Wine Country Calls

The session begins with the Council and King's Hand convening to discuss the heir's journey to Soleilae. With the help of Viktor, they are given numerous contacts and leads to follow up on, along with a location of a safe house where the heirs can work out. Along with some fake documents, the heirs travel under the guise of merchants beings escorted by a few adventurers, seeking to purchase land.

After the meeting, Via gathers the heirs to convey Morgana's discovery: that the gauntlet is merely a gauntlet, and has no power to wield over anyone who uses it. Edwinn is stunned but seems to accept the truth. After expressing concern, Xanthe reveals to Edwinn and Marik that there is something in Edwinn's bloodline on his mother side that might explains the voice. Edwinn wants more answers but Xanthe refuses to elaborate, merely telling him to leave it alone. Edwinn agrees hesitantly.

Marik meets up with Xanthe, discussing the recent events and informing her of his chat with Elandor. He explains that Elandor sensed something heavily infernal and a touch of necromancy as well. Xanthe believes the infernal presence came from the bident she was gifted. The two discuss about working together more, with Marik asking Xanthe to train with him as they travel away from the capital.

Xanthe meets up with Via and takes her to see Rohavi, who spent some time with the Oracle. Via asks numerous questions about the land. Rohavi mentions that it didn't seem like people were forced to stay there, but that there did seem to be some kind of a draw that held people there. Rohavi could see the appeal, but felt like he needed to return to Ederia. Via appreciates his honesty.

The heirs soon depart after saying their farewells to Talon and Raynere. On the way, they are soon attacked by pirates. They believe they can outrun the pirates, but a storm helps the pirates to arrive. Sanguine also join in on the attack, creating two threats.

After a long battle, the sanguine soon create a large hole in the hull of teh ship, causing the ship to sink. Edwinn, Xanthe, and Cailynn falls into the waters while Marik and Via remain in air using Via's magic before a wave crashes down on them.

Meanwhile, in the Actin Shrine, a Blade of Zandoria hangs from chains strapped to the ceiling. A man in a pale mask, The Ember Hireophant approaches the Blade before speaking to him. After a back and forth, the Hireophant questions the Blade about a captain, wanting to learn her location. After the threat of torture, the Blade opens up about where the Phylactery is located. The Blade tells the truth, revealing information about a Dragonborn Information Broker. The Heriophant refuses to give the Blade the mercy of death, promising him that every day and every night his last thoughts would be of how he broke and failed his people.

Marik wakes up on the shore line, seeing Via and Thorn. Thorn explains that she dragged them out of the water and did what she could to keep them warm. Thorn also says that she saw some of the surviving pirates take the other siblings away. Marik and Via gather their strength, preparing to go and rescue their siblings.