A Dragon's Lair

**A Dragon's Lair** is the thirty fifth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party continue to follow after the boreal dragon under some questionable advice and find more than they bargained for.

## A Dragon's Lair

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* 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!
* Mak telling you all about Geeky Tendencies!
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### **Part One**

The party followed the boreal dragon for several hours, following the floating speck in the sky above them. As they reached the *Romwick River,* which flowed alongside their travels, the group began to notice that the scenery was slowly, but surely changing, and the air around them grew warmer. Sterling cast *Message* to ask Bo ask if they were any closer to the dragon and Bo informed him it was still moving, but assumed there was a nest nearby. Quincy, Bo and RX recognized that seeing more density in the foliage, along with the melting of snow around them was unusual and assumed this was an effect of the dragon nearby. Bo noted the new signs of greenery was even more reason to follow the dragon because it would be leading to something interesting. Sterling suggested it might be magical, but when Bo cast *Detect Magic* there was nothing to be found other than the innate magic of the glowing moss on the trees.

Sterling had an idea and asked for Yashani’s help inside the cart to help as he leaned out of the carriage window. Yashani held tight as Sterling, in a deft display of handiwork, snatched a large flower from the ground, even as the cart moved at high speed, and was quickly yanked back into the carriage. He then ritually cast *Identify* on the large white bloom to see if there was anything particularly strange about it and found an essence of draconic power throughout the flower, but not much else. Sterling explained the greenery around them was likely due to being so close to a dragon’s lair as the essence of the dragon affected the terrain around where it stayed for any period of time which left Yashani perturbed by the thought of possibly already being in the dragon’s lair. Tollanessa asked Bo if he could figure out the size of the dragon above them, but Bo was unable to see it as more then a speck in the sky. RX attempted a series of complex equations to determine its size, but could only say it was very large.

Amidst all the chatter of the dragon's possible size and nature, Quincy and Sterling recalled a tale of a particular dragon. Sterling recounted the tale of Peligronathrax, a young dragon who did not know where his parents were, travelled through the forests to survive, that he met people but was never very good at understanding them and not great at using his abilities which hurt the people he met, was often seen flying over the tundra and was mostly left alone. Sterling told the party the dragon they were following may be the same from a legend and Quincy added it may not be particularly friendly. Quincy noted further while the dragon wanted friends, it was not very good at making friends without hurting them and Sterling compared it to a bear befriending a mouse. Nubbi made some noise and Gal cast *Speak With Animals* to ask for her thoughts on the matter. Nubbi explained it was the same dragon, but that they were wrong about him not being able to make friends, just that he rarely had the opportunity. Nubbi talked of two pets that the dragon kept, a big, white, fluffy one, who liked to sleep, named Minithrax and a skittish one, with big, pointy teeth, who napped a lot, named Anfrans. Gal reiterated this information to the group and Bo, after thinking it over, determined Minithrax was likely a polar bear and Anfrans was probably a saber-tooth tiger. This information only seemed to encourage Bo and Rx, who believed they were great at making friends.

Sterling asked about bringing the dragon a gift and Gal suggested he would like shiny things as dragons tended to hoard those sort of things. Alaerith asked how Nubbi knew this and was told Gal apparently Nubbi was friends with the dragon when his pets were young. Quincy noted it was strange to think of the fox as a mostly sentient part of their group and RX assured them that he also asked Nubbi if she wanted to be a part of the Order of Restoration. Quincy wondered if this meant Nubbi needed a charm from Ob and Sterling commented if the fox got a charm before he did he would explode. In that moment, as Quincy was fiddling with the bandages Ob had left behind with Bolton’s bowler hat in their lap, they felt something heavy along the fabric, found several familiar silver charms attached to the fabric, quietly pocketed them and smiled to themself as they thought of what Sterling had just said. Sterling went on to ask the others what they thought about bringing a gift and when Gal asked Nubbi who said the dragon did like shiny things and had a large pile of them.

Nubbi then announced to the others that something in the air is making her upset just as Bo noticed a gathering of squirrels in the tree branches above them throwing a volley of various nuts at himself, Gal and RX. Gal, still under the effects of *Speak With Animals,* heard the squirrels curse them and told them to leave and and tried to apologize and assure the group was friendly, but to no avail. Bo warned them to stay inside as he picked up the pace as Alaerith leaned out the window to check what the party in the carriage was hearing and got an acorn to the face for his troubles. Moments later the party was accosted with the rancid scent of skunk spray, with Quincy and Sterling particularly affected by the smell. Yashani asked if she was the only one to think they may not be wanted here and Quincy, coughing through the stink, insisted the dragon needed friends. RX pointed out that they didn't know if this was the dragon’s intention or the just the wildlife as Alaerith cast *Prestidigitation* to clear up the smell within the carriage.

