Aestýris Reports

This page serves as an account for the journeys associated with the adventurers tied in fate to the Twilight Grove and its residents.
== 18/02/2024 - Zetos, 204EF ==
Involved Party Members:
* Ælfred 
* Asgeirr
* Feardorcha
* Lorcan
* Pluto
* Silma
Nine months after the fall of Freehearth, the continent finds itself in a state of uncertain peace. The kingdoms stand separate - save for that of Hammerhorn and Elderfall, united in marriage, while the Zitus-aligned Empires stir gently. And yet the crack start to strain once more, and so the Twilight Forest calls out to those wanting and worthy. 
Feardorcha and Lorcan arrive at the Twilight Forest, finding themselves immediately catching note of six broken pillars stand tall, and yet the primal magic lingering in the air itself is still abundantly present, but catching their attention is instead a pair of fey-infused firbolgs arguing over the numbers available in their “tribe”, one insisting that two is quite enough, the other quite insistent that more would be necessary. The argument continues as they realise the mysticism of the approach has been lost and so the pair agrees to walk back a bit and let the pair - both introducing themselves as Toutatis - to start their routine again. The Lords of the Tribe, Keepers of the Grove and Champions of the Twilight Forest (Toutatis) bid the pair to submit to a simple spell to check their intentions, but are interrupted by a butterfly landing on a stick used as the focal point - seemingly signifying the approach of another pair. Ælfred, a broad maul-wielding wanderer with fierce martial prowess, and Silma, an elderly but determined elderly woman using a sword as a walking stick. Ælfred immediately drops to the floor, making a prayer to Zitus before the two Toutatises go through the introductions once more - with marginally more professionalism - until the two pairs are introduced to each other too. 
Toutatis (one of them), reaches out with the twig-like wand once more but it is instead interrupted by a squirrel this time round. With Silma sitting on Ælfred’s hammer, the group is hidden by means of Major Image behind a large bush to allow the new arrivals to once more get the same grand and mystical introduction. Asgeirr, a towering figure clad in leather slinks through the undergrowth near silently, accompanied by a mischievous and curious gold dragon hatchling, just behind them Pluto, a young and comparatively short spellcaster, themselves trailed by a companion in the form of a wispy ghost-like creature. The newest arrivals also get the same introductions - clearly noticing the totally and indisputably inconspicuous bush in the middle of the grove - and so pulls out his wand once more, pushing all to submit to the simple enchantment that fills the air with pollen and beholden to the truth.
They ask each individual if they have ever killed, and the reasons for doing so:
* Asgeirr - Yes, to protect to his home
* Pluto - Yes, only when necessary, didn’t enjoy it
* Silma - Yes, quite a lot in line of duty
* Feardorcha - Yes, to protect that which he cares for most
* Ælfred - Yes, as a city guard took a life
* Lorcan - Yes, delivered loss to prevent further loss, and would be other still deserving them
They ask each individual if they have ever cheated or stolen:
* Asgeirr - That implies anything belongs to anyone
* Pluto - A book from a restricted section that they returned once they were done with it
* Ælfred - No honour in taking what is not earned
* Silma - Stole sweets from the tavern as a child
* Feardorcha - Decades ago, perhaps, but nothing of note recently
* Lorcan - As a child playing games, but nothing dishonourable or tricksy
They ask each individual if they have ever doubted themselves or regretted something:
* Lorcan - They are mortal, made mistakes, thought they wanted something, only to regret it or want another path in time
* Feardorcha - Has lived for many years, would readily replay them if they could change things but acknowledges 
* Silma - Mother used to say that if always true to the best thing at the time, then will have no regrets, but that there are things to improve, but that guides the path ahead
* Ælfred - Ashamed of what he once was, has been reconstituted by the Lawbringer for which they are deeply thankful
* Pluto - People have doubted him when he mentions his dreams and aspirations, some of which has likely carried over to his own thoughts - and yet he keeps hope all the same
* Asgeirr - Takes a little while to answer, but has had things relating to his duties in the past that have led to as such.
One of the Toutatises decides to ask another question - what is more powerful, a tree or a forest, leaving the question up to the individual’s interpretation:
* Asgeirr - A forest is easier to conceal things within, particularly things that they love
* Pluto - After much deliberation, answers “the same as Asgeirr”
* Ælfred - Tree knows how to grow, how to stand tall, and defines the forest
* Lorcan - It takes greater strength to stand alone, knowing there are none others at its side, and that it might in time be the heart of a forest
* Feardorcha - Acknowledges a tree is strong and powerful, with wide roots and branches, but should always aspire to bloom into a wider forest
* Silma - declares that a forest takes far longer to fell, and that a forest stands stronger together, an answer that very much satisfies the Toutatis asking the question.
The questioning pair declare there is now a task to complete, one that transcends beyond the scope of the Twilight Forest itself, and so they are to travel to a village of Dunvegan in Redreach where a sickness is spreading - despite the efforts of the local healer. They are told to enter the Twilight Grove they must help, seeking out Popip Sageroot, and are teleported by means of Primal Magic with naught but a clap. Through a haze of swirling vortex they find themselves in a circular chamber humming with the reverberations of druidic magic, a grand tree at the centre and six stone tablets etched with pagan sigils emulating auras of reverence and majesty. Gesturing to one of the doorways, a leystone bound to somewhere in Redreach, the firbolg-like creatures explain the magic. Clockwise, they go to Redreach (Nuada), Wildewatch (Mannan), Ravencourt (Silvanus), Elderfall (Danu), Port Arden (Oghma) and Nighthaven (Belenus). 
The village of Dunvegan finds itself immediately held in the grasp of a plague, but the group persuades their way into the village, quickly meeting Popip who explains the progression of the disease, after a certain point necessitating inducing a coma with Devil’s Bloodroot, something Popip has done several times over. The local druid Morgen likewise has fallen in, and is unable to help, so Lorcan proposes that he tries his Lay On Hands on them - empowered by Ælfred by means of Enhance Ability - which does seem to settle the associated fever without definitively curing it. Confirming by means of Divine Sense that no malign entity or force seems to be present, the group reconvenes, and goes to fetch the herb Popip is after - the bewitching briarleaf - pink in their hues and similar to petunias - Asgeirr quickly remarking that the briarleaf is innately hostile, carnivorous and at least somewhat sentient. Popip reassures the party, and goes to send them on their way to the revered druidic site of Gaul Forest, home to hostile centaurs that guard the forest zealously.
Gaul Forest proves to be a difficult trek, the woodland thick and dense - with obvious signs of hooves from centaurs’ passage, spiders’ webs sprawling between the trees, from which a trio of giant spiders come clambering from the canopy. Ælfred, horrified at the prospect, immediately nails one with a furiously powerful Guiding Bolt, allowing for Silma and her younger Echo to assail the felled. Nonetheless, the spider proves more hardy than anticipated and takes out the echo. Pluto envelops himself in a shadowy regal cape as his Form of Dread, tossing out Eldritch Blasts to strike another that is subsequently hexed by Lorcan. Asgeirr tosses a javelin, shrouding it in cold, while Feardorcha joins Lorcan in bludgeoning their foes with his Shillelagh. Ælfred channels the divine blessing of Zitus to strike it with a Wrathful Smite, while Silma’s Echo rises again, fighting on. Surprised when the elderly adventure proves particularly deft with her sword, the spider nearest does naught, taking no action, while Pluto terrifies that which he attacks while in his Form of Dread. Asgeirr continues to toss spears at the giant spider as Bjarti sinks their teeth into one of the arachnid’s legs, flailing about when it tries to shake them off. 
