The party of adventurers continued their fight against the cackling flameskull, a floating, undead skull wreathed in green flames with the ability to cast arcane spells. As it tried to hurl another Fireball at the party, Gemma used Counterspell while Willa and Anton surrounded it. Raz’sik then moved close and finished it off with a precise ranged attack from a thrown psychic dagger, causing it to shatter into pieces.

Searching the cave, they found the orb Raz’sik was told to collect as well as various papers, maps, and books on a desk that appeared to show Oloroph’s research. The wizard had found a connection between gem dragons and psychic energy, particularly to amethyst gems originating from a mine in Pangenan. Willa’s necklace seemed to pulse in sync with the glowing orb. Three circles on the map pointed to their current location, one in the Kingdom of Khorir, and one in Pangenan, but it wasn’t clear what those could be related to. Also, beneath the desk, Raz’sik found a wooden chest, and using his thieves’ tools, disabled and unlocked it. Inside was a mound of coins, art objects, and a Bag of Holding (later found to be containing a spell scroll).

Back at the Drunken Deer Tavern, Raz’sik tried to avoid contact with the Pangenan agent still awaiting the orb, telepathically claiming the investigation was still ongoing. Sovemil tried chicken for the first time, thanks to Gemma’s comparison of calling it the “tuna of the land.” He also reminded the party that he needed to keep moving for his personal quest. After a meal and some drinks, they all headed to the Twin Crows Inn for some rest.

The next morning, the adventurers gathered their belongings, picked up a few healing potions from a stall in the outdoor market, and began their trek into the Rhorsia Forest on a mission to confront the hags the warlock Harren Bog claimed they’d received their powers from. As Anton led the way, however, he ended up getting them lost and face-to-face with a swarm of stirges searching for fresh blood.