Rouse

After killing MacEachern and questioning his servants, the group regathers at Sweetwater to debate their next move. Rouse learns the Guild has turned on him for good. Tensions rise when Jon’s parents confront the party, horrified at the fallout from MacEachern’s death. Edmund leads an invisible scouting mission to Granite, confirming the town is abuzz. With trust shaken and the Guild likely back on their trail, the party splits up, watching their backs and weighing what comes next.

Rouse and Edmund lead the group on a string of wild teleportation escapes, eventually landing in tropical Luzige before flying to Quashie, a bustling seaport city. There they meet Jacob, a laid-back Atlinese expat who introduces them to surfing, wine, and potent herbs. A brief scouting mission confirms the city’s potential as a refuge. Swayed by Jacob’s charm and the tropical lifestyle, the party settles in for a month of sun-soaked distraction and welcome reprieve from their dangerous past.

Back in Bastion, the group recovers after slaying Reginald. Over dinner, they meet the mysterious Lazelle, whose charm unsettles everyone—especially Abby. Suspicion brews as she probes the party about Councilman MacEachern. The next day, they teleport to Sweetwater, where Abby reconnects with her parents, and both Rouse and Jon unexpectedly display magical potential during a breakfast test.

Rouse reflects on crushing a legendary soul as the group returns from the Plane of Water. Edmund believes Willard is gone—until a horrifying smell and a pale moonbeam say otherwise. Willard lives, furious, and assigns them a mission: plant a mysterious gift in Salithius’ lair. After infiltrating the Cauldron’s trapped halls, they teleport out—alarmed, but alive.