Plan B and Ptaris’ Ring

Aden and the monk set out for the monastery and, after crossing the path with the help of fly agaric, reached the place. Essou joined them there, but they noticed that his plumage had changed from black to gray-brown feathers. While Aden and the monk were deciding whether to put him in a sack, Danaya rode up to the monastery on her horse. It turned out that the monk had not been captured, and Aden had never visited the village of Pale Bank. Bahamut the cat sniffed at Essa and clawed at his clothes as if trying to get something. The monk suggested that the friends put aside their arguments and follow him into the house.

Two monks met them in the house and summoned the abbot, Master Goodman. The latter told Nameless that he must undergo the initiation rite immediately or leave. The monk gestured for his friends not to follow him and left with the master.

Inside the room where the rite was taking place, he saw the slab he was looking for. Master Goodman questioned the monk about his exploits and shameful deeds and made him tell his name – Brotor. Then he cut off his hair, and Brotor became a full-fledged monk.

The kindly man told him that he had seen a dwarf named Brotor in his visions. He found his descendant, bought him from his father for 100 Mysterium and raised him in the monastery. Now Brotor and his friends must see the vision through to the end.

The do-gooder brought a small vial of White Milk, a liquid for meditation. But the heroes had the medallion of Ptaris, and Aden threw it on the stove, starting the vision.

The heroes found themselves in a tent, around a round table: Sai Silan, Fregnard, Silarion, Astra Blixen (in the future known as Zorya), Brotor, Felaya (Danaya), Lucis (Essu), Aust (Aden), and an unknown hooded druid. The blacksmith, who looked like Master Kindred, left the item by the door and walked out.

Aden noticed that Essu was already gray-brown and with a different expression in his eyes. Discreetly he pulled the quill from him and hid it.

Silarion began his speech: “Friends, enough of the arrogance! We need a plan B. I have sent copies to everyone – realize how important this is! Ptaris, friend,” he turned to Sai Silenus, ”we trust you, but we must be reassured.

Essou, wanting to know more about the druid, approached him with the medallion, but he was overwhelmed by his hatred for the assembled men, and the vision was interrupted.

They were met at the monastery by a surprised Master Kindred, “Is that all?” – he asked. But Aden had already thrown the medallion back on the slab.

The scene repeated itself: the tent, the smith, Silarion’s speech. At the conclusion of the speech, the druid stood up, “What you propose is against nature. Ptaris, I respect you, but I will have no part in this,” he said and walked out. Bro and Essou followed him, but again, seized by anger, interrupted the vision. Danaya had time to notice the words ‘phylactery’, ‘extreme case’ and ‘hopefully it won’t be necessary’ in the plan text.

After the second interrupted vision, Dobryak looked annoyed. Not listening to his rebuke, Aden tossed the medallion onto the slab once more.

The scene repeated itself: the tent, the smith, Silarion’s speech, the druid’s departure. Ptaris looked up, took the ring with the dragon like the locket off his finger, and handed it to Fregnard, “Just in case.” Fregnard hid the ring in an object brought by the blacksmith and sealed it. Aden noticed the letters D and H in the cipher.

Breaux stepped out of the tent and spoke to the druid. The man did not reveal much, but stated that he had his own plan B.

When the vision was complete, the heroes told the Druid what they had learned. The one responded by sharing that in his vision, upon leaving the tent, he saw the lights of the city in the mist. Aden tried to activate the stove again, but something went wrong: he came back unhinged. To bring him to his senses, they had to use all the supplies of White Milk that Danaya wanted to use to save the people of Pale Bank. However, Bro was able to convince the Goodyear to give up his last supply in exchange for a promise to stay in touch and help with new initiations.