Chapter Five: Bapdis Orjo's Gift of Reconciliation

Vhezyen doesn't know much about Vorch beyond what has already been said:
Vhezyen has read some accounts of expeditions to Vorch to search for rare plant and mineral reagents for spellcraft, but does not recall any significant details.

"We would send you to Utwar on a riverboat captained by a man known and trusted to us," Gethro explains. "He would see to making the necessary arrangements there for a ship to take you to Vorch. From Utwar...ten days, perhaps, to reach the isle?" To Domarc, he adds: "If the cultists already possess the Sphere, or soon will, then it is even more important that we learn what they expect to achieve with it."

Think about it, though. We are going to the untamed island of Vorch. Where a mad(?) king, no longer able to speak, chose not to be returned from exile. Rare plant and mineral reagents for spellcraft are found there. It sounds exotic, dark jungle like. In this case, the reality is that leaving her behind is keeping her safe. So, doing alright by her would be cutting her loose. The 6PC is done with her. If she still had value, they wouldn't have let her go.

I don't think the 6PC is done with her; when they took Martjan they marked Zora with their symbol and said something to the effect that she was hostage to her mother's safety in some way. Also, there is some reason to believe that Zora has a role to play in what is coming.

Another reason not to bring Zora: if they've marked her with their symbol, it could be a way for them to track our movements, if she's with us, discerning our moves and plans. As far as what's to come, if she's needed, we can always pick her up wherever she goes. If she was integral to the Vorch trip, I think it would be more salient to all of us via Octo commentary. Whatever she got from Mordred's '2nd house' hint could be conveyed to us, and we could move on, leaving her safely behind.

Felor suspects that Fjorgyn's puissance overloaded the ring; copper was known to be a less than ideal storage medium for latent magical energy.

Gethro nods. "The House of Cron has invoked their right to detain her, and they're expecting her back. Should I take your question to mean that you are unwilling to investigate the matter of the Sphere on Vorch?"

"The boatman could be persuaded to tarry a day or two, if that might sway your decision," Gethro says. "And may I add -- any information brought back that benefits the security of Hazard will be generously rewarded. The Hierophant will see to that personally."

Vhezyen knows that Utwar has long been allied with Hazard, and is still ruled by a dynastic monarchy -- the last he heard, the head of state was the young Princess-Regent Kelesis II. Utwarish ships are said to be the fastest and sturdiest in all the Werld, and while commonplace around Bload, command a dear price abroad.

The principal gods of Utwar are Nethuns, Dagon, and Atargatis, although they are known to venerate obscure gods of the deep whose names are unknown to outsiders.

Zora puts a hand on Gethro's shoulder. "Mister Moag -- please don't take offense at this, because you are still my favorite person in the Werld right now, for getting me this furlough -- but could I have a moment to speak privately with my friends? Please."

Gethro picks up his tankard and stands. "Of course. Take your time." He leaves through the private dining hall's only exit.

Zora watches him leave, then whips her head toward Mordred. "Second home by the sea? That's what the string said? I know where the Sphere is now. Nine Hells! I didn't want to know." She throws back another swig of ale. "Martjan started working on that the moment we were shown to our room. I don't know if she had a premonition something was going to happen or if she was just being cautious, but as soon as we heard the fighting outside, she gave it to me and told me to hide it." Another drink. "Guys, I don't know what to do. I don't want to go to Vorch, I know that much. But...maybe Moag is right. People are dying and losing everything over this Sphere and we still don't have the slightest idea what's important about it. Maybe you should find out. On the other hand...part of me feels like I should be headed to Solyhill to help save my mother." She scratches the back of her neck. "I don't see how I'd be much help, though. I'm not a warrior. Still, though..." Sighing, she slumps back in her chair. "And now I know where the Sphere is. Or at least, where she thinks it is. So what should I do with that knowledge? Go protect it? Tell Moag? Or do I just stay as far away from it as I can so I don't lead the enemy to it?" She chuckles to herself. "Maybe I should just go to Ogrespate like I always said I would. Vad said he'd go with me if I get exiled, look out for me. We talked about it. He thinks a few of the places you stopped on the way to finding me might be safe to hide out in for a while. I don't know. I don't think I want to be Hazard's daughter who stops the water. I'm tired of worrying that I'm about to get killed." She stares at her tankard for a long moment, then downs what's left in it.

Alright, party, you have a choice to make here about the direction you want your adventure to go. Would you prefer to:

a) Sail to Vorch and seek out the true purpose of the Iron Sphere
b) Join the army at Solyhill and march on the hidden stronghold of the Six-Pronged Crown to rescue Martjan
c) Search for the "second home by the sea" and find the Sphere yourselves

or

d) Pursue some other option not sanctioned by your Dungeon Master

Time to hash it out and decide!

Pafthinel knows what the Sphere does, he doesn't know where it currently is. The second home by the sea is presumably a reference to where Martjan thinks Edvers would have hidden the Sphere.