The Road to Felderwin

## On the Road

14th Dualahei

The party head south towards Felderwin, where Belrond and Linok were headed. They are travelling by foot, and it is going to take about two weeks. There's a slow rain falling.

The walking order is

1. Morrigan , scouting ahead of the group - intentionally distancing herself from the rest,
2. Komani and Kenna, quiet and guarded,
3. Llunet, who uses the distance from Morrigan to ask the others if they'll confront her later on,
4. Korvok, walking near Moody & trying to mend fences with him somewhat,
5. Moss, foraging for useful plants, and loving being out of the city,
6. Hartmut, trailing behind the group, clearly frustrated with leaving town.

Korvok asks Moss about the different herbs and plants she's gathering, and she tells as much as she can, although they're all a little different than in the Pearlbow Wilderness. The group is fairly quiet, and the overall energy is awkward. Morrigan spots a good resting spot off the side of the road and the party set up a camp there. Hartmut pulls a tent out of his pack and has significant trouble setting it up - Korvok tries to step in to help and is told to get lost. As Korvok walks away from Hartmut he playfully kicks over one of the tent's support poles causing the tent to topple over. Korvok has a quiet chuckle and walks away. Moss lights a campfire, and Llunet summons an invisible servant to set up the camp. The servant is extremely helpful, and Hartmut has to keep shooing it away from helping with his extremely flat tent.

Morrigan takes first watch, using the chance to move away from the group. She has been extremely distant and cool all day. Korvok goes to help, and tries to communicate with her to see if she's ok, but uses thieves' cant, which Morrigan either cannot or pretends to not be able to read. He scratches the markings out of the dirt and pretends it was nothing, and Morrigan does the same. They do not take the remainder of the watch near each other.

When they head to bed, Moss moves to take the next watch alone, and Hartmut, waking up to pee, notices and joins her. He's visibly frustrated by being in the woods, and is wearing his scrunched up tent as a blanket. It's weird and quiet and Moss apologises for them leaving town, which she feels significantly responsible for, and Hartmut asks why she apologises for the group all the time, that she doesn't need to, she is already his favourite. Moss doesn't have a good response for this and goes red. Offers Hartmut Goodberries, which he has never had before and identifies as 'rich people food'. Moss pulls out her pack and the plants she's foraged, which it turns out Hartmut knows quite a lot of. Moss doesn't know the non-elvish names for any of them, so they spend the rest of the watch talking about plants and snacking.

   Komani and Llunet take the last watch, staying close to the camp. Komani doesn't want to go far from Kenna. Llunet asks if she can draw Komani, Komani is uncertain but allows it. She asks about Llunet's sketchbook, and what will happen to the drawing. Komani asks "How do you know if it is good?" Llunet replies "If you like it". Llunet offers to burn the page if Komani is not happy with it. As they talk Komani grows more relaxed and comfortable, and too late Llunet realises she never told her to sit still. The end product is ok, but not great, as the model completely shifted throughout the drawing. Llunet shows it to Komani, and offers to try again and make a better one. Komani is shocked that that is possible - "It's nearly like [my echoes]." and then after a pause "Could you add horns?" Llunet adds them. Komani returns to the tent with Kenna. Llunet completes the last stage of the watch with just her Owl, as she's already rested from her Trance.

The next morning the energy in the camp is extremely slightly improved. As they move onto the road they pass a large group of young Crownsguard, who are loudly talking about being relieved from duty in Felderwin. They're heading to Hupperdook, and are clearly excited. They don't appear to know about the attack. The party are of no interest to them, and they pass without incident.

The party marching order is the same as the first day. Moss is still doing the foraging thing, but now trading names of plants she finds with Hartmut. For a fair number of them he doesn't know the answer. Korvok is keeping an eye on that, interested in the possibilities of the plants.

Further along the path, with Morrigan still a great deal ahead of the group, Korvok and Moss suddenly spot a huge, scarred, Woolly Rhinoceros. It's slightly hidden by the trees and Morrigan hasn't noticed it. Korvok tries to alert Morrigan and the group, while Moss casts Pass Without a Trace, hoping to hide them. It's too late to hide Morrigan, who is directly in it's path. She moves slowly, and soothes the creature, and it slowly moves away from the group and the road. As the creature is leaving Hartmut calls out after it. The party members who understand beasts hear Hartmut ask it what's up - is this where it lives? The Rhino replies that it's home was ruined by 'us'. It continues off into the valley away from the road, and the party keep moving forward.

They set up camp in a similar manner to the first night. Again, no one cooks. [It seems as if no one knows how to cook? We should have brought Tasani.]

Hartmut and Morrigan take the first watch. In extremely classic Hartmut fashion, he opens with "What's up, you lied." Hartmut reminds Morrigan she said she had no more secrets after the fake name/Sarah Jane thing. Morrigan defends herself - this is bigger than that, and it's reasonable to hide it. Asks if he would hurt her. Hartmut says no, and defends himself fairly well.

Morrigan asks Hartmut what would it take for him to be bought/turn Morrigan in/sell Morrigan out? before telling him "there are powerful people trying to capture me". Hartmut tells her about his ex, and finding out that they were in an Asmodean cult. He turned them in to the authorities immediately - but feels shitty about it. "I don't want to turn people in, you guys are all I have. I have a brother, a father, and you guys - and I don't know you guys that well - but I don't want to turn anyone in". Morrigan confirms she's not hunted by the authorities, but by someone very powerful, with authority. [And she's concerned it may put the others in danger if she's found Note: I missed a second here this might be slightly off] Hartmut says, "Moss will probably come apologise for you in a minute, she does that." Morrigan reacts offended, and Hartmut says he's joking, it's not a mean joke.

