9/2025

All the refugees appear to be from Mine 27. 

We should be set on provisions provided we don't encounter a natural disaster.

As we wind down for the evening:

• Krokhok is thinking about what went wrong before he first left the Cauldron. He realizes it wasn't anything wrong with the Cauldron; but it wasn't his home. With the Church of Greeba in Lichen Morrells, he feels that he can do the right thing without losing who he is. He can ensure that as long as he's involved, the Church of Greeba will be an ethically right church.

• Nyx meditates for the night in a private corner. She seems to have a spotlight on her, even while meditating.

• Vesperi goes to sleep. Everywhere she is touching ground directly, she feels a jolt and wakes up. She's not hurt. There's no pain. 

Krokhok casts Summon Celestial to summon Swamp Aeiss as an Avenger/Defender. He then cast Planar Binding with a 30 day duration.

Krokhok realizes the Dwarven mine carts can also function without tracks.

He notice ssome refugees are specifically sad to leave their mine. Upon speaking with them they say, "We are under magical protections and are worried what will happen once we are no longer in the mountain. We have been hidden from the Skyfire Church." They look pointedly at Vesperi. Vesperi realizes this and gives them a wide berth.

We all hear the conductor yell, "Departure in 5!" We see a small battalion of Dwarves making their way to the front of the train. They strap themselves to the front of the carts with their shields facing out. Their shields look to be pure graatuin with spikes coming out. The back of the train is glowing with steam rising from it. Krokhok notices that the only wind here is coming from behind him. Conductor yells out, "Everybody on! Let's go!"

Vesperi gets on the train and sits next to a female wood Elf. We feel waves of heat, tremors, and explosions. We hear screams. There are some Dwarves at the back of the train that will be staying behind. One hits the glowing train with a hammer and we rocket forward at great speed, ramming through debris on the tracks. In roughly 3 minutes we hear, "Clear! Get up and move around! Help those that got hurt!" We've gone roughly 50 miles on 3 minutes and are now in a box canyon outside the mountain. The word is we'll go for about another hour and then stop for the day. 

Nyx watches the Sun. The Sun always seems to be directly above her.

Krokhok joins with the Clerics and Healers to help. Some of the Clerics ask him where he's getting his power from. Krokhok talks about the power of concepts/ideas instead of divinity. Vesperi listens to Krokhok but doesn't react in any way; tries to exude being chill.

Krokhok spends some time with the conductor, Corvath and learns that the train cars convert into boats. Corvath tells Krokhok that it's BS that he's here, havng to be the conductor instead of dying with his people. He's not from Mine 27. Krokhok points to the little kids and says, "They will build a better city one day."

Swamp Aeiss is pumping calming spores out. Vesperi feels that electric charge again. One of the mines collapses. Krokhok has visions of the fight and sees the Forgemaster who says, "We got this."

The train is about 20 carts long. There are roughly 20-25 people per cart with each cart roughly 50 feet long. The entire train is about 3 football fields long. 

The group of wood elves seem to be pulling grease or something like it from the ground to help dampen the sound of the cars. Vesperi feels the electric feeling 

again when Baedora hands her the grease ground back. She says "The roots grow deep”

We’ve come to a stop at an outfitted outpost with bunkers. Could hold about 1000 people. Nicely outfitted. 

The group of wood elves and the red haired dwarves are pulling their cloaks up to cover themselves. They all have an insignia that looks like a C and K together. 

Vesperia immediately recognizes it; it’s a symbol for Comraich.

Vesperia starts vibrating with excitement and then realizes none of these people will talk with her about Comraich because of the Skyfire Church.

Krokhok messages with Dickshabadan telling him about the Fire Giants, the Forgemaster, and the refugees. He tells Krokhok that Piotr and Cal are busy in the Reservation with Vames. Krokhok tells Disckshabadan that Etienne is dead. 

Vesperi talks to Berryl and relays the same information. Then she asks if Berryl knows anything about Lumbo's weapon. Berryl responds that some things we have to find out about the weapons ourselves. However, when Berryl responds it’s as a voice yelling in Vesperi’s mind. Also, the gun makes a cocking sound when Berryl responds. 

People keep complaining about the Sun. It seems to be directly overhead and refuses to move. Vesperi casts Darkness over Nyx and the Sun moves. Darkness ends in 10 minutes and the Sun immediately finds Nyx again.

We realize that the wood elves are walking around without shoes. Krokhok helps mend the carts, etc. with the Dwarven Clerics. 

Vesperi takes her shoes off and starts pulling the grease of whatever from the ground again. It feels sand-like. 

Baedora asks Vesperi what she feels as she’s handling the ground. She tells Vesperi that she’ll get it and mentions Comraich as she walks away.

We notice that clique groups have formed. There’s the wood elf group and the group of red-haired dwarves. They are talking amongst themselves. Vesperi uses the shadows to listen to each group and hears snippets of their conversations.

