Signs from the Sand

**Signs from the Sand** is the sixty eighth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party escape the dungeons under the Charcoal Palace and learn a number of new things from a face from Kaziyea's past.

## Signs from the Sand

### **Pre Show Shenanigans**

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### **Summary**

As the party just returned to the treasure room they saw metallic rods emerge from the walls and attach to the cage in the centre. Quincy asked Bolton if he knew how to operate it and Bolton noted that he didn’t think it would have changed since he was last there before he walked to the front of the cage door, spun parts of the the holes in different directions and continued til the cage opened from the opposite sides, revealing the door the group originally tried to open was a false one. The group explained their earlier attempt to open it to Bolton as Sterling and Yashani found the tuning fork and golden ball they were tasked to find. Meanwhile Kaz reached out to Boris, still underground, to find how far off the magma snake was and learned they had about four minutes before it would reaching them and was currently underneath him. As Alaerith disappointedly learned the chest with the key was unneeded anymore, Bolton put the rest of his clothes back on. The party, knowing they were pressed for time, quickly searched through the items for anything to take which ended with Quincy finding a cannon-like handle, Sterling a wand and RX found a pair of blue Damascus steel gloves, similar in appearance to warforged hands. RX and Sterling also grabbed about 15lbs of random gems, filling the limits of what they could carry, before they decided to return to the rooms with the three doors, quickly as they knew the magma snake would get to them soon.

Sterling suggested on the way to set a trap incorporating the flammable gas with a timed explosive for anyone who came to the room and Quincy said it was worth a shot. They passed through the magnetic room, along with Alaerith who cast *Polymorph* to turn into an owl to avoid the effect, except for Quincy who was pulled to the walls again. As RX helped Kaz get Quincy from the wall, Boris told Kaz the magma snake was still following them and informed the group in turn. Yashani asked if Boris could lead it away to a different direction and, after Boris confirmed it was following the closest object namely him, had him do so. After they returned to the three door room as planned, Sterling had Quincy set up a trap using the door, a wire and some gun parts. As Sterling kept an eye out for the magma snake in case it appeared RX pulled out the obsidian gem from Rezo, broke it in his hands causing it to drip drops of magma and little embers as it started to activate it. The party heard the rumble of the approaching magma snake just as the gem’s magical circle started to finish and teleported them away as they found themselves in a well decorated room.

The group noted, despite their wounds, they were successful as they saw the metal walls and the decorations and a symbol of a fiery ring. The nearby doors opened as Rezo walked in, checking he wouldn’t be linked to it and the party assured he wouldn’t. Quincy commented that his home was lovely but would prefer to be away and Sterling agreed, and added that they wished to return home and to leave immediately after giving his items. Rezo said they could, but suggested they wait for the morning light as the Sultan would likely have the exits watched immediately and, on realizing he was sincere, agreed to remain till then. Meanwhile Alaerith, still an owl, headed to the rafters before Sterling coaxed him to perch on his fingers. Yashani asked if remaining in his house would be dangerous, as his items were specifically taken, but Rezo assured he wouldn’t know they were his and were confiscated from the gates when he tried to illegally bring them to the city. Quincy asked if there was somewhere else they could be and Rezo noted they had the inn they were in originally. Yashani suggested they remain as they would likely get looks going there and Sterling added that most of the group were not in the position to get in another fight.

Yashani suggested everyone unload their items, along with what they found and were tasked to find, and the party did so to Rezo’s surprise as they returned what they had to the *Bag of Holding* and *Eldritch Scarf*. As *Polymorph* wore off and Alaerith reverted back, Sterling ritual cast *Identify* on the metal gloves RX found, learning they were called *Volt Gauntlets* that would add lightning to his punches, and his wand was a *Wand of Fear*. Kaz asked to see one of Rezo’s rooms before taking Quincy with them, who resisted slightly before saying they wanted to return to the living room afterwards. Alaerith returned Rezo’s keys back to him and gave the locked chest with Bolton’s key to RX when unsure what to do with it. Rezo asked for his items and the party gave back his tuning fork and the gold sphere. Sterling asked what they actually were and Rezo explained the turning fork was to cast *Plane Shift* and go to somewhere else and the gold sphere was a puzzle that he only partially understood. He quickly demonstrated by spinning parts of it till part of it opened, pulled out some small red glass beads from it and threw one into the corner causing it to explode in a ball of fire, then spun the sphere differently, pulled out small blue beads and threw one causing it to explode in ice. Rezo shut it and noted they were the only ones he knew of and Sterling offered to look over it during the night in exchange for one of each bead he could find. Rezo agreed to three hours only, citing it had been in his possession for several years, was taken when he brought it over and was fond of it and when Sterling agreed Rezo left the room. RX placed the sphere in front of Sterling and agreed to help him with understanding the sphere. As they did so Bolton took the chance to properly rest, along with Alaerith, while Yashani took the chance to meditate.