Morrigan and Hartmut pinky swear that he won't *turn her in/turn on the group* (**this wording was significant and I missseeeed ittttt help**) and Morrigan reveals her Fey form again. As before, she appears as a 3 foot tall green fey with crow like wings. This time the fractal burns around her body are visible - matching her human form's tattoos. Morrigan, Corvid and Hartmut finish out their watch, Morrigan chooses not to revert to her human appearance for now. Morrigan wakes Moss by messaging her in Sylvan, which Moss responds to with a still asleep [Sylvan] "fuck off, Sorrell", and curling further into bed. Morrigan piffs a rock at Moss, which works better.

The next watch starts with Moss gathering Llunet and Korvok, in a less that subtle attempt at secrecy. Morrigan decides to leave Corvid with them, and is eavesdropping, while Hartmut goes to sleep in his collapsed tent-swag-bed. Again, it starts awkward and stilted. The group talk about Mara, Moss asks if Llunet knows anything about magic weapons, or the Chained Oblivion - which Llunet quickly turns around to ask why. Moss shows her the dagger and explains where she got it. She asks if Llunet can identify it, but Llunet is aware of dark magics that could harm people inspecting the dagger by magical means. Moss starts telling Llunet the specifics - how the dagger could perhaps free the Chained Oblivion, but also lift the curse her family has been wrestling with for centuries, and return the greatest civilization in the world to power, and she could be the one to do it!

Around this point Morrigan messages Moss, asking if she can come join the conversation. Moss looks back at the group, finally notices Corvid, and realises she's told almost everyone by accident. Korvok, Llunet and Moss move back to the centre of the camp, and Moss rustles Komani's tent, and pokes Hartmut's tent/wrap to wake them both. She shows everyone the dagger, and explains the barebones of it. Llunet asks if the dagger has told Moss to do anything, and Moss says yes, but just to break the shrine to Asmodeus in the Tyllian elves' house in Hupperdook. Moss admits to waiting until everyone else had left and burning the shrine before she went upstairs - but it's a shrine to Asmodeus, that seems like a fine thing to do. Hartmut indicates he agrees.

Llunet is concerned that Mara might be tracking them through the dagger. Moss says it didnt' seem like Mara had planned to give it to one of them, or leave them and it behind. Sharp eyed people notice Moss pulling the dagger away from anyone else who tries to touch it.

The party ask Korvok more on his relationship with Mara and why he stole her spell book. Korvok reveals that when he found out how destructive Mara could be - he needed to stop her and that the advice he received was to cripple her by stealing her spell book. The magic users exclaim that there are more efficient and permanent ways to cripple mages. Korvok quietly reflects if the initial advice to steal the book was intentionally nefarious or an honest mistake.

Morrigan suggests showing the dagger to Belrond. Moss asks whether Morrigan knew Belrond before they met in Hupperdook. Morrigan is insistent they didn't, Moss suggests Morrigan trusts him too much for a new friend. Morrigan says he's trying to help people, so we should work with him, which is technically true. The conversation winds down - everyone seems vaguely stressed by the knife, except Moss who is massively relieved to have told everyone. *\* Jason has a note in his book - The dagger is trying to persuade Moss to not trust the Party & break some rules to fulfil her prophecy. Any more context to this? -* Specifically Moss said the dagger asked her to ruin the shrine to Asmodeus and she hid doing that from the group. Afaik nothing else?*\**

As the party move to sleep, and the next watch, Llunet stops Moss by the arm, and apologises for not initially telling her that she was also from Bysaes Tyl. Llunet knows how half-elves are treated there, and didn't want her to feel judged. Moss flushes red and pulls her arm free, avoiding the conversation, and moves to bed.

## On the Road pt II

16th Dualahei?

The third day of travel begins with the party being woken by Kenna, screaming at Komani and Morrigan in their shared tent. She attempts to run immediately - Komani grabs her but this seems to enrage the child more. Kenna demands Komani release her and Komani loosens her grip somewhat. Korvok, Moss, Hartmut and Llunet are all drawn to the noise. Kenna believes we have kidnapped her. Korvok offers her food and his hand, and she takes it. Komani reluctantly lets them go.

Kenna eats a huge amount of bacon, she is starving. She says she's a big deal, she's destined to bring light to wildemount and unite it's people. She doesn't remember what happened to her family. They were her family ever since they found her in a place with silks (Bysaes Tyllian markets?? maybe? because of the elves?) \*Jason heard Pride's Call (I think) - Which are also known for their silk.\*

Moss tries to give Kenna a bare-bones description of how the group met her - she was being kidnapped away from her family, and they tried to save her but were overwhelmed, and she saved them all?. She says that sounds right, she's very strong and important.

She is 8 years old. She is argumentative.

Komani goes to eat a piece of the bacon and Kenna tries to demand it. Komani, who is recognisably upset and irritated at the rude treatment of a child she rescued and cared for, says Kenna can have the bacon if she fights Komani for it. Morrigan tries to bribe Kenna with the toys Moss recovered from her room. Kenna pretends she doesn't care about them.

The group continue trying to get Kenna to see reason - Llunet creates a minor illusion of the destruction of her house. Kenna remarks that it's very bad of her parents to let it get that messy.

Morrigan is more matter of fact, and tells Kenna directly 'your parents are dead'. Kenna says that's impossible because her parents wouldn't die if she was there to protect them, so we must have taken her, if her parents are dead. Moss asks her if she remembers the guardswoman with the gun. Kenna is getting more and more upset. Korvok asks her what she wants. She says bacon. He gives her the remainder and she takes it into the tent with her. From outside, the party can hear small noises of distress radiating from the tent. Moss suggests they send a familliar in to comfort her - not sure enough to send in a live animal - and Morrigan agrees to send in Corvid.

Inside the tent, Kenna is crying and throwing things. There is a powerful heat radiating from her. She inadvertently hits Corvid with the bacon bowl - and apologises quickly. Morrigan encourages Corvid to play this up, and he pretends to be injured, sad, and then won over by Kenna. She hugs him, but appears to be growing more upset. Her grip on the bird gets tighter and tighter until Morrigan feels him pop out of existence entirely. Morri storms into the tent, angry. She tells Kenna that she killed Corvid. Kenna says Corvid is being "a little dramatic", but then starts crying. Morri softens a little and asks if Kenna wants to help her resummon Corvid.

