Forewarned & Forgotten

**Forewarned & Forgotten** is the twelth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Motley Crew have to out run Esmeria if they hope to continue your quest out of the Underdark.

## Forewarned & Forgotten

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Catch that new intro! Music written and performed by Darrin, ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
* Music and sound made possible by Syrinscape and Epidemic Sound!
* We have merchandise! T-shirts, stickers, phones cases and more in all sorts of fun styles. Find it all on Design By Humans.
* For a more direct way to support us, find us on Patreon and subscribe to gain access to exclusive content including the legacy podcast of ABSQ, behind the scenes content and homebrew creations!
* Be sure to follow ABSQ on all our platforms including Twitch, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all our goings on
* If you can't watch us live, recordings of the sessions will be posted on Youtube a few days after the livestream! You can also listen to us on many streaming services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Alexa as we are also on Amazon Music!
* New month, new charity! In honor of June being Pride Month, ABSQ asks that you please support the Trevor Project, an international suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQIA+ youth
* Announcing the wiki! A labor of love from cast members Mak, Haelley and Jeremy that we now hand off to you!
* Sponsors! Be sure to check out our wonderful sponsors - TableTopWorld, DungeonKeep and GMDice!
	+ New sponsor! A new friend in the UK, CritIt! 10% off with the code "SIDEQUEST10"
* Next week we are taking our first dip into a true *side quest*. The cast will step away from Palamoa to get into Carbon-2185, a cyberpunk RPG!

### **Part One**

We returned to our party, having just escaped the *Church of Demigods*, looked at each other as they took in what just happened, as Esmeria appeared in a wash of sand and wind and told them the chase was on, which prompted the party to follow Killian, who made a right turn as they headed for Masq's shop where they believed they would be safe.

(As a note, the party is grouped based on how they left the church. Alaerith and Quincy in the front, RX and Yashani then Killian followed by Tabernacle and Seren.)

The party rushed through the mostly empty streets, with most of the town people having left for their day at work prior, and Esmeria's taunts from close behind. As they ran, Tabernacle cast *Invisibility* on Kilick’s body that he still held aloft in his activated *Claws of Vaust*. Seren and Killian, who kept up the rear of the group as they were the last to leave the church, saw Esmeria smile before she vanished into a side alley. At the front of the group, a wooden cart pulled out of a side street, which the party managed to dart around or over it without much difficulty, but Esmeria's attempt to vault over failed as she fumbles the landing, losing speed. Tabernacle used this chance to cast *Shape Water* and place a layer of icy spikes beneath where she landed, causing her some damage, and Seren failed in his attempt to cast *Command* and get her to “halt”.

As the party ran past the *Hall of Emeralds* they saw Ivan and Igor, the dwarven guards Tabernacle and Seren had met when they visited the hall before. Tabernacle tried to encourage them to fight Esmeria as she follows them, but Seren and Quincy shouted at them to hide instead, which seemed more persuasive as they ducked behind posts and out of sight. The party saw as Esmeria gained on them, but as she did, she disappeared into sand, which prompted Killian to activate his *Divine Sense*, which allowed him to sense the presence of the devil as well as an undead, and Seren to cast *See Invisibility*. This allowed both to determine that she had not teleported, but used an ability to turn invisible, and Esmeria recognized they could see her, she rushed into an alley to climb up on the rooftops, and followed them from there and out of sight. Serena and Killian relayed what they had seen through *Ob's Charm* to the group, and gave the direction the verbal notice they were headed to Masq's shop.

As they continue to run, the party noticed a group of guards in black armor going from door to door, asking questions. The guards asked what they were doing and RX replied they were running from demons. The guards seemed to consider this strange, but didn't care enough to follow up and returned back their task. At this point, still at full speed, knowing they were getting closer to from Masq’s shop, they saw a group of people come out of a side street, which all but Tabernacle, RX and Killian, managed to move through and around them, but were slowed for their efforts. Killian, as he tried to move around the people at the edges, felt himself being stabbed as he moved, as one of the people dodged back into an alleyway and out of sight.