Meanwhile Kaz led Quincy through the immaculate elegant house to one of the guest rooms, closed the door, sat on the bed, pulled out a needle and thread and sewed her wounds while casting *Flawed Reconstruction* to heal herself. Kaz pointed out Quincy was jumpy and Quincy, slightly horrified at what Kaz was doing while attempting to not touch anything, said they were just tired. Kaz asked if she was lying and Quincy insisted they weren’t before questioning what Kaz was doing as it looked like it hurt. Kaz explained it did hurt and as she finished one of the threads it sunk into her body, leaving a mostly healed scar. Quincy asked her to stop, pointing out she could get Yashani, and Kaz said she was fine and was more worried about Quincy, noting they looked uncomfortable. Quincy asked if she wouldn’t let it go and Kaz recalled her words of a story for a story. Quincy told Kaz of how the first weapon she touched was a wooden sword for her brother, that they play fought in the hallway with it, was screamed at that it wasn’t lady-like and was locked in her room for a week. Quincy asked how that story was and Kaz kissed her cheek before saying she didn’t know she had a brother and didn’t think she would like Quincy as much if they were lady-like. Quincy noted they didn’t think they technically had a brother, or thought he would call her sibling and didn't know as it had been long since then, but Kerrack was more brother then she needed.

Kaz apologized for taking her from the others, citing she thought she was tired, and Quincy admitted she was but didn’t feel like she could sleep in any of the rooms and would rest in the sitting room. Kaz asked about Bolton, how he was a friend of Ob, and Quincy noted he likely knew him more than anyone else and had travelled for centuries. Kaz noted it was interesting and advised them to check on him as he seemed worse off then them and Quincy commented that he would give Kaz the answers to her questions, noting that what she likely knew of Ob was confusing, but added that Bolton was a straight shooter and overly polite. Kaz stated she heard many stories of Ob her whole life, that early stories were more favourable than recent ones, that they were likely more biased and didn’t know what to believe, especially from someone who knew him so long as Bolton had, but would ask if there was time. Quincy told Kaz how family and blood were complicated and different, but reassured her that the Ob they knew was helpful in keeping them alive. Kaz countered that it would been useful if he had been there when her people had died, but quickly apologized and suggested she leave if she was uncomfortable in the room. Quincy said to sleep well and Kaz returned the words before Quincy left.

Back in the sitting room, Sterling and RX, after two hours, revealed another slot of the sphere that released a yellow glass bead. Sterling excitedly activated causing it to release lightning from itself and suggested to RX they took three of those specifically and RX agreed. Sterling took another, handed it to RX, theorized if he used it on himself it might activate his ability to absorb lightning and RX crushed it and felt the lightning absorbed inside him. Sterling suggested he destroy a nearby vase to test if it worked and Yashani, Alaerith and Bolton argued not to. As Quincy came back to the room she suggested to use it in the same corner Rezo had used, but RX noted the energy would disperse on its own eventually. Quincy sat near Bolton and started to clean her guns, except for *Puncture*, and reluctantly returned *Bolton’s Bowler* to him on his request.