"You'll teach me how to summon a bird?" Kenna asks, interets piqued.

While outside, she asks for more bacon. Komani says she'll have to help hunt if she wants more - a genuine offer. Kenna rejects this and asks to see the bird summoning. Korvok and Komani go off to hunt regardless. Llunet, Hartmut and Moss all hang out at camp, curious about the summoning in one way or another. Llunet notes that Kenna is extremely bright for an 8 year old, and is paying close attention to the summoning spell. Llunet also gets a glimpse of Morrigan's spellbook while she's teaching the child. Morri's spellbook is small, and has a few pages densely packed with spells in a language Llunet cannot identify. The spells stop suddenly, and the remainder of the book is blank.

Out hunting, Komani and Korvok talk about runes - Korvok's dad tried to teach him some, but he wasn't a good student. Komani shows an interest, and Korvok shows her a few of them. They talk about where they came from - Othe is a bit of a mixing pot so it's hard to be sure. Komani asks about [strength & protection] runes, and indicates her horns as an example. Korvok isn't sure about that - and the two successfully find a Boar. It is a sow and three piglets. Komani moves to attack them - Korvok moves to stop her, worried she'll kill the sow and leave the piglets helpless. Komani swiftly takes one of the piglets, leaving the sow and the others to flee safely.

They return to the group, Komani drops the piglet carcass next to Kenna, who is holding the newly re-formed Corvid. For a second it seems like she'll accidentally kill him again, but she doesn't. She tells Morrigan that Komani and Korvok (The Big One and Mister) hugged the piglet too hard. Komani tells her that she wanted bacon, she'll have to get it from the pig. Kenna peers into the dead piglets mouth briefly, and then demands that Komani fetch it for her. Komani tells Kenna she'll have to eat greenery then, and moves away.

Llunet, curious about Kenna's capabilities, asks if she wants to try summoning a creature herself. Kenna says yes. Llunet asks if she would like the components. Kenna says "Yes, give them to me". Llunet waits a while for a *please.* After a while, Moss leans over and prompts her with the word in Elvish. Kenna understands, but doesn't say it, and after a while asks if 'that one saying it for me' isn't enough. Llunet grows tired of waiting and carefully puts the components back in her bag.

Morri asks Kenna if she wants to play with Corvid now, and Kenna is keen. She asks Morri some specific questions about where they are - and tells Morri about the ghoul that she's heard of on the Gravelway path, which eats runaway children. Morri is dismissive. Kenna says she wants to see what Corvid sees, and prompts Morri to tell her. Morri makes her hold her hand before she loses awareness of her surroundings and as soon as her eyesight shifts Kenna lets go. She brings Corvid back and returns to watch Kenna, who is holding a hefty rock. She uses it as a stool - but it's unclear what her original intention was. Kenna talks more about powers that she was going to unlock when she was older, and Morrigan tells her that secretly, so was Morrigan. Kenna asks her more, and Morrigan says they were healing powers. She doesn't have them and doesn't know why. "For some reason when I grew up, it didn't work. I'm trying to figure out why". Kenna says they're both kind of like princesses then, both kind of powerful, and Morri suggests they could rule everything together - like two queens. This absolutely goes to Kenna's head. She is trailing after Morri and Corvid for the rest of the day.

The party regroup and head down the path - a group goes by with an offering of flowers. The religious members of the group register symbols of Sarenrae and the Raven Queen on their vehicles. The flowers appear to be intended for some piles of stones by the road, which have a few remaining flowers on them. [these notes wonky - fixes/edits welcome]

At the next night's camp, Llunet approaches Komani to ask how she feels about her magic and echoes now. Komani is skinning and butchering the piglet. Offers to draw her again another time, as the first one did't come out good enough. Komani says she's more comfortable with them because the echoes feel like 'her', not like magic that's about to consume/overwhelm her. Llunet asks if that's what magic does? It isn't what magic feels like to Llunet. Aren't there magic users where Komani is from? Komani says she's familliar with natural magic users, like Moss. It's different to the magic and the mechanisms here, which are chaotic.

Llunet asks if anyone else has magic like Komani in the herd. Komani says no, but her sister Dira had the sword before her so maybe? Llunet asks her to clarify, and Komani says that the magic is clearly coming from the sword. Llunet wonders what would happen if Komani embraced the magic in herself? Komani suggests she's uncomfortable with that idea - but Llunet has proven her judgement. Llunet seems to disagree with that bit. Llunet offers to draw her again another time, as Komani is somewhat blood splattered after dealing with the piglet.

After Llunet leaves, Komani finishes and finds Korvok, who is walking the perimeter of the camp checking for animals. She shows him runes from her bags, on palm sized stones. He can't read them but recognises them as Dwarvish, ancient, and valuable. For a second he ponders it's value and the type of people willing to purchase the stone, but he shakes that thought off. Komani explains that she had them when she landed - and then explains that she was quite literally dumped off the Dunrock Mountains with some unexplained tokens from her bedmates, exes and other important members of the Herd. After getting her bearings she began travelling, to test her strength, and met Morrigan and Moss not long after. Was Komani trying to prove herself to anyone? She says, "I was my father's biggest failure" . Korvok is visibly moved by that - something connects. Komani's dad never forgave her for her older sister Dira leaving. Korvok had another younger sister, Lo'vah who left because she couldn't meet their father's expectations. She's off on her own venture. Komani's sister left ten years ago. Korvok's left much more recently. They both admit to searching for their sisters as they travel, but that they share the fear of forgetting their features. Korvok says he has to remember so he can 'slap her upside the head'. They promise to help recover their sisters if they are found and to bring Lo'vah back to Othe.