Bo and Gal, at the front and looking ahead, spotted a polar bear charging towards them in a rampage. Bo swore as he handed off the reins to Gal, cast *Transient Bulwark* on himself*,* jumped off the carriage and ran forward into its path as *Transient Bulwark* caused the polar bears’ charging to fail to knock Bo down. Gal, at a much slower speed, came up alongside Bo and the bear and RX asked if Bo would like help. Sterling leaned out the carriage window, cast *Tasha's Hideous Laughter* as he made a terrible bear pun and the bear started to laugh as it was left *Prone* and *Incapacitated.* RX reached down to hoist Bo back up onto the carriage and when Gal asked for the polar bear's name Nubbi told them that Minithrax was far bigger then that. Bo quickly slipped back into the driver’s seat as they continued to ride on and Gal spotted a fissure in the ground that gently ooze magma and to the other side of the nearby river was a geyser that erupted in a spray of water. Gal realized that the increased oddities of the land around them must be a sure sign that the dragon’s lair was closer and they should be there soon.

Bo started to struggle with the horses when they pulled wildly against the reins, but managed to keep them on track. When the trees begin to thin out again Bo saw the dragon seemed to do a nose dive, and as the carriage came into open grassland, saw it hit the water in the distance. With the frequency of magma spilling and geysers erupting increasing, Quincy told Bo there was no shame in admitting Yashani was right and turning around and Bo noted he didn't think Yashani was wrong, but was still curious to see where this went, along with RX who said he was curious as well. Sterling asked where the dragon was as he can no longer see it in the sky and when Bo said it went into the ocean Yashani angrily pointed out carriages don't go in the ocean. As Bo crested up a hill and looked to the area around them, he yanked back on the reigns and brought it all to a halt as just past the top of the hill was a ridge and a nearly 150 feet drop to the rocky coast below. With a quick look around, about 100 feet away along this ridgeline was a large mound of upturned dirt and Bo started to pull the carriage that way when Gal adamantly told him to stop. Sterling looked out the window, excitedly asked about the mound and when Quincy asked why that was so exciting and exclaimed that he loved a good mound, left the carriage to head towards it and called for Bo to follow.

As the boys started to head forward, Yashani opened the carriage door with a loud bang and, within the blink of an eye, was suddenly in front of Bo and Sterling and grabbed the back of Sterling’s collar but, knowing Bo was see-through, didn't attempt the same on him. Yashani asked if they knew what happened to people who wandered through a dragon's lair, that she assumed they die and told them to step away from the mound but Bo reasoned the dragon went into the ocean and was nowhere near the mound. Yashani noted the dragon likely already knew they were here and Sterling agreed but reminded her all the stories said it was friendly. At that point, everyone looked and saw Nubbi who had wandered ahead and was currently climbing the mound. Bo bolted after her, caught up in time to cast *Beast Sense* on her causing his vision and hearing to die out as Nubbi’s senses took over and tumbled back down the hill. Everyone else made their way to the mound, minus Alaerith who stayed with the horses while the others argued.

Bo watched through Nubbi’s eyes, noting that her sight was similar to *Detect Magic*, as she reached the top of the mound, looked down into a deep and dark hole at the center and with little hesitation *Misty Stepped* down and used *Levitate* to catch herself and repeated the process several times before she seemed to reach a bottom about 230 feet below ground. Nubbi looked around the large open, dark cavern before it mentally asked Bo to get out and that she would wait for him. Bo dropped *Beast Sense*, and having narrated Nubbi’s view to the others, happily headed for the mound citing that Nubbi showed that it was safe, followed by RX. Sterling noted is was perfectly reasonable and offered that they could make camp at the bottom of the hole, but Quincy insisted they would not sleep underground again. RX suggested the dragon might also use this hole at night and considered it a bad idea even as he climbed the mound as well. Sterling asked if he could follow Bo and Yashani warned this was their funeral and releases her grip on Sterling’s collar while Quincy called for Bo to come back so they can give him something.

When Bo returned, Quincy pulls out one of *Ob’s Charms* for Gal first, then to Bo in full view of Sterling even as he muttered and fumed to himself. Sterling asked if Quincy would hand one to Nubbi first to be cute and funny and Quincy playfully said they could make him beg for it. Sterling, seeing the charms amongst the clump of bandages in their hand, cast *Mage Hand* to take one away from Quincy, but found the spectral hand was dispelled when it made contact with dispelled. Quincy laughed as he tried again before they explained to Gal what the charm did when she asked. Sterling insisted he gave back Quincy’s when they asked and Quincy said that’s because it was theirs. Alaerith commented near the horses that technically none of the charms were theirs and as Sterling agreed, noting Alaerith was his favourite, Quincy shrugged and said they were the ones holding all the charms so it didn't matter. Meanwhile, over by the horses, Alaerith was smacked in the face by a horse snout as he attempted to look after them.

