Editing Chapter 9.01

{{Infobox_episode|title=Chapter 9.01|published=June 7, 2022|link=[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/06/07/9-01/ Chapter 9.01]|previousChapter=[[Chapter 9.00]]|wordcount=33,931|nextChapter=[[Chapter 9.02]]}}

'''Chapter 9.01''' is the 2nd chapter of [[Volume 9]].

== tl;dr ==

* [The garden of sanctuary] does not display statues of the deads Erin met. This along with its inability to display statues of warriors who died before having chance to meet her make her feel down. She was afraid that her inn would disappoint the veteran Antinium squads. 
*Erin and her guests at the inn chill near a fire place and talk about deadlands, drakes and happiness.
* Fetohep meets the [Innkeeper] Quarass and they have a wake for the previous Khelt monarchs.
* Teriarch flies to meet Rhisveri.

== Synopsis ==
Erin is escorted back to her inn by the Thronebearers and her friends with many of the onlookers following her back only for to be left outside. Lyonette arranges for the Thronebearers to secure the inn and allow entry only for Erin's notable guests. The first begin to arrive from Pallass: Grimalkin, Chaldion, Saliss, Drassi, Noass and Relz, the latter two who are barred from entering.

Fetohep is shown a recording of Erin's event and has his scribes note down everyone that is allowed entry into the inn. Having only recently returned to Khelt after having dropped off all of the Chandrarians along the way, Fetohep begins to think about the true death of the rulers of Khelt. He tries to distract himself by arranging land for the three Gnoll tribes that he had brought back to Khelt with him. Unable to distract himself Fetohep eventually leaves the capital alone.

Erin notices how everyone has changed in her time away: Lyonette exerts more authority, Relc acts more responsibly, Mrsha begins writing correspodence to Stargazer's Promise and Visma. Seborn, Jelaqua, Selys and the Horns greet Erin and begin to ask Erin how she was able to post the quests for the Walled City of Stars and the Crossroads of Izril. Erin accidentally reveals that she's capable to also posting Legendary Quests causing Yvlon to faint.

The guests begin to interrogate Erin before she tries to retreat into the Garden of Sanctuary but bumps into Ulvama on her way out and Erin quickly realises she doesn't know who the shaman is. Erin has her guests form a queue to talk to her, with the first being Klbkch. Everyone eavesdrops as Erin drops hints about having learned things in the land of the dead. Klbkch hints that the Antinium might take the quest to find Mershi but he asks if he can talk to her again later with fewer observers to their discussion. Fierre bursts into the inn and is sent to the back of the queue. Before leaving Klbkch asks if she met any Antinium, but she tells him that she hadn't and that she wouldn't have met them if they had died on Rhir.

The Antinium arrive: Pawn, Belgrade, Yellow Splatters, Painted Antinium and Crusaders from Squad 5 of Battalion 1 (Crusaders #51-60). Seborn is the second in line and after laughing at Noass being shock spelled outside he asks Erin about buried treasure but she can't tell him anything. Seborn leaves after asking Erin to talk to Moore. The Antinium enter the inn as Pisces is next in line - Erin goes to greet them instead and Crusader 57 swears at Erin when she asks them to leave their weapons out the way. Crusader 57 introduces himself and his battalion and Erin finally recalls being told about the war with Hectval.

Belgrade and Pawn tell Erin about the war and she notices the Crusaders are still recovering from their wounds. She then sees the Goblins and sees Rasktooth and Infinitypear and then notices the Goblin hiding out in the basement Gothica. Erin invites the Antinium to food and promises to talk to all of them. Crusader 57 comments that he'll see what's so special about the inn to Erin's worry. The Antinium begin to eat and Crusader 57 says that the inn is nice but not worth dying for. The crusaders head up to the statues in the garden but don't see any crusader statues and Crusader 57 once again comments that he knows the inn is just okay.

Lyonette and Selys get into a discussion over Drakes determining inheritance right after the deceased are buried without time in between. The Silverfang Gnolls were likewise carrying out their customs, with Krshia creating candles for their dead. Outside the capital of Khelt, Koirezune, Fetohep mourns for the death of the previous rulers. Teriarch stops scrying Fetohep as he mourns but he realises he has missing memories - including those related to Erin, Ryoka and Magnolia.

