Champions of Arbor Haven (4/1/2023)

We rejoin our party as they are riding away in their stolen carriage, the events of the party/heist seemingly behind them. As some gaze back, a glow is seen on the horizon in the distance, telling of a massive fire miles away. The carriage is relatively quiet as the members of the party ponder what they had done. As they travel down the pass, a familiar carriage appears on the side of the road. As they draw closer, the man inside can be heard rummaging through his belongings.

“I swear I had it *right* here Matilda!”

“You old fool, you left it at the homestead! After months of buttering them up we finally get an invitation to high society and *you* *BLOW IT*!”

“I’m certain I… oh bother...”

The argument fades as the irate couple disappears behind them. Alluin breaks the silence with an announcement.

“I solved the puzzle box and it contains a letter from my treacherous brother. He awaits me in village to the north – we must pursue him.”

Noting this as their only lead, the party agrees to set forth to this unnamed village. The party begins to discuss the happenings of the party, seemingly unfazed by what they had done – even Talek, surprisingly, seems less pontifical than usual. He probes Butterstuff for more information on the Archfae, trying to make sense of why they just ransacked a mansion and reduced it to ashes. All for a simple but admittedly rare trinket? She roundly refuses to speak in detail, but claims it will empower her to summon him at will and expand her power.

As Alluin reviews a map to determine the best way forward, Ryafrie examines the green vials she received in the party favors at the Winestott affair. She smells and tastes a small sip, yielding a feeling of earthy nostalgia, the scent of a memory and numbing her nose. She hides them in a hidden pocket under her tunic.

The party travels on in relatively stoic silence, each engaging each other casually. The knowledge of hunting an inquisitor looms over them – a dangerous journey most certainly lies ahead.

**On the Road Again**

Two and a half days later, the heroes set up camp late in the evening in a clearing by the road. The rest of the party organizes their usual watch rotation; Alluin is particularly on edge. Fen and Kizzik are seen sharing drinks, stories and laughter late into the night, Kizzik drinking from a large martini glass. Morning arrives, and Alluin didn’t sleep.

Fen and Kizzik also wake up in dire straits, despite sleeping themselves (albeit, late). Ryafrie finds them slumped over the side of a fallen tree, gripping half-filled tankards in their soiled hands. Finding it difficult to wake up, Fen reluctantly returns to driver’s seat upon departure but struggles to perform the task. Talek take shotgun and offers to take over, so Fen immediately crawls into the space behind the driver’s seat and promptly falls asleep. Alluin, exhausted and having little patience for the usual hijinks, keeps the party on track to avoid any potential distractions.

After two long days of uneventful travel, the party makes camp for the night. As the group sits around the soup fire, Talek approaches Alluin and requests his assistance in determining the use of the two special potions in his possession. Alluin draws on his pipe pensively, then agrees to help, welcoming the distraction.

Talek hands over his first potion; a mixture of green and gold swirls kaleidoscope within its clear glass bottle. Alluin removes the cork, smells it and tastes a small sample.

“Ah. This potion is not made to standards, probably by an experimental alchemist! It smells interesting… yes, all positive effects… citrusy… and earthy. Not pleasant, similar to cleansing solution with hint of lemon. Not intoxicating, but clean. Yes, this is very much like a potion known as *Avandra’s Luck* and will do you no harm. Quite the opposite!”

At the mention of Avandra, Talek’s excitement is visibly elevated. Alluin gestures for the other potion, a stone bottle with a black cork. He follows the same sampling process and reports.

“It smells musty and tastes like a dungeon... dry with notes of dirt. Too dark to see what it looks like inside, but after a taste, my whole body tensed up for a very brief moment! It was likely made by the same alchemist as your experimental Avandra’s Luck – assuredly you’d have positive results upon consumption, and will likely bolster your defensive capabilities.”

After an awkward silence, Alluin summarizes for Talek, “The green and gold one will make you lucky, the stone one makes you hard to kill. Understand?”

As Talek nods, Hadrian interrupts, proffering his blue potion.

“I find this one highly volatile yet magically oriented. I’ve felt my connection to The Weave strengthen for a moment!” He said, delighted. ”I can’t necessarily tell you the distinct consequences of this potion, but it clearly has some magical benefits.”

Feeling invigorated by his last test, Alluin grabs the black potion from Hadrian’s pack and proactively samples it.

