The party split in different directions in the beginning of this time-frame.

Shalim and Soveliss tracked the Orcs in charge of delivering the box to the gold medallion'ed individual. They tracked his movements out of the camp, until he integrated himself into a band of warriors. They were, however, able to discern the route the man was to take to the Sultan's palace. Shalim then made contacts among the oasis' Asherati population, discovering some tracks into the darkness of his past.

In the meantime, Melody, Buttercup, and Prince Aidan made their way to Old Man Henry's cactus farm. They parlayed with the Bhukka there, and discovered that the Bhukka were drawn to the farm after being driven off their own by the Sultan's expansion campaign. They were looking for a place to live, as well as needing the cacti for its medicinal properties, used current to speed the healing of their warriors. After a bit of prodding, the trio learned that the warriors were injured fighting 'creatures of a lost era' in a local cavern. The trio then set off for this cavern.

On the way to the cavern, Buttercup received a vision of a symbol of Pelor within a crypt in the cavern. They then reached the crypt and found three Bhukka corpses, as seen in the vision. Venturing into the cavern, Buttercup held a pair of skeleton warriors at bay with Pelor's light while Prince Aidan demolished them with his shield. The sounds of battle drew a duo of zombies from the previously locked room. Buttercup obliterated them with Pelor's splendour, leaving but a cloud of dust and ash in their stead.

The crypt appeared empty, with five coffins arrayed about it. After opening the as-yet-unopened center coffin, Buttercup decided to purify them. The water she added was enough to trip the pressure plate, opening the secret door to the final chamber, a temple to Pelor. Contained within was a priest with an unknown holy symbol, who had been transformed into a dehydrating walking corpse. After some moments of Price Aidan and Melody fighting within it's water-sucking aura, Buttercup dropped water upon it, and then converted the total into holy water, burning the ashen husk into oblivion.

After purifying the altar and receiving a blessing of Pelor, the trio managed to patch over relations with the Bhukka, in the newfound home of the cavern, and Old Man Henry. They also negotiated a right to stay in the temple when needed.

On their way back to the oasis, the trio hastily pitched camp in the low part of a ridge, to sit under the heat. Unfortunately, a desert storm rolled in, bringing with it the possibility of flooding. Prince Aidan managed to, with the direction of Buttercup, dig a trench around the camp to prevent the slides from obliterating the camp, and the trio with it. They then proceeded to the oasis, where they met back up with the remainder of the original party.

The full party, after learning the route of the gold medallion'ed man, set out toward a short-cut through the Badlands. They confronted a group of Orcs who were following them, Buttercup convincing them to head back home. They then, despite the advice of Shalim, headed toward a Hobgoblin encampment. The full party, with the Healer credentials of Buttercup, discerned much information regarding the box.

It appeared that the Sultan had indeed been sending out forces to protect their caravans, but the Hobgoblins had intercepted the Sultan's forces. They feared an expansion of the Sultan's lands, and had been attempting to cut off supplies. They, however, could not divine what was in the gold-filigreed boxes some of the caravans carried with them. Buttercup negotiated a one-month cease-fire, while they investigate the Sultan's intentions.

Does the party make their way through the ancient hero's cave? Do they discover the secret of the gold-filigreed box? Do they side with the Sultan, or with the Wastelands' Humanoids? A crossroads is ahead, and the party must make their way.