Last time on Fortune's Vanguard, the party continued to collect themselves after the harrowing battle against Ripley's closest friend and fated rival both, with several of the members proceeding to do their own thing for a time - Ripley doing research on how to implement Niles' gun arm to replace one of her own, particularly with Woodsworth's assistance... while the rest of the members primarily focused on cleaning up any loose ends still left behind within the Grey Niles base of operations.
After returning to each other's company, a decision had to be made on where to proceed from here, especially keeping in mind the meeting that was supposed to happen between the Slowcart Foundation and the now deceased Niles... one that the group particularly wanted to leave before the agreed upon time, considering a growing mistrust of that branch of the Slowcart Foundation, and their own newfound role in having interfered with that branch's operations.
However, there was still one more loose end that needed to be handled, an endeavor agreed upon throughout their exploration of the Grey Niles hideout: Gnurden. Returning on their way to Gnurden's own hideaway, the party got a sufficient amount of rest - and woke up feeling just a bit stronger because of it - before Woodsworth continued his prior efforts of freeing Gnurden from his burdens... this time being to success, the smooth rock of his mask being removed from his face, with Gnurden himself revealed and running laps around the party to great glee, reveling in the sensations - both good and painful - that he was now able to experience.
At least before reminding the party that there was still more to the promise. Someone else had to take on those burdens, as, according to him, those burdens were important to be shared with the world. After Xael grabbed ahold of the mask for a time, it was given to the possession of Cleis, who... quite surprisingly donned the burdensome mask, both out of slight guilt towards his harm of Gnurden and whatever other intents he may have, with Gnurden quite excitedly bouncing around him and dragging him to learn of the burden-sharing powers. Even going so far as to collect rocks himself for the begrudgingly willing Cleis, especially considering his lack of ability to swim well, and ending up encumbered because of an enchanted rock.
With that handled, the group returned to the road - with Gnurden joining them for the trip - to both avoid the Slowcart Foundation's branch and continue on their way to the next destination, having a relatively smooth trip... outside of Cleis taking an opportunity to offload the burdensome rock enchanted by throwing it at someone by the roadside, to Gnurden's continued glee.
Where is the group headed to next, and what will they experience at this new destination? Will Cleis be in his "villain" arc, spreading the world's burdens with Gnurden's instruction? How will Woodsworth fair helping Ripley attach an entirely new arm?
Only time will tell, as the party enjoys the relative calm of their carriage ride...