“Now this one, it’s oily and tastes of fennel. It’s undoubtedly experimental and reminds me of potions a hunting party might purchase to get a leg up on a difficult prey. You will find this benefits you in combat.”

Hadrian eyes Kizzik, still unconscious and clutching his empty martini glass. He spies the potion sticking out of his pack and attempts to swipe it for testing. Kizzik awakens with a start and adorably clutches the potion in refusal. Suddenly alert, he quite convincingly feigns an understanding of what had transpired and approaches Alluin to appraise the potion himself.

“This one, it’s sweet, alcoholic, and not likely meant to enhance combat. This appears to be a sort of friendship potion, if I were to give it a name.”

Everyone packed in and finished their breakfast, Talek returns to the driver’s seat. Ryafrie sits idly (and imposing) close to a now fast asleep Kizzik. Leaf sharpens his blades while Fen, recovering after sleeping in, pretends to read one of Alluin’s many tomes. Dandelion appears to be praying to the Archfae beside Xophren, who leers at the horses. Leaf makes an observation.

“Hey, did you notice something? Nobody seems to be traveling *away* from Alescia. I mean, the city is pretty great but… shouldn’t traffic go both ways?”

“It seems what has troubled the realm has protracted its reach,” muses Alluin. “I expect we’ll be seeing more refugees, now, than travelers,” The sky appears to darken slightly as he mutters under his breath, “Eldrin will answer for all.”

As the day turns to twilight, our party lays eyes upon a vast body of water; they have reached the coast.

“Dal Karaz lies beyond these waters,” Hadrian informs whomever may be listening. “I look forward to welcoming each of you here one day. There you will find the hospitality of the Knights of the Arcana Purim would suit you.”

They ride on toward Littledrift – a settlement North of Alescia and West of Dal Karaz. Along their journey, Hadrian had felt himself called back to Dal Karaz and vanished. As the day turns to night, the party stops for the evening to rest.

Leaf forages and returns with ingredients while Butterstuff starts a cooking fire. He creates one of his finest soups yet, to the delight of the party. Despite outstanding dish fabricated from apparently nothing, Leaf skips the meal and attempts to retire for the evening.

When the pot is empty and the party nourished, Butterstuff, Talek, Alluin and Hadrian retire to Alluin’s Tiny Hut. Xophren finds a cozy tree to sleep in while Ryafrie dons a mischievous look. She conjures a Tiny Hut of her own and quietly gathers Fen, Leaf and Kizzik. It’s time for a party.

Once inside the hut, she places her green vials at the center of the Hut, breaks out her lute and begins singing a song:

*Nostalgia hits me like a drug*

*Transporting me back to days of hugs*

*When life was simpler, life was fun*

*And problems hadn’t weighed a ton.*

*Can’t help but crave those good ol’ days*

*When you had no wrinkles, never grays*

*But know you shouldn’t dwell too much*

*Or then you just might lose your touch*

*For life’s too short to live with regret*

*And dwell on things you can’t forget*

*So I give this potion to make it better*

*So we may dance and sing and cheer forever!*

With the song complete, each swallows a half-dose and are immediately overwhelmed with nostalgia.

* *Leaf experiences the feeling of sitting with his sister by the soup fire on a cold day.*
* *Fen can taste his first sip of guild beer – it’s tasting day, when the village samples the first of the season.*
* *Ryafrie is brought back to the days of playing games in the yard with her cousins back in Drakehearth.*
* *Kizzik has a smile plastered on his face, though what he remembers is unclear.*

The group ascends into a crescendo of music – each person grabbing an instrument and joining the tune – Ryafrie her signature sax, Kizzik his kazoo, Fen plays the bagpipe, Leaf the lute.

For anyone outside the tent, they’d first hear a gorgeous saxophone solo, joined by reasonably harmonious kazoo. Then things take a turn when the bagpipes join in; they resemble the sound of a sheep being beaten to death. And at that, an unfortunate lute tries to harmonize with the death bleats from the bagpipes.

This would be a contender for worst soundscape of all time. However, within the tent and given their potion-induced state, they hear the greatest music that has ever graced their ears. This cacophony carries on well into the early morning.

