Fyn teleports the party, Damaz, and Zohadisha back to Sedeq to convene with the Fading Council. The gang’s all here: Eriza, Tikhig, Jekkos, Raldou, and Avi. Even the lutung monkeys are making a cameo appearance.
After brief pleasantries, Fobias is tapped to reiterate the party’s experience from the past few days. He explains the water source situation at the Cistern, the help that the gnolls provided, and the Manic Chains’ role in keeping the Mad Prophet in captivity.
Again, the party is supported by Damaz who helps fill in the gaps. The djinn is especially thankful for Avi’s discretion at knowing their secret, but understands if the Fading Council as a whole would be upset at the situation. As it stands, the Council isn’t necessarily upset; it’s a lot to process.
Fobias emphasizes the role the gnolls played, with how helpful they ended up being. Raldou and Tikhig agree that perhaps they are more a product of their situation. A situation, of course, that Mihlaj impressed upon them. Change is necessary, and efforts will be made in that regard.
For whatever reason, Fyn promises the entire town of Mihlaj a huge feast, to celebrate the return to normalcy. After a full afternoon’s work slaving away in the kitchen, all the party has to show for their efforts is a pair of pies, a bowl of green knockoff JELL-O, and a few rats that Krask hunted down.
Luckily, Ozekai comes in the clutch and is able to read the scroll of Heroes Feast from the Emerald Codex. And with that, the party is able to provide a lavish meal, where everybody can eat and drink to their heart’s content.
It’s a nice respite from the constant barrage of combats and problem-solving for the party. Some might call it the proverbial calm before the storm.
Rewards Given
Over the course of the evening, the party is approached by various members of the region, thanking them for their efforts. Mihlaj is eternally grateful and in debt to the heroes for everything they’ve done to restore the region to a stable state.
Eriza gifts a Hand of Glory to Fyn. It’s an interesting item that occupies a neck slot but allows for a third ring to be worn. Additionally, it grants some spell-casting abilities, which might come in handy for the martial characters in the group.
Ozekai hands Trace a Dawnflower’s Sash. Potent around the waist of a commoner, the sash gets extra abilities when worn by a follower of Sarenrae.
Lastly, Zohadisha gives Barnaby an Effortless Lace. It’s strange that a melee-orientated item like this would be given by the most useless combatant the party has ever had as a part of their team. However, it may come in handy for the battles yet to come.
Homeward Bound
The party says their goodbyes before using their planar binding stones to get back to the ‘real world’. However, they don’t end up in the back room of the Blue Bunyip. Instead, they pile out of the box in a packed storage closet. Fobias is the only one to land on his feet.
Instantly, they break the door down. Much to their surprise, the closet opens up into a room filled with the Magnimar City Guard. They draw their weapons and question the group who they possibly got into the evidence closet without anyone noticing.
Luckily for the party, the guard is focused on a murder investigation, and they pay little mind to the far-fetched excuses the party tries to provide. As they’re ushered out to the street, Krask notices a feather on one of the desks. It’s remarkably similar to a feather that Barnaby would wear in his hat.
Is Barnaby a prime suspect in an investigation? Is Vestele dead? Is Magnimar just Little New York?