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On the eighteenth day since Dorn entered Arden's Mouth, so naively hopeful about the future, the fighter-rogue and his wizard-priest comrade return to Gosterwick. Dorn is grieving and furious at the loss of Exie simultaneously. What he doesn't yet realize is that, in a very real sense, she is still with him.

A farmer on the outskirts of the town sees their weariness and the body that they bear, and provides his mule and wagon so that Exie rolls into the town that she entered on her own two legs on her previous visit.

The two heroes turn their departed friend's body over to the local church clergy, who will prepare it for burial in the large cemetery northeast of the town proper, and who will arrange the eulogy ceremony (altogether, 53 gp).

An hour later, the two men are steaming in a lapiz-lazuli-tiled hot tub in their townhouse, and sipping Arcturian orojiam, a dark, smooth liquor with overtones of cinnamon, honey, and nutmeg.

They talk about various things — what to do with the wealth they've brought with them (about 845 imperials after the bilking they took at the local collector's shop upon selling off trinkets and art items acquired from the beastmen whom The Sovereign transformed into living beings of mycelium and compost). They also have sold Exie's belongings, including a statuette found in her pack that fetched 100 golden imperials.

"What in the world got into you with the Mushroom King? You played him like an Old Prelm bard plays a lute!" Dorn chuckles. Clearly, the liquor is effecting Dorn. And that's not a bad thing right now the wizard-priest thinks.

"Well, I've been talking to a lot of the Thothian priests, and reading whenever I get the chance. And Thalas had been bringing me up to speed on the Mad Wizard — that's Thalas' appellation for, as you called him, the 'Mushroom King'. Thalas holds that the myconid potentate is indeed in some sense a reincarnation of an ancient Thothian priest named Lycandrus. However, why and how did this reincarnation occur in the body of a myconid?"

"Go on," Dorn says.

"Well, this is a name you must never speak, or even think, if we are ever back in the Sovereign's territory. Psilofyr is an ancient god whose portfolio included all mycelial life. Thalas holds that the body is ultimately under Psilofyr's control, not the Sovereign's. Because I was well-versed and just recently well-read in this lore, I was able to leverage that knowledge and manipulate the Sovereign."

"And you did so masterfully," Dorn compliments, chuckling again. "So, it sounds like the [Sovereign][11] is one complicated customer."

"An understatement," Aele rejoins. "In some parts of Arden Vul, he is called The Mad Wizard. His connection to and mastery over the entire fungal forest and all its species does indeed give him what may appear to be wizardly powers. It goes without saying that he is exceedingly dangerous."

"I hadn't noticed," Dorn says sarcastically.

"We may be able to use him, play him, but doing so is dangerous. But if you are intent upon eradicating the beastmen, he could indeed be a very powerful ally."

Dorn sips more liquor. Then, "I am intent, fully resolved. But I won't stop with the beastmen. Arden Vul killed Exie. So now I intend to kill it."

Aele grins. "It's good to have goals."

That first evening back in Gosterwick, the heroes are simply too tired to do anything but bathe, salve their weary minds with liquor, and then enjoy the incredible luxury of a clean bed. On the second evening, they elect to dine at the most affluent establishment in Gosterwick, the Inn of the Stunned Acolyte.

Although Dorn thinks it is coin ill-spent, Aele insists that they first patronize [Creon's Curiosities & Fine Wares][8] on the Street of Silks. Creon, the proprietor, proves every bit as unctuous as the rumors make him out to be. They drop 123 imperials and leave with two sets of expensive finery wrapped in a tough, supposedly waterproof film. Dorn is sure he is developing an ulcer due to such profligacy, but Aele assures him this is necessary.

Next is a visit to The Silver Scale located not far from Creon's shop. There, Torunn the Smith fits both Aele and Dorn for quality chainmail armor. Because Gosterwick is a boom-town catering to adventurers bound for Arden Vul, Torunn has an unusually large supply and variety, and the two heroes leave the shop three hours later each sporting chainmail.

"We should've tried to sell our leathers," Dorn grumps, as they begin the walk back to Warden's Row and their townhouse.

"Yes, but not to Torunn. He would have been insulted. We can sell them at the weekly market. We'll leave them with Manfred at the temple, tell him he can keep 50% of whatever he gets for it as a temple offering."

