shadows of the past

When the group arrives at the estate, they find Jennifer, who was guarding Funae, coming up from the dungeon coughing. She shares that Funae attacked her attaching a message to the mark left behind. When shown to Fix, the message becomes audible for all to hear. Fix visits Renio, still in the cells, and confirms Funae’s escape, however, he did not know what her plans might be.

Kadath pauses a moment to look in on Castle Aventur. Spying on the throne room, it appears to have been tossed about in a whirlwind of anger. He watched for a few minutes as the servants began to clean up the room, getting everything back into place.

Learning of Funae’s escape, Forsythe takes to the skies to scout the area. Although he did not find her, he did spot a deal between two others in the lower portion of the city. He lands, changes shape, and expertly pick-pockets both parties walking away with 500 gold and a magical mirror.

Evangeline sits on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and begins to look into her crystal ball for Funae. She is taken to the past as she watched her at 13 years of age running about the house avoiding the servants who were attempting to catch her. The vision ended with a large shadow looming in the corner of the bedroom which resembled the shadow dragon. Evangeline then turns to her book and begins to draw. This image, unlike the others, shifted and changed as she drew. A woman seemingly made of nature itself created a ball of vines from which a child was born in a burst of blue light. The child was carried to just outside a city and handed to two young elves for her care. She shares this information with the group, then communes with Denier and Savaras for some confirmation.

Fix and Kadath, after leaving the dungeon, travel to the city’s jail to speak with Eshuto. He was forthcoming with any information he could provide. He shares that he served Gaera after saving her life about ten years prior, and that he did so as it gave him much pleasure to watch how nobles would squirm under her pressure. He did not know who Funae may be targeting, but did recall that she held King Humi of White Lake responsible for Gaera’s spiritual guidance. He also confirmed that Humi’s son is to marry a lower noble by the name of Brianne.

As the group reconvenes at the estate, Forsythe shares that Brianne is his sister and that his return to White Lake should remain unknown. They all head to the library and pull out maps to discuss where they are needing to go next. After much deliberation, they decide to try to focus on the gold dragon, Aurelius, and the city of Yosh-lin using the image of a golden bell that Evangeline pulled from her drawing. Soon, they find themselves standing in a thick forest with a hint of something gold peeking out of the ground nearby.

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Episode 85