Lexi smiles shyly at Davor's praise. "Well, I did work a few sea shanties into my stories about the Savage Wars. I do wish Verris wouldn't shut me out all the time, though."
Verris takes a long, hot bath before going to bed, cleaning the grime and blood of the previous day's toil from, what feels like, her soul. She falls into a deep sleep almost instantly when her head touches the pillow, unfortunately, not even hearing Lexi as she forgoes her own sleep and sings softly while she applies new bandages. She wakes up the next morning feeling a lot more refreshed than the previous day. More refreshed and more resilient.
She remembers the remnants of a strange dream she had during the night, one with a majestic stag and where she could heal wounds just by holding a hand above it and willing it. She notices that her bandages were changed recently as she inspects her injuries. Remembering her dream she holds a hand above the wounds she received from the crossbow bolt the previous day and imagines it closing over.
She gasps in surprise as her hand begins glowing and the wound closes over completely before her eyes, leaving only a small scar behind. She quickly gets dressed and heads out to wherever they all agreed to meet the next morning, showing the others her new ability to heal and offering to heal anyone who needed it.
As Verris catches Lady Heidmarch before she retreats to her study and asks her about a healer she shakes her head "I don't have anyone here right now but I can summon someone in the morning if the services are still needed." She looks back to the others for a moment "I'm glad you all were succesfuly in your endeavors and you all made it back in one piece, it seems the start to your career as Pathfinders is off to a good start. We will speak more in the morning." With that she turns and heads toward her office.
Between Lexi's aid and the good nights rest everyone feels at least a bit better than they had the night before. As you each eventually make your way downstairs you smell the hint of food wafting in the air. Reaching the dining hall there is a assortment of breakfast items, juices and coffee set up for you to serve yourselves. The young half-elf boy Troy is sitting at the table finishing up some bacon and eggs and when he finally notices whoever makes it down first he notes "Sheila said she wants to talk after you all have had a chance to eat."
Gurk is quite disappointed at the lack of shinies after giving away the shard, but distracts himself with food before heading to sleep under the strange box thing the longshanks were laying on. All goblins know that floors are much firmer, he thinks to himself as he falls asleep.
Now, Gurk digs into the food, more than happy to skip the 'shiny' part and go straight to the important stuff: food.
Lexi seems to concentrate on coffee at breakfast, though she makes an icky face every time she sips some of the energizing liquid. When she gets a chance to speak with Bixby alone, she asks the gnome, "So...how much of what I said about Lady Heidmarch will you be putting in your report?"
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Bixby nods professionally to Lexi as she asks her question. His illusion has reverted to his trusty dwarven bodyguard, who folds his arms across his chest.
"Undoubtedly, I must leave no stone unturned in my report. That said, it seems there have been mitigating circumstances regarding the relic--your actions were influenced by that, I suppose. I am more deeply concerned about the lack of oversight for the goblin. At a minimum, he should have some kind of location tracker attached to him so we will know where he is at all times."
Temmer sits stiffly down to break his fast, keenly aware of his own failures the previous day.
"While accurate reporting is of course important, Copperpot, you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss your companion's situation," he admonishes the gnome, inadvertantly overhearing the private conversation. No one can admire a tale-teller, after all. It seems to me that should we not all be working toward the same ends, we're never going to leave port. In fact, it shouldn't surprise me at all if Lady Heidmarch seeks to find a new crew after our performances yesterday."[/b]
Lexi appears crestfallen at Adistan's final words. "And that's mostly my fault," the young aasimar says with a worried pout. "I didn't want to let Lady Heidmarch down...I didn't want to let you guys down...but then I had to go and jump off the deep end. I know I'm a weakling physically, but I truly believed that mentally I'd be a lot tougher than I was yesterday. The shard's magic went through my mental defenses like a warm knife through butter."
That last word gives her an idea, and Lexi slaps some butter on a roll and chews on it slowly. Turning to Gurk, the girl casually asks, "So...are you excited to talk further with your queen Natalya this morning?"
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Temmer sits stiffly down to break his fast, keenly aware of his own failures the previous day.
