Where You Come From – Recap episodes 154-159

We pick back up as the group enjoys some of Welby’s Special Blend from an Illathid skull. The group takes all the festivities in and absorbs as much of the culture as possible. Galahad is in his element, happy to walk through his ancestral home during this festive time. Arguile, Shanks, and Galahad signed up for some exhibition fights later that evening, but the rogues may have more ulterior motives than our Champion of Bahamut. Arguile and Shanks briefly discuss their “strategies” for their matches, while elsewhere, we find Zechs silently observing Galahad and doing his best to fight through what has been ailing him with some drink. The two discuss how Galahad feels about being here and what has been on his mind about upcoming events. The group is introduced to Tharia Stonekiller, the general, and there is some discussion about food, how they are enjoying the festivities, and a concerned questioning of the rogues’ desire to fight the Gathakanathi warriors. A brief exchange is had between Hoshino and Pakia, during which she expresses her sympathies. While Hoshino would like to inquire further on what she meant, Pakia suggests that the discussion be had at a later time. The conversation shifts to a time some fifty-odd years prior in which incursions were occurring that she helped thwart that was not happening in the Range directly but in the surrounding areas and cities. Eventually, the main event is at hand as the three party members ready themselves for friendly matches against the Goliath warriors. The scene changes to a tavern, tales of how the Gathakanaki clan came to be and the spymaster Nimia as she reveals information about The Bard of One Hundred Towns and more.

While the rogues had matches that went as expected, they were not without their moments of surprise from each of them. The fight that left everyone on the edge of their seats was between The Champion of Bahamut & The Gathakanathi General. While Galahad dominated the first part of this fight, putting all the combat experience he’s had thus far to use, Tharia managed to fight back and overwhelm the paladin. With the match approaching its end, Galahad summons the power of Kanna’s Fury and secures the win for himself. Respect and admiration are given to both warriors, and they acknowledge each other’s abilities in combat. Then, the celebrations continue as Galahad does an expected but impressive display of drinking. The group are all enjoying themselves and letting loose; one person in particular is Shanks, who we find performing a remarkable bit of drinking himself later. While not what Galahad displayed, it was close and caused the crowd to erupt again in celebration. As Shanks makes his rounds, somehow Zechs gets pulled into showing off his drinking prowess and does exceedingly well, to everyone’s surprise, except for the party. Zechs even manages to outdrink Galahad by a bit, which seems to put everyone, especially Galahad, in an uproar. 

Not too much later, Shanks decides to check in with Greyleaf and have a hilarious exchange about whether Greyleaf reports back to Mr. Bell and Greyleaf offering a gold coin to Shanks if he can chug the pint glass in his hand. Shanks then asks if he could set up a meeting between him and Rig. Shanks informs him that he wants to give her an answer to a question she asked but, unfortunately, was never able to provide it due to the circumstances at the time. He assures Greyleaf there is no reason to be concerned, and Greyleaf tells Shanks that he will relay the message but leave it up to Rig to decide what to do after that. A joke is eventually made about them likely having to carry Zechs or Galahad, and Greyleaf and Shanks inform him that he’s more concerned with Glad. He informs Greyleaf about the argument with her patron. Shanks worries about how that may affect her abilities from now on, and she has yet to speak to the group about it. Greyleaf speaks about the gods and their intentions but suggests that they like to play with them, mess with their emotions, and use them as pawns, sometimes with false faces. Shanks replies that a god doesn’t have to tell them who she is. Greyleaf suggests that she is less of a pawn and more of something the gods fear, which could be why they have messed with her the most. While Shanks doesn’t want to see her get caught in collateral damage, Greyleaf informs Shanks that they are more than their namesake suggests, and pawns hold more power on the chessboard than most people realize. Greyleaf will talk to Glad later, but now it’s time to sit back and relax.

