For an explanation of the calendar used, see [[Calendar of Harptos]]. See [[Objects of Interest - Forged in Fire|Objects of Interest: Forged in Fire]] for more information on the campaign. ## 2 Marpenoth 1491 ### Recruitment letter from PRISM [[Colleen Thimble]] (a clever, confident 10-year-old detective), [[Sonja Florakis]] (a quick-witted 24-year old musician), and [[Fox d'Avenir (Alt Timeline)|Fox d'Avenir]] (an awkward but earnest 22-year-old adventurer) receive recruitment letters for a secretive organization called [[PRISM]] (Planar Retrieval and Interdiction of Significant Magic) based in the [[Radiant Citadel]]. Colleen receives a cheerful, chaotic letter from an artificial intelligence named [[IMPALA]] (InterMediary Probability Analysis Learning Algorithm). Meanwhile, Sonja and Fox receive letters from someone named [[Ten]]. The tone of Ten's letters is much more serious and detached, but they contain much of the same information as IMPALA's letter to Detective Thimble: their job will be to retrieve dangerous magical artifacts in order to contain their danger; their participation is mandatory to maintain the stability of reality. ### Gathering at HQ Although Colleen and Fox take their letter seriously, Sonja assumes it to be junk mail from a fan. IMPALA informs Ten of Sonja's noncompliance, and Ten sends [[Esha]] – an efficient though laid-back Field Agent and Head Scout for PRISM – to retrieve them from where they are performing in the Citadel. Esha politely sits through Sonja's performance before approaching. Sonja is initially resistant to give Esha the time of day, but she is eventually convinced to accompany him and hear Ten out. Fox runs a little late, having to get to the Citadel through Godsbreath, a Domain of Dread. Even still, Fox and Colleen are both waiting outside "[[PRISM HQ|O's Pawn Shop]]" when Esha arrives with Sonja. Esha lets them in despite the "CLOSED" sign in the window. ### Meeting IMPALA, Ten, & Ōdachi Inside, a bubbly voice – IMPALA's – greets the group through a speaker. Soon, the white-haired, red-eyed, masked [[Ōdachi]] (the mysterious Director of PRISM) and Ten (the self-serious, stressed Head Archivist) emerge to meet Sonja, Fox, and Colleen. Ōdachi and Ten are both unhappy to see a child present, but IMPALA maintains that her assistance is imperative. Ōdachi quickly leaves on his own assignment. It is clear from their interaction and from how Esha later speaks about Ōdachi that he doesn't respect him much. Ten reiterates the job and the risks to the new recruits. When they let slip that IMPALA sometimes makes mistakes by falsely flagging non-dangerous magical artifacts as dangerous (like a sword that says "fuck," for example), Sonja attempts to leave again, unimpressed by what she calls a "wackadoodle speaker." She agrees to stay and help, however, after Esha prompts Ten to share the terms of their employment; Ten tells them all that they will receive 50 gold pieces for each magical artifact retrieved. Fox and Colleen are similarly impressed by this offer. ### The yet-to-be-created artifact from Phandalin Ten starts to share details about their induction into PRISM, but they are interrupted by IMPALA, who has an usual job for them; she has detected a magical artifact yet to be made in [[Phandalin]]. They are to prevent its creation and, as such, the party members – including Esha – are ushered out the door immediately. They board a Concord Jewel at the Citadel's [[Passage of Respite]] and set off. ### Fox dumps his backstory En route, Fox hints that he is from a future, alternate timeline. Though he isn't lying, Fox's story isn't particularly convincing to the others. Over the course of the day, Fox also reveals that: her parents – along with the rest of her family – are dead; one of her moms was a bird "for a time"; and her metal arm is a prosthetic that she made herself after losing the original. ### Seeking Kitty Windrivver In town, Fox recognizes the iconography on the [[Faze Cooperative]] [[The Windrivver|airship]] above the [[Cooler Tresendar Manor]], with the logo on the airship being similar to the logo on his shirt and bag. Seeking out [[Kitty Windrivver]] (the inventor who provided the merchandise as well as the magical devices that Fox has in his possession), Fox insists on visiting the estate. Despite Fox's initial eagerness, however, he shrinks back from taking the lead in the conversation, forcing Esha to do so. The majordomo of the company – [[Gildha Duhn]], who the party mistakes as a receptionist – informs them that only one of the owners is in town: [[Dyre Longstrider]]. ### The first informant: Dyre Longstrider The party meets Dyre, a drow with red eyes and white hair, who remains flippant throughout the conversation. He