"While accurate reporting is of course important, Copperpot, you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss your companion's situation," he admonishes the gnome, inadvertantly overhearing the private conversation. No one can admire a tale-teller, after all. It seems to me that should we not all be working toward the same ends, we're never going to leave port. In fact, it shouldn't surprise me at all if Lady Heidmarch seeks to find a new crew after our performances yesterday."[/b]
"I did not dismiss her situation, and in fact noted that there were mitigating circumstances. Certainly, I did not dismiss her situation. And there are probably a few crew members that need a review--"
"Queen have no shinies now," Gurk states. "Do path lady still give shinies out for finding Queen?"
As everyone finishes up their breakfast and talks Shiela comes into the room holding the shard in her hand. She finds an open space and sits the shard down for all to see. "Thank you all for your hard work. I have confirmed my suspicions and wanted to let you know about this shard."
She motions to the shard from last night as she continues “What you have found, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle. Varisia has seen its share of miracles of late, the discovery of Xin-Shalast and the defeat of Runelord Karzoug, or Korvosa’s release from mad Ileosa’s rule come to mind, but this discovery will soon be remembered as an equal to those events. This is a powerful Thassilonian artifact, a fragment of horacalcum and a portion of the Shattered Star of Xin: to be precise, the Shard of Pride. I suspect that the shard’s former carrier already knows more about it than I do, having experienced it's negative side effects." She gives Lexi a brief nods then continues "However, by adding the ioun stone to the shard it has neutralized those ill effects and now can be used to our benefit. I'm sure you may have many questions, so I will open to floor to you before we continue.”
Gurk looks quite confused and lost, but doesn't speak up for the moment as he tries to puzzle out all the strange words. Sins at last? Rue lord karg? Scattered sin star? Maybe this Path Lady had too many words in her head.
"Will Lady Dusk be OK now then?" Temmer asks before anything progresses further.
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"We're in no hurry, Lady Heidmarch. Please fill us in on the complete history of the Runelords, Thassilon, horacalcum and the Shattered Star of Xin, including but not limited to the powers of this device and why it is important to us. I hail from the River Kingdoms and have personally heard very little on those subjects. We're going nowhere and frankly, this seems to be on the level of importance where no details should be spared!"
Verris also looks confused, if not quite as confused as Gurk. She's heard of Korvosa, of course, and heard rumours of some trouble in Varisia. Close to right here in Magnimar, now that she thinks of it. However, she didn't pay too much attention to the details, having her own problems to deal with at home. She decides to stay quiet and listen, to learn as much as she can about this Shard of Pride and what it means.
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Bixby takes out several dozen sheets of parchment and places them in front of him. He takes out a quill and prepares to take notes.
The papers are filled with scribbled notes, with circles and arrows and exclamation points, representing an incomplete list of plots, counter-plots, alliances, criminals, and corrupt politicians. Taking out a new sheet of paper, he says grimly, "Please proceed."
Lexi fidgets mightily as Lady Heidmarch nudges her toward speaking about the coppery shard and its mighty powers. Before speaking on that matter, the aasimar tries to assuage Adistan's fears that possessing the shard briefly will have a lasting effect on her.
"I think I'm OK, other than being a little tired," Lexi says. "The shard of pride is aptly named," she begins slowly. "I think it initially inflates its bearer's self-importance. I...I...couldn't stand the thought of working under anyone, especially the venture-captain. I...I...felt I was smarter than Lady Heidmarch and therefore ought not be taking orders from her. I wanted the shard for myself...and that's why I badmouthed Lady Sheila and...suggested she was ripping us off. I think poor Natalya might've suffered similar delusions."
"Anyhow...the shard's powers," the lanky lass says, getting back on track. "It made me smarter...or at least it would have, if it hadn't also made me sick as a dog. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure it would have aided me in all the non-brain-related skills I've neglected during my lifelong studies. Oh, and I'm pretty sure it has illusion magic in it: Remember how Natalya made it seem like the building was on fire? In a similar vein, I think it helps its bearer see through illusions better as well."
Lexi squirms some more before trying to make eye contact with Sheila Heidmarch. "Am I kicked out of the Pathfinder Society for my bad behavior?" she asks meekly. "I should be: There's nothing so unforgiveable as a thankless child, and I was both unappreciative and childish in my behavior."
"How is Natalya?" Amelexis asks suddenly. "Maybe she'll let me join a Sczarni gang with her, assuming she's fired, too."
