Nothing they could do—the party of five, limited by the amulet's charges, could only drink and wait in the mass grave for midnight's cooldown.
It was a novel experience, even for the worldly Faerûnians.
"Alright, that's enough!" Edgin put away the wine flask and clapped his hands. "Simon, is the amulet charged?"
"All set. Deathly token is ready again," Simon nodded. "Let's hope we find a clue this time, or we'll be back tomorrow night…"
Edgin and Holga rolled up their sleeves and dug up three more graves, finally finding a corpse with detailed knowledge of the Helmet of Disjunction's fate.
"...I hid the helm, but my wounds were too severe—I was dying…" The corpse spoke with a nostalgic tone. "But I met a Thayan, with Szass Tam's mark on his forehead…"
"I expected a killing blow, but he didn't kill me," the corpse said. "He prayed for me and introduced himself."
"He said his name was Xenk Yendar, a fugitive from Szass Tam's rule, now living in exile…" the corpse continued. "As I was dying, he promised to keep the helm safe. And for some reason, I believed him."
"That's impossible," Edgin said stiffly. "There are no good Thayans—they're all murderers! You were tricked!"
"I'm telling the truth," the corpse repeated.
"You're talking nonsense!" Edgin was even more agitated. "That Thayan lied, your death was pointless, and the helm you died to protect just ended up in the hands of an evil Thayan murderer!"
"Damn it, we need another plan. The helm's lost," Edgin threw the shovel down. "Aoko, how long until you reach 9th-level spells?"
"Oh, hard to say," Aoko replied. "I'm close, but I don't have a Mordenkainen's disjunction scroll, and I don't know anyone who does, so I can't learn it out of thin air."
"I've heard of Xenk," druid Doric said suddenly. "He's a paladin who once helped the Emerald Enclave defeat priests of Talos."
"I know the name too," Simon added. "My uncle said Xenk killed a cyclops with a sharpened stick."
"What's wrong with you all?!" Edgin shouted. "Thayans are all murderers! Enough with the fairy tales!"
Holga stared at Edgin for a long time, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"What, you two have also heard of this great Xenk?" Edgin said nervously, looking at Aoko and Holga.
"Don't look at me. I've been with you two since coming to Faerûn—how could I know any Thayans?" Aoko shrugged, and Edgin turned to Holga.
"I've heard of Xenk," Holga admitted. "My cousin fought alongside him in Anauroch and said he was a good man."
"Fine, I get it," Edgin said angrily. "Go braid each other's hair with Xenk, I'll find another way to break the vault's seal!"
He tried to leave alone, but Holga stopped him, knowing why the mention of a Thayan triggered Edgin so much.
"Honestly, it's simple to confirm if Xenk is good," Aoko said to Edgin. "A paladin's power comes from their oath. If Xenk is your typical Thayan villain, he couldn't be a paladin or use their powers."
"What's the point?" Edgin retorted. "I don't want to see any Thayans!"
"If Xenk isn't the good guy people say, I'll help you take him out—deal?" Aoko smiled. "I'm an 8th-level caster; killing one Thayan isn't hard, is it?"
Edgin was convinced and stopped.
He stood thinking for a moment, then nodded—it made sense.
"Your plan's a bit… but thanks for calming Edgin," Holga patted Aoko's shoulder. "Anyone know where this saintly Xenk is now?" Edgin called loudly, masking his embarrassment. "I don't want to wander around hunting a Thayan blindly!"
"I know," Doric said. "He worked with the Harpers at the Shield of Mobyrian not long ago, resisting a Thayan invasion."
"Oh, fantastic, the Harpers!" Edgin said sarcastically, going to fetch his horse.
"What's his problem?" Doric asked in confusion.
"He used to be a Harper," Aoko explained.
"Yeah, Edgin and the Harpers have history," Simon added. "It didn't end well."
Aoko was sure Edgin heard them, but he said nothing.
"Excuse me," the corpse said suddenly. "You still have two questions left. I'm still alive."
"No, you're dead," Aoko corrected, then cast Dispel Magic, laying the corpse back to rest.
Under the night sky, the group set off again, but this time the mood was different—the bard who kept spirits up was now in an emo funk.
"Should we return to Longsaddle tonight?" Aoko asked on horseback. "Or camp somewhere? I've made great progress in magical accommodations…"
"No, I suggest we head straight to the Shield of Mobyrian," Holga said. "It's not far—just west, by the Surbrin river."
"Alright," Aoko shrugged. "I don't like staying up late, but camping by a graveyard after digging so many graves is a bad idea."