The Belligerents #33 & #34

The Belligerents watched as the wisps of black smoke, which had recently been possessing people in nearby villages, slowly moved towards the pool of water with the crescent moon statue at its center. The creature standing before them raised its stumped arm into the sky and a hand flew from above and attached itself to the creature.

• The being told the Belligerents that it meant them no harm and was simply using the power of this place, power belonging to what it called "an old god."

The group decided that was no going to happen, and fought against the creature and its wisps. And while they were able to kill the creature as it tried to flee, they were unable to stop the wisps from entering the pool.

• The pool was drained of its power, and what once felt like a peaceful and serene place of solace was now a normal and mundane grove and ruins.

The group spent the night in the grove, and Vania spoke to Bao about the need for constraints put on her newfound power. She felt like she could do anything, and it scared her. Bao spoke of the Damiya, its presence, it being missing, and how he and those like him live their lives. Vania decided she wanted to give that lifestyle a try.

The next day, the Belligerent set out toward Wilder, and came upon a small rally for Quillium, a Harengon kindred who was vying for the throne of the Kindred Isles.

• Quillium was a nervous but sincere fellow, and Arakis decided to challenge Quillium in an open forum for all present.

• Arakis spoke of needing power and strength to fight for the people of the Kindred Isle, and how he failed his people once and would never do so again.

• Quillium spoke of needing understanding, peace, and thoughtful solutions to problems, especially the rot, even though he didn't have any at the moment.

In the end, Arakis came off as too arrogant and power hungry, and the people sided with Quillium. After talking to his friends, Arakis realized he perhaps was not what was best for the Kindred Isle, and decided to support Quillium, and the Belligerents put their support behind the Harengon.

Quillium offered to help the group destroy the rot by introducing them to some of his friends in Wilder.