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As Davor asks for a history lesson Sheila obligies and takes some time giving an overview of things.
to an abrupt and apocalyptic end. The nation was founded by a visionary—if controversial—Azlanti wizard named Xin, a man exiled from his homeland for his belief that the so-called “lesser races” of the world could rival the achievements of Azlant. Xin brought with him an army of apprentices, followers, and their families, all loyal subjects who chose exile with their lord rather than remain in Azlant. When they arrived on the shores of what would someday be known as Varisia, Xin knew he had found a place where he could prove his beliefs to the elitist Azlanti. He embraced the cultures of the native peoples—the nomadic and superstitious Varisians, the proud and headstrong Shoanti, the powerful and mystical taiga and stone giants, and the alien and magical elves of Celwynvian. Xin drew from the strengths of multiple cultures to shore up the weaknesses of any one group, and in so doing built the nation of Thassilon into a true empire.
Though his intentions were certainly noble, Xin did not fully account for humanity’s capacity for treachery. It would take Xin decades to establish Thassilon and build it into a burgeoning empire, but only a fraction of that time for his self-appointed subordinates—the socalled runelords of Thassilon—to turn against him and seize the empire as their own. And so history remembers Thassilon not for what Xin had imagined it to be, but as a perversion of all his hopes and dreams.
In Azlant, tradition held that rulers of nations must abide by the “seven virtues of rule”—seven qualities a leader must engender in his people and personify himself, lest his state collapse and fall into ruin. In practice, this philosophy never quite lived up to its promise. No ruler and no nation of Azlant ever managed to excel at all seven virtues, and more than a few failed to uphold even a single one. The seven virtues of rule (charity, generosity, humility, kindness, love, temperance, and zeal) appealed greatly to Xin, but in a more intellectual manner than an emotional one. Xin believed that the seven Azlanti schools of magic flowed from these virtues (the school of divination stood outside the rest in Azlant arcane society, viewed as a “universal” school that no wizard should ignore). More than anything else, his exhaustive work developing methods of wizardly specialization earned him his extensive network of apprentices, followers, and admirers.
In the first quarter century of Thassilon’s history, Xin spent much of his time exploring the relationships between the seven schools and the seven virtues. Central to his philosophy was a seven-pointed star—a rune he called the Sihedron. Each of the points of the Sihedron, according to Xin’s philosophy, represented one of the virtues of rule and one of the schools of magic. By focusing on one virtue and school while abstaining—in both virtue and magic— from the two points opposite, Xin could greatly increase his power. Though he was unwilling to fully embrace this new type of magic, his apprentices rose in power as they followed his theories and put them into practice. Despite his apprentices’ advances, Xin continued to regard himself as the master of all seven schools of this new “Thassilonian magic.” Drawing upon yet another mystical septimal unity—the seven skymetals—Xin fashioned a powerful artifact in the shape of the Sihedron.
A different skymetal formed each of its arms, and each one symbolized and bolstered a separate school of Thassilonian magic and philosophy. Not only had Xin created an artifact that proved his theories, but he also provided Thassilon’s first truly enduring magical legacy. With the Sihedron floating behind his head like a halo, the artifact served as a constant reminder of his power. But creating a single artifact wasn’t enough for Xin. He realized that in order to fully devote himself to the study of this new form of magic, he would need to divest himself of his other responsibilities. So he called the seven greatest practitioners of Thassilonian magic before him and named them runelords of Thassilon, granting each a portion of his empire to rule so he could focus entirely upon magical theory and study.
For the next 60 years, Xin grew increasingly isolated in his work, rarely leaving his palace and never leaving his capital city of Xin on the southwesternmost corner of Thassilon’s coastline. He became increasingly obsessed with infusing the seven virtues and their attendant magic into inanimate objects, and created many clockwork creatures in a quest for artificial life. As time wore on and Xin felt his already magically extended lifespan ebb, he began researching ways to transfer his mind into a new, stronger body. His paranoia grew—perhaps justifiably, for his seven runelords had become decadent and increasingly abusive of their powers. Whispers of rebellion spread, and Xin knew he needed to step in and replace the seven Runelords—perhaps to return to ruling Thassilon alone. Yet his body was now frail and sickly. Before he could stand against the powerful runelords, he needed to complete his new body. In a desperate attempt to speed the process, Xin disassembled the Sihedron to siphon portions of its power into his replacement body—a powerful construct he called a clockwork reliquary. The runelords had been watching and waiting for this moment. With Xin’s greatest defense, the Sihedron, temporarily neutralized, they saw the perfect time to strike. The runelords sent assassins to slay Xin, who had already started the process of transferring energy from the disassembled Sihedron into the clockwork reliquary. Catching the First King off guard, the assassins struck. In the resulting battle, the energies being transferred exploded in a fiery conflagration that destroyed Xin, the assassins, and much of the palace. The runelords, investigating the ruins soon thereafter, found the remnants of the Sihedron. Each of them claimed a shard, as both a trophy and a symbol of what they viewed as the folly of creating a nation ruled by one.
