He can't help but laugh at the eagerness with which his new fiancé has embraced this new role. "In a hurry, are you?" he asks in a teasing voice, kissing her again.
"Yes, I'm sure Kereda could help with that. That's gonna be up to you, though, since I'm not allowed to see until the day of. As far as Kurvis or Eamon...that's a harder call. Truthfully I would like to find a way to let both of them officiate; they've both been so helpful in helping get things started around here and keeping everyone's spirits up. I'm not sure if that would be possible or not, but we could talk to them about it."
Kulena takes Gideon by the hand. "Well, let's go tell everybody the good news!"
"Sounds like a good idea to me!" he answers as he follows after Kulena, also eager to share with the settlers of Talmandor's Bounty the good news.
All in the colony are overjoyed to hear the news of Gideon and Kulena's upcoming nuptials! The couple are swarmed by people offering hugs and pats on the back. At the Plum Tree tavern, Gideon's old pal Calvin Shoals raises his mug in salute. "A round on the house in your honor!" the gillman declares, eliciting a rousing cheer from the crowd.
The scholar grins and cheers with the others as rounds are handed out and the congratulations are given. When he has a moment, Gideon makes a point of talking to Tobar. "My friend, we've been together from the beginning of this. We've come a long way from the abandoned colony we found all that time ago, fighting together, bleeding together, and growing together. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have beside me at the beginning of mine and Kulena's new journey together. Would you be my best man?"
Tobar blinks, genuinely surprised at the request. "Uh... sure? I mean... you sure there isn't someone else... I mean, yeah, of course." The laid-back craftsman is quite flabbergasted and doesn't seem to know how to react.
"I guess this means I gotta buy some nice clothes!"
Gideon laughs at Tobar's response. "Nothing to worry about, my friend! We both will need to, but that's alright. Every man needs a nice suit. Who knows, weddings are a great place to meet a single woman..." he trails off, flashing a playful grin at Tobar, teasing him despite knowing that he wasn't terribly interested in the family life.
Terana, arriving back with a very damp Aeroclyse, seems rather confused at the excitement. Once its explained however she wraps the bard in a huge hug, swinging him off his feet.
"This is wonderful!" She exclaims. "Love and beauty! I love weddings! How can I help?"
At the hug from Terana, Gideon makes a noise that sounds distinctly like,"Gglk!", though he does return the gesture of affection enthusiastically. "We'll have to letcha know, I think. We've got a lot of planning to do in the next little bit, but don't worry. We'll definitely be needing your help with stuff, I'm sure!" he answers.
A few weeks have passed in Talmandor's Bounty. You've had time to rest and recover from your ordeals, and the rescued colonists have begun to reacclimate themselves to a normal life. All the buzz, though, surrounds the upcoming nuptials of Gideon Ross and Kulena Sprads! The bride-to-be has been busy working on her preparations for the wedding ceremony, but Gideon still has a list of tasks to accomplish before the big day, including the following:
Gideon leans forward in his chair, lightly tapping the parchment in his left hand with the quill in the other. There was no ink on it yet, so he wasn't staining the paper, and the action kept him from just pacing about in the room.
The list wasn't a long one, but it still hardly seemed real. Not that he had doubted Kulena would say yes...he hadn't. Nor was it that he was having second thoughts about the whole affair; he wasn't. It's just that now, after the adrenaline rush had worn off, it was finally settling on him that he was about to get married! He drew in a deep breath, calming himself, before looking back down at the document.
Well, selecting a venue was first on the list, so might as well cross that off first and just go in the order that it was in. He wasn't about to pick a venue without getting the feedback of his bride-to-be, though, so his first order of business was to find Kulena herself. Or rather, knowing the superstition about seeing a bride in her dress before the wedding day, to let her find him.
His mind made up, Gideon first went to find Ramona, careful to knock first if he had to enter any of the buildings just to make sure that he wouldn't stumble into seeing something he wasn't supposed to see, to ask her if she would let Kulena know that he was looking for her.
Ramona nods knowingly and dispatches a courier to fetch Kulena. After a few minutes, the blond-haired lady whom Gideon has given his heart to walks up and greets the bard with a long kiss. "Hey, there, handsome. Heard you were looking for me?"
The scholar releases a held breath when the kiss parts after long moments pass. "I hope I never get used to that..." he mumbles, giving voice to a passing thought more than speaking directly to her.