A centaur archer, Toduvard Summerroamer - who fires three arrows, but finds its mark but once - comes storming from the dense forest. The giant spiders are shortly after dealt with, two slain, one fleeing. Ælfred briefly considers giving chase to the spider in the name of the justice of Zitus but deems it unwarranted. The centaur demands their intent, claiming them trespassers, which the group does not refute, but they standfast in their intentions, talking of their mission on behalf of the village of Dunvegan and so an agreement is reached - they will be allowed as a one-off to seek out the briarleaf - and will plant the seeds once more in the forest in a sunny locale to allow it to grow anew. Satisfied, the centaur leaves - fortunate timing, given that Asgeirr tragically fumbles scavenging the spider’s poison.
The party continues to push forwards on the path suggested by the centaur, and with it find themselves in a flower-filled glade, a central towering flower at the far end of the grass and shrub and stone. Around it is a plethora of numerous herbal plants but the party remains focused on their quarry, the rest is not for them to take. They approach the central flower cautiously, but it only strikes when a physical being moved within range, biting and swallowing Silma. The rest of the party springs into action, cautious of Popip’s words of advice about not burning or degrading the quality of the plant at all - and thus avoiding sources of fire, lightning, acid, radiant and necrotic. 
All try to work to free Silma, who is slowly being digested, as the Briarleaf starts to exude vast quantities of acidic mist that shroud the area in dangerous gloom. Lorcan, Feardorcha and Ælfred all channel the magic of their gods, forming a fierce frontline. Filled with fear towards the lattermost, it deliberately eats Ælfred to shield him from view, before restraining Lorcan with its tendril-like vines. Asgeirr and Pluto continue to attack from range while Ælfred and Silma push against the inside of the plant monster, aided by Pluto in finally bursting free as the creature is slain. 
Moving slowly and gradually to carefully harvest from the remains, Asgeirr harvests 4 large bundles of leaves, as well as trio of seeds - two of which the party then plants in the sunny patches of the grove near where the plant was encountered. They choose to leave the rest of the plants untouched, wary of garnering further ire, and so depart uneventfully.
Popip is delighted to see them, but they find that the specimen they fought did not have quite enough leaves available to fully help everyone definitively. Ælfred and Lorcan offer aid as they can, filling in the gaps for those with weaker doses with use of Lesser Restoration and Lay on Hands respectively, until the plague is all but cured. Sageroot offers his thanks to the group, giving them a number of herbal prizes, as well as mentioning a “Lidia” who had also helped, a name seemingly familiar to Feardorcha. Nonetheless, the party finds quick pace back to the leystone, where they are greeted once again by the Toutatises, who carve a door into the central tree, opening it wide - a forest similar to the Twilight Forest, and from there they stroll, into the Twilight Grove, different and grand, reversed and marvellous, without ruin, an echo of the memory brimming with druidic primal energies.
Seven humanoids linger within the grove beyond the Toutalises:
* An elderly woman, elven - Saria Inamoira
* Another elderly woman, human - Lidia Valide
* A red haired young woman - Molly Mollusk
* A feyling druid - Raelen Thornheart
* A broadshouldered orc - Atrimak Barkskin
* A female firbolg with blue skin and druidic robes - Eilthana Boldlight
* A teenage druidic girl - Muirona Dorie
It is Raelen that moves to greet them, making introductions, and asking each to share a tale of something important to them, to give meaning to names, to histories, to occurrences. Each of the adventurers tell a story - Lorcan of a man and a seal, Ælfred of a hunter and the lands he travels, Pluto of a sproutling and an ancient tree, Asgeirr of a farmer fighting to protect his family, Silma of a heron learning to shield that which she loved and Feardorcha of a mage and a love that opened his eyes to the world. 
Raelen gives them all thanks, and speaks an oath of dedication to the natural world through the magic of the Twilight Grove, offering up branding paints to those willing to swear it. All, after a few questions, agree, and thus find themselves able to walk the leylines freely.
=== Stories ===
==== Lorcan ====
Once there was a man of the world, and his boat. The boat, nor the man, were truly anything special, not grand in their construction or appearance, but they were worldly. Together they had travelled far and wide, across the world known to mortals, and perhaps further still. From the tropical islands where birds dance through the colourful trees with colourful feathers aflutter, of Jal'Hinto, of Kirgami and a thousand places yet unseen to humanoid eyes, to the waters where ice floes larger than ever the greatest of the continents’ cities threatened to shatter their timbers and his spirit alike, of the Frozen Tides, the boat and the man travelled, and thought of nothing else besides. 
The sea was his mistress, and how he sought her embrace - the waves, the wind. 
There was a time, when the man and his boat had been shown so very much by his mistress that he found himself fishing, his boat moored at the edge of a craggy bay, stone sharp, brown and grey and black. Upon his line he placed his lucky hook, an odd thing of silver that would be passed over and forgotten by many others surely, and yet it was precious to the man. The waves were quiet that day, for it was a peaceful place, and place for comfort, away from the storms, whether the tropical ones that stirred the winds fiercely, or the frigid ones that froze flesh and resolve alike. The man had been waiting for a while, though found himself content enough, given the nature of the bay, but in time felt something take hold up his line - and so stood triumphantly to start the process of reeling in the line and bringing the catch to heel. 
Within a few minutes, the man had worked up quite the sweat, slick with worry as it seemed not that he was making any progress, and so he grew fearful for what lingered upon the line. In his travels he’d heard many tales of monsters and other vile creatures that took advantage of an opportunity given, any door left slightly ajar, any lapse in concentration, in focus, in being. He’d never crossed paths directly with them, at least not knowingly, but he’d been privy to a few stories, and perhaps seen a few from afar. 
And so his mind started to race, of the monster that now lingered upon his line. For a moment he perhaps considered cutting the line, but thought of his lucky hook, and could not bring himself to do so. Instead, he continued to reel in the line, slowly, gradually, until his catch was laid bare. Not a monster, but still no less rare, or precious, or unexpected. 
The seal looked the man’s way, and it spoke, not to lament getting caught on the hook, but instead to offer their thanks. 
“Without you,” the seal said, “surely I would have been eaten up and swallowed by the monsters of this bay. There are those with too many eyes, and those with too few. Others have more teeth than one could count in a lifetime, others change their face as readily as an ocean current, all this and more - and so you have my thanks once more, you and your shining hook, like a light in the dark. You must be careful though, for the monsters still hunger and are cunning.”
The man, aghast, solemnly swore there and then never to fish in that bay again, and yet found nothing but affection for the seal. Despite the seal’s talk of monsters, the bay was still its home, and so the man decided to stay at the bay, never straying far. The sea was still his mistress, the boat his home, and he treasured both, but now the seal he’d saved became his third love. 
