The party continued their journey through the picturesque countryside on their way to the capital of Rivermond. As they made their way, they chanced upon a rather spacious inn known as Doe's Den. Having been traveling by foot for an extended period, they collectively agreed that it was an opportune location to rest for the night.
With a warm and inviting atmosphere, Doe's Den beckoned them in, promising a respite from their long journey. It seemed like the ideal refuge for weary travelers, offering the comfort and solace they needed after spending considerable time on the road.
Strangers At The Inn
Outside the inn, they encountered two mysterious travelers. One was a tall, cloaked figure, and the other was a portly man. When the party approached them for conversation, it became evident that the travelers were in a great hurry to depart. Amelia and Varis couldn't help but be intrigued by the concealed cart in their possession. While the rest of the group entered the inn to secure rooms, Amelia and Varis waited for an opportunity to investigate the cart further. Eventually, Amelia managed to sneak a peek inside and discreetly pocketed a few items.
Meanwhile, the chubby man entered the inn, and not long after, a small group of armored soldiers arrived outside, clearly on the lookout for the man. An imposing Orc led the soldiers and diligently checked each room. He reached Keira's room and informed her that the chubby man was not there. Shortly thereafter, the sounds of a scuffle could be heard from the adjacent room. Keira later witnessed the Orc forcibly removing the man from the inn, marking their first encounter with the Dominus Chain, a formidable faction of the Dominion Church.
As the party outside observed the soldiers and the Orc departing with the chubby man, they also noticed the hooded figure who had been with the man making a quick exit in the opposite direction with the cart. What they had taken from the cart turned out to be various items associated with dark alchemy, a detail that didn't particularly stand out to Amelia.
They spent the night at the Inn without any issues and got ready to leave early in the morning.
Visit To Baymount
The following day, the group continued their journey toward the Capital. Along the way, they stumbled upon the quaint harbor village of Baymount, where they decided to make a brief stop for necessary supplies.
In Baymount, they crossed paths with Meleni Allorey, a skilled artificer and the owner of Allorey's Alluring Anvil. Meleni had a proposition for them as they were en route to the Capital: the task of delivering a small box of valuable goods to the blacksmith at Heavy Metal Works in the Coin District of the Capital. Interestingly, this district happened to be the very same area where Varis had established his residence. The group agreed to take on the job and also gathered additional provisions before resuming their journey.
After traveling most of the day, they established a campsite next to a serene creek, preparing to rest for the night. Unexpectedly, they found themselves in the company of an enigmatic hooded figure, the same individual from whom Amelia had previously purloined some belongings. The figure had tracked them down and demanded the return of the stolen items, to which Amelia adamantly refused.
Subsequently, the hooded figure, who initially appeared to be human-sized, revealed a surprising transformation, morphing into a feline humanoid with razor-sharp claws and a bony tail. He launched an assault on their camp and the entire group, initiating a skirmish. It was during this intense battle that Amelia unveiled her own ability to assume an alternate form. Ultimately, the fight concluded swiftly, leaving the party with more inquiries than resolutions.
Passing Through Sungard
The day after, they resumed their journey and reached Sungard, the final stop before their arrival at the Capital. Once there, they restocked on supplies and decided to split up.
Amelia boldly strolled through the front yard of the Lord's estate, making her way to a serene river located behind the mansion. Her unconventional approach left the bewildered guards in her wake. Bartimaeus, on the other hand, followed her and engaged in a conversation with the guards and Zarra Veedis, Sungard's Lady and ruler. He introduced himself, and as soon as they heard his name, the guards and Lady Zarra welcomed him in. To Bartimaeus's surprise, Kitt Veedis, Zarra's husband, was a historian on the side. He had collected valuable information about the Order of the Grail Knights and eagerly shared a book filled with his notes, assisting Bartimaeus in recovering some of his forgotten memories.
Meanwhile, Varis and Aislinne decided to explore the town together. During their exploration, they stumbled upon a small fighting pit. Varis, filled with enthusiasm, expressed his desire to participate. He informed the guild overseeing the pit that he had friends who would stand by his side, but not everyone got the message. Varis ended up facing the challenge alone, with only Sabre as his companion. Keira, on the other hand, was in the crowd, placing bets on the fights. Varis and Sabre displayed exceptional prowess in the pit, triumphing over their opponents and making a decent sum of gold before departing.
While in Sungard, the group encountered a stray dog named Archibald, who soon became their newest member. It was apparent that the dog had been taken by a local merchant, but the party either didn't dwell on it or were too captivated by the dog's charm to act otherwise. Regrouping, the party prepared to continue their quest to reach Greenfield.
Respite In The Capital
They embarked on a journey down the southern road, with a detour planned to take them through the Capital city. During their visit, they made a pit stop in the Coin district, where Varis had his very own home.
The group took a well-deserved break in the bustling city, restocked their supplies, and fulfilled their task of delivering a mysterious box acquired in Baymount. At the Heavy Metal Works, they encountered a dwarf by the name of Ulfnir Rockmane, an old comrade of Bartimaeus.
Meanwhile, Varis experienced a peculiar encounter at his homestead when enigmatic owl spirits delivered a cryptic message regarding recent developments at the Arcane Academy and within the confines of Greenfield.