Session 88

General Summary

Each party member was responsible for some part of the work necessary for rescuing the captives from Vicra's Lair.

Dazki was in charge of leadership and communication, making sure that all the other task forces had direction and resolving blockers.
Dwardazik, along with Boswell, led a small task force to secure safe passage between Overlook and the lair, as well as the tunnels within the lair.
Marvin worked directly with Jim to help disenchant the soul beacon and soul battery.
Grogery and Urtica worked on triage and treating the victims, though Grogery's performance seems to have left a lot to be desired.
Kesmet helped perform last rites for the dead, with help from Myrrah to figure out what their souls wanted, including some rituals that involved burning the bodies.

Afterward, Dazki mentioned that he had learned some interesting details about Dennis: his father was assassinated, The King of Jacks (leader of the House of Cards) was directly involved, and The Eight of Diamonds was also somehow involved.
Dazki then went to Jim to ask for clarification about how the serum works.

If it's taken right as the party leaves Overlook, then there's enough in what Jim gave Dazki for four people to remember everything about Overlook and their journey here, although the effects of the remaining Bewilderburr will keep happening until then.
During this conversation, the DM aggressively hinted that Boswell is clearly on the stuff, even though he's not a necromancer.

The bronze hummingbird finally returned from W.E.I.R.D.; Hemsin and Hawney ran ahead of the rest of the group, since they could follow the hummingbird more easily.

The Quibblebits arrived after just a couple more round-trips of the hummingbird.
Apparently, Barry is racist against dragonborns, and he absolutely does not get along with Richter. W.E.I.R.D. is bringing him along to dump him off so the rest of the party can go back to dealing with him.

The party took a long rest, expecting the rest of W.E.I.R.D. to arrive while they were asleep, but that never happened.

Full Recap

Editor's note: rather than play through the exact details of a full day of carrying out the tasks to assist the people of Overlook, we just summarized each overall scenario and played through a few key moments of each one.

Task Forces

Dazki: Organization, Communication, Exodus

Dazki is charged with organization and communication between the separate task forces, and also to assist with exodus procedures. He is left mostly to his own devices. Jim shows up occasionally, to help put out (metaphorical) fires and deal with undead concerns. Trying to organize the villagers to do anything is frustrating and tedious. Like trying to oversee a horde of toddlers, things tend to go haywire as soon as you take your eyes off the situation. The undead follow directions slightly better — once you figure out what to say to them in order to get them to do what you actually asked them to do — not to mention all the rules that Jim has in place, to protect each undead from being used incorrectly. Each undead has a written list of things that they can and cannot do — but figuring out which qualification fits with each zombie is a bit of a puzzle, because neither is labeled for your convenience. Jim seems to have memorized a lot of this, but now he's mostly doing other things. Additionally, getting working communication line between the front line (Vicra Lammergeyer's Lair) and the village is a challenge. It's a balancing act to try to judge when you can sneak away, leaving the villagers alone for a while, in order to deliver critical messages yourself. Dazki tackles all these challenges with ease. This gives the rest of the party enough support to be able to work with their assigned task forces and succeed or fail by their own merits.

Dwardazik: Security

Dwardazik's role is to prepare for and secure a path through the lair.

Dwardazik: So, looks like I'm with you to make sure everything goes safe, eh? Boswell: Aye. Dwardazik: What ya bringin' in there? You got a sword or somethin'? Just gonna use that blacksmith hammer? Boswell: Just the hammer. Dwardazik: All right. Look, here's the plan. If anything actually comes out at us, you back me up. I'll drag their attention away, and you get a couple of good strikes in, deal? Boswell: Well, it's not just gonna be us, pal. Dwardazik: Uh, yeah, but we're goin' in, so... just wanted to make sure that, if you're gonna have my back, then you have a general idea of what the plan is. Boswell: We all got backs, buddy. Dwardazik: Good.

Boswell is surprisingly well put-together, and he is able to direct both living and undead townsfolk to set up caravans to and from the ant's nest. He has them fixing carts; preparing animals; he's trying to arm villagers, although there's not a lot of weaponry here in Overlook; he's lighting the road with periodic standing torches of incense to keep the Ankhegs away; etc. While he does that, you are going to be primarily focused on securing a path through the lair's interior, and you will lead a group of villagers under your command. The lair is plenty dangerous enough without also having to worry about keeping the villagers safe as well, but you feel you are up to the challenge. Unfortunately, though Dwardazik tries to put on a brave face for the villagers who come with him in the lair, there's still a lot of panic and disorganization, making it difficult to keep them from the more dangerous parts of the lair, especially the Turmoil-infested areas which can be confusing at times. This adds a lot of work for Grogery to have to deal with, and it takes time away from securing a safe working environment for Marvin and Jim.

Marvin: Soul Beacon

Marvin is working with Jim to deal with the Soul Beacon up top, and the battery down below. Solving the soul beacon problem, unfortunately, means that you will be within the lair for a lot more time than you would like. There seem to be two main steps: carefully disabling the mechanism holding the beacon of souls, and removing the soul battery deep within the lair. Even worse, Jim is head of the operation, and he isn't exactly a thrill to talk to. He stays mostly focused on the task at hand, often ignoring the world around him... if he's even here at all: sometimes he just leaves, and you have to figure it out. Indeed, as Jim gives you the information required to begin the process, he disappears into the lair to work on the soul battery. You were unsure how you would be able to assist in this task, but as it turns out, the Cult of the Songless Bird was really big on song and poetry. With some music theory and strong and dexterous hands, you maybe be able to brute force your way through the arcane locking mechanisms that would normally require the Fossilized Melodies to fill in the gaps of the music and verses. Marvin carefully examines the paintings and other art pieces around the area to try to get more information that helps with the disenchantment process, along with clues about the songs and the poetry themselves. He uses this information, along with his innate skill for music and story crafting, to fill in the gaps and circumvent the need for the Fossilized Melodies. The knowledge he gains from this allows him to deftly disable some of the more gnarly pieces of the physical beacon, expertly succeeding at his challenge.