The moment is cutoff by a bestial screaming from the woods. Komani attempts to notify the bird familliars by throwing a rock in their general area, and she and Korvok run after the noise. Without the light, Komani is unable to see much, but follows Korvok through the brush until he finds the remains of a Woolly Rhino. It has been attacked and partially eaten. In the shadows, Korvok can see a pair of yellow eyes staring directly at them. Korvok tells Komani they need to return to camp, and they head back quickly.

Korvok remembers tales of the Gravelway Path being haunted by a tortured soul. A worker from the platinum mines who was trapped during the Marrow Wars. After months in the dark he followed a glowing light and a flower given to him by his daughter, and found a hidden pathway out of the mines. When he got home, his family did not recognise him, and he had been replaced by another man. When he was able to find his reflection, his skin was pale and eyes had turned yellow, rimmed with red. His body is still humanoid, but an apex predator. He hunts those responsible for his misfortunes.

Komani and Korvok return to camp and warn us. The team are not especially concerned - if it was the same Woolly Rhino it was already injured, so killing it is not that impressive. They plan the watches with slightly more care than usual.

Korvok and Morrigan take the first. Moss and Komani the second. Hartmut and Llunet take the last watch. Hartmut offers Llunet some of the wrapped up tent he takes watches in, after spotting that she's shivering. Llunet asks Hartmut's opinion on the vision they shared earlier during the fight with Stahlmast - what does he know about the Princess. He says only a little - she's married to Edis, the prince, and they have no heirs. Llunet asks if Hartmut thinks it will come true and he says yes, more than he did before because Moss' prophecy appears to be coming true. Hartmut doesn't believe the snowfield is in his future though - it could be a warped vision of his past or something weird. Llunet mentions she has no snow in her past, so that seems unlikely. She asks Hartmut if he likes the royals - he says yes, but in a sort of general, un-considered way. Mentions that they leave a seat for the king on his birthday - Civilization Day? I have this written down somewhere. - but it's a religious thing, he doesn't expect the king to come to the Mudtop Ward. Llunet quizzes Hartmut further - Every day Hartmut is homesick for Rexxentrum. She asks why he doesn't return? He tells her that he's left Rexxentrum within the last... 20 days? It's only been 3 weeks, and he's seeking adventure. Llunet says she left home for the same.

Hartmut mentions that home wasn't easy - his father was a lot to take care of, and had lost "a lot of his mind". Llunet says that sounds a little familiar. Hartmut's father sees people who aren't there. He lost his mind when Hartmut's mother died. Llunet probes more about this - Hartmut says he'll answer if Llunet tells him about her father and what she knows of the princess. She agrees.

Hartmut tells her about how his entire village, save for him, his brother, and his father, died in the freeze a few years ago. Hartmut an his family lived on a farm in a village East of Yrrosa They were left to freeze and starve over the winter. Llunet notes that this is why Hartmut doesn't like the cold, which he agrees with. Hartmut's whole family is messed up about it. [Note: this links to the Nightmares Korvok had, but no one has really talked about that one]

Hartmut asks his questions of Llunet - what does she think of the Princess? Nothing, she doesn't know anything about her. Hartmut comments that the north seems to be like that. Llunet agrees - Bysaes Tyl and the Empire do not have a good relationship. Llunet suggests murmurs that the Empire ants to absorb Bysaes Tyl. Hartmut initially seems surprised to hear this, but Llunet adds that the Elves have been there longer than the Empire. Hartmut appears to consider this a valid point.

He asks his second question - about her father. She says her father is scattered but not in the same way. He's consumed with something, maybe a little off, maybe a little out of time. He's a genius though. Llunet intends to reach out to him for support via magic once she can.

Hartmut starts talking about the way mages use magic, and how there's almost an aura, or a specific rhythm, to how each magic user wields it. He says he's been practicing messing with that aura and energy. Llunet is curious and asks to see it - offers her hand to test it. He says he doesn't need her hand, and agrees to try. He starts scrunching his face, focusing on something, and appears to be counting time, almost like a conductor of an orchestra. There's something strange about the beat, and a sickly unpleasant feeling rises over Llunet. She tries to cast prestidigitation and finds it doesn't work - everything is un-syncopated, the power is dis-connected, and out of time with the cast.

Llunet asks him how he does this, and he starts describing the aura of the different spellcasters they travel with. He first noticed it from Mara when she attacked them, but now he can see it for the others if he focuses. Llunet's music is slow, controlled and powerful. Moss' is slightly uneven/unbalanced, and fast paced, with cyclical patterns. Hartmut says his is sad and very slow. Llunet is interested in this - and asks if it would be possible to show her what he's doing. He says she sort of does it with her swordfighting already, just unbalance the rhythym someone is relying on. He doesn't know if he could teach her - she says she can't sense this for people. After a minute the feeling passes, and Llunet is back to normal.

In early morning, while these two are still on watch, Moss wakes up and immediately notices bare humanoid footprints in the dirt surrounding the tents. Whover was here was here a while, and has looped around and apparently stopped at several of the tents. Morrigan, Komani and Kenna's tent has scratches at the back corner, and a lump of platinum ore appears to be jammed in the tentropes. The Ghoul/Miner appears to have visited the camp overnight. The party have about 4 days travel left until they leave the Gravelway path. Morrigan says she regrets making fun of Kenna for worrying about the ghoul.

The party pack up and move out - early into the walk, Moss and Korvok spot a wagon by the side of the road. It's in ok condition, but has a distressing amount of humanoid tissue, blood and hair on it. Investigating the wagon reveals a chest in the back, with further blood spattered. Moss tries to volunteer to open it - running again on the 'I don't die here' logic - but has to step aside so Morrigan can use her lockpicks. The crate pops open to reveal a scroll. The party cluster forwards to check it out, and Morrigan unrolls it. It's a map, with X marking the spot. It moves unnaturally and flings itself at Morrigan's face, sprouting horrible teeth which break into her skin.