The party briefly conversed about fashion, especially Quincy’s fashion choices, before they pointed out the rush to save Bolton didn’t leave time to get new clothes as she felt him actively dying and Bolton countered that he technically still was as he was currently poisoned. Yashani examined Bolton’s lifeforce and, after feeling it was off, asked what the poison was and Bolton said he didn’t know, that he just had a bunch of things put in him and was slowly getting more tired. Yashani activated *Hand of Healing* and *Physician’s Touch* from where the poison was inserted to break the poison, but only was able to heal part of the basic poison without fixing the actual issue. Bolton looked down to his now index-fingerless hands, said that he didn’t feel like he would be of much use anymore and Quincy told him to shut up before saying he could learn to fire with other fingers. Bolton retorted that wasn’t the point and when Yashani explained he was going to die he added the process might take a long time. Sterling asked if as a patron of a God they could do something about the poison and Bolton stated there were things designed to kill beings like him. Sterling suggested there might be antidotes to them and Bolton noted he didn’t know if there was, but wasn’t fretting as it was bound to happen, especially since he was back with his father, and wouldn’t dwell on it. He also restated that his gunskills were out the window for the most part and when Quincy insisted he would have to deal with her trying to fix it told her good luck. RX suggested prosthetics as an idea and when Sterling added Twynn was with them and could do something rudimentary Bolton noted he could do more than that. Quincy asked if he knew Twynn and Bolton said he knew him a long time ago before noting he wasn’t the one they should have gotten. Sterling explained to get Ob they needed to get to him first and ironically the *Plane of Fire* was easier for them to access at the time, which Bolton found hard to believe. Sterling frustratedly noted how the effort they put into save him was met by him accepting death easily and rolling on his belly, but Bolton refuted that he accepted death because he wanted to, but wasn’t going to roll on his belly. Sterling, accepting his response, said they would figure out what to do to help him use his guns and Bolton noted he didn’t need guns, that he just liked them.

As Quincy commented that they reminded her of Kylan and Kerrack and missed them Yashani noted they had Ob to find first. Bolton noted that he knew his general location and could get them where, though not his exact spot, and the party confirmed they were aware as well. Bolton said they would need to talk to Kaz about where they were going as it was her homeland and also where her people died. Bolton suggested someone get her and RX immediately headed to find Kaz to her surprise, explained they would be having a discussion that would be uncomfortable for her specifically. Kaz admitted she was expecting this and was glad he came to her door and when RX gave his arm to her linked her arm in his and headed back arm in arm to the sitting room.

After Kaz and RX returned Bolton told the group to save Ob they needed to go to the *Chasm of Spire* and asked Kaz if she wanted to educate the group about it or if he should. Kaz asked what education they needed and Bolton told her she knew what they needed to know. Kaz told the party that not many traveled there for good reason, that her people used to move a lot and occasionally were attacked by creatures or groups and her father died protecting them by staying behind after a sandworm attack and wasn’t seen again. She added that when she was a little older people she didn’t know came, started to kill them off and her mother told her to run, which she didn’t want to do and leave them behind. Her mother, who was a powerful witch and renowned by people wanting to see her, cast something on her before telling her to run again and she had not been back since or heard anything from her or the others. She finished by stating there would be no welcome and didn’t know what was left in the area. Kaz then asked Bolton if that was the information they needed and Bolton agreed before questioning why she was being crass with him specifically. Kaz retorted that he was a stranger and knew nothing about him before questioning back if she was meant to ignore that because he traveled with a grandfather who didn’t care about her. Bolton said he had his flaws like they all did and Kaz countered it was certainly a flaw to show up for the first time, from nowhere, give her a weapon and disappear and days later people he apparently worked with or for showed up, locked her away and tortured her for who knows how long.

Sterling apologized to Kaz before asking if she was sure her mother or family was gone as she hadn’t been back for so long and assumed postage wasn’t an option and Kaz said she wasn’t sure, but noted it was very brutal. Sterling said he had a way to maybe find Ob, but offered that he could use it to see if her mother was alive, noting the magic would fail if she wasn’t. Kaz said between the choices Ob was more important and Sterling justified that he could do it the day after and if she had something of hers could use it to give his magic a better chance. Kaz silently removed a bangle from her arm, told him it belonged to her mother and Sterling said he would give it a shot.