Each morning, he’d sail out to the waters of the bay and wait for the seal to appear, and for the remainder of the day would tell them of his travels when he was younger, of all the wondrous things that he had seen in the presence of his marine mistress. He was an explorer no longer, but the journeys were still vivid, and he wanted to share them. The seal had no means of understanding the scale of the world, of its wonders, but it listened all the same, even if it couldn’t comprehend them. The seal would come to the shore each day to hear the stories, and listen attentively. Each afternoon they’d collect up stones and rocks, and cast them into the waters, layer by layer turning the bay into a lagoon, safe and quiet and secure. 
Years passed, and the man no longer of the world found the shore provided what he needed, and though he hadn’t used it since the day he first met the seal, he still wore the lucky hook as a pendant against his chest. The man’s boat had fallen to disrepair, for no longer had use for it, comfortable upon the shore as he was, and so his travels upon the waves became nothing more than memories held with fondness and warmth - even those of the frigid north! Each day the seal came to share in the memories, but by now they had made new ones still. 
A day came that brought with it a mighty storm. Wind and wave, thunder and torrent, and so the pair met not that morning. When it finally passed, the bay was scarcely so, cliffs sundered, stones and rocks cast aside. The man called for the seal, but found no answer. The following morning came, and another three besides, before the man, desperate, looked out over his broken bay washed over by the ocean’s tides, and moved with resolve, hands reaching for his chest. 
For a day and a half he fished, lucky silver hook cast into the depths before he finally felt something catch. Faster and faster he reeled, and to his blessed relief found once more the seal at the end of the line. 
“You said you’d never fish again,” the seal remarked, tired, hungry, nigh as broken as the bay, “the monsters still hunger and are cunning.”
The man could do naught but smile.
==== Ælfred ====
When the world was new, it had known how it had come to be. Every stream had flowed with a purpose, carving itself through the winding hills of forests that had grown from saplings tall and sturdy to reach the ever shifting sky. Every mountain had formed from hills, peaked from the earth’s shaking, as fire plumed between them, and snow rested atop them all the same. The world had known its origins, its beginnings, and had worshipped them. Every stream, every tree, and every mountain knew the moment of their birth, and every stream, every tree, and every mountain was thankful for their purpose.
When the world was new, there had been a man. When the mountains had erupted into their form, he had been a climber, scaling their peaks to see what new view the world wanted to display. When the trees had begun to sprout, he had been a lumberjack, carving and making way for future trees, to renew the life of the forest. When the streams had trickled into their wooded paths, he had been a ferryman, following the streams into rivers and lakes and clearing their waters of debris.
The world became old, and so did the man. He fashioned himself a hunter now, a carver alone in the woods, and he sang songs and wrote stories to himself of the beginning of the world, and how beautiful it all had been when it was young. He would sing these songs and tell these tales to the forests, to the streams, and to the mountains, and though he knew the words by heart, it seemed that the world began to forget them. When once the trees had sung along, they now sat silent. When once the mountains had roared in their chorus, they now uttered nothing but windswept whispers. When once the rivers had cackled in babbling brooks, there now was nothing but distant waves.
The hunter grew concerned. He did not wish for the world to forget itself, or worse yet, for the world to imagine itself as something it was not. He had the songs, he had the stories, and he knew it was his duty to tell them, to ensure the world did not forget its beginning.
He travelled first to what once had been a stream, that now stretched before him as an ocean. He reminded the ocean of what it had once been, a simple path of water through the trees that allowed for the animals to drink and walk alongside. But the ocean did not remember. Now it remembered only the crashing of waves, and the churning of storms above. “I will remember for you,” said the hunter, but the ocean could not hear him above the roar of the surf.
He travelled next to what had once been a sapling, that now towered beyond his vision as an overstretching forest, its roots tangled and gnarled. He reminded the forest of what it had once been, a single root, planted and watered alone in the grass. But the forest did not remember. Now it remembered only the call of the elk, the roar of the bear, and the prowl of a thousand smaller things travelling through its roots. “I will remember for you,” said the hunter, but the forest could not hear him through the bark.
He travelled last to what had once been a hill, that now stood as a mountain obelisk above the clouds, as wide and tall and strong as anything the hunter had seen. He reminded the mountain of what it had once been, a hill of flowers that had swayed in the wind. But the mountain did not remember. Now it remembered only the avalanche of snow, the lightning crash against the rock, and the thunder of tumbling boulders. “I will remember for you,” said the hunter, but the mountain could not hear him from such a height.
The hunter returned to his home. The world had forgotten itself, he thought, but then he heard a voice. It was the wind, wind that had travelled through the branches, that had sailed across the ocean, and that had climbed the highest peaks. It, like the hunter, had watched the world grow, and it had heard the hunter pleading with it now to remember, to hear of the purpose in its beginnings. “I am with you,” said the wind. “We are its memory, and so long as we remember, so long as we speak with each other of the way it had once been, that way will not be forgotten.”
The hunter found what he had been looking for. Not in the ocean or the forest or the mountain, but in the wind. In the wind, the hunter had found what he had sought to remind the world of. In the wind, the hunter found his purpose.
==== Pluto ====
In a grove that's both near and far, there was a small sproutling. It's bark hadn't hardened yet and their crown wasn't bloomed yet the other trees around them whispered of a great long life ahead of the young sprout. 
And so as the years passed and the sproutling grew little by little and all the while life flourished in the grove. One group of creatures in particular that caught their attention and interest were the squirrels that foraged and played around his trunk and in his branches.
One day the sproutling turned to one of the largest and most ancient trees. "Oh ancient one! I noticed that my friends the squirrels have made themselves a home within your grand self. Do you think once I grow up to be as big as you that they will make me a part of their home as well?"
The old wizened tree creaked in response "Oh little sapling. The squirrels you call friends for now will have passed on long before the time comes when you've grown sturdy and tall. As will their children and the children after them."
"But why, ancient one?" Asked the sproutling. "Why must I be forced to witness those I call friends die so soon? Why do they have to live so short lives compared to us?"
"It is simply the way how nature has dictated it to be." Answered the ancient tree. "Their lives are but a fleeting passage, yet we stand for centuries. Their bodies return to the earth and bring forth new, just as we will once our time has come." 
The sproutling shuddered and lamented. "It's not fair! To live in a world where I will see friends come and go so often yet I remain unchanged? What a cruel world this is!"
The ancient tree creaked once more. "Indeed. But such is the sadness of life, that death will come whether for all of us eventually, whether you wish it or not..." 
And so the years passed. The sproutling grew into a young tree and all the while the forest creatures that they called friends died and new ones took their place until they too passed. Eventually even the oldest trees withered and fell and the now young tree was left with only the whispers on the wind which simply spoke of what had been foretold. 
That no matter what, all living things have no choice in the matters of time and death.
==== Asgeirr ====
There was once a warrior who wanted to be a farmer.
He wanted reprieve from his previous life but couldn’t 
put his spear down. His wife encouraged him, yes you can!
And he did, he put it down for her sake, for the sake of their child.
Whilst he was away, tending to their sheep. A group of bandits came
to their house, demanding they pay. When the wife refused they torched 
Their home and their future. When the farmer returned he found naught but ruin and death.