They kept moving, even with Killian heavily injured, as Seren spotted Esmeria on the rooftop beside them as she kept pace with them. Seren watched as Esmeria, instead of the sand they had seen before disappeared in a puff of dark smoke, and reappeared right over Killian. She stabbed him repeatedly as he falls. Seren leapt forward to grapple her in an attempt to tackle her off Killian, but she slipped out of the way. Tabernacle brought his his rifle up and cast *Eldritch Blast* and hit her once which pushed her back 10 feet before he calls out for someone to grab Killian. Quincy activated *Battle Maneuver :* *Goading Attack* as she hurled a dagger which hit and forced Esmeria to have disadvantage on attacks against anyone but Quincy. Yashani helped Killian to his feet and pulled him along and out of immediate danger. Esmeria commented on how interesting the group was and Tabernacle replied for her to “eat a dick and shut the hell up” and Esmeria responded with a threat to bite his off. Esmeria turned from them to focus on Quincy, as she stated says “your little genasi friend pisses me off” and pulled out *Puncture,* her long barrelled pistol from before and shot Quincy in the shoulder, which caused black veins to crawl across her skin. Esmeria called the situation bothersome before she disappeared into the sand, turned Invisible, and Seren watched her walk into an alleyway.

While they ran, Tabernacle handled the still *Invisible* body of Kilick to Yashani to carry. As they darted past another alley, Quincy felt something grab her wrist and failed to resist it's pull as she was dragged to the side. The others noticed as Quincy was face to face with an elven woman, whose face began to drip, revealing Esmeria who told her Quincy she had more tricks. Quincy had a quippy, if a bit panicked, of an exchange with Esmeria, while Seren cast *Misty Step*, appeared in the alley behind Esmeria, but failed to grapple her again. Annoyed at this point, Esmeria activated her *Invoke Authority* : *Aspect of Ruin*, which left the group with a point of *Exhaustion*. The ground around her started to crack, causing the walls of the alleyway start to crack and were pulled inward as the group were all damaged from the debris, with Killian taking less of the damage. At this point the party heard a sound of an alarm that blasted across the city.

Quincy activated her *Second Wind* while Killian brought out his ornate halberd, took a swing at her while activating *Mobile Flourish* to push her 10 feet back. Esmeria taunted Killian back in response

*"You said you'd kill me, it's not killing me."*

RX attempted to grapple her, but she dodged out of the way. Yashani continued to run for Masq with Kilick’s body, with Quincy close behind firing at Esmeria and Tabernacle as well as he cast *Eldritch Blast* hitting her twice and pushed pushed her back another 20 feet, but activated an unknown ability to resist or negate the damage. Alaerith also ran, using all of his movement from his previous cast of *Expeditious Retreat*, while Seren, who heard the sounds of armored footsteps from a distance, cast *Aura of Vitality*, while he stayed close to Killian which healed him as they both moved out of the alleyway.

As the party rushed the rest of the way to Masq’s shop, the Black Stone guards called out for them to stop, but the party ignored them, rushed into Masq’s shop and slammed the door closed behind them, which startled Masq who had been working on something while at his counter. Tabernacle accosted Masq, asked if he had a good place to hide a dead body, and after telling him the body was invisible and carried by Yashani, Masq pointed to the back of his shop. Quincy asked if they could also hide in the back of the shop. Masq assumed the loud boom he heard and the ground shaking and now the city alarm, were all related and the party overlapped in explaining what had happened. Tabernacle handed Masq a piece of shrapnel that he had been hit with, which Masq held on to, before Masq pointed out that this was a daytime occurrence. Quincy sheepishly asked if he was willing to lie to some soldiers while they hide, which RX asks why they needed to lie and Killian responded that they didn't have time to explain, but asked everyone to move into the back room.

As everyone headed for the back room, Quincy gently approaches Masq at his counter, laid a hand on his and apologized. Masq insisted that he was not upset about what they are doing, but what Esmeria was doing to endangers the city and his home. Masq told them to stay in the back, but not to touch stick their hands into the pot, while he would go out to the front to manage the guards who were likely coming to check all the homes and shops in the area. At this point, Quincy pulled out *Peril & Pain,* slid them across the counter to Masq as a means to keep busy, who looked happy to see them again, while Quincy explained that she got them from Bolton. Masq reminded them not to touch anything, and not to go upstairs, as that was where he lived above the shop, and started to work on the pistols while everyone hunkered down.

