# Summary ## [[Downtime in Astrazalian]] [[The Boy Scout Boys]] find themselves with a moment of free time in [[Astrazalian, the City of Starlight]] in the wake of the attack of [[The Goblin Army]]. The party disperses and goes about their own individual activities. [[Ayula, Daughter of Goreclaw|Ayula]] covers her [[Ayula's Mechanical Blade-Arm|Mechanical Blade Arm]] which had been exposed in the recent battle. [[Jié ní]] meets a strange [[centaur]] [[Druid]] named [[Efra Bloomwhisper]] in [[the Primal Gardens]], and [[Haru Lightfang|Light]] reconnects with his sister, [[Tsuki Lightfang|Tsuki]]. Meanwhile, [[Yuhguna Dyeh|Yuh]] and [[Wyrran]] engage in a competitive chase through the treetops. Lazhna visits the [[Astrazalian Observatory]] and learns about [[Fey Time]] from [[Mina]] and [[Gravi]], namely that three days pass in [[The Material Plane of Caledon|The Material Plane]] for each "day" spent in [[The Feywilds]]. [[Or (Adventurer)|Or]] is commanded by [[Mia Corvere]] to tell [[Lady Shandria]] about his connection to [[The Cthaeh]]. He puts on the [[Ring of Mind Shielding]] and discusses what he has learned about [[Orzith Ilix, The Thought Collector|The Thought Collector]]. The group gathers at [[The Firefly Lantern]], where Or requests the party's help in freeing him from [[Orzith Ilix, The Thought Collector|The Thought Collector]], even killing the God if need be. Light introduces his sister Tsuki, who discusses her mission to retrieve [[Moon Crest|Moon Crests]] for her people. A bar fight breaks out but is quickly resolved, and the group rests for the night. The next day, Ayula aids in the repair of [[The Bramble]] and seeks advice on her mechanical arm from Efra Bloomwhisper, who claims that there is nothing unnatural about her current state. Yuh joins Wyrran on a scouting mission, catching a glimpse of [[Ciradyl Elastraee, The Maiden of the Moon|The Maiden of the Moon]] in [[The Brokenstone Vale]] in the distance. Lazhna assists Mina and Gravi in teaching magic to children in Astrazalian, and gives a class on the spell [[Find Familiar]]. [[Valdove]] saves the [[Blacksmith]] [[Kerrigan]] from an explosion at [[Kerrigan's Smithy|Her Smithy]]. Kerrigan is overall unphased by the loss of her Smithy. As the two discuss rebuilding, Kerrigan mentions [[The Cinder Isles Pyre Shard|The Pyre Shard]] of [[The Cinder Isles]], a source of primordial magic from the dead god [[Frindel]]. At [[The War Room]] Jié ní overhears a conversation between the leadership of Astrazalian about the impending [[The Fomorian Army|Fomorian]] attack at first winter and the city's lack of supplies. Or and Light train with Tsuki and [[The Suberin Guard]]. During their training exercise, Or's Ring of Mind Shielding slips off. The Thought Collector tries to take control of him, but Light is able to return the ring to Or before The Thought Collector's domination is complete. The party regroups again at [[The Firefly Lantern]] and decide to pursue [[The Cinder Isles Pyre Shard|The Pyre Shard]], intrigued by it's potential. During the night Or is attacked by spies from [[The Mycorrhizal Burrow]], leading to a confrontation with [[Lady Shandria]]. who is fearful of Or's connection to [[The Cthaeh]]. They reach an agreement allowing the party to move through Astrazalian under the supervision of Mia Corvir and Tsuki Lightfang. --- # Adventure Log ## [[Feywilds Expedition Day 2]], [[Astrazalian, The City of Starlight|Astrazalian]] [[Mia Corvere]] gives Or one "day" to inform [[Lady Shandria]] of his association with [[The Cthaeh]]: or she will. --- Ayula heads to [[The Firefly Lantern]]. There he meets [[Sage]], and buys the party rooms for the evening. Ayula retreats to her room and re-covers [[Ayula's Mechanical Blade-Arm|her arm]]. --- Jié ní visits [[The Primal Gardens]], which is filled with healers, researchers, and preservationists. There she meets [[Efra Bloomwhisper]] a strange [[Centaur]] [[Druid]] who's body seems to be composed of wood. He cautions Jié ní to keep her eyes on balance. She takes a nap. --- Light wanders the town to get his bearings. --- Yuh meets up with [[Wyrran]], and the two quickly become competitive. Yuh chases Wyrran through the treetops to prove his skill. --- Lazhna heads to [[Astrazalian Observatory|The Observatory]], where she meets [[Mina]] and [[Gravi]]. Lazhna, Mina and Gravi discuss [[Fey Time]]: - There is a relationship, or a ratio that describes the difference in the passage of time between Fey Time and Material Time - The current ratio is 1:3 -> Three days will pass in [[The Material Plane of Caledon]] for every day that passes in [[The Feywilds]]. - The ratio changes based on the balance of power in The Feywilds. The more powerful that [[Titania]] is, the closer the ratio is to 1:1. - The more powerful [[The