even have a mouth and the Arcus took one long look at RX before she apologized for her candor and introduced herself as Arcus Malasana. RX managed to figure that she hadn't asked more about what RX was was likely due to their paperwork and being guild members. Malasanas apologized for keeping them again and noted she should check on knights before she fell backwards into the cherry blossom petals and vanished in them.

Sterling heaved from relief and when Quincy said they needed to learn to chill out reiterated they watched so many things died and was on the verge of a brain aneurysm. Quincy told him to take deep breaths as Alaerith said he understood his feeling. Sterling change the topic to how much gold they had recieved and when Yashani dryly replied she thought she would have a brain aneurysm that Sterling used magic in front of one of the highest authorities in the *Skorian Empire* some of the party commented they were grateful they had paperwork these days and agreed that at least Sterling didn’t bring out Tollanessa. Sterling noted he was learning restraint and Yashani explained the more attention they drew to themselves, the less comfortable she was as she did not want the eye of the Holy Enclave on her.

The party went way to Modipious Travel, the horse stable they had been directed to outside of Pollen & Powder’s shop, and found the building appeared more softened than the traditional *Skorian Empire* architecture, reminding Sterling of the buildings he had seen in pictures from *Gilesha*. The party discussed how many horses they would need, but eventually decided to figure that out once they knew how much it would all cost. Sterling asked if anyone knew how to ride a horse and displayed amazement when Quincy said they did from when they were young. They headed inside, found a counter and when RX called for service a dark red-brown skinned Elf, similar to Ember in *Nij’a*, but also bald and a little short welcomed them and asked what they wanted. Sterling requested six of their best horses, along with saddles and a couple days of feed, for three days of travel to the *Sra'jess Hot Springs* with dropping the horses to *Vayilcor*, and the Elven man offered, including a cart to carry the food for the horses, all together would cost them *185 gold*. When the party became confused over the price, asking even the cost of three horses instead, Quincy tried to offer that for a discount the party could also take something up north for the man, but the man explained the price was because they requested their best horses. Quincy asked for their standard ones and offered six standard horses for *90 gold* or three horses, including a cart, would be *75 gold*.

Sterling enquired as they were dropping off the horses in *Vayilcor* in full health if they could negotiate for a 10 gold discount and the man explained that there was a 10 gold episode per horse that would be returned when the horses were dropped of. Quincy asked what the success rate was for returning the horses and the man said about 92%, noting most people didn't hire them to do stupid things, though now and then there were. Sterling told the group that the six horses were likely the better deal, but when Quincy offered that the six horses meant more feed for them explained that having the six meant they would get more money back and out less. Quincy admitted Sterling proved several times he was smart and would trust his math and when the group agreed on it RX offered that they would take the six horses. Alaerith asked what the difference was between the standard and better horses and the man said their best horses could travel a good jog pace for three to four days without stopping. Sterling asked how that compared to the standard and he explained their standards travelled 12 hours before needing to rest. The party agreed, while impressive and could be used in the future if they needed and had more gold, they didn't require it for the moment and settled for the standards. The gentleman noted that it was wise and they didn't sound like they were in a bad scenario and Quincy pointedly replied *"yet"*. The man said that disturbed him, but Quincy told him not to worry about it. The party paid *90 gold* and offers *one copper* as a tip, which Quincy was happy to see the effort but added *two gold* of their own stash as well. The man accepted the tip tiredly and told them the horses would be affixed with saddle bags for their feed and would be ready in the next 20 or so minutes before he left them alone.

As soon as the man was gone Quincy asked Alaerith if he still had the magic stone Galatea had given him, excitedly wanting to know their horses’ names when they went and Alaerith, already having the item at the ready, pulled *Galatea's Gift* from his pocket, citing that he was thinking ahead to check which horse was up to carrying RX as he is the heaviest. RX asked if he should be offended but the others assured him it was an observation and that being dense and heavy was what makes him so good. Yashani added that if he was made of flesh it would likely have been more of a burden on the horse. Kaz offered that from *The Wandered Eye* they had a saying that “size doesn’t matter”, causing several party members to balk in embarrassment, but when RX asked in confusion to explain Alaerith left to go outside. Sterling sidled up to Quincy and said he wondered why they wore such tall boots, noting they looked like polo boots might have been worn to not chafe the horse and Quincy assured him that was not the case, that they learned to ride as a child, that the boots were simply sturdy and good for being at sea. Sterling mumbled that she could wear overalls instead and Yashani, hearing the topic of clothing, left, soon followed by everyone else.