"I have a better idea," Dorn says. "We donate the old armor to the town watch. Sure it's scuffed, but basically it's still decent armor, and we can make some friends among the local constabulary."

Aele regards his friend. "I do believe I'm starting to rub off on you. That's a smart notion!"

They drop off the donation armor and then head home, but not before selling off the potion of hill giant strength for 90 imperials. Once again, Dorn agonizes but Aele says, "We don't need it. We need gold. We have places to go, people to influence, Thrangir."

Their final stop is the offices of the local thesmothete, Theodora Komnene, where they pay taxes on their recent townhouse purchase, a ridiculous — to Dorn's mind, at least — 270 imperials! They sign the document Thrangir of Belaphas and Zorael of Archontos.

That evening, dressed in their new finery from Creon's shop, they dine at the upscale Inn of the Stunned Acolyte, where it turns out Aele has arranged for them to share a glass of wine with Aedelwine the Fair, Logothete of the Private House, who comes to understand just how 'terribly pleased' the two adventurers are with their new townhouse and how indebted to such figures as Aedelwine who 'selflessly pursue the common good and the economic fortitude of (get this: Aele uses the imperial name for Gosterwick) Vetucaster.' Successfully Groomed a Relationship. Tracker moves from strangers to acquaintances.

The heroes stay three days in Gosterwick. They have a small, quiet eulogy for burial for Surret of Arcturus. The priest of the local temple of Cromm-Thoth shakes Aele's hand afterward. "Well, Zorael, I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you and Thrangir are successful in your merchant ventures," he says, for the benefit of two acolytes who are listening.

Also during the three days, Aele/Zorael finds time to pray and meditate. With the Heart-Seed Scarab in his possession, he is able to learn a second ritual. This one is known as Thoth's Balm.

On day 3, Dorn says, "Finally! We need to get back to death and mayhem in the dungeon before you completely reduce me to poverty..."

In Shadowdim, heroes roll with Advantage when rolling for additional hit points upon level-ups. In going from level 2 to 3, Dorn rolled a 7 and a 10. Nice! Multiple perks for attaining level 3. He boosts STR to 18, saving throws improve, BAB improves, Dorn takes Defensive Knack, and see the result of Exie's passing.

Here's a snapshot of Dorn upon attaining Level 03:

PC	Level	Gestalt	Hp	Ac	Surges	Primary
[Dorn][1]	3	Fgt-Thf	34	20[21 wield]	0	+1 Longsword +8 hit (1d8+7)
Dorn	Saves	Poi 12(10)	Bre 15(14)	Poly 11	Spe 12	MagIt 13
Dorn	Equip	Chainmail	Shortbow	Longsword +1	knife	lantern
Dorn	Knacks	Fleet	Great Strike	Defensive	(none)	(none)
Dorn	Skills	Stealth x 2	Intimidate x 2	Fence x 2	(none)	(none)
Dorn	Init 3(4 via Fleet)	-	-	-	-	-

---

Aele in advancing from level 02 to 03 raises Con to 18, immediately granting 2 more hp (17 -> 19). Rolled additional hit points with Advantage, getting 3 & 5 (takes the 5 and adds 3 for 8 (19 -> 27)). No changes in BAB or Saving Throws. Aele takes Savant as 3rd level Knack. His heals and holy fires now do 2d10 (yes, I should have been using 2d8 instead of 2d6). Respect! The additional hitpoints help.

Here is his level 03 snapshot:

PC	Level	Gestalt	Hp	Ac	Surges	Primary
Aele	3	Wiz-Prst	27	17	3	Mace +1 hit/dmg
Aele	Saves	Poi 14(12)	Bre 15	Poly 13(11)	Spe 12	MagIt 11(9)
Aele	Equip	Chainmail	mace	torches	flasks of oil	buckler
Aele	Knacks	Tough	Adept	Savant	(none)	(none)
Aele	Skills	Cooking	Forgotten Lore	Social	(none)	(none)
Aele	Init 1	-	-	-	-	-
Aele	Known Rituals: 1	Thoth's Comfort	Thoth's Balm	-	-	-

This level-up and Downtime are brought to you by The Annals of the Simple Solo Roleplayer.