To the Isles of Infinity, and Beyond!

After the death of Arquestan, the Abolitionists set to researching what to do next. Thanks in part to MacGyver's research skills, they found a travel guide in the wind duke's library. Apparently, the Isles of Infinity were a sort of resort for planar beings of leisure, located on the plane of air. The party discussed their options, and Flint suggested he call a planar ally, a kirin, and negotiate with it to transport them to the Isles. The others agreed, and after a couple days fortifying the manor both physically and magically, Flint summoned the rainbow-hued unicorn. She agreed to transport them if Flint gave up the gem "The Heart of the Heir" and owed her a favor. They shook hands/hooves, and Flint also offered her a ring of fire resistance as a gift. She accepted graciously, and their business being complete, with a wave of her mane, the party was off.

The Abolitionists appeared on a normal appearing islet, about 200 feet long, and surrounded by water. Looking around, they noticed three things. First, there was a wooden sign in front of them with writing in a strange language. Second, on the other end of the islet, there was a small white platform. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the islet was floating in an empty void. Sure, there were several other islands surrounding them, but for the most part, all they could see was the bottom of Ardenest above them, devils flitting about its open holes, and the swirl of the elemental chaos below, draining into the abyss.

Flint was able to use his divine magic to read the driftwood sign, which read:

1. Welcome to the Isles of Infinity!

2. Beware adolescent air elementals, they do not take kindly to outsiders

3. For those who are flight-challenged, the platforms may be used to move in between isles

4. DO NOT GO INTO THE JUNGLE IT IS DANGEROUS

The party told themselves they would keep these advisories in mind, and made to move towards the platform. But before they could do so, they were attacked by air elementals. Flint quickly dropped a wall of fire between two of the elementals and Varis, but not before several were able to fly around and attack MacGyver, Volodemir, and Goblin. After two of the elementals were dropped, the other three briefly became whirlwinds, flinging Volodemir, Goblin, and Varis into the surf surrounding the isle. The water threatened to drag them in to the abyss, but the rest of the party was able to deal with the teenaged whirlwinds and rescue their companions (especially Goblin, who swam like a stone).

The platform ride was comfortable, and they arrived at the second island without incident. This island was somewhat larger, perhaps 800 or 1000 feet long. To the left was a forest, out of which rose a large hill or a small mountain, depending on your perspective. At the other end of the island was a cave. After some discussion, the Abolitionists decided to follow the path along the forest towards the cave. While they sauntered along, Lynnya noticed some birds overhead. They appeared to be surrounded by some sort of insect, but as Volodemir looked with her, they realized that the 'insects' were giant eagles, and the birds were rocs! Not wanting to face the gargantuan beasts in their element, the party dashed into the cave, and dashed the hopes of the birds.

The cave was unoccupied, and lead swiftly to a river, beside which was a small boat, apparently made out of the same material as the platform. They climbed into the boat, and it lead them downstream, and out of the island altogether! The river floated down towards the next island without any apparent support, and landed them on a lake. This island was not quite a large as the second, but was almost as long, with a jungle on one end, and on the opposite end next to the lake, another cave. Heeding the sign they were given, they guided the scow into the cave, which led them to a new island, the largest and most peaceful yet. Here they traveled down a river the length of the island, and disembarked in front of the most spectacular palace they had ever seen. Beautiful garden surrounded an edifice of white marble, and gleaming golden minarets rose into the sky. As they approached the palace, they were welcomed and led inside.

The interior was a sumptuous as the exterior, marble halls lined with mosaics depicting scenes of hunting and ancient battles. a large audience chamber where a djinn, Sheikh Omar, sat on a malachite throne. Next to Omar sat a familiar figure -- was it Arquestan? No, it couldn't be, and it wasn't. Arquestan was still dead. This was Qadeej, another Vaati. Omar welcomed them formally, and asked them to step into a nearby room where they would be more comfortable.

The new room was appointed with comfortable couches, upholstered in pink, their white backs matching the material of the boat and the platform. The walls were pink marble, and on the white table was a silver tray containing bread, olives, cheeses, and a carafe of a light wine. Gahl'akr very eagerly made himself a sandwich while the party got to talking. Omar knew of their quest, due to his guest Qadeej. Qadeej explained the reluctance of the Vaati to help the party reassemble the rod, since they did not want to start a new chaos war. The first war, between Paladine and Tiamat, was very destructive, and now with humanoid life firmly established would be catastrophic. But now he's come around. The best way to stop a new chaos war is to reassemble the rod so Miska can finally be killed! And there's a part of the rod here, with one small hitch. It is in the possession of an ancient white dragon that took up residence on one of the Isles. The party reluctantly agreed to help, and Omar transported them to a series of small earth motes close to one another, which he called the broken isles.

Here lightning flashed, and the party scrambled to jump from mote to mote, but they were successfully making their way across when demons swooped in to attack! Next time, we'll find out how the Abolitionists fare in their fight against Avianca the White