Session 17 — 24 May 2026
As the evening settles, the group discusses what to do while they are still in town. Kroak admits they would like an overview of what Bryn Shander has to offer. Much of it, Lana explains, is simply experiencing the place itself: exploring the town, spending time with her family, and understanding where she comes from.
Kroak realizes they have not really met Lana’s mother yet and wonders what Lana herself wants to do.
Before Lana can answer, Ruben brings up something else.
“I would like to buy a Scrimshaw souvenir,” he says. “Something made from the ivory the region is famous for.”
Soon he is browsing small carved bone figurines decorated with scenes of the moving sea and the Spine of the World. There are carvings of giants and dragons, but the pieces are all relatively small. After considering his options, Ruben chooses a finely crafted carving of the Spine of the World itself.
As he admires the souvenir, Daiki asks whether the Spine of the World is the same place where they once saw the white dragon hunting.
Lana explains, “The Spine of the World is just a mountain range. It is where the dragon hunts, but it’s not where we were with the giants.”
Daiki nods. “I understand. I just really would like to go. If we’re going sightseeing, I’m totally looking out for another sighting of the white dragon. I don’t want to encounter a white dragon, but…”
“We could definitely slay a white dragon, right?” Kroak jokes.
The conversation quickly moves to Lana’s childhood.
“I also want to invite you to visit my little church where I grew up,” she says. “The place where I met Jorund in the Dark Ages, and where I performed before joining the Strixhaven orchestra. It might be a nice cultural sightseeing trip.”
Kroak accepts immediately.
“Is it dedicated to a specific deity?”
“Well yes and no,” Lana replies. “It’s more about light. I believe in the path of light, but not necessarily a specific deity.”
That answer leads Kroak to something they have been wondering about.
“I’ve been meaning to ask about your glowing eyes and stuff.”
Lana smiles. “Oh really? You want to know?”
“Of course.”
She explains that she is Kalashtar, a people connected to the Dream Realm.
“Whenever my eyes light up, I experience some kind of emotion that is big and sometimes difficult to contain. I don’t really know why it happens. I only know that when I feel a surging emotion, it sometimes comes out like that.”
She goes on to explain that Kalashtar are tied to dreams, though not in the way most people imagine.
“I asked you before if you dream,” she says. “Because I cannot. My dreams are empty. I close my eyes and fall asleep. I never experience dreaming.”
“That’s sad,” Kroak says.
“Yeah. It is a bit of emptiness most of the time. But I prefer emptiness over the dark and light fighting in the Dream Realm.”
The mention of family brings up Lana’s sister.
“My parents are the same,” she says quietly. “And my sister was the same.”
“Because she’s now a vampire, right?” Kroak asks.
Lana nods.
“Yes. She is.”
When Kroak asks where her sister lives now, Lana can only shake her head.
“Unfortunately, I do not know. She was exiled.”
“Would you like to find her?”
The answer comes immediately. “Of course.”
But finding her is not enough. “I first need to change the laws,” Lana explains. “If the laws aren’t changed, I can bring her back and she’ll just be exiled all over again.”
For the first time, she fully explains why she went to Strixhaven.
“I wanted to join politics here in Bryn Shander and Icewind Dale. I wanted the law to work for everybody, not just for people who fit in. I was rejected over and over again. Then Jorund came to me and told me to study. So I went to Strixhaven.”
Ruben raises his glass.
“I think we should drink to the story. We are all together now. Let’s cheer to the life of Lana.”
Lana’s father disappears behind the bar and returns with a dark brown bottle containing perfectly clear liquor. Small glasses are filled.
Before the last one is poured, Lana stops him.
“Hold on. This is probably not the thing Daiki likes. Do you have something non-alcoholic and sweet?”
Daiki shrugs. “I actually can do with just a cube of ice.”
The result is that everyone receives strong liquor while Daiki receives a single cube of ice.
The drink is warm and nutty, like a hazelnut whiskey that leaves an afterglow rather than an afterburn.
