Elliot and company head out of Bakers towards Fresno. They walk for a full days worth, thirty miles northward, and the only people they encounter are the few stray villages that are within ten miles of Bakers. Past that it's just rolling hills and wasteland.

They eventually set up camp as night falls. Elliot's party eats their own food, choosing to spare the merchant’s rations for now. They sleep for the night. Jayce and Mo take the first watch. The Bard and the Bandit take the second watch. The Antibaptist and Elliot take the third watch. The dryad and the two new commoners take the fourth watch.

The night goes by with no problem and the party continues on through the wastes. They travel for another thirty miles before choosing to rest for the night. The party still has their own rations to eat. Although all the moldy cheese has been eaten by now. They take the same watches for the night. Nothing comes after them in the dark and they live to travel another day.

The third day is much the same. They are now ninety miles along in their journey and have not seen any signs of life. They eat the last of their dried meats and almost finish the grains they have. The party all agree on the same watch order, but again nothing occurs in the night.

On the last day of travel as they near Fresno. Along the way, the earth seems to heal more and more. As if there is life being breathed back into it compared to the brown landscape around Bakers. Just as they begin to think they are out of the wasteland the party stops. They spot a deer running through the wilderness being chased by two plague dogs. Diseased mutts with two heads.

Elliot waves to Talia, Mo, and one of the new commoners. They approach with crossbows. They take aim and fire at the closest plague dog. (13, 8, and 21 to hit vs AC 12) Two of the bolts hit their mark. (9 damage)

The two plague dogs break off from the dear, noticing the caravan, they charge with blind hunger. Elliot and Jeremiah charge at the dogs. They each take one on, attacking it. Elliot slashes his longsword down with one hand. (Critical 20) The blow decapitates one of the two heads. (23 damage) Jeremiah swings his sword at (12 to hit vs AC 12) and barely hits the side of the beast as it lunges out of the way. (8 damage)

The two-headed dog tries to bite Jeremiah. (19 to hit vs AC 14) And it chomps down on him. (6 damage) He rips his arm away from the dog. (15 Consitution vs DC 12) The one-headed dog attacks Elliot. (16 to hit vs AC 17) But he bashes it away with his shield.

Jayce and the other commoner attack the mutt fighting Elliot. (22 and 15 to hit vs AC 12) They are able to both stab it and put the dog out of its misery. (7 damage)

The bard begins playing a tune on his loot. The cords hum as they resonate with the system. (Performance of Courage)

Jeremiah and Elliot both attack the last plague dog. (22 and 8 to hit vs AC 12) Jeremiah hits while Elliot misses. (16 damage) Talia, Mo, and the other commoner fire their crossbow bolts at it. (19, 21, and Critical 20 to hit vs AC 12) The creature is riddled with bolts that all hit dead on through the skull. (24 damage)

The party moves on and by the time the sun is setting they come to the outskirts of Fresno. The city is walled much like Bakers is. The guards stop the group at the gate and demand to know why they have made the journey to their city. Alex Praven shows his merchant's crest and explains succinctly that the group is there to speak with the council of Judges that reside there.

The guard informs Praven that the Judges are being tried for treason. That Alex Praven will have to speak to the Lord to resolve whatever issue he has. This news does not sit well with Alex. The company heads into the town as a small group of guards follows behind them.

“The Lord is rumored to be corrupt. I think we may have to save these Judges.” Elliot whispers to Alex.

“And risk our own necks. I don’t think so.” Alex says with a firm shake of his head.

“I wasn’t asking for your permission.” Elliot grits his teeth.

Elliot drops back and waves for the ex-bandit to join him.

“What do you need, boss?” He asks.

“I need you to find where the Judges are being held prisoner in town. Then come straight back to me once you know where they are.” Elliot says acting nonchalant.

“I can do that with no problem.” The bandit replies with a cocky smile.

“What was your name again?” Elliot asks.

“I don’t think it ever came up.” The bandit says as he drops back into the group. (18 Stealth vs Perception 12)

The man disappears into the city streets. Elliot continues forward. The party eventually arrives at a stone fortification, a castle-like structure in the center of town. They enter through two large wooden doors into a foyer. There is carpet on the floor, candles on the walls, and at the end of the hall is a giant mural of a man-eating his infant son.

Elliot shudders as he wondered what kind of man this Lord is.

They walk down the hall and are directed to a set of double doors by a guard. They go through and enter a large dining room. There is an incredibly long table lined with plate ware and cutlery. There are pillars lining the edge of the room, above them are balconies with a railing, where more seats are.

A few servants in sparse clothing stand at attention along the sides of the room. The servants at the end hold large clay pitchers full of wine. In the center of the far end of the room is a throne with a man sitting on it.