The centuries to follow saw the swift fall of Thassilon, and eventually its destruction. The Sihedron fragments became known as the Shattered Star during this period, and after Thassilon’s end during Earthfall, the fragments were forgotten. In the thousands of years to follow, parts of the Shattered Star were rediscovered periodically. Even as fragments, they retained potent energies and magical properties, and were coveted whenever they were found. By placing an ioun stone in a shard, its possessor can fully waken the artifact’s powers. Perhaps more importantly, this causes the shard to point the way to the next fragment in the sequence, encouraging the new owner to seek out more pieces and rebuild the Sihedron.
Sheila nods to Davor's response "No Lexi, you are not kicked out as Davor noted you were not in control of yourself, things like that happen the important thing is to learn from it and do better in the future. Maybe examine items before picking them up..."
"As for Natalya, I believe you are correct in that the shard corrupted her, since she wasn't holding the shard when the stone was added she is still under the effect of its curse, though I imagine that should ware off in a day or so. In the meantime, I am keeping her safe."
After her history lesson and answering a few questions she continues "So you see, we have found something amazing and it is our duty as Pathfinders to ensure that it is safeguarded to ensure such power doesn't fall into the wrong hands. While each shard does create some minor benefits their true power only manifests when the shards are put together as one. Obviously, aside from the historical significance, something this powerful can't be out there for just anyone to wield. We must secure the other pieces and then I am certain we can use it as a defense against any future threats that may face Varisia."
She pauses a moment and thinks back on Lexi's statement on the shard "As for this shard, after examining the shard I've discovered that whomever carries it has the ability, once a day, to make a realistic illusion. They are also more resistant to the effects of illusion spells themselves Finally, it grants them better insight into the tasks they pursue. "
"This shard, made out of horacalcum, is the rarest of the known skymetals. This dull, coppery substance warps time around it, making things seem to speed up or slow down. Horacalcum is associated with illusion magic, humility, and pride. Almost never found in amounts greater than a pound, horacalcum is the same weight and density as steel, but is much more durable."
She smiles and looks to each of you in turn "I know that is a lot to process, but it is my hope you will continue on the path you have started and help me to seek out the rest of the shards. We know what we are dealing with now and more importantly we have a means to start tracking down the other pieces. What do you all say?"
Gurk's mind had completely shut off near the start of the long stream of words the Path lady was giving them. As she finishes up, Gurk finally comes to and speaks up with the first thing to come back to mind. "Gurk get shinies and food?"
Sheila smiles at Gurk and motions to the wide spread of food at the table then adds "Oh yes, I did promise you all a reward for your earlier work." She loosens a coin purse on her waist and sets it on the table. Inside is a thousand gold for you to split among yourselves.
Verris listens to Lady Heidmarch's explanation of the history and value of the shard and the confusion gradually fades from her face. She nods in agreement as Lady Heidmarch says that both Natalya and Lexi were likely cursed by the shard and therefore do not deserve punishment.
She smiles in thanks as they are given the reward, saying "Seems like these shards could do a lot of harm in the wrong hands. I'd like to keep helpin' find 'em. Make sure they end up in the right hands."
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Bixby has been writing frantically as Sheila speaks, his quill making lines between various bubbles he's drawn on his paper. Though it seems difficult to keep up with all that she's saying, he nods, purses his lips, and keeps writing as quickly as he can. His dwarven bodyguard keeps a vigil over the scribbling gnome.
He seems especially interested in this relic.
"I primarily practice illusion magic! How fascinating this object is! Of course I will continue to assist in your efforts, even if you are to tell me that, for whatever unfathomable reason, Gurk continues as well!"
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"It appears Bixby is specialized in this kind of magic. Therefore it would make sense he wields the thing. Lady Heidmarch, is the intent to have us use these objects or do you plan to keep them in your vault?"