Ruben tries to imitate northern drinking customs by striking the table before downing the shot, as read from a book on the Ten Towns. Lana’s father simply empties both his own glass and the accidentally poured one meant for Daiki, then slams the glass upside down onto the table.
Lana follows his example.
After more laughter, Lana reminds everyone of her earlier invitation.
“Let’s go to the church.”
The group agrees.
Along the way, Daiki shapes his ice cube with magic, slowly carving it into a tiny white dragon while talking excitedly about wanting to see the real dragon again.
Lana remembers her promise.
“I promised I’d take you up the highest tower in the village. Let’s do that tomorrow.”
As they walk through Bryn Shander, strangers stare. Kroak receives the worst of it. The town tolerates outsiders, but only barely. Lana quietly makes sure Kroak’s wings remain hidden beneath extra cloaks.
“Stay close to me,” she tells everyone. “If something goes wrong, come to me.”
Daiki offers to turn Kroak invisible if people become a problem.
“No thank you,” Kroak says. “I’m fine being me.”
Eventually they reach the House of the Morning Lord.
The church towers over nearby buildings, a massive structure with a graveyard beside it. Worshippers stream through the doors from Bryn Shander and neighboring settlements. Inside, Kroak immediately notices that the place feels unwelcoming. Not dangerous, merely uncomfortable.
Lana leads the group toward the front. Kroak hesitates.
“I don’t want to ruin your reputation.”
Lana places a telepathic link between them.
“No. Don’t worry. I already did that myself.”
Kroak laughs and sits beside her.
Daiki reluctantly joins the others rather than hiding in the back. Ruben follows as well, though he still introduces himself to a stranger nearby and receives only a cold glance in return.
The service begins.
Father Jorund speaks about light, darkness, prejudice, and judging others by appearances. After a long sermon, he smiles toward Lana.
“We have a guest tonight. Lana, I do not know if you have something prepared, but you were always good under pressure.”
A violin is brought to her.
The instrument is horribly out of tune from the cold, forcing Lana to spend a minute tuning it while the congregation watches.
Daiki immediately begins creating magical lights resembling fireflies around her.
Some of the children gasp.
Ruben considers helping as well. When Lana finally begins playing, he uses magic to make the church candles brighten and dim with the melody.
Kroak contributes too, surrounding Lana and her violin with a delicate outline of magical light.
Together, the effects transform the performance.
Lana pours her emotions into the music.
Though no words are spoken, the piece carries everything she feels about her sister’s exile and the life she wishes she could have given her.
The church falls silent.
People forget the cold.
They forget the bitterness of Bryn Shander.
For a few moments, there is only warmth.
When the final note fades, thunderous applause erupts.
Lana has performed here before. She has performed with orchestras. But she has never received a response like this. Overwhelmed, she creates telepathic links to each of her friends.
“Thank you.”
Daiki immediately responds in her mind.
“Friendship is magic.”
The church service eventually concludes, and Jorund spends another hour speaking with members of the congregation.
That night, the group returns to the inn.
The next morning, long before dawn, they rise again.
Daiki is particularly excited: today is dragon-watching day.
Even Nymri stumbles along despite barely being awake. Together they climb the southwestern gate tower and stare toward the distant Spine of the World. The cold is brutal. Every exposed piece of skin aches.
Still, they wait.
While they watch the sunrise, Lana tells them about another dragon that once terrorized the Ten Towns and the destruction it brought.
“White dragons are evil,” she reminds Daiki pointedly.
Daiki remains unconvinced.
Ruben, meanwhile, focuses on the mountains. He explains that he dreamed of this moment: the Spine of the World, the dragon, the sunrise. And then he sees it. Movement. Far away. Almost impossible to spot.
A glimmer against the mountains.
The others follow his gaze.
Something enormous unfolds its wings. The dragon launches into the air. For a moment it seems to hang motionless. Then it folds its wings and dives. Not like a falling creature. Like a weapon. It plummets toward the mountains faster than anything should move. Even at this distance, the sight is terrifying. If any of them ever became its prey, there would be nothing they could do.
