Session Twenty-Two: The Seasons of Ashbarrow

General Summary

Cyrus and Aldous took first watch. Cyrus mainly focused on Aldous to make sure that he was doing alright. Aldous looked tense and was pouring over his tome. He found that his tome was blank now with blackened pages. Every note and spell he had was now gone. He still knew his spells and the knowledge he had gained was still in his mind however all of his writing was gone. Flipping through the book he came to the page with the diagram on it. It too was empty save for two embossed circles. His and another one.

As Yarrow slept through first watch his mind was racing. Visions and flashes of the White Stag plagued his sleep. "Save the Grove" it said over and over again until he woke up. Yarrow made a note of Aldous and then pulled out Starshine and Lavant from his bag. They fluttered around him for a minute and then the group went above ground to do watch.

After an hour or so Yarrow saw some flickering lights in the distance. Looking closer he could see humanoid figures moving with torches along the tree line of the forest. Thinking for a moment Yarrow decided not to act. He would wait until Alabaster woke and tell him.

Alabaster was woken up for third watch by Yarrow who told him of the lights. Alabaster poked his head above ground but saw nothing. The Hedge spent the rest of his watch creating little dust tornadoes with his cantrips and waiting for the sun to rise. Yarrow was the first of the sleeping to wake up and quickly made everyone breakfast.

- 10 of Solas -

The group prepared to make their way out. Ashbarrow was a few days of travel away and they didn't want to traverse the Scorched Grove again. Yarrow spent some time using his magic to reinforce the walls of the underground camp again and wrote "Fermata" on one of the walls. This way other people could use it if it was found.

There was a little debate on what to do for travel. Yarrow cast Conjure Animals and summoned the two eagles once more. The eagles were happy to see him and not be in the Scorched Grove. They once again asked him to come to the Feywilds. Yarrow said no once more and then asked if they liked music. Based on their reactions Yarrow asked Alabaster to play some music. As the music started the Eagles began to dance around the Hedge and squawk with delight. They asked Yarrow if he could bring Alabaster as well.

The group began their flight. Much distance was being made by the birds. The eagles introduced themselves to Yarrow since they figured this might be a reoccurring thing. Their names were Artip and Lexand and they were happy to have good music to listen to.

As the group got above the trees they could see out across the land. The Scorched Grove to their right with its huge petrified trees. Humblewood to their right with its fraying edges. In the distance they could see some trees rustling, most likely Oakheart. Behind them in the treeline they saw a small camp. Most likely the people traveling last night. They ignored these and moved forward. They would fly south towards Winnowing Reach and then West to Ashbarrow. If they moved quickly they might be able to make the trip in a day.

As they landed they looked around. They would walk a bit by foot before using the eagles again. Closer to the forest now they saw tracks coming from the direction of Winnowing Reach to the North. A cart was clearly being used and several foot prints. Growing concerned Alabaster used Sending to tell Mint, Yarrow's brother in Winnowing Reach, about it.

"Hey are you still alive? There are tracks coming from Winnowing reach and tracks last night, you can respond in 25 words. ~Yarrow" "Yes we're fine, there have been some disappearances lately. The magistrate blames Susan the Witch but you say there are tracks north. I'll tell the guard, thanks."

With that they continued their marching for about half a day. Then as they grew a little tired Yarrow summoned Artip and Lexand again. This time he would maintain it until they got to Ashbarrow. As they ascended they looked out towards the Grove. It was pulsing with raging fires. Ember touched creatures were running from the grove into the woods to the east to escape the Ash snakes that chased them.

It was getting late and the group would be at Ashbarrow at the end of the day. They decided that instead of going at night they would make an underground camp again and meet Bonda in the morning. Alabaster sent a message to Bonda.

"Meet us tomorrow outside of town at the weird camp ground thing. First thing in the morning. Bring healing supplies. Be cautious." "Okay, I'll prepare some healing magics with Taru. Be safe."

The group landed at the small camp outside of Ashbarrow. Yarrow and Alabaster once again dug an underground camp. This time the ground was a little more solid but it still proved trivial to make. A similar design was dug and the group took watch as before.

Yarrow pulled Rose out to stay with Cyrus for the first watch. Aldous read some of Gifu's notes about rituals and forbidden magics. After first watch Yarrow pulled Rose back into the bag and pulled out Dapple. Again the watch went be without a sound.

Yarrow woke up Alabaster who was freezing. The temperature below ground with the Borealis was starting to drop significantly. Alabaster decided to sneak above ground and do his watch up in the warmth. Alabaster snuck above ground and hid in some brush. Once up there he heard noises. Getting closer he saw two Tenders around the camp. They were wearing certain armaments that meant they worked for the council of elders. They chatted with one another confused. They were sent by Havel to scout out the party and return with information but there was no one here. After a little investigating the two gave up and returned to Ashbarrow.

