The session began with the group advancing towards the giant oak that towered over the forest. There appeared to be a fog around the tree that made it difficult to see through. The Storm Peace Keepers advanced cautiously and were able to find a break in the mist. As they slowly approached the tree they could see four people standing in front of the tree, a woman hanging in chains from the tree and another figure in cloak, kneeling by the tree. There was also a unicorn standing by, which seemed out of place considering the torture evident on the woman hanging in chains. She was bloody from a beating and one leg had been cut off and was dripping blood through crude bandages.
Darsus attempted to parley with the people standing protectively in front of the tree and unicorn. They were identified as the missing farm boys, bard and dwarven fighter from Cillamar. The bard spoke and said they were helping the druid in protecting the tree from the evil dryad who was trying to destroy the tree. Darsus sensed that the bard thought he was telling the truth and yet there was something that seemed wrong even to the bard as he spoke.
In the meantime, on a silent signal, Sheliak was edging around through the fog to come around and attack the cloaked figure. Darsus continued to try and resolve the situation peacefully but the bard, the dwarf and the farmers would not budge and held weapons ready to attack. Once Sheliak was in place he shot at the druid while the others in the group attacked the three humans and dwarf. Danicia quickly entered the fray and went after the druid. Cendrine took on the dwarf and quickly took him down. Danicia also made quick work of the druid and then rushed to help the druid to keep her from dying. Darsus provided able support and accepted the surrender from the bard, Phineas.
As the druid died there suddenly came out of the earth a group of dark fey who swarmed around the druid body and grabbed at it. As the swarm of fairy pulled the form of a hyena rose out of the druid’s body and was pulled away with the dark fey. They pulled the struggling hyena with them and quickly flew off and disappeared.
Danicia freed the woman from her manacles and they found out she was the dryad of the giant oak. She explained that the oak had been planted to keep closed a portal to the kingdom of the dark fey and that so long as it lived the portal would stay closed. The Druid had been out outcast from the Unseelie Court and was trying to gain favor by killing the oak and opening the portal. The dryad had been tortured in an attempt to find another way to open the portal and her satyr companion had cut off her leg. The townspeople had been charmed to support the druid and try to add to the torture of the dryad. Once the townspeople realized what they had done they were ashamed and wanted to make amends. The dryad asked that her tree be made well
Sheliak made use of the wand of plant growth that had been purchased. The tree was instantly healed and there is a feeling of the entire forest breathing a sigh of relief. The shrieks from other trees of the forest ended and the tentative chirps of birds could be heard in the distance. The dryad looked healthier although half of one leg was still gone. The tree dropped down a branch for her to use as a crutch and she hoped that perhaps even that injury might heal now that the great oak was healed. She asked the group to take the switch of the unseelie the druid had held and take it far away from the area. She was concerned that the switch could possibly weaken the portal. The group agrees and they head back to town with the towns people. They head back quickly due to an approach storm that appears to be the first blizzard of the winter. They make it back to Cillamar and the Slumbering Drake before the storm hits. After three days the storm clears and the town cleans up. With the winter storms starting there is not much call for adventuring so you go back to guarding Sophia as she does her shopping and visits around Cillamar. While guarding Sophia they gather more information about the marauders called The True Men. There is rumor that the True Men are nobles who are trying to overthrow the Patriarch and kill the refugees in the Warrens. Sophia is worried that her father is a member of the group and is trying to find out proof one way or another. She is working with the bard Brianna while trying to stay undercover. She and Brianna know of others trying to find information who have died of mysterious causes or in some cases of a dagger growing out of their back. The group is interested in The True Men and have offered to help. Sophia and Brianna thank them for the offer and will let them know if and when the Storm Peace Keepers will be able to help out.
After several weeks you are all growing restless with the lack of challenge. There has been a little too much time to work on polishing your skills, practicing your magic and becoming even more comfortable with your weapons. The winter activities for winter solstice help with the boredom and of course the drinking contests for Cayden’s Ascension day are a welcome diversion. But after the places you’ve been you are eager for a bigger challenge than telling of the young rogue who attempts to pick Sophia’s pocket while she at the market.
As Winter Solstice approaches the town is preparing for the Ritual of Stardust to honor the goddess Desna. The day before the ritual the ground gems are stolen and there is concern about having a ritual that will truly honor Desna. There is also a rumor of a boy who appeared a few weeks ago in a village and seemed to bring good luck to the village. The boy was kidnapped and the tracks from Cillamar seemed to lead to the village and on into the nearby hills. Your friend in the town guard, Bryan, asks you to help out in recovering the gems and your group eagerly agrees.
Your group finds signs of a trail leading to Elton and finds the village recovering from an attack the night before. And yet, in spite of the chaos the people seem very calm and happy. An old man explains that the boy seemed special, like a gift from heaven and they are confident that he will be found safely. The old man describes the attackers as some stranger monster, a combination of insect and ogres. Years before there had been raids by ogres but they looked nothing like the creatures that raided them last night. He describes the old lair of the ogres and gives them directions to the entrance. The group heads towards the entrance and also finds tracks in the snow leading towards the cave.
In the hills the group finds a chamber carved into the hillside and leading into more passages. While entering in the chamber the group is attacked by insect like ogres hanging from the ceiling. After defeating these defenders the group continues further in the passages. They find another chamber with giant scorpions and quickly defeat them. The session ended here.