The Hearth of Delphine
After escaping the collapsing cavern, the Veiled Vanguard presses onward, their nights filled with uneasy watches, haunted visions, and tense confessions. In the city, they claim their reward and bond with new dragonnel companions before continuing their journey—only to find both respite and revelations at the cottage of Delphine, a retired champion of war. Yet as they take to the skies once more, a raging storm swallows them whole, and in its heart stirs a shadow vast enough to shake the heavens.
Escaping into the night as the cavern collapsed behind them, the Veiled Vanguard set up camp in tense, subdued silence following their near-TPK. Taking first watch, Ro’Zaad and Percy discussed their earnings and weighed whether they could afford a magical prosthetic to replace Percy’s ruined hand. Percy admitted to feeling overwhelmed and doubting his decision to join the group, but Ro’Zaad offered comfort before explaining the intricacies of his magical eye, which had hidden itself while under the suppression collars. On second watch with Renatus, Thalia and Naoki grieved for Emelyne and pledged to revive her. As Thalia spiraled over the revelations surrounding her parents' murder, an ethereal fog rolled through the forest, revealing dancing lights and a doll-like spectre that shushed Thalia before fading away. On the final watch, Sanasha and Renatus spoke openly about their feelings and bond with the party. By morning, Percy discovered a rare Satyr’s Horn flower—harvesting it while Naoki saved a petal—though Percy found himself strangely unable to recall the account of the spectral lights despite trying to ruminate on it.
Reaching the city gates, the party waited through a half-hour line of impatient kobolds while Sanasha broke a gold piece to pay the five-copper entry toll. Heading straight to report their success, the Vanguard presented the two Dracohydra hearts to Captain Andrad. When questioned about the absence of their escort, the party revealed that Theo and Billy were Kydro cultist traitors who had engineered the lair. Unfazed, Andrad summoned two sentries via butterfly mail, instructing them to grant the party seven Dragonelles, their promised reward, and extra compensation for Emelyne's demise. Guided through the city's towering root-built pathways by a kobold attendant, the Vanguard claimed a lavish reward of 1,500 platinum pieces inside a gold-leaved chest and inquired about purchasing a magical prosthetic hand. They then made their way to the high aviary situated in the upper canopy of Qyrakwarm, where they prepared for their flight by shopping for saddles and feed.