the key

As the group discusses where to go next, Evangeline checks her book for information about Yosh-ul, finding only that it is listed as the newest old city. Realizing that Charmonde is not far, Forsythe changes them all into clouds and they travel via the wind to visit Strulduk. They land just outside the city and split up once inside.

Evangeline visits the small temple of the Order of Truth and meets High Priestess Alyah and asks to send a message to High Priest Rokdif. She later confirms the message is sent by looking through her crystal at Rokdif. Then she travels to the Marble Pillar Tavern to meet up with the rest of the party and learns about the quietness of Strulduk’s former activities.

Kadath follows Fix as he begins to search out the members of the Jagged Dream throughout the city. One seemingly within the palace, one at the Black Mountain Inn, and the third is an apprentice to the blacksmith, Broden. When approached, the apprentice provides a location and time to meet more privately. The apprentice shares about the attack of the ethereal creatures and that they have gone quiet, and also about Stulduk’s recent lack of activity. Fix then gives him a small piece of obtainium and tips on how to work with this metal then dismisses him. Kadath and Fix then leave to meet up with the rest of the group.

Fosythe takes to the air and scouts out the city. Seeing two major sections with bridges that cross the crevasse dividing them. He also studies the foliage outside the city for future use of travel. He lands on the Marble Pillar to meet up with the rest of the group and sees three people enter into the palace by a well concealed secret door. Deciding to look into the palace further, he finds a window and begins his search.

Inside the palace, he passes through a couple of barracks and eventually follows a servant. After snatching an aged wheel of cheese and a fine bottle of wine, he ends up finding a main dining hall where the Queen and Strulduk seem to be having a meal. Listening in on the conversation, he discovers the queen’s interest in romantic relations with Strulduk, however, he takes the first opportunity to leave. Forsythe then makes his way back out of the palace and meets up with the rest of the group.

The group decides to head to Strulduk’s before he would return. The guards and servants recognize the party and invite them to wait in the sitting room for his return. While waiting, Fix and Evangeline pull out the body of Gaera and remove her nanite spine and fine armor. When Strulduk does return, he confirms that the chalice had been taken during his last event and provides the invited guest list. When questioned about his visit to the palace, he informs them the Queen has taken a fancy to him and has called upon him for his company, much to his dismay.

When they investigate the vault and the stand where the chalice had been held, Forsythe and Evangeline see a mechanical trap that was intentionally messed with to malfunction. Strulduk informs the group that he did have a machinist from Qi, Kevin Thornberry, aid in the trap's construction. Fix recognizes the name as one who the Jagged Dream works with on occasion. 

With this information, they decide to head to Qi before continuing to the Great Slab. Evangeline messages Gavyn and learns he is currently at home and informs her that Arias headed Northeast to investigate the return of dragons. Forsythe uses the nearby foliage to transport the group straight to the Trentson estate.

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Episode 84