The Agija Hangover

 is the fourth episode of Failed Save.

DM's Recap
Our last episode found our adventurers entering the town of Agija freshly reunited with Ella, who had taken the long way round. Proceeding into town they first perused the various shopping sundries the city had to offer: a magical pet shop where a one-pet policy turned into three and Murray absent-mindedly pilfered a ferret; a potion shop where Ella found a party within her and Dasle's mullet grew three sizes that day; and a shop of weapons, armor, and trinkets where Chirp caused me to improv two absurdly overpowered magical items that will no doubt bite me in the ass later on. Murray also received a handful of baubles with the entire party making off with a heaping dose of "fancy powder." But lastly they had a relaxing sojourn in the local cafe, where they partook of an experimental substance known as "the stuff" from a decidedly boho tiefling named Kaelin. However it did knock them on their ass and it knocked them into a shared trip of sorts.

Murray was shown memories of his younger days: the celebrations of his accomplishments in the republic, and friends lost during his journey into the horror reach, a funeral for the party he'd grown so close to, and he confronted his current self, enraged over the sins of their shared past. Our Murray saw this moment as one of healing and reconciliation and embraced the phantasm of his youth, whispering words of hope for the young man's future, breaking through and revealing the depth of sorrow underlying his spiteful visage, and the vision dissolved.

We were shown a great sacrificial chamber with Dasle on the slab, a funhouse-mirror caricature of her father ready to offer her up. Dasle readied her attack while our party variously Van Damme'd and set fire to the attendant cultists. Dasle nonetheless drew some horrifying creature of demonic and celestial energy out from her, empowering himself before being beset by the team. Dasle dealt a death blow by cutting the very celestial energy from him, freeing it and collapsing the chamber, revealing a beach, a boat and a drow woman ready to steer her off west. Dasle found herself carrying a golden figurine and the woman told her that when she was ready to depart she would be there waiting.

Then a great stone monastery in the foothills of Sun Crest. Our adventurers found themselves to be children awakening for morning service. A childhood friend of Chirp's, Silas, tugged at his sleeve and urged him to not be late. Chirp convinced him to escape with him this time, to get out while they could and right the mistakes of the past. With some urging Silas agreed, and the party snuck through halls, bluffed guards and nearly made it to the Great Arch when the headmaster found them. They battled, Chirp nearly tossed wingless down the cliffside, when Murray tackled Silas across the threshold and the vision dissolved.

A great ship rocking to and fro in the chop, what Ella soon recognized as her final voyage with the Belfew traders Wayland and Rulic. They were arguing, heading headlong into a storm but with a highly valued parcel to deliver - a delivery commissioned by a drow lord. The seas surged and spat and Bora and Chirp stole away below to find the object in question. Up top Ella may have nearly convinced the Belfews to turn the ship around when the package went sailing into the ocean, unwrapping to reveal the same golden figurine. The waves kicked and Wayland was knocked overboard. Murray immediately dove in and the ship apparently followed him as it capsized. In the water the figurine was frozen in space and a great entity reached from the depths to snatch it. The party grabbed the figurine in a many-layered bear hug and dragged it back toward the boat, launching Wayland back above the waves, but not having time to save Rulic.

And last we were in a glen, soft grass listless in a gentle wind, a small blue child was handed to the fey creature Thorne but when Bora tried to speak to her she vanished with a whisper. Thorne remarked the baby would grow to do great and terrible things, as smoke rose over the horizon. The party found the city of Celhani, the last stronghold of the gnomes the Kossirik Empire was never able to find, in flames. Kossai marched through the streets on the warpath. Bora attempted to save her parents but they too crumpled to ash before her. A figure emerged from the flame, wreathed in embers with blood flowing from her very hands, cutting down Kossai as she went. The young woman, a half-elf with short chopped black hair and freckles, told Bora she could have prevented this, and threw a javelin that Ella stood in front of and Chirp deflected. The woman approached Borah, telling her there was still time and that they would meet again soon, before the vision collapsed.

The party awoke in the lounge of the cafe, a couple of hours having passed. Kaelin brought them tea and snacks and presented - then withdrew - the bill, noticing the party's ire. Philemon also woke with them, insisting he had only drifted off for a nap when everyone else passed out. As the party packed up to go, Chirp inquired "So where'd we land on the s'mores?"