Grimalkin tries to pry information out of Erin on behalf of Pallass, but she maneuvers him into asking again in two days as her thoughts are preoccupied with the Crusaders. Kevin offers Erin his laptop so that she can start up a party and Lyonette wants forewarning of what Erin has planned, but Erin doesn't have anything planned and heads outside to the outhouse.

Erin spends some time thinking about what to do before trying to reenter her inn, only to realise that the doors open outwards and make it difficult for her to reenter on her wheelchair. Eventualy Ishkr arrives to help her in but finds her looking at the grass that has changed color. Erin and Ishkr talk about what happened while she was dead as well as his sister. Ishkr heads to the kitchen to get food for Erin and Kevin leaves the inn and joins Erin. Ishkr returns with food, including corn and Erin decides to try grilled corn. Grimalkin finds them and helps them create a fire to cook. They talk about food.

Pelt arrives to the impromptu barbecue and helps them cook the corn while the group talks about the Walled Cities. Grimalkin says that he could have quit Pallass but Pelt urges him to think carefully about it. They realise that Ishkr may be lactose intolerant and that Ksmvr's amulet of food poisoning might be an anti-allergy amulet. Kevin returns to the inn to grab the amulet so that he can try eating shrimp that he is allergic to.

Ksmvr and Yvlon arrive to join the group, followed up by Chaldion, Jelaqua, Seborn and Maughin. The Half-seekers talk about killing Wall Lord Dragial and Chaldion offers them a medal for killing him. Imani and Lasica follow Ishkr who has been sneaking food from the kitchen to find the group and they follow up by bringing out more food alongside Palt and Rufelt. Everyone inside the inn finally catch on to what's going on and eventually venture outside - with Saliss and Lyonette being some of the last. Erin briefly tells them about being dead: the war and the end of the afterlife. She tells Pawn that she saw no Antinium nor Goblins.

Fetohep returns to the palace and receives a message from the Quarass requesting a meeting along the border of Ger. He leaves alone and enters a building on the border. Inside he fines the Quarass serving guests like an [Innkeeper]. The Quarass tells him that she will gain the class in order to take advantage of the new [Quest] system given her long memory and vast knowledge. The Quarass then invites Fetohep to sit and listen to her stories of meeting the previous rulers - to hold a wake for the rulers of Khelt. Meanwhile Teriarch flies towards what might be the last gathering of Dragon and Wyrm.

Everyone begins to give their opinion on what is the meaning of life, or what happiness is:

* Jelaqua: 
* Grimalkin: 
* Selys: 
* Seborn: 
* Mrsha: 
* Chaldion: 
* Bird: 
* Yvlon: 
* Pisces: 
* Pelt: 
* Ksmvr: 

Kevin overhears the Crusaders talking as Normen joins in on a conversation with Crusader 57. Pivr and Ksmvr join the group, followed by Klbkch who comments on Ksmvr's new hand and his appropriation of his sword style. Furfur and Dekass arrive heralding the meeting of the six most hated Antinium together in one place. Ksmvr sees Furfur and displays his [Fourfold Petting] on the cat to assert dominance over the [Pet Trainer], but Furfur takes out a comb and brush to which the cat leaves Ksmvr for.

Krshia has joined the party and speaks melancholy about the Gnoll losses, despite the new lands and change in the Age. But Kevin points out that at least in this world they can do something with levels. Erin tells Krshia that she won't forget what the Gnolls did to help Mrsha and she offers the Gnolls of the Plains the same sanctuary that the Antinium have with her.

Rasktooth says that he will die happy after tonight as he is now a useless Goblin and will die. Infinitypear tells him that he will be his legs. Erin wants to talk to Pisces but decides that she'll do it when he's ready, at least another day of rest. Apista, never to fly again, smokes a cigar as Mrsha sleeps in bed.

As the night winds down, Erin tries to find a hat but realises Normen has gone to Liscor already. Instead she puts an upturned pot on her head and captures something inside it. She tells them that she'll show them all later, but not before asking if they have a wish. She asks Crusader 57 if he wanted more and he tells her that she's good enough before wishing everyone a good night.

