What Is Blitherby Hiding?
The Baron's death was suspicious to say the least. The "family curse" is apparently real, and darker than imagined. Who took the family sword and why? Why are there abandoned and hidden temples under the castle? How will James choose between honoring his promise to his love and his father's promise to the Tanglewoods? Blitherby's strange almost-Shinze braid and the strange temples under the house make him a prime suspect--but what did he do?
Blitherby's letter was quite suspicious. Now that Elaine's relationship to James as his fiance has been revealed, how does that impact the baron's death? Should James honor this contract or follow his heart? The group agreed to speak to the Tanglewoods, but when they arrive in Thornyside, the Lord and Lady are gone, and they are told that Elaine is not herself, though they have yet to find her.
Oh, Right. The Sword. The Sword to Bless the Glasserunes, the Sword Chosen Especially to Kill the Vampires, the Glasserune Sword.
The group remembers that the key ingredient to the ceremony they have agreed to perform is the sword that they returned to the holy water and crystal sheath. With about an hour before the ceremony is supposed to start, they rush to figure out how to get the sword back. Blitherby and James arrive, the ceremony occurs, and everyone is suspicious. With a very long day behind them, they retire to IronKey House and meet a surprise friend in the garden before bed.
The Gang Splits Up
How honest is too honest? The group wavers on exactly how much to tell James, who seems grateful, but also doesn't seem to believe that there was anything other than a cellar below the house. Carindrina makes a friend with Karkov, and the party splits to find out more information before meeting back at the cemetery to perform the ritual for James' father's burial.
Sex, What?, and Rock n' Roll
It seems as though James may not be as innocent as he seemed, but Blitherby is also suspicious. A chase through the festival yields a choice of three paths. After stealing some mail, the group visits a brothel, meeting new friends for some of the group, and old friends for others. Things turn topsy-turvy as a secret about James is discovered.
But What About the Children?!
Tasked with finding the lost children of Balvonier, the group reluctantly reconvenes, heading to the Red Pony Tavern to attempt to gather information. Once there, they are recruited to help with a more pressing problem. How will this affect the search for the children? Could these incidents be related?