Fear No Evil, part I
Leonardo de Cefiro’s
personal diary
Where
our heroes begin the long journey south, but a trip to the Shadowlands does not
go to plan…
Preamble
Waterday,
Mobilityweek to Freezeday, Illusionweek, Seaseason, 614 TA
I
thought we might get a chance to catch our breath like after comin’ back from the fells via the Moon and meetin’ 3 dragons (still can’t quite believe that actually
‘appened…), but it seems that there’s no rest for the
wicked like, and we ‘as to prepare for the long journey. Goin’
to take seasons probably, so I does get a chance to say bye to Ma & Pa
before we leave (and I managed to avoid bumpin’ into
auntie Amelia an all) so thin’s are lookin’ up.
After
we get back the gang all meet up to talk strategy and whatnot. Joaquina is sportin’ brand new iron weapons and some armour too – she’s
made Runelady! Good on you luv! And Esteban is lookin’ a bit sheepish too – he’s been knighted into the
Order of the Dancing Bear! I mean wot? Does that mean our resident nob is goin’ all mystical on us, and e’s goin’
to be prancin’ around forest groves naked at
midnight? Is it some mad monk discipline and e’s goin’
to be marchin’ around, bashin’
‘is ‘ead with a book all the time? Or is ‘e in the
empress’s ‘arem and they’re goin’
to make more ‘dancin’ bears’ together? I’m not sure,
but it ain’t ‘alf ‘ilarious,
and I’m not goin’ to let ‘im
forget it!
Esteban
goes through a few thin’s e’s been given from Salome
to ‘elp us. They include 5 letters of credit (for the
posh blokes who like readin’), and 500 bob to ‘elp with expenses. Esteban gives ‘em
to Joaquina to look after, as ‘e don’t
want to even look at writin’ of course. Xavier goes
through what party treasure we’ve got, and it includes 3 pts of truestone that we was given by the
dragons. So what to put in it? I pipe up and say ‘ow about some ‘ealin’, as Healing 3 is all I can offer anyone, and Ramos
(the brute is comin’ with us! Enemies beware!)
mentions Light of Life, but at this point in walks Maria, an Etesia runelady whose goin’ to be travelling with us too, so that takes care of
the ‘ealin’ problem.
In
the end, we decide on a point of Lightning Rod (as a lot of people use spears)
and 2pts of Shield, which always comes in ‘andy like,
so there’s no complaints from me.
Esteban
& Ramos talk about directions, and we ‘as been given a map of Iberia –
looks like we’re followin’ the road right down to
Port Ocean which ‘as the shortest water crossin’ to
the mainland on the other side. After that of course I remind everyone that
we’re goin’ to be travellin’
on the Sea of Sands by boat!
We’re
given another bleedin’ letter (not really bleedin’ but you get the idea) of authority from Salome,
and one of ‘er cronies gives us the “you’re representin’ ‘er ‘ighness, so be on your best behaviour” speech (I guess
that’s why Manuel ain’t comin’
with us). Oh, and yet another letter comes from Davida
Atenbor, the ‘ead of the Voidic monks who were studyin’
the fells. We’re to give this to the priory in Tarifa
(which is on the way) – apparently they might be interested in ‘ousin’ the black elves we captured after that jewel
incident. Well that’s fine by me, so long as the elves aren’t comin’ with us – disgustin’
cannibals them creatures.
The
night before we depart I get a visit from Uthor, the dwarven nob who I was guardin’ up
the fells (‘e said I can tell ‘is rank from all the badges ‘e’s wearin’, but it don’t mean anythin’ to me). Now ‘e’s already said ‘e wants me to
represent the interests of the dwarves, and as a fellow earth cultist that’s
fine of course. ‘Owever, to force the point ‘ome ‘e gives me a gift – a ring mounted with a yellow topaz
stone – it’s a 5pt PSC! I’ve got me first magic item! Maybe that’ll impress the
girls back ‘ome? It’s not easy when you’ve got a face
like a puddin’ bowl. Ma said I was a bugger to push
out when I was born, so it’s probably me own fault like…
Travel
Waterday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
In
the mornin’ I chooses some nice nags from the stable (I’m always doin’ that in the Watch) and we all meet at the gates as
they open after dawn. It seems everyone got a gift from their patron! Esteban’s
got a quicksilver-bound ‘orn that apparently gives
some localised power over the winds (cool!); Joaquina ‘as a magical saddle for
‘er ‘orse; Xavier’s got
some sort of attunable crystal; and Ramos ‘as some mystical
troll drink called Soma, whatever that is. So with Maria as well, that’s the
whole gang.