== Characters ==
( * = First Appearance)

*[[Erin Solstice]]
*[[Tekshia Shivertail]]
*[[Lormel]]
*[[Ushar]]
*[[Sest]]
*[[Dalimont]]
*[[Zevara Sunderscale]]
*[[Lyonette du Marquin]]
*[[Gireulashia Ekhtouch]] / Gire
*[[Mrsha]]
*[[Numbtongue]]
*[[Bird]]
*[[Grimalkin Duveig]]
*[[Chaldion Oliwing]]
*[[Saliss Oliwing]]
*[[Relz Hauscale]] / Sir Relz
*[[Noass]]
*[[Drassi Tewing]]
*[[Fetohep]]
*? - Khelt's [Observer] *
*[[Krshia Silverfang]]
*[[Klbkch]]
*[[Seborn Sailwinds]]
*[[Ishkr]]
*[[Relc Grasstongue]]
*[[Suxhel]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Lehra Ruinstrider]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Visma]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Jelaqua Ivirith]]
*[[Moore]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Selys Shivertail]]
*[[Ceria Springwalker]]
*[[Pisces Jealnet]]
*[[Yvlon Byres]]
*[[Ksmvr]]
*[[Dragial]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Peslas]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Larracel Delais|? - Level 55 [Innkeeper]]] (''First Time Mentioned'')
*? - Level 50+ [[Baleros]] [Innkeeper] (''First Time Mentioned'')
*[[Ulvama]]
*[[Rufelt Owelt]]
*[[Lasica Feltail]]
*[[Serafierre val Lischelle-Drakle]] / Fierre
*[[Garia Strongheart]]
*Pallassian Drake [Soldiers] (x20)
**? - [Lieutenant]
*[[Pawn]]
*[[Belgrade]]
*[[Yellow Splatters]]
*[[Painted Antinium]]
*Antinium [Crusaders]
**Squad 5 of Battalion 1 - Acid Jars
***[[Crusader 57]]
***[[Crusader 53]]
***Crusader 55
***Crusader Toni
***Crusader 52-3 *
***Crusader 54-6 *
***Crusader 56-2 *
***Crusader 58-4 *
***Crusader 59-2
***Crusader 60 *
**Beriad of the Antinium (x17)
*[[Rasktooth]]
*[[Infinitypear]]
*[[Apista]]
*[[Gothica]]
*[[Kevin Hall]]
*[[Imani]]
*[[Palt Fenrisol]]
*[[Teriarch]]
*[[Maughin]]
*[[Silverfang Tribe]]
**[[Cetrule]] (''Mentioned'')
**[[Satar Silverfang]] (''Mentioned'')
**[[Akrisa Silverfang]] (''Scry Projection'')
**[[Cers Silverfang]] (''Scry Projection'')
*[[Liska]]
*[[Embria Grasstongue]]
*? - Shouting Drake *
*[[Tesy]] / Sellme (''Mentioned'')
*[[Ferkr Shallenside]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Pelt]]
*[[Octavia Cotton]]
*[[Joseph Ortega]]
*[[Quarass]]
*[[Khelta]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Xierca]] (''Mentioned'')
*[[Elirr Fultpar]]
*[[Hexel Quithail]]
*[[Wailant Strongheart]]
*[[Viceria Strongheart]]
*[[Normen]]
*[[Alcaz]]
*[[Pivr]]
*[[Furfur]]
*[[Dekass]]
*? - Female Drake Bloodfeast Raider? or [[Salkis Blackwing]]?

==Locations==

*[[Izril]]
**[[Floodplains]]
***[[Liscor]]
***[[The Wandering Inn]]
****[[Garden of Sanctuary]]
**[[Teriarch]]'s cave
*[[Chandrar]]
**[[Khelt]]
**Waystation - Between [[Khelt]] and [[Germina]]

==[[Plants]]==

* Faerie Flowers
* Goudolep - Juice from [[Wailant Strongheart|Wailant]]’s spitting watermelons (''Mentioned'')
* Snowcorn (''First Time Mentioned'')

==Items==

* Zweihander
* Dragonbone mace
* [[Kevin's Laptop]]
*Erin's enchanted rings:
**? - Ring that protects from getting shot
**Anti-[Appraisal] and [Scrying] Ring
**Ring of Silence (?)
*[[Blade of Mershi]] (''Mentioned'')
*Yellat Ale - Alcohol Drink
*Deathbeil Draught - Undead Alcohol Drink
*Claiven Wine - Alcohol Drink
*Chaldion’s Eye - Alcohol Drink
*[[The Putrid One|Putrid One]]'s Circlet

[[Category:Chapters]]
[[Category:Volume 9]]