Meanwhile in the other Tiny Hut, Alluin struggles to sleep. Once he finally reaches a state of slumber, he is faced with the horrors of that pivotal night back in the village. He feels a cold and wet sensation, looking down to find he is drenched in blood. As he looks about, he finds his friends and colleagues tied to trees; the village elders murdered and strewn about the courtyard.

He sees Eldrin and his rage escalates. He watches as his brother kills their father, plunging a sword deep into his chest. Alluin tries to say something, *anything*, but cannot speak. Eldrin turns to him, mouths something and flees.

**The Village**

Alluin shakes himself out of the trancelike state, feeling nothing but a burning hatred for Eldrin.

Later that morning, the rest of the party awakens to find Alluin packing the wagon. Ryafrie, Kizzik, Fen and Leaf somehow feel refreshed in a way they’ve never felt, despite their night of endless partying.

Talek notices Alluin rebounded back to his typical brooding self and smiles at the familiar disposition. The party packs into the wagon and Fen, atypically alert for such an early hour, cheerfully takes the reigns and begins their final approach to their latest destination. As they venture down the road, they enter a lush valley surrounded by mountains. Alluin, reviewing his maps, notes they are close to dwarven territory.

As the Valley opens, the road splits, one side practically paved and wide enough for several wagons to pass one another, the other wild and untamed. After some deliberation, they decide to take the road less traveled. The forest is filled with wildlife, and Ryafrie gets a sense of being watched. Leaf joins fen and rides shotgun, intent on protecting the party from any unknown peril.

After a mile of forest they come upon a riverbed. From here, they see a farm outside a wooden wall – a village with a massive tree growing up from its center. It can be plainly seen from anywhere outside the gates.

As they follow the dirt road, they arrive at a bridge. Alluin finally looks up from his tomes and gazes out the front window of the wagon. He notices the tree for the first time, and it reminds him of home.

“Fen, ride faster!” He commands.

They approach the village to find an open gate and ride in unopposed. They find a town at harvest, people bustling and active. Cottages can be seen all over, but the population appears denser around the tree at the center of town.

Fen drives at a steady pace toward the tree. As they draw near, the dirt roads become cobblestone and a massive realm shard can be seen built into the base of the tree. Nobody seems to mind the visitors – they go on and about their business without a care, or so it seems.

They stop in the town center, finding the central hub of the village. The usual shops, carts, salespeople and even a tavern can be found about them, engaging in business and haggle. As the wagon comes to a final halt, Alluin frantically leaps off in pursuit of Eldrin, troubling nearby shopkeeps and vendors. Butterstuff is the next to step out, and a passerby welcomes her to Arbor Haven.

Alluin approaches a tent-covered meeting area with tables underneath, each covered in various goods. A weathered man welcomes him forth.

“Good day, sir wizard! What brings you to our fine township?”

“I’m looking for my brother.”

“We have seen some travelers of late, one who reminds me of you. He left us… just when we needed him most.”

“Sounds like Eldrin. Where is he?”

“I can’t say where he went, but perhaps you can help us where he did not?”

Alluin ignores the request and moves on. Talek, watching over his companion, attempts to follow but Alluin mixes in with the crowd and vanishes from his sight. Fen joins the pursuit and is first to find him at a nearby stable. Hadrian and Talek find him moments later, mid-conversation with what seems to be a village leader.

“…well, I can help you find him, yes. However, we need help of our own. If you and your friends can help us resolve a problem we’ve encountered, I will help lead you to Eldrin.”

“I don’t have time for this!”

“Look, something out there has taken offense to the prosperity of Arbor Haven, and that is *my* concern. If you want my help, I will give it to you, but I can’t in good faith leave my village helpless when Silvanus has sent you to us. We need you.”

Alluin grinds his teeth for a moment but regains his composure, “Very well. Tell me about you trouble.”

“It all started with a flock of ravens that arrived in the village, they crowed all night long, disturbing the sleep of all who reside within these walls. Then, Mr. Jenkins’ cows were released to roam free beyond the walls! Rounding them up was a terrible chore for the lot of us and several were killed by the wolves of the forest. That’s in addition to the general mischief that somehow keeps finding us – these were no mere coincidences. And then this morning, river ran *red as blood*, we were worried we might not have water to drink! I tell you, there is something amiss – something targeting the town. You *must* help us stop it!”

“We will see this river of blood.” Talek interjects, “but – who are you to speak for the village?”

“My name is Lachlan. I’ve lived here my entire life.”