The
first day passes fairly uneventfully really. It’s a bit blustery, and I’m not
sure ‘ow long it’s goin’ to last, but Joaquina
reckons it’ll rain in 4-5 days or so. We reach a small village, Fortaleza Azogue, by dusk, and of course the entertainers amongst us
start givin’ the locals a song & a dance. (But
Esteban doesn’t dance, which I’m a tad disappointed about. Who’s ever ‘eard of a dancing bear that doesn’t dance?) Can’t say it’s our best ever performance, though – Xavier’s
and Esteban’s string section is passable, I suppose, but even Joaquina is only
alright, and the best you can say about Ramos is that ‘e was enthusiastic. Our ‘ost, Jofre, puts them all to shame
with ‘is spinet.
Clayday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
This
is a bit boring too. We ride through Toledo, which is apparently the last stop
before we leaves civilisation behind. We stop for the night in the wilds and pour
over the map in the evening – Esteban insists we stick to the roads, even
though goin’ cross country as the storm crow flies
seems a little more direct to me.
Windsday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
It’s
still a bit blustery as we ‘ead on out into the
wilderness, though the road is still pretty well maintained. Fairly soon we
spots a few barbarians shadowin’ us. I cast Farsee and it looks like they’re llama riders. ‘Owever, they don’t approach us, and the only other people
we see are some Ducks down by the river.
Fireday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
After a bit it starts to rain, which makes
the drudgery of travel even worse.
The llama riders are still shadowin’ us, but suddenly
they push their mounts to a gallop and hare off after some sable riders in the
far distance. Glad that wasn’t too close to us – I’ve no wish to be caught up
in a barbarian scuffle thank you very much.
Wildday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
Wildday dawns quite ‘ot
– more so than you’d expect as we reach the end of Sea season. As we’re
trotting along, Xavier is the first to spot more llama riders – but this time
they’re blockin’ the road up ahead. This could get
nasty as there’s more of ‘em than us, so I’s brin’ a spell to mind and make sure me quarterstaff is
within reach, but as we get closer the riders part to reveal their leader – a
real looker of a gent in a very posh ‘eadress made of different bird feathers. ‘E checks we’re
from Ursara and on a mission from the Empressa, and then asks us to accompany ‘im cos ‘is shaman wants a word. He’s Chief Montezuma.
Well,
when a posse of llama riders asks you to follow ‘em
in their lands, you do as your told, and so we dutifully
troop back to their camp. Involves fordin’ the river
at one point, and Ramos and ‘is mount almost come to grief, but a llama rider
is there to grab the reins and see ‘im through. Come
to think of it, it seems like we each ‘ad a llama rider shadowin’
in case somethin’ bad ‘appened.
So
the chief waxes lyrical about ‘ow ‘es great friends
with the dancing bear chief (I give a sly grin at Esteban, but ‘e studiously
avoids my gaze) but it’s not long till we’re standin’
in front of the chief’s tent. Instead of leadin’ us
inside, ‘e takes us into a smaller tent pitched right next to ‘is. Inside is
the tribe’s Shaman – a really old crone lyin’ on what
must be ‘er death bed, surrounded by a few flunkies
of course.
With
some ‘elp, the shaman (whose name is Tula) sits up
and says she knows of our quest and wants to come with us! I mean wot? She
wouldn’t make it past the front flap of ‘er tent! ‘Owever, one of ‘er flunkies begins this chant and soon it’s taken up by others
around ‘er. Someone lights a scented stick-like thing
and I start to feel a bit woozy. As we watch, Tula breathes ‘er last and settles back onto ‘er
palette, but the chantin’ and dancin’
(come on Esteban, now’s your chance!) reach a crescendo and Tula’s spirit
manifests in front of us! She looks like a winged snake (I’m thinkin’ wyvern-like) and flies into this small jade vial.
The
new shaman presents the vial to Esteban – Tula will aid us once when released
from the vial! Well, it seems we’re all gettin’ gifts
at the moment, but this is the first gift that’s copped it in front us. I mean
that’s takin’ thin’s too far if you ask me, but ‘ey, we’ll take any ‘elp that’s on
offer.
