Session 13: The Eastern Road Report

Once the party woke up in the morning, they had a lengthy debate regarding their next move. Azidael and Ballisar wanted to march southward and remedy the disease which afflicted Ballisar and Ekess, while Orin wanted to move westward back to Illidost. The Wayfarer sided with Ballisar and Azidael while Calista wanted to follow Orin’s path. Heated words were exchanged but no blades drawn. In the end, they decided to march east to the Atamani camp of Vestidia, then south deeper into Vestidia toward Dorithin. 

The road was clear in these lands, save for some patrols of Atamani and Vestidians marching up and down the eastern road. Calista and Orin speak about their plans and their opinions regarding the current situation- how things can be remedied. They continued east until one evening they reached a place along the road with a strange construct beside it. It was a massive pillar or tower, around 300 feet square and 500 feet high. A fire was burning near it and faint figures could be seen beside it. Calista and Ballisar could identify it as an ancient Odyrzid pillar city, along abandoned since the days of the Awakening when the early Vestidians ousted them from eastern Othos. They made a calculated decision to ignore it.

Party continues, and Azidael speaks with Wayfarer about recent circumstances and their opinions upon the current path, along with motivations and goals for the future. They are close to the same mind regarding Othos, saying that it is chaotic and requires some manner of governmental change. Ballisar wakes up the next day and finds that his condition has worsened; now his mind feels like there are many holes and gaps within it, wrecking his memory and ability to reason.

After six days overall, the party arrives in the Abat Rishon Atamani camp, and therein travel northward toward the royal tents. However, things are rough along the path. They are met with curious and suspicious gazes as they rode through the massive two-mile around encampment. Some sly youths steal clothing from Orin’s riding chest and Azidael has mud thrown upon his face. He uses Vojûn to compel the primary offender to kneel and beg for forgiveness. The rest of the Atamani around are frightened and slowly stalk away from the scene. Finally, they arrive at the tents to see worshippers of Earth and Sky praying in the dirt and Menon Artem Kezon standing guard.