Session 22: The Sage and the Raven

General Summary

No Goodbyes

5th of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
The Regulators woke to find that Alaric had slipped away during the night, leaving a small sack of supplies and a letter that read:

"Sorry to slip out on you like this, but I've realized that with all I sacrificed, and the new lead on Lilith Smios, I need to go after her before I worry about whatever it is the gods have brought us together for. I've left some things that you may need more than I will. It's the least I can do for accepting me as part of your crew, and not throwing me to wolves for my reckless deal. I'm sure that whenever I've dealt with Lilith, the gods will lead me back into the fold, like they did the first time. Good luck, and watch your backs.
Alaric"

The party acknowledged Alaric's need to follow his own path, which was decidedly not in line with their current priority, and left to complete their business in Bunorley. Their first stop was the Pakenham Shipyards where they showed the foreman their preferred design for a new airship. The foreman was so impressed with the design, they he contacted the company shipwright and offered a steep discount for construction of the ship in exchange for exclusive rights to the design. Malcolm counter offered with a less generous discount in exchange for a royalty on the design. The foreman agreed, and thus the Firefly Class Cargo Ship was conceived.

The Sage and The Raven

The party then proceeded to the home of Cadnost, the grand sage of the Archives of Udal in Bunorley. They found his one room stone and thatch hut at the edge of the mesa and knocked. The clearly blind, part halfling, part gnome enthusiastically invited them in for lunch and tea. When refreshments were served, Kaylee explained why they had come, he became agitated and insisted the village they sought didn't exist.
After some convincing, he confessed that he knew exactly were Presterwick was. He himself had sought out the village, as some of his ancestors came from there. He was caught in one of the rifts of the Fae Realm and nearly swallowed by a plant that projected false images to draw in its prey. A Fae Raven so his plight and plucked out his eyes to free him from its spell. The Raven guided him out and has been his familiar, and the source of his vision ever since. Kaylee began to ask something of this arrangement but seemed to find her understanding.
Cadnost explained that the place is so dangerous that he didn't feel comfortable with sending anyone there, but he conceded that a group of their size and skill may have what it takes to survive. He showed the party an old map of the area where The Rundensee had yet to exist and the Naiford Wood didn't extend to the north side of the Presterwick Gorge. He compared it to a modern map of the area, telling them that the most direct route would be to take a boat from Haligham to Bridhosle, then enter the Naiford Wood just as it meets the road south from the city. A cave 6 miles in would lead them into Presterwick Gorge, and 8 miles down river they would find a path to Presterwick itself. He drew a detailed map of the gorge, and gave them a very rare scroll that would create a portal from the village to a destination they could determine before leaving. As a final request, he asked the party to inform him when they returned, so he could rest easily.

Correspondence

6th of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
The party left and proceeded back to Haligham where they spent another night at the The Jumping Golemn. The following morning they stopped at Redman's Livery to pick up two riding horses in addition to their draft horses, having been warned that the cart would not make the journey though the woods. They then boarded a ferry to cross the The Rundensee. During the voyage, Malcolm noticed the Scroll of Message had gotten warm. A letter from Arget Ethyn in response to the message he had sent her some time ago.

" My Dearest Malcolm,
I must admit I didn't expect the letter in response, or the dire news in contained. I apologize that it has taken me so long to respond. The tavern has been quite busy as of late with the soldiers of the Vanguard coming through to investigate White Bluff. If anyone else were to tell me that I was to pack up and leave with them to avoid some unknown danger, I would have no shortage of unkind suggestions as to where they could shove that suggestion, but given what I know of your life, and the man you are, I am inclined to trust your judgment. My only concern is for our unborn child. For the time being, I have asked Ethed to stay here at The Welcoming Maiden to ward off whatever danger may be coming. I will be prepared to leave upon your arrival, but any suggestion on steps I can take to protect us, or warning signs I should look out for, would be appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon.
With Love, Arget."

Shortly after, the scroll received a second message. This one from Tidgrud, saying simply that his query had made it all the way to Toresia and had turned north.
When the party arrived in Bridhosle they proceeded to the highest recommended inn among the denizens of the city. At the The Lord's Secret they arranged for their wagon to be stored for the next couple weeks. The proprietor, Carric offered them the Lord's Solar, the largest room at the inn, and the party accepted, while rearranging their most important supplied into the Wizard's Door storage before stowing their wagon.

Naiford Wood

7th of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
The party took breakfast at the tavern and asked Carric about the history of the building, as it and everything in it seemed to be one of the oldest in the city. Carric explained that it was in fact part of the original keep along with the Lord's Manor across the street. It was built by the first Lord of Bridhosle as a library and study. The truth, however, was that the lord found his wife's company tiring, so it was in fact a secret second kitchen and bedroom. The bar was added when his friend's began frequenting the kitchen to drink with him. Then the four bedrooms were added after one of his friends almost ave away the secret by stumbling home drunk from waht was supposed to be a library. The later lords had happier marriages, and as the city expanded and the keep was merged with it, the private kitchen, bar and rooms were opened as a public business, but is still owned by the Lord's family.
The party left the city on horseback and traveled into the woods with Zuko in the lead. He kept the party on course for the cave, discovering a patch of wild mint along the way, which they harvested before moving on. They led the horses on foot into the cave, following a worn path in the rock floor, until they heard the sound of rushing water ahead and felt a draft of air. The horses became restless when the air hit them, so Zuko became invisible and scouted ahead. He quickly found evidence of a bare traveling through by the claw marks of the rock. He reached the source of the sound of rushing water; a large open area of the cave with openings in the ceiling to the outside. Here water fell from outside into a large pool which then became a stream that continued through the cave. To the right of the stream he saw a large mass of brown fur; a hibernating brown bear. He approached the bear and petted it, confirming that it was fast asleep. Next to the bear was the skeletal remains of a human and a torn open satchel. Inside were some basic hiking supplies, as well as a letter that read:

"Marcus,
Sorry I didn't make our rendezvous. Your distraction worked and I got the coin. But word of the bank robbery spread fast, and they were searching everyone on the road. Managed to slip into the woods and hid your share in Naiford Gorge. When you exit the cave, head up river toward the falls and look in the cove to the left. Hid the purse under a rock that should stick out if you're looking for it. They've asked me to see the captain tomorrow morning, so they may be on me. I'm going to make a run for it and try to cross the border into Kesena. Hopefully I'll see you again someday. If not, thanks for the memories. Your friend, Charles."

Zuko pocketed the letter and returned to the party, so they could formulate a plan on getting past the bear.

To be continued..... Session 23: Presterwick Gorge 

Character(s) interacted with

Cadnost Thurstan Redman Carric Ethed Tidgrud

Report Date

15 Apr 2020

Primary Location

Frielos Province