Godsday,
Illusionweek, Seaseason,
614 TA
The
next day the llama riders escort us cross country almost directly south, probably
savin’ us a day or two of road travel, and of course nothin’ dares get in our way. They even stay with us
overnight to make sure nothin’ interrupts our beauty
sleep. These ba ba’s are
proper nice, even if their mounts are a bit smelly.
Freezeday,
Truthweek, Seaseason, 614
TA
The
riders finally turn back as we reach the outskirts of Cordoba in the afternoon.
It’s a pretty big town, not like Ursara of course,
but it looks a nice place to hole up in. There’s a choice of inns, and we
decide on the Windy one, unsurprisingly. La Abrego is
not too expensive, but then Xavier announces e’s paid for us all to ‘ave a bath! Wow, an ‘ot bath!
With servants! It’s been a few days since it rained, so it’s nice to get the
travel aches & pains out of me bones.
Xavier,
Ramos and me go on a bit of Tapas crawl to see if we
can find out any local gossip, but there’s not much really. When we say we’re
from Ursara, it seems most people are either in
favour or ambivalent about the new super state. Not too surprisin’
really.
Waterday,
Truthweek, Seaseason, 614
TA
The
next day is spent travelling down the road towards Civil. It rains all day so
we’re happy to stop at an inn, the Rodrigo Vivar.
Clayday,
Truthweek, Seaseason, 614
TA
The
next day is spent travelling down the road to Civil, which we arrive at just
before dusk when they shut the gate. Another windy pub accepts us, but this one
is smarter and even offers us baths with runnin’
water! I mean, that’s just beyond the pale that is – we had a bath yesterday
for bleedin’ sake.
Windsday,
Truthweek, Seaseason, 614
TA
So,
first order of business in Civil is to go to the University and ask about
dragons – apparently they’ve got experts there or somesuch.
No good ever came of readin’ mark my words. Anyway,
Esteban asks Yolanda Vidrero, one of the profs, about the 3 Dragons and gets a disbelieving look. I
tells ‘er the story about the 3 dragons and shows ‘er our magic items, but whilst she says somat
about apples ‘avin’ some mystical meanin’
in dragon mythology, (Mystical Mythology Meaning – that’s a good bit of lyrical
poetry that is…) the only thing that detects as draconic is Xavier’s magical
tiara! She does offer to research our bit of truestone,
so Esteban and Ramos stay behind to guard it whilst Xavier goes shoppin’ (for a bandana. Why does ‘e
want a bandana for ‘eavens sake?)
When
we all return an ‘our or two later, the profs calm
exterior ‘as changed a bit and she looks totally shocked. The spells in our Truestone are draconic! The 3 persons we described are
probably avatars of 3 known dragons – the Moon Dragon, Fire Dragon & Storm Dragon.
She’s never ever ‘eard of them appearin’
together before. So she goes off into various tales of dragons and I find me
mind wanderin’ a bit, but I snaps back to the present
when she starts talkin’ about draconic links to Khem, the Black Dragon and soul eaters! So is this all
linked to what’s underneath the Dimaryp then?
Then
Xavier shows us ‘is magic item – when ‘e puts the tiara on, a 3rd
eye suddenly appears in ‘is forehead! I mean wot? So that’s why ‘e wanted a bandana! If we didn’t know better, it looks for
all the world like it’s a Chaos feature!
As
we leave the University it starts to pelt down, and anyone with any weather
lore can see it’s set in for at least a few days.
Fireday
- Wildday, Truthweek, Seaseason, 614 TA
Esteban
decides that we’ll stay ‘ere until it clears up, and to pass time we decide to
do a bit of cross trainin’ – Esteban talks a bit
about the evils of chaos, and Joaquina gives us the ABC of Spiritspeech.
And all the while we’ve got a bath available if we wants
it. There are defo worse ways to spend a couple of days.
Godsday,
Truthweek, Seaseason, 614
TA
When
the weather finally clears, it’s the first day of summer, and it’s definitely startin’ to turn warmer. We ride to Tamazight, staying at
the El Zonda inn.
