Chapter 2.16 is the nineteenth chapter of Volume 2.
Synopsis
The Free Queen and Klbkch discuss Erin Solstice and what her appearance means for the Antinium. Klbkch reports that a high-level [Warrior] of the Silverfang Tribe is coming to Liscor; that a [Courier] arrived from the north wishing to speak with the best chess player of the city; and that he suspects a connection between Ryoka and Erin. They conclude that Ksmvr needs further education and that the Individuals need proper assessment, including from other hives which are to be contacted by the Queen.
Olesm tells everyone in the Wandering Inn about the hints of a dungeon below Liscor. It is bad news, since this means that there seems to be a sealed-away repository of probably ancient monsters. Pisces then barges into the inn with the news of him having made a breakthrough: A necromancy-infused spider similar to what Erin suggested in Chapter 2.01. Olesm also informs Erin that Liscor's vendors already have copied her hamburgers. Afterwards, Valceif comes in and delivers the Magical Chessboard to Erin, who offers him a meal.
Ryoka has run the entire night as well, and still trails long behind Valceif. She finds a blown-up Enchanted Armor (explained in Chapter 2.19 G) and an empty hilltop where the ruins of the old inn had been (see Chapter 2.11). She eventually finds the new Wandering Inn and gets fed hamburgers. Then she inquires about Mind Magic, which still bothers her. Ceria and Pisces detect magic affecting her head, and Val offers to remove the effect with one of his expensive permanent items. That talisman explodes upon use, but Ryoka is able to remember the dragon that put the spell on her.
Characters
- Queen of the Free Antinium / Free Queen
- Klbkch
- Erin Solstice
- Olesm Swifttail
- Ceria Springwalker
- Pisces
- Valceif Godfrey
- Ryoka Griffin
Locations
Creatures Introduced
- small undead spider
Items
- Magical Chessboard
- "dead" Enchanted Armor
- orange-pink [Haste] potion
- thumb-sized dreamcatcher-like talisman against Mind Magic