spends most of it speaking about his absent, sinister father, his not-twin sister, and his status as a seven-year-old. He also calls Kitty a "scammer" and speaks to his own past occupation of going into towns with "shitty leaders" and playing satirical songs in the town square until he got kicked out. Despite Dyre's seemingly purposeful unhelpfulness – and despite being unaware of any "shady or suspicious or up to no good-type" characters in town (as Detective Thimble inquires) – he does inform the group that a swordmithing competition is to be held out of the [[Phandalin Smithy|local smithy]], and that the competition is bringing in a lot of traffic. ### The second informant: Thalia At the smithy, the party meets [[Thalia]], a 23-year-old half-dwarf with a penchant for juggling swords. They are also the daughter of the smithing contest host, [[Brok]]. Fox briefly convinces Thalia that Colleen is an adult gnome. He also demonstrates himself to be without much tact. ### Fox, the blacksmith The party learns from Thalia that the prize of the smithing competition is twofold: (1) ownership of Brok's workshop (he is set to retire, and wants someone worthy; Thalia, who is "more of a performer," is uninterested) and (2) gold. When he hears about the gold prize – and in part to help with their investigation – Fox decides to enter the competition with Colleen and Sonja's encouragement. ### Thalia's information Colleen pulls out a tape recorder, Fox pulls out a notebook, and the party begins to question Thalia. She provides descriptions of the contestants: [[Dandelion]], a friendly, yellow tiefling; [[Fayphena Forefog]], a lovely halfling mother; [[Aetna]], a local boy with vitiligo; and a rude, blond elf, later revealed to be named [[Sylqen Silverwatch]]. Thalia shares that most of the contestants, being from out of town, would be staying at the [[Stonehill Inn]]. ### Sylqen at the inn At the inn, the party encounters Sylqen, an arrogant, wealthy high elf who is in the midst of bullying a gnome child about the dusty state of his inn room. ### Interrogating Sylqen Esha interrupts Sylqen by bumping into him on purpose. Despite this, he doesn't rise to meet Sylqen's hostility in the subsequent conversation. The party interrogates Sylqen, with him and Fox trading occasional insults. They find out that Sylqen plans to make a non-magical platinum sword with a dragon bone hilt; they also find out that Sylqen himself doesn't have any magical abilities, a fact which he is clearly self-conscious about. Discovering this, the party determines that (1) Sylqen is going to lose the competition and (2) Sylqen is likely not their culprit, unless – as Detective Thimble suggests – he accidentally uses the bones of a cursed dragon. ### Fayphena at the tavern Next, the party locates Fayphena Forefog, who is three cream sodas deep at the [[Sleeping Giant|local taphouse]]. ### Questioning Fayphena Fayphena admits that she has never smithed a sword before; however, she is very interested in the prize, as the money and roomy home would be nice for her, her husband, and her kids – of which she has many. She also shares that she doesn't have any magical talent when Fox asks. Regardless, Detective Thimble soon insists that Fayphena's sword cannot not be ruled out, as her lack of knowledge may lead her to accidentally use magical components. Although Fayphena expresses interest in Fox's metal arm – even going so far as to grab it when Fox flexes – Fox fumbles with his subsequent awkward vacillation about whether his moms are dead or alive. Esha later teases Fox about this before sincerely complementing her on a questioning well-done. ### Dandelion at the shops The party heads toward the shops in search of Dandelion. The tiefling, who is carrying many bags full of snacks, nearly runs into them. All of the party members, sans Detective Thimble, pick up on the fact that Dandelion is very high. ### Questioning Dandelion During their questioning, the party discovers that Dandelion is a druid who plans to make their sword out of plant matter and flowers. They all agree that Dandelion likely has harmless intentions but is still magically potent, and therefore should be monitored. ### Night falls in Phandalin Esha helps Dandelion carry their snacks back to the inn. Meanwhile, Sonja, Fox, and Colleen search for Aetna, but they are unable to find him before the sun sets completely. Esha gives the other party members silver to pay for their inn rooms – Colleen is excited to get her own – and they all soon settle in for the night. ## 3 Marpenoth 1491 ### Morning at the inn The party members wake up in the Stonehill Inn in Phandalin, ready to continue their quest to prevent the creation of a dangerous magical artifact. They