The Priory
Freezeday,
Disorderweek, Fireseason,
614 TA
We
decide to ‘ead on out to the priory to deliver Davida’s letter about them elves, so we turn off the main
road and ‘ead into the ‘ills. About mid-afternoon we
spots a building up ahead – it looks a dead funny shape to me, but then someone
says it’s in the shape of a Truth rune and inverted Spirit rune (or should that
be a Spirit Rune and inverted Truth rune?)
Whatever,
we go up to this grand lookin’ front door and ring
the bell. A few minutes later and we ‘ear footsteps comin’
to the door and someone jangles some keys, ‘e tries a key in the lock, and then
jangles some more keys before trying again. This is repeated for at least 2-3
minutes. I mean wot? Is the guy some sort of retard? Why ‘ave
a doorkeeper who doesn’t know which blimen key to
use?
Eventually
we get let in by this monk in some sort of mid-dark grey robe who just reeks of alcohol. ‘e looks
a bit befuddled like, and touches ‘is chest 3 times in different places a lot.
Maria gives ‘im the once over and says ‘e’s a drunk
and sufferin’ from some sort of brain fever. Yikes! ‘ope it’s not catchin’…
The
doorkeep (who’s called Fortunato) calls out for
someone else, and we’re taken through the temple complex. This monk’s called Eduardo,
and he says that all of their order suffer from
various degrees of ‘dourness’, caused by spendin’ too
much time in the Shadowlands. Apparently their order studies shadows and their
runic significance, which I suppose is why Davida
wants them black elves to be relocated ‘ere. Poor old
Fortunato ‘as spent one too many times in the Shadowlands, and ‘e copes by drinkin’ too much and bein’
forgetful like. Poor sap.
So
after bein’ led through a cloistered area and into
the Demosthenese temple (shaped like a Truth rune and
very well lit by candles), we pass through another corridor and are let into a
pretty well-appointed office, which is called the chapter ‘ouse
apparently. The prior greets us warmly (‘es called Zacarias) and we’re given some nibbles as Esteban ‘ands
over the letter from Davida.
But
then the prior says ‘e wants our ‘elp. Some of their monks, a Mother Teresa an’ two others, ‘as gone missin’ in the shadowlands and ‘e wants us to go and find ‘er. Apparently there are thin’s
worse than black elves there and ‘e fears the worst. In fact, ‘e says quite a lot about them shadowlands, sayin’ the monks can open gates to enter, and stuff about
duality and shadow lore.
‘Old
ye ‘orses mate! Travel into the shadowlands when you’ve
got all these monks who are experts at it? And we might all become like brother
Fortunato? And we’re offered a measly 50 bob each? Not gettin’
me to volunteer any time soon I can tell you.
Esteban
says ‘e wants to converse with us all in private, and Zacarias
nods is ‘ead. I think we all ‘ave
the same idea, but Esteban says we can persuade ‘im
to teach us some spells. ‘E must know some good ones, and it costs them nothin’
except time, and I don’t think our mission is that time sensitive. And I bet we’re
a lot more martial than a bunch of dour monks who carry light maces around with
‘em. Apparently the ‘dourness’ is only bad if you go
through multiple times, and this should just be an in and out job.
Well,
the bell rings for dinner, and Esteban & Joaquina are goin’
to dine with the prior in ‘is office, whilst the rest of us eat with the plebs
in the refectory, so Esteban says e’ll put ‘is offer
to the prior over nosh. Ramos asks if we can go now, but apparently it’s more
dangerous to go to the Shadowlands at night, so we’ll wait till mornin’.
In
the refectory there’s 9 monks already seated as we join them. Sister Alejandra
is the ‘ead of the table and she says a prayer before
we get seated. It’s not bad nosh, and I get talkin’
with a monk called Gaspar next to me. ‘e
made some intelligent snide comment when Alejandra was prayin’,
so I thought we might get on like, but ‘e seems a bit discontent with the monk
life to be ‘onest. Says the abbot is OK for a nob
though, and it’s 3 meals a day, so who’s complainin’?
Well,
Xavier starts flirtin’ with Nadia who e’s sitting
next to, and they seem to be gettin’ on like Nimbus
cultists in a rainstorm. Ramos is at the far end of the table, but I see’s
Alejandra winkin’ at ‘im
an’ all – these monks sure are randy! Of course no-one gives me a second
glance, but I’m used to it. Anyway, eatin’ that apple
and seein’ the local whore turn into a Gorgon in
front of me eyes a few seasons back ‘as kind of turned me off short term
relationships, know what I mean?
