One evening, the Mothers invited Levi and Guthranka to join them for dinner. The two Tyrrans reported grim news. The rod that had been stolen from the temple some time ago, had been put to good use: the oracles now proclaimed that Orcus, Demon Lord of the Undead had returned to his full power and re-taken his seat in the Abyss. The Mothers had entrusted the rod to the temple when they had foiled the plans of Tenebrous, the aspect of Orcus that remained after his defeat by a drow goddess. They had found that they could not destroy the rod, but they could not keep it safe either. The party all looked rather nervous at the prospect of their one-time nemesis now sitting in power on a Lower Plane!
Fonesca was continuing to act strangely with the group. She demonstrated this in front of them all at once when she spent ten minutes dividing up their apple pie into exactly equal slices for the group, despite the protestations of those gathered that it really didnt matter how big each piece was. The rest of the Mothers became concerned.
Jito spent his week learning several spells to improve his flexibility in combat and otherwise. Siosiann summoned a familiar on the first day, using herbs that she had carried with her for some time and a recently purchased brazier. Her ritual was effective as she was joined at the end of the day by Tenwar, a pseudodragon. She was very pleased with her efforts and Tenwar seemed to be very pleased to be there. On the next days, with Tenwar often perching on her shoulders, she learnt more spells from the others books. Finally she cast a detect magic on herself and made its effects permanent.
Obrana meanwhile was creating things. She gathered together strange ingredients, glassware, pestles and mortars and busied herself in a corner of the apartment concocting potions. By the end of the week she had made five which she clearly labelled so that the other Mothers would be able to use them without her direction. They were potions of: Remove Disease; Invisibility Purge; Prayer and two of Cure Serious Wounds.
Kurtalla taught Ursus to stay.