Sterling pulled out a diamond before asking Kaz what her mother looked like and Kaz promptly put that she looked like her. Sterling cast *Scrying* on her, causing a sensor to appear in the form of mini Tollanessa, quickly shuttled her off and soon appeared to a dark area with three moons in the sky and found a camel with a cart, along with a robed individual in front of a fire. Sterling immediately felt a tug as his soul was pulled from his body to the individual, who turned to him, revealing a similar face to Kaz with an eyepatch over one eye, and asked what he intended to look for. Sterling voiced his shock that she was alive and the woman pulled him closer to her, revealing the eyepatch and outside of it was covered with eldritch markings, and asked what he was looking for. Sterling said he was looking for her and when she asked why said he didn’t know if the person wanted him to tell her and asked her name before introducing himself and explaining he could bring a line of communication to her. Meanwhile the party seeing Sterling passed out tried to rouse him while Kaz stared in shock at the result of his search.

Sterling asked if he could ask something before being released, hopeful he would be and the woman said she would, but was curious who was spying on him. Sterling said it wasn’t spying, that she had someone who cared about her, that he would tell her if she released him and they would likely see her again and needed her help. Sterling added that she could probe his mind if she liked but felt it was a waste of magic, and the woman retorted maybe for him before figuring the only person who would know her would be her daughter, meaning she was alive and was glad to know she was. Sterling said it might not be for long as there was a bad situation, that bad people who hurt her and she could get her to contact her. The woman noted it would be easier to do it herself and when Sterling asked if he was to remain said he would stay as long as she said so. She quickly shrunk his essence and explained that using sight to scry on people he touched more than this world and others could control it better than him before restoring his proper size. She asked where he was and when he revealed they were in the *Plane of Fire* noted it was a trek and questioned why they were there. Sterling suggested her daughter could explain to her and commented that she was a powerful wizardess and she countered that she was a witch. Sterling soon felt something staring through his body from her and let her continue feeling he couldn’t resist either way. She then asked if it would be easier for him to give the information back or her doing it herself before just deciding to use him instead.

The rest of the party watched as Sterling soon woke up and Sterling felt another presence within him. As Alaerith asked what happened Kaz noted that he saw her alive and she did something to her. Sterling’s bag shook slightly as a mini version of her mother popped from it onto his shoulder and said hello and asked why she sent him. Kaz explained that he said he could find her if she was alive and when her mother said he wasn’t good at speaking with people she noted there were others in the group who can do that. Her mother said it was good to see her alive and Kaz replied in kind before introducing the group and noting they saved her from a burning city and something else. Her mother asked what happened and Kaz explained that she traveled since sent away, found work, then met Quincy who soon left, then Quincy returned and the city was on fire then got on Quincy’s boat. She continued that she traveled with the group with some who didn’t made it, minus Sterling who she met later on, that she parted with them because they had things to do she didn’t know about and went to *Vayilcor* for a short time before her grandfather visited her. Her mother said she was unaware and when Kaz asked if she should have been aware of it said her father had good intentions, but was a little radical at times. Kaz continued that he didn’t stay long, that he gave her *Charm of the Demi-God*, then summoned the *Glaive of the War Priest* to his mother’s disdain. Kaz added that he told her nothing before leaving and several days after was jumped in an alleyway by a woman who took her to a room with sand and monsters, noting that she wished she had learned more from her before that happened, that she was followed and attacked for who knows how long and eventually traveled through other rooms till she was caught by a coven of hags. The two gave their disdain at how they gave witches a bad name and when Kaz pointed out Sterling referred to them as witches a lot tried to refute that he also aided to getting them to her. Kaz continued that she didn't know how long she was with the hags for, but was kept from sleeping, eating and drinking, cast things on her, caged Boris, and finally Ob’s old coworkers visited her before Sterling and the rest saved her.