## Mimic Ambush

17th Dualahei

The Map Mimic holds tight to Morrigan's illusory face. In a feat of significant strength, Komani manages to pull the mimic off entirely. As it flails, trying attach itself to another party member, Korvok stabs it *very* thoroughly. It goes limp.

Kenna checks on Morri - somewhat rudely. Kenna notices a boulder nearby and demands that Hartmut lift her on to it. He tells her to climb it herself. She goes to Korvok and asks to use him as a stool. "No." She tells Morrigan to make them help her, Morri offers no support. [notes messy - Did Komani end up lifting her?]

Korvok finds bloody boot prints trailing blood into the woods. The party head in that direction. They find nothing and set up camp.

On watch ?? overhears creeps in the woods. They're looking for someone named Crack-of-Thunder. Deedee was the person hobbling back to Felderwin, leaving the mucky footprints. The creeps are heading to Marrow Valley, Southeast.

Llunet takes the time to copy the spell scroll left from the Mimic. She acquires Cloud of Daggers. She does not let the group see her spell book, when Morri tries.

Kenna asks Komani about things - they talk about Komani's herd and being raised communally, not knowing your parents and killing orcs who invaded their territory. Kenna is curious if Komani will kill other orcs, eyeing Korvok. "Not necessarily."

Kenna doesn't know where her name came from, she's "always turning 8" - when questioned she specifies more than twice. Her family were 'helping her meet her destiny'.

She asks why the group is travelling together and honestly Komani and Morri don't have great answers for it. She asks Morri for a story.

Morrigan tells her about a fairy who finds a pirate and sails the world on adventures. They right wrongs and fall in love. They had to separate. They were sad but knew they would see each other again. Kenna wants more details - what are their names, did they get back together? "Morgan and Brianna, and what do you think?" "Morgan was quite childish, and didn't consider Brianna's feelings"

Moss and Morri take a watch together. Morrigan tells her that Hartmut made a deal with her, and Moss remarks that there are stories about folks who make deals with Fey. They talk a little about why Moss' family speak sylvan - they wanted to learn from the Fey, to save the Savalirwoods. They hadn't made as much contact as they'd hoped. Moss and Morri promise to try to help each other - Moss seems very aware of what a big deal Fey deals are.

Looking out into the dark, they spot an unnaturally moving figure. They see the Gravelway Ghoul rise up and start rushing towards them. As the creature comes closer, Moss and Morrigan scream at the others to support. There's a flurry of activity as people wake and light torches, and the ghoul disappears into the woods.

They don't rest well after that.

Shortly after striking camp the next morning, the party run into travellers heading to Hupperdook. Elsbeth and Helena are representatives for the Trostenwald Alehouse (spelling help). The younger of the two looks at Hartmut a lot. She also visibly notices Kenna. Helena tells the party that this is an annual trip they take. Kenna tells them they shouldn't talk to strangers, the younger one says she wanted to.

Hartmut doesn't appear to know them (Llunet double checks this). Korvok warns them about the issues in Hupperdook. Elsbeth seems un-bothered.

At the next night's camp, Komani and Korvok head out to hunt. They encounter some roadside criminals (possibly the group we overheard the night before) named the Marrow Muggers. Korvok trails them for some time, but returns to the group. Overnight, the party hear gunshots in the woods.

**Session 21: Of Ghouls & Muggers (18 - 19  Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* After swiftly slaying the map mimic, Llunet collects its remains to hopefully salvage a transcribable spell before The Lot continue their journey on The Gravelway.
* During the night’s camp, team KoKo’s rainy hunt for some dinner is interrupted as they are held up by a group of highwaymen who Korvok pays the gold piece toll they demand. After the highwaymen leave, Korvok quietly follows them while  Komani returns to the camp. Korvok learns that they are in search of a figure named Crack of Thunder. Korvok quietly returns to The Lot to cook a delicious dinner using the magical spice pouch Tasani had given him.
* During the night’s watch, Morrigan spots the silhouette of a man with glowing yellow eyes lurking in the shadows in nearby fields. The party concluded that this must be the Gravelway Ghoul as it hauntingly creeps to the campsite calling for one named Agnis, before the sound of distant firearms frighten it away.
* The next day, The Lot meets with two representatives from Trostenwald who share information about the highwaymen who call themselves The Marrow Muggers, as well as a warning to stick to the path since the sounds of blackpowder weapons were heard last night. They had suspected that the Crownsguard were dealing with dangers to the east. After bidding them a good rest of their journey to Hupperdook, The Lot continue their way to Felderwin.

## Rumours of Hidden Treasure

19th Dualahei

The party are halfway to Felderwin!

* Korvok and Kenna chat about the brewery women - Kenna wants to try beer.
* As the party leave camp and continue onwards, Kenna moves to hold Morrigan's hand, but catches herself. Morrigan is not opposed, but Kenna doesn't go for it again.
* Komani is feeling uncentred.
* Moss is gathering healing herbs and staying close to the group, looking for the ghoul again. She's somewhat comforted by the weight of the dagger in her bag.
* Hartmut is still uncomfortable where they are, the space is too big.
* Llunet is keeping her hood up and searching for landmarks.
* Morrigan continues to map the way

Llunet spots something and stops to tell the party about a cave she's heard of nearby, along the Scymir River. It should have valuable magical resources she can use. It's also rumoured to have an infestation of Stirges.

As they approach the cave through the humid forest, Kenna expresses concern about the stirges. A few of the party reassure her that stirges are not that much of a worry, and Moss lends Kenna her quarterstaff. It is perfect for bonking annoying bugs. Kenna is not good with it, but seems slightly reassured.

