**Session 8 Recap** *Medis 19th – Hartdas 20th Maerch* ## Return to Treston [[Party - Elvensong]] arrived back in [[City - Treston]] around 1pm on Medis 19th Maerch. The [[Party - White Pine Heroes]] split ways at the gate, with [[NPC - Little Jeffen|Jeffen]] and [[NPC - Martha Greenroot|Martha]] heading toward [[City - Silverwall]], while [[NPC - Richard Ambrose|Richard]] stayed with the Elvensong. [[NPC - Degleg Darkrock|Degleg]] departed separately, likely to pray at the [[Temple - Ashen Temple]]. ## Appraisals in Yonderwalk The party headed to [[Shop - Mordrid's Grand Appraisals]] in [[District - Yonderwalk]] to have their fortress loot assessed. The district was vibrant and diverse—kites in the sky, rare beast-folk wandering about, drawn by the universities. [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] and [[NPC - Richard Ambrose|Richard]] waited outside while the others entered. Inside the busy shop, exotic pets flew overhead while guards with drawn bows watched from above. The appraisals revealed: - **Sword**: 100 years old, gems not firmly set—offered 45gp - **Chainmail**: Human craftsmanship (not dwarven or elvish)—offered 20gp, bartered to 30gp by [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] - **Ring on [[PC - Mannfred Huem|Mannfred's]] hand**: Semi-precious gems, offered over 100gp—Mannfred refused to sell, visibly agitated when anyone examined it closely [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] confirmed the chainmail was not Elvish-made, agreeing it was human craftsmanship. The bartered difference gave the parties an extra 75gp to split. ## Edmon's Shop of Wizardry [[PC - Balok Feth|Balok]] wanted to visit a magic shop. On the way, the party noticed a well-dressed bird-person (parrot-headed, humanoid features) reading a book on a bench—unusual, as beastial beings are typically traded as slaves. [[NPC - Richard Ambrose|Richard]] led them to [[Shop - Edmon's Shop of Wizardry]]—a dark shop with soft candlelight and a strong musky scent. The shopkeeper, **[[NPC - Edmon]]**, was wheelchair-bound and "very strange" according to Richard. **Edmon's Quest**: In one week, a rare **bright red looped flower** (about 2ft long) will bloom in the [[Region - Syndari Forest]]—the same forest where [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] once stayed with wood elves, and where [[NPC - Martha Greenroot|Martha]] is from. The flower stays bloomed for only 3 days. Edmon offered something "strong" from his vault in exchange for retrieving it; the roots might help him walk again. He specializes in illusions and transmutation. **Balok purchased a Hat of Wizardry** for 110gp. ## Party Revelations - [[PC - Balok Feth|Balok]] shared he originally landed in Iros from his world and travelled to Auken. He's **homesick and has been ordered to return home** by a messenger of the Raven Queen. [[NPC - General Hann]] previously mentioned a gate in **[[Region - High Salen|High Salen]]** that could take him back—though it's a very dangerous place. - **[[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar's]] family names revealed**: - Brother: **Caelum Thaelond** (missing) - Father: **Eldrin Thaelond** - Mother: **Sylvari Thaelond** (deceased 10 years ago) - Aelar is **723 years old** ## The Wonky Jib & Liar's Dice The party crossed the river by barge (1cp each) and walked Terigan's Way to [[Tavern - The Wonky Jib]]. The tavern had its lights off and looked closed. **[[NPC - Elias (Barman)|Elias]] was absent**—his sister **[[NPC - Anna Trot]]** was tending bar. Business has been slow since "the attack" (the slimefiend incident). The party sat at the table where they first met. They played **Liar's Dice** to decide their next destination: [[Region - Syndari Forest]] or [[City - Silverwall]]. **[[PC - Balok Feth|Balok]] won big**—going from one of the poorest to one of the richest in the party. He flipped a coin for the destination: **Silverwall**. ## Oliver's Guild Avoiding [[Faction - Evereach Trading Company|Evereach]] territory due to [[PC - Mannfred Huem|Mannfred's]] history, the party took the back way to [[NPC - Oliver|Oliver's]] guild. The place looked much nicer—cleaned up with new furniture. Oliver mentioned a new party, "The Treston Band," had joined (first-time adventurers). [[NPC - Richard Ambrose|Richard]] proved the kill of [[NPC - Izitt Badd ☠️|Izitt Badd]] by producing his ear. Oliver received his 40gp share and plans to invest it back into the guild. **Oliver's offer**: Return with 1000gp and he'll secure the party a **flying skiff** for missions. [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] gave him 15gp to find more quests. [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] told Oliver to send messages to "**Silver Towers**" if ever needed. ## Wanted Board & The Talking Rat The party reviewed the wanted board. A **talking rat named [[NPC - Gleek]]** was smoking a cigarette in the grate. He explained a **druid in [[Town - Beren-on-Lake]]** has a task for them—something secret, revealed only on the next full moon. Glike spoke like a gangster rat and retreated clicking into the grate. Beren-on-Lake is on the way to Silverwall, so the party decided to head there. It was about 6:30pm. ## The Anchor Inn Before departing, the party stopped at **[[Inn - The Anchor Inn]]**—a huge, rowdy, 3-level inn filled with fighting sailors. [[NPC - Richard Ambrose|Richard]] ordered 5 grogs for 5cp—a thick, fermented, fish-smelling concoction aged in the ocean. [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] asked Richard about [[NPC - Martha Greenroot|Martha]]: - Richard, [[NPC - Degleg Darkrock|Degleg]], and **August** (who died) found her on a riverbank during a quest in the Silvaria Forest. - She was charismatic and friendly—then suddenly they were traveling together. She's been with the White Pine Heroes for about **2 years**. - They've never met her friends or family. - Richard seemed **confused** when trying to remember details—something is off. - They used to do quests on the east side; now only the west side since she joined. - She once led them to a **large, dark tree** in the forest. **[[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] revealed**: Martha showed him a vision of his **entire world destroyed in eternal winter**. He wants to find the root of her power—she could be his enemy, and the enemy of his queen. He believes she may be spreading evil. He had a dream of standing in a white tundra with a **huge pink flower** and a **tower of silver coins** (possibly representing Silverwall). Martha said to him after the vision: *"Do you see now?"* ## Aelar's Confrontation While preparing to leave, [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] received a visit from servant **Tobias**, who dropped an expensive **summoning rune**. **[[NPC - Aelar's Father|Eldrin Thaelond]]** appeared and demanded: - Aelar must return home at once - This "adventuring madness" must stop - **Caelum "doesn't exist"** to him (disowned) - At month's end, Aelar will be **fully cut off financially** Aelar refused, vowing to find his brother and return with him. **Aelar revealed to the party** for the first time that his mother passed away 10 years ago, and his brother Caelum is missing. His father has been closed off since his mother's death. To style out his remaining wealth, the party departed via **golden carriage** and **private barge** through the northeast gate past the university. ## Beren-on-Lake The party arrived at the fishing town of [[Town - Beren-on-Lake]]. The innkeepers—Sally, teenage Ben, Tulva, and Codrick—directed them to a druid outside town. [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] shared fine wine from the carriage with everyone, and they were offered free lodging. **[[NPC - Scavus]]** the druid is not well-respected in town. He has an affinity for rats and other strange creatures. Rumors include: - Making rats talk - Calling 5000 rats to him like the Pied Piper (townsfolk thought it was a plague) - Had few friends as a child, seems lonely - Left when asked to, no arguments ## The Luna Berries Quest On Hartdas 20th Maerch, [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] woke in his **Spring form**. The party found [[NPC - Scavus|Skavis's]] hut 20-30 minutes east of the lake—inside was a huge pile of rats covering the floor, walls, and ceiling. Skavis lay beneath them using a badger as a pillow. He was **young, slender, skinny**, with **shiny black horns** and dark bags under his eyes—a Tiefling. **Skavis's Request**: Retrieve **Luna Berries** (red berries with white leaves, like holly) from a bush at the foot of the mountains. Take them to a **[[Location - Luna Door|moon door]]** when the moon is out, bless them in a sacred chalice, and return them by tomorrow. The rats cannot go on the mountain (druid magic prevents it). **His reason**: He wants to transform a rat into a human so they can be together. Trinxis used Speak with Animals to confirm the rat returns his affection. [[PC - Mannfred Huem|Mannfred]] asked the rats about [[Faction - Evereach Trading Company|Evereach]]. They warned: *"It will happen soon."* The party negotiated: in exchange for the berries, the rats will spy on [[NPC - Louis Dubois]] for 2 days. ## The Luna Door [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] found the berries after an hour and a half. The party climbed 100ft up a stone cliff on the second eastern mountain to find the [[Location - Luna Door]]—a carved door in the mountainside. **Riddles answered:** 1. *"Father of the valley, sun of the storm..."* — **Rain** 2. *"Crown of gold in youth, shroud of white in age..."* — **Dandelion** 3. *"Bridge between north and south, seen by blind, felt by numb..."* — **Sun** 4. *"Womb of the forest, tomb of the brave..."* — **Soil/Earth** 5. *"Silent shepherd of salt, thief in stolen fire..."* — **Moon** *(Party wiped but were brought back)* As the sun set and the moon emerged, the door glowed soft blue. Light moved in channels beneath their feet, following the moon's path. A thick white band filled the chalice and **blessed the berries**, which began to glow softly. [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] added his **gold seal of Queen Lana** to the chalice. The light turned red and a golden beam shot into the sky. Everything grew freezing cold but glowed from within. [[PC - Aelar Thaelond|Aelar]] tried his sword in the chalice—nothing significant happened. [[PC - Trinxis Staciadour|Trinxis]] began to pray. The world fell away; he found himself surrounded by gold, feeling like home. **Queen Lana** appeared and said: *"You have linked me with my mother. Take my blessing."* ## Skavis's Rat Wedding The party returned the blessed berries to [[NPC - Scavus]]. A ceremony commenced: the chosen rat ate the berries, was raised into the air surrounded by white smoke and light, and **transformed into a gorgeous woman** in a tiny dress. All the rats cheered as Skavis and his transformed love celebrated their wedding. The party departed with a promise to return for the information from the rat spies on their way back. --- *End of Session 8*