• Prologue: Ramsey speaks with a general in the Army of Iladence.
• PCsRandall & Ben discuss plans to buy warships.
• Balerion appears, and gets Ben to carry her soulstone.

Prologue: Ramsey

A general in the Army of Iladence sits in a war tent, and mulls over a military strategy table with a map of Iparra. On the map there are white figures around Iladence, black figures around several towns northwest of Vumira, and red figures around both locations.

Ramsey enters, and says an unnamed group are still unwilling to cooperate with associates of the Four Bishops, and especially associates of Oharad. The general tells Ramsey to do whatever it takes to make progress, and to contact Ramsey’s “three friends” for help.

The Troublemaker

The PCsRandall & Ben discuss their plans for when they return to Soleme. Ben suggests they buy warships, and cause trouble for Odran Newgreave. Hal worries about this plan being incompatible with their work for The Swarm, but Randall thinks the more power the PCs obtain, the easier it’ll be to fulfil all their goals.

Balerion

A flame spirit and subject of The Dragon suddenly emerges from the ancient amulet found on Tarr. She calls herself Balerion, and tells the PCs that the Dragon is still considering the Swarm’s request. She also says the Dragon is re-establishing contact with its own subjects - many of whom appear to be dormant. The PCs then admit to recently killing a once-dormant subject of the Dragon.

Balerion says she will watch over the PCs, to ensure their actions align with the interests of the Dragon. She identifies Ben as the most suitable carrier for her soulstone, given that Randall already carries another spirit. Balerion tells Ben she can draw from his life energy to lend assistance anywhere that assistance would also aid the Dragon. And finally, Balerion says Ben should be honoured to be her carrier, and he should avoid bringing shame upon her.