After a night of revelry, drinking games, fights, and celebration, the team wakes up in various locations, some unsure of how they got there. They plan over breakfast as they gather and prepare for their next destination. Afterward, Galahad seeks out Pakia for answers to his questions about his ancestors, “Those Who Wandered,” and the side of the story he would have not heard unless he was there. She goes on to say that during a time of warfare, there was an Illithid incursion starting in the northern reaches of the Range and making its way towards Stargrave. After several defeats, tensions rose within the leadership and those close to it. Those who stayed saw these defeats as strategic and tactical errors on their part, not accounting for extenuating circumstances. While the group that left was under the impression that they were not using the proper amount of force, it was not a question of tactics but of drive and will to defeat these enemies. Eventually, they saw a branch of that chief’s family split off and leave. They went out into the Gathering Storm and never returned. Based on what Galahad said, they must have gotten to Granzia via a “soft spot,” which Sloane is known for. However, they often see you transported to another region of the plane, but instead, they were sent to another plane entirely. There was more that led up to that point, but that was the breaking point. However, their departure was seen as an action of stubbornness rather than malice, and Pakia mentions that she can’t fault them as they did what was right for their kin, which is what those who stayed were also trying to do. 

The group then packs up their things, says their goodbyes, and makes the half-day trek back down the mountain to the Swift Hummingbird. Cordell confirms their next destination as Nymora, and the group is off just like that. As they travel, Zechs addresses the group about what the Stone Face told him and tells the group that while he knows that he and his alternates have had aspects of Malar put inside of him, he suspects that he’s not the ONLY child who that happened to. He also asks for Greyleaf’s help as he might know more through their familiar “friend” Alma. Eventually, Zechs informs Greyleaf that he met her at Salix’s hermitage in league with the Constable. He asks Greyleaf plainly if he would like to assist in transitioning her to the afterlife because she needs to pay for what she did, and he wants to ensure nothing like what happened to them happens again. Zechs admits seeing Alma sent his heart pounding in his ears, and he had to do everything he could to satiate the bloodlust from seeping through him. Also, having Malar in his head encouraging and taunting him did not help that ordeal. The party notices how Zechs speaks about Alma; it’s almost like what he felt with Arbane back in Invenas, and try to help prevent himself from feeding into Malar’s wishes. Zechs accepts what they say and hopes they acknowledge that this isn’t a simple black-and-white choice for him to make.

We move focus to Shanks asking Glad to help him with his hair when he approaches the topic of her patron, The Protector. He asks where she stands with him, and she tells him that she understands that as a cleric of him, her power is linked to her faith, and while she does not like or respect the Protector currently, she still believes in him. Shanks does his best to make an analogy and paint a picture that the Protector isn’t without flaws or faults. She lets Shanks know she is aware of her predicament and moves cautiously and intent as they travel together. She also tells him she appreciates him reaching out to her, and they laugh.

The group, now back onboard the Swift Hummingbird, discussed heading to Yahnkoshi so Hoshino could visit his home, investigate the reappearance of Eldertwine, and see what the town is like all these ages later. Galahad wonders if he could come with him so he is not alone. Still, Hoshino tells him that while Galahad is immune from diseases, this disease is magical, and he does not want to risk his health if he isn’t immune to this particular disease. After expending all ideas, suggestions, and everything in between, the ship hovers around 500ft above Yahnkoshi, and, using Dimension Door, Hoshino descends to the ground below. 

The scene is grim, to say the least. As he searches throughout the town, he sees the bodies of Kenku from the Tell Tale Guild, which he is unaware of at the time, but the party confirms for him, once back onto the ship, that it is Attros’ former guild and also finds a pendant of the Light of Elrin, which he grabs. Through his walk, we are taken back to Hoshino’s conversation with Pakia about Eldertwine and what has happened to Yahnkoshi since the age that saw Eldertwine as Sloane’s calamity. In that conversation, he tells Pakia that he knows what he must do, to which she responds with a puzzled look and tells him that he does not need to explain. She assures him that he has friends in the Range and that if he does return to his home, he should be careful. Before returning to the ship, he takes a sample of Eldertwine and secures it on his person before using Dimension Door to return safely onto the ship. 

Upon sharing his findings, Shanks asks Arguile to use Mage Hand and hold the bottle away from him, and he melts wax to secure the sample bottle further. Shanks then asks Greyleaf if, with some help from possibly Salix, they could figure out just how to stop Eldertwine from ravaging Sloane once again. Greyleaf suggests that he can request the aid of someone he travels with who is likely better suited for such a task, and Shanks ensures the sample to him. 