• Wood Elves. The words that stand out are: Javek, Darunjar, Vesperi, Killing Fields, Genasi.

• Red-haired Dwarves with red Faces and blunted red noses.  The words that stand out are: Haptarian, the true forge master, the living Bellows, Genasii. They also do a lot of arguing about cooking while using what appears to be self-cooking plates. Self-cooking plates. 

Lumbo is practicing with his weapon but he’s having a hard time with it. Baedora tells him to be still. To be like the ground. Then she says, “Axtrion”. At that, the wood elves and red-haired dwarves perk up. Havash (a red-haired Dwart) asks us what we know about the Covenant. Krokhok says it’s between the Dragons and the Church. No one blinks an eye at the mention of Dragons. A little lady comes up with a steaming bowl of liquid and tells us,  “All answers” while offering the bowl. 

We drink.

We see the bubble again with the all Dragons but this time we seem to be watching in Reverse. We see Heligan, the ForgeMaster, and another figure that is pure white but otherwise looks like a Vedalken. The figure is graceful, much like Brooke. Light hits the figure and they look sheer like they have dragon scales. The ForgeMaster takes 

2 of his scales and makes each end of the meteor hammer. The other figure takes one his own scales, which looks like water, to make the handle. The figure looks super happy. 

We then see Yardantyl and Dickshabadan come into the room. Yardantyl says, “You cannot be here. You are the problem." The figure, A, says, "Change is inevitable”. A bullet erupts from the figure's chest. Yardantyl says, “That’s the last of them. With Piotr & A out, it’s business as usual.”

Leaving T's estate. DT has the spellbook and will be giving it back to T at some point. Aramil was shopping for supplies. Saw a cloaked figure that ducked into an alleyway while storming. Aramil goes to follow. Vaguely Elven. heavily robbed with hood up. Alley descends down into stairs winding and ends at an unmarked door. slightly below head level. do some kind of code knock. has the eye level sliding hatch window things. on hinge of knocked is a pattern of a skull with tentacles coming out of it. Similar to Farkus coin. Aramil tries to mimic the knock. Knock passes and Aramil goes in. Hallway that goes down a staircase. Turns and twists. Smells musty, mildew. Dripping stuff. Cistern within the bowels of the city. Occupied by 20 other figuers and the guide. seated in a ring. 3 at center, rest presiding around them. Three groups, one with shuddering figures behind them. One is nonchalant and the last is tense like waiting for something. The 3 in front are waiting on Aramil. Everone is hooded and all their faces are shadowed. Aramil shuffles into the back. Smells rotting meat, comes from one of the groups. Not overpowering. Underground society meeting. can hear it pouring outside. "Have we come to a decision yet? I know we've made many dealings. For one I think E does need to go. The city is not doing well. Church is moving in too fast. He's not doing anything to get them out. Fine, we'll take your deal. Very good. Do we have your support?" Turns to last person. Wide grin with fangs. "Very fgood, we shall proceed. I want all of you to meet me at Ville Noye in a week's time. Then we can proceed with the plan. We shall need support and subjects from the outcities and villages and we shall need distractions. You two can handle that?" They nod. "If something happens, we don't know each other, you know nothing and we were never here." Stands up and walks out another door. The rotting smell of meat disipates. Everyone else goes to leave. Aramil searches the table they were at. Table is empty but has many marks from etchings. Some sort of small blade like a dagger or possibly claws. Unsure. Lots of scratches or swipes. One too many thuds into the table with a dagger. Aramil searches the doorway the smelly guy left out of. Keystone in archway. Just blank stone. Just a wall in the archway. Not a door. Walked through the stone wall. Kitty Pride'd it. Then he leaves. 

We head toward Hamperton Hotel. DT randomly reads the spellbook while it's raining. About half way to destination we run into Aramil. We tell him what happened with T. DT figures out its about 50 gold per spell level to copy the spells. Two spell scrolls have Maximillian's Magic Grasp and Magic Mouth (2nd level spells). The book has Fether Fall, Levitate, Spider Climb, Blink, Waterbreathing, elemental bane, transmute rock. We arrive. WEll lit, cozy establishment, two stories. standard fantasy tavern/inn combination. First floor is tavern with long tables, benches, bar with several patrons already eating stew. Staircase to 2nd floor. To the left at one of the only single table is a figure in very resplendent robes. Well groomed, red hair, green-blue complexion. Has gills on side of their neck. (Sea elf) Very patrician face (high born, noble, high cheek bones). Very sharp chin. AT a single table is presumably Laelle holding a glass of wine. "Ah, so you have arrived. Very good. Were should we meet because I don't think we should be meeting in public. 

Avery, "I know your not on speaking terms with E so perhaps its best to go to our ship. We would have privacy."

Very well.

It's called the Fist of Benevolence. It's not supposed to be sexual.

I'll meet you there in half an hour.

It will take us 10 mins to get there. We go to the ship. Cindora, Able and DT have never seen it. We decide to have the meeting in the Captain's Quarters. 

