The group went out to investigate the mystery of the goods going to the disappearing keep, and after a bit of time found the site of the Night Keep. They began doing what they could to investigate as quietly as they could. Emit was able to sneak close to one of the containers finding that they had been moving plant seeds. Each member investigated what they could before things escalated. The leader mentioned a mana forge, a powerful device which is used to refine raw aetherite. Rohan tried to stop whatever magical device they were using with a caged grizzly bear and did until the bear itself knocked the two materials together.In the resulting confusion Emit was able to take the demonic bear out with a well placed strike with knock out poison.

From there they all fought to help each other escape while battling against the Verdant forces. Thanks to some well placed uses of magic and outright deception they were able to fight them off until the keep disappeared leaving them with just the few stragglers and the Verdant who went after the loose horses. A standoff occurred that was tipped in the group's favor thanks to the demonic bear waking up and being directed through some obscuring magic by Alan to attack the Verdant.

It took longer to get back to Bastion since their prisoner refused to speak and tried to escape any chance she got. Led by Clarrissa they shared their stories and got a better picture of all that happened and what threats these people will possibly pose in the future.

"It was supposed to be a simple mission to investigate and possibly intercept a wagon belonging to the Verdant Fools.

I manipulated the ley lines to scare away the fools' demonic horses. Emit took advantage of the opportunity to investigate the cargo while Clarissa went to investigate the Keep. I didn't know what a journalist would add to the group, but then I discovered that she is very smart and has a silver tongue.

Emit was almost caught, but I used my patron's influence to save him at the last second.

Alan decided to use a weird arcana that caused a burst of fog. Then they used another arcana and freaked out.

This caught the attention of the enemies. I don't trust them very much.

I decided to move forward since the fools had acquired the pure aetherite lost in the last session. It was going to be used in a contraption that would connect the pure crystal with a demonic crystal, above a bear cage.

I used Bloose's power to destroy the contraption and open the cage, which worked temporarily, but the bear came into contact with the aetherites and became demonic.

I think Alan activated a protective spell, but it only made the bear more nervous.

Emit, under my influence, attacked the bear with a poisoned blade, which tore through its hide and caused it to faint.

I tried to finish off the bear, but the fools stopped me.

I believe Clarissa was tending to the plants in the Keep while Alan dealt with some fools.

Clarissa convinced a group of fools that the Keep was under attack. After they entered the Keep, it disappeared. It was a clever strategy.

Emit took a hostage, but the fools who went after the horses returned and refused to surrender. The bear woke up. Clarissa decided to flee, a dangerous decision, but Alan used an arcane spell to block the bear's vision. Since everyone decided to flee, I ended up retreating as well.

The hostage was useless. I wanted to use her to get the Imperials off my back, but I don't think it will work. I feel like they are even closer on my trail.

Terrible job."

Testing 1, 2, 3... The recording device is active—Alan's speaking.

As you can see, I, Alan Bannel, have arrived at the target location where the Nightkeep is observed spawning during the night. The records have been verified as true. Additionally, one can spot groups of Wilders, ones influenced by the Demonic Plane around, as informed. It seems the transport animals they use have been affected by the Bloom as well, gaining demonic features and changing to carnivores, maybe omnivores. More data is required for a complete analysis. They transported their goods through carts, Emit and Clarissa went ahead to scout. I was not able to listen to the Wilders' conversations due to my strategic location of being on this cliff, so I'll obtain their information later. [Edited Addition: Seeds, Mana Forge, a Bear]

While the two are busy doing that, I've noticed some of the Wilders investigating the base where the Nightkeep would spawn. One would suspect the landing platform has to be maintained through that act. If push comes to shove, destruction of that landing zone could give the Wilders a lot of trouble when they wish to spawn in next time. [Edited Addition: The Nightkeep's Appearance is NOT time-fixed, but controlled through a Pylon in the basement.]

After the Nightkeep spawned, bearing some unfortunate incidents I wish not to mention. [Redacted Footage & Records of Wild Surges]. I've confirmed a good portion of the Wilders live in the Nightkeep semi-permanently, or at least long-term. They managed to corrupt the seeds, granting them the ability to grow demonic trees in the material plane. Furthermore, it seems they are capable of producing a variant type of refined Aetherite capable of creating intense Bloom and granting demonic transmutation to living beings (For Now, Lacking Information) caught in it after coming into contact with the standard Refined Aetherite.

Ok. We're busted. Terminating recording...

After-battle Report: The Wilders caught our identity, especially Clarissa's, after she caused a bunch of demonic plants to grow from within their keep. Ask her for more information regarding the Keep's interior. The mutated Demonic Bear's last status cannot be confirmed, as we are forced to retreat after suffering considerable losses. Fortunately, Clarissa was able to force the Nightkeep to despawn from the Material Plane for now, but it's likely they'll return soon and be more prepared against the other remaining factions in the material plane.

I'm still not entirely sure what transpired outside of the Night Keep. As Emit snuck to the crates, I took the long way around the Keep's foundation--it handed manifested, yet! Near the river was a wheel similar to those used in water mills, pre-cataclysm tech. Sadly, I couldn't quite determine its purpose before the Keep appeared in a massive puff of smoke. I took a peek through the windows and saw more Verdant hauling crates of blistering seeds towards their carriages. When Rohan charged the caged bear, they decided to join the fight and left the crates behind. A golden opportunity, so I made my move.

The Night Keep had multiple levels. I never left the ground level, so I have no information about its basement or upper levels. On the ground level, I found a large inner room containing a massive machine, which I later learned is a Mana Forge. A mean-looking Verdant remained near the Forge and locked the doors to the room, so I turned my attention to the crates. I moved them to a dead spot and tried burning the seeds. Little did I know that fire would cause them to sprout. Within a few seconds, I was entangled, all the windows and doors were blocked with thick thorny vines and the remaining Verdant was approaching me. Luckily, I had heard noises of fighting and could convince the Verdant that an attacker outside of the Night Keep had shot the seeds with their rifle. He freed me and ordered me to go to the basement to disable a pylon and bring the Keep to safety. I refused and convinced him to do it himself. Once he descended to the basement, I slashed my way out of the Keep and joined my companions. Emit and I convinced a few of the Verdant to hurry to the Keep and defend it from attackers inside, seriously reducing the Verdant force. Finally, I joined the battle and landed a few fateful hits on the unsuspecting Verdant commander...