Grogery: Triage and Treatment

Grogery and Urtica are working together to do triage and treatment of the prisoners rescued from Vicra's lair. Urtica is quick to form a makeshift medical tent for receiving injured people and damaged undead. After this, she splits her time between the lair and the tent, regularly traveling out to help those too critically injured to travel. Although much of the actual transport itself is done by Boswell's team, Urtica is still needed to get them prepped for transport. At first, she was very skeptical of leaving you alone to determine who should get care. She was worried that your bias would cause you to favor certain individuals based on their moral beliefs or past transgressions, but eventually you are left to care for those that arrive in any order you see fit. The undead still give you the heebie-jeebies, though, and it can be difficult to justify their needs over the needs of a living person. The cognitive dissonance that Grogery feels about this whole situation makes it almost impossible for him to focus on his assigned tasks, however: jumping between undead and living people is a roller coaster already, and the wailing of injured people does not help the situation. This results in far more bodies for Kesmet and Myrrah to have to deal with. Urtica is growing more displeased when she comes in for her periodic check-ups. After a particularly nasty confrontation, Grogery is particularly worried, and so the next time Dwardazik comes around, he walks outside to greet him:

Dwardazik: ...damnit, Frank, I told you to be careful! You gotta stand behind me, not charge into the wall! "Frank": You were standing behind me! Dwardazik: ...ugh. Listen, get in the tent, and Grogery can get that little scrape healed up, all right? He sighs, and turns to Grogery. How are things going on, on your end? These people are lookin' pretty terrible. Grogery: Honestly, it sucks right now. I feel like people are coming into this tent in better condition than they're leaving. I think we're probably going to have to pay reparations at this point, because it doesn't matter what I say at this point: Urtica is going to ream me when she comes back and sees all these people... not... alive anymore. Dwardazik: Wait, what's going on? Can I take a peek inside the tent? Grogery: I'm having a rough day, ... sure... Dwardazik takes a peek inside. It's total chaos. Dwardazik: Hmm. You know — he looks around — it might be better that maybe... some of the villagers... don't see this... hey, hey Frank! Yeah, you're good, right? "Frank": I'm Frank! Dwardazik: Yeah, Frank. Yeah, go find that guy I left over there. Go to him. You don't need a heal on your leg, or whatever. You're good, Frank. "Frank": I'm good, Frank. Dwardazik, back to Grogery: Uh, yeah... what the hell are we gonna do about that? You said something about reparations? Urtica: Yeah, Urtica mentioned something like that before she came out of the tent. She already doesn't really trust me, and I'm not doing a good job of proving her wrong. I think we're going to have to pay some reparations to this town to make up for all of the lost labor, and loved ones, and possibly — Dwardazik: Ugh! The problem is, these people only value shit like copper! All I've got is some gold on me that I brought along just in case we needed to get a ferry back home. But, yeah. I think they barely even like gold. Grogery: Well, I'm sure a lot of them aren't going to end up going back to civilization after this, anyway... Dwardazik: Look, Grogery. You deal with the details. I think I saw Dazki walk by — maybe talk to him, and I'm sure he can figure out a way of making them believe that gold is good. Whatever. I've gotta go back to protecting these people before they frickin' kill themselves, or another asshole walks into the Containment Zone (when it LITERALLY SAYS "Do Not Enter"!!!).

There is a crash nearby around the carts. A voice shouts out, "I'm Frank, and my leg is fine!"

Grogery: Hmm... you'd think, for people who write things down all the time, that they'd be better at reading and paying attention. Grogery: Thanks Dwardazik, I'm sorry. Dwardazik: Just keep 'em alive! Or whatever! (He runs off.) Grogery: What do you think I'm trying to do...

Grogery does manage to pay the reparations using the money from Dwardazik's coin purse.

Kesmet: Body Elimination / Soul Appeasement

Last up is Kesmet, working with Myrrah to perform the rites that each soul desired, so that it can be put to rest. Performing the necessary rituals, at first, seems surprisingly easy, with Myrrah identifying carefully what needs to be done for each and giving out step by step instructions. Many rituals happen to involve some sort of snooping through people's stuff, performing some sort of hymn, or song, or ritualistic movement. And, of course, lots of ash and fire. It is exhausting to deal with all the corpses, and sometimes there are long, tedious lengths between burnings that involve moving bodies around or speaking to the dead to figure out how each one should be handled. He handles most of this with relative ease, but he's not used to being around so many dead bodies... at least, not without burning them immediately. The stench is so strong that he vomits all over several of them, which delays everything else by two hours and consumes five of his daggers.

Problem: Dazki

As the great pyres go untended throughout the day and the smoke begins to slowly clear from the city, things are actually starting to look up. Tasks are getting done. That seems to be short-lived, however: both the undead and villagers begin to remember, begin to feel strange new emotions, and they have to swiftly adapt to a new, scary reality. As they become increasingly unstable, mentally and physically, it starts to become dangerous. The villagers panic and break down. All of this anxiety is rubbing off on the easily agitated undead, and then the agitated undead turn their attention to the horses and cattle. It is too much for a pair of oxen to handle; they freak out, slamming into a cart of supplies, narrowly missing a pair of malaised villagers and scattering grain everywhere. It seems that until Jim returns to deal with the undead, something has to done to quell the anxiety — either the villagers', or the livestock's. Dazki singles out the villagers who are causing the most panic and chaos and individually calms each one down by speaking to them and projecting his authority as a noble. This mitigates enough of the chaos that the damage toll is kept relatively low.

Problem: Dwardazik

Also attempting to leave this area: a massive flock of murders of handravens. They swarm the caverns like bats leaving their roost. Unlike bats leaving their roost, they are clumsy and very easily startled. They occasionally bash into objects, setting off traps, and alerting what aggressive beings still roam the halls. You and your task force will need to find ways to avoid the birds and ways to avoid the traps; while the traps might be survivable for you, the villagers would take quite a hit from it.

Dwardazik: All right. Listen here, villagers. We appear to have these stupid little handravens that the Flesh Artist was using. "Frank": I'm Frank, and my leg's OK! Dwardazik: That's right, Frank, you're still doin' OK. I'm glad we got that worked out. Now, listen here, villagers (and Frank). We've gotta be extra careful around these incredibly easy-to-spook handravens, OK? Now, the way we're going to deal with this is, we're all gonna stay quietly right here. I'm gonna move forward, and I'm probably gonna spook 'em from something I do. So we're gonna line up along one tunnel, and we're gonna block 'em, OK? Dwardazik (cont'd): Put your spears up, shields up, and get ready! I'm gonna sneak below 'em a little bit, and throw one of my flasks of fire behind 'em. They're gonna all get startled, and go down another tunnel that we're not blocking, and hopefully get out the fuck of our way! Dwardazik (cont'd): ...and if that doesn't work, stab 'em.

This plan is executed well enough to funnel the birds through corridors that the group does not plan on using. He then proceeds to mark off the traps that the birds had been activating with chalk, string, etc., to make it extremely clear for the villagers what places to avoid, as they made their way through the tunnels.

