Session
Recaps

Session began with a flashback to 100 years before present, in which a prince interrupts his father’s international party to beg the king not to act. In response, he is thrown out of the palace, where he flees on foot into the grasslands. As he flees, the grass turns into desert and the Wastes spread.

In modern day, the posse stumbles upon an oasis already occupied by a Haenryeong camp. The Haenryeong turned hostile without conversation and fought the posse until four were dead (two Haenryeong soldiers and two Sumaq travelers). Only two were left breathing, an elder Deinothere rider and an injured soldier.

During the fight, one of the Sumaq pulled a gun on Erdem while he was chasing the Deinothere rider. Upon an attempt to de-escalate, she fired upon Erdem and the party multiple times before killing the other Sumaq and then herself.

The posse was able to loot a significant amount of supplies from the ruins of the camp, including a child with white-streaked hair who had been sheltered by the Sumaq, runic stones that burned when anyone without white-streaked hair touched them, and a letter written from the Hwangjae of Haenryeong to the King of Averon.

The posse set up their own camp nearby and settled in for the night. During watch, a single oviraptor was spotted running by; aside from that nothing interesting happened.

Hawk dreamt of a woman he called “Madam,” and who called him “Marshal”. Madam told him that the child they had discovered was “his successor,” and warned Marshal that the Wastes are going to be a different palace in the morning.

You awoke the next morning to find the injured soldier dead. Hawk offered the old man the choice between life (or a chance at it), and suicide, and he took the latter, leaving no survivors from the Haenryeong caravan. You buried the Sumaq, sewed a pouch for the magic stones, and left. Hawk gave Erdem instructions on how to bury him properly if he dies, and Caranta told the posse that the Devaraja will be hard to find given he travels often, so you should stop in town before reaching Suryavat to confirm his location.

You travel for 2 days with little interesting occurring, besides spotting one of the Kharassan lakes on the horizon (which Amythaon poses you visit and Sǝma abhorrently dissagrees with). When you set up camp that night, Amythaon begins praying, and the baby begins sobbing. Kori brings the child to Amythaon, and, while he soothes the kid, both their white streaks glow and a small amount of rain falls on them. Only Kori, Amythaon, and Caranta see this, the rest must be told of it after. Amythaon interprets it as a sign, and suggests traveling throughout the night, which you do.

The next day, you come across a Nokáru camp that has been razed to the ground, its ceratopsians scattered, and its inhabitants executed (among them an old man and two children under 10 years old). You loot the camp and find a letter in Kharaset, which Caranta is able to translate.

The letter's contents summarized are thus: The Kharassa are hunting the people who "stole" the baby that was being transported from Haenryeong to Averon. They want the infant brought back to the lakes at any cost, and emphasize that outlaws can (and should) die in this process. Additionally, they want any person with white-streaked hair to be detained and brought to Azat.

Hawk decides to use eye-black to dye Amythaon and the child's hair black. The next day, you name the child Ñaṅ and run into another destroyed camp, this time a Saffekh one. In the ruins, you find a small diictodon with a journal in Wayraqi on its pack. The diictodon attempts to lead Sǝma and Kori toward one of the lakes, but you pick it up before it can get you too far.

After 9 total days traveling, you reach Surythara; a small fishing group greets you. After Caranta tells the eldest that they are a Sangha, he agrees to take you to the nearest temple for aid. He took you up the river, to Jalavethāśrama. The high priest there agreed to shelter you for 7 days while sending an Oviraptor to Suryavat to hear the Devaraja's wishes on the matter.

Later that day, while you met to discuss, you were interrupted by a Sumaq woman named Inkasisa, who wanted to see the Diictodon. She recognized it as another Sumaq named Amaru's bond, named Capacti. Amaru was a painter from Suryavat who was traveling to Minressa to learn new techniques when he was presumably taken by the Kharassa. Inkasisa revealed herself a translator and translated the Seorai letters for you, which definitely drew suspicion and made her alarmed. She said she was going to travel to Haenryeong to investigate, even with warnings from you. That night, Kori invited Sǝma to go swim in the river, and the two have a near-croc encounter.

You stay five days at the temple before the Devaraja's reply arrives: he sends four Spinosaurus riders led by a (hot) white-haired woman. They bring supplies for the temple, and, after interrogating Caranta, offer to escort you to Suryavat to see the Devaraja.

You left from the temple toward Suryavat with the Devaraja's guard. That night, you make camp with the Chantarans (and their bizzare tent setups). Sǝma, Hawk, and Kori try dried fish for the first time to varying results. Caranta attempts conversation with the head of the guard, and after a drawn-out back and forth, you all give up your names. Hers is Jayasundarī, and she is very forthright with her doubt of the Devaraja: apparently he believes that the posse's arrival is a sign from the gods that will save them. She also warned the posse about a curse that has befallen the capital of Surythara in the last two weeks, one that she cannot quite describe aside from a general lethargy. After dinner, Sǝma finds Amythaon and asks him what exactly the white-streaks mean. During his watch, Amythaon approaches Jayasundarī's Spinosaur and attempts to goad the creature into attacking. Instead, it stares at him, reminding him of something.