The Elven man soon brought their horses which included a brown horse with a black mane, a brown and white speckled horse, a white horse, a black horse, a grey horse and a brown horse with a gold mane. As Sterling immediately called dibs on the one with the golden mane Quincy asked if anyone needed help to ride their horse. RX raises his hand, while Alaerith said he would ask his one for help, and Quincy offered to demonstrate, confidently approached the grey speckled horse, swung up on the horse and explained the best approach to do so. RX headed to the black horse and Yashani, who also initially wanted the black one, chose the white horse as it matched her mask. As RX struggled to get onto the black horse Sterling headed to the blond one, cast *Enhance Ability : Eagle's Splendor* on it and also swung up on it. Yashani also managed to get on hers, while RX, in spite of Quincy's help, still continued to struggle. Quincy suggested he use his telekinetic powers to jump on to it and RX noted he would likely kill the horse coming down from such a huge height. Alaerith approached RX's horse, activated *Galatea's Gift* to cast *Speak with Animals*, asked the horse to allow a way for RX to get on and when the horse happily kneeled down on its front legs RX easily swung his leg over and sit in the saddle. Alaerith asked about his name and the names of the other horses and the black horse introduced itself as Ichibod before giving the other's names -

* The brown horse with the black mane was Jameson
* The white horse, ridden by Yashani, was Atlas
* The brown and white speckled horse was Chester, adding that Chester didn't like to talk a lot
* The grey speckled horse, ridden by Quincy, was Oswald, adding he was a cantankerous bugger at times
* The brown horse with the gold mane, ridden by Sterling, was Coraline, adding she was Oswald's sister

Alaerith gave his name when Ichibod asked for it and gave his excitement of meeting someone blue for the first time. Alaerith said he could get back up before he returned to as Kaz and asked who she preferred out of Chester or Jameson and, after learning it wasn’t offensive to say a horse was a horse chose Chester, made her way to him and managed to get on top of him. Alaerith made his way to Jameson, asked for him to allow a way to get on easier and when Jameson allowed him while also excitedly mentioning they never met anyone who was blue before laughed it off just happy to have met them all. Once everyone was on their horse Alaerith checked with the horses that they were ready and they all collectively said yes. Quincy and Sterling gave more tips on horseback riding, telling them to mostly just hang on and let them lead as the horses would mostly just follow whoever was in the lead. Sterling made his way first, followed by Alaerith after informed Jameson he would only be able to speak for a little while more, followed by the rest of the party.

They enjoyed mostly pleasant weather out of *Su’Hish* and a fairly clear path ahead of them. Kaz eventually came up alongside Quincy, commented that Sterling looked a bit like the men on the covers of the romance novels the girls used to read at *The Wandered Eye,* but Quincy jokingly told her to hush to not to let Sterling hear. Sterling did manage to overhear and after joking back, dropped back to ask Quincy where a “privateer” learned to ride a horse at such a young age. Quincy said they grew up near a stable and that their Nana taught them how, with Sterling or Kaz believing it at face value, and while both heard some of the words ring true Sterling, who watched the way Quincy rode very closely as they talked, noticed that Quincy rode in a particular way, much like how an aristocrat or noble would. Sterling, noting that he recognized the way Quincy rode, suggested Quincy lean further back as aristocrats didn't tend to ride for a long time and might may start to cause discomfort and Quincy, a little unsettled, took the advice and thanked Sterling for the tip. The tense moment was broken as RX rode past at high speed, fully sideways in his saddle and after some comments from the group on it Yashani moved to help him back up properly.

Later in their travel, as the sun started to dip into evening time Alaerith recognized they were close to farmland area in *A’jigisha* where he and Yashani, along with Seren and Tabernacle first met and where they were asked to find Anastasia, the missing child taken by the ghasts. The party eventually stopped for the night and Sterling, after finding a clearing and cast *Galdur’s Tower,* making a bottom level that replicated a stable for the horses, a level above for bedrooms and the top level with a washroom space to bathe, clean up and relax. As RX wandered off to attempt to recreate his igloo from outside *Nij’a* with mud in the swampy land Sterling explained the top level was inspired by a room he found at the monastery and the bathhouses he knew were popular in *Gilesha*. Quincy asked if he had ever been to *Gilesha* and Sterling noted he had only ever read about it, but hoped to one day as it was a dream for him to go there and that not a lot of people made it out of the *Puhan Trading Company*. Quincy asked if anyone would be willing to help them make a bullet tonight and when Sterling wondered if they could make a bullet with innate magic like Alaerith’s commented that they had never tried and asked Alaerith if he would like to help make a *Polymorph* bullet. Alaerith a little distracted, noted he was aware where they would pass through when Quincy asked if he was alright, but eventually agreed to help make the bullet. Quincy suggested they stay outside as magic and gunpowder were still volatile even if they had learned how to do it better with practice. Meanwhile Kaz made a little distance from the group to ritual cast *Find Familiar* and summoned Boris back again.