A few moments later, he recovers his mind and clears his throat, nodding. "Hey there, brightness." he answered with a smile, using the pet name he had taken to calling her. "You heard right. I didn't want to go looking for you and accidentally see something I'm not meant to see yet." he explained.
"I was thinking about where we were going to have the ceremony and that seemed like too important a decision to make on my own, so I wanted to see what you thought about my idea. Assuming the weather is with us, my inclination is to have it on the beach, where I proposed to you. I thought it would be sort of symbolic...giving our vows in the same place and being wed where we were first engaged. Maybe at or just before sunset? The heat of the day would be past then and I think the setting sun over the ocean would be the perfect backdrop."
"After that...I suppose we could a party to celebrate with everyone either nearby, on the beach, or we could see if there's enough room in the Town Hall if we wanted to move it inside. With everyone from the first ship here now, that might be a little crowded, though...anyway, I'll stop talking now. What do you think?"
"A beach wedding sounds absolutely perfect! I'll have to change my plans from heels to sandals, but that's just fine! Great idea, beloved!" Kulena offers Gideon a dazzling smile.
He can't help but return the smile. "I'm really glad you like the idea!" he answers, then adds with a chuckle, [b]"You'll probably be more comfortable in sandals, anyway. If you have anything you need to ask me about the ceremony, please don't hesitate to find me."
Feeling suddenly affectionate - though, as they'd grown closer, that had proven not particularly unusual for him - he wraps his betrothed in a close hug again, kissing her neck before saying in a low voice, "I can't wait to be your husband."
Kulena sighs softly and leans her head against Gideon's. "All in due time, beloved. Be patient a little while longer."
He releases a slow sigh and nods slightly as their heads lean together. "I know...just a little while. Still. I can't wait." he answers.
After a moment, he chuckled quietly. "Well...I suppose I'd better go finish making the arrangements I've gotta make if we're gonna have this party ready. I can be patient for a little while...but just a little while." he adds.
With another kiss, he grudgingly bids her farewell, though is sure to tell her to find him if she has questions from her end of things. The first item crossed off of his to-do list, he goes down to the second: getting a suit tailored. For a moment, the thought that ran through his mind was simply 'Bleh'. He was no fan of suits, but...to marry Kulena? It was worth it.
He made his way towards Kereda's place of business, knocking on the door and opening it a crack before calling in. He'd just spoken to Kulena, so he knew good and well she wasn't in there (or at least he didn't think she was), but that didn't mean her dress might not be out, and he wanted to be sure it wasn't. "Mornin' Kereda! It's Gideon. Was wondering if you might be in the mood to get some business from me today; I need to get a suit made for the wedding."
"Of course, my friend! Say no more!" Kereda says. "Medrinnah! Please come and take this man's measurements."
Medrinnah Harleau, teenaged former theft suspect, rolls her eyes as she sets to the task with her typical surliness. Once that is done, Kereda shows Gideon dozens of different swatches of fabric of various colors and textures, hoping to find one he'll like.
The groom-to-be can't help but give a low chuckle at Medrinnah's attitude. "I see you still have that absolutely winning personality, Medrinnah!" he says in a jesting voice, looking over the swatches of fabric Kereda was showing him.
"Hmm. I'm a traditional man when it comes to this kind of thing, so...you've got one here that's a dark, charcoal grey sort of color. Almost black. Let's go with that. I think that would look really good. And maybe a white necktie to go along with it, to match the dress that Kulena is gonna be wearing. Assuming she'll be wearing white, of course, but I get the feelin' you might find out...if you haven't already, that is."
Kereda smiles but carefully does not reveal anything about Kulena's dress. "The classics are classics for a reason, my friend. Excellent choices. I'll get to work on your suit right away! When you get a chance, please send in the other members of your wedding party to get measured as well. I know Tobar is your best man, but if there's anybody else you want to stand beside you, now would be the time to get that sorted out!"
"I suppose you have a point there! I'll make sure to let the others know what's going on and ask who needs askin'. Thanks for your help, Kereda!" he says, then turns his attention to her young apprentice. "And you too, Medrinnah!" he adds with a playful grin toward the sour girl.
After bidding them both farewell, Gideon immediately sets about tracking down the other members of the group, asking each in turn if they'd be willing to be a part of the wedding party, beginning with Terana.
