On Divine Wings (11/07/2021)

## Saving villagers

After returning to the village and being rewarded, the group took some much needed rest. In the light of morning, the realization struck that the only remaining villagers were those that couldn't fight. Where these villagers worshipped Avandra, there was no way that Talek was about to leave them undefended and the party agreed. The group put the remaining villagers in the wagon and ventured forth towards Abbington and then eventually Alescia, hoping for an uneventful journey...

## Rivers and Wolves and Bears, oh my

After some travel, some in the group noticed that the woods were becoming far too quiet. While not sure what was the cause of this, Xofren wisely decided that it would be best to just move along. With a cast of Pass Without Trace, the entire group and the villagers as well crept silently along the road, hoping to avoid whatever was following them. Not long after, the group encountered a flooded river with no obvious way across as the bridge was either destroyed or under water. After a fair amount of discussion, Alluin cast a Levitate incantation on the wagon, trying to float the villagers to safety over the river. Out of nowhere, Hadrian sprouted golden wings, took flight, and began dragging the wagon through the air across the river. This was clearly a surprise to the majority of the party, aside from Alluin.

As the floating wagon and Hadrian were getting most of the way across the river, some ominous growling was heard on both sides of the river coming from the woods. Just as the wagon touched down on the other side of the river, a number of wolves appeared from the trees behind most of the party and 2 bears with glowing red eyes appeared in front of Hadrian. A 2-sided battle erupted. Talek ripped an old dock post out of the ground that the party was going to use to float themselves across the river. Leaf cut down one of the wolves handily as the party defensively made their way onto the ripped out log. Hadrian defended himself and the wagon from the glowing-eyed bears. Ryafyrie provided a large amount of inspiration to all, and especially to Kizzik. Xofren transformed into an Alpha wolf, protecting the retreat.

By the end of the battle, all of the creatures had been dispatched. Some of the party members needed to be fished out of the strong current of the river, but they all crossed intact and alive. No one immediately questioned Hadrian about his glowing wings, but it was definitely in the backs of their minds.

## Return to Abbington

The group eventually arrived in Abbington where they delivered the villagers to safety. After a brief rest, they pressed on towards Alescia hoping to clear their names and remove these collars. The trip was largely uneventful.

## Clearing their names

Once in Alescia, the group unfortunately had their wagon confiscated as the guard realized that it was previously stolen. They were able to convince the guards though that they had been the true victims here and pointed them in the direction of the crooked salesman. On foot, they made their way to the center of Alescia to stand trial and discuss all of the things that had transpired. They were introduced to another Inquisitor by the name of Aegis before they were allowed to proceed with their trial. Aegis was not one for small talk.

They were brought once again before the Council to share the latest events. Their adventures in Crossington, the success they had in Silverton, and their brief encounter with more blood magic in the mushroom tower. Based on these accounts, some evidence that they found on cultists, and largely from the vouch that they unexpectedly received from Inquisitor Graves, the Council agreed that the party was not in league with cultists. The collars were removed and the party was released, but given the condition that they must assist the Inquisitors in uncovering and removing the cultist threat to the realm. The party easily accepted these terms.

A short celebration ensued in a local Alescia tavern (sadly, not the highest class one) in which Talek actually tasted ale for the first time. Fortunately, the Coroner was nearby....