- 11 of Solas -

Yarrow woke up and made breakfast. Alabaster told him of the Tenders and asked him what he wanted to do. The party began to talk and decided on this. Alabaster and Cyrus would hide above ground in the brush while Yarrow made food on the fire. Aldous would stay below ground and only come out if it was necessary since he had the Borealis.

Everyone got into position and Yarrow continued to cook. Aldous took this time to ritually cast elevated sight to be able to see what transpired above. Soon enough Bonda and Taru showed up. Bonda looked around confused.

"I thought I was to meet all of you here? Where is Alabaster?" Bonda asked at a smiling Yarrow. The Tola held up a plate of food.
"Do you want some breakfast?" His smile contrasted with her grimace as Bonda began to get frustrated.
"You said you had news of Gifu and have sent to me several times about the matter. I need to have answers young Tola." As she spoke two people came up from behind her. "As do I." Alabaster and Cyrus watched as Havel and Tevor emerged from the tree line. Yarrow listened and heard several people in the brush around the camp.
"Havel, Tevor!? What are you doing here?" Bonda exclaimed unsure of herself.
"I could ask you the same thing." Havel looked over to Yarrow, "What do you know Tola? If you know anything about Gifu or the temple you will let me know now or else." Yarrow smiled.
"Or else your friends hiding around us in the brush will get mad?" Yarrow stuck out his tongue.
"That's it! This is treason! Kill them and we'll find out what they know later!" Tevor looked around confused and everyone heard the people in the brush around them. Yarrow turned and yelled to his left, unable to see the people in the brush.
"You don't have to fight us! We just want to talk!" Yarrow listened and heard a spell being cast and then saw leaves moving. "Fine! No talking then!" Yarrow raised his paws and cast Conjure Animals summoning eight large snakes around the field. "You should retreat now!" Yarrow said with menace.
"Oh because no one else here can conjure animals, how terrifying!" Havel began to cast his own spell. As he did however Aldous from below ground saw him casting and cast Counterspell on the druid. Havel looked around confused, unable to see why his magic failed. Bonda looked back at the camp fire behind her.
"Enough of this! You want fire!" The camp fire roared and took shape. It formed into a large panther made of flame and lept over her towards Havel. "I am fire!"

Tevor pulled back and raised a talon making the earth and rock take form into a wolf of stone. Taru looked around and saw frost on a bush nearby. Confused but grateful he pulled the water and cold together to summon a large lizard made of ice. Alabaster pulled from the shadows smiling and cast Shatter on Havel.

Havel once again tried to cast but was countered by Aldous who remained hidden. Bonda handed her Tender Medallion to Yarrow and told him to flee to Ashbarrow and let the Tenders know of Havel and that she would stay and fight. The people in the brush started firing arrows at the party but were quickly side tracked by Yarrow's snakes. Yarrow drank a vial of red slime and cast Fermata's Guardian Bees. Bees of dripping flames poured out of his orifices and surrounded him. Seeing their defeat as imminent Havel began to run. Havel gripped a gem in his talon and a magical wave of energy destroyed the snakes around him. As the elementals fought each other over head Alabaster saw Havel running and charged his gloves. Focused on Havel he shot a bolt of lightning at him, through the elementals and trees in the way.

The lightning bolt echoed through the trees and Havel was left with a hole in his chest. The trees fell around people, onto the ice and earth elementals crushing them. Everyone looked on in shock at the force of the attack. Tevor immediately got to his knees and surrendered. Bonda looked over and ran to Havel.

"He's dead... We need to go back to Ashbarrow now! I can resurrect him but it will take time." Taru came to her aid as Alabaster tied up Tevor.
"Why! Fuck him." Alabaster said with malice. Bonda sighed angrily.
"He is a Tender and an Elder. At the very least I want to know what he knows." She looked down and saw a ring on one of his fingers. "These are the rings you were talking about?" She pointed to the ring. Alabaster grimaced and nodded.
"We'll go with you." Yarrow said looking at Alabaster and Cyrus. Cyrus shook his head.
"I'll stay here and take care of camp." Cyrus winked at Yarrow who nodded. Alabaster finished binding Tevor and the elders, Yarrow, and Alabaster made their way to Ashbarrow. As they did Yarrow took one of the Tenders aside and threatened him that if he didn't make a portable beehive that there would be consequences.

Report Date

26 Jun 2020

Primary Location

Ashbarrow