“What do you think, Daiki?” Ruben asks.
“It’s amazing!”
Daiki immediately launches into the air.
“I need to learn this technique! I need to train even more!”
The dragon vanishes among the peaks.
The group remains silent for a while, taking in the sight.
Eventually Lana asks Ruben about the vision that led him here.
“How do you dream of things before they happen?”
Ruben admits he does not fully understand it himself.
“It looks similar to what my father described. I see visions. Then they often come true.”
The conversation turns to fate, death, and prophecy before Kroak finally interrupts.
“All right. Shall we go back inside now? I’m freezing.”
Everyone agrees.
As they return, Daiki thanks Lana.
“Thank you for showing us your place. Your parents. Your mentor. Everything.”
Lana smiles.
“I really enjoyed having you over.”
At last they gather around the teleportation circle.
Hands clasp together.
A moment later they arrive back at Strixhaven.
The change is immediate.
After the bitter cold of Bryn Shander, the midsummer heat feels overwhelming. Layers of clothing come off almost instantly as the two suns blaze overhead.
During their walk back to the dorms, Ruben finds himself thinking about the upcoming Midsummer Festival. Since he and Sszethik have spent so much time together through their work, the topic comes naturally.
“So Sszethik, before we go to your family, we go to the Midsummer Festival, right?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m excited.”
Ruben smiles. “So how do you usually celebrate that in Cult?”
Sszethik pauses briefly at the pronunciation but continues. “We celebrate it slightly differently in our family. We don’t have a normal celebration.”
Ruben blushes faintly. “Well, there are different traditions on the Sword Coast. It’s usually a very… expressive festival. Usually only for adults. It can go crazy. Sometimes we have the maidens-in-the-forest hunt, where the maidens run into the forest and are hunted by the bachelors. I never took part in that, but…” He shrugs. “I think this will be my first real Midsummer. Are you going with someone to the festival?”
“No, not particularly. But there are a lot of events around campus. Part of the celebration is exploration, right? I was hoping you would join me at Witherbloom.”
“Oh yeah, that sounds great. It’s always nice not to go alone.”
Sszethik nods. “You’re more interested in Lorehold, right?”
Ruben hesitates. “Well, I didn’t have specific plans. But I think Witherbloom is nice. We have great memories there. I like Witherbloom.”
“We can do both. I can join you at Lorehold and you can join me at Witherbloom. I heard they’re setting up teleportation circles so students can easily get around all the campuses.”
Ruben’s eyes light up. “That sounds interesting. I look forward to that.”
“Me too.”
The conversation drifts naturally from there. Ruben tells stories from Bryn Shander, speaking casually about dragons, giants, shards, and saving cities. He doesn’t intend to boast, but his stories certainly sound impressive. Sszethik listens intently to every word, fascinated by the adventures.
The day of the festival eventually arrives.
Students who had spent the break away from campus return in droves. The celebration is centered around visiting the various colleges, learning about them, and deciding where each student’s future might lie. In the evening, everyone will gather informally at Archway Commons Park to watch the sunset, celebrate Midsummer, and reflect on both their past and future at Strixhaven.
Because classes are suspended during the break, there is no work and no pay. Kroak’s shop is closed as well, though fortunately there is no rent due during the holiday.
The campus is unusually alive. Students of every year fill the streets, moving between temporary teleportation circles that have been installed throughout Strixhaven. Flyers direct visitors toward the portals, each leading directly to one of the colleges.
Everyone discusses where they want to go.
Ruben plans to visit Lorehold, Witherbloom, and perhaps Prismari.
Lana expresses interest in Silverquill and Prismari. She considers inviting either Alex or Nymri to join her and is perfectly happy letting others pursue their own plans.
Daiki wants to visit all five colleges if possible. Prismari interests him most, but he is equally curious about any clues connected to the Founding Dragons.
Kroak decides to accompany the group to Prismari later but is happy to start elsewhere.
In the end, the morning begins with Witherbloom.
Sszethik arrives early at the dorm to collect everyone.