Her mother said she was worried about it starting again and when Kaz asked if she already knew said her father told stories when she was younger and one day found the stories weren’t stories, but fact. She apologized to Kaz and said she wished he left her alone and when Kaz asked why he didn’t said she wasn’t capable of what she could do. Kaz asked what she meant and her mother explained she was an oracle who use many magics to do what she does, but didn’t have the raw power that she held, adding that she could distort thousands of minds, but she could level a city if she wanted. Kaz noted she might have seen something like that in the sand room, that she learned a lot quickly and her mother said that was the problem, that she was too good too fast, which is why she was taught little so Ob wouldn’t come to use her. Kaz asked if he was kept away and her mother said she was kept away, which was one reason why they traveled so much. Kaz asked if that was why she was sent away and she said it was mostly to save her from the raid, but added the less time she was around her the less likely he would find her, but admitted she was wrong. Kaz noted they were unclear other then wanting her to fill his shoes before asking why Ob wanted to use her and she said to not be their filler. She added if she had more power she would have been able to stand up for herself even better then she could now, but having it would have made it easier for them to get her to assist them. She added that if Kaz told her she was alive she would have been able to find her and would have dealt with it. Kaz noted that she didn’t before adding that Ob was locked away and couldn’t either and her mother agreed that he was, though not specifically, but knew him being back at the chasm caused things to happen there, that it was getting distorted again and if he was there long enough could do nothing or could make the tear get bigger. Kaz said her friends wanted to get him out before confirming he was as strong as the stories said and she replied their magic was a by-product of him and she was that strong just being born. Kaz noted she had spoken enough and suggested the others ask their questions of Ob from his daughter.

Yashani asked what the tear that could get bigger was and she explained the *Chasm of Spire* was once a city in the desert called *Spire*, that the last genocide he did was destroying the city which caused a tear in the desert and made a great influx, a dangerous place in terms of the arcane filled with raw Æther. Yashani enquired about how powerful it was and she said it was fine while just sitting there, but Ob’s presence exacerbated it and made it fell uncomfortable to just be near. Yashani asked if could be harnessed and she said like anything it could be focused into something. Yashani pointed out that was why they needed to get Ob out, noting that even if he was no friend to Kaz, he can’t be left to be an Æther generator and that Ilvwinter was right they needed to free him. Sterling noted that he was aware someone smarter than them, alluding to Kalistock, would know they would go there before confirming to Bolton that they knew saving him wasn’t smarter to do, which is why they did so as they knew no one was guarding him, but knew he would be waiting for them.

Kaz’s mother said if they intended to get him out that every step could be detrimental and that she didn’t even go herself. Alaerith asked what she meant and she revealed something around the chasm wasn’t good for any living breathing beings to be around, that it took air from lungs, moisture from the body and life from the blood. Sterling asked about it’s effect on undead and when she said she didn’t know said one of them was a master of undead, alluding to Robert, and might possibly be there as they might be immune to it. Alaerith asked if the effect was stronger on arcane users or on those lacking it and she said yes and no and that it was entirely random. Yashani alluded to the similarity to the *Maltrop’s Strip* before she continued to note one time she used her sight near the chasm it wasn’t pleasant and felt like 1000s of needles in her brain. Yashani asked how long the effect of the chasm took if they were fast and she said two or three days before the serious effects took place, but also added that it wasn’t a small place and was a whole city. Quincy asked where in *the Badlands* the chasm was and she said it was in the mountains in the middle of the desert. Sterling asked if the place could be scryed to get a better lock on his location and she told him to hold on as she covered the eyepatch, causing a bright shine from underneath it before saying they couldn't do it. Sterling asked Bolton if he would know how to track him and he said maybe, but also wasn’t sure what they would need to find him through. Quincy recalled how Ilvwinter said Lunala put him in a bubble and that she placed him in a place to be dramatic and Kaz’s mother covered her eye again before confirming he was indeed there and while *Imprisonment* prevented scrying she wasn’t a normal scryer and could push past it. Alaerith brought up the restrictions to releasing him and she confirmed that was the case and they would need to find what they were.

Sterling had Tollanessa appear on his other shoulder, asked if she could figure out how *Imprisonment* would work and if it could only be used by someone of high magical power and Tollanessa confirmed they would need to, along with a statue of the person’s likeness and things that person held dear to them. Sterling also confirmed the importance of the conditions and suggested that Kalistock likely was the one who cast it, but Bolton revealed it was the Satyr, Minnie, and likely wasn’t strong enough to cast it on her own and more a transfer of usage instead and probably made the condition. Sterling asked what solutions they had and when Quincy asked if killing the caster would break it Tollanessa said it would likely not. Sterling pointed out they had someone who could probe minds as long as Kaz’s mother was on board with helping them. Kaz’s mother confirmed she was a satyr and after Quincy cast *Minor Illusion* to show what she looked like checked and confirmed she was in the chasm, likely keeping an eye on her prize. Quincy pointed out she was undead in some capacity, which Sterling added that she likely wasn’t affected as much and Kaz’s mother countered that there were many things considered undead.

