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It felt like weeks had passed ever since the group had left the crevice and survived the ice spider fight and lost an innocent life to that mysterious foe, but in reality, it had been a few hours on the road that they finally reached their next destination; the Sholkash Outpost, however, the party at that point was still numb from the encounter. And almost immediately did they meet a mysterious woman who not only greeted them but informed them that they actually took the harder path when the party was at a crossroads earlier after they left the border town prior. She called herself Azita Rae Sholkash, a daughter of one of the eight clan leaders of the Southern Badlands who has risen to the role of a Guardian. After they traded their greetings, the party made their way to a hole-in-the-wall tavern Navieth knows best called The Nest to rest.

The need for rest was barely met when the party met other faces that are intrigued by their presence, a drunkard human man named Daisuke and his Aid, Al, a young Drow man. Ailbhe tried to intervene and be as diplomatic as they can, but the growing voices of squabbling and frustration were too much for Ailbhe that they announced that they are heading out to escape the overstimulation of noise. Meanwhile, Navieth took the time to pull Roki aside after she asked for his opinion and what she must she do to make up for her incompetence earlier at the ice spiders. The result was Navieth in his Goliath frustrations did he shouted that Roki needs to get better and that he will help her, however, if she fails to pick up the slack he would not hesitate to leave her behind. Despite being fairly traumatized, she agrees meekly. Navieth then felt bad for his treatment.

Meanwhile, Ailbhe frustrated in their own right walked around the small town to find a tree that they can sit underneath and began to draw and write down their thoughts in their sketchbook, as their thoughts would then travel back to an old friend they dearly miss the most. It was in their lonely, frustrated state that they are discovered by the researcher who has been showing up from time to time, Nathaniel "Nate" Ondre, who Ailbhe met momentarily back in the border town and the one who informed them about the Southern Badlands Challenge. Ailbhe tried to reassure him that they were fine, but unfortunately, he can see right through the lie Ailbhe said to themselves. There Ailbhe just became more honest and told half the truth of their situation; how it was frustrating trying to be diplomatic when they relied so much on their dear friend in the past and how they are frustrated with their current physical state. Thankfully, the talk was enough to calm them down and Ailbhe felt thankful that Nate was there to listen before Navieth and Roki found them again.

It was there that the party then talked about the mysterious foe that they met earlier at the fight and how he said that the Dragonborn was a sacrifice for his bigger plans. Alarmed, Nate gave the party a Speaking Stone so that if they ever encounter the figure again to contact him. The Party then also knows more details of this mysterious wispy figure, as they call him Malafor. Feeling more knowledgeable but tired, they all decided to rest and call it a night.

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This session was a bigass RP session, but nonetheless pretty fun! We got to meet more people who are no doubt we'll encounter more later in the game. You'd think this event took place on another whole day but it ain't, it's still the same day(Meaning sessions 2 and 3 are connected).

If this were a video, I would call that episode "Boiling Frustrations".

Stay tuned for more!