The man is horrendously fat, tubes run from below his gut up around his side and connect to him below his right armpit. His breath sounds laborious and is audible across the room. The table in front of him is lined with food. Extravagant food that's been grown, hunted, or even engineered. Elliot had heard stories of the nobility eating pure food made in labs. Though these rumors seem unsubstantiated until now. As Elliot stared at food that was too perfect, too bountiful, to be real.

“You have come from Bakersfield?” He asks as he leans forward in his seat.

He speaks softly but his voice carries through the entire room. Amplified by something sitting on the table by his food. It was a metallic device with a cord whose end was covered in foam.

Elliot looks back at Alex with a questioning glance.

“It’s the original name of Bakers.” Alex says as keeps his head low.

Elliot turns back to the Lord. Who seems to have grown annoyed at the lack of a response.

“We have indeed traveled from Bakersfield.” Elliot calls to the Lord of Fresno. “We have come seeking council in the absence of our Lord.”

“And you have sought me, or the Judges?” The Lord questions.

“We have sought you.” Elliot lies (19 Diplomacy vs DC 16)

“Then come before me and kneel. Let me see you up close.” The Lord says mustering more authority in his voice.

Elliot nods to Alex and Jeremiah. He looks to the party and holds a closed fist down by his side. He then approaches the Lord’s throne and only Alex and Jeremiah follow. The three of them walk around the right side of the table and kneel before him.

“I am Lord Neries of House Riverbend. Excuse my appearance. I have gone to great lengths to prolong my life so that I may find the one true heir to my throne. My twenty-three sons have accompanied your Lord on his crusade.” He says with pride.

“Lord Neries. In the absence of our Lord the captain of the guard turned to villainy. He aided and abetted bandits, thugs, and thieves. We confronted him, his corrupt guards fired on us, and we had no choice but to kill him and the corrupt guards.” Elliot keeps his head bowed as he speaks.

“You may look upon me while you speak.” Lord Neries says.

“Yes, my Lord.” Elliot looks up at him, but his appearance makes him feel queasy.

“I can send over a contingent of guards to support your town, and to investigate what guards remain. I trust that you are not taking me for a fool, as the truth will come to light if my men investigate.” Lord Neries speaks.

“You would do this for us?” Elliot asks, wondering what his motives were. (12 Insight vs 15 Deception)

“Of course. Hell, if you take care of a few problems for me around here I’ll throw in an armored unit to bolster your guard.” Lord Neries says with a smile.

“What problems do you have?” Elliot asks.

“The Guild Master at the market can explain more. I have grown tired of this conversation. Do either of your companions wish to speak?”

Jeremiah shakes his head slowly. Alex raises his hand.

“Yes?” The Lord says as if the action bothers him.

“I just wanted to say I put together and funded the operation that brought down the guard captain's corrupt regime,” Alex says.

“Great. I’ll make sure to let your Lord know. Maybe he will care. Leave my castle.” He flicks his hand towards the door.

Elliot, Alex, and Jeremiah rise to leave. They turn, rejoin the group, and leave the castle under the watchful eye of the guards.

Out of the keep they head to the market. They quickly find a tavern. The gang enters, the thirteen of them really start to make the tavern feel filled. Before them, there were eight people inside; the bartender, a bar lad, two apokoliptians, two farmers, a hunter, and a scribe. The bar had an upstairs with private rooms and a second part of downstairs which was a bunkhouse.

Elliot heads to the bartender and puts ten bronze coins on a tab for his party. The Guild Merchant, Alex, flashes his guild crest and says he will take care of any overdraft. Elliot purchases a meal for himself for the night and a private room. He sets all of his stuff in the private room and heads back out to Talia.

Talia is in her leather coat, with the snake earrings that are secretly the pixies. He gives her the key to the private room. Elliot looks over at Jayce and Mo who are flirting with the Apokoliptian girls.

“Are all men interested in women like that?” Talia asks Elliot.

“Some are interested in anything that moves. Be it man, woman, or orc.” Elliot smirks as he sits at the table with her.

“And you?” Talia inquires.

“I dunno. Never gave it any thought. Always seemed like it was a struggle just to live in this world. No time to stop and think about what I want for myself or what I want from others.” Elliot shrugs.

“There isn’t a lot going on in your head, is there?” Talia says with a grin.

“My father used to say that to me. He would say, “picture this”, and I couldn’t because I didn’t have it in front of me.” Elliot explains.

“Do you have any plans for the future, any dreams?” Talia seems perplexed by Elliot.

“Plans? Not really. Dreams? Maybe have a child I can teach smithing and fighting like my dad did for me.” Elliot says.

“Well, I’m going to bed.” Talia stands. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna sleep too,” Elliot says as he heads to the bunks in the common area.

Talia freezes for a second watching him leave before she heads to the private room with some mild frustration.