As they headed to the back room they saw two central tables that were covered in all sorts of tools. They also saw shelves of gems, either in large chunks or powdered in jars, several large coverall suits hang on the walls, and the literal aforementioned pot with a lid on it in the corner. The party found places to sit, as Quincy took RX to sit and quietly re-explained the concept of “other people’s property”. Killian looked over the tools sets on the tables, noticing a range of them, but took more notice on the navigation tools that Masq seems to have used to direct mining efforts in *Quarry Hold*. Killian gathered everyone’s attention to point out they had a lot to do in a dwindling amount of time, and that they should talk with Kilick as soon as possible, as well as the idea of checking if his family in *Kra'Kash* was ok. Seren, unfortunately, didn't have enough magical energy to accomplish what they wished to do and would need a full rest to talk to do either.

RX suggested waiting until the guards were no longer looking for them, but Yashani stated they probably won't stop looking because there was a trail of concerning and damning things they left behind, like the pool of blood and a missing priest. Alaerith suggested putting the body in the *Bag of Holding* while they had the moment, and RX held it open, but Yashani stalled not wanting to desecrate his body any further, only agreeing only after they found they could do gentle and careful. Tabernacle placed a hand on Yashani’s shoulder and assured her that she did well in the face of such horrible things and was proud of her. RX looked around for more amber, and found some which he looked at closely before Quincy approached. She asks if he was still interested in books, and when he replied he was, Quincy handed over her personal journal for him to borrow. Yashani meditated before sleep as per usual, but also softly spoke a prayer for Kilick. The party at a loss for other options, took a long rest in the back of the shop.

When they all woke up, after a short but dense night’s sleep, they saw Masq in a corner with a cup of coffee, and told the party that the guards came by while they were asleep. Masq told them came and what they saw, and when asked by Alaerith what exactly that was, Masq said they saw the damage Esmeria caused during the chase, and noted they wanted her dead due to the danger she caused, but the guards were looking for the outsiders in particular. Seren clarified from the guards perspective that they did not see Esmeria, but they spotted the damage and the party, so the conclusion to look for the party was reasonable. Masq told them the guards were looking specifically for nine outsiders, the party plus Ilvwinter and Esmeria, which meant the unidentified half-orc has been able to go unnoticed.

Seren asked Masq if he could contact Chuluu, explaining how Chuluu bought the party time against Ilvwinter to escape before they were chased by Esmeria. Masq presumably cast *Sending* and receives word that Chuluu was alive and would be there in a few, and before he could finish that statement, Chuluu appeared from the shadows, startling Quincy and Masq. Chuluu looked notably injured, so Seren and Yashani did their best to heal him while RX asked what happened. Chuluu said that Ilvwinter was more then he could handle alone, and that when he pulled him into the shadows, he felt an intense heat and then Ilvwinter was gone. Chuluu explained that whatever he used to escape, originated from the *Nine Hells*. Chuluu also mentioned that he knew what happened in the streets with Esmeria, that he knew who she was, that she had been there before and that she was more importantly Kilick’s granddaughter.

Chuluu reminded the party that Kilick lived on the surface for some time, had three children who did not come to *The Underdark* with him and that they all had children with Esmeria being one of them. Tabernacle said how Killian told them she was a devil of some kind, but Chuluu replied that she likely had contact or connected with devils, and from their demonstrations, probably archdevils. Chuluu went on to say say that Esmeria had been to *The Underdark* many times when she was younger, showed promise, became part of the Holy Colective like Kilick was, but then she stopped coming around. Chuluu said she came back around five years ago, but different, and was no longer doing the job she used to do. Seren asked what that job was and Chuluu says she was a member of the Holy Collective, “one of the elven Inquisitors that does the Aj’Snaga’s dirty work”, which Seren knew this was a secretive society, and while people knew what they did, but no one ever admitted who they were. Seren asked how Chuluu knew this information and Chuluu re-stated that he used to go to the surface, and while he was there she told him as much, citing the fact that she was crazy.