Inside the cave entrance, Morrigan steps on the remains of a mechanical spider, and finds the remains of an elven arrow. Inside, the party find an underground lake, with a boat and some wide stepping stones to pass over it. There is also a passage to the side. Korvok and Moss notice green eyes in the lake, under the surface. Hartmut lights a torch, and there's a draconic voice which calls out 'Heskan' from the far side of the lake. The torchlight reveals stubs of the crystals Llunet is seeking embedded in the walls. Komani makes a solid effort to dig them out, but it appears impossible. Korvok intends to cross the lake alone but Komani grabs him by the collar.

The group investigate the side passage first. There is a campsite at the end of the tunnel that was abandoned quickly. The party find a bag, a sword, and a messed up shield. They note something on the roof and are attacked by a pack of Dark Mantles (roof squid). After the creatures are defeated Llunet speaks with Kenna and reminds her to reserve her judgement of others, which swiftly turns into Kenna 'reversing her jumper'.

Back in the main chamber, the party spot the only remaining crystals in the cave are on the far shore. Before they start attempting to cross, Moss flies her summoned parrot close to the water to try to gauge what's in there. A scaled, blue hand grabs it from the water and she poofs it away. Even knowing what's under there, the party start moving over the lake in the abandoned boat. Hartmut, Llunet, Morrigan and Moss head over first. Llunet has her owl scope out the rest of the cave while they wait for the others to cross. Korvok prompts Moody to wait outside for them, as the boat looks too rickety to safely support a horse. Komani, Korvok, Kenna and Morrigan (who brought the boat back) are crossing, when Komani notices a treasure floating on the surface of the lake. She grabs it, and immediately the boat is attacked from underneath.

**Session 22: Murky Cave (19 Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* As The Lot begins seeing the Scymir River to the south, Llunet asks the party a favour of venturing to a nearby wooded hill where she believes crystals grow that can be harvested as magical components.
* After the party agrees to help Llunet, she guides the party for several hours to reach  the wooded hills at the ends of the Scymir. Within the woods, they quickly locate the crystal cave entrance where they discover signs of long-gone campsites around the area.
* Within the dank cave, the party discovers a murky lake before discovering that much of the crystals have been harvested in areas closest to the entrance. In a small cavern they find another abandoned camp containing things left behind, before being surprised by several Darkmantles that detach from the ceiling.
* After slaying the monstrosities, the party leave the camp without further investigation and decide to scout the murky lake where they suspect some crystals may still remain on the other side. They find signs of more crystal growth along with a set of double doors, ghost of a dragonborn whispering the word “Heskan '' and a rowboat.
* After Morrigan scales the shortest length of wall to the other side of the lake, she brings over the rowboat for the remaining member of The Lot to use instead of crossing some nearby stepping stones. On The Lot’s second trip to bring over Korvok and Komani with Kenna being flown over by Morrigan, a group of monstrous fish hybrid humanoids leap from the murky waters and attack them.

## Grotto of Lucent's Thief

19-20 Dualahei

5 drowned dragonborn monsters claw their way onto the boat and attack the remaining passengers. Morrigan grabs Kenna and flies above the boat to keep her out of range of the monsters. From the shore, the three spellcasters try to support the two remaining on the boat. Korvok is rendered almost entirely invisible by the darkness, so each of the sunken creatures focuses on Komani, bringing her near death repeatedly. From the shore, Moss is able to heal her, but struggles with casting spells. Instead, more than once, she throws the dagger in place of a produce flame or thorn whip. Llunet misty steps to the boat, Korvok attacks from the shadows, and along with Hartmut and Morrigan providing ranged damage, the party is able to defeat the creatures.

At the shore, Moss sets up a tiny camp, while the others go investigate further. She really wants that short rest. The rest of the party investigate and find a ghost Dragonborn named Vezera. She died searching for her lost love, Heskan, who had sought a legendary amethyst crystal dragon blade. He was supposed to return with it, but kept it for himself.

The party join Moss, who is already napping by a fire she's lit, and start a long rest. A while into the second watch, Morrigan hears sounds of distress coming from outside the cave mouth. Able to hear Moody in the mess, she wakes Korvok and the two of them dash and fly towards the entrance. By the time they arrive they're already too late - the Gravelway Ghoul is devouring Moody. Enraged, Morrigan attacks.

**Session 23: Grotto of Lucent’s Thief (19 - 20 Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* Combat breaks out while the party is split across the lake. The sea spawns that attack the party prove to be dangerous foes as they repeatedly take down Komani, and even threaten to drown Kenna.
* After the party slay the creatures, they regroup at the other side of the lake where they converse with the ghost of a dragonborn named Vezera who longs to know the fate of her loved one named Heskan, and for him to be told to return to their children and home in Talonstadt.
* From Vezera, The Lot learns of a connection between Komani’s blade and a legendary amethyst dragon. They also learn that Heskan was tracked to this grotto in his research behind the history of a blade called Lucent Edge that was connected to a crystal dragon. Vezera tells the party of the blade’s original owner being a leader of The Scars of Scale and Tooth before being taken by the crown before Heskan was tasked to steal it back but only claimed the blade for himself.
* After the party promises to help Vezera, before they harvest any crystals from this cave, they take a long rest. During which Morrigan wakes Korvok after hearing Moody in distress. Only to arrive at the grim scene of Moody’s dismembered corpse being devoured by the Gravelway Ghoul, Morrigan launches a fire bolt immediately.

## Snuffed Flame

20-21 Dualahei

The remainder of the party wake and start rushing to the front of the cave. Morrigan and Korvok are in trouble, the Ghoul is evasive and hits like a truck. After they make contact a few times, the Ghoul retreats to the trees and disappears into the woods. Korvok and Morrigan retreat further into the cave, where they reconnect with the rest of the party, who offer what healing and support they can. They all retreat back to the far side of the lake and attempt to finish their rest, with Llunet's Owl posted in the entrance to the cave, to alert them if the beast reapproaches.

