As Elia departs the party with her instructions in the early evening hours, Sariel turns to the group to let them know they are all going to tea in the Sea Ward later that evening at the Silver Bough. Seebo is familiar with the general location of the Silver Bough and feels like he can get them there easily enough. Giving themselves a little extra time the whole party makes their way from Trollskull about an hour after sunset to the Sea Ward.
Roughly half an hour later they find themselves turning off of Feather Street just south of Delzorin Street onto a small side street. They approach an older narrow but deep two storied stone building. The roofline rises to a series of slender peaked gables, characteristic of older Sea Ward architecture, but the faint violet-gray cast on the dark stonework is hard to place. The steps leading up to the front door are flanked by two barrels in which a set of low silver-leafed plants grow in front of arched windows of decorative glasswork in deep rose and amber. Entering through the dark-stained wooden front door they step into a small vestibule lined with hooks where several cloaks hang and a narrow bench. A second interior door is propped open.
The main room is warm, low-lit, and deliberately unhurried. Dark timbers cross the ceiling, wood paneling covers the walls to shoulder level, and a deep muted violet plaster covers the rest. The furniture is mismatched, but in a seemingly deliberate way. On the left side is a long counter with various copper vessels, spirit burners, and rows of lidded ceramic containers. A small chalkboard sits on the corner with “The Pale Morning” and “The Irongate” written on it. Seated throughout the party sees an elven woman sitting at a table by herself reading with a pot of tea and reading a book, an elderly halfling couple in quiet conversation, and two male orcs in higher end business attire talking with a member of the staff (a young woman with bark-textured skin on her neck and collar bone, flowers weaved into her hair, and quietly listening). The party hears “But Jonas said to visit here for the best cup of coffee in town.” At the back of the room is another doorway looking out into a courtyard with a larger than should be there oak tree.
Another young woman, slightly older than the one with the orcs with pale blue skin, silver hair that moves as if underwater, and sea green eyes, quickly approaches from behind the counter to greet them. “Ah, Ms. Sariel, it is so good to have you. We are all set up for you in the back…” looking over Sariel’s shoulder at the full entourage of Tobin’s Revenge, “…more than we were expecting. Just a moment.” She runs to the far side of the room, makes some adjustments and returns. “This way.”
Filing into the room, only lit with a few wall-mounted lanterns and candles on the tables, the woman leads to a large arrangement of tables at which three figures are already sitting and enjoying tea while deep in conversation. With large smiles both Tethren and Sylla stand to embrace and greet their former adventuring companions, formally introducing themselves to the newer members, while Meramin stands with polite acknowledgment before sitting. As the party settles in, Tethren asks what they would like to drink. Taking in their friend the party finds his appearance at odds with their past dealings. Gone is the cloak and hood that hides his antlers and in their place are finer clothes and an air of belonging. He seems calm and at home in this place.
After a few scoffs at requests for ale, juice, and particularly coffee he calls out to Sylvara, the younger of the two women, for varying numbers of “Bloom”, “Briar”, and “Ironroot” before adding three normals to the order. Soon after Sylvara and Liriel (as Tethren thanks her for his cup) bring a plethora of cups, pots, cream, and sugar to the table. Some of the members notice that Meramin’s tea is fully prepared with at least cream in it while Tethren’s tea (no pot included) is much darker than any of the others and seems to be as hot as tea can be served.
While the tea is being laid out, the elven woman puts down her book and approaches the table. She introduces herself to the group as Thessalindra, the owner of the little shop. She hopes they find themselves comfortable and the tea to their liking. When she asks if there is anything else they can do for them Tethren simply replies “Perfect as usual Thessa.” As she walks away from the group, EKIM and Sariel notice deliberate motions of her hand as it slides across the edge of the table with the faintest of fey like tiny orbs trailing along the path.