Problem: Marvin

Jim requires an extra set of hands on the final preparation of the soul battery. In order to finish disconnecting the battery, he must use the battery to enter its space, like how Dazki did it before. Not only will this leave Jim's body vulnerable for that period of time, but inputs need to be decoded from what Jim says and drawn on the magic slates. Both of these tasks are going to be harder than necessary, as Margaret Rookfeather has located the operation. Calling you a "betrayer of love", she plans on making sure that you are trapped here forever with her. She disappears into the wall, and then the room begins to flood with water and mud from small ventilation holes. Jim still needs you to interpret the inputs before the room is buried in mud. Marvin has a little bit of a panic from the pressure of the situation, and Jim's symbols are exceptionally difficult to make out through the orb, so instead of trying to copy the symbols that way, he uses practically as many Sending spells as he possibly can to have a protracted conversation with Jim, getting the needed information bit by bit. This does the job and disables the soul battery, so Marvin reproduces the same symbols that he used to free Dazki before. Jim, now returned to his body, unscrews the orb, detaches it from the rod that was apparently underneath it (who knew!), it stops glowing, and they make a hasty retreat.

Problem: Grogery

Just as things are finally starting to run more smoothly, a heated argument breaks out. Of course, in the middle of the fray is the older elf with the rotten leg. He's not doing any of the yelling or shoving, but it is clear that he is giving the mob the confidence to form thoughts into action. The small mob around him is hell-bent on vengeance, their anger seemingly sparked by an errant word of mourning towards a cultist's fresh corpse: someone has grabbed the spiral from a cultist. The mob is out for blood, and it wants the cult sympathizer to pay. No amount of soft-spoken words will break up the mob, you are going to have to get loud, or wade through the mob to get to him before someone gets hurt. Grogery casts Thaumaturgy on himself, making his voice considerably louder, as he tries to address the old elf with the rotten leg. The old elf feigns confusion, as if he's not sure if Grogery is addressing him.

Grogery: Yes, of course, you! I thought you would know what it would be like to fall in with the wrong crowd, possibly made friends with the wrong crowd, had to flee for your life from the wrong crowd. Listen, just because he had a friend here, that doesn't mean that he ascribed to any of their beliefs, or that he even believes them anymore right now. Grogery (cont'd): Spite is not productive. I already have enough people that I'm trying to deal with. My companions already have enough dead bodies that they're trying to deal with. You're causing so many people to expend all this effort, just to kill some guy? He probably doesn't even want to do anything bad anymore!

This doesn't seem to be completely enough to stop the crowd, so Grogery pushes his way through. His holy symbol gets knocked loose and damaged as he does so, but he does manage to save the cultist sympathizer. From now, he wears the driftwood holy symbol that the kobolds had made for him earlier.

Problem: Kesmet

While you two are trying to figure out what each body and soul requires to be at peace, Myrrah must leave to attend to (or argue with?) a particularly hostile Masterpiece. She leaves you in charge of identifying the requirements of the next few rituals. She hands you what she believes to be "the easy ones", and you are left to commune with three figures — all corpses — using Speak with Dead. Even though she called them "the easy ones", they don't seem to be easy at all. Instead of telling you straight-up what they need, it's like they speak in riddles, answer the questions vaguely, and none of them know seem to know anything about Dennis. Kesmet writes down, word-for-word, what they are saying, paying attention to inflections and such. He also tries asking some of the exact questions that Myrrah asked, and writes down those answers as well. He then leaves to try to find Myrrah to help her with her issue, but he can't quite figure out where she went through the tunnel system. He returns to try to figure it out on his own, which he safely does after staring at it for a while. Fortunately, he was able to identify that one of them had a Turmoil-based disease without spending too much time with that body itself... definitely going to burn that one with fire.

