Fhel 11, 2425 - Chapter 2 - Session 9 - Moonshadows (not the Cat Stevens Song)

We started the next leg of our journey, this time to Duskwatch Grove. It was a fairly quiet trek. On the 2nd day the sweet smell of bread was in the air. We came upon a poor attempt at a picnic. Sitting at the table we found Fendral of all people. After some back and fourth with Odra, he handed over a greasy folded parchment with a charcoal map inscribed on it and bearing The Syndicate's symbol. Some of it is smeared by a cheese spread through the charcoal writing. Z'ed took a look at the parchment and with some assistance from Klackers was able to decipher part of it. It mentioned dates and a shipment. Based on the dates mentioned we might be able to intercept the shipment between Duskwatch Grove and Stormbreak Rise. We didn't get any names just that he was to deliver this to anyone with a solid stripe on there uniform. Sounds like the color and stripes indicate ranks and positions in The Syndicate. Fendral started trying to weasel his way away from the situation and Klackers being the giving individual he is asked if he was still hungry and cast "Overstuff" at which point Fendral magically filled his belly beyond capacity with a huge amount of food and drink. After some threats and a warning to keep his mouth shut she scuttled off into the brush where shortly after disappearing I swear I could hear the sounds of vomiting.
We continued forward to Duskwatch Grove. We found crows circling overhead. Next thing we saw was the murder descending upon Odra who was at the head of our group. Some occult power here was causing this unnatural aggression from this murder of crows. Amani with her creepy book was able to disperse some of the flock. Z'ed stepped up, and with some effective shooing, the rest of the crows dispersed. I finally saw what the crows were picking at. The carrion remains of some Syndicate scouts and what could have been Stonekeepers or just random unlucky travelers. Their clothing was too torn and tattered to tell.
Towards the end of that second day as dusk fell. The moonlight in the woods sparkled through the leaves at unnatural angles almost if it was alive. The forest opened up to a Glade. This was Duskwatch Grove. We made it. In the center was a group of individuals, Noctreach. This was Duskwatch Grove. We made it. The Noctreach are a agents
I studied the Veil here and found some disruptions between the Veil in this place. Klackers and Amani talked to the Noctreach and found the Syndicate had made them some promises to watch over this place. Z'ed communed with the will of the Grove itself. Getting its help in freeing this place from the corruption that has taken hold here. Odra talked to the Noctreach and found there was some doubt in their ranks about the Syndicates promises. Bruin analyzed the Shadow currents and found where the currents flowed through this area. We need to avoid the current and stay in the area of safe lanes he identified but they flow and changed so it was a challenge in itself. Outside the safe lanes the veil lashed out at us. It didn't like us here.
Bruin and I were able to destabilize and disrupt vail and break up some of the shadow anchors of the Grove.
Odra and Amani talked to the Noctreach and tried to convince them to distrust the Syndicate but Amani isn't the most articulate.
Klackers pulled out an instrument and roused the grove with a little ritual song. Z'ed tried to anchor the moonlight to help restore the Grove but it didn't work.
Klackers came over to help finish off the Shadow Anchors and I was able to redirect some of the Shadow Currents to destabilized them.
Amani and Odra tried again with the Noctreach and this time with Odra's persuasion they were given another way without the Syndicate.
With their change of mind the Shadows in the Grove lifted and the moonlight sparkled through the place again. The Noctreach gave Odra a parting gift, a stone, and a promise of help against the Syndicate before vanishing.
That night as we set up camp in the Grove I found Amani meditating over her tomb by the fire. I figured now would be a good time to talk with her as we hadn't had the chance much since this adventure had started. I have come to respect the way she uses magic the way I use science. I wanted to ask her about how it all works. Magic seems to be more like science then I initially wanted to admit. The elements of magic are same as the elements of alchemy. Its all about balance and the right mixture and how you use it. It was a eye opening conversation with her and about how she discovered her talent for her necromantic magic. I'm glad she has my back and i got her's in this. If come to think of her as a trusted friend in all this and I treasure that deeply as I don't have many friends.
The next morning we started off again early to head towards the next area, Stormbreak Rise. We were traveling through a ravine when we spotted a caravan in a confrontation with some bandits above them on the ravine's lip. The bandits didn't notice us below. Odra pulled out a sling and shot a rock above the bandits and got their attention. She tried the diplomatic approach but had to resort to the tried and true intimidation route. The head bandit tried to sound tough back but we could tell the rest were unsure now that they saw our group with a hippo and Bruin. Klackers and Z'ed went up ahead to help the caravan cart. Z'ed soothed the horsed from their panic. Klackers was able to help release the stuck wheel back onto the ground so it could move again.
The rest of us stayed with Odra putting us between the bandits and the caravan. Odra tried again the diplomatic route suggesting if the bandits didn't let the caravan pass things wouldn't be pretty for them. After eyeing our group the rest of the bandits started climbing up their ropes in retreat. The leader lingering just long enough to save face before turning tail as well.
We followed the caravan the rest of the days journey to make sure they traveled safely. They invited us to join their camp when night came. They had a scroll of rune trap that Z'ed was able to learn after some study and then gave it to Amani to learn as well. I was able to procure some giant scorpion venom which looks like it will make some have a very bad day. All in all a pretty exciting day which is feeling more and more like the new norm for us.