The Lot successfully solve the puzzle on Heskan's door, using the gold and silver keys they found earlier. Inside the room they find a workshop, a burned library, and some coins. Llunet is surprised to find Hartmut is carrying heaps of potions the group have previously looted.

Inside the next room there is an automaton. It only speaks Draconic, but Kenna understands and translates for the group. god my notes for this are so bad y'all I was truly not focusing. and that is why when the automaton asks 'what tastes better than it smells' and I said SOAP very enthusiastically and loudly, everyone should forgive me and also never bring it up again thank you.

The automaton attacks us. It is very strong. Morrigan tries to fly Kenna above the combat to safety, but is hit by the construct and immediately knocked out. Kenna had already taken damage from the creature, and the fall kills her. She immediately dissolves into dust.

**Session 24: Snuffed Flame (20 - 21 Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* The sound of combat awakens the rest of the party as they move to aid Morrigan and Korvok with the Gravelway Ghoul. But before they reunited, the ghoul fled. The Ironlot then proceeded to take a long rest in the grotto.
* Upon restoring their energy, The Lot unlocked the doors into Heskan’s workshop, where they discovered abandoned chambers of a tinkerer. The party split to discover a burnt library and an abandoned work room, before activating a spherical automaton that engaged in security protocols.
* Kenna was required to translate the draconic words coming from the automaton, which resulted in alerting the automaton of intruders.
* A savage fight against the construct resulted in the party failing to defend Kenna against whirling blades and shrapnel. Within an arm's reach of an unconscious Morrigan, Kenna dissolves into ashes.

## Lucent's Edge

21 Dualahei

The fight with the automaton guard continues poorly, as the party struggle to decide whether they're running, mourning, exploring or fighting. Llunet collects the dust which is all that remains of Kenna into a glass flask. Moss revives the unconscious Morrigan. Komani successfully grapples the creature, and forces it onto the plinth which re-opens the door. Hartmut wants to leave, moves for the door immediately. Llunet and Korvok both take potshots at the creature while trying to check the space for anything they missed - worried about leaving. Moss, Morrigan and Komani remain attacking the creature, until Korvok returns and gets the killing blow on it, decapitating the thing.

Llunet brings the jar with Kenna's remains to Morrigan and tries to explain what happened. Korvok tries to offer support and sympathy, and is blown off. Morri moves to the lake and sits by the shore with the jar, staring into space.

Hartmut notes that Moss isnt' moving (it's her fault they were in this fight) and leads her out of the room, cautiously eyeing the remains of the construct the whole time. Hartmut: "we should move, I don't know if that this in dead. it looks like it's dead." Moss: "...do you think I could heal the ashes? We don't know how Kenna works..." Hartmut says no, but starts telling Moss about revivify, a spell he's hoping to learn which can bring back the dead. Moss sits and listens, hopeful that he's right. They decide to go clean Moody's remains from the front of the cave, to be useful and stop Korvok from having to face it.

Inside the wizard's lair, Korvok, Komani and Llunet head up to a room. They find a dragonborn figure, laying down, holding a sword that is piercing his own chest. Llunet successfully speaks to the dragonborn, who is Heskan, Vezira's long lost partner. Llunet speaks with him and convinces him that he should pass on. She asks for a token of appreciation she can give to Vezira, to show he is safe and passed, and he says he has none. It appears he doesn't care about her any longer. He does offer Llunet his longsword - and fades away to nothing.

The recon team inspect the rest of his room and find crystals, but no trinkets that could be used to reassure Vezira.

Outside, Moss and Hartmut set to work hiding the gore of the Ghoul attack. Moss takes a snippet of Moody's mane to give to Korvok as a memento, then burns the head. The smell freaks Hartmut out. The two row inexpertly back across the underground lake. In the boat, they find a previously overlooked explorers pack, and a wax-wrapped journal in a language they can't read. They talk about their families - Hartmut mentions working as a young kid on the farm with his brother. Moss asks if that was Leofric, and Hartmut is startled that she knows the name. She reveals she can speak passable, market stall level Zemnian. She says she worked at the markets for her family , who are sort of farmers and tanners, who make dyed silks and fabrics. Hartmut thinks Moss is rich, and she says she's never had her own money before. Hartmut seems to still think she's very fancy (silks!) and is excited they can talk in Zemnian, which is just a better language.

The journal is 2 years old, written by someone named Donaar, he appears to have been one of the dragonborn consumed by the lake, who originally travelled with Vezira.

Korvok has also found a book in Heskan's room. It suggests that Princess Suriya is not unable to have kids, but does not wish to have them with her consort. She is sleeping with many guys. Hartmut is shocked by this. The book also details that the lake makes you sick, like the creatures the party fought earlier. Additionally, according to the book, the Gem Dragons were not slain, and did not participate in the Calamity. The book asks whether they could have prevented the fall of Draconia. Heskan has also noted that all who take Lucent's edge become cursed with greed and a hunger for power. something something Trocar the Talon King.

Llunet wants to help Vezira pass on as well, but has very little evidence that Heskan was at peace, or cared about her at all. Komani goes to sit with Morrigan by the lake.

Vezira confirms the content of the books, that the Empire had stolen Lucent's Edge from Draconia, and they were attempting to retrieve it. Ravenstad was full of refugees from Draconia. The Empire wanted them to leave but eventually relented and allowed them to stay. They were provided with nothing, and struggled to find wages. The Empire had confiscated the vast majority of their goods, and never returned them (british museum vibes).

Vezira does not believe that Heskan is dead. Komani offers that if we locate their children, we will send them to her. She suggests this would give her a measure of peace.

Korvok inspects the magical item he recovered from Heskan's room - the Eyes of Charming, some blue lensed glasses in a gold frame.

Llunet has posession of Lucent's Edge, a purple crystal longsword that she is proficient with.

