Session One

## Shopeldin Square

The party begins as strangers in the midst of a crowd gathered in the square. The crowd is full of obviously untrained citizens. Guards at the front of the crowd are calling for volunteers to aid in the fight against the failing druid defenses. Zinthis prompts Jana to sign up, subtly placing a small glowing moon symbol on her shoulder (with Prestidigitation). Deo and his chaperone [[Natsu]] make their way to the front and Deo eagerly signs up. Attero slinks through the crowd and—after confirming a monetary reward exists—volunteers.

After signing up, the volunteers are directed towards Sovereign Ilesti and her honor guard. First they speak briefly with Ilyana for their assignment: Deo expresses his desire to do whatever he can to help. Jana mentions her experience at Munheim. Zinthis clarifies that they intend to use that experience wherever they can do the most good. Ilyana regards Zinthis for a moment before sending them onward to the next member of the honor guard. Attero reiterates his concern regarding compensation and is sent along with the others.

The four strangers have been assigned to the Wake's Fallows group headed by Jax. Jax explains a bit more about The Creeping the group will face in Wake's Fallows. The objectives of the group are a) to combat The Creeping, b) to rescue any survivors found, and c) to bring back anything unnatural that might help explain the cause of The Creeping. Jax challenges Jana to trial combat and she agrees, which impresses him. The group is sent onward to speak with Ilesti.

Sovereign Ilesti addresses the group, trying to prepare them for what lies ahead. She distributes a small pouch to each person which contains 1 platinum piece and 1 smaller pouch of red powder. She explains that the powder is useful for subduing the plant defenses. She then directs each person to Father Artis, who blesses them (Aid). Jana wonders aloud if fire is effective against the plants, Zinthis relays the question to Father Artis who confirms that fire seems to be effective. He recommends asking at The Ugly Brush for fire starting supplies.

### The Ugly Brush

As there is some time before the group sets out to Wake's Fallows, many visit The Ugly Brush to prepare for the journey. The group enjoys a meal that Ilesti has paid for in advance. Deo tosses a coin into the cup of a particular circlet-wearing stranger which almost results in an altercation. Zinthis and Jana ask the tavern owners Martha and Jeff about fire-starting supplies, they provide a cask of lantern oil to Jana. Zinthis performs an ode meant to inspire the group and hopefully generate some donations for the tavern owners; it is not particularly well-received but Deo compliments him. The group finishes up and heads out to meet up with Jax.

## Setting Out

As the group is preparing to depart, Deo [speaks with Jax?? a backflip is involved somehow]. While Deo is occupied, Natsu requests that Zinthis and Attero take over chaperoning before silently leaving. The two are dumbstruck, but after seeing Deo's acrobatics are somewhat hopeful.

The group (which includes the circlet-wearing stranger) set out to the east and travel for about a day. Along the way, Deo and Zinthis have a conversation about the burden of expectations. As they travel, they note that the vegetation is less dense than expected, with some barren areas scattered about. The journey is fairly uneventful, and at nightfall the group sets up camp.

### The First Encounter

During the night the group is attacked by a handful of Lashers. Attero uses his longbow to take out the first one. Deo implores the plants to talk instead of fight, to no avail. Zinthis and Attero manage to take out the second enemy. Jana grapples the third Lasher and Attero ties it securely.