Rest and Decompress

Dwardazik: UGH! Those damn villagers! Brave, but damn stupid. Grogery: Here's your empty coin purse back, Dwardazik. Dwardazik hooks it back onto his belt. Marvin: What the hell happened to everyone here? Dazki: Yeah, no kidding! I mean, yeah, it's a rough day, but... wow, you guys look like... uh... Kesmet: I threw up. Dazki: Ah. Grogery: I watched someone throw up blood. Does that mean I win? Marvin: Please tell me you didn't burn any bodies, Kesmet... Kesmet: Only the ones I was supposed to. Dazki: Actually, I learned something that might be of interest to you, Kesmet. Kesmet: OK? Yes? Dennis? Hm? What? Dazki: Actually, yes! Marvin: Whoa! Dwardazik: Wait... what? (He furrows his brow.) Are you messing with me? Marvin: Dennis is actually real?! Dazki: Yeah. Kesmet, practically teleporting in front of Dazki: Tell me! What! What did you find! Dazki: I learned who ordered the hit on Dennis's father. Kesmet: Oh. OK? Dazki: And who got Dennis in charge so early, whether or not they intended to do that — which, probably, yes, was intended. Kesmet: I guess... fuck that guy? OK, go ahead. Dazki: The leader of the House of Cards, The King of Jacks, is the one who ordered the assassination of Mr. Donahue, to throw Dennis (his son) into leadership, so that the House of Cards could then proceed to start taking over more territory. Kesmet: Interesting... Dwardazik: The House of Cards? That secret sect underneath Ashport? Dazki: Yeah. Apparently, "Eight of Diamonds" was involved in this too, somehow, but I don't know who or where he is. Kesmet: OK. This is information, I suppose. Dwardazik: I just can't believe there's actually something to that story! I mean, I knew you weren't completely lying, but... I mean... damn! Grogery: I guess, if the House of Cards put Dennis in charge, then they probably have a lot of information about the workings of The Hounds Guild. Dwardazik: We should be careful. We don't want to reveal that we know information, especially if it's from someone high up. Kesmet: Those slimy bastards! They could have helped us out a lot more! Dwardazik: How to investigate an organization of thieves without them knowing? Hmm... seems difficult to me... Grogery: It would either require being a super-thief, or else acting perfectly not-a-thief so well that they don't understand what you're doing. Kesmet: I do have some expertise in infiltrating an organization... not so much with actually accomplishing anything once I'm in there. Grogery: I guess, they're the ones who put Dennis in charge, so they obviously did it in order to gain more territory. Dazki: My impression was that they wanted Mr. Donahue out of the way, because he was good at running the guild. They wanted him out of the way so that Dennis could get put in charge, before he was qualified to run it, so that he would make a bunch of dumb choices that they could take advantage of. Grogery: I wonder if one of those "dumb choices" was messing with Kesmet? Dazki: Could very well be. Kesmet: Wait... so that means... I could blame them? But I still really hate Dennis. Dwardazik: Indirectly. How far up the tree do you want to climb? Kesmet: How many people do I need to kill to complete my revenge?! Grogery: Whoa, hang on, you don't necessarily need to kill anyone from the House of Cards. They didn't intend to hurt you. Dazki: You were just collateral damage to them. Kesmet, sarcastically: Oh yeah, that makes me feel way better. Dwardazik: I'm not so sure. If you were to treat the entire House of Cards as a clan, one could argue... Grogery: They're probably the least "clanny" clan. They don't even use each other's real names! Dwardazik: Just sayin' — I'm not voicing a yes or a no to this — I'm just sayin' I can understand his perspective. Kesmet: Hey, I just asked how many people I have to kill. If it turns out it's still only Dennis, 'cause he was a fuckup, then it's only Dennis! But if it turns out that this was some weird-ass inside job, then I'm going to be mad at more than just Dennis. Dazki: From what I was able to gather, I can't imagine that they intended for anyone, specifically, to be hurt. They just wanted to destroy the Hounds Guild. Grogery: So they might even be on your side. Kesmet: That does sound reasonable. Dwardazik: Well. All I can tell you is, it's been a long-ass day. Dazki: Sure has. Dwardazik tries to find the waitress for some tea, but she's nowhere to be found. Dazki: So what have you guys been up to? Dwardazik: Well, keepin' those tunnels safe, best I can. Kesmet: Burnin' bodies that need to be burned. Performing rituals and other crap. Marvin: Dealing with Jim's distracted ass... I swear... Grogery: Being a pretty sorry excuse for a medic. I'm pretty sure Urtica trusts me even less now, but it's fine, we'll be out of this place in a few days. Dwardazik: What even happened over there? I saw that tent. Didn't seem right. Grogery: I don't know... I don't know... not like I wasn't trying! Dazki: You're doing the best you can, Grogery. Deep breath, we'll get through this. (He pats Grogery on the shoulder.) It's OK, we've had a really rough day. You got this. It's gonna be all right. Dwardazik: Sometimes it's not perfect, but when the situation counts and the pressure's high, how can I complain? You've saved me multiple times. Grogery: That's true... Dwardazik: Combat wounds are somethin' else. We're talkin' about a whole lot of people. Can't save 'em all. (He sighs.) Not that gold would buy me anything here anyway. Can't even get myself some damn tea. Dazki: That's surprisingly insightful. Dwardazik: I can't even get myself some damn tea! ...ugh... I don't even know what we're doin' anymore... Dazki: We're trying to save these people. Dwardazik: I get that! ...but it just seems... I dunno, I'm ready to get onto the next journey, I suppose. Just gettin' restless. Too many people to keep track of. Too many people to keep safe. Dazki: Fair enough. Kesmet: So, I'm not the most up-to-date person in the party — I've been pretty single-minded in my determination to find Dennis — are we actually done here? Did we get everything we needed? We helped people, I guess, maybe? Grogery: We're still waiting for W.E.I.R.D. to get here so that they can help with some of the refugee crisis. Kesmet: Didn't Annu tell us to stay here 'cause we gotta quarantine or somethin'? Dazki: We have to quarantine once we get to Ashport. Kesmet: Oh thank God... I don't want to wait out here in the middle of nowhere. Dwardazik: The real question is, are we even going back to Ashport? Kesmet: Didn't you guys leave all your stuff there? Grogery: We have a house there... Dwardazik: No, I understand that, but looking at the "information" we have, we might want to go a different direction? Dazki: If we want to get a boat to go to our next destination, Ashport is going to be the best option for that. Otherwise, we have to trek by foot through this desert, and the plains, and all that stuff, with no idea where to resupply. Marvin: Yeah, I like the boat idea. Dwardazik: I like the boat idea... even I have to admit... Kesmet: Where was our next destination? Grogery: We are not mentioning it while the ring is out. Kesmet: Grogery, can I see that ring real quick? Grogery: I'm holding onto it for a while.

The hummingbird returns, with a message from the halfling twins:

These things are pretty quick! Sending forward party. Halfling power! Huzzah!

Dazki: We should send a message back, just so that they know everything's going all right. Dwardazik: Seems reasonable. Everything seems to be going OK. So, Marvin, how'd that soul orb thing go? Grogery: Yeah, did you guys manage to get 'em all out of there all right? Marvin: I think so? I put the doohickey in the gizmobob, and it did somethin' right. I mean, Jim seems to think it's all taken care of. This kind of magic isn't my realm, all right? Dwardazik: So what did Jim say? Did it seem like the spirits were at peace? Did the orb get all dark? Power down? Marvin: Well, he seemed satisfied. We went onto the next thing. Didn't seem like anything went wrong. He doesn't really say that much, you know, when he's focused on something. Dazki sends the bird out with a reply: "Message received, doing the best we can for survivors. Will have more info to discuss in person. Be safe, Beholder around." Dwardazik: Gotta admit, I was hoping you'd be watching him, to make sure he wasn't gonna do anything malicious. Marvin: I mean, he could have eaten all those souls, and I wouldn't have been able to tell! Dwardazik: I guess, if you don't know, then you don't know. Marvin: Well, it's not, like, glowing anymore! It seemed powered down. And we didn't do it by punching it or breaking it. So, I think we're good. Dazki: Well, good job. Marvin: Thanks! ...almost fucking drowned, too... Dazki: Well, I'm glad you didn't. Marvin: No, not me, Jim! He had to go into the orb like you did, Dazki. Had to do that symbol thing again. But, like, this place is haunted. Dazki: I think we can all agree on that. Dwardazik: I'll agree to that. Cheers! (He pretends to hold up a tankard.) Well, does that conclude our tasks for the day? And, actually, are we gonna have to worry about that Beholder? Dazki: Hell if I know. Grogery: I think the necromancers said something about the Beholder taking all the undead and then probably leaving soon thereafter? Dazki: I would assume it's on its way out. Kesmet: Knowing our luck, we'll run into it eventually. Dazki: Yeah, I hear that... Kesmet: Now, I really don't know where we're going. And we're apparently not supposed to say it out loud. Can we just put him far away, and then say it, and then bring the ring back here? Dwardazik: You could just take the ring off, but I don't think we need to discuss that right now, I just wanted to say to Dazki, sorry if I made it seem like I betrayed your trust. I wouldn't mind if we could talk for a bit about some things that have been goin' on. It's... complicated. But I want you to know that I'm trying my best! Dazki: I know, I'm sorry, it's just been really stressful for everyone. And I do appreciate the apology. Dwardazik: You guys are like my clan, you know that, right? Marvin: Hell yeah! Dwardazik: I'd do anything for you guys. Dazki: We all feel that way. Like I said, I'm sorry I blew up way more than I should've. I just got really afraid for a minute — for you, and for everybody. It's all good, man. Dwardazik: I can drink to that! (He pretends to hold up a tankard again.) Grogery: Except you can't... Kesmet: Yep, both of you were pretty shit today. Dwardazik: Thanks for the support, Kesmet. Dazki: Hey, you know, sometimes the truth is painful. Grogery: The beer in your head is always better than the beer in your tankard, amiright? Kesmet: Maybe I can help? Dwardazik: All right, Kesmet, let's see what you can do. (He places a flask of water on the table.) Kesmet uses Prestidigitation and his spice box to try to make the water taste like beer. Dwardazik: All right, here we go. If I die, I'm gonna haunt you. And Grogery... ... ... eh, never mind. (He starts drinking it. It doesn't have that pleasant burning sensation, but it tastes pretty good. He finishes the whole thing.) Dazki: Looks like you did a good job there, Kesmet. Grogery: Either you really miss it, or Kesmet did a really good job... or you forgot to drink water all day... Dwardazik: It was all right. Needs a bit more bite. Like... any bite. But it tasted good. All things considered, I'd say it was an improvement. Remember how you did that, Kesmet, it might be good for whenever we need to make water more palatable! Kesmet: I'll consider it... Dazki: OK, I'm going to go find Jim or one of the others, to see how this syringe works for when we're ready to get out of here. Kesmet: ...don't you just stick it in using the pointy end, and press the other end? Grogery: ...syringes are way more complicated than that. Dazki: I imagine it's probably just a simple injection, but I want to know from them to be certain. Dwardazik: I gotta tell you, man, that looks pretty suspicious. Dazki: They take it regularly, so I'm going to trust them. No reason not to. Dwardazik: I understand that, just maybe make sure one of us is nearby when you do it. Dazki: Oh yeah. Kesmet: I mean, they're constantly high.