Full of rage he picked up his spear and became a warrior once again,
Dealing justice to the bandits. 
He couldn’t find his wife, but his child was safe. In his mourning and in his rage he would not let go of the spear until his child called out to him. He would ensure the child was safe and that the child would survive. Perhaps he would remain a warrior but their child would not have to become one.
==== Silma ====
According to old tales the sun heron used to be just a regular black heron, it would hunt and swim and dive, you know the usual things.
One day, as the Bright fire moved the sun across the sky, the heat began to become unbearable. The waters began to dry, the leaves began to burn. And the animals began to panic, they began to run and hide and flap, struggling to find shelter from the intensity. Except for the Heron. The heron watched as the Shining One lifted his shield in front of the sun and cast a shade to protect his people. 
Seeing the eclipse the Heron realised how it could protect its brood. The Heron crouched down and threw her wings about her head, spreading her feathers as wide as she could. And beneath her she created her own shade for her children. 
As the heron cast her shelter, proudful of her safety; she heard the cries of animals, wolf cubs and wild cats suffering in the heat. She could have let them die, they were predators after all, on another day, at another time they would not have thought twice to make her pray. And yet the heron threw her wings above them, and cast them in her shade. 
As she protected her new found children the heat was raging on. And yet her exposed wings and feathers refused to burn, instead  her black plooms turned a white hot red, becoming iridescent and orange like the sun. 
Eventually the eclipse, and the summer heat had halted, and from her own umbra, the Sun Heron emerged her back a firey red and her breast still black. The wolf cubs and wild cats were ever grateful for the herons kindnss. And its said the wolf cubs and wildcats still remember the Herons shade to this day and that's why they no longer hunt them. At the time they gave thanks to the Bright Fire, and for the Sun Herons Shade. The Heron exclaimed that it is not because of the The Bright Fire that she offered them shade, though that is where it got the idea. The heron said that I offered you shade because you needed it, it needen't matter who you are or what may have happened to my kin, but without the shade you would die, and if I knew I had the means to help and not take it, well i think a piece of me may die aswell. 
The Sun heron relaxed her fiery wings. To this day; offers a shade and a shield to those in need under the hot heat. Whomever they may be.
==== Feardorcha ====
== 21/02/2024 - Zetos, 204EF ==
* Devon
* Khaargreshk
* Maeve
Arriving from the south and searching for a grove within the Twilight forest Maeve and Khaargreshk come across a Harp playing Aasimar named Audrier who asks the pair about their business travelling to the Twilight Forest, the pair tell them they were given instructions via a song after getting a song from Audrier Khaargreshk pays them in strips of leather that they claim to have been eating after that the harp player departs flying towards Valenguard.
Entering the woods they meet two Firbolgs named Toutatis who are bickering about their job and whether they should allow anyone else in, as Khaargreshk and Maeve approach the Firbolgs get flustered and begin trying to administer a test when a small badger slowly arrives telling Toutatis of another arrival they ask Maeve and Khaargreshk to hide and convince Khaargreshk not to attack the newcomer as this isn’t an ambush but a surprise Khaargreshk doesn’t really get it so finds a rock to throw as a surprise attack, a human male wanders into the glade and as Toutalis and Toutalis begin asking him questions Khaargreshk jumps out of hiding and throws the rock at Devon and misses as the rock rolls to a stop at Devon’s feet, the trio are interrogated under zone of truth and all pass, the Firbolgs then tell them they will face a trial where they have to bring an important relic a Sapling back to the grove, the sapling is in the possession of Niall Liosach who has gone missing and the party are to find his wife, Eira Liosach in Wisbech as she might be able to point the party in the right direction.
The Party are introduced to the Leystone crossroads where they are instructed to head through a stone that will take them all over Aestýris, the group step through the stone leading to Wildewatch and find themselves many miles away from the Twilight Grove, Maeve and Devon lead the way to Wisbech, night drew near as the party passed through a small clearing the settled down for the night and Maeve created a tiny hut for them to rest in, as they settle down Khaargreshk hears an animal squeal outside and immediately goes to investigate a giant boar comes running through the pass, Khaargreshk casts animal friendship on it to calm it down Maeve then speaks to it they learn that it is being chased by a four legged predator, they agree to protect the boar though Khaargreshk has other plans in mind for the beast, a dire wolf breaks from the trees and attacks the boar Maeve and Khaargreshk quickly blast the fierce predator with magic, after healing the boar’s wounds and finding it some truffles Khaargreshk begins to bond with the Boar naming it Piggy and gaslighting it in to thinking it is safe with him,
The next day the party reach Wisbech and Meet Eira a beautiful elven woman who is distressed about her husband’s whereabouts she was adamant that he wasn’t dead just missing she knows he was helping other settlements in the area and fears he was taken by a local Goblin tribe and asks the party to check there, heading out of Wisbech and to the South East the party come across Thornbrush Thicket, inside was a small Goblin hamlet deep in the woods as they walk in they are greeted by a male Goblin who welcomes them and says there are no monsters in the town…then monsters attack the town.
After a decent struggle with a Korred and some fairies the trio are led to the town guardian a druid named Nialmah, when questioned about the whereabouts of Niall Liosach, Nialmah gets flustered and hands the group the sapling and a book which he asks them not to open but that they give it to Eira and tell her that her husband has gone away and won’t be coming back, sensing foul play Khaargreshk draws Macuahuitl menacingly and demands the Goblin start speaking truthfully, Nialmah relents and tells the trio everything, they are Niall Liosach and they were unhappy that Eira had gone and asked the mages of Ravencourt when he would die, so left home because he couldn’t face waking up and knowing it was his time by the look in her eyes, he then admits that the book would have wiped her memories of him, Khaargreshk and Maeve are unmoved by this display of emotions and call Niall a coward and demand the go home and explain himself to his wife, reluctantly Niall agrees and together the four head back to Wisbech and Niall attempts to smooth things over with his wife, once inside the party waited for him to emerge.
After sometime a very sad Niall came out of the house and said his business was concluded he thanked the party for their help with the evil Fey and told them to tell Eira that they wanted to take the Sapling to Atrimak and she will hand it over, when asked if he used the book Niall answered yes with a heavy heart he then told the party they could take the book as well now the enchantment was gone it was just a regular book. Maeve said goodbye to Niall and went inside to talk with Eira, she was sat with a tear stained face staring blankly into the distance like she had forgotten something precious, Mave sits with the woman and tells her to find purpose in life and that there is a Goblin village in Thornbrush Thicket that could use her help, which Eira decides might be good to help, Maeve collects the items and bids farewell to Eira Liosach.
The trio and Piggy the giant boar head back to the Twilight Forest and present the sapling to Toutalis and Toutalis who are impressed and bring the party in to the Twilight Grove proper and introduce them to the council of elders, who welcome the group warmly and ask for them to share a story so that they might get to know each other,
=== Khaargreshk ===
====== Song of the Wandering Rabbit ======
Beneath the boughs where mystic shadows sprawl,
A rabbit sought escape from a cursed bog,
A magic swamp with whispers of the fog,
Where unseen perils lurked, awaiting thrall.
