We began on a smoky river headed east to the great city of Sic-Met and finally homeward to Seak’Oria. The city that had just left behind had been burning the jungle for weeks to create a defensive space outside the city and the smoke hung thick in the air even a mile away.
Suddenly there was a loud crash the large creature moving towards the river. A tree smashed into the river and a horrifying undead thing attacked the group as the wind itself held some thing about fires and the burning of the jungle. Heroes battled this creature that had the ability to turn the very ground against them, as the creature died the wind also died down. The group decided to spend the night in the safest place they could think of… The magical mansion that Agnes had purchased from Doomokos.
Agnus took a few moments to create the doorway and invited everyone inside. Inside everyone found themselves in a small mountain valley looking up at a very old stone temple surrounded by an orchard and a pasture and bisected by a creek that ran from hot springs above the temple. The creek had burrowed a deep cleft into the ground all the way through the temple. The temple itself was very simply furnished but had bedrooms, kitchens, cellars and a roaring fire that everyone gathered around for comfort.
Beyond the main entrance there was a large round courtyard split by the creek beyond the courtyard was a waterfall that fell from the rock of the mountain that seem to resemble a face although no specific features could be picked out beyond eyes, nose and mouth.
Kerzha was not there. She had stayed behind to sleep on the riverbank with the boats. She felt a bit uncomfortable entering this magical space because the power to create it had been purchased not with blood but with the slouls of the dead. She spent the evening making brownies which she had grown to love. Agnes came back from the temple to the material world to talk with Kerzha and to assure her that she would be more careful about her moral dealings in the future. Agnes spent some time helping Kerzha make brownies and even so, they turned out a bit too crispy.
When Agnes returned to the temple from the beach she found most of the group gathered in the main room near the fire. She entered she noticed that Prescott sighed sadly. He admitted to Agnes that he had lost his soul in a deal with Doomokos but now that he had a life of his own and his mind was returned to him. He was hoping to use his life for something honorable and he asked how he might follow Bertie. Agnes told him that he was already on that path and that he was surrounded by friends who would support his journey even if it led to serving another God.
After another day on the river the group found themselves at last back in the city of Sic-Met. The group went shopping and found a few interesting items. Including a few new magic cards. The God Thorin (Male Dwarf god of war and industry), the Goddess Ephara (Embodiment of Purity), and The Dread Pirate Mal-Heart (A horrifying undead pirate that raids all of the waters east of Kingsport)
Meanwhile Agnes, Prescott and Kerzha visited the enormous tent in the middle of town, “The Temple of All”. Agnes was comforted by her friend and fellow cook/follower of Bertie, Gen-sa. He told her that many have seen and held similar soul coins and that, like Agnes, most had chosen to get rid of them as soon as possible for something valuable in return. But it is possible to release the soul within. Next the three of them visited Ska-Cha, the leader of the followers of Rythis. Ska-Cha gave Kerzha a big hug and marveled at her new massive iron gauntlets. He said he was very proud of her and that he was glad to see that her rage had been put to good use. “Passion is not a vice when it’s used to help others.”
With their errands complete our heroes look forward to sailing back to their homeland… And hearing what Ambassador Ambrose Pin might have to say. He offered a reward just for listening so what harm could it do to just hear him out?