Yashani headed to the bathing room, stripped from her sweaty and dirty clothes and sunk into the hot water to ease her sore muscles. Sterling soon awkwardly joined her awkwardly, as he realized she was naked, though Yashani assured him there was nothing wrong with getting clean after everything they had to do today. Sterling admitted he didn’t entirely think about this when he created the room, keeps his eyes towards the ceiling or down at his own feet as he eventually sat on the opposite side of the tub, partially stripped but covered himself with a towel. Sterling asked if he and Yashani could talk for a moment, wondered if everything was alright between them and admitting he felt a bit of animosity from her. He admitted that he didn't feel like a real member in the group, that he helped sometimes and knew this was not be the time or place to be worrying about relationships in the group. Yashani said that she held no ill will against him, that he made her nervous with the way he confidently expressed himself in situations that were perilous and challenged what she knew in a way she hadn't experienced and Sterling argued that it was not really confidence, just that he found it easier to act and be excited at times. Sterling asked if there was anything he could help her with, noting that he was very glad to know she was not planning to drown him under the water or smother him in his sleep and Yashani assured him she was not waiting to plot his demise and apologized if she made him feel as though he was not a valued and welcomed member of this team.

Yashani added that she was raised with the monks at the monastery, that she had lost several of them on they way, that she felt it easier to keep any others from a distance and that Sterling had already helped her. Sterling thanked her, admitted he didn't grow with anyone, that it was the first time he had been with others, that sometimes when she corrected him he felt bad, but was glad to know it didn't come from a place of hatred. Yashani admitted she did lack some tact, with Valeu pointing it out though both agreed he was similar in that way. Sterling added that tact was the last thing he was worried about when he was in danger, that Yashani had saved his life and the lives of all the party members a number of times now and Yashani noted none of them would be there without each other. Kaz entered the bathing room, completely naked, and only hesitated when she asked if she was interrupting something. Sterling said her the conversation was ending anyhow and Yashani explained Sterling was just uncomfortable with nudity. Kaz assured him nudity was not inherently sexual and Sterling noted he knew from reading about it. Kaz offered to educate him and Yashani invited Kaz into the bath to wash up. Meanwhile RX, after some difficulty at the start, managed to find a way to press the mud into bricks and build his mud igloo.

Quincy, after finishing their *Polymorph* bullet, said they would go to take a bath and invited Alaerith to come along, but he awkwardly and embarrassedly said he was fine and headed off, responding back when she thanked him for the bullet. Quincy entered the bathing room and when they picked up on Sterling’s odd behavior asked if Kaz has already told him about being a sex worker and her Sterling was just as awkward when they visited a brothel in *Krak*. Sterling, very awkward, admitted his father hired a hooker for him when he turned 18 and that he mostly cried. Kaz and Quincy told him that was not a great first experience and Kaz reassured him that crying was not unusual, citing that they were not just about sex but were also considered companions. Sterling changed the topic to ask where Alaerith was and when Quincy said he had things he wanted to do eventually activated *Manifest Mind* to summon Tollanessa to find him and she slipped through the floor to do so.

Meanwhile Alaerith, after looking after the horses and their food, stood staring out a window in the direction of *A’jigisha.* Tollanessa appeared behind him and startled him slightly when she called his name and apologized promptly before telling him the others were wondering where he was. Alaerith attempted to make more eye contact with her as he said he was reflecting on the past. Alaerith also took the moment to apologize to Tollanessa and when she asked why Alaerith admitted that he knew he wasn't always comfortable at her presence and, after pointing out to his neck, that what she wore around her neck brought bad memories. Tollanessa, who appeared to understand, assured that she could look however she wants before she demonstrated by first making the choker vanish, in spite of Alaerith's insisting it was ok. Tollanessa then explained she was a projection and could appear how she wished and changing her clothes to look like Alaerith’s, but when Alaerith said it was ok and thanked her put her normal ones back one, minus the choker. Tollanessa then explained the party was bonding in the bath flustering Alaerith a little bit as he started to understand. Meanwhile Sterling told the others she found them and could cast *Vortex Warp* Alaerith into the bath and Quincy told him not to, but asked instead to ask Tollanessa to find RX as she was sure he was very muddy by now. Sterling noted he had a full connection to Tollanessa before telling them that the two were having a full conversation, which was pleasing to see, but when Quincy chided him not to said he literally couldn't help it as the two naturally shared a consciousness together.