The emerald waters, shimmering spellbound,
Concealed a danger, sinister and sly,
Yet in the moonlit glow, our hare draws nigh,
Desire for freedom, his heart tightly wound.
A sorcery-veiled menace watches near,
Its malevolence concealed in disguise,
Yet courage fuels the rabbit's wary eyes,
As he eludes the swamp with naught to fear.
Through whispered reeds and moonlit shadows creep,
The rabbit bounds away, from secrets deep.
=== Maeve ===
In a house beneath the moonlit sky,
Three sisters bound, but destiny draws nigh.
Under the rule of an Archfey's might,
Their lives entwined in an enchanting light.
The eldest leaves with a heart of fire,
A quest for freedom, a desire to aspire.
The middle sister, with duties to obey,
Chooses to stay, in the Archfey's sway.
The youngest daughter, a dream in her eyes,
Leaves to find the eldest, under starry skies.
The eldest's footsteps echo in the night,
Chasing dreams beyond the Archfey's sight.
A rebel heart in a world unknown,
In pursuit of a place she can call her own.
The middle sister, bound by loyalty,
Weaves dreams within the Archfey's decree.
But the youngest, with courage so bold,
Yearns for a tale of her own to unfold.
The eldest leaves with a heart of fire,
A quest for freedom, a desire to aspire.
The middle sister, with duties to obey,
Chooses to stay, in the Archfey's sway.
The youngest daughter, a dream in her eyes,
Leaves to find the eldest, under starry skies.
Through enchanted woods and moonlit streams,
The youngest daughter chases elusive dreams.
A sisterly bond that time can't erase,
She journeys forth to find the eldest's grace.
The Archfey's whispers weave a mystic spell,
In the middle sister's heart, it dwells.
Yet, a flicker of doubt, a spark of hope,
As she ponders the destiny she must cope.
The eldest seeks a destiny untold,
The youngest pursues a tale to unfold.
In the middle, a struggle to break free,
From the Archfey's grasp and find her own decree.
The eldest leaves with a heart of fire,
A quest for freedom, a desire to aspire.
The middle sister, with duties to obey,
Chooses to stay, in the Archfey's sway.
The youngest daughter, a dream in her eyes,
Leaves to find the eldest, under starry skies.
Three sisters' fates in the cosmic dance,
A story unfolds, a mysterious trance.
Will they reunite, under the moon's soft gleam,
Or forever live in an Archfey's dream?
=== Devon ===
---
After the songs are sung and the tales told the chief elder offers out paint to the party so that they can anoint themselves with this divine substance and gain access to the Leylines without need to pray to a Pagan God.
== (25/02/24) - Evara, 204EF ==
* Ælfred
* Khaargreshk
* Maeve
* Pluto
* Silma
In the grove the party show of their new paint markings before using the laylines to travel to Wildewatch and head to Deeside. As they get to a bridge, across a river bordering the two sides of Wildewatch and Hammerhorn. A couple of the party members are stopped for moment before being allowed to cross as they are quickly checked over to make sure they do fit the description of several fugitives wanted for treasonous acts against the monarchy. 
Resting for the night the party get to know eachother a bit more over discussion of everyones favourite colours and cultural exchanges like swamp life and the feydark. Khaargresh offers Ælfred a tasty crystal as a prank,  and then offering people soap insisting it is food because it contains animal fat. As the group take watches the night goes by smoothly until Maeves watch. She spots a bear that seems drawn to the fire, as she addresses it, explaining it shouldnt move any closer it seems to respond back. The bear asks about wether the guards were still on the bridge. And if there is another way across the bridge; to which she isnt sure. The bear leaves, catching the attention of Pluto as Maeve theories that it was probably a disguised druid and not to worry on it further.
As they make it to Deeside. They see three farmsteads two seem to be abundant with crops, and one almost barren. They recognise this is likely the 'cursed farmland' they are to investigate. They meet Maeve (Snr), an elderley woman and she explains the situation that only Fungal spores and growths seem to grow, despite much effort for various crops. She offers them tea to which they endulge. Maeve looks for some of the fungal stalks to examine and theroies that they are not naturally from the material plane. Ælfred investigates a nearby abandoned homestead but does not seem to find anything unterward. Khaargresh looks for rabbits as he was upset to learn Maeve Snr had been hunting them. He finds one that has been trapped in a snare, he endeavours to calm it down as he tries to set it free, and calling it Roots. Roots mentions there is a very large rabbit hole up North.
Silma speaks to one of Maeve Snrs neighbours, Dean. She hears a rumour that her husband, Niel,  left during the night sometimes, and that he would go north, they believe he made a deal in life with some entity or devil and now that he is dead they are taking the land back. 
Before leaving to investigate the husbands old walking route/rabbit hole, Khaargresh buys alot of vegetable to deliver to Roots warren. Ælfred talks to Angus, the other of Maeve Snrs neighbours. He mentions Dean has a cruch on Maeve and that her husband may have dissappeared in a passion killing, as he now goes on these lond walks Northward. Dean also gives him a stalk of mushroom from the soil in a jar he managed to preserve. 
Kaargresh drops of food with Roots and they follow the path to a cave. As they enter Maeve warns against mushrooms that seem to be about, consistent with the mushrooms found in Maeve Snrs field and poisonous if eaten raw. As they make their way in they are attacked by spore covered creatures and a myconid. When the myconid are slain they hear painful cries deeper within, as another appears Maeve asks if the Myconid needs help, it holds out it hand, bursts in spores, and then she hears the voice come from the myconid "help please, slave." With the other creatures defeated by the party they follow the Myconid forward.
They find another larger Myconid seemingly growing out the wall and becoming a root system for the cave. As the Sovereign he apologises exclaminig that he is essentially a slave to someone who wishes to dominate, and control, as Maeve investigates the root system she finds a pair of gloves a potion and a journal. The journal denotes experiments with trying to grow nefarious mushrooms, that a matriarch figure is manipulating men visiting the cave and that she changed her approach to dilute the spores instead. Though no name is given the Myconid gives her pseudonym; The One who Whispers, known to Maeve as an Archfey called Latharna. Given the information they know the party suspect Maeve Snr as the Archfey and return to confront/question her. 
As they return to Deeside Maeve Snr is not home, but a black feather charm seems to be adourning her doorway. Pluto sends Hazey, invisibly, into the home of Dean and see both Dean and Maeve discussing their relationship. 
As she leaves and returns home the party begin to question her, in an attempt to seperate Dean from her they mention Khaargresh wants to buy more vegetables and the two leave to barter. Silma is far from convinced of Maeve Snrs innocence and they continue to accuse her, without outright calling her Latharna. 
Meanwhile Khaargresh calls overÆlfred, seemingly misunderstaning th situation with Dean and almost killing him.  Ælfred quickly heals him and Dean, understanable, becomes upset. Silma steps of Maeve Snrs foot hoping to force a transformation or slip up to no success, causing only distress to her peer.