already questioned three of the four contestants of the swordsmithing competition the day prior. However, they were unable to find the fourth before nightfall: Aetna, described by Thalia (the blacksmith's daughter) as a young local human with vitiligo and reddish brown hair. ### Meeting Aetna Fortunately for the party, they find Aetna in the inn lobby that morning. He is carrying a large sack over his shoulder. Fox and Detective Thimble are the first to notice that there is iridescent purple residue – seemingly magical – dusting both the bag and Aetna's hands. ### Questioning Aetna As he did the day before, Esha lets the new members of PRISM lead the interrogation. During the conversation, Aetna seems defensive, determined, and a bit hot-headed. That said, though he is initially guarded and standoffish, he becomes slightly more forthcoming when Fox shares that she is also participating in the local swordsmithing competition. Despite the fact that his blacksmithing experience amounts to having made a single sword, Aetna's answers to Fox's questions imply his admiration for both Thalia and Brok as well as a genuine interest in sword-making. Fox eventually gets Aetna to admit that she is planning on "experimenting a bit" with magic in order to create her sword. She then pulls a piece of ore out of her bag, which is clearly the source of the purple dust; the ore is dark purple and looks oil-slicked. Aetna becomes withdrawn once more when Fox starts pressing him on the origin of the ore. Although Fox claims mere curiosity, Aetna sees through the lie and storms off. ### The ore Aetna doesn't notice when a small chunk of the ore falls out of his bag in his hurry to leave. Fox grabs the ore, finding that it is extremely cold to the touch and that it has a frightening aura. Sonja, Esha, Fox, and Colleen all agree that the ore would likely lead to the creation of the dangerous magical artifact that IMPALA predicted. ### Meeting Brok After breakfast, the group heads for the smithy and properly introduce themselves to the town's blacksmith, Brok. Fox formally enters the swordsmithing competition. ### Brok identifies the ore Brok is concerned to see the ore when Fox presents it, and he is even more concerned to learn that there is more to be found. He asks the group for the identity of the individual who had the ore, but they avoid ratting out Aetna. Brok identifies the ore as coming from Axeholm, an abandoned dwarven fortress due south of Phandalin. He explains that his grandfather lived in the fortress until an elven necromancer and aspirant lich arrived; she proceeded to kill many of the inhabitants, forcing the survivors to seal her inside before fleeing. Colleen excitedly states that she has never seen a lich before. Fox suggests that she doesn't want to, adding, "you're 10." Esha somewhat nervously states that he doesn't want to see a lich, either. Although he insists that he does not believe all the stories about Axeholm, Brok warns the party that he wouldn't recommend visiting. The party manages to convince him to provide directions regardless. ### Esha considers calling Ten Esha briefly considers contacting Ten before Fox reminds him that there is not much backup to be had. He is also comforted by the fact that IMPALA is tracking his location, though he doesn't relay this fact to the others. ### Journey to Axeholm: slime time It is still early in the morning when the party leaves for Axeholm. En route, they are confronted by six sticky slimes living in a hollow tree. Colleen quickly demonstrates that she has a gun (stolen from her father). Esha expresses shock; Sonja expresses concern. Esha and Fox are injured during the fight – Fox more so than Esha. Even still, the party defeats their opponents with little issue. Sonja Prestidigitates the slime residue off everyone's person and belongings. Despite Fox's protests, Esha insists on taking a short rest so that Fox can recover. The group continues on once Esha and Fox have patched up their wounds. ### Journey to Axeholm: the cats The party hears a nearby growl as the dirt path becomes less well-tread and the trees become thicker. Fox identifies the sound as coming from a forest prowler. Colleen peers in the brush and sees two cats, one of which is wounded. Esha admits that he isn't great with animals and suggests that they should keep moving. When Colleen insists on staying to help, however, Sonja casts Speak with Animals and approaches the cats. After a tense conversation with the healthy cat, Sonja heals the injured one with Healing Word. The cats are ungrateful but leave without attacking. ### Arrival at Axeholm The party makes it to Axeholm at around 2:00pm, finding the fortress jutting out from the base of the mountain, largely