Hawk has a dream that night with Madam, who confirms that the two-week long curse is actually a 17-day-long one, and that her prior statement that the world would be a different place when Hawk next woke up was related to that. She warns him to keep Lady close.

The next day Amythaon gets chewed out by Jayasundarī for feeding her Spinosaurus but manages to talk his way out of any real consequences. After another day of travel, you make camp and (some of you) enjoy fish again. After a bit around the fire, two Saffekh approach; a man and woman of similar age to Hawk. They request room around the campfire; Jayasundarī initially declines, then with the posse's argument agrees to allow them to sit, though they must make camp elsewhere. The man introduces himself as Kadar, his wife as Raasha; the two are kind and he is quite talkative. After a lot of rambling, he requests a story of Sǝma. She tells one of the once-beloveed Sultan At'isi, who began the drought when manipulated by demonic advisors. One of his nobles, Ikram, tried to caution the Sultan, but At'isi heard none of it and stripped Ikram of his titles and banished him to the Wastes. Notably, the story included the Sultan binding the Tyrannosaurus in the depths of Azat, which explains why the beast only exists among the Kharassa.

That night, Caranta has a dream in which their Sauropod almost walks over them, then knocks them aside with her tail. Amythaon has a dream in which he is back on the deck of his ship with his captain. That morning, during the final watch, Caranta and Sǝma talk about a vision Caranta had relating to the Tyrannosaurus in Sǝma's story. The two agree the Tyrannosaurus must be related to the rain in some way, though they don't go into specifics.

You ride all day, reaching Surythara by mid-morning. Jayasundarī does not want anyone to stop, and you end up riding all the way through the night to reach Suryavat by dawn. True to Jayasundarī's warning, the city is indeed cursed. Erdem notices the magic feels stagnant and thin. Kori notices her bond with Lucho feels frayed. Jayasundarī takes you to the palace bathhouse and requests you clean yourselves before seeing the Devaraja. The Outlaws in the posse are shocked, but everyone ends up bathing in the scented freshwater. Once you are done, she takes you to the temple nearby to meet the Devaraja.

The Devaraja immediately zones in on Caranta, claiming he knew a survivor from Caranta's temple was alive and would save him, and he had been hopeful it was them. He tells Caranta to call him Suryavarman, his first name, then asks them to introduce him to the posse. Surprisingly, he speaks Nokáru Dustmark, Minyr, and Orvalk. He calls Amythaon "Brother" and recognizes Sǝma's last name (Al'Katar). He then describes a scar that has appeared on his bond and a vision he had the night the curse descended: “I saw this vast unraveling. Something eating magic from the inside out. It has been 100 years since the last rain. I fear something worse than drought is on the horizon.” When told about the Haenryeong's plans, he requests to read the letter and is unworried about the potential military threat to Suryavat. He is far more interested in the section on the white-streaked people; apparently he has heard from the Sultan of Thara that bounties for white-streaked individuals were being passed from Averon to Zan'tharan traders. He gave you a royal seal to use if you wish to seek out the Tharan Sultan.

After the conversation, Amythaon lingers to speak to the Devaraja. He and Suryavarman confirm that the gift the white-streak bestows is not universal: Amythaon's manifests as a closeness between him and beasts, Suryavarman's manifests as far slower aging (he's 51 years old what). The two speak briefly about Minressa: the Anax, Menecertes, is supposedly over a hundred years old. Suryavarman argues that if Menecertes were to be that old, he would need to be like Suryavarman, but the Haenryeong report mentioned nothing of Menecertes as a white-streaked person despite mentioning far more hidden individuals. He tells Amythaon there is a reason he called him "Brother," and then thanks him for his service to Suryathara.

You rest the rest of the morning after discussing plans forward. While the other members of the posse relax, Caranta ventures into the temple to see the sauropods. There, they find the Devaraja's Argentinosaurus, Ananta, who seems lethargic. After unsuccessfully attempting to diagnose the root of the issue (it's the curse, but you cannot say what exactly), you have a conversation with Jayasundarī, who confirms that the ailment is some form of bond scar that appeared when the curse did. You told her of the threat to Suryavat and the Devaraja and she requested to read the letter for herself. You noticed that while she seems to take the threat seriously, she downplayed it to you. Nonetheless, she agreed to do something about it and left.

Kori had a dream while sleeping in which she awoke in a chaotic camp to find herself face-to-face with the same Tengerai woman as before. This time, however, the woman confirmed with you that she is not a figment of your imagination but, in fact, a real person also dreaming. She said that an Averonian raiding party attacked her camp a few days ago and injured her. She's never seen them so far south before; they must've come through Ravelo lands to get there, and they brought a Valecourt with them. You confirm it's likely her white-streaked hair that is attracting them, but fail to mention anything else you know.