Pluto and Hazey investigate inside the home of Angus, finding a shrine to Latharna, many mushroom spores and black candles. Revealing the truth all too late. The party are almost forced from the homes by an upset Dean, but they manage to explain the true revelation to him. Angus had seemingly fled as the group went North, he seems to be in league with the Arcfey for reasons currently unaware and was originally from Nairn in Port Arden before taking up farming in Deeside. As a sign of apology the previously found potion is given to Dean and Maeve, which is said to boost crop growth. And as they leave and rest for the day Khaargresh casts plant growth to also help the farmland around Deeside.
== (10/03/24) - Kharisrain, 204EF ==
* Pluto
* Lorcan
* Khaargreshk
* Aelfred
* Asgeirr
The party travels to Wildewatch using the leylines, preparing to head west to the Wyndwoods. Khaargreshk has no sense of object no sense of object permanence. As the party passes a bridge they are demanded a toll by an ethereal voice coming from the bridge. The party meets the guardian of the bridge, Vorandanna Shimmercleave of the Ancient Blood of Draconis Aegis, a gem dragon vyrmling. Ichiad Hezire the dragonborn, custodian of the bridge reprimands Vorandanna Shimmercleave of the Ancient Blood of Draconis Aegis and advices Asgeirr on the proper raising of a dragon. Khaargresk finds a chest inside a cave in the stream, belonging to Vorandanna Shimmercleave of the Ancient Blood of Draconis Aegis. 
Asgeirr tries to train Bjarti to track and hunt his own food. Lorcan shares his javelins with Asgeirr. The party reaches Finchale, a town of hunters and foragers. The party decides to ask around for the druid Arelel Yraudhen whom had put up the request to protect the unicor and what there is to hunt in the local woods as they try to find information on what to hunt. The innkeeper tells them about the unicorn and Jared the hunter who is hunting it. Arelel is disgruntled and drunk, raving about young hunters like Jared hunting animals. She asks them to put an arrow in Jared, but the party overall seems intent on diplomacy first. 
The party walks through the wyndwoods and a voice in Sylvan calls out to them:
"Two friends stand and travel together, one nearly useless without the other" "What am i?" Pluto answers: Feet
"Many have heard me, yet nobody has seen me. I won't speak back unless I am spoken to. What am I?" Aelfred answers: Echo 
"Beyond the fallen tree a creature is waking. The foolish man wastes me, The average man spends me, And wise man invests me, Yet all men succumb to me. What am I?" Lorcan answers:Time 
The voice warns the party of a swarm of pests that is going to wake up and that to stop it they need to hurry, as they prepare to leave they notice the source of the voice being a small draconic creature but doesnt dwell on it. The party finds the party of hunters being assailed by rats, spiders and stirges. The Unicorn the party was tasked with finding tied to a nearby tree. Jared asks the party for help and Agerirr says the party will help him if he calls the hunt off. The party stands their ground as a tide of insects and small critters roll over them. The party and the hunters keep the pests at bay as Jared has a turn of heart and frees the Unicorn who is named Solstice. After a hard fought battle the pests are destroyed. Solstice explains that the creatures came from the north from a grove where a powerful creature lurks through a portal where the Unicorn had passed. Solstice leads the party northwards to banish the infestation. There they find a large dryad looking fey man named Hiven Vallican draining a wind spirit of power to open a portal to the feywild. The party rushes in and prevents him from completing the ritual. The spirit is revealed to be Borrum, the protector of this forest. Altair the prince of pests sought to bring his army through to the material to capture the woods. He explains he was also visited by air genasii Mistral and Zephyrine who tried to buy Borrums loyalty, when they couldn't convince him they said he would regret it and that they would come back. They said if he changed his mind they woulod find them in Kastrion Castle in the ravenguard heights but that it would likely not be there after a month. They are using an army of elementals as warriors and slaves to move their castle around.
On a stone at the grove Khaargresk notices some writing in druidic:
In Wyndwoods deep, where whispers softly call,
There dwells an elemental, swift and fair,
Guardian of the trees, majestic, tall,
With wings of air that dance upon the air.
Born of the breeze, from swirling mists untamed,
This spirit roams the forest's verdant glades,
In shadows deep, where ancient secrets claimed,
And through the sunlit groves where light cascades.
With eyes aglow with wisdom's gentle gleam,
It watches o'er the woodland's fragile grace,
Protecting every leaf, each murmuring stream,
From darkness lurking in the shadows' trace.
Against the queen who seeks to claim her prize,
The air elemental soars through azure skies.
The party is rewarded with sapphire elemental gems and the Cloak of the Wyndwood Djinni
== (24/03/24) - Verdair, 204EF ==
* Silma
* Khaargreshk
* Pluto
* Asgeirr
* Devon 
Starting in the grove; Asgeirr looks for Tortartis whom seem to appear out of nowehere; he asks them if they have seen a gold dragon anywhere to which they seem to struggle answer and react badly both physically and mentally, Their hands turning to ice and tongue turning to silver. Muirona quickly runs over and warns that Toutatis should not be asked questions, as they shouldnt be allowed to remember... Thourgohly warned he then goes to ask Lidia Valide. She mentions a dragon called Arvid but they havent been seen for years. Silma asks Molly Mollusk about the procedure of sending an invite to people to join the grove and is instructed to speak to Tourtartis, still disconbobulated, informs them that they would need to pass a test as they did when they arrive to see if they can enter. 
On their way to Thornbrush Thicket they cross a bridge, exciting somemembers of the party in the know. Vorandanna Shimmercleave of the Ancient Blood of Draconis Aegis is hidden in the bridge demanding tribute. Those unaware find out he is a 'Baby' Emerald Dragon with delusions of grandure until Ichiad Hazire steps out a house to tell him to come back in for his tea. 
Arriving in Whisbeck, Khaargreshk hopes to speak to Eira but she doesnt seem to be in. Arriving in Thornbrush Thicket. They arrive to recogition, but good and bad depedning on whom they saw. Evys is thrilled the party has come to save th kidnapped Goblins. Having previous knowledge of the Feydark Habglin warns them of the full dangers, and that she only survived/escaped previously becuase she made a deal. Nialmah is staring daggers at Khaargresh, he blames him and Maeve for telling Eira about Thornbrush; it seems with her memory still missing she has taken Maevs advise and frequents Thornbrush alot; she seems to talk alot with Wyd, to which Nialmah doesn't appreciate seeing. Most of the group struggle to see his side of the situation and are incredibly confused by his claims that he wishes to move on yet also seemingly obsessed with her 'relationship' with Wyd. 
As Habglin leads them to the Feydark portal she makes a further request. Claiming she is not all goblin, that when she got away from the slavers she was found by someone else, they promised she would be safe but in return she had to give them her blood. She asks that if possible the party could talk to the Hag and try to get her blood back. 
They jump into the portal and a met by a Spriggan called Conall & a Feyling named Naelrias. Conall aggresively asks them why they are here persisting until Devon tells them they are here to free the captives. he laughs and lets them pass. 
Asgeirr leads the way. As he climbs the fallen tree the party are attacked by Phase spiders. Pluto is initially knocked unconcious by a backfire of his own eldritch blast and Asgeirr is wounded with a serious attack from a hidden spider. Ultimately though the Party deal with the spiders. As Khaargreshk and Asgeirr collect spider venom, Devon, Pluto & Silma spot a  body cacooned in the trees, wearing magical armour and a weapon to which Pluto wears. 
