Session 4 - The Fresco and the Trees

General Summary

About a month ago, a creature named Belak arrived in town to fix everyone's shoes. At one point, the Riese confronted Belak, to tell him who was really in charge in the village, but allowed him to stay on. Then the cobbler, Georg, confronted Belak - an unwanted competitor, but then decided to hire them to help with the shoe business. Finally, one day, Belak tried to leave the town to meet with his forest forest friends, but the wolves growled at him, and started to approach menacingly, so Belak escaped, promising the wolves that they will regret keeping him in confined in town.

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The party returns to the manor from the Abbey of Saint Raban in the evening, after discussing their plans. The following morning of, some of the party started to walk towards the edge of town. They met with Johanna, the wife of Karl, a local hardworking farmer. Nearby, they also met Belak for the first time. Klein also went over to Jürgen, the local blacksmith to ask him for some repairs for the village tools. The blacksmith was busy with other work, but agreed if he was paid up front. Klein agreed to a large sum, but claimed he wanted to see how many tools needed repairs first. This entire time, Ernst was using his magic to determine if any of the people were Riese in disguise, and noticed a man out in the front yard of the cobbler's house, and also source of magic from the nearby island. The party then returned to the manor to rouse the late-rising Chlothar in the hope of getting the book copied as soon as possible.
The party entered the church. Ernst, absorbed in thought as he made his way slowly around, stopped when he got to the apse. He stared at the large fresco behind the altar of Nadad being blessed by an angel. He announced that the church is surrounded by a perimeter of abjuration magic, but this fresco also contains magic. He thinks it is a gateway, but he does not know to where.
Klein touched the angel’s hand and then the forehead of Nadad. Ernst felt a fluctuation in the magical force he had detected, and Klein felt something deep inside him change. It took him a moment to catch his breath, but he did, eventually. They spend some time experimenting with the fresco and discovered that the effect is most intense when they touch Nadad’s forehead or the part of the angel’s robe to which Nadad is pointing. However, their goal was to find the book, and they eventually returned to that task. Klein, Ernst, and Chlothar searched the church for another hour, but the church, being simple had no other chambers as far as they can tell. They found no portals, panels, or trapdoors. However, after having so carefully examined the space, Chlothar realizes there is enough space behind the fresco to conceal a small room.
Perplexed by the fresco and the room it may conceal, Ernst went to consult Brother Matthias. Brother Matthias, however, was disappointed in what the party is doing. He pointed out that the Riese cannot enter the church to look for the book, so they have allowed the party to do so on their behalf. The party are unwitting agents of the Riese. Ernst told him they are not, that their intentions were true. Brother Matthias told him, if that is so, Ernst must convince Father Anselm they are doing no wrong. He gestured to the field beyond. Ernst looked to the field but saw no one, just the grass and a few trees. Nevertheless, he walked into the field with an open mind and heart, and he noticed one tree seemed unusual. Ernst approached, then touched, the tree. The bark was rough like bark should be, but he felt a sense of warmth and love as he touched it. Perhaps he imagined it, but he felt the tree embracing him. Ernst thought this must be Father Anselm in some form, and feels that he had given him his blessing. Ernst returned to the church with a renewed conviction: the fresco was not a clockwork puzzle they must solve, but rather a portal they can activate by making a suitable gesture.
In the meantime, Klein returned early to the manor to prepare the midday meal to honor his people. Soon, Ernst and Chlothar came too, and then the people of the village including a cobbler from the forest named Belak. It turned out Belak had talked to the wolves who enforce the captivity of the village. One big wolf who told Belak he needed to stay in the village. Klein saw in Belak someone who can easily collect river stones and craft slings from the leather and laces of the cobbler’s shop. Klein asked Belak to make at least 50 slings, and collect ammunition for them. After dinner, Ernst and Chlothar returned to the church, Belak went off to collect rocks, and Klein went into the fields to meet some of the peasants. In particular, Klein wished to speak with Karl, the husband of Joanna. Klein told Karl he was keen to help make the peasant’s life better. Did he feel they needed anything else, better pitchforks perhaps? No, he said. They get tools replaced and repaired regularly. Chlothar and Ernst again returned to the church to concentrate on the fresco. Chlothar prayed for enlightenment but got none. Matthias walked in while they were praying, and suggested they wait for the night. They did, and, though the magic of the fresco seemed stronger at night, they had no further insight. Klein reminded the party that Ernst detected magic on the island in the lake. He suggested they go there. They did, and Ernst detected an evocation magic coming from a tree on the island.
They then headed back to the manor for the night.

Report Date

24 Sep 2024

Primary Location

Riesenhain