Bo met RX at the top of the mound and looked down to find the large dark hole Nubbi had seen. Quincy noted unless they intended to drop to their deaths since Nubbi had magic to aid her they should wait and Sterling said he could help if they gave him a moment to rest and recover his magic. He also suggested they could make a ladder with rope to get down and when Quincy reiterated they did not want to sleep underground insisted they could sleep up top and go down the ladder later, with Gal in agreement that sleeping to the sound of waves would be nice. Bo continued to look down the hole, and not wanting to leave Nubbi alone and recalling that about 70 foot down the side of the hole became more slanted, thought to himself he might be able to roll or run down the side from there. RX asked if Bo was any good at climbing and Sterling called up that rope would be a better idea since the dirt was not good for climbing. Gal offered that she could fly down to see if Nubbi was alright and the group agreed that might be a decent option. Gal activated *Wild Shape* to turn into a hawk, flew up the mound and over into the hole and into the hole, along with Bo who didn't hesitated to follow after her.

Bo landed where the side wall began to slant, painfully and wobbly, but managed to get his feet under himself and not tumble down the slope. RX watched Bo jump, told the party it might not have been a good decision, to Quincy's temporary relief, before RX called out that he had a better idea, pulled out his new sword, stuck it into the dirt, jumped down and used the sword to slow his fall. Yashani muttered that not once on this trip had a good decision been made and noted the “ghostly bastard” would not be driving the carriage again. RX landed, far less painfully then Bo did, and easily stuck the landing at the halfway mark beside Bo and challenged that he could beat him to the bottom. Meanwhile, Sterling asked Quincy if they knew how to crochet but Quincy said she did not, citing she never had the patience for Nana to teach them. Sterling explained he was hoping for help with rope tying which annoyed Quincy as knot tying and crochet were two very different skills while he cited it was similar, but agreed to help with it.

Back inside the hole, Gal far ahead of the Bo and RX, reached the cavern where Nubbi was waiting long way before the duo, looked around to find the fox is nowhere in sight before she took flight and followed the tunnels as they lead deeper underground. Gal went a good ways, passing through steam and smoke, before she entered a much larger cavern with magma bubbles along one wall and steam seemed to pour in from a fissure in the wall. As she looks around, Gal saw an offshoot of this cavern where a large pool of magma rested and lit the cavern in a red-orange glow, and saw a giant dragon, white with tufts of fur sprouting between it's scales, sitting and made an assortment of rumbling and crackling noises as he appeared to be speaking with someone. Gal looked down and found a woman, tall, with long white hair wearing skin tight white and green leotard type clothing, and most notably three familiar tails that sprouted from the base of her spine and blue eyes. The woman turned, spotted Gal, vanished and as Gal saw Nubbi on the other side of the dragon, resisted the feeling of something pressing against her mind and knowing something just tried to make her forget what she just saw. As Gal flew forward and tried to see where Nubbi went, the dragon spotted her and adjusted its stance as it tracked her with its eyes and growled. Gal dropped down to the ground, dropped her *Wild Shape* and raised her hands in supplication.

Realizing she did not understand the dragon's attempt to speak, Gal activated *Mind Link* to ask the dragon not to hurt her. Meanwhile, RX, along with Bo, having made it together at the top of the second half of their descent, asked if he had a sword and on a yes the two used their swords to help slow their rush downwards to the bottom and in the cavern Nubbi had found with some damage taken. Back in the cavern, the dragon bemusedly says he didn't expect Gal to hurt him but when Gal explained she was asking him not to hurt *her* reeled a bit at this, confused at having misunderstood. He then asked why she was in his head, noting he didn't like when anyone was in his head and Gal explained she was but only because she didn't have another way to talk to him. She then introduced herself, told the dragon that the fox brought her there and the dragon asked what fox. Gal told him that Nubbi was there a moment ago, but the dragon didn't seem to remember that.

Gal went on to explain they had seen the dragon flying overhead, thought he was interesting, that they were told by the fox he was friendly and a story said he was friendly and Gal had friends on the way who might be able to speak to him. The dragon sat back, less defensive than before and told Gal to tell her friends to hurry up and Gal activated *Ob's Charm’s,* not knowing about distance parameters, used it to ask the group to hurry. The boys, being the only ones in range of the message, pick up the pace down the tunnels. Meanwhile at the top of the hole Sterling and Quincy finished the rope ladder and Sterling explained proper belaying technique, while Alaerith's attempted to calm the horses as they became more aggressive. Bo and RX ran through the tunnels, soon arrived to the large cavern and saw Gal standing before a dragon with her hands in the air.