After he tracks her down, he gives her a wave. "Terana! Hey, I've a question for you. Listen, I, uh...I know it may not be the most traditional idea in the world, but I was hoping you might be willing to be in the wedding party on my side of the aisle. I plan to the others, too, but I wanted to start with you. I'm not the least concerned about breaking the tradition of all the groom's party bein' male. Gods only know how many times over I'd have been dead if it wasn't for you and I'd be honored if you would stand with me...with us...when Kulena and I are wed."
The gillwoman smiles, the scar on her throat stretching in a slightly eerie mirror of the expression.
"Of course Gideon. I wouldn't miss it! Do you mind if Aeroclyse comes? He doesn't have to be in the party but I'm trying to convince him that there's more to life than he thinks and this could be the perfect opportunity." She pulls the bard into a firm hug, trying not to squeeze him too hard. "You and Kulena are meant to be together - Shelyn smiles on your union!"
Having already been familiar with Terana's hugs, Gideon is prepared for it, though thankfully she loosens the grip that she gave him from the time before.
"Oof! Well...sure thing! He'll need to stand at the back of the crowd, of course; I'm sure he'll still be able to see the ceremony! Just gotta make sure we have enough food for him but I'm sure we'll manage." he answers.
"Thanks, Terana! We both appreciate it very much. Gotta go get clearance with Cal and with Cathyriel now. Thank you again!" he says, this time being the initiator of another hug before he rushes off to speak with Cathyriel to put the same question to her.
"Please don't say that to him." Terana replies, wincing before the bard hugs her back. "I'm still working on healing his eye."
Gideon winced as he remembered the cyclops's condition, apologized to Terana and inwardly thankful that Aeroclyse wasn't around to hear Gideon's slip of both tongue and memory.
Reassuring her that they'd get his eye fixed up, Gideon moved on to Cathyriel to see if she were willing to be partof the wedding party.
Gideon finds Cathyriel in her usual spot: seated in an out-of-the-way place that allows her to have her back to a wall and a good view of approaching company. She is in her civilian clothes, although it is kind of hard to tell since they look very similar to her military apparel, although without the insignia of rank. She is busy polishing her sword with a whetstone, critically examining the blade as she works, in order to ensure that all the nicks and scratches are removed.
Having only joined the group relatively recently, and not being completely aware of exactly who Gideon is even supposed to be marrying, Cathyriel is flattered but pleased to be invited.
"Thank you, I accept. We should definitely take opportunities to celebrate when they occur amid dark times."
"Fantastic!" Gideon cries, looking as if he is only a moment from adopting Terana's habit of giving bear hugs upon the receipt of good news.
For a split-second, he hesitates, then throws caution to the wind and gratefully embraces his companion, though not quite with the...enthusiasm...that Terana normally displays. "Thanks so much! It means a lot to me. And Kulena, too. We both appreciate it." he adds.
"If you have any questions about anything, just find either me or Kulena." he says, then after realizing she only recently joined the group, quickly gives her a description of Kulena and tells her where her residence is.
Finally, Gideon heads to the tavern that is now run by Cal, himself once a member of the group when they were first starting out, to see if he might also be willing to join the party.
Calvin smiles broadly at Gideon. "Of course! It would be my honor to stand by your side."
"Fantastic! Thank you, my friend! And, uh...while I'm here, and you bein' the owner and everythin', how would you feel about heading up the bachelor party, as well? I'm sure you'd be able to put together quite the celebration!"
The gillman fighter chuckles. "Oh, you have no idea. Exactly how, er... raunchy are we talking about here?"
Gideon will never know how close he came to impaling himself on Cathyriel's sword: as the bard moves forward to embrace her, only his slight hesitation allows her the pause needed to override her soldier's instincts and drop the weapon behind her swiftly.
As if to overcompensate for this faux pas (you NEVER perforate the groom before the wedding!), her arms clasp around him, giving him (inadvertently) the sort of bone-crushing hug he might normally receive from Terana. She nods as he speaks. "Kulena. Understood."
She commits the description and address to memory (soldier, again) and when the bard takes his leave she moves away purposefully to find this woman.
Knocking on the door, Cathyriel introduces herself to Kulena and offers her congratulations - as well as her assistance. "Don't misunderstand me, I like your fiance, but I sometimes get the impression he thinks logistics and planning are something that happens to other people."
Gideon quirks an eyebrow at the question, having been wondering if it was going to be something he'd have to decide on.