Daiki opens the door. “Good morning, Sszethik.”
“Good morning. Is Ruben still here?”
Ruben is indeed still there, wandering around in a sleepy haze.
“I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where to go.”
Kroak laughs. “I tried waking you up, but you kept falling back asleep. You’re such a night owl.”
While Ruben gets himself ready, Daiki eagerly invites Sszethik into his room.
“Oh Sszethik, do you want to see my hoard? Let’s go check my hoard while we’re waiting.”
“I would love to see your hoard.”
Daiki proudly shows off his collection of shiny treasures and gold, happily entertaining their guest while everyone else prepares.
A few minutes later Ruben finally appears, still a little sleepy but dressed for the occasion.
“The dragon pin looks so good on you,” Sszethik tells him.
“Yeah. I thought it would be nice for this special day.”
Together, Ruben, Sszethik, Daiki, and Kroak make their way toward the teleportation circles.
Each portal has its own distinct character. The Lorehold portal smells of dust and ancient history. The Silverquill portal carries the scent of ink. Prismari bursts with color. The Witherbloom portal feels alive, carrying rich scents of growth and decay.
Stepping through is effortless.
Moments later Daiki, Kroak, Ruben and Sszethik emerge in a lively clearing within Witherbloom. Stalls line the area. Students demonstrate magical plants, herbal remedies, tea brewing, biological experiments, and all manner of living wonders. Animals wander freely among visitors, including several remarkably calm crocodiles.
Sszethik wastes no time. He grabs Ruben’s hand and drags him toward a stall covered in living plants.
“Ruben! I know these people. Look! Look at these specimens. They grow so naturally.”
He gestures enthusiastically at the wall of herbs and flowers.
“Did you pay enough attention in Arcanobotany?”
“Of course. You helped me. I remember that asking for seed doesn’t work, but tickling does.”
“That was one plant. These are others. Look at these.”
Sszethik launches into an excited explanation, pointing out rare flowers, medicinal herbs, and unusual plants with magical effects. Some can stun creatures. Others induce excitement or calm. He speaks with infectious enthusiasm, constantly watching Ruben’s reactions.
Ruben is fascinated. For once, someone else is doing the teaching.
He asks questions about where the plants grow, when he might study them, and whether visitors are allowed to try them.
In response, Sszethik plucks a flower and hands it to him.
“Taste this.”
Ruben chews it carefully.
Warmth washes through him. He feels serene, relaxed, almost glowing.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?”
“It feels warm and soothing. If you sold this in Bryn Shander, you’d make so much money. It makes me feel connected to the environment and more aware of where we are and who we’re with. I like it.”
Kroak and Daiki try flowers as well.
“It’s a glow bloom,” Sszethik explains. “Very common where I’m from. It just makes you feel nice.”
The flower wall continuously regenerates itself through magic, replacing every blossom that is picked.
Soon Sszethik begins excitedly discussing spores, fungal networks, and biological communication.
The conversation eventually shifts toward one of Ruben’s own specialties.
A dissection booth offers visitors the chance to examine specimens. Ruben immediately greets familiar colleagues and invites everyone to participate.
Without hesitation he begins teaching, distributing specimens and guiding the group through the process.
Kroak watches with admiration.
“You got really good at that, Ruben. It’s impressive.”
“Oh, thank you.”
At one point Sszethik is about to make a mistake with his scalpel.
Without thinking, Ruben reaches over, places his hand over Sszethik’s, and guides the blade aside.
“Don’t cut there. If you cut there you’ll open the gallbladder, and the smell is terrible.”
Sszethik pauses.
“Oh. Thank you, Ruben.”
For a brief moment both become very aware of the contact.
Afterward they move on to other exhibits, exploring more of Witherbloom together. They complement each other’s knowledge perfectly, alternating between teacher and student.
Eventually they discover food stalls.
Fried cricket-like creatures are served on sticks.
Sszethik happily eats one.
“They taste like chicken.”
Ruben tries one and discovers he is absolutely right.
