The Keys of Telku / The Final Key pt. 20 / Kahn the 1st through the 10th, 3593 CE / 4-10-23

In the aftermath of the battle with Ilthane, Not by Choice helps in the reconstruction of Ludon while Nataliya and Coal train and enhance their abilities. When it is time to set out in search of Nari's former companion Adrienne, whom the late Allustan Neff had indicated could help Not by Choice locate the town of Magepoint and his master Manzorian, Nari uses her crystal ball, and sees the Adventurer travelling with others disguised as merchants along a highway which is immediately recognizable as the Gold Road leading from Liem to Baali. Though concerned what business Adrienne and her companions could have in the heart of Baal country, Not by Choice decides to intercept her, with Nataliya proposing that if they fly to Baali, they can catch the approaching riders on the road. After saying a fond farewell to the citizens of Ludon, Not by Choice sets out in Nari's flying wagon, and with a good tailwind and some helpful pushes from the Coal, the flying flame troll, make better than expected time. As the backtrack northwest along the Gold Road in search of Adrienne , they encounter another companion in the form of Hush, accompanied by the Crazy 8 and Efraym Smallcask. Hush reveals that he is planning on infiltrating Baali in search of his father, who has been taken hostage by the Baal Army in an attempt to mass produce the technology of Bolton's coveted pelletbows. After a pleasant evening camping and catching up with the cowboy, Hush agrees to meet up with the party in Baali. Efraym, using his contacts, has located a safehouse for those opposed to the Baalites totalitarian religious regime, a bakery called the Bread and Butter, and the party agrees to convene there once inside the walls of Baali. The next day, the party finally encounters Adrienne and her fellow Adventurers, learning that they also plan to infiltrate Baali in order to secure the last Key of Telku before Tarrus the One-Eyed can. Nari is surprised to learn that her former employer has declared Adrienne and her companions dangerous criminals and may be hunting for Nari as well. The Amita K'un ninja Night details the plan to enter Baali on the Day of Power, an annual celebration when the Baalites allow outsiders into the city for trade and to proselytize their religion. Seeing the threads of all their destinies beginning to intertwine, Not by Choice agrees to help Adrienne and her companions, as well as hopefully Hush as well, in foiling both the plans of the Baalites and Tarrus the One-Eyed. After another pleasant evening camping and catching up with companions old and new, the party sets out south again along the Gold Road for Baali. They decide that the very conspicuous Coal will be best disguised as a slave pulling Nari's wagon, while they others maintain their guises as merchants and pilgrims. Lulu, being wanted in the Baal-lands for previously attacking a team of Baal slavers, hides in the back of the wagon, hoping not to be too conspicuous, while Nataliya uses her powers of disguise to adapt the motif of the Baal holy symbol onto her cloak. After a brief encounter with the guards at Baali's gate, the party finds themselves passing into one of the most dangerous cities they may ever encounter, full of fanatics who would gladly enslave or kill every one of them.