Welcome to Asarius

"**Welcome to Asarius**" is the 45th session of the first WGA campaign. After completely shifting demeanor for a couple of seconds, Finch seems to return back to normal, confused at why everyone is staring at her. Valac inquires if this is something usual for her, and when Finch doesn't seem to understand what he's referring to, he concludes that it must be.

Everyone decides that they have too much on their plate to worry about that now, but will keep an eye out just in case.

### The final documents

Upon stealing various documents from Xuton's office, the group takes a look at their finds. They have a lead about a contact in Asarius going by the name Sahiri, and clues about a connection to a criminal underground in the city dealing with residuum smuggling. The recording stones Florian managed to grab revealed that Amour Beltune was still closing in on Xuton.

In the haste of escaping before Xuton catches them, Florian and Valac managed to grab add some additional documents that they take a more detailed look at. It's criminal records of various prisoners, most notably Kismet's sentence. He had been betrayed by his own parents, and approved for solitary confinement by Shadowhand Xuton. Keldrym reads the document out loud, and it seems like his parents' involvement is news to Kismet. The party stashes this information and gathers the rest of the papers.

##### Kismet's prison sentence

21st Brussendar, 731 PD
 **Full sentence** | *230 days minimum, to be tried in Rosohna*
 **Co-signed** | Bhinraal and Luadira Merellath

### Contacting Essek

Gathering all the evidence they've acquired, the group wonders if Essek Thelyss might be able to help them make sense of it, and confirm if going to Asarius is the right direction to further investigate whatever smuggling business Xuton was involved in. Kalypso sends a message to Essek asking if they can come visit and share their findings, to which the only response is a cut off "*Sarven, no!*". After only briefly entertaining the idea of not bothering him, Kalypso, Kismet and Valac decide to show up at the Shadowhand's tower uninvited, while Florian, Maynard, Blitz, Ilmari, and Beckett wait outside. Florian climbs the façade of Essek's tower, but is unsuccessful in looking in as the windows appear tinted.

Instead of Essek, Sarven Cauchemar opens the door and tells the group that Essek doesn't want to be disturbed. Despite this, the three persist, eventually convincing him that it will only take a minute. They're let in and soon Verin and Essek show up, looking exhausted and annoyed. It's confirmed that their clue to Sahiri in Asarius is as good as it gets, and additionally they have to figure out how to get there on their own. Valac flips Essek off before they leave.

### Teleport to Asarius

As the group reconvenes, Finch reveals that she knows the Teleportation Circle in the Aurora Hold in Asarius, having been there with someone going by the name of Isa. With a quick errand run, the party restocks on *Healing Potions*, Valac buys a Potion of Mind Reading, and Florian says goodbye to their family. Ilmari says that she's stuck in Rosohna and can't follow, but leaves Florian with an intricate ornate dagger that she apparently found in the Wastes. Considering the weapon is too large for her to use in combat, she's just been opening letters with it, and insists that the half-elf will make better use of it. Florian accepts, after which everyone is off to Asarius.

The Red Thread appears in the Aurora Hold with no warning and immediately alerts the Aurora Watch standing on guard. Finch rambles, but it's only after Kalypso reveals her emblem, stating that they're on business on behalf of the Shadowhand, that they're let go and escorted out of the building. Kismet and Valac trail behind silently, both visibly nervous until they're finally out.

The group quickly finds a tavern called The Baked Pelican and rents four rooms, grabbing a bottle of wine. Florian makes a pillow fort, then everyone goes to sleep, promising to figure out a plan of action tomorrow.

### Valac's Dream

That night and for the first time since his night terrors stopped, Valac has a dream. He's standing on the dock of lake, feet slightly sinking into the wet wood, freezing water lapping at his feet all familiar and comforting. Out of the distance, white hair pools at the surface of the lake before a light-skinned figure emerges and effortlessly approaches the dock. Amicus warns Valac that he's not keeping his eyes open and he's not in control, the group making him weak. Valac's only response is to let out a violent scream, releasing all of the psychic energy in his mind and collapse on his knees to the dock. Amicus seems completely unphased by this and climbs onto the dock, insisting that Valac listens to them.

When asked what he's doing and what he wants, Valac is unable to respond. He denies that Kismet is making him weak, and tells Amicus he doesn't want her, which seems to anger her. He threatens to hold Valac in the dream forever and reveals she's found a new muse, one "much more talented" than he was. Valac begs to be let go, and finally realizing he's completely powerless, agrees to do whatever Amicus wants of him if they just let him go. Lying that he won't try to resist a spell being cast on him, he still does, but Amicus's magic is too powerful and still overwhelms him. He's put under the effects of a *Geas* spell, instructing him to simply "listen to what Amicus says", after which he wakes up.

