Continuing from where they left off, chaos unfolded as a fight erupted within the walls of Rivergard Keep. Our heroes swiftly dispatched one of the guards, only for Eeyore to abruptly bring the skirmish to an end by smashing down on a table and demanding peace. After a brief hesitation from both sides, the fighting ceased.
With tensions momentarily diffused, Jolliver reluctantly agreed to talk, though not without complaining that Valerian and Eeyore smelled awful. During the discussions, Eeyore excused himself to take a bath, leaving Valerian to negotiate. Valerian proposed a one-on-one duel with high stakes: if the heroes won, the remaining pirates (and possibly cultists) would vacate the keep. If the bandits won, one of the heroes would join them while the others departed.
When Eeyore returned, Jolliver demanded that Eeyore join the pirates if they won. Eeyore refused both to participate in the duel and to join their ranks. Jolliver, unimpressed, decided that two heroes would fight in Eeyore’s place. Valerian agreed but insisted that the duel be a two-on-two match instead.
The heroes selected Valerian and Isaac to represent them, while Jolliver and Shoalar represented the pirates. The fight turned out to be lackluster, with both sides struggling to land effective attacks. Jolliver’s strikes missed more often than they hit, Isaac and Valerian couldn’t seem to connect with their targets, and Shoalar’s spells were repeatedly resisted. The underwhelming spectacle left everyone unimpressed.
Eventually, Jolliver focused his attacks on Valerian, managing to knock him unconscious a few times while attempting to curse him. Isaac kept reviving Valerian with healing magic, and Valerian countered Shoalar’s magic missile with his shield spell. Finally, Isaac took his chance, finishing Jolliver with his wand of magic missile. As Shoalar fled toward the water, Isaac and Valerian pursued him, defeating the water genasi and securing victory.
The pirates honored their agreement and left the keep. As the group explored the stronghold, they uncovered treasure and a secret underground tunnel equipped with rowboats, leading into the darkness. Deciding that today was not the day to explore it, they marked its location for the future.
Meanwhile, Yurian, having recognized Jolliver as the thief who stole his sword, sought out a straggler. Capturing a pirate, he began torturing him for information about his sword and the pirates’ dealings. Frustrated by the lack of answers, Yurian started dragging the man toward the river. Hearing the commotion, Eeyore intervened, with Xeiros close behind. Eeyore stopped Yurian, reminding him of their promise to let the pirates go. Xeiros then healed the captive and allowed him to leave. Eeyore calmly explained to Yurian that kindness often yields better results when seeking information.
Later, Yurian gathered the group to share pieces of his past, revealing the motivations behind his actions and shedding light on the pain that drives him.