**Session 4 Recap** The scent of sacred oils and burnt offerings still clung to the air as the adventurers, their pockets heavier by 45 gold pieces, departed the sun-drenched [[Location - Ashen Temple|Ashen Temple]]. Their recent delivery had been a success, earning them a bonus for their swift and careful handling. But rest was a luxury for others. A new bounty called to them, a wanted poster bearing the name [[NPC - Tommy Greenscale|Tommy Greenscale]], a lizardfolk bandit with a price of sixty gold sovereigns on his head, alive. Their cart, guided by a friendly old driver, rumbled out of the grand city of [[Location - Treston|Treston]], leaving its gothic architecture and cobbled streets behind for the open road. Their destination was the hamlet of [[Location - Umbra|Umbra]], nestled in the [[Location - Umbra Hills|Umbra-hills]], the last known whereabouts of their quarry. The journey was a pleasant one, under a glorious blue sky, marked by the bard [[PC - Mannfred Huem|Mannfred]]'s scathing poem about the ever-expanding reach of the [[Faction - Evereach Trading Company|Evereach trading company]], a piece that earned a knowing chuckle from their driver. In [[Location - Umbra|Umbra]], a settlement of no more than twenty buildings, they were directed to the [[Location - Weary Wanderer|Weary Wanderer]] inn to find a man named [[NPC - Olam|Olam]]. [[NPC - Olam|Olam]], the town's guard, proved to be a drunkard more interested in his ale than in justice, offering little more than tales and a pointer to a local shepherd. The party sought out the shepherd, named [[NPC - Joseph Underbough|Joseph Underbough]], who was a far more helpful source. The old man recounted seeing three hunkered figures, one with a flash of green scales, moving through the moorland valleys not three months past. He gave them directions: past a rock that looked like a horse's head and down into a small valley behind it. Following the shepherd's guidance, the adventurers found the landmark and descended into a wooded valley. A stack of rocks marked with a faded green eye, once a magical ward, pointed them to the thin entrance of a dark cave. Inside, the stench of rot and death was overwhelming. They discovered the decaying bodies of two human women, apparently members of Greenscale's gang. Deeper within, they found him: the lizard-like [[NPC - Tommy Greenscale|Tommy Greenscale]], gaunt and near death from starvation, the last survivor of his doomed crew. After giving him food and water, they bound him and began the trek back to [[Location - Treston|Treston]]. Their return was a spectacle. The city guard, taking the credit, paraded the captured bandit through the streets as crowds jeered and threw vegetables. The adventurers, now calling themselves the [[Faction - Elvensong|Elvensong]], followed in the procession, with [[PC - Mannfred Huem|Mannfred]] playing a tune and spreading the word of their deed. They delivered their prisoner to the imposing war barracks district, collected their reward of 60 gold, and learned of more dangerous bounties, including the formidable Witch of Malwood. After two days of rest, answering correspondence, waiting for word from [[NPC - Oliver|Oliver]] and shopping for books and fine wigs, the day of the party arrived: Borndas, 16th of Maerch. An ornate invitation from Aylar's father confirmed their attendance at the council's gathering on the [[Location - Alder Rock|Alder Rock]]. Dressed in the finest, if sometimes ill-fitting, silks and ruffles from Aylar's own extensive wardrobe, they were greeted at the door by [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]]'s date, [[NPC - Alicia Crabtree|Alicia Crabtree]]. From there, they were transported by a gilded carriage and a black lacquer boat to the grand council building.