After napping, the posse splits into groups. Sǝma, Kori, and Caranta set out into the city to find Capacti's family. You ask around quite a bit before letting the Diictodon lead, and finding the house. There, you encounter (presumably) Amaru's mother and sister, who pulls you aside after you deliver the news. She eventually confirms Amaru has a white-streak and that her family has been paranoid about it for a long time. She then asks if you will escort her to Azat. You caution her many times but she seems set in her desire to find Amaru or prevent such an event from occurring again. After finally acquiescing, she gives you Capacti back and tells you that you cannot leave without returning the Diictodon.

Erdem searches for Jayasundarī, eventually finding her in her quarters. She answers you at the door and you give her the Seorin letter. You notice while she reads that she is blocking the door, has been recently crying, and has an open letter on her desk. She reads the letter and sarcastically congratulates Erdem on telling her nothing new before she closes the door. Erdem knocks again and she answers with a far more callous demeanor, telling Erdem that she doesn't care and the Devaraja doesn't either, so he should can it.

Hawk and Amythaon take the child to the Devaraja and discuss with him the possibility of leaving Ñaṅ there. He assures he will do all in his power, but the conversation you have reveals he is not nearly as powerful as initially believed, and has placed quite a lot of responsibility for his (and thus the city's) protection on Jayasundarī. He also mentions his belief that the curse befalling Suryavat and the emergence of the posse both occurring on the Centennial of the drought is a sign from the gods. He assures you a naval assault is impossible, though a land assault would mean the inhabitants of Suryavat would flee north into Thara. You agree on a plan in which Ñaṅ will remain in Suryavat for a short time before a temple is chosen for her to be sent to. Then, she will disappear into the ranks of temple initiates. You confirm the child likes him and the gems do not burn, then request medical supplies and leave.

Erdem seeks out the Devaraja after and has a short conversation with him in a private tea room. You share a vision that you had with him and he seems drawn to a part of it in which a Krah who lived a hundred years ago appeared to be shaken off an Azhdarchid, who instead chose Erdem. You discuss the divine power of the Azhdarchid - a messenger, and to Orvals a symbol of divine justice. The Devaraja believes that the Azhdarchid choosing Erdem is of great importance and its return leading to rain meaning that Erdem's duty is to bring about this. He cautions you against aligning yourself with a strict interpretation, instead saying that the uncertainty of visions is the way the gods prevent one from a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Sǝma, Kori, and Caranta have a breach day. Erdem visits the beach later and notices the curses' strength appears stronger the closer he gets to the coast. Caranta takes Sǝma to a flower garden that evening, where you have a short discussion on the grandeur and excess of Suryavat and the suffering in the Wastes.

Erdem seeks out the Devaraja and overhears a conversation between him and Jayasundarī in which she brushes off his concerns over the Haenryeong invasion threat. After sharing your findings with him, you returned to the posse and shared what you overheard. Caranta left to seek out Jayasundarī and found her with her unnamed spinosaur. A short conversation revealed she has been lying about "taking all threats to Suryavat seriously", and that her white hair is from when she was taken captive by the Haenryeong. Apparently, white hair is a mark of a traitor over there.

After, Caranta seeks out the Devaraja to discuss your vision, and he encourages you to share your vision with Erdem as he had a similar experience. You expressed concerns about Jayasundarī, and he claimed she is loyal and has been for 15 years. You returned to discuss this with Hawk, and then the two of you slept in the stables.

Kori dreams of the Tengerai woman, who reveals you are technically related, Naranbaatar was her half-brother, but through the wrong parent so you are not considered family.

The next day, you meet with the Devaraja and take ayahuasca. Each of you (except Səma) had a separate vision from your past: Hawk awoke next to a dead woman, presumably his mother, Caranta saw their temple after its destruction, Amythaon the waters in a battle, Erdem's last night in Sarmatşehri, and Kori a memory of her dying on the ground. After that, you all end up in the center of a hurricane in the desert, with 26 people in an arch around you, all white-streaked. Only two of them, the Devarja and a Hallowick man in the center holding the child, appear cognizant. Hawk cries into the Hallowick man's injured neck.

You note the following individuals in the circle: Kadar, the Saffekh you shared camp with, another Hallowick with sun-bleached hair that almost matches his streak, a Chantaran commoner in her early teens, an Averish knight, an older Averish man with reddish hair, two Kharassans, a boy with an afro and an older teen with very nice hair and adornments, a Seorin woman with fully white hair, a Minressan man in a light toga and another Minressan woman in thalassomachos armor, a Zan'tharan woman with hair framing her face, and a Sumaq wearing rags.

You all hear a voice and find yourselves face-to-face with a woman who sounds and looks identical to your mother, aside from a white-streak in her hair. She tells you her time is short, but that you must return the rain and that which you seek can only be found on the road to Azat. She says that the thing keeping the water from reaching Kaelara will also take the magic and Kaelara will face ruin if the rain is not returned. She advises you to be patient and trust in each other and yourselves, and then you wake back up.

The Devaraja brings you supplies and gold and gives you advice for your travels into Thara. Kori, Hawk, Caranta, and Səma travel to find Inis, and she readily greets you and offers you 120 gold alongside her loyalty, firing Kori's gun as proof. You tell her she'll need to work and learn Dustmark, and she agrees to this, saying she already knows Kharaset from her parents. You leave Ñaṅ with the Devaraja and then head down the road to Thara.