Chuluy stated that she was interesting, never bad, but indifferent, and that the last time he saw her he could see something was different, which must have been when she made the deal with devils, though he had no idea why, or why she would have gone to the extent to kill her own grandfather. He continued on to say Esmeria should not have known about the book Kilick was guarding, but Yashani noted that whichever Archdevil she had made a deal with did may have. Yashani asked about the book, and Chuluu said the book was responsible for the Varimathias bringing destruction onto the world, how it showed how you could summon demons and devils in a way that left them with no power when they arrived on this plane and allowed the summoner to take that power. Seren looked over Masq and Chuluu closely, and noted Masq looked more and more concerned with what he hears while Chuluu was being upfront and honest. Seren asked Masq about the wards on his shop, and Masq clarified that the wards keep out the people Masq didn't want inside, and friends like Chuluu were essentially given a metaphorical key.

Killian and Seren took a peek out a window and saw heavy guard patrols outside, more than they have seen before. Tabernacle cast *Flock of* *Familiars* and sent out his seagulls to take a look around the city, but one was almost instantly shot down. Tabernacle heard through the remaining birds senses the guard’s voices and confusion, likely from having never seen a seagull before and were confused as to what they were. Seren asked Masq and Chuluu if the party was wanted, and Masq said they were requested for questioning if found. Seren asked if they were to submit to the questioning, if the two believed that the questioning and trial afterwards if they would be found not guilty, but Masq simply stated they had one judge, jury and executioner, the King, which was not ideal since he was under Kela’s influence. Tabernacle mentioned that this might be a perfect opportunity to get an audience with the King. Seren asked Masq how far along he was with the gem he had been attuning, and Masq says he would need at least another day and a half, but with Seren’s offered help it would be faster.

Quincy asked if they should talk to Kilick first before starting off on any new plans. Seren agreed and requests incense from Masq, which the drow headed upstairs to retrieve. Yashani and Tabernacle pulled Kilick’s body from the *Bag of Holding* and Seren settled down next to it. Alaerith asked what he planed to do and Seren explained he was going to pray and ask Kilick some questions. Yashani and Tabernacle brought up that they should know what they are going to ask before they start. Killian suggested, most importantly, that they ask where the book was to determine if they have the chance to get it before Esmeria and the others did. Quincy wondered if Kilick knew why Esmeria left her position as a part of the Holy Collective, and continued from that, Tabernacle suggested asking if there was someone in particular who helped push her away from it. He also suggested asking if Esmeria was part of the group of three that the party knew of or if Kilick ever met them. Seren wagered that those questions were beyond Kilick’s ability to answer, and explained that the questions they would ask would not be from Kilick himself, but the memory of him that resided in his body, that he can only answer what he knew in life, and if desired could lie to them. Yashani suggested asking about Kilick and Esmeria’s last conversation. Seren started to set up the space around Kilick with incense and prayed to Scoro as he cast *Speak with Dead,* which caused Kilick's corpse to gasp as his lungs filled with air.

### **Break!**

Haelley is on the giveaway with some sweet tube dice! Looking for a "flubber" in the chat to win the green dice in a tube!

* winner is kroberts7! Congrats (and since we are fairly sure that is Jessa's husband) and nag Jessa into watching Flubber!

### **Part Two**

Kilick’s lungs expanded with false life as Seren thanked him for allowing the chance to ask some questions. Too disturbed by the sight, Alaerith left the room as this happens but stayed close enough to hear the conversation. After thanking him briefly, Seren began asking their questions:

* What was the last thing you spoke with Esmeria about?
	+ *She wanted plans for the other nine*.

* Do you know who her friends were?
	+ *Ilvwinter...Jonathan Ilvwinter...Kalistock Hgyhmire.*

* The other nine what?
	+ *Tomes of devil summoning.*

* Where is the book you had in your possession?
	+ *Hidden underground, the church.*

* Does Esmeria know the book’s location?
	+ *No.*

With the last question answered, Kilick’s body crumpled in on itself once more as the spell ended. Masq seemed unphased by all of this, but Chuluu seemed quite caught off guard. Seren asked if either of them knew about the other books.

(Technical difficulties, we apologize! While we were away Chuluu admitted he knew of the books, but not how many there were, and we clarified there are nine books total.)

