Session 15: Ancestors’ Fear Report

The rising dawn crept up from the east with tendrils of woven fire, yet the grasp of winter pressed all life beneath a sheen of frost. In the earliest hours the party began to stir, eager to cover ground and quickly escape the bitter austerity of Vestidia. They gathered together their supplies and rode southwest for an hour or two, closing the distance between themselves and where the fabled Grove of the Ancestors was located. It was a slow-going journey. What would normally have been a simple ride was made difficult by snowed over trails and fallen branches. On they travelled, and in time they came upon the place. It was a vast expanse nestled within the heart of the forests west of Dorithin. Bordering around the grove was a ring of smooth stones, each entirely bare and of similar design.

Party speaks with Vythmer, the Baeldor of the grove. They explain their situation and the desire to invoke the goodwill of the ancestors. He explains that the Ancestors require a test of loyalty from foreigners, and tells them about strange occurrences to the east. Other groves were being attacked by tribes who were apparently guided by direct communion with the ancestors. The party agreed, believing that Syrgus was silent for the season and time was on their side. Vythmer further explained that he believed it was a rogue baeldor at work here, given the references to the ancestors. Whatever the case, the ancestors could offer their boon if this threat was destroyed.

Party travels eastward into tribal Fethwyn territory. They are ambushed at night by tribesmen, but managed to fend them off with fire and blade. However, the enemies continued to stalk them night and day, remaining just out of sight. The next day they arrived at another grove, but in this case it had been attacked. Dozens of charred corpses ringed the northern approach, each curled in grotesque forms from the immediacy of their demise. They carefully moved inside the ring of stones, finding it completely peaceful. Within they found these individuals; Lenidra, the baeldor of the grove, Falemal, a man of some 50 years, and Sagar, his teenage son. No lacerations or bruises were upon their bodies, nor any sight of physical contact, but they appeared frightened and deeply disturbed. The party spoke at length with them, and were told in detail of the aforewitnessed scene’s origin. Strange behaviors had overtaken the Vestidian tribals about a month prior, many of whom circumvented the ancestral groves with abject fear and deep suspicion. This was entirely suddenly and unbecoming of them, as the tribals more than any other Vestidians were predisposed to visiting the groves often. In time, this distant fear adopted a more sinister character. The tribesmen began to stalk closer to the groves, within sight of the baeldor, but never speak nor acknowledge them. However, about a week prior they came forth all at once and attacked the grove at night. They were halted dead by the Eshara of the ancestors. Scores of assailants were charred instantly, their corpses littering the ground as they attacked relentlessly. The baeldor and her attendants had remained quiet and hidden ever since, fearing the next series of attacks yet to arrive.

Now, the appearance of these unscathed fellows created some measure of suspicion among the party. How did the survive and what did they know? Speculation traveled in hushed whispers about potential deception, and that in fact the two men and the baeldor were the real culprits of the crime. While nothing quite proved it, the following line of inquiry was sharp and roundly accusing. Ballisar stalked between the trees looking for evidence while the other questioned the trio. They learned little more than the original story, save for the eastward approach of the enemies and confirmation of another grove in that general direction. Nothing else seemed amiss. With what little apprehension remained the party lingered, scanning the premise for some hitherto unforeseen dangers. Lenidra offered to guide them through the trees present in the grove, pointing out the vaunted growths of Dorith and Konin Achemal Rohnaar, but offering nothing else of value. The most they achieved was earning some ire when Ballisar was caught wandering strangely close to the baeldor’s personal dwelling. They left shortly afterward, heading east as directed while pondering on what machinations they had missed.

The season was bitter as the fellows trekked over broken ground of gnarly morass disguised by fresh snow. Hours passed, perhaps three or more, as the party kept their heads low and said little. What could they discuss? The matter of Syrgus was veiled behind the snow, hopefully until spring arrived. Alliances were in fair order, at least between the Atamani and Astorians. All that remained was to plunge through pall toward the next obscure goal on their quest for salvation from Áckesh. They finally arrived at the sight of another grove, but were mortified to discover it utterly destroyed. The sacred ring of stones which demarked the grove itself were torn up and hurled about in the snow. Outside were charred corpses like before, but some had managed to fight inside. Villains slain by the blade lay about and the trees they rested near were smashed, hewn, or burned. The party descended to investigate this new tragedy. Azidael found the stone dwelling of the passed baeldor, and therein discovered a journal with news from the latest month, a copy of Suvar Mostis’s Ebisadra, and a general history of the Vestidian easterlands. Little survived besides it. Further the party investigated, searching corpses and scanning the woodlands. Calista was the first to make a breakthrough. To the north was a disturbance among the tree boughs, as if they had been broken and trodden besides, though the trail whence was hidden by snow. With that as their best lead, they were compelled to travel thither.