"My preference would be to keep it relatively tame, for a few reasons. First, it's a small colony. It isn't like we're back in Absalom where we could go to some remote part of the city and have the 'what happens there stays there' attitude. If things get too crazy, everyone's going to know about it, my fiancée in particular. I'd just as soon not start my marriage with an explanation or apology for some kind of indiscretion."
"Secondly, and more importantly...I don't want things to get too crazy. I love her, Cal. Deeply and sincerely. I don't ever, ever want to deliberately do something that I know would ultimately cause her pain, of any sort." he answers, then quickly amends his statement.
"Well...except make a few babies with her." he adds with a slight grin.
Calvin chuckles and socks Gideon on the shoulder. "Attaboy! Way to fulfill your biological imperative! Alright, we'll keep the bedlam around your party to a dull roar."
***
Kulena gives Cathyriel a warm hug. [b]"Gideon's told me a lot about you! It's nice to finally meet you." The thatcher laughs at her comments. "It's true, he's a dreamer, not a planner! I welcome any help you're willing to give. We still have to iron out the details for the flowers and the cake and the favors and..."
The bride-to-be keeps the Iomedaen cleric quite busy over the next few weeks.
***
As promised, Gideon's bachelor party is boisterous but not raunchy. The bard's many friends in the colony gather in the Plum Tree tavern for drinking, carousing, reminiscing, and well-wishing. Aside from a mild hangover the next morning, Gideon escapes with his health and reputation intact.
***
At last, the day of the blessed ceremony arrives. All of Talmandor's Bounty crowds into the temple to witness the ceremony, with Aeroclyse the cyclops only needing to stoop slightly to fit into the high-ceilinged structure. Gideon stands in front of the altar in his finely-tailored charcoal-gray suit. Cathyriel, Terana, and Tobar stand behind him, while opposite stand Kulena's bridesmaids: Gaege Murani, Sandra Ganis, Yltania Xo, and Machi Valenth. Machi meets Tobar's eye and gives him a long-suffering look--her last experience at a wedding didn't exactly go well.
Fathers Eamon and Kurvis stand behind the altar in their priestly finery, the Erastilian beaming with joy while the Abadaran maintains a stoic expression. Ramona herself begins to sing an aria, her voice quite beautiful, as Kulena enters the church.
The crowd murmurs their approval at the bride's appearance. She has opted for an elegant white dress with an off-the-shoulder look and a tastefully cut neckline. The dress is cut to accentuate her figure, flaring out slightly at the base, and is adorned with lace embroidery. Her straw-colored hair is done up in one long braid that falls nearly to the floor behind her, and she smiles radiantly at Gideon from behind her veil. She makes her way down the aisle and takes her place at the groom's side.
"Dearly beloved!" Eamon begins. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Gideon Ross and Kulena Sprads in the eyes of Erastil, Abadar, and all the gods. On this day, two disparate people will be joined together to form a family. Erastil teaches that the first gift you ever receive is your family. We all grow from the seeds of our parents' plant, and I am sure that two of you will form a plant with strong roots indeed."
Kurvis steps forward. "As it is written in The Order of Numbers: 'Unto each thing is given a role to play in the world that fits perfectly with all others. With each turn of every tiny wheel, civilization spreads to cover the world, and order and prosperity flow forth.' Gideon Ross and Kulena Sprads were made to fit perfectly together. Their love strengthens our colony, and their marriage shall be a symbol of the progress we have already made to taming this wild new frontier."
Eamon gesture for Gideon and Kulena to take each other's hands. "The couple have prepared their own vows. We will start with the groom. Gideon?"
The rancorous party ended, Gideon wakes the next morning glad for having made it slightly more subdued than it could possibly have been. As he is preparing for the ceremony and donning his black suit and white tie, he can't help but constantly check himself in the mirror to make sure that everything is still ordered, that his tie is straight, that his suit is crisp and unwrinkled, and all the other things a nervous groom does in the short time he has left as an unmarried man.
At the front of the temple, he casts glances back to the other members of his group...not merely his adventuring party, but his friends. Reflecting on all the adventures they've had, he marvels at the fact that they're even all still alive. How many, in the wide world of Golarion, could claim to have not only encountered the evils they had encountered, but overcame and subdued them?
When Ramona's voice rises, his mind snaps back to reality, and he can't help but be struck at the beauty of her voice. 'Who knew?' he thought. But he also knew what that meant and turned his eye to the entrance of the church...and, for several long moments, forgot to breathe. He found himself suddenly wishing that he could somehow freeze that moment in time, first seeing Kulena, radiant in her white dress, her long braid trailing behind her.
