Party
Konguq- Human Wizard, Captain
Ace- Human Rouge, Quartermaster
Vodren-Human Cleric, Healer and Navigation
Ryai- Elf Spellblade, Night Watch
The party is freed from their containment finally as the ship begins to approach the witch's island where they first started the whole thing. When Ryai steps out from where he was staying the party notices his physical change, appearing more masculine than he has previously. Vodren mentions to Ryai that he saw a lot of what went down with the Neomah demon Skoragnit, and believes he made at least the right call when it came to not sacrificing the goblin child. The party briefly discusses the previous trial and how somethings went down, while Konguq prepares spells.
The party lands on the island and is asked once again, what they were willing to risk. They make their way down into the old underground where they first fought the black pudding. Upon entering, they notice a black figure floating in the water. When they get closer they realize it's Martle. They inspect his body and see that he was strangled to death by something but couldn't figure out what. As they move on to the next room they find the area was blasted by a fireball, with two figures melted together and one smashed against the wall. When they inspect the bodies they find that the two figures are Ciella and Ishter. The smashed body against the wall being Morris. The boys try to console Konguq about Morris, but she doesn't recognize who he is. Ace begins to explain that during Konguq's time on the ship she met a Hulderfolk, one of the original inhabitants of Krynn. She made a deal with it to be able to cast spells without her book. And what she gave up for it was her memories of Morris.
They continue to search the area for evidence of what occurred and they find Callum and Inevitable shaken, cold, and hungry, but alive. They feed the animals and they try to question them about what they saw. Inevitable leads, mentioning seeing something smaller than Ryai running around along with a larger person. Konguq asks if he remembers it's name and they called out "Vorlo and Necla". Investigating the area they found old flesh bits on the wall near the doors, though can't tell what kind of flesh it is.
They decide to proceed to the collapsed room where they killed Rumblegut. Upon opening the door they see a large and imposing figure standing in one corner, and the ghostly form of Rumblegut in another. He calls out to them, telling them that he would be here for the test. Ryai notices he casts invisibility on something. They talk little as Rumblegut explains that every test has a duel. The party springs into initiative as the the large figure turns around revealing it to be the hideous amalgamation of Vorlo and Necla.
Ryai notices Rumblegut prepping to cast a spell again and takes his chance to try and get a good hit on Vecla. Rumblegut counters it quickly though. Konguq manages to shrink Vecla as the other party members attack. Ryai sees cone of cold being prepared and calls out for the party to spread out. Vodren gets a few good hits on Rumblegut as he moves to prepare. Konguq ducks into the hall and feels something she can't see grab at her. It then lunges at her and begins to choke her, making her unable to cast spells and loose concentration on the spell she had on Vecla.
When his cone of cold doesn't take out the party, Rumblegut tells Vecla to flee so they can make an escape. It runs through the wall causing the wall to collapse. Ryai and Ace rush to Konguq's aid. Try as they might, the opponent is hardy on top as hard to see. Vodren takes his chance however to use his spiritual weapon and finish off the ghost Rumblegut. With the spirit dead, Ace and Ryai can see the corpse of Rumblegut snap Konguq's neck.
It turns to attack Ryai and next, and Ace finishes him off with a skewer to the head. Ace grips to Konguq's corpse begging Vodren to help, but Vodren doesn't have the proper spell nor the components for it. The scene around them fades back to the forests of home while Par-Salian offers Vodren the diamond needed to save Konguq. Vodren prays to Habakkuk, helped by Ace praying to Mishakal, is able to save Konguq. As her neck heals and she begins to breathe and Ace hugs her tightly.
Par-Salian, Justinian, and Ladonna, take the party back into the tower for their final judgement. Ryai asks how much of the test was real, and they tell him that while most of what they saw was an illusion, their motives and actions were very real. Ryai takes relief in knowing he didn't actually admit to murder and Konguq relieved that Agratok is still alive. Though Ladonna comments it is not in thanks to her that Agratok lives.
When Ace asks about Cyrus, they don't give him a straight answer.
