Session 4 Summary

Myra returns from the forest, she alerts the group of what happened in the forest, the group theorize that this "Three" may hold Clarisse and Luna hostage, Myra collected some of the black liquid that strangely enough responds to Korfel? It wants get hold of him near him...

After a good night's rest, the group prepares to set out to the Southern Gate of Moonpeak, Korfel explains a bit about the territory, the Observatory is separated from the rest of Moonpeak by a large ravine filled with mist and fog. They need to be careful entering the territory and remain close to Korfel or Grendel, Grendel's status as Pouchfoot means that he cannot be harmed, but they'd better not push their luck. Along their way to the Southern gate, they find more black tar in the forest, it's sticky and has adhesed to the ground. Emathion burns it away with his fire magic.

The group approaches the Southern gate, noticing that the flora is much more jungle-like here. Here they meet "Frost", a guard who questions why Korfel is here... again? The group tricks Frost and the other two Wolf Therans to let them pass by bringing an offering, but they also learn that the Tribe's "Chief" has passed, Frost tells him that Korfel is expected to be at the sacred grove for the ceremony. Frost lets them pass, but the group is left a bit befuddled that Frost bowed to Emathion and Lizzie... Emathion asked Korfel, but he doesn't seem to know why...

The group travels to Wolf Tribe's main camp, but they are halted by "Zharek", but eventually they are pointed to meet with Eilara, one of the Tribe's elders. Most of the wolves bow to Grendel and Emathion, some even to Lizzie, but none to Torbin or Myra, yet the wolves are eyeing them suspiciously...

The group notice that Korfel isn't hated or distrusted, but they do toy with him a lot. Probably because he indeed did 'steal' the tribe leader's daughter, but also because the tribe is dealing with a loss, meaning that it's a time for recovering and healing.

Eilara, one of the Tribe's elders greets Korfel warmly, she addresses Emathion as "an Accoborn", which puts her reservations at ease about the humans travelling with them, especially since they speak Theran.

The group convince Eilara to retrieve Aku from the Sacred Grove, since the group is not allowed to enter it. But they also wonder if "Fake Korfel" and Luna will return, which could be problematic. They try to explain the situation and Eilara believes them. Eilara sends out Zharak to collect them and asks the group to help out around the clan until he returns.

Myra impresses Fenrik by winning a duel from him, although he's also a bit too forward telling her she's pretty, and giving her a very fancy spear. He's being a bit too forward for Myra's liking.

Meanwhile Emathion helps the camp by clearing the black tar from the river's edges and teaches them to do so themselves, in exchange for learning him Fire, Draven, another wolf of the tribe teaches Emathion "Shocking Grasp", although he does not master it entirely. Grendel attempts to learn a simple yet effective performance from Valkyra, similar to Emathion, he does not master it, but something 'clicks' for him. It seems to rally up allies around him!

Eventually, the group ends up near the Statue of Morganna in the corner of the settlement. The gemstone within the statue is similar to Clarisse's necklace that Emathion currently wears. Eilara approaches the group and asks to whom it belongs, the group explains that it belonged to Betty Halbon.

Eilara tells the group that they are old friends, she used to visit a lot during her youth. Eilara is deeply saddened by the news of Betty's passing, but she believes that they did everything they could to end her suffering. The group is surprised that Betty came here to the tribe, but now it makes sense why Clarisse was targeted by the mysterious black haired woman and why Betty was attacked, it wasn't random, it was planned.

Eilara tells the group a little bit of history, ancestors of the clan have been here for over 250 years, protectors of this sacred region that guards the Observatory from outsiders. The Moonstone of the statue came from the Sunfire Expanse very long ago. But unexpectedly, there's a large explosion in the distance, seemingly from the Sacred Grove! Korfel panics for Luna's safety! The group asks permission to travel there, Eilara of The Southern Tribe grants them a blessing so they can enter their The Sacred Grove.

The group, lead by Valkyra of The Southern Tribe's and Fenrik of The Southern Tribe's direwolves rush to the Sacred Grove's entrance, where they see the vines and nature itself fight against a horde of undead! They manage to create an opening so they can enter the grove while Valkyra and the direwolves stay behind to fight.

