Four Fates Under the Southern Sun, 3.5, Session 30

Start: 8 pm, Foreautumn 25, 401 GA

Malthuzar spoke with the party, and explained how, due to the declining health of the house Xola Patriarch, Galbehrt, Alasdair has been named regent of house Xola, effective immediately. He then immediately stated how it would be beneficial for morale and optics if as many of his fellow Archons were to be adopted into the family as soon as possible.

Ryardÿnin and Pan take the oath to House Xola and are promptly struck by the pommel of Alasdair's estoc. The brief ceremony borne from days of tribalism had been completed, and now they were officially adopted into the Xolan fold.

Malthuzar continues, speaking of a 'private matter' involving Jucika's adoptive mother, Ádriána Vatatzes. His network of spies has found her being held within the Imperial Prison in Gol-Galoon. He urged caution in the matter for the moment, but thought it was worth mentioning in case future action is required. He made it clear this development should not be divulged to Jucika because, while it is just for her to know, he realizes she would not exercise caution in a matter so close to the heart.

Additionally, Malthuzar appears to not desire to encite a public scandal by storming the imperial palace of Gol-Galoon - 'unless the situation must be reassessed' - implying he, or his agents have encountered difficulties. The party realized it is likely Ádriána Vatatzes is much more useful as a bargaining chip to her Yoggite captors in a greater scheme and she is far more valuable to them alive. This scheme likely involves holding sway over the northern kingdom of Nemnowyn, as despite her defecting to Yog, Ádriána Vatatzes stands to inherit the throne of Nemnowyn at some juncture down the road, being related by blood to the king. This might also pass on to Jucika, as she is Ádriána's only heir.

Malthuzar sought to exploit this fact to secure an alliance, ultimately.

As this all was playing out, Emilia received a message from her homeland, in reply to a previous message she sent. It read as follows.

"A great turbulence has awakened on the island. Our people are fearful. For now, we are concealed. We are glad you are safe, but if you must visit now, please exercise the greatest caution. Ancient wyverns and krakens have awakened, and vicious storms encircle the island."

She shared this with the party. This revelation startled and concerned both Emilia and Pan, who have ties to Monolith Isle by blood.

Pan discussed plans for a basement level of the Guildhall, which Malthuzar found odd, but signed off on. Additionally, he gave Pan permission to recruit Ramos and his crew to their cause.

Holow and Pan visit the tavern and cavort with Ramos's crew. Pan gets flirty with Milos, who returns the flirtation.

The party passes the night and rests.

Upon waking, Emilia sets a sentry outside the Guildhall to serve as her oaken eyes and ears in her upcoming absence.

Alasdair took the oath swearing him in as the Regent Patriarch of the Xola.

The party, sans Emilia and Alasdair go to speak with Sahil.

Never once has a meeting with Sahil seemed normal. This time, he seemed to see through Holow's disguise, and possessed an ability to recognize her, as if already acquainted.

Sahil divulged without hesitation the Meditations of Balvir had touched his mind with limited prophecy, and he was reluctant to relinquish the book to Ryardÿnin because, in Sahil's opinion, he would not be able to make a difficult decision on Monolith Isle, if what the book revealed to Sahil was revealed to him.

Ultimately, he relinquished the book to Ryardÿnin, but had him swear he would not read it until he had returned from Monolith Isle. The decision to do so rests on Ryardÿnin's shoulders, however...

Cryptically, Sahil mentioned a 'scrap of divinity, which Yolrud seeks, must be awakened in the island before the Upheaval may begin, lies within the monolith...'.

Sahil divulged he is next to be chosen as Adjudicator, which means he will likely be dead before he can meet the party again. He seemed at peace with the prospect. They say their farewells, possibly for the last time.

With few other delays, the party, Ramos, and crew set sail to Monolith Isle.

With the aid of Emilia's magic, they arrive in a day.

When they arrive, far off in the distance, Emilia notices on a peak in the center of the island, a cyclopean gargoyle knelt, with his hands pressed against the stone foundation of the Monolith. The gargoyle glowed with an ethereal light. Wyverns circled above him, as if he was the epicenter of the storm.

After a quick bit of experimentation, they determined Monolith Isle is an area of wild magic.

Undeterred, the party pressed on. They encountered a wyvern landing on the shores and being flanked by a kraken, but swiftly abandoned the conjured ice ship, since Ramos and crew were away safely.

They pressed on into the forest, following what appeared to be a limping trail, left by a humanoid female.

Deeper within the forest, they encountered a clearing with a tree they determined to be illusory. Exploring further, they found a trap door at its center.

XP: 950
End: 8 am, Foreautumn 26, 401 GA