Some part of his mind acknowledges her smile, and returns it, but the awed look in his eyes is enough to tell any who see it that his mind is, however briefly, lost. It seems that every step forward she takes makes his heart beat faster, until he is quite certain that it sounds like the rapid pounding of a snare drum when she reaches him; even then, smiling in a mix of dumbstruck and joy is about the best he can manage.
As Eamon finishes and Gideon turns to his betrothed and takes hands, he draws a deep breath, steeling his will and swallowing the lump in his throat, before he looks into her eyes and begins his long-rehearsed vows…though he expected there’d be a healthy bit of ad-lib, also. ”Kulena…when I first signed up for this journey, I expected…adventure. Excitement. An untamed wilderness where my desire for learning and knowledge would, perhaps, be satisfied. One thing I never expected to find here, though, was life itself. I never realized, until those first few days we spend together, that up to that point I had been surviving…but not truly living. Before you were in my life, I wandered the world, seeing and learning much, but never understanding that my aimlessness was because my world was cast in dim shadow. Then I met you, Brightness, and suddenly, for the first time, a life spent never knowing the light saw the sun rise, and that light gave meaning and purpose and direction and a deep, abiding joy where there had been none.”
He paused for a moment, squeezing her hands and willing back all but the glimmer of a tear in the corners of his eyes. “I want to spend the rest of my life in your light, Kulena. Here, in front of the family we all have become, I pledge myself to you, and you only, until the end of days. I’m not a perfect man…which you know well, I’m sure…and I have much to learn about being a husband. But I want to spend every day learning and growing, becoming the man you need me to be. I want to have a family with you and grow old with you. I pray often that I will be shown what it means to love you; how I can show you that you mean more than anything to me. And I know that it’s going to take my entire life to get the full answer to that prayer…but I don’t mind it, because today, I’m giving you my life, anyway…and every day, I’ll give it to you again.” He finishes with a soft smile. Almost unheard, he releases a breath of relief, hoping that those few words could, in some infinitesimal way, tell Kulena how he feels.
Tears flow freely down Kulena's cheeks, and she sniffs and wipes at her eyes. "Oh, Gideon! I should have gone first! Your vows make mine look like rubbish!" she half-laughs, half-sobs.
Despite her protest, she takes a deep breath and says her piece. "Gideon. I'll never forget the first day we met. You said my hair was pretty. I gave you a piece of candy. Like you, I came on this expedition to find adventure and excitement, and I did, but not in the way I had expected. And it was the fact that our relationship, our love, was so unexpected that made it even more special. We were meant to meet. We were meant to be together.
"I promise I love you with all of my heart. In sickness and in health, for rich or for poor, for all of our days together, which I'm sure will be many. I will be your constant companion, your shoulder to lean on, and one day soon, the mother of your children. Today, before all of our friends and family, before the gods, I give myself to you. I am yours, now and forever."
She sniffles and squeezes the bard's hands as Eamon gestures to Tobar and Machi. "The rings?" The produce the wedding rings, and Gideon slides Kulena's onto her finger before she does likewise. Eamon and Kurvis raise their hands to the heavens.
"And now, by the power invested in us by the Master of the First Vault--" Kurvis begins.
"--and Old Deadeye--" Eamon continues.
"--we now pronounce you husband and wife," they finish together.
There's a beat, then Eamon chuckles. "Well, go on! Kiss her already!"
With a sidelong glance at Eamon and a slight smirk, Gideon reaches forward to grasp the edges of Kulena's veil, lifting it away from her face. For a second or two, he simply looks, doing his best to commit the image to his mind and sear it into his memory.
Then he steps forward and wraps his arms around her waist, drawing her against his chest and leaning down to her, drawing her into their first kiss as husband and wife.
Tobar remains somber through the ceremony. It's a little odd to see him without his hat, and his hair neatly cleaned up and brushed. He gives Machi a knowing look and briefly holds a clenched fist by his waist in a sort of quiet "stay strong" gesture.
He watches the proceedings and manages to produce the appropriate ring on queue by the simple expedient of making sure that he has the box in his hands the entire time so he doesn't have to go fishing around in any pockets.
Like the rest, he bursts into applause when the final kiss arrives and can't help but crack a slight smile.