### Finch's Dream

In another room, Finch also dreams. She finds herself in a stone chamber filled with various magical objects with the individual known as Vallin Mirimm. She introduce herself, as this is the first time Finch has physically seen her, then begin to antagonize the tiefling. Citing her as an annoyance and unable to do as she's told. Finch attempts to explain but the being doesn't seem interested in hearing and cuts her off. Vallin says she's done the exact opposite of what is expected of her, using her going to Rosohna instead of Shadycreek Run as an example. But it will not matter anymore as they claim she will get them back on track. At that moment Finch wakes up.

Blitz, who is sharing the room with Finch, enters a conversation with the panicked tiefling about her situation. She explains that the person stuck in her head will take over soon and that she will have to return to 'that room'. Finch also comments that she doesn't exactly know what happens when she 'falls asleep' and wakes up again. The Dragonborn, who is usually very knowing about these situations, is taken aback at this predicament. They ask questions and try to learn more about this strange person residing in Finch's head but before long the girl suddenly slumps over.

When she rises is it clear that someone else is in control. Blitz knows this must be the Vallin that Finch spoke of and voices their dislike of them. They don't seem bothered by that fact and after more tense words were exchanged they dismissed themselves to go get breakfast downstairs.

### Breakfast and chance meetings

Kalypso, already up and eating breakfast, notices 'Finch' when she enters the tavern and is deeply confused by her change in personality. Eventually, everyone makes their way downstairs and join together for a discussion on their daily duties. The group doesn't get far as Valac notices a familiar face from across the room - his sister Lada. He awkwardly excuses himself from the table then telepathically communicates with Kismet that if he is gone too long that he needs to come looking for him. Kismet turns invisible but is immediately counterspelled by Lada, so he stays behind.

Moments pass and Valac returns unscathed. He states that was his sister and, although she's a nasty individual, that she shouldn't be a problem to them. Before the group continues they have to address why Finch is acting so odd and sitting away from the group. Blitz explains that the Vallin individual has taken over control of Finch and is doing what she pleases. Wanting to know more, the group waves Vallin over so she can explain herself what is going on.

### Consecuted souls

Vallin keys in on Kismet who says he only ever heard about her from Finch. When he asks how this is possible, Vallin states that this situation is because of consecution. Kalypso excuses herself saying she is going to need a drink for this conversation while Kismet shares one of his theories with the group. That many moons ago he thought he met someone with two souls in one body but this is the first case where he is certain about that. Vallin's power is not that limited but the body is her problem. Kismet asks if he needs to 'expunge' Vallin's soul from the body but she states that anything they do to her will also affect Finch. She shares a few more retorts, downs her coffee, then briskly leaves the tavern.

The group reels from the conversation and attempt to brainstorm solutions on how to address the situation. Blitz in particular claims that Vallin is a huge issue for Finch in regards of her self-confidence. Across the table, Valac retorts why he should care about that causing the Dragonborn to visibly finch then fall silent. Kismet says he has some knowledge on the Vallin matter but wishes to wait until Finch's in control so he can confirm his queries. The group ultimately decides to allow the tiefling to do what she wishes and once Finch returns she'll be able to find her way back to them at the tavern.

At this point they make a game plan for the day. Kismet, Keldrym, and Valac will stay at the tavern to act as back-up. While Kalypso, Blitz, and Florian set out on information seeking on their target. Beckett, who has been silently hovering the group, will look for any clues on his own. Valac, knowing the town well, gives them some locations they can start with.

The group breaks and the investigation begins.

### Investigating and eavesdropping

Florian, Kalypso, and Blitz head to a nearby tavern to start their investigation. Blitz is on the lookout for anyone wearing Platinum Dragon iconography. They manage to find a white dragonborn named Naga who is wearing a Bahamut pendant. Blitz initiates a conversation with him, and offhandedly asks about their own quest, the search for the founding dragons of their order. To their surprise, Naga has heard some rumours dragon sightings. Two of them, travelling together. Blitz grows animated, and immediately organises a follow-up meeting the next morning to meet Naga's friends and other members of Bahamut's following. In addition to this, Sahiri Ralieu, the leader of The Empty Eyes, often donates to the shrine of the Platinum Dragon. Sahiri is a follower, and with this connection, Blitz has earned some sway when the party go to talk to Sahiri in the coming days.

Kalypso heads straight to the bar, and strikes up a flirtatious conversation with another patron. Her goal is to find where Sahiri stays, and any other rumours in the area. The patron falls into the honeytrap, and talks about how Sahiri and The Empty Eyes help shepherd runaways and refugees from the Dynasty to the Empire. The other night there was an altercation at the border, and it culminated in the death of a number of Aurora Watch soldiers. The Empty Eye was said to be involved. In addition, she learns that there is a roaring underground trade of Residuum from the Empire, and in return, gems, magical items, and people from the Dynasty.

Florian is listening out for rumours as well. They overhear a nearby table talking about the recent scuffle at the border, and approaches. Using his charisma and Golden Grin skills, he warns the table not to talk so loudly about The Empty Eyes, lest their leader find out. Florian convinces the group that he can be trusted, and seeks out a connection with The Empty Eyes. One of the patrons mentions Sahiri, and Florian learns that Sahiri lives a humble life on the rough side of town.