**Session 25: Lucent Edge (21 Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* In the midst of combat, Llunet does her best to scoop up Kenna's ashes while Korvok quickly scouts further into unexplored corridors. Meanwhile the rest of the party continue to hold the construct on top of the pressure plate that holds the door open.
* After defeating the construct, Morrigan is handed the ashes of Kenna and sits quietly by the dark lake while Komani releases her rage into the abandoned workshop. Hartmut consoles Moss in her guilt of the situation before they proceed to chat outside the grotto while they clean up what remains of Moody. Llunet, Komani and Korvok explore the rest of Heskan’s hideout where they meet the ghostly remains of Heskan who holds the crystal blade known as Lucent Edge.
* After learning of Heskan’s fate, Llunet was able to persuade him to let his material ties go and pass on, disintegrating his physical remains after having Lucent Edge handed to her. Kovok, Komani and Lluent then explore what remains of his bedchambers where they discover some magical items as well as his spellbook and journal.
* When The Lot reunites, they share the information in the journals they found in the rowboat and Heskan’s bedchambers. Uncovering scandals that could disrupt the empires.
* Before they leave the grotto, Llunet and Komani fail to put Vezera’s spirit to rest, but promise that they should find her forgotten children out there, to direct them here in a hope to put her at peace.
* Now the party ventures out of the woods to proceed to their original destination, Felderwin.

## Blood from Ashes

21-26 Dualahei

The party have left the true woods, and are continuing along the river to Felderwin as a sort of shortcut. Komani is leading, and after a day of travel they find themselves at the wrong end of the river. The party are worn down by the deaths of Kenna and Moody, and just set up camp for the night.

Hartmut hears gunshots over his watch. The rest of the night passes without event for most of the party. Moss is absent on her usual evening walk longer than normal, and is very withdrawn when she returns.

In the morning, Morrigan's flask that contains Kenna's ashes grows burning hot. As she attempts to decant it into one of the cooking pots, it instead falls though to the ground. While Morri scrabbles for it, it disappears entirely. Kenna's ashes are gone.

The party stare and try to figure out what this means. Morrigan knows if there were an egg, it would already have appeared to them. Llunet suspects it might be something to do with Kenna's gods and prophecies.

The party continue, backtracking their path up the river. Morrigan spots a corpse in the river. It does not resemble the immolated body the party found in Hupperdook. It is emaciated and dark all over. The party identify it as having a large piercing wound, and theorise it was shot. It could have been one of the Marrow Muggers. Korvok is able to note some of the body's identifying features.

The party note a tower nearby and go to rest there. They find a damaged chair, bullets, a journal and a timepiece. The Journal appears to belong to someone named D.D., and talks about Mara a great deal. Korvok says that Mara requested her cultists keep journals, to help them become heroes. Korvok believes she had about 200 people.

Korvok becomes concerned that Mara or the Doctor might have been manipulating his mind somehow.

The party decide to rest in the campsite. Llunet spends the greater part of the evening trying to puzzle out what the Watch does - it has 13 hours on the face, rather than the traditional 12. She chats with the others, and reveals her Owl's name is Silithrennial, or Ghost in common. The stopwatch does not appear to do anything at 1 am.

Morrigan is on watch when there is a terrible cracking sound from the north west. She flies upwards and can faintly make out the complete destruction of Mount Mentiri in the distance. The party all suspect it has something to do with Kenna.

Over the next few days of travel the party barely discuss their plans.

Hartmut suggests that Komani, Llunet and Moss should all attempt to spar with their special weapons. Moss panics and refuses. Morrigan asks if she can inspect the dagger. Moss doesn't want to put it anywhere near her friends, but attempts to drop it so Morri can pick it up. This does not work, it immediately flashes back to Moss' hand. Giving up, she moves aside so Komani and Llunet can test their blades. Hartmut suggests it's good she's not fighting because she would have won.

Korvok pulls Morrigan aside and tells her he's leaving. He gives her a note for his younger sister, Lo'Vah, NOT to be handed to Linok. He's going to Othe to find his father, as quickly as he can, and suspects the party will want to go elsewhere.

As he leaves, Moss notices, but doesn't say anything to the others.

Ian posted this poem:

\*When blood from ashes, Monuments fracture

So will the heart reunite with the liars twilight

The desolate flame from orange to violet

A lasting gloom To never forget

When blood from ashes, Lies for the masses \*

**Session 26: Blood from Ashes (21 - 26 Dualahei 836 PD) - stolen from Ian's notes**

* The Lot travelled south along the Scymir River, hoping to reduce the number of days needed to travel to Felderwin. Some of The Lot mourn the loss of Kenna and Moody while others ruminate discoveries from the grotto.
* One morning, the party discovers Kenna’s ashes begin to burn orange then purple until it turns to blood that smells of sulphur, before breaking out of its vessel and sinking into the dirt to never be seen again.
* A human corpse was later found on the river bank whose mysterious death was discussed amongst the party. The Lot guessed the corpse belonged to a member of The Marrow Muggers according to the attire worn: an empty gun holster, wide brimmed hat, bullets. After the discovery of the corpse, they find a waterlogged journal they guess belonged to the corpse, barely making out familiar names like Mara and Crack of Thunder, as well as initials of D.D.
* Within a decrepit tower The Lot discovers a scene that the corpse was involved in. Amongst the remains of the ashes they find more bullets but also find a golden pocket watch that featured thirteen hours, ticked backwards and had the initials D.D. written backwards.
* During a night’s rest in the old tower, some of The Lot hear a distant crack of stone. Morrigan flew high into the sky to see distant weaves of orange and purple flowing out of the dimming glow of a fissure at the peak of the distant Mt. Mentiri.
* Later in their travels while Komani and Llunet spar with their gem swords, Krvok confides in Morrigan about quietly leaving the group to get to his father faster. Although Moss notices Korvok slip away from the group, she stays silent in understanding.
* The remaining days of peaceful travel along the Scymir see the party notice Korvok’s leave, before finally arriving in Felderwin.