Dazki leaves to go to where Jim would be.

Into the Jimnasium

Jim is currently in discussion with de facto mayor Boswell. Nothing important: they're just shooting the breeze, like old friends.

Dazki: Hey, Jim, I've got a bit of a question for you, if you have a minute? Jim: I suppose I have time. Dazki: This antidote for the Bewilderburr, how exactly does it work? How would one apply it to themselves, for how long, what does it help remember, that kind of thing? (Insight check 20: it's weird how casual Boswell is about this whole situation.) Jim: It's just a — well, I would call it a simple injection, but — like I've said before, it's a harsh substance. It'll negate the effects for about 24 hours, but I've delivered you several doses. Dazki: Ah. Thank you. So, enough doses for most of our group, then? Jim: You have four "days" worth, but you can always just take it the day you leave. Dazki: That was the plan. DM wanted to make sure that this is crystal clear: If you do it that way, then you will still suffer some of the effects of the Bewilderburr while still here, but you will be able to spread it out. One party member will still have to forget, unless you can acquire another dose. Dazki: Thank you. Is there anything else that we can do for the town? Jim: I think you've done... quite enough. Dazki: ...I know... and, as I've said, and will continue to say, I apologize. You're a good man, Jim. You've done a great job here, and I think you will continue to do a good job, wherever your god needs you next. Jim: What is it that you feel you need redemption for, if you don't mind me prying? Dazki: There are people who came here — knowing what this place is — to get away from the pains of their past lives. Without their consent, our actions have forced them back into those pains, and I regret doing that. Especially without the acknowledgement or consent from those who are here to escape what has caused them such physical, emotional, or spiritual distress. I regret that I did not give them the choice. Jim: You'll find it to be quite a burden, being continuously reminded of the past. I think you're better suited to looking forward than to regret past decisions. Dazki: Yeah, that is one thing — no offense — that being here has taught me. Jim: Then it is settled. We will all look forward, and not back. Dazki: Yep. To the future: may it be even brighter than today! Jim, holding up an empty cup of tea: To partly cloudy days (because the sun still hurts my eyes a bit). Dazki: To just the right amount of shade, then.

Dazki boils some water and uses the last of his tea to make a couple of cups of tea, one for himself and one for Jim.

Dwardazik finds Urtica to have a private conversation.

The hummingbird returns, much more quickly this time, with a message that's mostly content-free indicating that they just need to be able to follow its return path. The party sends it back out with an acknowledgement. Not too long thereafter...

The Cavalry

Barreling into the town is a large horse with nicely braided hair, and a little halfling (Hemsin) on top of it. The horse pops back into being a second halfling (Hawney) shortly after it arrives. Dazki tries to greet them, but...