When asked about his tea, Tethrin explains through a devious smirk that it is Ashenveil Reserve, and you won’t find it on the menu. Sariel asks what would happen if she were to try and order it. Tethren calls out, “Thessa, would she be served a cup?” Thessa, without looking up, remarks with a smirk “A friend of Tethern’s can order anything they want.” It is at this point, now focused on Thessa for her answer, that Sariel recognizes Thessa not as an elf, but as an autumn eladrin. Rushing over in excitement at her first encounter with one of her own outside the fey she pelts the elder fey with questions. Thessa calmly takes her hand and tells her that now is not the time. She has been here a long time and has no intention of going anywhere. Slightly disappointed, but understanding, Sariel turns to walk back to the tables but not before noticing something odd. She can no longer hear her friends, and as she tries to focus on them, she finds it impossible to even attempt to track their lips. She now understands what she saw as Thessa left the table, confident now that anything can be discussed.
Over tea the group delves into conversation. There is a lot to catch up on. Regarding the fate of Phandalin, Sylla grows somber and Tethren acknowledges that that would explain why they hadn’t heard from Sildar and as the reasoning for their absence at the last Waterdeep Council meeting. Meramin remains quiet and attentive the whole time. The tales the party weaves of their time under the White Plume Mountain is taken in with smiles and laughter. When asked about the three weapons Tobin’s Revenge found Tethren and Sylla have nothing to offer, while Meramin’s only comment is to be careful with sentient object (“Nothing good ever comes from one.”) Still trying to find answers to Belgwyn’s growing fear of the sun, Meramin casts a spell of which she finds no indications of something like vampirism with her. This being the first time out of conflict that the party has seen Meramin use magic, several members notice the light of her magic is dim, while Sariel is perceptive enough to notice that Meramin almost turns monochromatic herself while channeling the spell.
Finally Sariel broaches their time with the Arcane Brotherhood and explains what they have discovered about Arkalis. Up to this point, Tethren has been jovial between sips of tea. He now listens, void of expression, to the telling of Cashaan’s story of Arkalis’ past and Sariel’s theory. Sylla’s demeanor fades into sadness while Maramin attempts to hold back what could best be interpreted as maybe anger. When the group has finished, Tethren carefully puts down his cup and struggles to speak his thoughts. “But Arkalis was so kind… that couldn’t be possible… but that would mean that I wasn’t…” quietly to himself before readdressing his friends. “That is a lot to digest but thank you for telling me.” Then just as quickly, he recomposes himself and moves the conversation to another topic.
Another round of tea, for some, covers more catching up. The party makes several attempts to get Tethren, and the Dark Walkers, to join them in their investigation within the Misty Forest. Tethren’s expression shows a longing to accept, with a correlated tensing of Meramin in general, before he explains that that is not his path any more. He knows the party is more than capable of dealing with this on their own while the Dark Walkers take care of their business. Further questions of what that exactly is and where has he been as answered as best as possible. Tethren, with Miramin’s help, explains that just as one can travel between the Material Plane, the Nine Hells, and the Astral Plane here in Toril, some can travel between ‘copies’ of those planes, each unique from the others. He explains that Meramin is from the city of Emon in the region of Exandria named Tal’Dorei. Rhogar is from Q’Bsrra in the region of Eberron named Khorvaire. This is where Rhogar took him for the ‘treatment’ that has to this point kept his wild magic suppressed, with some interesting side effects. It also explains why EKIM knows they sometimes speak draconic but can’t understand it all, as it is the dialect from Rhogar’s home.
As the hour grows late the conversations are wrapped up. Tethren quietly speaks with Thessa at the counter before paying the bill, more than anyone in the party would anticipate for several rounds of tea. The three members of the Dark Walkers say their goodbyes and wish their friends good luck in the Misty Forrest. They then leave, not through the front door, but past a curtain to a back area of the tea shop. From the main sitting area the group can hear a door open, the faint sounds of a tavern, and a door shut. EKIM, excited at the potential of a tavern after the boring tea time, is quickly thwarted by Thessa, who claims that is just where her private office is and would appreciate him not going back there.
Having rejuvenated with the company of their friend the party returns to Trollskull Manor to rest for their journey to the Misty Forest the next day. Leaving mid morning the group makes the edge of the forest in time to stop for the night. The Misty Forest, living up to its name, is perpetually filled with a mist or fog making the thick forest just that much more difficult to traverse. Luck for the party, they have a half-elf ranger that has been here before. It takes about another half day to reach the wood elf settlement of Altand and begin their investigation.