Tollanessa asked how Alaerith was, noting the change in his color, and Alaerith said he was fine before he shyly headed near to the stairs instead of joining them. Tollanessa told Sterling where Alaerith was and the group mostly accepted it, noting they could use *Ob's Charms* to do talk instead. Sterling offered again that he could cast *Vortex Warp* to bring him in, noting it would be funny and when Quincy said he would be embarrassed and never trusted him again noted that he knew he needed to be close as he was the fellow spellcaster. Tollanessa then went to fetch RX and found that he had made another two story tower made entirely out of mud this time, complete with stairs and basic furniture like a table and chairs. Tollanessa told him Quincy felt he would need a wash and RX hesitated for only a moment before he putt down his mud brick, headed into Sterling’s Tower and passed Alaerith into the bathing room, tracking mud as he was coated in it. RX didn't hesitate to flop into the bath causing the others to scramble out just in time as the water turned murky and splashed up over the edge. Yashani quickly took the chance to towel off and rebraid her hair before bidding the party good night, while Sterling cast *Minor Illusion* to cover himself pants onto himself for modesty.

Quincy gestured to their electrified hair, said they would need to oil it before it gets too frizzy, thanked Sterling as they went to leave and Sterling said he was happy to, adding that it had probably been too long since Quincy has experienced anything like it. Quincy looked at him concerned before they left for bed, but as they passed Alaerith, still nude, surprising him and as Alaerith's face turned dark from blushing reflexively cast *Invisibility* on himself, but quickly dropped it when he passed out and hit the ground. Quincy cast *Minor Illusion* to cover themself before they called out to Yashani in a panic that they broke Alaerith and Yashani sighed before telling them they simply shocked him. Quincy asked if that was a pun and when Yashani said it not intentionally started to say one name before correcting to saying Kerrack and noted he used to make jokes like that. Yashani offered to carry Alaerith to a bed, but RX soon came out, activated *Telekinetic Movement* to lift him to another room when prompted. Yashani noted he might decide to bathe on his own when he wakes and Sterling commented that Alaerith was usually always the cleanest as he cast *Prestidigitation* to do so often. As Sterling added that he was learning the spell it dawned on them all that Alaerith was likely wary of his scales being seen and remembering that he did *Trance* for four hours only could wash on his own if he wished to. RX, after placing Alaerith in a room, said he was going back to continue his mud tower, but relented to sleep when reminded he needed rest for the next day.

Kaz, when she felt the tower was quiet and everyone had gone to their rooms, stayed in the sauna for a little while, laid down and quietly breathed as she resisted the urge to cry. After using her variant of *Ob's Charm* to locate Quincy's room, she left the third floor and was quietly invited in. Quincy admitted to a bit of reverse deja vu and recalled their date where Kaz had let them into her room while she had finished up her hair. Kaz told Quincy to sit on the bed and she would help finish oiling their hair and braid it again and Quincy, seeing Kaz was not doing well and her eyes were puffy when she came to the door, let her. Kaz said Quincy owed her a story, adding that Sterling seemed to think Quincy owed him one as well and Quincy waved off the thought noting he had an air of entitlement and nosiness, but asked if she wanted a story right now or wanted to talk about something. Kaz said they could trade a story for a story, but when Quincy asked if she wanted her favorite one said she wanted Quincy’s story, specifically the story. Quincy said it was long and wasn’t sure if they had the heart to tell it all tonight, but could possibly offer the most recent bit. Kaz asked if that was what had been weighing on them, citing that Quincy had been odd recently and Quincy said they got to talk to Seren at the monastery, that though it was not particularly comforting was enlightening and believed Kaz deserved to know what was going on. Quincy explained their deal with Bolton, what that meant for them, having an extended lifetime and Kaz noted they always knew this was temporary that the timelines were just more firm now. Quincy said they at least always assumed they would outlive Kylan because he was older and human, but when they allowed themselves to think of the future and Kaz they would end up “done” at the same time.