After spending a night in an unfriendly inn in Atrangson, you reach Kiroyo by midday the next day and sell your goods for 322 gold. He makes hint at news about Orval but doesn't elaborate, and Erdem and Səma go to find news. You have a short conversation in which you learn Erdem was in Orval's military, stationed in the Wastes, and was captured by Morradans before being left for dead by a Hallowick posse before you found him. He expresses his desire to return to Orval and help his people, though he does not know if he would be welcome. You return to the trader after finding nothing, and, once pressured, he squeals that according to Averon gossip, Aharkesen has fallen.

You buy 3 Hadrosaurs (Prokles, Samiyuq, and Yılmaz) and an Ankylosaur (Taloc) with saddles at a pretty good price (thanks Inis), and then set out toward the Wastes. You rest in the forest that night, and during first watch Amythaon encounters a Megalania, who, after sniffing you a bit, goes on its way. Caranta dreams of the Seorin who destroyed their temple.

Səma has a dream where she wakes in a world parallel to yours, with two people there. The first man calls you hafida and has a conversation in which you question why he is here and he explains you need his help and that you must right the wrongs he committed in his life. He says he ran in order to find Səma's grandmother and chose that over his family, something he cautions you against, though he says you should find yourself as well. After, you speak to the other man, who invites you to sit by the fire and introduces himself as Wesley, Hawk's son. He asks you to pass a message to his father: to take his time, Wesley will be waiting, that he loves him, and to clean the fuck up.

Kori hears gunfire on watch with Səma that Səma doesn't hear, and the two have a short conversation about Erdem and the Orvals. The next day you travel until you reach the Wastes, and then get caught in a sandstorm and make camp early. Kori and Caranta speak on trinkets during their watch, and Səma and Hawk speak on Wesley and grief, and he agrees he should probably clean up. Kori has a dream with the Tengerai woman, except the Tengerai woman isn't there anymore.

The next day you spend resting from the sandstorm. Hawk and Kori speak on the Carrion Boys, a Hallowick group led by Conan, who Kori traveled with during last year's Gathering. Hawk gathers the posse that night to discuss your goals. He explains his history and desire to avenge Wesley; the quickest way to revenge is through Notker "Conan" Haldemaus. Kori figures out Hawk's old name, Astor, which Hawk doesn't deny but claims he no longer goes by it. Səma places herself on the same path as Hawk, though she has no desire to go near Azat as of now. Amythaon questions what Hawk hopes to get from revenge, and does not directly answer what it is he himself is looking for, but that he will hopefully find it on the road. Erdem explains his desire to save his people and family, and that he will be unable to return home until you finish your journey. Kori gives little, aside from that she was promised answers to an "unanswerable question", and that the Carrion Boys saved her life. One of them is also apparently a white-streaked man. Caranta explains that they received a vision when their temple fell 5 years ago in which they ended up in the same hurricane as you, with the same people (including a dead Wesley). They were told to return the rains and save their people, which they're on the road to doing finally.

You speak on future directions and settle that Orval should be the next destination, then Notker, so that Erdem may have a chance to save his family before they are lost forever. To get to Orval, you must decide to go through Kharassan-infested, Ravelo, or Tengerai lands, none of which are good options.

That night, Amythaon and Erdem have a conversation about Orvali culture and Erdem's hopes to save his people, and Caranta and Hawk speak on Wesley's appearance in Caranta's vision 5 years ago, and on the reality of kindness in such a cruel world. Amythaon dreams of a ship being attacked and a temple, where his god speaks to him in the voice of his mother and tells him to "Not hide from what you were made to do." Kori, Səma, and Inis hear something rummaging through your supplies, and, after rousing most of the party, you find a Psittacosaur eating your food. Hawk snatches the beast and you cook it.

You continue to the northwest, heading toward Thara. After a day of travel, Caranta has a dream in which you see the 26 white-streaked people, with more around them, totaling a few hundred. You identify the 3 unidentified individuals (an older Lhakar woman, a Tengerai man, and a Morrada/Ravelo boy with blood coming from his temple).

Kori and Hawk have a conversation about the Carrion Boys, and reach the conclusion that Notker/Conan sold Wesley out to save Bran (the other white-streaked Hallowick), and attempted to tell Hawk about this before he blew up and left. After, Erdem and Caranta speak on their mutual visions, and the golden chain belonging to the Krah. While you disagree on the role of spirits/gods in your world, you both agree that the Krah was wrong. Amythaon makes rain come again while praying. You and Səma speak on the white-streaked people and Səma's dreams.

You find a Lhakar caravan while traveling the next day, on their way from Palika, who confirm the rumors that Aharkesen has fallen. They also add that the Tharan Sultan has been enforcing more limitations on trade with the Averish. You warn them of the Kharassans and continue on your way.

That night Amythaon and Caranta speak on the Minyran woman in the vision, the one in men's armor. Caranta remembers her looking Seorin, and Amythaon cannot deny that, though the thought of it upsets you both. While you speak, Amythaon notices a man scouting around the camp. Upon seeing you move, he charges you.