Killian asked if Masq could take them to the church without the guards seeing them, but Yashani and Seren told him it was not a good idea. Yashani reminded him they couldn't know if there would be guards in the church and they also didn't know where Esmeria and the others were. Quincy piped in that she believed one book out of nine is not worth dying over. Still outside the room, Alaerith suggested the possibility that the book they found in *The Underbelly* after fighting the ghasts, was maybe one one of the books and came in after being told it was fine to. Yashani reminded him that the book they found was written in Undercommon, and while Yashani might not know much about devils, a book to summon them probably wouldn't be written in that language. Chuluu noted it would probably be written in Infernal. She also added that if they were in possession of a book like that they would have long since been dead.

Yashani asked if Chuluu knew if the three had left the church. Chuluu stated he didn't believe so, and stated that when he lost Ilvwinter, he didn’t return to the shadow, but might have gone to or passed through whichever of the *Nine Hells* he was from. He also added that he had not sensed the third, Kalistock, in the area for a while. Quincy asked if that means he was entirely gone from *The Underdark* and Chuluu said it was possible. Killan asked, regardless of returning to the church, if Masq could get them out of *Quarry Hold* without being seen by the guards, which Masq assured him he can. Killian then asked where they planned to go, since turning themselves in was a risky gamble and they couldn't hide at Masq’s shop forever. Masq what they planned to do afterwards, since he can't just move them around the city entirely.

Tabernacle stepped forward and said how they entered into a circumstance they wished they weren't in, and that he was sure they all wished to return to the surface for any number of reasons, from families to go home to or people to find. He stated they were at the tipping point of deciding whether or not a lot of people lived or died, and he wondered if this was their fate. He admitted that he might have died before, but if so, then he had been brought back, and he wanted to keep others from dying if only for a bit longer, and asked if they were with him. Yashani asked if this meant he thought they should return to the *Church of Demigods* to get the book. Tabernacle said he didn't know, and that he wasn't the brightest, but he wanted to help the people and would follow the plan that has that goal. Killian suggested if they didn't have the book that they should get it. Yashani noted taking it would make them targets. but Killian retorted that they already were and and were unsure why they were following them, so taking the book would change nothing. Seren clarified that they were told why they are targets, because Esmeria found them fun.

After teasing Tabernacle a bit about Esmeria’s threat to his appendages, Quincy asked if they could message Samara now. Seren looked to Killian who passed him a note with a message of 25 words for Seren to say. Seren commented that Killian had not included that it is him speaking, since Samara would hear Seren’s voice, but Killian believed it will be fine and that she would know. With that answer Seren cast *Sending* and says the following -

*"Kra’Kash is in danger, warn the people but take care of yourself first. I’ll return to you when I can, I’ve written you letters."*

After a couple minutes it was clear that Samara did not respond to the message, and Killian asked where they are headed to. Masq noted that he and Chuluu could get them out of the city entirely, and Quincy asked if they think it would be better for them to go to the surface. Killian pointed out that they have made a mess of things, even if it wasn't entirely their fault. and was no longer safe. Chuluu stated they he and Masq could deal with the things, and to let some time pass, but they would will be needed back in *Quarry Hold* to explain themselves. Yashani worried that fleeing would make them look more guilty, but Chuluu replied that he and Masq had a surprising amount of sway in *The Underdark*. For now, if they remained, they would be jailed or killed, as there was no one else to blame at the moment, and the King always seeked justice to show honor for his people.

Seren asks if lifting the King’s modified memory would help them, but Quincy reminded him that would only clear what happened to Aarcanii. At the mention of her name, Masq told Quincy not to worry about Aarcanii, and that they had talked. Seren asked how she was and Masq noted she was quite well, and that the first he talked to her they figured something out. When asked what was figured out, Masq said there were other ways to move around, which took more time, but she was no longer stuck beyond the chasm, though she still could not return to the city. Killian asked Masq to tell Aarcanii they would will return, and while Masq agreed, he hesitated. Quincy, who figured he was omitting something, asked Masq if he would tell them everything they would need to know about whatever was going on to be of help to him, and Masq assured her he had no reason to lie, but that they would see in time.

Seren asked if there was any time to kill, and Masq said they had a day at most, and that if they didn't find the party then, the military would start having the the authority to actually search homes. Seren said that he did not necessarily want to wait, but the party had brought back gems that only Masq would know how to utilize. RX pulled the gems out of the *Bag of Holding* and placed them out for everyone to see, while they discussed who could best utilize the gems of the different types.