The grove and the plants are suffering. Although it looks beautiful, the wildlife is scared, flowers rapidly wilt away. The group witnesses Aku and Luna fight in the sacred pool of the Grove. The Chief's deceased body lays on the ground and their ritual was interrupted.
The mysterious black haired woman referred to as "Three" are watching this duel unfold, she seems bothered that the wolffolk are so 'honorable' that they must fight, yet she's also a little bit intrigued.

Myra tries to sneak up to her for a surprise attack, but unfortunately she wasn't successful. A fight breaks out, Fenrik manages to take out a few of the undead, while the group tries to attack the fake Korfel and "Three", the mage manages to fend off their attacks, eventually the sorceress says that "it has been fun", but casts Dimension Door and disappears.

Parts of the Sacred Tree start to move, a strange purple smoke surrounds it and starts rampaging! Aku and Fenrik panic as their Grove's Guardian, Sylvrixson turns against them! Luna who's also still under possession keeps attacking Aku, but Aku is saved by the group before bleeding out or being crushed to death. Emathion uses magic put the tree on fire, but this only worsens the situation!

Eventually the group manages to calm the guardian down by cracking the Onyx gemstone, the source of the Sylvirixson's rampage. Luna is knocked unconscious, Myra damages her N brand which ends her mind possession. They take off her earrings and it looked like Korfel was about to become possessed again, but something prevented him from hurting the unconscious Luna. Myra and Grendel manage to break him free from possession once more.

After everything calms down, Torbin speaks the forest animals, who eventually arrive to help heal the Grove's guardian. Aku asks the group what they are doing here, they and Fenrik tell him everything and Aku thanks them for their help. Luna and Korfel awaken once more and now freed from possession immediately embrace. Aku explains to the group that this sacred grove is connected to others like it, like into Silverveiled Forest, but also in Sevenfold. The group theorize what "Three"'s goal was, Aku discovers that his father's necklace was stolen, which acts as one part of the two-part key to enter the Observatory. It seems likely that "Three" uncovered the location of second key from his deceased body.

Aku asks for the group's assistance to complete the ritual, which they oblige. Torbin provides torches, Emathion lights them, Grendel plays the drums and Myra helps removing the Chief's teeth. During the ceremony, the chief's body slowly disappears into the sacred grove's water.

Grendel asks how this works because the water isn't very deep... Aku tells them that the chief has returned back to nature, his body has been brought into the Realm of Dreams.
The pool can act as a passage into the Realm of Dreams, He also explains that Meradith's Observatory was once a special place where a mysterious group of Legend Keepers remained and protected the Ignisar against threats from other realms.

The Grove's Guardian thanks Emathion, Grendel, Myra, Torbin and Korfel for their help and grants them a drop of sap, absorbing it into their bodies. Unlocking a new power within...

The group decides that they must retreat back to The Wolf Tribe's camp for now, Korfel and Luna are in no shape to fight, Aku and Fenrik are rather beaten up and they must prepare for what is to come...

And... Zharek seemingly never made it to the grove... Where has he gone?

Key Information

• Myra warning the group that "Three" may be holding Clarisse and Luna hostage.

• The black liquid she collected responds to Korfel.

• The Tribe's Chief has died, Korfel didn't know this...

• Emathion as addresses as "an Accoborn."

• Korfel is teased by the tribe for his past actions.

• The group help around the camp while waiting, impressing some tribe members.

• They discover a statue of Morganna with a gemstone similar to Clarisse's necklace.

• Eilara knew Betty Halbon.

• Luna is freed from possession, and Korfel is also saved.

• The group learns that the sacred grove is connected to other groves

• The group theorize that "Three" stole the first of a two-part key to the Observatory.

• The group assists with ritual, learning about the Realm of Dreams and Legend Keepers.

• The Grove's Guardian grants the group a new power.

• They decide to retreat to the Wolf Tribe's camp and prepare for the next phase.

• Zharek went missing.