Session IV (01/20/01)

• May 14th, 183 2C. The group, which consists of Thurton Gromst, Sperin Tramil, Creyton Crey, Anastasia Zakharov, and Aliana Moonsong head south along the ancient stone road. It is a fine spring day. Ana relays another dream she had of the darkness up on the mountain consuming a hiding Ahib. Sperin reveals that, somehow, he felt connected to the shadowy figure in the fog. The day's travel is otherwise uneventful. Toward evening, however, the wail of Nyrgil can be heard closer. Creyton advises on how to camp and how to defend against the creatures. It is eventually revealed to be a mated pair. The hungry man-beasts attack. Their strength is impressive, but Creyton's Ranger training is very useful against these creatures and they group emerges with bumps and bruises and maybe a broken nose, but no serious damage, unless you count Sperin's sheild as a casualty. It is determined that only two were on the hunt and camp is made.
• May 15th. They travel the rest of the way back to Akia, turning off the stone road onto the dirt Akia Road and heading through the farmlands and, eventually, back into town. There are aches and pains from the Nyrgil and everyone is tired and grumpy. Things go from bad to worse when Thurton, attempting to give people some information and calm their fears, rings the fire bell and calls an emergency town meeting. Aliana keeps talking over him revealing the entire truth while Thurton reveals only need to know information. It leaves the townspeople only more confused, but, generally, they seem to trust Thurton. He is, after all, one of the more respected people in town. The group finally enters Kiltin's Rest and sleep in the deserted building.
• May 16th. The day is spent with everyone going their separate ways. Creyton goes to scout out the camp of the "men in black" or, as it has since been learned, the Tiscotian Mercenaries. Sperin goes off on "private business". Aliana goes to Moonsong Winery and talks with Maria and, to some extent, her uncle. She also takes a walk out into the woods. Ana and Thurton go down to the docks. They talk to Joe and get a feel for the town. Joe still has a sweet spot for Ana. Hilar Red still isn't home and he hasn't been for two weeks. They learn that the ship back from Beantown isn't due for a couple of days. During the day, various bits of information are gathered. Drake has taken his family down to visit cousins in Bairn, ignoring his store and Barton's rotting body. Doris Treehorn seems to have left town as well. About half of the town has taken off, but there are still people around. There has been no sign of Rangers or anyone else in a position of authority, including Jude Cyrus Winslow. There has also been no sign of trouble. Several weapons from the men in black, who seem to have been Tiscotian Mercenaries, as well as large sums of coins and even a few gold bars, are hidden near Creyton's. After a short debate at Creyton's, it is decided that they will bury Barton. They gather up Barton and some tools and head south out of town. They travel down through the Verde Woods for a bit in the dark, before coming out onto the shore of the Blue Sea. They go down the coast for awhile before heading back into the woods, winding upstream for an hour along the Contu River until they reach a wide bend in the river where Thurton and Barton used to go fishing. There, under the shade of an oak tree, Barton is buried. Everyone says a few words about their friend/father. Then, the somber group heads back into Akia, getting back to Kiltin's Rest after midnight for a night's sleep. It seems the reminder of their friend's death seems to pull the group back together just when it seemed about to fall apart. There is some talk of getting a boat out to a small island in the Blue Sea. Supposedly, there is an old tower there where a wizard use to live. A few fisherman revealed to Thurton and Anastasia earlier that someone still lives on the island.
• May 17th. Finally, what starts out as a day of some relaxation. In the morning, Aliana and Anastasia spend some time reading some books that Aliana "borrowed" from her uncle. The men go down to Red Wolf Stables to take care of the horses and Creyton gives some staff lessons to Thurton and archery lessons to Sperin. Everyone gathers for lunch and for the first time in two weeks, everyone seems to be in a decent mood. Ana spends the afternoon continuing her studies while Aliana joins the men, taking dagger lessons. During dinner, Aliana pushes to go into the woods and seek out the Grugach. After some debate, it is agreed. They head out into the woods northeast of Akia with Lars.Aliana keeps talking to the forest with no response. They head deeper and deeper in to the woods, going roughly northeast, and leaving Akia further behind. Several totems, which are again assumed to be Grugach, are passed. They are close to the coast and break out of the trees for a bit, walking only the top of some cliffs which tumble down into the Blue Sea. Back into the Verde Woods they delve. They continue forward. Thunder can be heard in the distance. Anastasia believes she hears Nyrgil wails in the distance. They emerge from the forest again into a clearing and can see the sea. The coast line here is made up of boulders and, when the waves come in, the rocks rumble against each other, causing the thunder sound. Near the water here, the Verde Woods consists of a lot of cypress trees. The stars shine brightly overhead. It is decided to press further on. Back into the forest. Not even 100 yards in, another large cypress is spotted in the darkened woods. From the branches of this tree, several totems are hanging. Convinced they are close, the group stops here. Aliana does more talking to the forest, which most would consider strange but after the events at Fort Hancock nearly anything seems normal. Totems are made and hung by various group members. Debate is had. Aliana leaves this bluish-green gem she has at the base of the totem tree. Eventually, a figure nears. He looks somewhat human, but is small, maybe 4 feet tall, with long thin fingers. He is dressed in a cloak that blends with the forest. He takes the gem. Limited elvish is exchanged between the figure and Aliana. He, it seems, desired to be followed. He leads the group deeper into the woods. They follow. Then, he vanishes. The group is left to sit and wonder. In the distance, singing can be heard. A small parade comes back. It is the Grugach. Several of them come forward to disarm the group. A few more carry glowing, yellow balls which hang from sticks, lighting a path through the night enshrouded forest for an old man who is singing. They are led deeper into the Verde woods and along a small cliff, at which they turn east, traveling along the cliff for about ten minutes. Surf can be heard, then seen. They go around the cliff edge and back into the woods. Over a small rise, they are then looking down on what appears to be a village of wigwams. The strange yellow glowballs are about, illuminating some sections of it. The Blue Sea can be heard in the distance. The group is led to a small, vacant wigwam and gestured inside. There, they sit and wonder what will happen.