overtaken by the greenery around it. It is sealed by a rusty iron portcullis. Fox confidently states that Axeholm won't be her first ruins. She adds that rumors of "liches and stuff" tend to be exaggerated. As she says this, the group can hear a faint, echoing cackle. Sonja puts a protective arm around Colleen. ### Infiltrating Axeholm The portcullis blocking entry into the fortress appears to be without any traps, but the bars are too narrow for even a child to squeeze through. Esha boosts Colleen up to peak through the much larger arrow slits. Seeing a winch and no danger, Colleen climbs through the gap without consulting the rest of the party. She manages to turn the winch and grant the rest of the party entry. ### Ghouls of Axeholm: round 1 Growling and gurgling alert the party to the presence of ghouls in the fortress. Fox suggests that they avoid them; Esha suggests getting the drop on them. Detective Thimble and Fox squabble over their knowledge of ghouls. The others agree to Esha's proposal to surprise the ghouls, of which there are two. Fox strikes the first one down. The other ghoul seemingly wails, "Howard!" Fox uneasily expresses her condolences to the ghoul; Colleen and Esha take it down with a throwing dagger and shortsword. Esha retrieves the knife from the ghoul for Colleen, who is seemingly too squeamish to do it herself. ### Ghouls of Axeholm: round 2 The party encounters another set of two ghouls. Fox resolves the situation diplomatically by offering them 10 days of her rations in exchange for safe passage. ### Ghouls of Axeholm: round 3 Esha opens a door to find a bath in which there are two naked ghouls. Colleen turns around and covers her eyes. Esha closes the door, scrambling to tie it closed as he hears the ghouls start to clamber toward it. Fox steps in to block the door closed with his crowbar. Unfortunately, the hostile, naked ghouls find a second door out of the room and attack. The party defeats them with ease, which doesn't sit well with Fox. ### The new recruits have doubts Fox asks, "are we bad people?" Esha shuts down the idea while stepping over the dead ghouls. He states that they are there to prevent a lot of harm from coming to a lot of people. As Esha continues on, Fox leans over to Sonja and asks if she gets a "bad vibe" about "this whole setup." Sonja admits that she thinks they may be working for a criminal organization. When Colleen points out that IMPALA seems nice, Fox states that a lot of people "seem nice." Colleen nervously suggests that PRISM could be using IMPALA for evil. Fox wonders if they should kill Esha. Colleen shouts, "no!" ### Loot of Axeholm The party finds several magical items during their exploration of the fortress . They first find a Great Owl's Shroud, which Fox practically begs to keep. She insists on her owlfolk heritage once more. Sonja suggests that she can see the resemblance in Fox's eyes before bringing her hands up to cup her own eyes in demonstration. When Sonja suggests that the cloak might still be in the fortress because it is imbued with "bad magic," Fox says, "well, that's my burden." Esha says, "bird-en." Fox dons the cloak. She insists on immediately taking an hour-long rest to study it; the other party members are resistant – especially Colleen, who complains, "an hour is so long." They ultimately agree, however, with Sonja allowing Colleen to play with her harmonica in the meantime. Next, the party finds a dusty Arcanist's Magnificent Magnifier, which they determine helps discern the nature and properties of magical artifacts. Sonja hands the magnifying glass over to Detective Thimble, who is more than happy to receive it. A storage room contains Smith's Tools, many of which are still serviceable. Fox takes some for herself. She also finds and keeps a Holy Symbol of Moradin, the dwarven god of creation. He suggests that it might bring him good luck with the upcoming smithing competition. Investigation of a room with tattered cots reveals that there is a Liar's Lyre hidden away. Sonja grabs it; Colleen identifies it. Fox asks Sonja if she is a "big liar." When Sonja answers that she isn't really, Fox jokes that she can "get into it." Colleen spots a small twisted piece of metal on the ground – a Locksmith's Bane – and hands it over to Esha. Esha also holds onto the Potion of Superior Healing that the group finds in an unlocked coffer. The party finds a secret room hidden behind a fireplace. It contains a locked, heavy iron chest bearing a tiny circular indentation instead of a keyhole. Despite this, Esha is able to pick the lock. Inside the chest is a Dread Helm along with Gauntlets of Ogre Power. Esha hands the gauntlets to Fox. The group decides to return the Dread Helm – which seems broadly useless – to Ten at PRISM HQ, hopefully securing them a bigger paycheck. ### Other rooms of interest Esha is ambushed by a stirge but kills it. Putting on a show of calmness, he calls it "a bug" when Fox asks. Fox observes, "weird bug." Sonja checks on Esha; Esha insists that he is fine, adding that he was only startled. Esha finds some recently-used privies. He says, "found the bathroom." Fox asks if there is anything interesting in the bathroom. Esha says, "don't know" and walks away. Fox runs his hands along the floor and wall of an empty room, finding nothing for his efforts. When Colleen suggests that she already knew that the room was completely empty, Fox accuses her of looking "unsure." Detective Thimble states that one must always approach a situation as if they are unsure so that they can be open to new conclusions. ### The lich's lair The party finds what used to be a nice room. Now, however, the canopy bed is dusty and moth-eaten and the desk has a skull on it. There are many pieces of the mysterious ore scattered about. Fox proposes destroying the ore. Colleen studies it with her magnifying glass; she can tell that it is tied to some sort of necromantic ritual magic, though she isn't able to glean anything else. Esha worries that destroying the ore will alert whoever is conducting the ritual, but he muses that killing the supposed lich might sever the ore's magic. ### Confronting the (demi)lich The party finds a dusty, pillared hall that smells of death. A southern alcove contains a dais, atop which rests a limestone throne flanked by granite statues of dwarven warriors. Floating around the room is a seemingly agitated skull with long white hair. Esha and Sonja attack on sight. When Colleen worries that they should have talked to lich first, Fox calls out to ask the lich if she is "nice'" or "evil" or "sinister." The lich says, "I'm a fucking lich!" The lich resists many of the party member's magical and physical attack. Even still, and even though Fox and Esha are both briefly paralyzed, they manage to defeat it. Colleen lands the killing blow with her gun; the skull crumbles to dust. After the fight, Fox retrieves the ore from his bag on Esha's request. He observes that its "ambient sense of dread" has faded, suggesting that the threat has been neutralized. ### The lich's journal The party searches the room and finds a journal on the limestone throne. When the journal is opened, it begins to play back the lich's – [[Vyldara|Vyldara's]] – voice. The entries reveal that Vyldara tricked Aetna into planning to use the ore to craft his sword. They also reveal that the crafting of the sword would have completed her necromantic ritual, allowing her to become a proper lich. ### Esha burns the journal Esha burns the journal, which contains instructions on how to achieve lichdom. Fox complains that he wanted to get paid for bringing the journal to HQ for archival. Esha only tells the others to avoid mentioning the book-burning to their boss, Ōdachi. Colleen asks Esha if his boss would use the book to become a lich. Fox asks if PRISM is an "evil or criminal" organization. In response, Esha states that Ten believes in their mission; IMPALA believes in their mission because Ten built IMPALA. He adds that, while he doesn't trust Ōdachi – and while Ōdachi s0metimes borrows artifacts from the archive – he doesn't think that the man is "evil." Sonja remains concerned – but not alarmed – after the discussion. Fox is on edge, worried that she accidentally signed up for a gang and that Esha is in denial. Detective Thimble is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and, if necessary, save IMPALA from the "bad guys." ### Back to Phandalin The party departs from Axeholm and heads back to Phandalin. The trip is uneventful, though they don't make it back to the Stonehill Inn until about 10:00pm. The party members head to bed for the night. The smithing competition awaits them the next day. ## 4 Marpenoth 1491 ### Mission accomplished Esha, Sonja, Fox, and Colleen gather for breakfast in the Stonehill Inn. Esha uses his Sending Stone to contact Ten, who confirms that IMPALA has determined that the magical threat in Phandalin has been neutralized. ### Confrontation with Aetna Aetna enters the room, sullen and confused. Although Fox means it as a gesture of goodwill, Aetna becomes suspicious when Fox returns the ore that he dropped the day prior. He accuses the group of interfering with the "properties" of the ore, calling them "freaks." He stomps off when Fox starts scolding him. Esha suggests that Fox should go easy on Aetna, who realistically cannot do any harm. Fox argues that Aetna that was being rude; when Sonja quips that Aetna seems like he was raised in a barn, however, Fox