======================
After the meeting, Davor departs for a bit of shopping, keeping to the main streets and away from dark alleys. He later comes back with a beautiful Shoanti-styled calumet, complete with tribal feathers and fancy leatherworks, two pounds of the best halfling tobacco he could find, and last but not least, a beautifully crafted masterwork trident.
Temmer listens carefully, his face grave.
"Fascinating," he murmurs. "I must confess that while I've heard some of this, much of this history wasn't taught in Andoren. I still owe the Pathfinder Society, so of course I will pay my debts. I am curious, I have to admit, where you expect us to travel to find the next shard. And perhaps we can prevail upon Lady Vancaskerkin to tell us where she obtained this first one?"
Lexi turns toward Lady Heidmarch when Davor asks if the shard will be used by a party member or locked away in a vault.
Lexi stiffened when Davor suggested the shard should be wielded by Bixby before trying to act unfazed.
When Adistan chimes in, Lexi suggests that she and Verris attempt to talk to Natalya. "Besides, if the shard's what made her act nasty towards us, I can't just steal her awesome mithral short sword, now can I?"
Temmer frowns at Lady Dusk's reaction. These shards are clearly dangerous.
Verris notices Lexi's reaction but says nothing. She shrugs at Lexi's request. "Don't reckon it was stealin' really. Seems like a fair punishment that she loses her gear and then is forgiven. I'm happy to go talk to her, let her know there's no hard feelins."
If Lady Heidmarch doesn't object she'll accompany Lexi to talk with Natalya. "...So ye see, we don't hold ye responsible for attackin' us because of the influence of that nasty magic on the shard. We hope ye'll see we meant ye no harm either. That magic is dangerous and we wanna make sure it doesn't hurt anybody else. Whaddya say, no hard feelins?"
When Davor asks about the fate of the shard she smiles "Well, you may need them in your continued search, so I will trust you to use it. Just remember though each shard has a curse and I won't know which stone to use to neutralize it until you've brought it back here."
When Verris mentions Natalya she shrugs slightly "You can try talking with her but it may still be several hours until the curse has worn off, I don't know how helpful she will be before then."
She looks to Lexi and Bixby, then the rest of the group "It is up to you to decide who should carry it. In either case, who would like to use it to find the next location?"
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Davor grabs two pieces of celery from a nearby bowl, equalizes them and hides the ends in his palm.
"There. Whoever draws the shortest celery gets to use the dam shard. Bixby, Lexi: pick a celery!"
"There. It's settled. Bixby carries the damned thing today. Please Lady Heidmarch. Pray tell our Master Gnome here and Miss Dusk how to use this shard like a compass to the next one..."
She holds the shard out for Bixby to take as she continues "Ok, Bixby if you would, take the shard, close your eyes and try to focus on the Sihedron's shape, the seven pointed star."
As you focus your mind you receive a powerful vision. It is almost as though you are taken out of your body and float above the lodge and then the city of Magnimar itself. As though flying you move toward the harbor as you close into one piling of the Irespan, you stop there looking out across the water at the Crow piling of the Irespan.
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Bixby looks at Lexi apologetically, but does reach out and take the shard.
"This appears to the the first clue in unraveling a massive conspiracy, and an ancient one at that! This is much more important that cleaning the streets of Sczarni scum--I can sense the powerful illusion magic associated with this device--I can put this to good use."
Following the instructions, he closes his eyes. His mouth drops open as he receives a powerful vision. His eyes remaining closed, he describes what he sees to his fellows.
"This is the strangest thing I have ever seen. I seem to be floating,out of body, above the lodge. Now I'm above Magnimar itself. I am flying toward the harbor district--there's the Irespan--It seems even larger from up here, if that's possible. There's one piling--I'm not moving anymore, and now I'm looking out across the water at the Crow piling of the Irespan. Maybe a location to investigate--"
He opens his eyes, the vision ended. "That's--that's it."
Lexi appears dumbfounded when it's revealed that Bixby has indeed chosen the short stick of celery and Lady Heidmarch hands the gnome the shard, but the aasimar makes no objections and listens closely when Bixby describes his vision.
Excusing herself, Amelexis tells the others that she'll take a closer look at the other magic items found the previous day before going to her room in the guesthouse to catch up on missed sleep.
