Sapphire:Sessions:20140301

The demigod Jax had returned the group to Sibinca after they had performed a task for him to go to the Elven Lands to shut down a temple of the Mother of Night.

With no particular aim in mind, the group sets out north toward the so-called Unknown Lands. There is a good road paralleling the coastline, and after an uneventful twenty miles they reach a town called Paleicia. The town is surrounded with a wooden palisade. A grumpy guard challenges them, then reluctantly opens the gate. Of the two inns in town, he recommends Edwina's Kettle.

At the inn Edwina, a woman with her gray hair tucked into a bun, greets the group with "Is someone chasing you?" [Evidently in this part of the world it is unheard-of to be traveling after dark.] Rory pays 11 coppers for her remaining three rooms plus two meals per person (plus his dog Striker). As usual, Runis beds down in the common room. Chalker, Rory, and Ty each take a room. Aliana climbs up to the roof, which gives her a good view of the entire town.

Striker is restless at first, but settles down just inside Rory's door.

Rory dreams that there are two men standing at the foot of his bed. They are in earnest conversation, but their speech is unintelligible to Rory. One man is a well-built blond wearing expensive clothing; the other is dressed in robes embroidered with runes. They remind Rory of statues he's seen. The robed man reaches through Rory's dancing lights and touches his forehead, and Rory slips into a deeper slumber.

At the foot of his bed Chalker sees Mensep (in the form of a young man), a beautiful woman who he recognizes as Roo (goddess of Fate), and an elf, Yasseph. Roo and Yasseph are debating whether Chalker should be "protected" over the next thirty days (that is, the period of the Godwalk). Chalker silently votes "yes." Yasseph thinks it's not worth it, while Roo says that Chalker and his group are useful and will help resolve the situation with less turmoil and bloodshed. Their decision is to wait and see. Chalker speaks up, "Hey, I've been a big help to you..." and Yasseph sends him back to sleep.

Aliana sees three women arranged in an equilateral triangle centered on her. One of them must be Eupho, the so-called goddess of beauty. Another is dark-haired with a wise expression and a faraway look in her eyes. The third appears older in years, beautiful though her features are rugged and scarred and angry. They are talking about Aliana and her group. "Maybe she is worth protecting against direct action from the other discussion groups." They decide to wait and see if another of the discussion groups intervenes.

Each person awakens in the morning feeling very rested and energetic.

The group meets in the common room for breakfast. Each individual has had a vivid dream. Chalker describes his vision. Ty, his expression pale, relates that Cor (god of magic) and Dar (god of death) had told him "You are not in the right place."

Solemnly, Runis explains that Santash (goddess of the dwarves) has called him home to "go under the mountain" to defend his clan, which is in grave danger. "I will use the knowledge I have gained from you to aid my people." Ty will transport Runis home, then immediately teleport to his own homeland. Ty brings out a stone on a chain, a manastone to be used to power the teleport spells. Rory asks if we can help Runis, who replies "You have already helped immensely." He asks for a copy of Rory's maps. From Chalker he requests a treaty document between Runis' clan and Chalker's homeland, Dolyena. From Aliana he asks "the promise of a future alliance." She quickly replies, "There is only myself." Runis states that Santash had said that Aliana is unique, "an archstone on which the future world will be built."