Under the silvery glow of Farsae's moons, Kibble grappled with a deep sense of alienation after an eventful day that left him feeling lost in a world both familiar and foreign. As he found comfort nestled in Sissy’s fur within the stable’s confines, his thoughts circled back to the bizarre encounters and the strangeness of his surroundings.
Simultaneously, Naïló immersed himself in the local culture under the veil of night, intrigued by mysterious lights and whispers from a nearby mine. His investigations revealed them as mere illusions, insights he tucked away for later scrutiny.
Come morning, Walter wrestled with his identity, his noble past now feeling like distant shadows amidst the quaint setting of The Lucky Bear. The local dialects and simple honey bee cakes brought him a semblance of comfort, albeit tinged with a sense of longing.
Meanwhile, Kibble’s disorientation deepened upon discovering his severed ties with the land and no longer able to communicate with Sissy, a revelation that unfolded as Tully, a raccoon-kin, was measuring Sissy for a custom saddle. Nearby, Zhizah shared her equally disconcerting dreams, echoing the themes of surreal clarity and eerie surveillance, which seemed to connect with Kibble's experiences.
Zhizah faced her own turmoil, discovering her inability to change her job—a cornerstone of her identity and power. Walter shared that he also did not have access to his Charmsmith abilities while on Abeir-Toril, and rationalizes this could be an effect of interdimensional travel.
Walter’s quest for local knowledge led him to Old Oaky, the local Charmsmith, who not only exchanged their foreign currency but also provided a detailed map of Arnora and hinted at a travelling Lepid mage at Whisperstone Hearth. This encounter led them directly to Myrrhiana Vossari at the inn, who introduced herself as a mage affiliated with the Arcanum Consortium, and offered the party a deal: complete the Pathfinders' contract to clear the mine and retrieve some of the magic gemstones, and in return, she would leverage her position within the Arcanum Consortium to grant them an audience with the guild's local sect.
Before setting out for the mine, Boarm, sensing Kibble's need and perhaps as a gesture of solidarity in their shared uncertainty, handed over Talon, his magical shortsword, as a 'gift' for the troubled goblin.
Armed with purpose, the party ventured into the mine, confronting the illusionary lights and battling Arcane Kryssaliths—magical, hydra-like monstrosities that fed on magic. In the heat of combat, a chilling screech echoed from deeper within, redirecting both their foes and their focus towards an ominous unknown.