The guild received a missive from a small village toward the south east from Springreach. They had parties going missing and they contacted us for some assistance on the matter. So we decided to take the train to see what was going on.

We spent a long time walking through the forest trying to find the village. When we had bedded down for the night we were attacked by some large oak ogres! They somehow got the drop on us! By the time we noticed them we were not in a optimal position to defend ourselves. but we mounted a defense! I was able to mark one with the glitter having it glow and sparkle in the darkness I know at least one of us couldn't see in the dark so it helped. These things could put up some sort of leafy shadow defense they seemed to negate any and all damage so we had to hit them with fire and they absolutely hated that. They were doing a lot of damage though one blow from them was worth maybe three blows from one of us. I was able to command one of them to grovel and the other died before the magic took effect. Though with all of us attacking the last one it was a short fight from there.

Echo got us lost in a cave but I was able to recognize some Raging Henbane mushrooms; the jet black mushroom has a tough, bark-like skin. Eating it would make your skin a similar texture and helped stave off attacks, but it made one aggressive. it was a good find, btu we decided to leave the cave be and do the job we were assigned to do. So we made it to the town!

It looked devastated in the town and it was quiet as all the silence in the world. We found one very sad man. He said most of the down was dead or gone. That the remaining folks were thinking of abandoning this place by the end of the week. Still they wanted us to see if we could find anything for closure. Food stores were low. So we needed to act fast.

We had to go at night. Whatever was causing issues we were told only did its bidding at night. It was dark and humid. The woods were unnaturally silent. We did find what we were looking for though...the Wendigo. A massive quadraped creature. We took some time to kill it and we gave the townsfolk their closure.

Keplan is southeast of Hfar in the great forest, south of the Pinecrest Mountains.  They have been reporting seasoned hunters not returning.  Search parties coming up empty handed. 

We took the train to Hfar.  Knick rode in a barrel to keep moist.  What a gross word. 

We arrived at some standing stones in the woods.  There was a serpent or dragon on the stones that Gideon said was named Guantánamo.  Probably.  Melaina said absolutely not.  This was some pagan heretical bullshit.  Someone clearly comes by here to maintain this place, but we found no reason to linger. 

Qualia and Melaina got into it.  Melaina said that she was not going to deny someone their choices and their freedom.  Nine times out of ten it’s the mainstream religions that are “right.” 

The subject turned to Dartan.  Always Dartan.  There is not enough shoes in the world to shame him enough.  They suggested I throw shoes that were heavier, or spiked.  I’m trying to hurt his pride, but his pride is dead according to Melaina.   

We camped and took watches.  Knick was not allowed.  They cannot be trusted.  I stood on their barrel as I took the first watch.  I did not notice as the oak trolls started to close in.  They only took fire damage when they were shrouded, which was most of the time.  We looked rough when the fight was over. 

I got us extremely lost and few found a cave. This is not the town we’re looking for, but how could we resist?  There was mushrooms.  Amara identified one of them as raging henbane.  Knick will paint hers blue and sell it to old people.  They like blue caps for when they get Frisky. 

We made it to Keplan.  I changed into my female form and they nicknamed me Shits and Giggles and threatened to tickle me.  Melaina is into some strange things I want no part of. 

We spoke to Alexi, a man with two peglegs.  Melania told him to avoid beaches.  He said there isn’t many of them left.  Only five.  The last search party didn’t return.  They are considering leaving at the end of the week.  The search party followed the hunters out the other side of town into the black forest.  There are unholy sounds that come from the forest at night.  Some sort of accursed creature.  Similar to a moose in heat.  He thinks that is what has been taking the villagers.  Typically a group of 5 would go into the woods for five to six days and come back with a beast.  Food stores are getting low. 

Melania asked if he could provide anything to assist us in our journey.  Alexi offered pie.  Everyone perked up.  Then he said it was bear pie.  What’s the opposite of perking up?  Perking down?  No, that doesn’t make sense.  Regardless, Melaina told him Bear have a lot of parasites and are not good to eat.  He said its not too bad with berry compote. 

We headed into the woods as it was getting dark.  We set up camp and made a big fire to attract the beast.  It was a Wendigo.  We killed it, but it had effected Melaina’s memory.  Knick tried repeatedly to swindle her. 

Knick said, “I didn’t know she was Wesley’s grandmother.”  It was some sort of brilliant bank scheme.  Another bad person.  Can a person have more than one nemesis?  I will think on this.