The Shadowlands
Waterday,
Disorderweek, Fireseason,
614 TA
In
the mornin’ we prep for the shadowlands! The prior ‘as agreed to our request
with spell teachin’ so ‘opefully
we’ll find this sister Teresa nice and quickly and be quids
in. If she’s anythin’ like the monks from last night
maybe she just wanted a quiet place to shag like. Ramos is whistlin’
a tune and lookin’ mighty pleased with ‘imself, and Alejandra is lookin’
more, well, focused, than last night so it looks as though they both ‘ad a good
time. Not so sure about Xavier though, Nadia looks just the same as she did
yesterday…
So
apparently a monk called Wilfredo is comin’ with us
through the gate to show us the ropes (though ‘e
don’t look too ‘appy about it). 5 other monks,
Alejandra, Quiria, Juan, Nadia and Gaspar, escort us
through the temple to a triple locked door that leads into a corridor. Then we
pass through a portcullis contraption that needs a speaking tube to be opened
remotely from somewhere else, and finally through
another locked door into a final chamber. It’s lit by 8 candles spread around
the room, and there are a couple of screens and a desk, along with a few small
windows near the ceilin’. Sitting in the middle
though is a large trilithon structure, made of stone, and I can feel rather than
‘ear a thrum of power comin’ from it. There’s another
speakin’ tube by the archway too.
Well,
the 4 of the 5 monks who ‘ave come to ‘guard’ the chamber stand behind the screens but
Alejandra goes to the desk and writes our names in a ledger to record who goes
through. Then she starts a short incantation in a language I don’t understand,
and the thrum of power increases before a portal shimmers into existence
between the trilithon stone! It looks grey and misty through it, and it’s ’ard to make out anythin’
distinct, but I think I can see what looks like the ruined outline of a wall
structure.
Peering
through it doesn’t make it look any more appetising to be ‘onest.
‘Owever, it’s too late to back out now, as tendrils
of grey mist start to lazily drift into the room. I can see a skeletal
footprint close to the gate, but there’s no signs of
life. Someone says it looks like a wight’s footprint
– great. A skeleton I could cope with, but an intelligent one? That’s just not
natural.
Alejandra
says the portal will remain open for 15 minutes, but if we’re back after that
to use the speakin’ tube on the other side to get the
gate open again. So there’s nothin’ else to do but go
through. We form up with Esteban & Joaquina at the front, Xavier and Ramos
behind (Xavier’s carryin’ a lantern) with me and
Wilfredo at the back.
As
we pass through the gate I initially don’t feel anythin’.
But then something wet, smelly, furry, but more importantly big, lands straight
on me ‘ead!! The next thin’ I know I’m flat on my
back with a great big monster on top of me. I can’t move, think or act. As if
from far away I hear Wilfredo say fearfully “Look out, it’s a Snuffler!” (thanks mate – that’s a
bit late for yours truly now) and I close my eyes waitin’
to feel deadly fangs sink their teeth into my neck. Sorry Ma, I didn’t think it
would end like this.
But
the killing bite never comes. I open my eyes just in time to see Xavier stab
‘is trident right between the thin’s eyes and it
shrieks before slidin’ off me. It rakes it’s teeth over me arm as it dies, but me vambraces save me. It looks a bit like a
‘uge sloth-like creature, and if it wasn’t for
Xavier’s quick thinkin’ I’d be a gonner
for sure. But I ain’t got time for thankyou’s.
There’s about a dozen or so other creatures closin’
in on the attack. We’re bein’ ambushed!
These
other creatures remind me a bit of ghouls – ‘umans
with claws and leering, nightmarish faces. They makes all of us feel fearful
just lookin’ at ‘em, and they can use the
shadows to teleport around the battlefield! Come on, that’s just cheatin’ that is.
I
quickly get up and see who’s fightin’ what. Esteban’s
got two on ‘im, as ‘as Joaquina. Wilfredo is backin’ away lookin’ scared (to
be fair ‘e ‘as only got a light club with ‘im), Ramos
‘as one to ‘imself, but Xavier’s got two with a third
closin’ in on ‘im!
