Field Reports 17: The Glasmeda Isles

We’re back in Nymora with the Collateral team arriving almost simultaneously with Zechs’ parents. Galahad goes off to get his armor started on, Hoshino looks into his friend Ice on the Lake, Salix and Zechs look into some family history, the rest of the party goes shopping, and Shanks picks up his Elven saber. The group is tailed by a mysterious figure offering information about JM’s safety and a black feather, hinting at a future rendezvous. Galahad and Shanks enter a drinking competition which results in Galahad's victory. Zechs contacts Argo, who assures Zechs that everything is “fine”. Zechs, knowing his mentor, can’t shake the feeling that everything is far from fine. It’s revealed that Argo is on his way to speak to Antonius, which raises concern with the party.

The party splits and goes to inquire about an airship to aid Quon. On the way they meet Aura and catch up, and eventually chat with Tobera about Nymora’s recent incursion from Iwi. Back at Zechs’ family home, pranks and revelry result in a mental snap from Shanks. It’s revealed to the group that the stress of information, circumstances, and something he’s wrestled with his whole life has resulted in this fractured state of his. Later on, the group goes out with Aura and goes to see the bard Roscoe perform. They share and exchange cultures and have some drinks reminiscent of their respective backgrounds, and Zechs finds himself in a contemplative state towards the front of the venue. A heartfelt conversation is had between Zechs and Hoshino. Hoshino later speaks with the Daughter of the Weave who reveals the stories of his compatriots even before they came together, resulting in a deeper understanding of the party he finds himself with.

The next morning we find that it is Zechs’ 34th birthday and a breakfast banquet is prepared by his parents. The group then continues preparations for the long travel ahead and makes their way toward the airship they have found to ferry them. On the way Shanks and Salix continue to make more elven speed, perfecting the making of it and trying to work the bugs out. Hoshino performs a legend lore on Arguile’s rapier, the Guardian’s Rapier, which reveals a bit of cryptic information for the group. Quon sends a message that informs the group of his home’s current situation and informs the group that it might be too late to reverse what has transpired so far. In the downtime, the group catches up Hoshino and Salix on this group's adventures and tries to fill in any details that would aid them in not only better knowing the task ahead but the party. Hoshino and Zechs later discover that Zechs’ bow Jack of All Trades has transformed. A lot of investigating and experimentation has revealed one of the features to be the ability to create teleportation circles. This is great news, but does leave Captain Cordell a bit peeved at Zechs’ new attempted art projects. After Zechs offers a poor attempt at an apology, Galahad comes to aid and offers that the group will pay to leave the circle there and pay for any damages that may incur, which Cordell agrees to and finds to her liking.

The serenity of travel is interrupted by the appearance of a blue dragon on the horizon and inbound towards the ship. Galahad learns that there is a connection to Tiamat and prepares himself for the battle ahead. There’s so much happening and we pick up with arc 17, “The Glasmeda Isles ”.

How will the rest of this story unfold? Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!

Theme Music is written and performed by The Floating Lighthouse

Read and Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III

Check out the show at themedusascascade.com