While RX activated *Second Wind* to recover energy Bo quickly joined Gal with his hands up and said hello. RX excitedly asked if Draconic was what dragons speak and Bo confirmed that was what they spoke. RX stepped forward and attempted the dragons name but after being corrected and asked for a shortened version and the dragon said to call him Pelligrin.

The dragon called RX interesting, citing he was not made of what most creatures were made of, reached out to poke RX with one wickedly large claw and knocked RX *Prone*. RX took this in stride, reached up, pulled himself back onto his feet and shook the claw like he was to shake someone's hand. The dragon noted this was strange as well but accepted the shake before he tried to poke RX gentler this time and RX noted this was a common occurrence and held out his arms to be inspected as he has been accustomed to doing in the past. Pelligrin asked how strong a metal man could be and RX called himself fairly strong. RX then asked how strong he was and when Pelligrin said he was strong enough to kill RX and RX agreed from what he knew of dragons. Bo noted to Gal that this conversation seemed to be neither friendly nor aggressive from what they could tell from body language and RX turned to give him a thumbs up.

While Bo and Gal stood, they looked around, spotted a tunnel with a large pile of gold, silver, statues, art pieces and at the top could see Nubbi picking through it. Gal activated *Mind Link* with Nubbi, told her she didn't appreciate her mind being messed with and Nubbi looked back and responded that Gal saw something she wasn’t supposed to. Gal admitted she doesn’t know how much to trust Nubbi now and asked why the dragon didn't seem to know Nubbi and Nubbi explained she did what she tried on Gal on Pelligrin as well because she didn’t need him giving away her secrets. Gal told Nubbi to tell the dragon they were friends so he didn't hurt RX and threatened to tell the others what she saw if Nubbi didn't comply. Nubbi told Gal if she did she had to keep quiet about what she saw, that she wasn't there to hurt anyone but no one needed to know what Gal saw for the time being. Gal, feeling as though she could trust the fox to an extent, agreed not to tell anyone and Nubbi left the pile of shiny things, took the long way around, went up Pelligrin’s back and up towards his ear.

Pelligrin, who had been stroking and poking at different parts of RX to test his strength, paused as Nubbi began to whisper in his ear, though out of sight. RX, able to understand Pelligrin’s side of the conversation, heard his agreement to something as RX tried to identify who he was talking to but didn't manage to see them. Nubbi eventually returned from around a different corner, sat at Gal’s feet and RX greeted her before asking if she had seen anyone since the dragon appeared to be talking with someone and turned back to the dragon. Pelligrin asked what brought them to his home and when RX gestured to Bo the dragon noted he could see through Bo’s form. RX explained Bo's translucent state was not something he understood before he said that they saw him flying and decided to follow him, though not all the party agreed. Pelligrin asked why they would follow him and RX explained they thought it would be interesting. Meanwhile, at the mouth of the mound, Sterling began his descent in the hole, while Yashani, hearing the faintest rumblings of the dragon’s voice, tipped herself over the edge and used her monk abilities to fall down the hole as she sped past Sterling. Quincy called out to Alaerith that Yashani went down and when Alaerith confusedly just asked why said she didn't know and started to follow them.

RX asked how well Pelligrin understood magic and the dragon told him he knew very little as his magic was innate. RX asked if he could poke Pelligrin and the dragon warned him it might not go well but could try, citing the embers and white sparks that flicked off of his fur. RX took a stick and poked at Pelligrin’s talon, asked if he lived in the area before realizing the question was stupid and Pelligrin noted the cavern was home and pointed to the nest behind him. RX asked if the dragon had ever been to *Krak* and Pelligrin commented that he did not intentionally try to get shot down but had seen it from above while traveling. RX asked why why the people of *Krak* would shoot him as RX thought Pelligrin was very friendly and the dragon assured him there was reason. At that point, Yashani and Sterling, having made it down the sloped side of the hole and having jogged through the tunnels, now pushed through the wall of smoke and entered the dragon’s cavern, Sterling wasted no time to use what little of the draconic he had overheard to attempt a greeting in Draconic. RX introduced Pelligrin to the two and when Pelligrin asked what they wanted went to Yashani and Sterling. Sterling asked what was going on and RX said he was conversing with a new friend, which Sterling seemed unconvinced by and asked if RX would translate for him for a moment, which RX agreed to.

