The Extent of Grave Dissent

## Synopsis

In Season 2, Chapter 5: The Extent of Grave Dissent, we scurried through the burrow on our way back from Bez'ufir – hoping to avoid additional Elatrian patrols now that we possessed a box full of Ironroots.  Thankfully, we came across no such sentinels – but there was evidence they'd passed through very recently.

A pressure-plate trap had been installed near the exit and an unwitting Giant Badger fell pray to the poison – sad, to be sure, but the corpse proved useful as a makeshift shield… and we returned to the river with a lack of puncture wounds and only a mild twinge of guilt.

Even knowing the way, traversing the flat-stone crossing had its challenges – but a few well-placed coins kept a hungry Galeb Duhr at bay and it was only a short walk back to the clearing where we'd tied up our horses.  While packing up our things, an unnaturally chilly air blew through – and with it a blood-red mist that swirled about until it took the shape of a barnacle-covered skeletal visage.

We'd last seen this face back at the attack on Blom's house shortly after rescuing Jillian Kosivo – events that felt like they'd taken place a lifetime ago – and it was clear he had a bone to pick with Orba.  As Selas had explained it, the person who bears the title of "reaper" is chosen by the dead… but that doesn't mean the decision is unanimous.  This particular undead soldier questioned Orba's worthiness – and demanded a duel at a place of her choosing before he would relent in his attacks.

A showdown was set for the Myriad Meadow – about a day's ride north of here – but to prove he was not to be trifled with, the skeletal figure summoned forth several Vampiric Mists that sent our horses fleeing and sapped our strength as they drifted through the air.  Safira quickly noticed that they seemed to be avoiding the streaks of light coming through the canopy above, so we used the sun to our advantage as we stood our ground and beat them back.

The victory had taken its toll physically, so we vowed to find a spot to rest once we'd put some distance between ourselves and the Elatrians who were undoubtedly starting to realize what had happened in the crypts.  As the river started to bend eastward, we spotted a caravan that was coming from the Top Shelf – an area with an abundance of mining claims that, on occasion, would offload their spoils in Navika-Pura.

Immediately we recognized an opportunity to get the Ironroots shipped back to Niels Bagas, but something about the demeanor of the miners made us worry that they might just keep the goods for themselves.  Some distance away from the main conversation, Graven consulted with a mute young man who confirmed our suspicions and provided an alternative solution: hiding the Ironroots in a compartment under their wagon and seeing to the exchange himself.

It seemed unlikely we were going to find an option that was entirely free of risk, so Graven trusted his instincts and stowed the box – though Erland questioned whether the young man would be able to correctly care for the plants and keep them alive long enough to reach the city.

Another hour of travel and the woods started to thin out, allowing us to see the bridge over the Freerun River in the distance.  Before we got ourselves entangled in whatever was going on at the Broken Crown outpost, however, we thought it important to be at full strength – so we found a spot to make camp for an unusually early bedtime, hoping to shake off whatever detrimental effects had persisted from our fight with the Vampiric Mists.

While trading watches, Erland and Orba caught up on some lingering business from back in Navika-Pura – not the least of which was the note looted from Shekar's body that seemed to imply less malicious motivations than the party had been led to believe.  Erland was right that Shekar had brought Myconid Extract to the duel in Bosworth's Basement, but the question remained as to whether we could have simply walked away – and whether it was practicality or pride that led the confrontation to a bloody end.

Disoriented by rising in the dark of night, we saddled up and made for the bridge – but it wasn't long before Safira felt a curious tugging on her bow that came with sounds of whimpering animal spirits.  Unsure if it was a wanting or a warning, we deviated from the road and the compelling force grew stronger.

Soon it wasn't just the bow but all of our magic items; a frighteningly strong attraction originating from a shimmering tree that Orba recognized as Recondite Timber – a plant warped by magic that now feeds on arcane energy.  With our precious assets sinking into the soil, Graven unleashed a burst of flame into the branches of the tree.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: one natural one was rolled in this Chapter, by John.