Just recovering from their encounter with the hags and losing one of
their friends, the party now preparing camp to rest for the evening hears
hooves approaching. The steps approach slowly, but intently. They stop about 300
feet away from the party. Before revealing themselves, they say from within the
bushes, with a calm and confident voice: “We mean you no harm. We are the
druids you seek, and have observed what happened here today. You did this
forest a great service by neutralizing these hags, however you are now all in
great danger, because this action caused great ripples. With your permission, I
would like to approach so we may speak.”. A second, angrier, deeper and more
imposing voice interjects: “We STRONGLY suggest you lay down your weapons –
that means your spells too!”.
Vano, sitting by the campfire, responds to the voices and agrees to lay
down weapons so they may approach.
As they approach the party, from the bushes Vano sees a woman,
humanoid/elven in appearance. She wears armour made from a mix of bark and
intricately woven vines. Many beads made of seeds and other natural materials
are woven into her hair, which has practical, yet delicate braids keeping the hair
from her face. At first it looks like she’s riding a zebra, until she’s
completely in view and it is revealed that she’s a centaur. She holds a blodrur
and has a calm, collected look on her face.
From behind her humanoid torso suddenly two white long ears start
emerging, to eventually reveal the face of a humanoid rabbit glaring at the
group. Standing about 2.5 feet tall, the creature wears finely crafted garments
that also appear made of bark and vines. Instead of a blodrur, this harengon
carries a sling that appears made of the same material as the blodrur, and
definitely has the same orange cysts growing on it.
The druids introduce themselves as Thesseia and Ferez, and refer to each
other as “Pacha”.
They explain to the group that they appreciate their efforts to help
with the sunken temple. Thesseia recognizes Zannan, as “the one they saw at the
beach, and nodded to”. They also reveal that the hags have been trying for a
long time to reach Yigdrasiil (same as Nidhogg and the Drow). There are still
many hags in the forest, and now that the group has defeated two of them, word
will spread of their deeds and they are not safe. Others will come for them to
try and steal their powers. The druids fear for what the Hag which escaped will
be rewarded with.
Hags are thirsty for power, and defeating any of the party members
(since they killed other hags) will mean power to them, so the party is not
safe to spend the night in the forest. The hags have extensive means to
hunt them here, so they better not spend the night here!
The druids cannot take the party to Yigdrasiil yet, as their elders need
to be consulted with, and a decision needs to be reached first.
The druids propose to lead the party to safety, at the forest’s edge,
away from the Hag’s reach (Transport via Plants). From there, they can find
safety in a nearby town (Cathrill). Hags are significantly less powerful
outside the forest, and likely won’t risk attacking them in town. The druids propose
to meet again by the same tree at dusk the next day to bring their circle’s
decision to the group.
The party accepts the druids offer and are transported to the outskirts
of Cathrill. Upon arrival, they proceed towards the local tavern (The Greasy
Pelican). While they are discussing room/meal arrangements, Lennie recognizes an
old friend sitting in the corner of the tavern. Hazel, with tears in her eyes,
immediately recognizes Lennie, who quickly disappears. After an altercation
involving book smacking and more tears, the two old friends finally catch up.
Hazel’s friends go to their room to let them catch up.
The whole party eventually joins them and they share their adventures so
far (in one of their booked rooms). The party retires for the night. Some took
food to their rooms, others got some reading done. Hazel and Lennie had some
bonding time on the roof of the inn.
The next morning, Brandybuck and Lennie went to the docks to find out when
the next ship to Multruvia would be available. There will be one expected
tomorrow. Lennie gave the name “Twilight Wings” to the dockmaster, however they
did not leave a deposit to secure a spot on the ship as of yet.
Meanwhile, the other party members did some shopping, including a large
order of parchment, which had the shop keeper very excited and prompted him to
include a gift with the order (the Vindictive Tankard).
The party still has not decided their next step, if they want to check
out Yemoja’s Temple or go to Multruvia, but they are considering, for their
most immediate destinations, a visit to Zannan’s childhood home.