The man wakes you all by shouting threats and demanding you release Səma. Hawk gets Səma to wake up and the man to stand down, and after mentioning how hungry he is, Erdem offers him food.

He sits and introduces himself as Ghazi ibn Qadir al'Salim. He recognizes Kori though does not recall her name, and you all recognize him as one of the 26 people from the vision. When Amythaon asks about his hair, he gets offended and only backs off after Hawk questions his decorum. After sharing to the group that he is betrothed to Səma, the two break from the group to speak privately.

Səma and Ghazi speak for a long time in which they confirm Səma ran away from home, and not because Ghazi wronged her but because of the responsibility placed upon her by her family. Ghazi empathizes with her and apologizes regardless, though he expresses nervousness about the state of both their families now what they (and Servet) are gone. He agrees not to drag Səma home, and joins the posse, returning to the group to teach Kori how to shoot his arquebus, something he supposedly promised. Hawk and Caranta check on Səma, who assures them that she is alright.

You travel northwest. Your first day of travel, you find a chewed-on Kharassan carrying the seal of Salif Doumbia, which you take. A few hours later, after debating your course, you find the Kharassan's bond (presumably), a tyrannosaur drained of magic and life, dead only a few hours at maximum to an unknown ailment.

That night, Hawk and Amythaon speak on Hawk's revenge and Amythaon's destiny and anger. Hawk also speaks to Madam in his dreams, and she reveals to you that she's dying, and that she thinks she has a few months left. Caranta, Ghazi, and Kori have a very fun conversation in which Ghazi explains he met Kori out west while traveling for a family matter, and, after aking Kori what happened to her family, she threatens to shoot him and goes to pout, revealing to Caranta that she's worried Ghazi was involved in the incident. Erdem and Səma speak on Thara and Erdem's family, he reveals his uncle is a high-ranking royal guard, though Erdem is not nearly as prestigious.

The next day, you travel to the Tharan border and make camp before entering the country. Erdem and Kori speak on the Sumaq and karma, Caranta has a dream where they are chasing the sounds of water in a desert, and the camp gets run over by psittacosaurs (Hawk scores two while Amythaon communicates with the others to flee). After, Səma, Ghazi, and Hawk speak on family, and the likely shared parent between Ghazi and Hawk, though neither confirms anything. Ghazi mentions his mother died when he was eight as well, and that he is far better at charming people than he is at understanding them.

Finally, you arrive to Thara and travel north, reaching Mtwagonge by nightfall. After searching for bounty boards and dealers, you are turned away (unusually) by each one after mention of Averon, or white streaked people. You send Ghazi, Caranta, and Erdem to find the Sultan, and instead find the Msaidia, Njowga wa Barasa, who is terrifing but agrees to get you to the Sultan, who is on campaign north at the moment.

You stay in Mtwagonge the night. Erdem has a dream in which he rides an Azhdarchid, then comforts a crying white-streaked boy as Averish knock on the door. The next morning, you travel north to the front, where you encounter the Sultan in combat with some Averish soldiers. You help him fend off the soldiers.

You speak to him briefly after the fight, and confirm you were sent on the Devaraja's word but not as his entourage. He gives you the list of bounties after you confirmed you did not seek to harm the white-streaked people.

Continuing your conversation with the Sultan, you discuss Orval and the fall of Aharkesen; he admits he is uncertain on its fate given the lack of information. He shares with you his distrust in the Imara family, who continue to act against him and trade directly with the Averish crown. He also confirmed Thara and Orval had plans to ally, and he hopes that may still be possible. Once you tell him you are headed to Orval, he sends one of his trusted commanders, Barasa (whom Caranta recognizes), with you.

You begin travel immediately, heading over land to Kayasa, where you take a ship overnight toward Ravelo lands. Hawk gets crazy seasick. While everyone except Hawk sleeps soundly, Caranta and Barasa speak briefly on Tharan and Chantaran religion. Kori has a dream where she speaks (once again) with the Tengerai woman, whom she finally names as Chanai Khuruldai. Chanai tells Kori through an argument that there has been a crisis among the Tengerai: the Mörkhal clan have laid waste to the people gathering for winter games in the former capital of Orduqai, and that the Khuruldai clan has been endangered by this. When Kori asks how such a thing could happen to a powerful clan, Chanai shares that the Mörkhal have raised the dead, including the last Great Khan, Chanai's grandfather, who are far stronger than the living.

You travel the next few days, during which Barasa shares how she reached Thara, Erdem dreams again of the Azhdarchid and this time of the Şehzade, and Caranta dreams of their home before being interrupted by the same phrase as the last few dreams: "You think I don't know?". Ghazi and Kori apologize to each other for the fiasco after he joined the group.

The next day, you reach Orval. Almost immediately you are stopped by armed guards, who try to threaten you before realizing that Erdem is Orvali. They take you to their commander, who is convinced by Erdem that all of you must make it to the Şehzade. He takes you to the Pasha of Sereli, who arranges a ship to take you to Bokuzkoyu, and after sailing across the cliffs, you arrive to Bokuzkoyu by dinner. You are greeted by the Pasha, Orhan Koralyan, who exchanges false pleasantries with Erdem and invites you all to sit.