Later, Daiki’s thoughts drift toward dragons.
“Sszethik, do you know if there are plant dragons? Or dragon plants?”
“I don’t know, but there could be. Imagine a dragon with a druidcraft breath weapon.”
Daiki enthusiastically elaborates on carnivorous plant dragons and acid-breathing flowers.
Inspired, he demonstrates his own magic. Opening his mouth, he releases a cloud of pink sakura petals.
“Look. It’s a flower breath.”
“That’s cool. That is so cool.”
“You have nice breath,” Ruben says. “It looks a bit special, but I like the idea.”
The conversation turns toward dragons more generally.
Sszethik mentions a rumor he heard in the Biblioplex.
“One of the teachers might actually be one of the Founding Dragons in disguise.”
Daiki nearly explodes with excitement.
“No way! Who is it? Professor Vantrax? Professor Lang? Professor Talos?”
“I don’t know. It was just gossip.”
The rumor consumes Daiki’s attention immediately.
Meanwhile Kroak drifts away toward the crocodiles.
There, they meet a Witherbloom student named Mar.
She teaches Kroak how to race the creatures—not by riding them, but by standing on them and steering with ropes.
The experience is chaotic, uncomfortable, and exhilarating.
Though Mar leaves Kroak far behind, the race is tremendous fun.
Afterward they talk about training animals.
Mar explains her philosophy.
“Any organism can be trained with the right stimuli.”
The conversation drifts into discussions of reinforcement, behavior, scents, and animal psychology. Kroak invites her to visit Potions and Prophecies sometime, and Mar expresses interest in custom scents for training purposes.
By the time the others regroup, the day is moving on.
Ruben and Sszethik find themselves walking together again.
The festival has sparked thoughts about the future.
“I think one of the reasons we’re here is to think about what we want to study,” Sszethik says. “I know I want to study biology. What do you think about Witherbloom?”
“Honestly, I like it. I’ve been drawn to either Witherbloom or Lorehold. My parents expect certain things from me, though. I’m not sure I can meet those expectations.”
“What are they expecting?”
“Lorehold and Quandrix, mostly.”
Sszethik considers that.
“But what do you want, Ruben?”
The question catches him off guard.
Ruben struggles to answer. He talks about learning, exploration, and the people he cares about.
Eventually Sszethik smiles.
“I think whatever you choose will be good. Strixhaven is where we can be anything we want. Not bound by the expectations of our homes.”
Ruben nods.
“Exactly. People where I come from can be small-minded. They wouldn’t accept someone like Kroak. Or even us, spending time together like this. Here it feels normal.”
“I know. That’s why I really like Strixhaven. It’s the place where anything is possible.”
Ruben smiles.
“I fully agree.”
“And I’m very glad to be here. And to have met you.”
Without hesitation, Ruben hugs him.
Sszethik hugs him back.
Later, after they begin heading toward the next campus, Ruben gathers enough courage to ask something more personal.
“We share a lot about academics and interests, but we rarely talk about what we like in other people. Do you have a type?”
Sszethik looks confused at first.
“My friends are usually very studious.”
Ruben laughs softly.
“I mean romantically.”
Daiki immediately inserts himself into the conversation.
“I think Ruben is asking what you fancy.”
Sszethik pauses.
Then he answers honestly.
“I haven’t thought about it much. In our culture, my mother chooses for me. We don’t really get to express those preferences. It’s not about what I want. It’s about what’s best for the family.”
The answer surprises Ruben.
He apologizes for bringing up something so personal, but Sszethik reassures him.
Daiki, meanwhile, remains completely fascinated.
“So when we visit your family, we can show them how it’s like to pick who you like.”
“You can try,” Sszethik says with a laugh. “But my mother is very difficult to convince.”
Still, he smiles.
“You’ve already helped me a lot. I really love being here at Strixhaven. Anything is possible here.”
As the conversation winds down, Daiki suddenly loses interest in romance entirely and races ahead toward the next teleportation circle.
“Let’s go to the Lorehold campus!”