“So you’re some kind of mayor or magistrate?”

“I wouldn’t say that specifically, but yes, I settle disputes, answer questions. Something of an elder.”

Talek, clutching his Avandran pendant, attempts to read the man. He feels a sense of genuineness, hard work and friendship from Lachlan, and determines he is trustworthy.

“Look, Arbor Haven is what matters most to me,” Lachlan says, breaking the silence, “I fear we will have need of warriors such as yourselves to resolve what threatens us.”

“I have seen this magic before,” Hadrian’s spectral form appears to lament, “It sounds like a witch of the woods has targeted your village.”

“We have felt the ire of *whatever it is* for far too long,” replies Lachlan.

The rest of the group joins them and Lachlan leads the party to the river. It’s crystal clear to the eye and incredibly cold. Lachlan shows them a patch of the “blood” that washed up on shore - it appears to be clumped, red moss.

Zophren casts Talk to Plants, and speaks with the moss.

*Why are you here?*

*The river. Floated here.*

*Who sent you?*

*Some trees from upstream. Sent us this morning.*

Upon examination, Xophren recognizes the moss as something that is typically formed at sea, on a stationary floating object. The moss itself recognizes being made here, inland is unusual.

After Xophren informs the party, they decide their next move is to go upstream and locate the source of the moss.

“We have been planning a hunting party to explore the forests upstream. Perhaps you can lead them? Regardless, you should rest here for the night – we will have a communal dinner in your honor, and Mauve in town has a place of lodging that should be fit to house all of you – she’s used to having a lot of children and welcomes the idea of guests. Of course, once all is resolved, Alluin, I will tell you all I know of Eldrin.”

Lachlan leads the group to a larger house in town and introduces them to Mauve. She is elated to have houseguests and welcomes them warmly. As they enter her home, Talek overbearingly wishes her well, then invites her to join him in a prayer of protection to Avandra, to which she reluctantly obliges. As he makes his way to his room, she quietly prays to Silvanus.

**An Unexpected Dinner Guest**

Each party member bathes and dons casual dress to wear to the feast. As they join the villagers at the common grounds, they find a large gathering with many tables and a modest feast laid out before them.

Lachlan greets each as they arrive and show them to a table at a place of honor at the front the banquet. Talek arrives wearing formal Avandran Monastary robes, and begins making rounds blessing everyone “*by the luck of The Changebringer*.”

Elsewhere, Hadrian appears in his spectral form, projected from his home in Dal Karaz. He also begins making rounds, seeking to assist people with whatever might be troubling them. At the moment it appears to be the green-and-gold-robed tiefling attempting to convert the flock. As the two warriors make a scene, Lachlan intervenes and presses them to the table where the rest of the group has already sat.

There is bread and butter served with a hearty stew directly in front of them - leaf samples it and is visibly impressed. As the party indulges, they realize this is their first home-cooked meal in a long time, enjoying it with emphatic delight. The elders give a nod of approval.

As they feast, Talek notices a suspicious tiefling in the crowd. He informs Hadrian and asks him to stealthily flank while he approaches their target direct. Hadrian sneaks off to oblige. As Talek casually approaches, he studies the Tiefling and sees a bandage over his left hand. As he studies his face, a hint of familiarity begins to form. He inches closer, but the man starts as he notices Talek approaching and flees.

Talek shouts, “Wait! I just want to talk!” The tiefling breaks into full sprint he and Hadrian begin pursuit.

Xophren sees the commotion and casts entangle at Talek’s quarry, but it’s nimbly dodged. Xophren leaps up onto his stool and into the air, transforming into a giant Eagle – the villagers around him gasp in amazement. He swoops down and grapples the tiefling as his prey climbs and bounds off a nearby wall, right into Xophren’s claws.

Xophren lands beside Talek, who tears the bandage from the tiefling’s left hand, revealing an Asmodeus tattoo similar to the one Talek had on his. Hadrian stands by, armorless but sword still at the ready.

Dread fills the eyes of the tiefling, but he composes himself and calmly speaks.

“You’ve come to kill me. I’ve been expecting you, though it took longer than I originally thought... I almost believed you’d leave me to my exile… but I always knew in my heart they’d send another knife.”

The giant eagle swats Talek with his wing, unprovoked. Talek ignores it and responds.