Queen of Air and Darkness]] is, the larger the disparity is. Mina and Gravi have personally observed a ratio of 1:8. - A [[Planar Anchor]] of some kind can bring the two planes' times closer together. - Lazhna is able to estimate that about 2 days have passed in The Material Plane since their departure. --- At the request of Mia Corvir, Or puts on the [[Ring of Mind Shielding]], and discusses the recent revelations about [[Orzith Ilix, The Thought Collector]] with [[Or (Ring of Mind Shielding)]]. Or (Ring of Mind Shielding) describes The Thought Collector as similar in power to an [[Archfey]] before he joined with The Cthaeh, but if he is freed from the tree, he may ascend to true godhood. Or (Ring of Mind Shielding) was put into this form by a [[Djinn]] in [[The City of Brass]]. His body was transformed into [[The Book On Escaping The Thought Collector]], one page of which contains an origami snake creature that he can control. --- Light visits [[Kerrigan's Smithy]] and meets [[Kerrigan]], who flirts with him. He buys some arrows and quickly leaves. He heads to [[The Primal Gardens]], where he paints a picture and hangs out with Jié ní. --- Yuh catches up with Wyrran outside [[The Bramble]]. They are surrounded by [[Fomorian]] corpses from the recent attack by [[The Fomorian Army]]. They come across a live Fomorian, shackled to a tree, badly wounded. Wyrran unleashes his anger, turning a bright red color, and eviscerates and kills the Fomorian. He falls to his knees, his visage turning cold and white, and begins crying. Yuh consoles him. Wyrran, sobbing, says he hates the Fomorians, who killed [[Wyran's Father|his father]]. Yuh and Wyrran bond over their anger and killer instinct and the need to do what needs to be done. It begins to rain. On the return trip to Astrazalian, Yuh receives a vision of [[Talos]], a four eyed, four winged demonic looking entity pulsating with blue crackling energy. Talos expresses displeasure that Yuh is "floundering", despite having [[Talos' Gift|his blade]] and commands Yuh not to disappoint him. ![[You_Wield_My_Blade,_Yet_You_Flounder.jpg]] *Talos appears in a vision to Yuh.* Rattled by his vision, Yuh returns to Astrazalian alongside Wyrran. --- In The Primal Gardens, Light and [[Tsuki Lightfang]] finally reunite. Jié ní eavesdrops on their conversation. It has been 7 years since Tsuki's departure. Light tells Tsuki that their father is dead, and that she must return home to her people. Tsuki apologizes for leaving, citing an immense feeling of pressure being the next in line and a feeling of unreadiness. Light admits that losing his father was more like losing a teacher. They were not close. Tsuki tells Light about [[Moon Crest|Moon Crests]], magical items that [[Astrazalian, The City of Starlight|Astrazalian]] once traded with The Material Plane that ward against [[Sea Serpent|Sea Serpents]] and other sea monsters. In [[The Keystone Heist|restoring trade]] between the planes, she can bring Moon Crests to her people again. She says she will return after she [[Quest to Gather Moon Crests|secures the Moon Crests]]. Tsuki and Light walk off and catch up while Jié ní snoozes. ![[Afternoon_(or_whenever)_Nap.jpg]] *Jié ní naps while Light and Tsuki walk away.* ![[Beyond_Our_Island.jpg]] *Haru and Tsuki catch up after years apart.* --- The group eventually reconvenes at [[The Firefly Lantern]] and discusses what they have learned. Or introduces [[Or (Ring of Mind Shielding)|Or]] and his [[The Book On Escaping The Thought Collector|Origami Snake Body]] to the group, and asks for their help to [[Quest to Kill The Thought Collector|kill The Thought Collector]] and earn his freedom. Light introduces [[Tsuki Lightfang]] to the group. They discuss Or's sword training, which will occur first thing tomorrow morning. Lazhna shares what she learned about [[Fey Time]]. A bar fight breaks out, but is quickly resolved by the group. The group rests. ## [[Feywilds Expedition Day 3]], [[Astrazalian, The City of Starlight|Astrazalian]] At dawn, Or and Light do sword training drills with [[Tsuki Lightfang]] at the training grounds of [[The Suberin Guard Headquarters]], it goes well and Or picks up the basic techniques with little effort. --- [[Ayula, Daughter of Goreclaw|Ayula]] visits [[Efra Bloomwhisper]] and discusses what can be done about [[Ayula's Mechanical Blade-Arm|her arm]]. Efra suggests that a metal prosthetic is not as unnatural as Ayula says. Ayula is disgusted with his response, and leaves. --- [[Yuhguna Dyeh]] joins [[Wyrran]] and [[The Suberin Guard]] on a scouting mission. Yuh catches a glimpse of [[Ciradyl Elastraee, The Maiden of the Moon|The Maiden of the Moon]] miles away in [[The Brokenstone Vale]]. The scouts he is with are spooked. They are terrified of The Maiden, who hunts and kills any that