Kaz told Quincy that her mother always said her their magic came from her grandfather and wasn't entirely sure what that meant for her and her longevity but was willing to give whatever time she had to Quincy and Quincy said they were a fool to think they could ever leave Kaz behind because even the thought of living centuries without her was hard and wouldn’t want to miss another day. Kaz said she only had a few regrets in her life but one of them was not asking the first time before she asked Quincy if she could kiss them and Quincy bashfully agreed before the two kissed. Quincy then asked about Boris and if he did actually talk back when Kaz talked to him and Kaz said she did. Quincy admitted she told Boris lots of things when Kaz wasn't around, wondering if Boris was a snitch when Kaz said she was aware and Kaz admitted she wasn’t entirely sure how her magic works as Boris was a sort of extension of herself, that Boris was the only one she talked to in the desert when she left her home for the decade so she may as well be talking to herself and that could hear it naturally. The conversation continued well into the night as they had done many times before they went to sleep. Meanwhile, Alaerith eventually woke and remembering the last sight he saw went into his trance to forget it.

Late in the night just a sound of footfalls slowly circling the tower was heard outside that slowly circle. As Sterling dreamed he felt the edges of his vision go dark and press in until he was woken to the darkness of his room and found the figure of Kalistock at the end of his bed. Kalistock sat at the edge of the bed, greeted Sterling calmly and Sterling greeted him back, wondering if he should call Kalistock or “the Exiled". Kalistock said he was curious as to what piqued Sterling’s curiosity, noting he had questions and offered to answer any he might have. Sterling said he presumed he had those answers and Kalistock noted he had some, while others he could find an answer to. Sterling commented on how he knew “Old Gods” liked to speak in riddles and such and that he had a long rest to return to, but Kalistock told him he was incorrect and that he was not a God himself, he was mortal and was just a puppet. Sterling asked if that meant he was puppeted by the original exiled and Kalistock agreed and admitted he could think for himself, but was not always in control of what he had to do. Sterling asked if he was there on behalf of him or for himself and Kalistock said he there as he was curious on Sterling, his curiosities and what he and the others thought they were. Sterling said the party didn't know much of anything amd when Kalistock said they must have conclusions knew what they had picked up. Kalistock questioned if they still had them and when Sterling said they did asked if he never knew what it could do for him. Sterling asked what he meant and Kalistock noted they came to the conclusion the members all begged for second chances at life with a twist. Sterling agreed and added they were brought back with their worst virtues amplified and Kalistock explained they were unwantingly enhanced, with some harder to control, but still had their autonomy.

Sterling asked again why Kalistock was here, having not yet killed him and when Kalistock said he was there to offer a deal Sterling told him to get on with it. Kalistock asked how important the people around Sterling are and Sterling replied *"as important as anyone you have known for two weeks”* while also beinbg the worst two weeks of your life. Kalistock held out the sapphire he kept affixed to the back of his hand and wondered if that was more important than Tollanessa’s sapphire, that he wanted to see what lengths he would go to for it, that he had many he could call on that he knew he would jump for and just had to pick. Sterling asked what was his offer and Kalistock noted that the party was going out to find the person to fix *“the automaton”* and were looking for Twynn Roderick II, who was the one he was looking for. Kalistock put a *Sending Stone* on the bed, told him when they found the man to call him and he would have his mother back. Sterling wondered what would hold Kalistock to this deal and Kalistock admitted Sterling had little reason to trust, but did keep his promises when he wanted something and gave him the sapphire's housing as an act of good faith. Sterling cast *Moment to Think* and in the frozen time tried to ask Tollanessa how to cast *Banishment,* but Tollanessa regretfully reminded him she couldn't teach what she didn't remember before she didn't know how before time resumed. Kalistock assured Sterling that he knew he would make the right decision before he left Sterling’s room.

Sterling picked up the silver casing, asked Tollanessa if they could do anything with it and Tollanessa informed it was a nice piece to have, but there wasn’t much that could be done with it. Tollanessa warned him that Kalistock was tempting him and Sterling assured her he was aware. Sterling noted that he was being tempted specifically with the freedom of his mother and Tollanessa agreed that Kalistock was not the kind to beat around the bush with what he wanted and would go directly for what hurt the most. Sterling agreed before noting he needed to sleep now and noting it seemed at least for tonight he didn't have to fear for his life and Tollanessa acknowledged he was right before reiterating he was calculated, that he wasn't just watching, but also waiting for the moment. Sterling bemoaned that if they knew more they could have stopped him right there before he went to bed.

1. ↑ Zach makes an “another bad side quest” pun
2. ↑ fun fact from Haelley’s google search while live - horses can see the colors blue and yellow the best!
3. ↑ Both Sam and Zach rolled Insight checks and we learn that Kaz is one of two people that are not affected by Quincy’s *Poker Face* ability that levies disadvantage on Insight checks against them