“I’m not here to kill you, at least not yet.” Replies Talek, as he reveals the tattoo on his own left hand – Avandra’s symbol tattooed over his old Cult of the Pact insignia. “I’m no Knife of Asmodeus. I serve the Changebringer.”

The eagle swats Talek again.

His eyes widen with surprise as the tiefling recognizes Talek the Heretic. “I was sure you were sent to kill me for fleeing His service. But you… come. Let us find somewhere to talk.”

Talek, Hadrian and the mysterious tiefling climb atop the giant eagle, who flies them to his home on the far side of town bordering the wooden wall. Hadrian stands guard outside with Xophren as the former cultists enter the hut to talk. It is a modest single-room hut with a bed, a washbasin and a small table with two chairs set beside the fireplace. The man lights a lamp on the table and they sit by the fire to talk.

“I remember you,” Talek starts. “We worked together on mission. You outranked me. We did unspeakable things.” Anger fills his eyes as he considers the deeds of his former self.

“Yes, you are the knife I remember. You look the same but… different. I’ve seen the things you’ve done. I also heard rumors but didn’t believe...”

“The Changebringer has granted me a new life as her champion. That life is behind me now. The real question – why are *you* here?”

“My name is Caius. I came here seeking a target assigned by the Thirteen, a man who I tracked to this very village. When I arrived to carry out my mission, I studied him, only to realize he was an *Inquisitor!*”

“My friends and I came here in search of such a man.”

“Then you know it was a *death sentence* – a fool’s errand if there ever was one! I may have had strength through Him but… an Inquisitor, it’s impossible. I would be killed before I landed my first strike.”

Caius shook and paused to regain his composure, then continues with a hard expression.

“After all my years of devotion, I was a coward. I stayed my hand and chose a life of exile. I’ve cut myself off from *him* and live another day. At least, until they come for me…”

“When I left, I found a new life at the monastery of Avandra. She gave me peace and purpose when all I had was death and darkness. She spared me. You can find these things with her as well. The Changebringer can you’re your wounds and bring you luck, but you must atone.”

Talek removes a gold necklace from around his neck and places it in Caius’ left hand – the one with the tattoo. It is a golden pendant adorned with the mark of Avandra’s made up of emerald inlay.

“Jolen gave this to me when I was healing from my wounds after Reaven betrayed me. It gave me purpose when I was broken. Perhaps she can give you the same peace she has afforded me.”

Caius thanks Talek and accepts the necklace, though he seems conflicted with the idea of a new patron God.

The two exit the hut and Xophren flies them back to the feast – not before swatting Talek with his wing a third time. Talek shrugs and tells Caius, “He does that.”

Back at the banquet, Talek sits beside Alluin and Hadrian to quietly explain his encounter with the former knife. While they are happy to hear more evidence their mark was nearby, they seem suspicious of another cultist who was so eager to turn away from their duty, reasons be damned.

As dinner comes to a close, the party reviews their options. Tomorrow, there will be a hunting party that they could lead upstream, but Xophren wishes to speak with the Tree at the center of the village to ply for additional information on Eldrin before they commit – perhaps the tree can tell them where Eldrin is hiding. They depart on foot and venture to the center of the village nearby.

Xophren casts speak with plants again, addressing the tree.

*Where is Eldrin?*

*He’s been around… don’t know much else.*

After pressing the tree for more detail, Xophren decides it’s a fruitless labor. As dusk approaches, they agree the only way forward is to join the hunting party at dawn. They return to Mauve’s house and rest for the evening.

**The Gates of Dawn**

As the sun begins rising, the party breaks fast and dons their armor, weapons and preps their respective gear. Not knowing what lay ahead, they prepare for battle.

As they approach the gate, they are greeted by the hunting party – roughly 12 villagers armed with torches and dogs; Lachlan stands before the gate. Talek notices Caius a few steps away from the group, leaning against the wall and wearing a loose black robe, Talek's emerald and gold medallion visble hanging from his neck.

“Good morning and greetings to all!” Lachlan calls out to the armed adventurers. “May Silvanus protect you while you seek to stop the witch that plagues Arbor Haven! These heroes will surely lead you to victory!”

He gestures for the party to join him at the gate. As they approach, the sun begins to rise and the birds are sing songs of blissful ignorance. The party in the lead, they open the gate and begin their trek along the river.