Dinner is okay, though Kori does not disprove the Morradan stereotype. Orhan toasts the Şehzade and then dismisses you all to rooms. Erdem's uncle, Cenk, intercepts you on your way and promises you will have safer rooms than the ones Orhan has set for you. He asks your confidence should you need aid, then upon hearing of your travels, tells you he believes the Şehzade would like to hear of the curse in Suryavat and the White-Streaked people. You agree, and he takes you to the Şehzade's room, explaining to you en-route that a curse befell Aharkesen roughly a month ago and thus the city was evacuated.

You are introduced to the Şehzade, and discuss with him what he calls "Dead Zones." The prince claims his father's notes discuss them (lie), and that Averon will likely not last in the city. You tell him of the curse in Suryavat, the Tyrannosaurus you encountered, and a potential curse in Orduqai. Hearing his interest and prior knowledge with this, you also tell him of the white-streaked people and reveal Amythaon as one of them. The Şehzade knows Amythaon's gift already, and asks to speak to everyone (but especially Amythaon) the next day. Erdem speaks aside to Cenk about the Morradan front, and Cenk tells him he will speak with Arel about it but to avoid bringing it up to the Şehzade.

Cenk escorts the party to their rooms while Erdem stays with the Şehzade and speaks on the Azhdarchid in his dreams. The Şehzade has also been dreaming of the same, and believes the beast is the same one his ancestor attempted to bond with, and that Erdem may be the key to repay his family's debt. Finally, you all take leave and go to bed.

Ghazi catches Amythaon before bed to ask if he should reveal to the Şehzade that he, too, is white-streaked; the two decide it would not hurt. Kori dreams that night of Chanai, and the two have a short conversation in which Chanai once again denies her involvement in the dreams, and both of you dodge questions offered by the other.

The next morning, Ghazi and Amythaon meet with the Şehzade, who asks you questions about your hair. Amythaon explains your powers, Ghazi does not know his, and the Şehzade refuses to explain his own until later, though he does explain one of the powers, supposedly, is the ability to survive a lengthened amount of time without food or water. He then tests Amythaon's ability by throwing him in a pen with an Aenocyon. Amythaon tests his powers, noting his ability to place his will upon untamed beasts until he consciously removes it.

In this process, the Şehzade shows Amythaon and Ghazi what he calls a conduit: a pair of stones similar to the ones you carry. He explains they belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather, the Krah who attempted bonding with an Azhdarchid, and that he doubts the Krah got them for nothing. He then demonstrates his "power," summoning rain with Amythaon and Ghazi to discover more people increases the duration of the rain summoned. The Şehzade reveals to you his belief that the white-streaked people are connected to the Tyrannosaur binding, and that a large number of them gathered may return the rain. He offers to sponsor you as you collect white-streaked people and bring them to Bokuzkoyu, or to assassinate King Alaric of Averon.

Meanwhile, Erdem finds his sister, Viyan, and her husband Kemal at breakfast. They speak together in a pantry, away from prying eyes or eaves, and Viyan (finally) shows Erdem a bit of affection. The two share they are concerned about Erdem's older brother, Celal, who has become obsessed with finding your mother's body. They cannot find an excuse to leave Bokuzkoyu, but request you travel to Yokuş to check up on him.

You all attend a meeting with Barasa, the Serasker, Arel, and the Queen Mother, in which you are presented with a task: the Averish are clearly weakened, and he wishes to use the opportunity to strike against them and take Velacín from Averish control alongside the Tharans. You question his (and Barasa's) motives for wanting control over the land and people, but eventually acquiesce enough for Orhan Koralyan to offer his daughter, Aysa travel with you, and for the Queen Mother to declare it decided. The Şehzade speaks also of the Dead Zones, including the following information:

• There are two different bond scars that form in the Dead Zones: Hunger, in which a beast attempts to consume anything that is magical, including its own bond, and Bleed-Through, in which any wounds delivered to a one bond is likewise delivered to the other.

• There are no reports of other Dead Zones, save for the ones in Aharkesen and Suryavat, and the lack of news from Averon insinuates there is not one in Brasfildge.

The main part of the meeting adjourns, leaving you alone with Arel and Barasa. Erdem speaks to Arel on the atrocities committed by Orvali Soldiers in the Wastes; he had assumed as much but remains politically wary to raise such a hand against Pashas like Orhan. Kori and Arel have a short conversation in which he promises Orval's future will not be in the Wastes, and she agrees to work with him, helping Orval in exchange for his power against the Pasha.

You speak to the Şehzade toward the end of the day, and confirm the powers of the White-Streaks: the Vaekalakai can command beasts, and the Morrada can survive without food and water. Amythaon, the Devaraja, and the Minyran Anax all appear to have powers that are not geographically bound. The Şehzade then requested you gather the White-Streaked people, despite your reservations about hostility toward and between them. You request supplies, and he gives you a shit-load of money, with the promise of more if you bring White-Streaked people (or kill the Averish king).