Though she's putting on a brave face or simply being a team player, Lexi's upset that she didn't get the shard and maybe hurt that Lady Heidmarch didn't trust her with it.
The girl leaves notes with the wand and potions, describing their properties before slipping out through the back door in the kitchen and heading for a guesthouse.
Anyone passing through the kitchen might notice a crushed stalk of celery on the floor in a corner.
Temmer looks troubled as Copperpot takes the shard and Lady Dusk departs, but he's unsure how he can make things better. If this is what they'r ebeing instructed to do, then so be it.
He squares his shoulders and addresses the remaining Pathfinders.
"Then I guess we know where we're headed next. I have some experience on the water, so I'd be willing to lead you all on an expedition to the piling," he says formally.
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"We takin' yer boat or mine, Temmer? must say... wouldn't have guessed you as a ferry man... we might be a little tight if all trying to fit in mine, so maybe we should bring both boats methinks!"
Large ship
Squares 1 (5 ft. by 10 ft.) Cost 50 gp
DEFENSE
AC 9; Hardness 5
hp 60 (oars 20)
Base Save +1
OFFENSE
Maximum Speed 30 ft. (muscle); Acceleration 30 ft.
CMB +1; CMD 11
Ramming Damage 1d8
STATISTICS
Propulsion muscle or current
Sailing Check Diplomacy or Intimidate (when using muscle);
Profession (sailor) (when using current)
Control Device oars
Means of Propulsion 2 to 4 oars
Crew 1 (the pilot, who is also a rower, plus up to 1 additional
Medium rower)
Decks 1
Cargo/Passengers 1,000 pounds/up to 3 passengers (a
rowboat can carry a total of 4 Medium creatures, either as
crew or passengers)
This small boat has two to four oars and is primarily
used to ferry a few passengers across small areas of water
such as a harbor, stream, or small lake. Larger ships use
rowboats as tenders or lifeboats. A rowboat cannot carry
any siege engines. This stat block can be used to represent
any of a number small open boats propelled by oars, such
as dinghies, dories, skiffs, and wherries.
"I was hardly a ferry man, Master Davor," Temmer replies. "Rather I served since I was a mere boy on The Starlit Lady, though I'm afraid that ship is long gone, continuing on its mission while I recuperated here. It may be that we need to buy passage, if such is possible."
Temmer nods, agreeing that sounds like a plan.
"I would hate to prevail, but perhaps the Pathfinder Society might be able to supply a harborworthy boat?"
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"Bah... we're like arms-length contractors... they won't fund and will disavow if we fail... but we can keep the entire dragon's hoard if we find it... they're mostly picky about the artifacts, but those are trouble anyhow and belong in dang vaults... don't ye know the drill by now? a Pathfinder team member only has his own brothers and sisters to trust. In other words, better ye ask her ladyship than me... he he he!"
Verris is happy for the two experienced sailors to decide their best options when it comes to how they'll reach the pillar. She remembers Davor's expert control of his boat through the rapids on their journey to Magnimar and is confident their decision will be the best option.
She decides to check on how Lexi has fared with the magical items they discovered. Noticing she has done well and identified two, by the notes she's left behind, she tries her hand at the scroll. Unfortunately, her training never covered this item and she can't identify it either.
If asked, Sheila will tell you she has a contact they could ask for help on getting transportation to the Crow. She would direct you to ask about for Jerris Torv at the Old Fang, probably the best known of the Dockway's taverns.
"We have to go on water hut again?" Gurk asks, not happy at the thought.
Temmer nods.
"It looks that way, Master Gurk."
Lexi sleeps like a log, her light snoring sounding rather like a purring kitten. A pleasant dream wherein she possesses the copper Sihedron shard and basks in the glory of its powers is enjoyable, at least up to the point where Lexi parades nimbly across the boards over the mud pit in Natalya's hideout. Then things turns nightmarish: The boards become a plank jutting out over rough ocean waters and a cutlass-wielding Sheila Heidmarch decked out in pirate garb forces her over the edge!
"Sink or swim, Lexi!" Sheila says with a smirk as she plucks the shard from her protege's hand as the aasimar starts to topple toward the water.
Lexi awakens when her dreamself would've hit the cold brine. The sting of the day's events are mitigated somewhat when the young archivist realizes her magic repertoire has expanded and grown stronger.