Once in the tower, they give Konguq and Ryai their evaluation. The two have both passed their exam and are both welcome to join the order of the red robes. Ryai is welcomed to join the white robes for his decision to attack Vampire Cyrus without hesitation, while Konguq is welcomed to join the black robes for her want for power to protect those she cares about.
Ryai gives it a thought, and decides that no matter what he chooses, he's going to end up a dark elf. And if he's going to be a dark elf, he wants to be the worst dark elf they've ever seen. Par-Salian says he can achieve that by being in the order of white robes. Ryai says he knows, and joins them.
Eyes turn to Konguq, who previously had said she was going to choose the red robes. She agrees that she needs power to keep those she cares about safe, and chooses the black robes. Ladonna laments that Konguq choose her order, but smiles and says Konguq reminds her of herself when she was younger.
The wizards also give an assessment to the two non-wizards. Vodren being a shoo in for white, Ace would have been invited to join the red robes and white robes as well. They are also gifted magical artifacts.
- Konguq- gloves that allow her to cast spells subtly
- Ryai - an amulet that allows him to avoid all magical detection
- Ace- a steel woven cloak that protects him and allows him to shape it to his needs
- Vodren- a magic bow that allows for additional spell casting
They spend the next 2 days recovering and becoming initiated at the tower. Konguq and Ryai learn abilities on how to alter their spells.
Ryai and Vodren also take the time to look for books written in Sylvian. They find one that mentions an old ritual that can only be performed by druids that allow them to sacrifice the blood of a cleric to revitalize the land.
Once they are ready to go back, Konguq and Ryai become initiated into their respective orders and are given a scroll of teleportation. This allows them to Wayreth Tower at anytime. Once they return, they find themselves inside Orissa's shack, with no evidence of Orissa anywhere.
They make it to the ship and they are welcomed back warmly. Morris runs up to Konguq and scoops her up. However Konguq doesn't react like she should. She explains that she was in a bad way and lost her book. And that she gave up her memories so she could have her spells back so she could survive. Ryai mutters that she didn't survive. Morris now furious asks Vodren to explain everything from the beginning. After the tense explanation, Morris quits the Dandy Rose, feeling betrayed by Konguq's choice.
The crew grows tense after the fight. Necla asks if she would sacrifice them for magic too. Konguq convinces them that will not be the case for her crew, but Necla and Ishter want more. They make a deal, they will have a 1 time pay increase. If they can prove they are worth more they will continue to get more. They accept the terms.
With the payout from the Island job, Ace goes to deliver what Morris would have made for the time on the ship. He finds him at the Red Flag, but Orissa isn't there either. Morris doesn't seem to care all that much, but takes it anyway. Ace asks if and when he returns to Crossing to try and send word if Cyrus is ok. Morris says he'll try to remember.
Konguq returns to her quarters, trying to reminisce over her party gown. Bron enters and gives her the update on what they took from the island and gives his opinion on what they should do. Bron thinks they should keep their word to Gregor. When Ace returns he tells them about Orissa being gone and they deduce that she fled with Galay. Bron figures that when they return they will probably not be happy with them either way. Ace however agrees with Ryai's sentiment of wanting to hear out Orissa first and they decide to wait until Vodren can prepare zone of truth.
Konguq and Ace decide to spend the rest of the night at the Shucked Clam.
Vodren goes to spend time in nature to connect with Habakkuk. This time however, he actually gets to speak with him through Inevitable. Habakkuk praises Vodren for his devotion and says that he was the first one he chose to signal his return. He also tells Vodren to talk to Achaius, since Mishakal won't stop pestering him about it. Vorlo finds him and the two get wasted in the woods
Ryai meets with Lindvai to discuss the change he went through and how he can help her change as well. They meet at an inn during the night and summon Skoragnit again to help Lindvai with her change. Skoragnit offers to Ryai again to complete the change, but he refuses.
When Konguq returns to her quarters on the ship, she finds Morris there waiting for her. She looks him up and down and tell him her she has one shot to make it up to him. The two spend the rest of the night together.
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