Terana manages to match Tobar for composure, until Gideon gets on with it and actually kisses Kulena, at which point her loud "Whoop, whoop!" rings out throughout the church.
Aeroclyse claps too, the sound like distant thunder in the enclosed space.
This is why we fight
It is worth it. All of the hardship, the struggle, the loss, the pain, the shattering defeats, the victories that buy nothing more than a brief space to breathe once more... this is why. Because in that space is joy, and laughter, and love.
She had never truly forgotten why she signed up to Iomedae's service. But it doesn't hurt to be reminded once in a while.
Cathyriel is among the first to stand and warmly applaud as the ceremony concludes.
Once the ceremony concludes, everybody partakes of a great banquet in the town square. The party lasts well into the night, and once things finally wrap up, Gideon and Kulena head home to spend their first night together as husband and wife...
***
Several more weeks pass, and another supply ship from Andoran comes and goes, bringing even more colonists and support for the burgeoning community. The time has come to prepare to travel to the underwater city of Talasantri to seek leads on the veiled master and its plots. Talasantri is approximately 40 miles southeast of Ancorato. The easiest way to get to Talasantri will be to travel by boat to the area just above the city and then dive beneath the ocean to reach it. Assuming fair winds and calm waves, you should be able to reach the city in just a day and a half of travel.
It may be a while before you return to Talmandor's Bounty. You should make sure you're ready before venturing forth.
Terana has spent much of her time with Aeroclyse, doing her best to nurture joy in the cyclops heart and convince him that life is not as dark as he believes. Hopefully when they meet again she will be able to fulfill her promise and restore his sight.
She meets the others on the beach, sitting up to her neck in the salt water and looking very happy. "Ready? I'm looking forward to a new underwater city. No skin drying out!"
"Eh, sure," says Tobar. "Though after eating all those wedding deserts I may have trouble swimming."
Gideon seems of two minds about the impending departure; while he fully understands the pressing need to ensure the safety of not only the colony, but the entire world, it also means that he has to leave his new bride behind, an entirely distasteful thought.
He knows the necessity of it, though, so he makes the most the free time he has remaining, spending as much as he possibly can with Kulena and enjoying the time they have as newlyweds. When the day finally arrives, Gideon joins the rest of the team on the beach, releasing a slow, heavy sigh as he watches the ocean, breathing in the salt air. "If we're gonna go, we probably should hit the figurative road, before I lose my nerve and decide I'd rather stay here with Kulena." he says.
"What are you doin' here? You should be shaggin' your new spouse," says Tobar with some good-natured ribbing.
"Maybe she tired him out and he's leaving for a break?" Terana offers, grinning widely.
The corner of Gideon's mouth turns up slightly. "What makes you think I didn't? As far as gettin' tired out, that's the best kind of tired I've ever been, without doubt, though I'll admit she's turned out...feistier...than she might outwardly seem. Definitely no complaints, though!" he replies.
"Regardless, it's the best incentive to come back alive there's ever been!"
"Eh, sure," says Tobar. "Though after eating all those wedding deserts I may have trouble swimming."
Cathyriel gives a slight snort of laughter. "Sinking on the other hand, is probably not going to be a problem."
Ever the soldier, she looks around the group: "We should think about what we're likely to encounter and plan for it. Alchemist's fire won't work on any swarms we find underwater, for example."
"That's a good point...and rather than continuing to sink money and weight into acid flasks and things like that, we'd probably be better served by getting a wand that could cast a spell that would serve the same purpose. Something with a little more oomph than the color spray wand we've got...it's only got ten charges left in it, anyway, so it's certainly time to upgrade."
"Since we're likely to encounter more aboleths and their created abominations at some point in the future, we should also see if the elves have anything specifically designed to combat aberrations. If anyone's likely to have it, it's them."
After sending a messenger to the Mordant Spire, a group of masked elves arrives in the colony a few days later. Their ship is loaded with weapons and items designed to combat aberrations, which they reluctantly agree to sell to you.
At last, the time comes once again to depart Talmandor's Bounty. You say your farewells before boarding the ship's boat you took to Zanas-Tahn previously. This time, you sail to the southeast, leaving Ancorato and the small chain of islands around it behind as you head out towards open ocean.
Near the end of the first day of your journey, you pas through a stretch of ocean where vast patches of seaweed have floated to the surface. As you pass between the patches, the air fills with an oddly sweet scent, and images seem to shimmer above the seaweed...