She arrives on deck. Has a nice horse led by an attendant with a dark purple robe with hood up. L gets off the horse "A bit quaint, isn't it?"

DT "It grows on you."

She insists we invite her on the boat. We lead her to the Captain's Quarters. 

Apple Bottom Jeans is sitting in the Captain's Chair. With whip at his belt. Restless.

"Rowan, could you introduce me to the new crew."

"Due to the captain vacating his seat DT, Cindora, A.B.E.L. and Adeline."

And our guest

Lady Laelle.

We are gathering information abou the massive explosion at L's relative manor. 

"As of 67 years ago, we're no longer related. I'm sure T filled you in on all of that."

Abel "What were you doing during the night of the explosure"

I had just arrive dthe morning of. Getting affairs in order and setting business going. Would never come back to W. 

She plays with her necklace.

Says she was in her room when the explosion happened. At the Hamperton Hotel.

L's necklace has a pendant with the symbol of the Skyfire Church. Not official symbol. Fan made jewelry. 

She gets defensive about being across town when the explosion happen. 

DT sees that L is hiding something. Not saying everything. Signals Abel. Rowan sees the signal.

Rowan asks if she knows anything about petrification. She is a bitch in response. 

Petrified, stone modified, turned back. 

Multiple charges went off in grid based format. Who do you thingk had the Baron's total destruction in mind. 

Delrik has been known to be abrasive in matters with his change. I for one was very accepting of him but there were others that were not and possibly had it out for him.

Hildegard is not a member of the Church but I have been working with him off and on the past couple of centuries. Accomplished wizard. Specialty is elemental spells. 

She is wearing high heels but very wide at front. Like exceptionally wide feet. 

Where could we find Hildegard. 

Probably be at his study at this time. Renting a room near the marketplace. 

Abel asks L about the inheritance and if she is getting it. She asks if the letter survived the fire. Shame because I don't know the contents of the letter. I would be next in line but I don't know if he would have given it to T instead. Appears we may never know. DT casts Detect Thoughts on L. Abel states he is asking about what happens now with the inheritance not what was going to happen. Surface thoughts are: well yes that would be me in line, i hope hildegard's end of the plan did go off. Emotional state is calm. Very calm. Arrogant calm. She feels above all of us. She says that she believes the matters are boing handled at Ville Noye. Not my perview. I will receive notice when it becomes relevant to me. Surface thoughts, I have better things to do. 

Any suspisions of Maxwell. Haven't heard that name in 40 years. He was a member of the Skyfire Church. ST: How do these fuckers know Maxwell? Where did you hear of him. DT says M said to come ask L questions about this and that you would be helpful. ST: Has he turncoat? She has a face tick. Then she says asks the same thing again. DT says he's on fire. L says that that was in poor taste. DT apologies and says he passed. E will be so happy you cooperated with us. Twitch again. Abel says there was something hidden in the garden shed andasks if she knew anything about it. L ST: did Hildegard fuck up. Somethered by arrogance. L says I wouldn't know about the Von Vestra estate. It's been 68 years. 

Rowan uses his telepathy to try to put an image in L's head while DT is detecting thoughts. He tries to put the image of the Necrohydra in her head. She is visblely shaken. "Why am I thingk of that. Is that how it looked. Why am I thinking about that right now." A sense of familiarity. 

Abel asks how many in those 68 years would you say you visited? Not once. 68 years was the last time I was there. I believe that is it. She turns away. Now that your automaton has asked it's questions do any of you have any questions. 

She says she has questions for us and apparently goes to cast a spell. If they attack me you should jump off the boat and sink to the bottom of the lake. She asks what brought us to her and don't say Maxwell. DT says my feet. Rowan says we were simply asking questions but if you want to throw down we can. 

DT casse scroll of Flesh to Stone on L. Starts to take effect and then receeds suddenly. Cindora casts Mage Hand and has it try to block the door so Tana, Adeline and Apple don't walk out. Abel attempts to cast Dispel Magic. Adeline is no longer compelled to walk out the door. Abel bonus action turns into a giant toad. The boat lists. 

Rowan casts Witch Bolt and misses. Aramil tries to shoot L. 

L walks to door and opens it and disapears in a poof. 

Tana sprints out the door. Cindora flys out the window and dives into the water after Tana. Apple starts to do the same. Rowan trips Apple. DT uses a chalk to make fill a spot with grease. Apple hits the grease spot and falls. Abel leaps over Apple and grabe her by his toad mouth. 

Tana says she can breathe underwater and goes down. Cindora says she has 5 minutes and she will come get her. 150 feet deep. Swims back up. She brings up some dirt from the bottom to put on Apple's feet. Abel drops wild shape and puts a bucket on top of Apple's head. Abel casts Locate Creature to try to find L. Can;t find her. We go to E. 

Aramil tells us about his findings earlier, i.e. killing Etienne.