Session 1: The Storm in Thornmarch

You all found yourselves within Thornmarch, a destroyed and storm-wracked forest plagued by acidic rain. Vesryn and Brundac had already taken shelter in a ruined fort when Noelle arrived. Brundac asked if he could eat her—but seeing she posed no threat and only sought refuge, he allowed her to stay. Soon after, Hectah also arrived seeking cover.

While waiting out the storm, Hectah discovered an old satchel—clearly not belonging to anyone present. Inside were basic travel supplies, a map, and a diagram of a tree, all labelled in Infernal. Vesryn translated the contents: the notes belonged to someone searching for a temple, and the tree diagram pointed toward a hidden relic.

Their rest was interrupted by approaching footsteps. A wounded tiefling collapsed at the threshold, his limbs entangled by twitching, snapped-off roots. Hectah and Noelle dragged him inside, and Noelle stabilized him with Cure Wounds. The tiefling, introducing himself as Zereth, claimed he had just succeeded in a mission to save his people.

He explained that he had stolen a relic from a powerful tree—a glowing blue, leaf-shaped crystal inscribed with pulsing Elven runes. The theft had triggered the storm. Zereth insisted the tree had to be destroyed, that it was the only way to stop the storm and protect his people—who were guarding a rift to Hell and facing starvation.

Vesryn, alarmed by the tree carvings, the elven shields scattered around the fort, and the relic’s nature, realized this was once a wood elven forest. They warned against destroying the tree. But with the threat of a demonic rift looming, the party reluctantly agreed to help.

Using the elven shields for protection, they ventured out into the storm. As they travelled, Brundac heard a sorrowful elven whisper in the wind: “Return.” But with their shields deteriorating from the acid rain, they had no choice but to press on.

At the temple, surrounded by the gravestones of elven warriors, they discovered a massive tree within. When Hectah approached, the tree opened, revealing the body of a fallen wood elf with a hollow chest. A ghostly spirit emerged, holding out its hands and echoing the same word: “Return.”

The party promised to return the relic and, aided by a magical protective bubble granted by the spirit, made their way back to the fort.

Zereth was gone, but his absence confirmed he knew they had come for the relic. Brundac tracked him down before he could escape. Zereth refused to hand over the relic until he was coerced. The party, displeased with his deception, decided to bring him back to the tree in case it sought judgment. Brundac stuffed the tiefling into his ale barrel—for both protection and containment. Believing he was doomed, Zereth decided to drink.

At the tree, Vesryn returned the relic to the spirit, mentioning the name “Aurelian” as they e did so—a name that caught Noelle’s attention. As the spirit vanished, it left behind a black sigil coin marked with a shield wrapped in roots. When Brundac requested a reward, the tree gave him a single, perfect red apple in thanks.

When asked about Zereth’s fate, the tree simply said: “If I ever see him again, he shall not be long for this world.”

Still determined to prevent the rift from opening, the party sought an alternative way to help Zereth. Vesryn suggested traveling to the wood elven city of Feyndralas, where they might find aid.

Before departing, Noelle asked Vesryn about Aurelian. Vesryn explained that Aurelian, the Dawnfire That Walked, was the creator of the sun elves. Noelle revealed she was searching for a relic forged by Aurelian and another titan named Calion. Vesryn didn’t recognize Calion but speculated the relic may have been crafted in the Solar Furnace, an ancient forge used to create some of the world’s most powerful artifacts—its location now lost to time.

When Vesryn summoned his familiar Mythraviel, she confirmed the tale. Ancient beyond reckoning, she remembered the construction of the Solar Furnace, though its location had long been forgotten. Wishing to continue learning from Vesryn, she asked to accompany them, and they accepted.

Vesryn invited Hectah to travel with them as well, and Hectah agreed to join them on their journey.

And so, Vesryn, Noelle, and Hectah set off toward Feyndralas, with Brundac lugging along their begrudging, drunken, and grumbling tiefling companion.