Pixies Weekend 17-19 June

I thought I'd write a brief report of the weekend for future reference:
The party succeeded in defending Urquhart Keep against both the initial assault by the Wild, and a subsequent one in which a beaten-up Elven party joined us (out-of-action Elf, Dark Elf named Halerin and three humans.) The Elf had had his familiar dispelled (like Khurak), but failed his saving throw and so suffered the same effects as a Totem death (though it didn't actually die.) We are subsequently told that this is an ability that some Ogre Shamans can do at will, on sight of the familiar. The Dark Elf (9-11th Mage/Cleric/Fighter) provides support spells and potions (including Quick Rest potions - 4 hours sleep equivalent for each actual hour), and lets slip about a 'Mind Clear' spell that could counter the Elf's indisposal.
*The Wild attempted parley claiming they only wanted the Elf - the rest of us could go free
*They used 'portal spheres' - paired objects that when dropped created a portal between the two points. These were only used from quite a short range (50 yards)- and given that it would have been far easier to keep the 'entry' portals in the woods far away, we might guess that they are severely limited in range.
*We encountered Wild Hell Hounds - able to set their victims on fire if they fail a save after being bitten. Only real remedy is Res/Prot Fire (maybe Dispel Magic) - water has no effect.
*The big boss - an Ogre Shaman with the dispel familiar effect - appeared as a giant Shambler. He was taken down after the Elf recovered (Elfus ex machina) and highlighted the Shaman's own familiar for us to take out. The outer 'Shambler' layers dispersed leaving the Ogre Shaman's body.
*The Gargoyle Shaman's hits from the first battle caused corruption than can be cured by a Cure Disease or Remove Curse - though DM hinted that over half hit-points damage from corruption can turn you into a Gargoyle (similar to Lycanthropy being passed on.)
*Francis got a telepathic communication from his brother Jamie, who appears to have gone over to the Wild. (Could have been worse - he could have claimed to be Francis' father, which would have been very confusing.) Francis hopes that Jamie is not acting on his own free will and can be freed of this, but has still had to denounce him as a traitor.
*We learn that Hashandara, Universal and some other clerics can reinstate years lost from Haste/Speed with a 5th level spell if cast within two weeks.(The party has this done for them when they get back to Dragonbrook for just the spell cost of 5gp as a 'thank you')
*The Elf appears to be a Wildwood worshipper - and was referred to as an 'old Elf' so he may have some significance.
The party returned to DragonBrook, then set out for Stormhaven. The morning after the first overnight camp revealed that the magic mouth stones had been dispelled (or silently triggered) and moved (two sets of human footprints around them) in order to make a deliberate point. A request for parley left with the newly MM'd stones the next night revealed a note with a sketch that we couldn't interpret - until a boy at the next village pointed out it was a severed hand. Dougal assumed that this meant him - so slept away from the main party the next night (with Francis not to far away): Dougal was 'taken out' in one blow - but only subdue damage - and a note left with him. Francis gave chase to Dougal's attacker, but he went invisible. The note appears to be from Thirson - and Kirsten confirmed his scent.
The Elven controlled villages/forts are flying a pennant with an anchor. We are told that this signifies that the Empress is coming. A new flag will be added each month, and after three months, when the fourth flag is shown, the Empress will have arrived.
==Darrell's comment:==
Interesting summary with a couple of assumptions..........but dont mind me!
(Oh and a missed opportunity....... but minor in the scheme of things)