FIRST MEETINGS, MISSION FIRST

***FIRST MEETINGS, MISSION FIRST*** is the sixth session of *Glimpses into the Fade.* After nearly escaping death, the Unnamed Party arrive to Duncaster. Tensions are high between Monsoon and the party and the land around them is seemingly dying off, the adventurers begin their search for the cause.

## Musings

*Injuries need healing, information needs to be exchanged, and tensions need to simmer down between the party today. But in their line of work, and with everything else they don’t know about…can one really afford the luxury of rest?*

## **Synopsis**

As Red Eyes dissipate, Bran stands in darkness with a heavy feeling in his chest. Feeling powerless on his own he begins to sink, slowly submerging into the water, before appearing on the other side. Bran floats in a lake, rain pattering around him as he swims to shore. He spots a figure underneath a big tree, with soft blue leaves and wide branches. The figure turns to acknowledge him, humming a tune. Casting mage hand to help Bran out of the water. The figure reveals themself to be Arel, and motions Bran to stand under the tree to shield away from the rain.

Seeing a small house, Bran questions if Arel lives here. Arel explains the house is from Bran's, as the Fade calls upon their memories. Bran recognizes Arel from Monsoon's photo, and asks why Arel won't leave since they have people looking for them. Arel describes having duties to attend to in the Fade, a mission. They posit perhaps something called Bran to the Fade. As their conversation dies off, Bran watches a cloaked woman rush back into the house. Bran sneaks forward, watching a woman holding two bundles of cloth in her arms.

A man and woman stand in the cabin, with the woman expresses she did what she had to do to be a family. Green mist seeps into the house, and Bran has trouble listening to the entire conversation. He picks up they worry of the man, wondering if the two children will grow up like their mother. She says for their sake she hopes not, whatever they grow up to be, they'll have to get through them first. Just before the woman describes the payment she made, the green mist overtakes Bran, drifting back to sleep.

Bran wakes to Monsoon and Oriza returning to their shared room in the Clinic. Upon seeing him, Bran weeps and attempts to hug Monsoon, who throws Bran on the floor. Bran exclaims its not his fault, angering Monsoon further as he demands the return of his magic. Monsoon says he took a part of him away, if his sister and him ever find a way home, her fate is up to him. Bran weeps apologetically, calling to his sister Violet as Monsoon leaves to find the Mayor of Duncaster.

Hira rushes to Bran's side, trying to reassure him they'll fix this as Riya drapes a blanket around his shoulders. Oriza leaves with Monsoon quietly to retrieve the Mayor. Meanwhile Hira talks to the nurse, Eduna Summerglade, and learns they've been asleep for a few days. The Mayor, Sten Bordeaux, explains recently hostile creatures have prowled outside of Duncaster. The land and trees are dying at an alarming rate, hindering the farmers and their exports. Before leaving to explore, Hira asks if they saw Piriele with them. Sten reveals there was only the six of them, leaving the status of Piriele to be unknown.

As the party files out, Bran lags behind to mimic the rune Monsoon had done. Lightning shoots from his hand with a resounding thunder, and Hira notices as Monsoon freezes before moving forward. The party investigates the well, which is surrounded by dead trees. Many feet of rope later, they begin their descent into the well. After narrowly avoiding plummeting to their deaths, the group reach the bottom of an extremely barren, dry well. Moving further in they spot four tunnels, one of the top having a bright green glow. With a resounding chattering of teeth and low growl echoing through the chamber, the party freezes in wait.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### New

* Arel
* Eduna Summerglade
* Mayor Sten Bordeaux

#### Mentioned

* Piriele
* Nimue
* Violet