The party goes through the Bag of Holding’s inventory and exchanging the newly made scrolls amongst each other to copy or store for themselves. Zechs goes through his idea of new battle formations with Shanks and Galahad, which they agree upon and give further input to make the formation the most efficient. We cut to Zechs and Shanks having a talk where Shanks shows off his new skills, and Zechs asks to compare their bows, Jack of All Trades and Mind’s Eye. 

Zechs helps Shanks out with his stealth and uses the Hunter’s Mark spell. Later, Zechs and Greyleaf discuss what they should do with Zechs’ need for vengeance regarding Alma. Greyleaf offers his insight and empathy, which Zechs accepts, but lets him know that it may take some time before it is entirely received. Hoshino raises the idea of doing Legend Lore on Zechs’ bow, and Zechs assures the bard he is grateful for the answers he received. While he has more questions, he certainly answered more questions than not about his mysterious bow. Shanks also asks to have his bow, Mind’s Eye, looked at via the Legend Lord spell. Eventually, the team arrives in Nymora; they split to do different errands and decide to regroup at the inn where they’ll be staying. Shanks and Greyleaf go to Potions and Lotions, and Shanks has a very needed discussion with Rig; Zechs is off to inform his parents that he’s back in town but won’t be staying at their place, however, and the rest of the group goes get their singular room to share. Thanks to Hoshino, that space won’t be too cramped with the help of Magnificient Mansion, and the group is thoroughly surprised and grateful for what the space provides. Their stomachs are full, their rooms are tailor-made to each of them, and there are many attendants to ensure their stay is as carefree as possible. A necessary sanctuary and place to devise their plans for what comes next as they attempt to extract a god from their companion.

Arguile gives in and has some hot sauce and fire whiskey, which do not sit well with our tiefling friend. A weary Zechs approaches Hoshino and Galahad sometime after the fun wraps up. What seems to be a regular part of their playbook at this point, Zechs asks if they’d humor his seemingly insane idea… actively speaking to Malar. To his surprise, while they clarify how that can go wrong, they agree with him. They both agree that maybe talking to him directly would give him some answers, that final piece of the puzzle he has been searching for. A plan is set to have Galahad, Hoshino, and Glad in a room with Zechs sans Duo to ensure the party’s safety. Everyone is informed of what is to transpire, and while also reluctant, they agree that it may be best for what’s to come. The conversation with Malar isn’t much of a conversation at all. Zechs feels like he’s missing something, asking the wrong questions, or Malar wishes to continue toying with him. 

Eventually, after a tense exchange, Zechs concludes that he’s satisfied with the information he got and severs the connection to Malar. Galahad and Hoshino both agree that Malar may not have said much. Still, it confirmed Zechs’ suspicion that Malar would be challenging in his desire to reveal the truths of his origin, connection to the Constable, or his ties to the Pantheran Pantheon. With that door and avenue closed, the group departs towards the vineyard, pursuing what Zechs needs to begin this ritual. There is some confusion between going to the vineyard, heading towards the site of Zechs’ sacrifice, and returning to the vineyard. It’s not a fruitless endeavor, as now knowing the location and recalling some information about his sacrifice is information that the group feels was needed anyway. Upon speaking to Greyleaf, the group begins to clarify some details and realizes that the vineyard was where they should have headed initially. 

On their trek, Zechs expresses his frustration with what he is missing and piecing this puzzle together. As they traverse through a bit deeper than Zechs’ first time down there, they find giant effigies of Aphy, the goddess of trickery and wit, depicted as a cougar, Xidea, the goddess of death, shown as a black panther, and Tumra the goddess of the spirit world portrayed as a snow leopard. We conclude with Zechs sending Duo now with darkvision to investigate the statues of the goddesses. After the Greyleaf’s suggestion, Zechs attempts to reach out and speak to the goddesses, uncertain if it would even work, and a booming voice says, “The proper tithes must be observed.”