I
decide to return the favour and cast Harmonise at Xavier’s potential 3rd
combatant. I feel the spell ‘it ‘ome, and ‘e goes
stiff as a board. ‘Opefully that’ll
make things a tad easier.
Xavier
still looks the most vulnerable as ‘is two are attackin’
‘im front & back, so I goes
to intercept the one behind ‘im. The brute looks
truly terrifying with ‘uge claws and fangs, so I
swing & miss with me quarterstaff, but manage to brin’
it back to parry ‘is claw and catch ‘im right on the
elbow! I ‘ear the crack of bone and ‘e screams before crumplin’
at me feet. Good, at least they feel pain right enough. Xavier skewers ‘is an
all, so we’re both unengaged.
As
I turn around to ‘elp Esteban, the creatures ‘ave ‘ad enough and decide to start teleportin’
away. Esteban catches a retreatin’ one with ‘is bow,
but it keeps goin’. Ramos wants to charge after ‘em (of course ‘e does…), but we manage to stop ‘im – peltin’ off into the murky
grey mists ain’t the most cunnin’
plan in the world.
Wilfredo ‘as recovered ‘is poise somewhat,
and says that the brutes are called Creeps. ‘e thinks they
was ‘unting the snuffler
like, but it ‘as all the ‘allmarks of an ambush if
you ask me.
We
set about finishin’ off the remainin’
creeps who are unconscious or Harmonised and look
around us. Visibility seems to vary from 10-40 yards, and it’s all shades of
grey – the ground is a mixture of rock and dust, and there’s no sign of a moon,
sun or stars.
So there’s nothin’
else to do except search for tracks. That’s my speciality of course, and sure enough, I spots a ‘uman sized boot print not far
from the gate. Overlayin’ it is another skeletal wight print, so it looks like we’re not the first thin’ to
track Teresa. I ’ope she’s OK, but I can’t say I’m
too ‘opeful if she’s as spineless as Wilfredo.
We’ve
only gone about 30 yards or so before we find a stone bridge crossin’ a ravine, with a stream flowin’
beneath. We’ve already been warned not to enter/touch/drink the water from this
place, and the tracks go over the bridge.
But, as we’re about to cross, Joaquina
spots a booted foot stickin’ out of the water’s edge. Xavier gingerly goes over and pulls out
the rest of the body, still attached to the foot (which ‘as been gnawed a bit
by the local fauna) to reveal a bloke wearin’ rich
robes. We turn ‘im over to get a look at ‘is face –
it’s the abbot! Father Zacarias! And it looks like ‘es been dead for at least a couple of days! So who’s the
bloke we’ve been talking to all this time in the monastery?
We’ve
got to ‘ead back through the gate as quick as
possible, and carryin’ the body we pass back through
the trilithon into the gate room. Alejandra stands up from the desk mutterin’ "that was quick", before all 5 monks go
ape at the sight of Zacarias. Alejandra quickly
explains that there is a very rare creature in the Shadowlands called a Doppleganger. When it envelops its prey it can take on the
form of them, including all their knowledge, battlemagic
and even runemagic!
Alejandra
checks the ledger of people enterin’ and exitin’ through the gate and finds that Zacarias
‘as passed into the Shadowlands 3 times this week but come back 4! Looks like
‘e was usin’ ‘is own runemagic
to go in when it suited ‘im.
We
decide to confront the Doppleganger in the main
Demosthenes temple, as it’s brightly lit and it’ll be ‘arder
for ‘im to Shadowport away.
‘Owever, we pass the chapter ‘ouse
on the way there, after Nadia and Gaspar go to warn the rest of the monks wot’s ‘appened, so we change
plans and pile in to ‘ave it out with im. We open the door and burst into ‘is room, but ‘e’s not
there! And someone’s drawn the curtains in the middle of the day and it’s bright sunshine outside! It looks like the bugger ‘as
already flown back to the Shadowlands ‘imself by usin’ Runemagic.
We
round up the rest of the monks and I cast Det Enemies
just to be sure, but the only one to flicker is Gaspar (hmm, a geas maybe?…). It looks like the
rest of the monks are as trustworthy as a bunch of Shadowjack
cultists can ever be.
Alejandra
says she wants to do a Divination, so we waits for the
results of that before decidin’ wot to do next.
Wot ‘ave we stumbled upon ‘ere?