realizes that Aetna likely lives in the inn and is without a place to stay otherwise. ### 1,000 or 10,000 ball bearings Esha, who has been rooting through his bag, jokingly asks if anyone needs "1,000 or 10,000 ball bearings," which he purchased for 1 gold piece as part of a "deal." Sonja suggests that he got scammed, whereas Colleen argues that ball bearings can be useful for tripping people – or for making swords. Fox then begins offering a bunch of garbage for the ball bearings, including a silver piece, caltrops, and half a bottle of apple cider. Esha threatens Fox with a game of "1,000 ball bearing pickup" before handing over the gear for free. ### Fox embarrasses himself The party heads to the Phandalin Smithy for the swordsmithing competition, which Thalia explains will last six hours. Fox is confident in her ability to win. Fox starts talking about the party's expedition to Axeholm, describing the fortress as an "evil castle" before Esha cuts him off. Fox, backpedaling, suggests that it was "more like a cave." Detective Thimble lies, "we were playing a game." The party members – minus Fox – are directed to sit in the audience area with Fayphena's husband and seven kids, who arrived in town that morning. Fox, who had called Fayphena "charming" earlier, quietly admits, "I forgot that she has a husband..." Aetna trades places with Dandelion in the contestant area so that she isn't near Fox. Fox proceeds to ask Dandelion if the are still inebriated, mentioning how they were "really sauced up" the last time they spoke. Dandelion apologizes. In response, Fox insists that she doesn't have anything against substance use, especially because her best friend is a "chronic drinker." ### The competition begins Thalia gets everyone's attention. She explains the tools and areas of the forge as well as the rules of the competition. Then, she tells the contestants to have fun and get started. Fox, Aetna, Sylqen, Fayphena, and Dandelion quickly get to work while Thalia and Brok observe. ### Sylqen's sword Sylqen flounders during the entire competition, but he manages to finish a sword made of platinum with a dragon bone handle. Thalia tests Sylqen's sword first once the six hours are up. In the stress test, the blade bends when Thalia swings it into some chains. Sylqen puts his head in his hands while Fox laughs. In the sharpness test, Thalia swings the bent sword at a few scarecrows; the burlap is torn more than it is cut. As a result of the blade's poor performance, Sylqen is awarded last place after all the swords have been tested. ### Dandelion's sword Dandelion crafts a beautiful floral sword. It doesn't break during the stress test; it is unable, however, to cut the scarecrow despite its thorns. Nevertheless, Thalia is impressed by the sword's durability; they place in fourth. Fox compliments their work as well. ### Fayphena's sword Fayphena's weapon functions more like a club than a sword. Moreover, it doesn't bend or break during the stress test, and the scarecrow crumples when Thalia attacks it. After the other swords have also been tested, Fayphena is given the third place prize of one platinum piece. ### Fox's sword Sonja covertly casts Guidance when Thalia begins to test Fox's sword, which is beautifully crafted. It manages to chip the chains during the stress test. During the sharpness test, Thalia slices a scarecrow in half. Esha claps as Thalia tells Fox that he won the second place prize of five platinum pieces. Fox, though disappointed to have not placed first, does a little bow. ### Aetna's sword Aetna's sword – also beautifully crafted – performs even better than Fox's, decapitating multiple scarecrows at once. Thalia flourishes the sword after they finish the tests. When Aetna is awarded first place, Esha and Fox clap, as do the other contestants – minus Sylqen. Thalia doles out 10 platinum. Brok retrieves the keys to the forge; Aetna starts crying. Brok clasps her hand and says, "beautiful work, son." ### Fox & Aetna make amends Fox approaches Aetna and tells him, "good match." Aetna thanks Fox before complimenting him in turn. She then apologizes for her behavior that morning. Fox suggests that Aetna doesn't need to apologize, adding that he was also an "angsty teen" not that long ago. Aetna says, "okay..." Esha wishes Aetna luck with the forge. Aetna shares that, while she isn't going to give away the place, she hopes to host smithing competitions annually. ### Brok bends Sylqen's sword When Sylqen refuses a handshake from Brok, Brok takes his sword and bends it completely in half. Aetna expresses that it was "awesome" that Brok bent Sylqen's sword, whereas Fox admits that he found it a little intimidating. Sonja quips, "that's a word for it." Esha frowns. ### Sonja & Fox discuss their options Fox points out to Sonja that Brok seems single. In response, Sonja admits that she doesn't really date because she doesn't like to be tied down. Fox shares that he also doesn't really date; for him, however, it has more to do with the fact that almost everyone is dead where he is from, other than his cousins and a middle-aged, "kind of unwell" woman. When it is pointed out that Fox is no longer living in that place, Fox insists that she will need to go back so that her cousins are not there alone. Esha tells Fox to bring his cousins with him. Fox says, "maybe..." ### Back to the Citadel After Esha receives repeated messages from Ten about returning to the Radiant Citadel, he, Sonja, and Colleen head back via Concord Jewel. Colleen worries about her fathers' reactions to her being away from home for so long. On Fox's request, Esha arranges for a Jewel to pick Fox up the following morning so that she can stay in Phandalin for the night. ### Fox asks Fayphena out Fox approaches Fayphena. Although her family is initially present, Fayphena's husband leads the children away so she and Fox can talk in private. Fox and Fayphena flirt. Eventually, Fox asks Fayphena if she would like to meet at the tavern later for a "loser's club" meeting – for second and third place specifically. Fayphena expresses that she would love to. The date between Fox and Fayphena goes exceptionally well. Afterward, they exchange the swords that they made for the competition. ## 5 Marpenoth 1491 ### Meeting Morty Colleen, Sonja, and Fox arrive at PRISM HQ at noon. Esha is present, as is Ten, who is speaking with the custodian, a shy hexblood named [[Morty]]. Morty greets the new recruits awkwardly before explaining, "I dust." ### Mission debrief Although they have already been debriefed by Esha, Ten asks the others how everything went. When Fox says that they killed a lich, Esha corrects, "aspiring lich." Colleen states that it was a floating skull. Sonja turns in the Dread Helm to Ten for archival. ### Mission rewards Esha has to remind Ten to pay them all. Ten doles out 55 gold for each of them – 50 for preventing the creation of the dangerous sword in Phandalin, and 5 for the Dread Helm. ### Preparing for the simulation Ten informs the new recruits that, assuming they conduct themselves well in the combat simulation, they will get their numbers and their uniforms. Sonja asks whether the simulation is necessary considering they just killed a lich. Ten acknowledges her point, but insists on sticking to protocol. Ten leads the others to the archive, which is a large warehouse full of rows of magical items in labeled boxes. Esha heads straight for a shortsword labeled *Ascendant Dragon's Wrath Shortsword (Cold)*. When Fox asks, Esha shares that he uses the sword every time he runs through a simulation. The others take Esha's lead: Detective Thimble picks the *Ascendant Dragon's Wrath Revolver (Poison)*; Sonja picks the *Ascendant Dragon's Wrath Handgun (Lightning)*; Fox picks the *Ascendant Dragon's Wrath Longsword (Acid)*. ### The simulation On Ten's direction, Sonja, Colleen, Fox, and Esha walk through a nondescript door off to the side of the archive. Through the threshold, they are met with pitch-black darkness, the sound of seagulls, and the ground swaying beneath them. When the lights come on, they are on a ship at sea. The party is attacked by three whirlwyrms before they have the chance to get their bearings. Fox and Sonja are slightly injured during the fight, and Colleen gets seasick. Using their borrowed magical items, however, the party is easily able to dispatch the whirlwyrms together. ### Welcome to PRISM Back in the archive, the party members return their borrowed weapons. Ten congratulates them on a job well done. The new recruits are then awarded their designations; Colleen takes Fifteen, Sonja takes Sixteen, and Fox takes Seventeen. Ten retrieves their uniforms, which look similar to Esha's and Ten's. Fox admits that he assumed the colors were just "a thing" for Ten and Esha. Sonja suggests, "like couples outfits." Aiming to join in on the joke, Esha puts his arm around Ten. He almost immediately regrets it, however, when Sonja asks the two if they really are together. Esha and Ten say "no" at the same time. Ten welcomes Sonja, Colleen, and Fox to PRISM. Before Ten can leave, Fox abruptly asks them if PRISM is a criminal organization. Colleen scolds him, whispering that Fox should investigate instead of just asking. Fox sheepishly tells Ten, "never mind." Ten walks away. --- ## Page Tags/Properties **Tags:** #Timeline **Category:** [[Timelines.base|Timelines]] **Type:** Campaign **Campaign:** [[Objects of Interest - Forged in Fire|Objects of Interest: Forged in Fire]]