After a bit of deliberation, the intrepid adventurers find themselves on the path to the city housing the Sultan's Palace in an attempt to find a seer or---failing that---more information on what the beating heart could really be. Soveliss was unconvinced that it was unnatural, but the consensus was just that. And so they headed out of the Badlands and into the Sands of Kryth-en-Lak.

At the end of the Badlands, a gruesome pair of creatures assaulted the party. These twisted creatures resembled a man who had been horribly twisted and had his bones shattered and re-assembled into odd structure. They wielded nasty spears seemingly constructed from their own long bones. The pair nearly slaughtered the Sand Shark Fang, with split-second healing by Buttercup all that prevented his early death. They were eventually subdued, being unable and/or unwilling to cease fighting and speak after their emotional state was altered. The party was uncertain what manner of beasts they were, but were certain that they were not natural creatures of the Wastes.

Following the battle, the group did, in fact, make their way to the city outside the Sultan's Palace with no further molestation. They then split up into groups. Buttercup and Melody proceeded to the curio dealer Farid, having learned that he was the most likely to know about Strange and Wondrous Things. After he decided it was likely a Demon's Heart, and that the most likely use of such is in constructing Golems, they retired to the library at the Temple of Aurifar to do further research with the information gained at Farid's.

Meanwhile, Prince Aidan attempted to slink off to do some research about Grandar's Ancient Longsword. His cover of heading to the Bath House was picked up on by Soveliss, who decided he too would head in that direction. After some tense discussion, Soveliss let Price Aidan leave (after a short bathing---after two weeks with no bathing, even Paladins begin to have a bit of funk). Aidan then did some research on the streets, finding out the Farid would be the best to find out information. He approached Farid, who told him (after use of a Lens) that the sword was magical and suggested further avenues for research. Aidan's payment was considered a slight by Farid, which didn't yet have any repercussions. Prince Aidan made his way into an alley after noticing Grandar's ghost over his shoulder. In his cryptic way, Grandar noted the command word 'Kratosh' that would activate the magic of the Cursed Cold One's icy resolve, at least after Prince Aidan bound the sword to himself on the Unwavering Path.

After research at the Library, Buttercup made her way to the infirmary, where she heard that Aurifar, Lord of Midday Heat, was not granting his clerics the ability to cure two dehydration-stricken patients. She determined that it was a Curse of Aurifar, and fell upon her knees offering a supplication to her patron, Pelor, to grant her the power to break them of the Curse. Pelor did then shine his might through her hands, in an awesome display of power that wracked Buttercup's mind and funneled all her power into the two sick men. The Curse was broken, and after some water they were able to disclose the reason for their Curse.

At that moment, Prince Aidan arrived at the Temple. He told Buttercup that he was concerned after their safety, and that he had been trailing them throughout the city. They converged at the infirmary to hear the story of the patients, who said Aurifar had stricken them for aiding three men who were meant to perish in the Wastes. The men had been bound for the Leech Salt Flats, across which they had hoped to prevent some aspect of the Curse of No Water. This concerned the three there, who considered following up on this trio.

Buttercup then stated she would make her way back to Farid to give him the book she had fetched as her payment for his services. Price Aidan, pretending to never have been there, reluctantly accompanied her there. When they reached the cottage, Buttercup produced the book, and Prince Aidan's treatment of the man bore its fruit. He told Buttercup that Prince Aidan was there, even after Prince Aidan had shook his head 'no' at Farid. Buttercup then became angry at Aidan for his deceit, and stormed off with Melody. Prince Aidan, shaken, returned to the Library where he discovered the sword's forger was of the school of Mordag, whose design is noted for the blade's stability within the hilt.

The entire group converged on their wagons, then, for the night. They shared their discoveries, though not without tension between Buttercup and Prince Aidan. Prince Aidan attempted to apologise for his actions, unsuccessfully, and they all retired, miffed at each other, for the night.

The party, upon the morning, has options ahead of them. Do they confront the constable with information of smuggling, or attempt to cut the head off the organization? Do they become like unto raiders and stop the gold-filigreed boxes, or do the strike at the source? Do they follow the trio of black-armored men into the Leech Salt Flats? Does Prince Aidan seek the Unwavering Path on his own, or enlist help from his companions?