Sterling attempted a flowery apology for coming into the dragon’s lair, but RX called it stumbling which Pelligrin noticed and pointed out it isn't stumbling when they claimed to follow him. RX asked Sterling if he was trying to lie, explaining the word choice and when Sterling told RX to say exactly what he says RX told Sterling he would disagree with his directive. Nubbi hearing that gave a huff in it's fox state while Bo knelt down next to Nubbi and cast *Speak With Animals*.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

Sterling, with the help of a more accurate translation from RX, asked Pelligrin if there was anything the party could help him with, noting he had heard the tale of Pelligrin and how there was a gap in between people attempting to befriend him, him being friendly and wondered why that was. Pelligrin huffed out a small burst of white and blue flame and called his words petty as he lowered himself into a lying position. Pelligrin noted he did not care about what most things dragons cared about, that he cared about strength and that they were too weak for him to bother with unless they wanted to be food. Sterling quickly stumbled through, told RX there was not much he could do, that he was very weak before and to tell Pelligrin he apologized for everything and RX did so as Sterling tried to walk backwards and away from the dragon, but quickly bumped into something big, warm and furry. Sterling asked if he found the polar bear, which Pelligrin called by name, and the recently awoken Minithrax slowly made its way to the dragon, laid down in a nearby smaller nest that and went back to sleep.

Meanwhile, Bo having cast *Speak With Animals* on Nubbi, now connected the dots between Nubbi’s appearing and RX's comment that Pelligrin had been speaking to someone, told Nubbi to be honest, asked what she said to the dragon and Nubbi said she told the dragon not to eat them. Bo felt he could trust her words, but went on to ask why she was here and Nubbi said she wanted to say hi. Bo noted it didn’t look like she was saying hi when she was on top of the dragon’s horde and when Nubbi shrugged it off as curiosity said he was finding it harder to trust her. Bo looked to Gal, said she got here sooner, asked if she saw anything before he and RX arrived and Gal attempted to keep her word with Nubbi Bo saw right through it. Sensing her failure Gal explained she promised not to say anything and Bo, now confused, noted the only thing to make a promise to was the dragon and Nubbi. Pelligrin commented of the side conversation just as Quincy arrived in the cavern. RX introduced Quincy before attempting to translate more for the dragon. Quincy, recognizing the dragon spoke a language the group did not understand, pulled out one of *Ob’s Charms*, asked the others if that might help and when Gal warned the dragon did not like other people in its head the group agreed to continuing speaking through RX. Back outside, Alaerith noticing that he was now the only one still topside, tried to tie the horses off to a nearby tree, but his string of bad luck with the animals continued as one of them stomped onto his foot. Alaerith took the hit before he gave up, headed for the mound and used the rope along with a several castings of *Misty Step* to reach the bottom when he needed.

Back in the lair, Gal activated *Mind Link* to ask Nubbi if she could wipe Bo’s mind of her bad attempt at a lie, but Nubbi replied she couldn't do that in her fox form. Gal asked why Nubbi didn't want Bo to know and when Nubbi replied it wasn’t the time and that she was just there to keep an eye on him Gal noted Bo didn't trust either of them now. Sterling pointed out to Quincy that Gal seemed to be arguing with the fox, but Quincy pushed that aside as par for the course and insisted to focus on the dragon and asked Pelligrin how old he is. After RX translated, Pelligrin replied he had been there for several centuries, bordering on a millennia. Quincy then asked if they had always lived there, along with other questions for as long as they could. Behind them, Nubbi attempted to slip away, but Bo seeing that reached out, cast *Zephyr’s Strike* to act first and seeing Nubbi attempting to *Misty Step* out of his hold activated *Anti-Magic Strike* to stop her causing a a full sized person to land on top of Bo in a tumble as they both hit the ground.

Everyone in the room turned to find the white haired woman, with three familiar tails, with markings, whiskers and soft ears at the top of her heard, in high leather boots laying on her back across Bo on the ground. RX questioned if they had met as Bo asked what was going on while. Quincy complained that they were only joking about the fox being sentient, while Sterling, having heard Draconic for ten minutes now and could speak the language haltingly, apologized that they didn’t know the fox was a person and the dragon rolled onto his side, said this might be entertaining as he continued to watch. RX asked if Pelligrin would like him to translate what was going on, but the dragon said no and that it would be more fun to make it up in his head as he watched. Bo asked the woman on top of him who she was and she sighed, told him she was Nubbinaga. Bo frustratedly asked *what* she was and she told him to take a wild guess as she leapt up from the ground.