The party re-established that the gems could either add damage to a weapon, resistances to armor or boost an ability score if Masq does the work. Obsidian would give necrotic damage or resistance, diamond would increase wisdom and sapphire would increase charisma. Yashani asked if it would be possible to put the obsidian through some wraps for her knuckles to boost her *Hand of Harm* ability, which Masq said was possible. The party put together as much gold as they could manage but it still fell short of the 500 gold Masq usually charged. Masq counted out 200 gold from what they had to offer, said he could do the wraps, with a little cheeky bartering from Tabernacle for some incense, then asked Yashani what color she would want and she requested red. Masq told them he would need six hours, but then after that he would help them leave *The Underdark.* The party also realized at that point that Chuluu had disappeared without a word of good-bye.

Masq assured them that once they used their influence the situation would be be be better when they come back, but thought it was more important Killian to find his family, and didn't doesn’t want anymore dead people on his hands. Tabernacle took the moment to mention he would like to bury Kilick in the mushroom garden across the road. Masq mentioned that the garden used to be a miner’s graveyard, which had since grown mushrooms, and was now Vaust's territory, which Tabernacle said makes some things click for him. The party warned Tabernacle against leaving the shop, but Masq said they should probably be anywhere, but the back room if they weren't wearing a suit. He then proceeded to pull *Peril & Pain* from the pot in the corner, where they had been submerged in bubbling liquid. Up close the pistols were redesigned with lightning bolts on *Peril* and bones on *Pain*, and Masq warned Quincy he tried something new and was unsure as to what exactly they would do.

Killian told Tabernacle that if he insisted on burying Kilick that he needed to take someone with him, and while Seren volunteered to do so, Tabernacle declined his aid asked Alaerith to join him instead and agreed. Killian cast *Protection from Evil and Good* on Tabernacle, while Masq let them know he could also keep an eye on them using the gargoyle over the top of his shop. Tabernacle cast *Flock of Familiars*, this time with his seagulls covered in soot so they were less conspicuous. Tabernacle and Alaerith waited for an opening between the guard patrols, then dashed across the road with Kilick’s body, while everyone else left the back room so Masq could work and congregated in the front of the shop. Seren lingered behind to ask Masq if he could get in contact with Cobbeel, the head of the *Miner’s Guild*, who agreed that he would contact him on his behalf, and after assumedly he cast *Sending* to contact him, let Seren know that he would pass by, then Seren thanked him before he returned to the others in the front.

While Tabernacle and Alaerith dug Kilick’s grave, Tabernacle asked Alaerith about how he had seemed off the morning of the Spider Dragon fight. Tabernacle told Alaerith the first time he went drinking was with his captain when he was sixteen, and he woke up in a horrible mood, but Alaerith seemed to fare even worse. Alaerith admitted he had been prone to night terrors and nightmares, that if he sleeped it was guaranteed to happen, which was why he avoided sleeping, and up till that night he hadn't slept in six years, but now knew he couldn't drink that much and trance as he preferred to do. Tabernacle admitted he had nightmares as well about his past, and he said that Alaerith reminded him a bit of that, which is why Tabernacle did not react well to meeting Alaerith the first time. Tabernacle continued to say that Alaerith was his crew now and would be there to support him, even if they had to drag him, which even though Tabernacle could see apprehension, Alaerith agreed and gave a soft, tiny smile. Once they finished diggin the hole, Tabernacle had his seagulls peck out Kilick’s eyes and tongue, which Alaerith turned around for, before he finished covering him in dirt.

Back at Masq’s shop, an hour passed when they heard a knock at the door, and they saw a dark elf come who introduces himself as Cobbeel. Seren introduced himself, and Cobbeel mentioned that he hadn't seen a tortle in a while. Seren said the reason for contacting him was to ask about this tortle he saw. and Cobbeel remembered her wanting to find the shadow crossings into the Shadow Plane, but they wouldn’t allow her to look for it and took her back to the surface. He noted that he wasn't sending anyone there again, as he had learned his lesson, and also that she had been looking for her brother, who he wasn't sure if it was him or not, which caused Seren to laugh in relief. Seren thanked Cobbeel for doing as much, and asked if Cobbeel knew where Leku had went after being brought to the surface, and Cobbeel believes she was headed to *Kra’Kash*. Cobbeel left soon after, muttering under his breath, and the party continued to rest in Masq’s shop, while Masq works away in the back.