Hawney: See? I told you the horse would be plenty fast enough to follow the bird! I told you! Dazki: Hey, hey! You're here, you're here. No need to argue! Quibblebits, waving simultaneously: Oh, hi! Dwardazik: Oh, hey, look! It's W.E.I.R.D.! Quibblebits: Just the two of us, for now. Heidi-ho, everybody! Dazki: Welcome. Hemsin: You look tired. Hawney: You shouldn't tell people that they look tired, that's really rude! Dazki: No, it's OK, we're — Hemsin: Well, I think they'd need to know! Because what if they went somewhere that they didn't have to — Hawney: WHERE ARE THEY GONNA GO? They're in — Dazki: Hey, it's OK. Just try to be a bit more diplomatic about it. Something like, "Hey, are you all right? You look like you've had a long day." Dwardazik: Actually, so where's the rest of your guys? Quibblebits: Hey, there's a whole town here! Did you know that? Dazki: Yeah, that's kinda why we needed your help. For all of the survivors, and the people, and stuff like that. We're gonna need to help people get a move on, pretty quick. Quibblebits: Wait, like, the whole town? We just got here! Marvin: A lot's happened. Grogery: Not immediately, but the people in this town are in need of a lot of help. Quibblebits: Um... I can see that. This place is quite the — is that guy just like... cowered in a corner, whispering to himself? Dazki: Yeah, so you know that funny smoke you — Quibblebits: HOLY CRAP, there's, like... 8 zombies! Dazki: There's more than 8 zombies. Dwardazik: So, I might have missed this, but... where's the rest of the folks? Hawney: Oh, the caravan's a lot slower than (She turns to Hemsin to emphasize) A HORSE! Dwardazik: So... how'd you get here, then? Dazki: Horse moves faster than people. Dwardazik: I mean, how'd you find it? Quibblebits: It was such a good idea! We just followed this bird back and forth! Dwardazik: Oh, I see. Quibblebits: Yeah! I don't know why nobody had thought of doin' that before! Hmm, probably thought about it and then forgot, huh? Dwardazik: Seems legit to me. Dazki: I'm gonna guess that's what it is. But, ~~the undead~~ — sorry, "the undecided", that's what they prefer to call them here — Quibblebits: Wait, so you asked the zombies what they wanted to be called? Marvin: You can convene with the dead. Dazki: The people who have raised these bodies as zombies — and they've gotten permission from the people to turn them into these workers — their religion prefers those who have passed on in spirit, but not in body, to be called "the undecided". Quibblebits: I don't get it. But that's OK, 'cause we can figure all this out later! We gotta write all this down. Dwardazik: ...so, you're here early. Did you bring anything? Quibblebits: Only what we could really carry in our packs. This was more just a proof-of-concept, really. Nothin's supposed to be out here. We had only theorized. Dazki: I'm sure the rest is coming with the caravan. Dwardazik: Fine. Quibblebits: Yeah, we've got everybody except Richter. Richter's staying behind. For reasons. Dazki: Well, if Richter's staying behind, then I assume Barry is with them. Grogery: How is Barry doing, by the way? It seems like it's been a while. Quibblebits 1: He's a fucking nightmare. Quibblebits 2: You can't call people "nightmare" just because they're terrible people to be around! Quibblebits 1: Well, they want honesty, right? What am I gonna do, say "Everything's super cool, and he's a chill dude"? I'm not gonna do that! Quibblebits 2: But you can at least be more civil about it! Dazki: So what's Barry been doing that's so rough? Quibblebits: OK, I don't know how you deal with this guy, but like, I think he's racist. Dazki: Why do you think that? Quibblebits: If him and Richter are in the same room, it's just, like, sparks. Every time. Just all over the place. Grogery: ...like bad sparks? Quibblebits: And I know Richter didn't start it, because he's just a swell guy. Dwardazik: What are they arguing about, anyway? Kesmet: Yeah, can we get specifics? I mean, it's Barry. Quibblebits: He's racist, is the problem! He thinks, like, all dragonborn know each other, and that they've all done, like, terrible pirate things, and it's not true! Kesmet: He's mentally deficient, because he got cursed! Quibblebits: Being mentally deficient is no excuse for being rude. Kesmet: He's not racist, he's just confused. Dazki: He's had Turmoil mess with his brain, so he can't think properly. Quibblebits: OK, well, you should've warned us about his thing with dragonborns. Grogery: We didn't know. We hadn't met a lot of them. Kesmet: To be fair, we don't even know him. Since getting cursed, he hasn't really been himself. Dwardazik: You're not you, when you have Turmoil brain. Quibblebits: Well, anyway, he's coming up with the caravan here. And then you guys can figure out what you want to do with him. Because, no offense, but Richter's kinda more valuable to the team. Dazki: I understand entirely. Barry's behavior — if it is anything even remotely like what you say it is — is unacceptable. Quibblebits: Like, we're all for curing the guy and stuff like that, but that doesn't... it's more of a hindrance, having him around. Like, maybe we could cure him, but he not be here? Dazki: We'll definitely figure something out. Dwardazik, chuckling to himself: Hah. Man, what did you do, Barry? Kesmet: He probably said some racist things to Richter. Dwardazik: That, or Richter's too sensitive... Grogery: Well, he was a ranger who was helping people sail around. So, if it's about pirates, maybe there was a band of dragonborn pirates that he knew when he was helping people get moved around. Dazki: We'll figure all of this out and make sure Barry understands that that is not acceptable behavior. Quibblebits: OK, well, the caravan's still a few hours behind, but we can try to help out where we can. We're pretty good fixers! Dazki: Great, yeah! So anything you can do to help fix things up, get people's packs, or sleds around, or anything like that to help them traverse the landscape, until we can get them to probably Ashport. Quibblebits: Ashport? That's pretty far... Dazki: Well, is there a nearer bastion of civilization that would be better to take them to? Dwardazik: Did they even say that they're — Grogery: I suppose there's W.E.I.R.D. Headquarters, but I'm not sure it'd be big enough. It is a bit of a barracks, but again, not big enough... Quibblebits: Are you sure you want to bring a bunch of people to, like, a city? Where do they want to go? Dwardazik: Yeah, I don't even know where they're supposed to go. Never bothered to ask. Grogery: Well, we could ask — Quibblebits: Wait are you bringing THE ZOMBIES to a city?! Dwardazik: Urtica, where are you guys planning on going anyway? Urtica: We don't have any specific plans. We were just going to maybe settle somewhere else and figure it out. Dwardazik: Well, there you go. Urtica: Surely, no city is going to accept a bunch of crooks and criminals. And their zombie relatives. Quibblebits: ...what do you mean "crooks and criminals"... Dazki: I suppose that's true. Quibblebits: Are the zombies "crooks and criminals", or... like, the people? Did they steal the zombies? Dazki: OK, the rundown. This is a city of people that were essentially exiled from society, or that left for their own reasons, and they wanted to forget about the past. Many of them were people with unsavory dealings behind them that they couldn't live here anymore, so they came here to forget. Dwardazik: Hmm, probably someplace either on the coast or by the river would be the best option. Urtica: It's not up to us. Dwardazik: It's not? Who decides? Urtica: Each individual person can choose for themselves, right? Grogery: That's fair. I suppose if some of them want to leave and go to civilization outside of Overlook, then we could provide guidance back to Ashport. Urtica: It's not really up to you, either. Grogery: I know, but if people wanted to go in that direction, then we could help them get there. Urtica, directly to Grogery: I think you've done enough "help". Dazki: You know, I think Urtica is right. We've done enough ~~for this city~~ — TO this city, to the people — so we just need to try to look forward and move on. If there are those who wish for our continued assistance, then we will happily offer it. However, if there are those who do not wish it, then we certainly won't force it upon them. Dwardazik: Seems more reasonable that way, anyway. Urtica: We can handle ourselves. We've always handled ourselves. We've survived worse, we've survived The Doctor, and now we've survived you. I'm pretty sure we can survive whatever else is thrown at us. Dazki: You know, Urtica, you remind me of a paladin that I know... she's pretty tough and resilient too. And I genuinely mean that as a compliment. You're a strong person. Urtica: ...OK, random insults and compliments all mixed together. Sure. Whatever. Just, like, pick a side. Marvin: No, this is Dazki's way of hitting on you! Dazki: Oh God, I'm not that clumsy. Grogery: Just so you're aware, the paladin that I think you remind him of, also hates his guts. Dazki: Yeah, she also wants to punch me in the face every time she sees me. Marvin: And Dazki kinda likes that. Dwardazik: You know, Urtica, this might actually be Dazki hitting on you. Dazki: ...trust me, it's not. It really isn't. Kesmet: We have yet to pin down his actual preference. I thought it was gay, or at least bi, for quite some time. Then maybe it was just attracted to power. He is trying to, I dunno, start a business or something. And he was hitting on what's-her-face, the one who runs the underground guild or somethin'. Grogery: Kesmet, if he was attracted to power, then can you imagine what would happen if we finally did meet Dennis? Kesmet: He has, on multiple occasions, said that he doesn't swing that way. And Dennis, I'm reasonably certain, is a dude. Grogery: Are you absolutely certain, though? Kesmet: I said "reasonably" certain. Dwardazik: By golly, without ale, we've officially jumped off the boat.