Kaz’s mother told Kaz when they return to *Palamoa* and head to the desert to find her and she would help from there. Kaz asked about her words on her being very powerful and what she could do to help them in the chasm and she said there wasn’t much she could do to help, but suggested to visit Vayilcor and probably books and information in the chasm as well. Kaz told her she was glad she was alive and she replied in kind before admitting she didn’t want to contact her as she herself was not fully safe yet. Kaz agreed to go and Kaz’s mother said she was glad she made the exception to see her all because Sterling peeked on the “Oracle of the Sands” to see if they were alive. Kaz noted she didn’t mention that part and her mother said she should have told him what she could do to him. Kaz insisted she thought she was dead, but also thought it was funny. Quincy stated that they thought he was dying, but Sterling countered that her mother was quite sweet, which she thanked him for. RX commented that he was dry heaving through the first half of the conversation before and when Sterling said he had gotten used to two souls in him as opposed to more then that Kaz’s mother noted his mind was quite cramped. Quincy suggested she say hi to the Goddess of knowledge and she said they had already been speaking in the background and Sterling noted he had been hearing it at the same time, which RX seemed impressed by.

Kaz suggested she see Boris before she left and summoned him which left Bolton a little worse  as he couldn’t resist his poison. Kaz’s mother commented how big she had gotten and Kaz spoke about what the two had been through, though Boris told her mother she had done a good job. Kaz thanked him but noted he was sucking up as he kept singing all the time and her mother let him know not to, threatening to blow him up if he did, causing Boris to immediately bury himself. Kaz’s mother said she hoped to see them again, asked them to watch over her Kaz and let her know she would be watching over her. Kaz told her to stay out of her head as she didn’t like it before and she assured she would just have one eye on her when she slept, a nightly watch. Kaz confirmed if she meant sleeping or night and when her mother said she didn’t need to let her know if someone came to them in her sleep RX and Sterling noted it would be advantageous for them. After more discomfort for Kaz and Quincy, Kaz’s mother said it was nice to meet them and when Sterling offered room for if she came around again insisted there wasn’t enough room and noted there was a lot going on in his mind. Sterling noted he had a big mind palace and worked on it and when Kaz’s mother said she loved how she decorated it, but questioned the dead rats in the corner said he would have them as butlers, but didn’t know how to yet. Kaz’s mother told them when they got in the desert to rustle in the sand or send Boris to find her and asked them to watch over Kaz and take care of themselves. The party said goodbye just before she introduced herself as Sahar Sandestra Rex Ignis and as Kaz whispered I love you Sahar replied in kind.

Kaz noted her surprise that her mother was alive and when Sterling asked how she felt said she didn’t know how to answer. Yashani suggested it was time for them to sleep as they would have a long day for the next few days before heading to find a room for her. Sterling told Kaz if she ever wanted to talk to her about dealing with moms he had experience with that, which she agreed to, causing Alaerith to leave hearing the conversation on mothers. Sterling left shortly as well, followed by RX who left after a time and found the best room in the house to Sentry’s Rest in. Quincy set up the couch for herself to rest and told Kaz that she owed her a couple of stories. Kaz insisted it was fine, but Quincy said it wasn’t and that it was important for her to know about her. Kaz said she barely knew herself and said they could learn together from her grandfather before giving Bolton a dirty look who looked back before he eventually left to find his room. Kaz went back to her prior room and found a burnt orange and teal hat on the bed that she knew was one of her mom’s. She picked it up causing little flecks of dust and grit coating the outside of it before everyone went to rest.

1. ↑ A magic item that had been giving Quincy advantage on all ranged attacks since finding it in the ruins of Baron Vintorvas' mansion