Bo stood as well, raised his sword *Passus* toward Nubbi as Gal recalled from her time in the Feywalker tribe, through the leader Avia, of shapechangers called kitsune. Gal wondered how she didn’t pick up on it before and Nubbi noted it was a secret for a reason. Gal and Quincy commented that several tails and the ability to teleport were odd and Nubbi agreed. Sterling asked if this changed anything and when Quincy pointed out Nubbi was a whole person masquerading as a fox Nubbi refuted that she was a fox. Quincy pulled out *Panache* as Gal noted it had gotten heated and asked if they could play nice. Nubbi noted she had been insulted but Quincy stood by the fact that Nubbi never said she was a person. Nubbi stated she wasn’t supposed to say anything and Bo retorted they had every right to be upset. Sterling stepped back to the dragon, agreed in Draconic that it was fun to just watch and Pelligrin approved with a small snort of flame. Nubbi told Bo she was only trying to do her job and Bo asked what that job was. Nubbi said Avia wanted her to watch over all of them and when Quincy asked why the Champion of Kenala wanted her to do that explained she was sent to watch Gal specifically, then Bo and then whoever else they picked up along the way, but part of her job was to go unnoticed which didn't work when someone flew as fast as a bird.

Yashani asked how leading the party to a dragon was a part of her job and Nubbi shrugged, admitted she was still a curious, tricky fox by nature, but she was also helpful. Yashani wondered how she had been helpful and when Nubbi pointed out the dragon has not eaten them Yashani reminded her that would not be a problem if they were never here. Nubbi pointed out that Pelligrin wouldn’t be hostile because they were not a big enough threat unless he considered them food, while Sterling told the dragon that the fox-lady was sent by a Champion to watch over them. Nubbi apologized, admitted she had flaws and that she didn't want the job but had debts to pay off. Gal asked what the group ever did to Nubbi and Quincy noted they would no longer be taking advice from the fox. Nubbi explained she wanted to say hi to him as it had been a long time since she had seen him as Sterling reminded them that the Goddess of knowledge also thought it was a good idea, which Tollanessa admitted she also instigated. Quincy leaned in to Yashani, told her she could say ‘I told you so’ at any time, citing that Yashani did say this was all a bad idea and Yashani agreed taking advice from a fox was questionable. Nubbi agreed Yashani did say that, adding that sometimes even she didn't listen to herself, which is why she had debts to pay off. and Quincy, seemingly relaxed, put away *Panache* at her words.

RX, noting Bo’s blade was still pointed at Nubbi, stepped into the center of the group, said it was obvious that the party’s newest members obviously had not followed Killian’s traditions of offering all their secrets together, that it was clear several secrets were out now. He went on to mention Nubbi was a member of their Order and Quincy noted Nubbi’s membership may need to be revised with the reveal that she was more than just a fox. Nubbi asked if she could weigh in on that but both Quincy and Bo voiced their disagreement. Nubbi restated that was trying to pay off debts and favors, reached into a pocket and pulled out a familiar necklace. As Alaerith arrived in the room, having run from the slope and into the cavern, Nubbi tossed the silver honor crest, emblazoned with the halberd wrapped in a scroll, to the ground between the feet of the group which Quincy, Yashani, RX and Alaerith all recognized as Killian’s *Honor Crest.* Nubbi explained she was paying off a favor for Killian and that if they didn't want the help she would leave and turned to go, but was stopped by Bo as Quincy demanded a better explanation and pulled out *Panache* again. Alaerith cast *Enhance Ability : Eagle's Splendour* on himself as Sterling told the dragon that the crest belonged to an old friend of the party who died. Nubbi said they needed to stop being rude and pointing guns and RX asked that everyone put their weapons away.

Alaerith asked if RX could explain what was going on and RX gave a brief summary which included introducing the dragon and the woman with three tails as Nubbinaga and Quincy added that she was supposedly paying a debt to the Champion of Kenala. Once the explanation was finished, Nubbi demanded the weapons be put away and as Bo and Quincy did, Bo reached for Nubbi just as she attempted to *Thunderstep* away, which all except Yashani managed to avoid the brunt of and Sterling who was too far to reach it's effect, but just barely managed to reach her before she disappeared, activated *Anti-Magic Strike* to jolt her out of the spell before she got too far, reaching about 40 feet behind them as they toppled to the ground together. Quincy told Nubbi to not be dramatic and as RX picked up Killian’s *Honor Crest* Nubbi complained that while his *Anti-Magic Strike* didn't hurt he could be nicer about it and reiterated that she didn't like guns pointed at her. Sterling asked if he could do something and with Bo’s permission he ritually cast *Identify* on her and told the party while she was innately magical, she was not under any particular magical effects. Nubbi complained her she couldn't feel her legs under Bo’s weight and Alaerith asked Bo to comply. Bo got the two of them to their feet but with a tight grip on her arm and prepared to activate *Anti-Magic Strike* at any moment.