Erdem requests information about Altan from Cenk to no avail, though Cenk does promise him a Şişane rifle after dinner. You show him the Haenryeong letter and he requests to keep it until dinner so he may share it with Arel.

You go shopping and find (almost) everything you were looking for (sorry Hawk)

You go to dinner with the royal family (minus the Şehzade and Cenk), and eat a decadent meal. During the meal, Arel returns the Haenryeong letter and requests Erdem's ear after the meal. You are introduced to Asya, the Orvali soldier traveling with you (and Orhan's daughter).

After dinner, Arel and Erdem speak on the Haenryeong. Arel is worried for the Şehzade's safety; he may be targeted by the Averish and Haenryeong both. Arel asks Erdem to ensure the Şehzade's health by taking out the Haenryeong and Averish, and warns you that any travel into Averon will be incredibly difficult without an Averish passport and a guide. After, you speak to Cenk, who gifts you your grandfather's Şişane rifle.

Caranta bonds with an Oviraptor that night with Səma's help. In the middle of the night, Səma wakes Ghazi up to share her worry over her brother, Servet. Ghazi reassures her that Servet is a competent man and is likely alive. He also cautions her against seeking him out, presuming that Servet would not allow Səma to continue her quest if he found her.

The next morning, Kori gives Səma a dagger she bought, for security. You all gather and Amythaon shares that he is doubting the uniqueness of his gift, as well as a bit about his backstory: he was a member of the Minressan navy before his ship was attacked by a Vaekalakai named Kaleo, another White-Streaked person, who killed everyone except Amythaon and seemingly only kept Amythaon alive to test his abilities. Amythaon announces his desire to kill Kaleo and cautions the posse about getting in his way.

After, you leave. Asya takes you to the stables where Cenk sees you off. You depart for Yokuş along the mountainside, and arrive around late afternoon, where you are greeted by servants and then Erdem's brother, Celal. Celal is rather unkempt, and insists to hear about Erdem's travels and visions. To keep Asya from overhearing, the posse distracts her by inquiring about her Gorgonopsid and mispronouncing Orvalk words. You learn her Gorgnopsid is named Diri and that she uses an Arquebus, not a Şişane, which was acquired through antiquities trading.

While Asya is distracted, Erdem shares his poem to Celal, who is unsurprised with its contents. He questions you about the orchard and your mother, which you had not considered, and tells you he's had similar visions. When you inquire about Altan, he tells you he's "serving a higher purpose". He then leads you all into a small room and you all trance.

Caranta returns to their temple, where they are met by Viśeṣananda. He tells them they are lucky to still live, to be chosen by the gods and confirmed by the Devaraja. When he tries to warn you about the Devaraja, he is shot and the Haenryeong archer appears in his place. You watch with him as Suryavat burns in the distance. The Haenryeong thanks you for your inaction; they were worried that you were the only ones capable of stopping their plan and you chose not to do anything despite Jaya's suspicion. He then tells you if you want Suryavarman to live, you have a month to bring the child and the stones to Seocheon.

Amythaon finds himself in Thalemeria, where you seek a temple before finding your lover on the docks with Xylon. You speak to your lover and he assures you that you are chosen by Kythera, and that he knew this when he "did what he did". He tells Amythaon not to fear his destiny but to carry both of them toward it. Minressa needs a new Anax. You embrace, and he requests that you tell his family what happened.

Hawk plays cards with Josephine and Riley, and gets yelled at by the former for leaving the Iron Spurs in the hands of Maverick Hardin. She tells you that the Spurs are going to fall apart at this rate, and sympathizes with your struggles after Wesley's death (though doesn't excuse him). You then speak with Riley, who reassures you that you are meant to be more than just a dead man walking; Calderaña will need a leader, someone to convince the outlaws to lay down arms when the rains return, and that isn't going to be Maverick. She praises your ability to love, and cautions you against holding yourself back from that love. Upon being asked about Ghazi, she confirms her belief that you are brothers, and then tells you to shoot your father if you ever find him.

Kori sits with her uncle, Naranbaatar, who tells her about Catalina's recent depressing escapades. He believes that your family is cursed; each woman in your father's line has developed paranoia to the point of violence - Carmen would hold him at gunpoint some nights, convinced he was going to hurt her. He thinks that explains Catalina's... choices, and gently tells you that hallucinations outside of starving, dire circumstances, are not normal. He asks about Chanai, and corrects the story she gave you: he and her are genuine family, he was to lead the Khuruldai before she challenged him and won. Instead of killing him, she let him live in disgrace under his father's name. He explains how he was depressed and angry for this until fate brought him to Kori's family, and only then was he able to move on, and he thinks himself better for it. He promises you that it'll get better, same as it did for him, and that Kori is just as deserving of love as Inés was, and that you have to find yourself again, whoever that may be.