As they move on through a marsh they move into the marsh. They see 3 dead bodies suspiciously lined up and a chest. They belive it is a trap and immediately are vindicated as tghy are attacked by a mass of troglodytes and a gnoll captain. Pluto summons an ungodly Undead spirit to attack them. Which in turns poisions them back. Asgeirr entangles them. Silma & Devon holds back the hordes at choke points, cutting them down as they approach. A gnoll, seeming in charge is blasted by eldritch blasts, Khaargresh attackes savagely chasing the troglodytes away. As the troglodytes start to realise they have underestimated their prey they begin to retreat. The gnoll stays on a matter of honour trying to attack Khaargresh. As the remainder of troglodytes are slain the party watch as Khaargresh finishes off the Gnoll leader with a savage rancid bite to the neck. He takes a trophy. They open the chest which immedietely sends fireworks into the sky and they are forced to move on quickly.
Khaargreshk offers to help Silma understand Sylvan and puts a worm in her ear, packed with mud. Silma squirms at the elder abuse and pulls it out. Khaargreshk says its a prank, Silma tries to trip him. As he tries to put troglodyte stink on her she manages to stop him and stops him from collecting any troglodyte stinkbombs. 
They move on to the slavers garrison. As they make it to the those with better vision see a darklings guarding the goblins and some over creatures in a pen. Pluto sends Hazy forward invisible to scout. He sees flying sprites, korrids, redcaps, a hag, drow and a large femorians that seem to be in the mids of an auction on a Feyhorse and Feyhound. 
Recognising they are most likely not to be able to contend with all of them and that there is a timer on the clock before the Goblins are put up for sale. Pluto tries to sneak ahead to cause a distraction becoming invisible and then using his newly collected armour to disguise himself as a darkling. He speaks to them in Sylvan claiming to be taking the goblins to the auction, moving one of the three away. Adgeirr throws a stink bomb and distracts one.  Khaargresh turns into a giant frog to lure another quickly away. Asgeir approaches the pen releasing some sheep to distract the final guard. Silma uses the sunflower knight to break the ropes on the pen and free the Brigganocks, a Saytr and blink dogs. 
As they sprint away with their new saved allies and goblins they manage to stop the a darkling from noticing. Later they see a hag also fleeing away with the fey Horse and a Feydog, seemingly stolen from the auction. She thanks them for the distraction as she cackles on past. Noticing the Drow chasing them they continue running and eventually get away and back to the Feyportal. 
Conall is surprised they succeeded and does not let them past. The sunflower knight appears behind the Spriggan as Silma starts an attack not knowing the Spriggan turns into a giant creature, not understanding what the creature is/was. Pluto goes to attack Naelrias but they rebuck the attack and that they should leave them alone as they smuggly state they could kill them all.  Luckily the freed satyr plays a charming melody forcing the tree spriggan to leave. The others are sad to have to leave the hag without collected Habglins blood but hope to return at a later date. Khaargresh releases the blink dogs and eventually lures them back to the Grove with food. The saytr and Brigganocks thanks the party before leaving. 
As they return to Thornbrush, one of the saved goblins, Pholti, immedietely embraces Nialmah gaining less sympathy for his situation from the party. Habglin says she is going to close the portal and the party plead with her to keep it open for a little longer so they can attempt to get her blood from the hag. Khaargresh asks if Eira can keep them safe at her home while they find somewhere else to live to which they agree. Again to Nialmahs annoyance.
== (13/04/2024) Ripplesun, 204EF ==
* Asgeirr
* Devon
* Khaargreshk
* Maeve
* Silma
The Party head to Wisbech and hassle the bridge master, Vorandanna Shimmercleave of the Ancient Blood of Draconis Aegis, Maeve challenges him to speak his highest number and he declares a number so high that it shocked and impressed everyone, everyone except Maeve, Silma, Asgeirr and Devon, after leaving their usual tribute and a handful of crushed gemstones from Maeve the party moved on.
As the party settled down for the night Devon told the party a tale of intrigue and woe...
=== The story of the King of Roses. ===
There was once a King who ruled over his kingdom this king had the most grand and beautiful rose garden in all the land, it was his pride and joy. Every rose bush in the garden was shaped to perfection. Every flower bloomed at just the right time with a bright red colour so vibrant that it reminded one of a vintage wine. One spring, a robed man wearing a lion cloak sought to have an audience with the King. "Oh Great King. A plague has started to appear at the outmost part of your kingdom. Me and my kin have knowledge of this disease and the way it spread." The robed said to the king. "We have a cure, but it requires a rose petal from the kind you grow within your garden. We will share this knowledge freely with you, if you let us harvest your garden in order to treat all the ones who suffer from this plague. We just wish to prevent a larger outbreak of this disease to your side of the land." The king laughed. "Surely you jest! My roses are my pride and joy. None shall harvest them for any price. As long as I remain on the throne, none shall take them." The robed man looked upon the king with sad disappointment and spoke, "So it shall be." and left. 
Summer came. The roses were in full blossom! Rows of red decorating the lush garden, and the king was happy, for all his subjects envied him and praised him for his success. Once more, the robed man came and visited the King, seeking another audience. The king welcomed him warmly. "What brings you here, my good man. You travelled far this spring." The King said jovially. "I have returned with grave news." The robed man explained. "It is this plague; it has passed the outmost edge of your kingdom, and is quickly moving inward. Thousands have already fallen victim." The robed man looked remorsefully down to his hands and shook his head slightly. "We do our best to treat them, but our meagre resources are not enough. We need your help or more will perish. We humbly request to take one dozen rows and spread them across the kingdom to grow from there and make the cure?" The king listened to the man's plea with concern, then anger. How dare this pauper demand his precious roses. After all the time it took to grow and cultivate them to perfection, the robed man demands that he may simply take them? "Are you a fool? I would allow none of my precious roses to leave my gaze.. Now go! Leave!" The king yelled, sending him back out into the streets. The robed man looked back at the king with disappointment and spoke, "So it shall be." and left.
 Autumn came. The wind whipped and thrashed the precious roses of the king's garden, it's vibrant colour now replaced with tones of burgundy and orange. Once again, the robed man stepped forth and sought another audience with the King. "My king, the plague has taken a quarter of the lands. Thousands of your citizens. Please, let us harvest a single rose bush from your garden so we can make the cure for this plague and fight it." The robed man pleaded. The King scoffed. "Get out of here, and never return!" The robed man looked at the king with disappointment and and spoke, "So it shall be." and left.