During this time, Alaerith shuffled in closer to Seren, and thanked him for his help in calming him the other morning. Seren asked him if he was ok, and Alaerith claimed it was a standard nightmare, which he could see Seren didn't believe, but didn't mention anything more then that. Alaerith also wanted to apologize for how he reacted to Seren patting his right arm, which he regularly kept hidden under his cloak so it wasn't in view, which he struggled to do as Seren assured Alaerith he was safe to talk with him. Seren apologized for overstepping, but Alaerith waved him off. He explained that his arm and the scales across his face have brought him bad experiences in the past, and didn't feel like had ill intent and just wished to apologize. Seren said he accepted the apology, but stated that he didn't believe the apology it was necessary, but requested to know in exchange why Alaerith hid so much, as he was surely not all that strange, especially surrounded by all the strangeness that their party had as a whole. Noting that some of the party could hear the conversation, with Tabernacle especially who was listening, Seren cast *Silence* to create a barrier between the rest of the group and the two of them. Alaerith noted that he understood what he was trying to say, and agreed a little when it came to Seren and Tabernacle, admitted it didn't make much sense when his face and eye could be seen regardless, but he just felt safer with it not seen. Seren imparted a bit of wisdom -

“*I once travelled with a great friend for a very long time and one of the sayings we picked up between the two of us is ‘*to be seen is to be known’*. I understand not wanting to be seen.”*

Seren noted his secret was safe, and that whether he chose to reveal it or not, was up to him. As Alaerith walked off Seren spoke in Aquan and told him *"you can count on me friend",* which Seren noticed that Alaerith stopped in his steps on the word "friend" before he continued off.

During the time while they waited Tabernacle cast *Find Familiar* to resummon Hobble again. A little while later, Masq came from the back room, held out two crimson wraps to Yashani, who took and admired them, wrapped her hands with them leaving some of her palm exposed, bowed and thanked him. Masq then verbally questioned if he had the timing was correct for something, as Chuluu appeared from the shadows and Masq noted he was correct and prepared this time. Masq asked if Chuluu brought what he requested, and Chuluu said he had it. Masq then turned to the party, said it was time to go, and that he wanted them to figure out why Esmeria killed Kilick, as he and Chuluu deserved to know as his friends, and ended by saying if she ever returned he would decapitate her himself. Seren asked if that meant she had left, and Masq replied that far as Chuluu that was the case. Masq told the party that Chuluu had been making his way around the city, and also went back to the *Church of Demigods*.

Tabernacle asked if there were signs of people going under the church and Chuluu said there was, about another 100 feet below. Chuluu then said they didn't take everything, that Kilick was a smart man, and then pulled half a book out of a bag he had on him, as it would appear Kilick did not keep the book in one piece. Chuluu suggested the party going to the church must have stopped Esmeria and her people's efforts to keep looking for the other half. Yashani asked if they should destroy it or maybe Chuluu and Masq could keep it, but Chuluu insisted it has already caused the city too many problems. After some discussion of how to handle the book, where Tabernacle suggested a sure way to hide it that was very far away, it was decided Seren would hold onto the book considering his strength and perception to avoid anyone trying to pick it off him. Tabernacle requested to skim the book when they had a spare moment, and was met with many dissenting voices as it was believed nothing good can come from a book meant to summon demons and devils, but decided to put the conversation on hold.

Seren and Yashani tried thanking Masq and Chuluu for their help, but Chuluu insisted to not thank them until they had made it back to *The Underdark* to help make up for what was done to the city. He also told the party that he thought they were odd when they arrived, but was glad they were here, and figured that even if they weren't there, that many of the things would have happened anyway, just without their help to stop it. Chuluu told them find out what they were doing, to find and save Killian's family at least and to Seren to find his sister, then told Yashani to find a man named Oskit in *Vupjinas* to continue her training, as it is where Poackel came from before he came to *The Underdark*.

