The Sky Burns Red

Aftermath on the island

The party surveys the battlefield after nearly dying to three powerful demons. The bodies still smoke, and the red crystal recovered from the stone-ring altar pulses inside Valen Silverpalm's pack.

Reese refuses to touch the crystal directly and wraps it in the cloth that previously held the black-gold thread. Grenak loots glowing debris and collects demonic gravel for later. Mruno Bars hums an improvised victory song about the island and its demons.

Azrul's golden airship

A low metallic hum grows louder as a radiant golden airship descends through the ash. Its hull is gilded, its sails are mirrored, and it carries the sigil of Valeria's old military.

The pilot introduces himself as Azrul, Battle-Chaplain of the Crucifier. He is an ex-Valerian holy man turned freelance sky-captain. He recognizes Captain Rhogar Skyscale's name and assumes the party are Rhogar's morally flexible recruits.

Kayla Voss is aboard and appears tired of everyone's behavior. Azrul offers help and asks for red crystal fuel, explaining that his ship consumes the crystals like communion bread. The party hesitates, then trades one shard to power the Crucifier.

Sam the skull

While refueling, Grenak and Mruno notice a skull half-buried near the crash site. The skull begins talking and identifies itself as Sam. Sam complains about being decapitated for knowing too much and about sand in his eye sockets.

Sam knows about Towerheart. He describes Towerheart as a knight from the other side who serves the Lord Below. Sam also warns that the crystals are bridges and that one side always wants through.

Grenak claims the skull as property and places it in his possession. Sam becomes the party's newest unsettling companion and possible source of information.

Flight of the Crucifier

The Crucifier lifts off and leaves the island below the clouds. Reese and Valen debate whether the crystal's pulse feels like a heartbeat or a warning. They do not reach a clear conclusion.

Azrul delivers a sermon about light purging shadow. Grenak interrupts by demanding beer. Mruno plays a triumphant travel tune that becomes the ship's unofficial anthem.

Roland Blackstone teaches Billy Bumbler tricks involving ship levers. Billy learns the instruction “Don't Touch That,” which is likely to be tested almost immediately.

The Bag of Holding incident

During the flight, Reese notices the Bag of Holding twitching. Something inside appears to be trying to get out. Before anyone can stop him, Grenak opens the bag.

Three lesser demons explode out of the extradimensional space and attack the crew. Roland fires from the rigging and lands two strong shots. Reese teleports across the deck and cuts one demon apart. Azrul calls down radiant fire and destroys another.

Grenak rages, misses twice, and then lands a critical axe strike so forceful that the demon and part of the hull disappear together. Mruno shouts that they are flying and should not be sinking while attempting to repair the damage with Mending.

The crew kills the demons and patches the ship. The Crucifier remains airborne, though only barely.

Course for Mireholm

The ship begins a long flight toward Mireholm. Sam hums from Grenak's pack and repeats that bridges burn both ways.

Azrul explains that Mireholm may contain a lizardfolk Champion named Krivahn the Verdant Fang, who understands the crystals. The party agrees to seek Krivahn's help.

Reese watches the stars. Valen experiences recurring dreams or impressions involving silver rings and cracking chains. The Crucifier flies into the night, carrying the party toward Mireholm.