Səma travels to the In-Between to speak to her grandfather. He apologizes for his lack of information before, and offers her all he knows: The heretic Krah only gained the power to bond an Azhdarchid after the rains stopped, and he was in Azat only days before alongside multiple other kings, the Averish, Orval, Calderañan, Tengerai, Minressan, Velacín, Lhakar, and Seoryeon. He doesn't know what happened that night to stop the rains, but he questions how many of the kings who showed up were involved, and what they could've been promised or told in order to go along with the Sultan. He also mentions that he had never heard of or seen a White-Streaked person until after death, meaning they either did not exist or were not of the same importance before the drought.

Erdem, alongside Səma, is transported to the In-Between, where he finds his father Süleyman. After a brief discussion on how it is possible that Süleyman is there, you recite your poem and receive feedback from another poet. Süleyman tells you that the world is changing and you must be the bringers of that change and the growth that may come from it. He requests two things of you: to find your mother (if she yet lives), and to have pity upon the lay man of Averon, who knows not the Orvals they have grown to despise.

Səma continues her conversation with her grandfather, asking him why he is there. He encourages you to find worth within yourself, saying that you will never be happy if you only seek it out from others. You are on this path for a reason, that should be proof of your worth enough. He also encourages you to allow the world to happen around you, and to not worry too much about the future, lest you forget you live in the present.

Eventually, Səma joins Erdem's conversation; you discuss the in-between and how exactly you and your forefathers (and Wesley) are there. You then speak to Wesley, who explains that Notker/Conan and Hawk grew up together, and had a falling out. Apparently, only days before Wesley's death, the two had a yelling match that Wesley could not understand as it was in Averish. But it was not Notker, or the Averish, who killed him. It was a group of Saffekh, who Wesley cannot recall any defining features to, except that he spoke Calderan. He expresses confidence that karma will catch his killers eventually.

Out of your dreams, Celal opens the door and some of you notice Caranta, Ghazi, and Inis are visibly upset. After confirming what Erdem saw, Celal brings you to the Azhdarchid shrine, where you all (minus Caranta) give offerings and pray. After, you request a private room, and Erdem brings you to his old bedroom.

Alone, you split into small groups to discuss your visions. Inis begins crying and is comforted by Hawk and Kori. She explains in broken Dustmark, that "Suryavat is gone." Kori, wisely, asks if Inis' family is okay, which causes her to begin crying again. So probably not.

Erdem tries to get information out of Asya, but the most she will give you is that she saw a friend, and thinks that your father watching over you in the afterlife is quaint.

Ghazi shares with Səma that he saw his mother, who expressed to him she was grateful he's with the posse and that she is worried for him and his brothers. When Səma attempts to get more information from him, he shuts down.

Amythaon and Barasa comfort Caranta, who shares with you that Suryavat has burned and the Devaraja is captured by the Haenryeong. Caranta laments that this is their fault; they failed to see Jayasundarī for who she was out of fear they'd upset the Devaraja. Amythaon and Barasa reassure you that you could not have done better, and that there is little use letting your regret drag you down when you must instead make good of your situation.

Erdem gets incense from Celal for Kori, then goes to meditate at the Azhdarchid shrine, though you feel nothing substantial. You pack your things and Celal offers a prayer before you leave.

You travel the last few hours of the day, reaching Sarp Yurte by sundown. You set up camp on the outskirts of town.

Erdem, Asya, and Kori take first watch. Erdem and Kori discuss Arel; Erdem is uncertain he can be trusted but does not doubt his competence.

Caranta has a dream in which you appear in a familiar jungle, and after a while alone, you run into another person, a Seorin woman with white hair. She requests your aid, claiming Inkasisa told her of travelers who could help her. She is a member of a "group" called the Lotus, who are rebels within the Haenryeong. She snuck into Caranta's dream to request help from the Weavers, that you may help her and her allies dismantle the Hwangjae's power and kill him and his sons. Her name is Noona, and she identifies the Haenryeong Dog as Suhyeon of Seocheon, the Obsidian King. She offers to smuggle you into Haenryeong, should you meet her in the border town of Ungchwaju.

Hawk and Amythaon take second watch. The two speak on Conan/Notker, and Hawk explains how they knew each other. He thinks, given Kori's good relationship with Conan, that there shouldn't be a need for violence, and that he has no vengeance that must be struck against him. During your conversation, two potato farmers interrupt by demanding you get off their property. You wake Erdem, who attempts to convince these men to just let you sleep unsuccessfully. You wake Inis to get her aid in pulling a con, but that does not seem to work either. Finally, Erdem pays the younger of the two men 5 gold for the rest of the night.

As you change watches, Səma and Hawk briefly speak on the Saffekh Wesley mentioned. Hawk recalls a Saffekh family that Wesley and his second, Mave, reported to him, but cannot place the size, other than that it was a single family unit.

Caranta, Səma, and Inis take the third watch. You attempt to comfort Inis, who questions if she wishes to be Sumaq given her desire to avenge her family, and you reassure her that she can still be Sumaq and seek revenge. Inis then says she wishes to learn to shoot Kori's gun and to kill the Haenryeong who ordered the attack on Suryavat, save the Devaraja, and kill Jayasundarī. Caranta shares their dream of Noona, and Inis explains the Haenryeong's broad history. Inis decides she will wake Kori a little early to practice shooting.