Long Rest

First (+ second) Watch: Dazki

Dazki spends the first four hours of the night just reading more of The Book of the Mirage, which puts him at a disadvantage for performing his actual watch duties. During these watches, there is no stealing, no thieving. At the end of his watch, however, he is concerned about what he didn't hear: he didn't hear a caravan full of supplies arriving to town, and he knows that they're supposed to be here. The hummingbird also hasn't come back. He wakes up Marvin and Kesmet for the next watch.

Dazki: Hey, um, the caravan hasn't come in yet. Would one of you guys maybe want to go look for the halflings and see how far behind the cart actually was, while the other keeps an eye out up here? Marvin: Yeah, sure. Dazki: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Dazki begins his meditation.

Third watch: Marvin + Kesmet

Kesmet: All right, Marvin, are you better at lookout, or are you better at finding people? Marvin: I can go find 'em real quick, I suppose.

Marvin steps out and starts looking about. It's not long before he finds the halflings: one is a large camel, and they are currently hauling away bits of a broken cart.

Marvin: Hey, Quibblebits, how far behind did you say the rest of W.E.I.R.D. was? Hemsin, from atop the camel: What? Marvin, louder: How far behind did you say the rest of W.E.I.R.D. was? Hemsin, from atop the camel: I think it's about 2 in the morning? Marvin, even louder: I don't need a clo — get down here! Hemsin motions for him to come up instead, and Marvin climbs up. Hemsin: Now what is it you were yellin' about? Marvin: How far behind did you say the rest of W.E.I.R.D. was? Hemsin: Oh wait, shit, yeah. That was supposed to be, like... a few hours. How long has it been? Marvin: You said it yourself, it's 2 AM. Hemsin: Yeah, but what time did we get... oh... Hemsin: You know, they're probably just running late or something. Marvin: That's... not exactly... I think we should be more worried than that. Hemsin: I think I'll be more worried if it gets to, like, maybe four more hours. Like, if they're not here by sunrise, then maybe we should worry, right? (Insight check 21: At first glance, Hemsin doesn't seem worried, but you get the sense that he actually is worried... he just doesn't want Hawney to worry. So he's just playing it up.) Marvin: OK, fine, but — Hemsin: Sunrise. We can save all our worrying for sunrise? Marvin: Sure. Hemsin: Like, I'm pretty sure there are people trapped in this building, so... can we worry about that first? Marvin: Yeah, I'll let you keep riding your sister. Hemsin: Hehe... he said "ride your sister"... The camel snorts in humorous agreement.

Marvin slides off and returns to talk with Kesmet.

Marvin: They don't seem too concerned. They're gonna be more worried if it gets to sunrise and they're still not out here. Kesmet: If they're not concerned, then I'm not concerned. We just gotta make sure that we don't get attacked again. Marvin: Fair is fair. Honestly, I'd be shocked if you were concerned about something other than Dennis. Kesmet: Look. I know that my life has been entirely consumed by my hatred of this man and my want for revenge. But I have other thoughts, feelings, and opinions too! Marvin: Quick, tell me about something other than Dennis! Kesmet: This book that I'm thinking of writing. Marvin: Is it about Dennis? Kesmet: No, actually about something from before. Long ago. Before I became a baker. Marvin: I thought you were an acrobat? Kesmet: That was after. This was long ago, in another life, perhaps. It's an epic adventure tale. I've regaled Baxton with it, but he doesn't seem interested in it. I don't think I'm talking loud enough in my head. Marvin: I would love to hear it one day, although we shouldn't talk too loudly or we'll wake up the others. Kesmet: Right, right. Marvin: But I would be glad to write it down and tell it across the world, in song! Kesmet: I'll consider my other hopes and dreams once Dennis has been taken care of. Then I might feel better, knowing that he's gone. After all, revenge is good for the soul, right? That's what people say, right? Marvin: I dunno. Probably? It's in plenty of my stories.

Fourth Watch: Grogery + Dwardazik

Editor's note: I didn't flag this as a secret because it's gigantic and everyone was there to hear it anyway. Please note that it is, in fact, a secret between just these two, and that they explicitly wanted to keep Dazki out of this.