Alaeith stepped forward to confirm that she was the fox and if the fox or the human form was her “regular” form and when she replied technically both Alaerith confusedly noted it wasn't the weird thing he had heard in his time with them. Alaerith thanked her for returning Killian’s *Honor Crest* to them and apologized if she has already explained before asking why Nubbi was with them. Nubbi explained she owed a debt to a woman named Avia Esantra, and Nubbi was hired as a way to repay the debt by watching over Gal, when she left the Feywalker Tribe, and Bo. She added that she was given the *Honor Crest* later on, that was told to give it those Gal would eventually meet in her travels and to keep an eye on them, but to not to be discovered, though. Yashani noted that she liked Nubbi better as a fox as she talked less, then looked at the dragon who had been watching them talk this entire time, asked if there was any reason to stay and if not they should leave lest the dragon decide it was getting peckish.

Sterling wondered if they should ask the dragon needed any favors to get in on its good side, but when several party members disagreed RX asked the dragon for the best way out of his home. Pelligrin asked how long they could hold their breath and pointed in the direction he came from, but when it was clear the party may not survive that, suggested another exit that his pets used through a split in the cavern wall. RX thanked him for the assistance and led the group to make their way through the split in the wall. As Sterling passed he asked if there was anything in the dragon’s horde they should know of, possibly something that was making the animals outside so angry, but at the verbal prodding of his treasure the dragon snorted a bit of fire Sterling’s way. RX noted they should take their conversation outside as Gal came up to Sterling, patted out the flames and cast *Cure Wounds* on his burns as Sterling mumbled about mentioning the horde by accident to learn more about the outside animal's state. As RX herded the rest of the group into the crack in the wall leading to a naturally formed tunnel, he apologized to the dragon for the strange meeting but Pelligrin admitted it was entertaining, especially with the fox. RX said they would continue their conversation elsewhere and when Pelligrin gave his hope he did not see them outside the lair or they would be food and said that was understandable and wished him a good day.

As they walked, Gal apologizes for her part in leading them there and RX said this was not an unusual sort of decision for them and asked that they wait until they were outside to continue their conversation. As they walked 10 minutes back to the surface, a little ways off of where they left the horses and the mound, RX gave Alaerith a more in-depth recounting of the conversation with the dragon. At the surface, Sterling attempted to break the tension at the surface and when Nubbi responded to call him names told her to shut up. Gal lashed out and asked how she dared to put the group in danger and Nubbi said if Gal had not appeared as they did everything would have been fine and she would have had it sorted for him to leave them unharmed. Quincy asked if Nubbi couldn’t have warned them, but Nubbi insisted she was not supposed to be found as a humanoid. Sterling argued that she assumed they didn’t realize she was more sentient that most foxes, that they didn’t have ways to communicate with her and that he didn't see her human form as that big of a deal more over that she had an ulterior motive. Nubbi said they simply did not ask the right questions but when Sterling said she was full of it added that being caught would extend her debt. Quincy asked why she couldn’t have helped as a person and Nubbi said that it was part of her debt and that helping as a person would be too easy.

Alaerith asked if there was a consequence for this from Avia, but Nubbi said it would not be from Avia, but from The Huntress, the Ever Seeking Arrow, which only Bo recognized as Gihiaz. Nubbi added that the Huntress was a Demigod that all the kitsune are tied to, who their power came from and one of the Wild Sisters amongst Kenala and Fealtera. As Bo explained she referred to Gihiaz, Sterling asked how this Goddess would find out about Nubbi’s failing and Nubbi said she assumed she already knew. Quincy noted they would hate to know what kind of debt Nubbi wracked up to get cornered by not one, but two Goddesses and a Champion. Nubbi corrected Quincy, that it was a debt to one Goddess, that she was covering the favor of another Champion and a Goddess who apparently used to deal with one of their members and that Goddess asking for a favor reduced more of Nubbi’s debt. Sterling asked if they couldn't make an agreement to not tell on Nubbi and she would continue to help them figure out what was really going on. Nubbi noted if she knew what this group she would have left, though that probably would have incurred more debt. Nubbi reiterated that she was sent to befriend Bo and Gal and keep an eye and when Sterling tries to prod for more information insisted not everyone was in on everything.

Quincy cut in to ask if Nubbi would be in more debt if the party were to die under her watch and when Nubbi said it would probably mean her own death shrugged and said that was all they needed to know that Nubbi wasn’t out to harm them. Nubbi restated she didn't want to hurt the party, but at the moment she didn't know what the consequences were for her being found out. Sterling asked Bo if they could strike a deal with Nubbi that she not trade away the information she found while along with them and they would keep her secret as a shapechanger and Bo stated that he couldn't care less what happened to Nubbi. Yashani stepped in to say she felt Nubbi was taking an unfair amount of blame for what went down today, pointing out several people took her advice over common sense and that was their decision and when Bo noted that was not why he was upset Yashani said it was partially why she was upset. Gal apologized, followed by Bo, Sterling, who apologized for himself and Tollanessa, and Quincy who apologized for not putting up more of a fight against a bad idea when they realized it was one.

