After spending some necessary time recovering from the harrowing events in Beinya, Kel decides that the adventuring life is no longer for him, and departs from The Ashen Company amid fond farewells and a heartbroken, yet supportive Lotty. His act of retirement is to open a bookstore-café combo in a venture far more suited to his interests of reading and writing, with the added bonus of no longer being at risk for necromantic ritual sacrifice.
Even with the Ashen Company a member down, a short time later Null gathers them all during breakfast to make a request of the party – would they accompany her to Pacapa, and lend their aid in uncovering the tattered remnants of her unknown childhood?
The answer is a resounding “Of course, when do we leave?”
They’re interrupted by a knock on the door – Mira’s arrived with a scruffy, grungy, chain-smoking goblin named Flynn in tow. Introductions are made and Flynn explains that he’s heard The Ashen Company is looking for recruits and he’s eager to join.
During some lengthy discussion on whether now’s the right time to take on someone new and untested, the villa is besieged by a chaotic assortment of wannabe adventurers, and a very insistent fundraising regiment of the Sierrona Pipers.
Amidst the chaos, Flynn shows his unflappable nature by clearing out a particularly unruly half-orc from the villa, and The Ashen Company finally agrees to take him along to Pacapa as a trial run of his adventuring skills.
Before leaving town, the crew pays a visit to Kel’s café to say hello, and politely begs him to take down the poster he put up informing everyone of the empty slot in The Ashen Company’s roster. It’s now been, at least temporarily, filled by Flynn. Null makes sure she stops in to see Latharial and keep her updated as to what trouble they’re going to go seek out next. With Null and Latharial’s heartfelt moment interrupted by the Sierrona Foot Guard Marching Band (it seems to be a very festive day in town), The Ashen Company gather their horses and cart, and begin the trek to Pacapa.
During their first evening on the road, Cade asks Flynn if he can cast Moonbeam on him, to make sure Flynn is who he says he is. Flynn balks at the idea due to the risk of injury, but Berrik offers to cast True Seeing instead. He does, and checks the back of everyone’s neck. No new tattoos to be seen, and no unwanted guests, such as Vi, among them.
The next day the party reaches a fairly narrow bridge. Lotty and Nessie take the lead, followed by Berrik and Silas, Cade leading the horses and cart, with Flynn and Null bringing up the rear. The bridge is safe but their surroundings decidedly less so, and they’re beset by numerous, enormous wasps. Berrik is grappled yet again, and flown up sixty feet before Dimension Door-ing himself right back down to the bridge. Cade focuses his efforts in siccing his draconic spirit on the insects, and Lotty is quickly surrounded and poisoned, but holds her ground against being overtaken. Silas and Null make efficient work of the wasps surrounding the cart with some good old-fashioned violence while Flynn blasts several wasps with Synaptic Static, narrowly avoiding his own grisly end after being grappled.
Seeing their numbers decimated, the wasps flee. Only slightly worse for wear, The Ashen Company lets them go, and finish crossing the bridge before they decide to take a break. Silas offers to keep watch of the horses and cart. Flynn surprises everyone by producing a fairly nondescript jar and comically scooping everyone but Silas into it. The Sanctuary Vessel is incredibly cozy, and the perfect location to take a short rest before continuing on their journey.