Winter arrived, and the snow blanketed the land thickly, the King stared out of the window at his garden. The rose bushes stood there, bereft of it's vibrant colours as it lies dormant, waiting for the warmth of spring to bring life back. A violent cough wracked the King's body and spittle with specks of blood flew out of his lips, the plague holding a firm grip on his health. A servant knocked on the King's door, the man bowed. "My lord, the robed man you sent for is here to see you." The king gave the order for the robed man to come in, but couldn't muster the strength to stand up to greet him The robed man entered the room and bowed his head before looking the king in the eyes. "My king." He said "You! You have a cure for this cursed plague that has beset me? Rid me of this curse, and I shall reward you with everything you wish." The robed man closed his eyes for a second, opened them, and spoke "My lord, there are no rose petals left for the cure, the rose garden lies barren, and our meagre resources went to treating your people." Realisation dawned on the King, as he understood what the robed man spoke of "How dare you?! It's all your fault, curse you!" The King yelled, but his yell came out as a whimper instead His body shuddered, and the King took his last breath The robed man looked at the king's corpse with disappointment and whispered softly "So it shall be."After the story was told the smarter members of the party begin to discuss the morality of the King in the tale and the nature of benevolence, Asgeirr questions Devon and Maeve on if they have heard of a Gold Dragon named Arvir, he then begins to catch Maeve up on what happened the last time they ventured into the Feydark and what their current mission is, Khaargreshk then informs Maeve of what has occurred with regards to Niall and Eira and Maeve is very happy to see the chaos she sowed come to fruition.
The next day Devon awakes and spots Silma heading back to her sleeping bag and thinks nothing of it, the party rise and head to Thornbrush thicket and then to the Feydark portal, after a few preparations they jump in one by one and are immediately assaulted by the Gnomish creature who is guarding the portal on the Feydark side he swiftly transforms into his monster tree form and savagely claws Devon knocking him unconscious, Khaargreshk jumps through the portal and attempts to blast the Gnomish monster but fails, Asgeirr jumps through and grabs Devon and stabs at the Gnomish monster, Silma heads through and rouses Devon and attacks the monster, Devon heals himself and attacks when Maeve steps through the Elf who also guards the portal recognises her and instructs their companion not to attack her and Maeve vouches for safety on behalf of Khaargreshk.
The fight rages on until they finally defeat the Gnomish creature with Devon dealing the final blow.
Following the path they were told about by Habglin they eventually find the house of a Bulbous white haired Night Hag who greets the group head on and begins bartering with Maeve and Silma a price for the vial, a price is agreed and the party are to exchange tastes of their memories for the vial of Habglin’s blood, one by one the party give the Hag a taste of their memories and are tempted with a personal bargain, everyone turns down their bargain except Devon and Maeve and while Maeve’s personal bargain fizzles out Devon’s one piques The Hag’s interest and he makes a deal for his origin in return for knowledge.
Asgeirr walked away from the encounter with suspicion and anger in his heart as The Hag made mention of a woman of his past who was lost but is still alive and he vowed to question the party on the matter.
Returning to the portal the Elfish gentleman was waiting for them and let Maeve know that her father would like her to return home, which she politely declined. On the other side of the portal they found Habglin standing over the portal, she demanded her vial of blood back which caused suspicion in the group but she soon proved her to be herself, Silma handed over the vial and Habglin closed the portal, back in the village the party are rewarded with 300gp each but everyone declines except Silma who along with Maeve also receives an item from Habglin.
Later that night Asgeirr asked around the party and learned that Maeve knows of his missing person, Maveth was a Verbeeg gifted to Maeve’s father and who works as a groundskeeper on his estate in the Umbran Glade but as far as she is aware she is still alive and well.
== (12/05/2024) Dualfar, 204EF ==
* Eigrace Greenmoon
* Hugl
* Haskall
* Wajee Aman
* Cikku
* Eisha McGrelly
* Alkoris
* Meikoris
* Ser Beric Stormtide
Silma speaks to Toutatis, asking how they're doing. She asks them what it's like trying to remember, they describe it like opening a drawer and everything inside falling out. The party steps through the leyline portal and ending up at the college of Oghma in the kingdom of Arden. They are met with a gnome named Eigrace Greenmoon who asks for their names and their purpose. Revealing willingly she gives them an ominous warning not to reveal such things so willingly to anyone, she tells them that the hill giant Hugl regurarly travels through the college on his way to Port Arden. Heading north towards port Arden the party passes by the prosperous village of Newgale, hoping to ask around for the hill giant Hugl. The party splits up with Pluto and Devon visiting the local alchemist Alkoris and Asgeirr and Silma heading towards the market. Alkoris says he came through asking for trolls blood, which is unusual for the hill giant. Devon haggles for 2 greater healing potions and Pluto buys an alchemist supplies. Asgeirr and Silma head to the market, meeting the trader in town Meikoris, giving the party much of the same information as Alkoris. They question why Meikoris and Alkoris names are similar, speculating that they might be related. The party stays and eats at the Golden Main Inn and eats a full three-course meal, Silma gets a 3 ft wide pie. Devon picks up his potions and Silma gets her Hyacinth nectar. The party arrives at Port Arden, a larger and more prosperous city than they are used to. Everyone in the city wears some kind of armor. Heading for the maritime district first to ask around for Hugl. Silma asks the clothes trader Wajee Aman for information on Hugl, he offers to trade the information for a payment. Wajee says Hugl passed by and asked for trolls blood, he also got some illegal potions of regeneration. Devon speaks to Cikku the dubbed "Pimp" of the market, he wants to sell him something that will "Open his mind". Pluto talks to Athol the seller of scrolls and maps. Pluto asks her if she has a "certain" planar key, she doesnt have it but offers to take a request for it. She recommends Pluto to really research the plane before going there.
Asgeirr asks for information on any apothecaries selling exotic potions in town from the beastmaster Haskell. He gets the name of a shop in town called the mysterious cauldron. Asgeirr also buys a trained Owl in a wooden figurine and cant come up with a phrase to release it, Haskell calls him simple and gives the figurine the release phrase "Hoot-Hoot". Arriving at the apothecary they are met with a woman named Eisha McGrelly. She has them taste a conconction. Hugl offered Eisha a huge production of potions of growth and potions of giant strength. She throws a potion exploding on the floor, knocking Silma and Pluto unconsious. She tells them that Hugl had comitted a crime by selling "illegal potions" in an attempt to bring prosperity only to himself and thus she had seen fit to punish him by imprisoning him and harvesting him for the very potion ingredients he was offering to sell. After some arguing and refusal to release Hugl, Asgeirr threatens Eisha and she uses a sapphire gem to summon a water elemental, a fight ensuing. A living vine attacks the party and Eisha tosses alchemical elixirs and bombs at them in a panic, retreating into a flower pot with a portal entrance at the bottom. Defeating the water elemental and an animated assasin vine the party are met with a couple of alerted guards bursting into the shop. After explaining their side and Eisha trying to feign inosence the guard confirms Hugl is imprisoned inside the pocket dimension in the pot. Eisha is apprehended and the grateful Hugl is freed, alongside a couatl, a troll and a wyvern. The party recieve their rewards and head to the Blue Serpent Inn, meeting the innkeeper Ser Beric Stormtide and celebrating their victory. 
Silma gets the inn to sing along to a chantie:
A yo da lee da lee da lay
Through the fields & far away
A yo da lee da lee da lay
Theres Ancient tales & legends say
A yo da lay da lay da lee
A big old tree , that titans see
A yo da lay da lay da lee
A home, a hearth, a cauldron be
A yo da lee da lee da lay
Our music hums, our dances sway
A yo da lee da lee da lay
The bards that sing, with harps the play