S53: Reunited, Reborn, Resolute
Three weeks ago, the Mudwangs had been sundered: Taerus and Rucker departed to destinations unknown, Temloc lost at sea. Though allies and friends were gained in that time, the tribe forged in the foothills of the Blacktail mountains was scattered to the winds. Now, though, the Mudwangs found themselves together again as Rucker awakens from a deep slumber. Though it takes the Goliath several moments to ensure he isn’t being tricked, eventually his stomach convinces him.
Whilst servant goblins and automatons bring sustenance, the men sat together again and took each other in. After several stuttering starts, the group collectively shared their regrets and apprehension over the events within the Delta Harbour swamps: Rucker over his singlemindness blinding him to a trap, and the others over the hags’ With knowing looks, the Mudwangs agreed to leave Yllness Grace and her coven behind them for the time being.
They also acknowledged Temloc’s loss in the journey across the Muunk Sound. Taerus shared of his quest, and some of what he learned in Buckwatch Outpost, though when it came to his encounter with his quarry, Winnowa, and her master, he let his healing wounds speak for themselves. As the only two to not get way-laid, Shakan and Vax shared the other details of their voyage across the sea, including making acquaintance with the fifth member of the group, Rat.
They finished with their arrival at the Academy, including their run in with the asshat Weylin Enright, their time spent upcoming trial of their fire genasi, as well as a seemingly mundane camping trip to the Bloodwood Forest and their subsequent encounter with and initiation into an ancient league of guardians. Terror filled it was, Rucker was amazed at their brief description of their first encounter with the Terror and it's cackling minions. They promised to invite him along to their meeting, as they were to undergo further testing in a weeks time.
It was then that Shakan finally asked Rucker about where he’d been for so long, and the Goliath shared his tale- first lost in a land of shadow and storm, where he encountered another hag who offered him two doorways to pass through. After choosing, he found himself in a vibrant and chaotic plane called the Feywilds. Never one to speak at length, Rucker glossed over many of the smaller details of his adventure, but took pride in sharing his part in freeing an enslaved tribe, and the lessons he learned from his strange companions and a moon dragon who gifted him knowledge of his past.
Thus reunited, the men all took stock of their current situation- all agreed that while their second trial with the League was sooner, the Trial of Shakan and his former master was the larger task. The sorcerer reexplained the stakes of the trial- whilst on a sabbatical, he was attacked in the halls of Goldsands Harbour Rectory, and may have burned the building down. Since much of Bofkasmaur’s respect came from Meritocracy, the blame levied on Gikandi proved unacceptable and so he was set to stand trial in Shakan’s stead. The trial, therefore, would be to weigh the costs of keeping Gikandi (and Shakan) on versus the damage done.
Rat offered to pour himself into the Stacks of ConsArc, learning about the trial’s format, methods, and previous trials of this nature. Taerus had some personal matters to attend to before committing to help, but expressed his confidence they would be successful. Shakan hoped to gain some more confidence in public speaking at ConsVirt before pursuing their greatest lead as of yet, the fact that someone had hired members of the Open Hand to attack him. Rucker and Vax were willing to pursue those leads in the outskirts of the village surrounding the academy.
With all the Mudwangs reunited and committed, they prepared to begin their individual tasks as Vax received a Sending message from one of their new allies at the Academy, ConsInn minors student Rinna A’ran. She shared with the warlock that she’d found something seemingly important, and wanted to share it with him as soon as possible. Add it to the list, Vax thought, as the warriors ventured off in Bofksamaur Academy, a mere 10 days before the Trial of Shakan Bake.
