Chapter 26 - The Way Home
General Summary
After hearing Cilly out about her plans, Dietmar says that he, for his part, is ready to return back to Mittelheim. They have been in Albenheim for nearly a whole moon, and much more time is likely to have passed in their own world. The people of Hegenburg need their help, in any case. There is little agreement about intervening in the Rabenwald line of succession - presumably, the Margrave has no wish to be removed in favor of his son - but that is a problem that can be dealt with later. After some arguing regarding who is really responsible for Eddi's death, and questioning Edelweiss about the whereabouts of Alfred and Franz - she assures them that both are kept safe by her people for the time being, preparations are made to leave. Carrot wanders about how it will be after he loses the power of speech, but Nit - his new best friend - assures him that she will always be able to speak to him. If he cannot speak, he will still be able to sing, the donkey consoles himself.
The following day, the Elves at the Temple of Teeth give their guests a sendoff. Reinhard thanks them for their hospitality and gives Kara a letter, and Edelweiss promises to look in on Cilly from time to time. Cilly, for her part, collects the various herbs needed for Dietmar's concoction, to help keep him from transforming into a rat man. The group sets out, but soon, gets caught under a torrential downpour, that makes them lose their way. Even being able to see the ley lines isn't enough to make Reinhard lead the group toward the portal on the mountainside. Everyone gets soaked, and does the best they can to stay warm, though Klawuhn does get chilled to his bones.
As they wander the forest, they come upon a rather inebriated strongman named Lukas. He seems to have planned a party with some friends atop a hill where witches were supposed to meet, but somehow, woke up in this place, and has been wandering around trying to find his way ever since. He is rather shocked by the proximity of elves, and spouts off some common preconceptions about the creatures. But he joins the group to help him find the way home. As they continue, Klawuhn and Cilly chat like an old married couple - the rest of the group finds this endlessly diverting. Lukas takes to calling Dietmar Brother Bald Spot.
As the light grows dimmer, the group fails to pick up Lukas' old tracks - they have been washed out by the rain. Exasperated, the drunk man throws a rock at a crow, and kills it. Soon, the ground begins to shake, indicating approaching boars. Lukas supposes this was caused by his rock. Soon, the foul beasts charge out at them from the woods, eyes aglow. Initially, Dietmar's chastisement of the netherworldly beasts hurts them severely. Klawuhn joins in, slashing with his silvered messer. Even Carrot's muttering manages to trip one of the monsters. But one is able to slam into Klawuhn, while another attempts to bowl over Lukas, who seems even bigger than when his new companions first met him. The deadly magic of the tusks withers flesh. But before long, Lukas' big maul, Klawuhn's messer, and Reinhard's shadow blade slice and skewer all three beasts. But as the healers minister to the wounded, the beasts start getting up, one by one. Lukas even head butts one into submission, but Cilly learns the hard way that death magic actually makes the monsters stronger. Eventually, all three are finally subdued, and the work of vivisecting the boars and preserving their flesh begins. At night, ghostly forms rise up from the boar frames, and wander away into the darkness.
After resting for the night (during which Cilly learns that her new cloak allows her to stay awake, as an elf would) the group sets out again. Soon, they notice that the forest begins to look sick - the trees are dying, or covered with slimy fungus. Soon, they come upon a huge pit radiating darkness. No light, not even divinely summoned, is able to dispel it. Klawuhn's rock fails to land, and a voice from within the pit, but echoing inside his head, beckons him to enter. The attempt to lower Cilly's leech suspended from a string ends badly - a giant bloodsucking monster is pulled back, and has to be subdued - Lukas beats it to death with the boots taken from the mean little runt with the giant sickle several days ago. Reinhard says that pulling back the giant bloodsucker is exactly what he expected, adds that the area radiates evocative and necromantic magic Cilly determines that the area constitutes the breakthrough of Schwarzalbenheim into this realm, suspects that this is caused by her union with Klawuhn, and their attempt to heal the sundering of the elves. Klawuhn, for his part, toys with jumping in the darkness to learn more about himself. But he is held back by the others, who don't want to be diverted from their present course.
The weather improves and at long last, Reinhard is able to follow the ley lines back to the meadow. There seems to be no way to get around the field of poppies, so the party plows through it. Only Nit falls asleep, and being light, she is easily carried by Carrot up the hillside, while Cilly collects the poppies to bring home. On top of the hill, the companions prepare for the journey back. Dietmar blesses all the companions he can, and with luck, they go through the portal without losing any memories of the place where they have spent a memorable month.
Atop the hill, it is dark. A strong spring wind blows upon them, as they settle down to rest from their journey.
Rewards Granted
- more boar meat
Missions/Quests Completed
- The party returns home to Mittelheim
- Boars and a death leech are defeated
Character(s) interacted with
Report Date
13 Apr 2021
Primary Location
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