Dwardazik: So, we didn't really get any reports from the other two on anything suspicious, so it should be a calm night. Grogery: Yeah, probably. Dwardazik: Uh... so, I kinda read somethin'. Figured we might want to talk for a bit. What's on your mind, eh? Grogery: Well, I wanted to ask if you're OK? Dwardazik: To be honest, I'm not really sure. I think the Turmoil's done something to me. And on one hand, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, either. I just think it's something that... is. Grogery: Really? Dwardazik: I just want the opportunity to see where this goes, is really all it is. I understand that Annu wants to do all these kinds of things, but I'm more concerned about our mission. More concerned about keeping you guys safe, y'know? If I was just a little bit weaker, I might not have been able to do what I needed to do to get Dazki that potion at the last moment, when it mattered. Dwardazik (cont'd): And I'm starting to feel like this Turmoil — at least, I think it's Turmoil? I don't even know if that's the right word? — the thing I'm experiencing, it might be trying to help. It's just a little complex, and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. But I feel that people like Annu definitely wouldn't understand. And I feel like Dazki would understand, but I don't know how to really explain it to him. Grogery: So, you feel like this Turmoil makes you stronger? Dwardazik: I don't know. And I don't know if I should even call it Turmoil. Grogery: You feel that this thing that's taken hold in your tooth makes you stronger? Dwardazik: I think it's providing some kind of assistance, is what I should say. It's more like a feeling. Like, you know instinctively, like, if something's about to hit you — (He goes to mock punch Grogery) — how you have this sort of instinct to flinch? It's more like that. Not like talking to Baxton, not something like that. I mean, you dealt with that dragon too, I know it touched all of us in a weird way. Grogery: Yeah. Dwardazik: I just... I don't think it's so... if I think it's going in the wrong way, I'll be the first to want to get rid of it. I don't like nothing telling me what to do. But if it's going to help us complete our mission and keep us safe, I think we need every single bit of strength we can get. 'cause no one gives a shit about us, except for us. Look at this whole town that we saved from the Flesh Artist, and they don't give a fuck. Grogery: They definitely do care, considering all this effort that they just spent to — Dwardazik: I'm just saying that they're treating us like we're the enemies here, when we saved their asses. Grogery: We did chew 'em out pretty hard... just playing Devil's Advocate here, and that's a weird word for a follower of Pelor to say. Dwardazik: Well, at least the devils follow laws (or so I've heard). But anyway, that's all that's going on. That's everything on the table, all right, Grogery? You're the one who saved me from death more times than I can even explain. So for all intents and purposes, my life is effectively in your hands. Grogery: I do know a few things that I've learned throughout my — well, I'm sure my life looks really short to everybody else, at like 13, but — there's no such thing as a free lunch. The Flesh Artist thought that he could get what he wanted, thought that he could cheat the system by healing people from things that they shouldn't have been able to heal from. Every time, there was a terrible price that they had to pay, or a terrible price that he made other people pay. Eventually, a terrible price that he had to pay. I'm just really concerned that, unless we figure out what this thing is feeding off of, that we might be biting off more than we can chew. Dwardazik: I want to alleviate your suspicions, I think. I've had some time to try to concentrate on what this thing might be. I don't think it's feeding off of something like with Baxton, like a parasite. Nothing like that. I think it's a part of you. Like, you know how you have to eat sometimes, otherwise you get hungry? I think it's more like that. I'm going to admit, I made a judgment call when I — Dazki's gonna hate me, because I couldn't talk to him but I can talk to you — Dwardazik (cont'd): I just wanted to see what would happen if I ate something more Turmoil-infused. To see if it would jolt this thing inside me into doing something. And I had a bit of a... revelation, I suppose you could say. And I just don't think it's necessarily malicious. It could be! And Grogery, you'll be the first one to know! I just think that I want to see what happens from here on out. It did assist us on the fight with the Flesh Artist, after all. Grogery: What did it do? Dwardazik: Somehow, it sent out an energy stun that shocked, uh, what was her name again? Grogery: Oh, Margaret, when she was in her ghost form! It did help with that... Dwardazik: It's just something that happens at times. And I don't know, like I said, I just want to see what happens. I don't want you to be concerned about it, but I want you to be watching it. And I want you to know that this has nothing to do with why I was angry. I was angry, because I was walking through a fucking cave, full of fucking atrocities, and everything was trying to kill us. Grogery: All right. I want to know. If this thing does get out of control, and you can't stop it from hurting people, — Dwardazik: Then you have permission to kill me. You've already saved my life anyway. Every time I go into a fight these days, I'm more-or-less putting my life into your hands anyway. What's stopping you from just not healing me? (He shrugs.) Same difference, amiright? Grogery: OK. I mean, you've also saved my hide more than a few times, the best defense being a good offense and all that. Dwardazik: It's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna keep us alive, damnit! And we're going to win. No more Flesh Artist atrocities, or things roaming the countryside ripping people apart, and pasting villagers like they're some sort of "material" to be "worked upon", as if life, or the afterlife, just doesn't even matter. Necromancers, all these soul-ripping-apart... GRR... Grogery: Yeah, I'm not gonna lie, going through that ordeal in the Flesh Artist's lair and what not, it got to me a lot more than I've probably been letting on. Dwardazik: I very much miss having my ale. Grogery: Not in that way, but I guess just, like... growing up in the relative privilege that I did, I never had to really think too hard about what happens when people get hurt. And yes, I've had to heal people and watch them get hurt, but the scale of it... someone making it their life's work to do stuff like that... it's hard. Dwardazik: I'm not used to this. I'm a damn gem merchant, you hear me! Or... at least, I was. Worst thing I'd seen was a couple of nasty mining incidents. And I'm not talking about the one everyone likes to bring up that wasn't my fault. I'm saying, I don't think I've ever seen so many dead bodies! Grogery: Yeah. And when you do have the power to save people, it makes it rough when even your best isn't enough. There's always a thought of, "what could I have done differently?". There's probably something I could have done differently, to save more people! Dwardazik: And that's what I want to see. If this works out, or if something can help us save more people, then that's what I'm doin'. I'm willing to sacrifice myself to do it. Grogery: OK. I guess, because I have to, I have to urge you to be careful about all this. Dwardazik: I'm gonna be the most careful. And I don't necessarily think I need to speak with Baxton anymore — I de-attuned from the ring, by the way. I learned what I wanted from Baxton, but he's kind-of that... bad actor on your shoulder, kind of thing. He doesn't really speak in a way that's useful. Grogery: Tell me about it. He spends the entire time trying to get me angry at him. Dwardazik: Let's make sure that we keep a good watch, then. Grogery: Actually, I'd like to confirm a few things about his trustworthiness, if you wouldn't mind? Dwardazik: Who? Oh, Baxton? Grogery: Yeah. Dwardazik: Yeah, sure. What's up? Grogery: I'll let you wear the ring for about two or three minutes, maybe five? Dwardazik: That works. But what am I expecting? Baxton will only say something if he wants to. Grogery: I want to see if the things that he's saying to you match up with the things that he's trying to tell me. Dwardazik: All right, I'll put it on.

Grogery passes the ring to Dwardazik, who puts it on for a few minutes, as promised. After some time, he passes it back, putting it on the table. Grogery puts it back on.

Dwardazik: At times, it's like — how would you say it — he speaks in riddles, pretending to speak actual wisdom, when it's really just some psychology crap. He pretends to know more than he does. But I wouldn't discount some of the things he says. Having a second perspective on certain things can be useful, even if they're stupid. Grogery: He does do that annoying thing that some nobles do, where they speak in long diatribes, trying to pretend like what they're saying is going to have more importance, when in reality it would make them look smarter to just get to the point. Dwardazik: Yep, that's Baxton. Grogery: Just curious — what kind of stuff has he been saying to try to get a rise out of you? He keeps on calling me a dog. Dwardazik: Fine, I will quote exactly what he said to me. Though I won't tell you what I told him, it's not important anyway. He said, "Don't become devoured by greed and pride, furyful dwarf. My knowledge is always useful." Grogery, with a chuckle: Oh, you got on his bad side! Dwardazik: I actually think he was rather... "respectful" is probably the wrong word, it's like he was trying to give me a warning. But I don't really care so much. I've got you looking out for me, and I'm watching what's going to be happening.

The villagers are having a bad time now that the smoke has gone mostly down, but Jim is hard at work making sure that the zombies, at least, are safe.