Chuluu stated they have not done this bit before and did not know how well it would work, then Masq called for everyone to hold hands in a circle. As Masq began to cast *Teleport*, the shadows around the group begin to expand as the party began to sink into the ground. The party felt as if they were yanked through space, travelling through cascades of black and white, before they landed with the wind knocked out of them in a tunnel much like the ones they traversed to get to *Quarry Hold*. After looking around, Chuluu believed they were only an hour’s walk off target and Masq suggests they keep moving.

An hour or so went by before the party began to smell the scent wet leaves and dirt in the air, and immediately got excited, but Masq and Chuluu chose to go no further. Chuluu told the party that the last time Masq was on the surface was when he lost his right ear. Quincy said this was not good-bye, but a ‘see you soon’. Alaerith asked if the exit they were taking led to *Aj'jigisha*, and Masq confirmed it was about a days travel east from *Kra'Kash* forest. As they all started to turn away after their good-byes, RX asked Masq to keep some amber on hand for the next time as he hoped to talk about magnetism in the future. Quincy whirled around and shouted that RX would do no such thing. Masq tried to say RX could speak for himself as Quincy’s anger focused on Masq, and as Tabernacle and Killian started to drag Quincy away, she called back, and in the friendliest manner, stated that if she and Masq weren’t friends, he would have a bullet in him, which he yelled back in the manner wasn't worried about the bullet.

The party headed off from there, still dragging Quincy to catch up with Yashani who had walked ahead, and the tunnel turned to that of carved stone as the scent of the surface grew stronger. They spotted a light up ahead and ran for the open exit of the tunnel, to a wooded area that smelled like rain and the sounds of birds in the air. Tabernacle said it was Hobble’s first time in the sunlight in years, and RX noted it was his first time seeing the sun ever.

Just then, the party heard a familiar voice from behind them saying *"mine too"* and immediately turned around to find Aarcanii. She was happy to see them as well, and said that she couldn't go home yet, but Masq told her the party would be coming up soon, and the group slowly realized this is what Masq was holding back earlier. When Tabernacle commented on her her spider-like visage, Aarcanii’s spider abdomen disappeared and was gone as far as they could tell, which made Tabernacle blush for a second. When Alaerith asked if anyone knew where they were, Killian who seemed to know the area took the charge, as they headed to *Kra’Kash* with Aarcanii in tow.

**END OF EPISODE, LEVEL UP TO LEVEL 6!**

**Rolling for hitpoints for Level 6:**

* Seren rolled an 8
* Alaerith rolled a 6
* Tabernacle rolled an 8
* Quincy rolled a 9
* Yashani rolled a 4
* RX-5284 rolled a 3
* Killian rolled a 6

1. ↑ See "Quarry Hold" at 2:15:48.
2. ↑ At first, the cast believed this to be a blow that would knock Killian *Unconscious*, but it was retconned that he was still barely standing because in the previous episode, "Order of Ruin", Killian had cast *Protection from Evil and Good* on himself which would give Esmeria disadvantage on her attacks.
3. ↑ At this point in the VOD the casting of *Protection from Evil and Good* was remembered and his fate was retconned.
4. ↑ This is not ideal for Killian as a player because a halberd is a STR based weapon and Killian has a -1 to his Strength
5. ↑ Jon was more concerned with Chuluu or Masq not being who they appeared to be, after having seen Esmeria change her face in front of Quincy in the alleyway
6. ↑ Darrin also let the players know that the gems could push past ability scores past 20, which beyond the use of items, or certain classes/subclasses is the usual cap.

But they can only be raised to 24 maximum.
7. ↑ 100 gold from party funds, 10 gold from Quincy and 92 gold from Seren
8. ↑ See "Quarry Hold". This is the same mushroom garden that Tabernacle fell unconsious in, while the Seren, Yashani and RX met Masq for the first time in the episode.
9. ↑ See "Memories" at 2:38:00.
10. ↑ See "The Burrow" at 42:01.
11. ↑ Darrin noted that Chuluu was a Shadow Ki Monk, a special class of his own design.

He also explained that the two were working together as Chuluu knew where they needed to go, but Masq was not as familiar, but the two's efforts were to double the amount of distance to be covered.