lie or hide their true appearance. They mention there is a [[Misthollow|Village]] in The Brokenstone Vale. --- [[Lazhna Whitesmith|Lazhna]] visits [[Mina]] and [[Gravi]], who need help teaching magic to the children of Astrazalian. Lazhna agrees to help. Lazhna takes the form of a [[Wood Elf]] woman to fit in better, and heads to [[The Equinox Theater]], where class is being held. Inside, there are around 18 students. Lazhna decides to teach them [[Find Familiar]]. Among the students is a [[Shy Girl in Astrazalian|shy girl]] who is a promising student and a brash young boy named [[Braxis]], who is at first a bully, but Lazhna disarms him and helps him summon [[Braxis' Familiar|a turtle]]. --- [[Valdove]] goes for a walk and finds herself near [[Kerrigan's Smithy]]: which is on fire. In a heroic moment, Valdove runs inside and saves Kerrigan, pulling her away from the building just before it explodes. In the aftermath, when discussing rebuilding the forge, Kerrigan mentions a [[The Cinder Isles Pyre Shard|Pyre Shard]], a shard of the hammer of the dead goddess of the forge [[Frindel]]. Kerrigan calls Pyre Shards "Fire Incarnate", the ultimate flame for any smith. She mentions that there is one located in a [[Cinder Isles Volcano|volcano]] on [[The Cinder Isles]]. The best way to get to The Isles is through the city of [[Kono]] to the south. With a Pyre Shard, Kerrigan could produce amazing items. --- [[Jié ní]] visits [[The War Room]]. She overhears a conversation between [[Lady Shandria]], [[Mia Corvere]], and other leaders of Astrazalian. They expect that [[The Fomorian Army]] will attack at the first snow. They are running out of supplies and securing more would leave them underdefended. Jié ní is discovered and runs away, but promises she will return, for some reason. --- [[Wyrran]], impressed by Light and Or's sword skills, challenge them to try The Fomorian course in The Training Grounds, where [[The Suberin Guard]] practices the maneuvers needed to combat the 10-20 foot tall [[Fomorian|Fomorians]]. Light handles the course expertly. Or does well, until the last moment, when the [[Ring of Mind Shielding]] slips off his finger. In an instant [[Orzith Ilix, The Thought Collector]] tries to [[Dominate Person|dominate]] Or, but Or manages, somehow, to resist. Before The Thought Collector can try again, Light returns the ring to Or, ending the threat. --- Ayula notices a spot where [[The Bramble]] has been decayed away. Someone has created a passage into the city. --- The group reconvenes at [[The Firefly Lantern]] and discusses the events of the day. The group is intrigued by The Pyre Shard, both for the items that Kerrigan can craft, and because it may prove useful in their goal of [[Quest to Kill The Thought Collector|Killing The Thought Collector]]. They decide that they will set out for [[Kono]] in the morning. Lazhan goes to visit Mina and Gravi and informs them that class went well. She asks about alternative uses for a Pyre Shard - such as a bomb - and although Mina and Gravi don't have any information on hand, they mention that they will look into it if they can. Ayula mentions the hole in the bramble. Wyrran is extremely concerned by this, and leaves to convene with [[The Suberin Guard]] on the matter. --- At "night", Ayula brews a potion. --- The "night" seems to go well, until Or awakens, grappled by two hooded figures from [[The Mycorrhizal Burrow]]. Under the effect of the [[Silence]] spell, Or cannot call for help. He manages to break free of the grapple and free out of the range of the silence spell, then alerts the rest of the party to the attack. Lazhna disguises herself as Or to create confusion while the party awakens and confronts the spies. After a moment of fighting, [[Lady Shandria]] calls out: "That's enough, come down and we'll talk." The hooded figures disengage, and the party heads to ground level to parlay with Lady Shandria. Lady Shandria accuses Or of being a [[Thrall]] of The Thought Collector, and explains that there have been countless [[Thrall Attacks in Astrazalian]] in the past. Or explains that he hates The Thought Collector as well, though he offers no guarantees that he cannot be controlled. The two groups begrudgingly come to an agreement that the party can move through Astrazalian as long as they are accompanied by Mia Corvir and Tsuki Lightfang. Light promises to kill Or if he is controlled by The Thought Collector. After Lady Shandria departs, Lazhna tears Mia Corvir a new one for her lack of care for others and her seeming inability or unwillingness to communicate with the party she is relying on. The group returns to sleep, except for Or, who remains awake the whole "night". In the "morning", the party departs on their [[The Search for the Pyre Shard of the Cinder Isles]]. ---