Bo attempted to twist Nubbi’s arm into apologizing as well but she asked what if she was supposed to apologize for being caught. Sterling said to apologize for lying, but when Nubbi restated she didn’t technically lie RX said not knowing something this important had proven to be a disservice in the past and wandered away from the group and towards the ridgeline to look over the ocean. Sterling followed RX and asked for help to clear an area to make camp, which RX helped with before leaving again, then started to ritually cast *Tiny Hut*.

While the rest of the party was left along the treeline and the two suns set over the water, a rush of wind blew through the trees and Nubbi reaffirmed there were consequences for her getting caught. Quincy wondered which of Nubbi’s debtors was coming and to bet which one it was and Nubbi replied she didn't as it was still her loss. An immediate sound of snapping was heard as Nubbi jolted, and twisted painfully as her bones cracked and shrunk and realigned until the familiar fox form was left in front of them and the bright blue light of her eyes dimmed. Alaerith ran towards Nubbi to ask if she was alright while Gal activate *Mind Link* to ask what happened and Nubbi simply replied consequences. Gal asked if it was permanent and when Nubbi confirms it Gal told her it served her right. Gal told the others this as Tiny Hut went up in the distance. Quincy asked if she could still use her teleportation magic and Nubbi walked in a circle demonstrating she no longer could.

Quincy noted they wanted to lay down and muttered they hated it when Yashani got mad as Sterling said he made the inside of the dome humid and warm. Quincy scoffed that they would rather stay outside then and Sterling assured them he was joking. Nubbi look at the hut and laid down where she was as the others headed for the hut. Sterling having blocked Quincy from entry said he would require one of *Ob's Charms* for their entry tonight and Quincy insisted they hadn’t heard him say pretty please. Alaerith commented that perhaps Quincy should have to say pretty please to Sterling as well before he sat near to Bo and Nubbi. Sterling reminded Quincy it got cold and noted that seeing them smack against the bubble was entertaining. Sterling eventually did say pretty please and received a charm, but when he did not allow them in Quincy shrugged and accepted as something they expected. Inside the dome, Gal asked if Sterling still wanted help to sleep tonight and when Sterling agreed he might, that he’d been trying to forget things and was probably why he was so eager to chase the dragon and Gal agreed to the same for herself.

Those in or just outside the hut and RX, as he walked the ridge, saw lights along the not-too distant coast that they recognize to be *Krak* and noted was about a day’s journey from here. Seeing the lights and RX at the ridge, Quincy stood and made their way to RX to look over the water together. Sterling told Gal that he may be fine with dealing with his dreams alone tonight and instead asked Gal to reach out to those who were missing. Gal agreed, and reminded him she was not sure how her tethers may work across planes and to not think the worst if she couldn't reach them and Sterling agreed and the two bedded down for the night. Sitting beside Nubbi, Bo thanked Alaerith for sitting with him and asked for a moment alone with his pet and Alaerith agreed, stood up as his appearance distorted momentarily before realigning as he went and sat outside the hut. Bo cast *Speak With Animals* told Nubbi he was beyond infuriated, which Nubbi took as usual for her. Bo went on to say she was there to keep an eye on them, and that he would do the same for her, especially because she was particularly harmless as a regular fox now. He offered to let her sleep in the cloak as they usually did, laid the cloak outside the dome's border and Nubbi took a moment to circle the cloak, laid down, whimpered quietly and apologized to Bo who replied that he knew. As Bo left, Yashani stepped by the cloak with Nubbi inside, said she did not begrudge Nubbi her secret, mostly because she feared her own secret would be revealed soon enough, that Yashani none of the group, save RX who was capable of keeping a secret, were being too hypocritical as she knew they all had secrets. Nubbi poked her head out and nodded in agreement before Yashani stepped inside the hut.

As RX and Quincy looked out over the horizon and begin to talk, Gal fell into her dream space and reached out. She looked for the tethers of Ob, Bolton and Lysandra and found one faintly in the distance, a star of magma and fire that shined in the distance, and slowly moved towards Bolton's dream.

1. ↑ Sterling's *Anthropologist* Background and *Adept Linguist* feature allows him to learn just enough important words, expressions, and gestures to communicate on a rudimentary level who speaks a language he doesn't know by observing them for a long enough time.