Upon entering Altand, the group finds a two leveled organization to the settlement. Up in the trees are walkways and rope bridges connecting multiple sections of dwellings. Much of this area has physical signs of the reported cult attack in the form of damage or destruction. The ground level structures seem to have fared better, indicating that the dragon attacked from above. EKIM quickly notes that the number of elves is significantly less than the last time he made his way through. Trying to garner information from the passing elves, the party is continually told to speak to their warden Galin and pointed in the direction of his home. They find Galin’s place in one of the few undamaged sections of the upper level in the middle of the settlement.
Entering the modest dwelling suspended among ironstrong boughs, the party finds themselves in a simple, cozy sitting room with a slim elf sitting at the desk and a raven in an open cage to the side. The elf introduces himself, with a forced smile, as Galin and asks how he can be of service. The party asks their questions regarding what happened and the other going ons within the forest. Galin explains that the cult ambushed Atland, with the dragon striking from the sky first. This first assault caused most of the damage throughout the Altand at the highest loss of life. While the dragon continued to assault the upper level, cultists swarmed from all directions on the ground, killing any they encountered. Before the settlement was completely destroyed, the cult fled Altand while taking everything of value with them. He dismisses the few reports that the dragon had a rider saying that the witnesses were unreliable given the fear and hysteria inflicted by the cult attack. The party leaves Galin trying to figure out how might trap the dragon.
As they walk through the settlement further planning they are approached by an older elf and a very young female elf. The older elf explains that the little one lost her parents in the assault, but she thinks she might help the party if they are looking to protect them from the dragon coming back. After reassuring her that they were doing exactly that, she lets them know that she has seen the warden sneak off on some nights since the attack. Suspicious, the party decides to see if they can track the elf the next time he leaves. They don’t have to wait long, as that night while in hiding the party watches Galin leave his home and take off into the woods.
Tracking the elf, the party finds themselves at the edge of a clearing where Galin stands next to a large patch of matted grass in the middle. A couple of hours later, the elf hangs his head low and begins to walk back towards Altand. The party takes the opportunity to ambush the elf and question him on his odd behavior. Intimidation attempts on Galin only seem to anger him. At one point he comes nose to nose with EKIM and exclaims that he didn’t lose a wife to the dragon. Sariel tries to connect to him with their loss of friends in Phandalin, but the elf doesn’t seem to care. It is only using the death of his wife to guilt him into saving more lives that the party is able to crack his resistance.
Galin finally confesses that he was devastated at watching his wife die in the first assault by the green dragon. Quickly after, he came face to face with the dragon and its rider. In the moment, wracked with his immense pain, he pleaded with the dragon and its rider to spare him at whatever the cost. The pair accepted his deal, making his payment information on the other elven settlements within the forest. It was at that moment that the cult ceased its attack on Altand. Since then he has come to this spot to make his payments. He does not know who the rider or dragon are, but has come to understand that they already have knowledge of the forest. The information Galin provides is either additional intel on the current state of the settlements or just a pleasure to watch Galin struggle with betraying his fellow elves. The only hint he can offer to their location is that they are always wet as if just coming out of the water when they meet and they travel from the southeast.
Putting together Galin’s confession and the information from Varrum’s interrogation, the party figures they are potentially dealing with Malachite and his green dragon companion Chuth. They decide to head in the direction Galin indicated the next morning. Shortly after lunch on the first day away from Altand, the party hears a loud crack and the sound of a falling tree pairs with the screams of a woman. Not to leave a person in need, the party rushes in the direction of the sound to find an older woman trapped under a massive fallen tree. After a little debate Belgwyn and Seebo struggle in an attempt to lift the tree while EKIM keeps a trained crossbow on the woman. With a little bit of excitement, Sariel reaches out to the woman and asks, “Do you trust me?” before teleporting her on top of a nearby rock. As the woman looks down in absolute delight, the tree becomes light as air as it rights itself. The party now realizes the fallen trunk is actually an awakened tree of which is joined by two others near the woman. The woman’s appearance has now shifted to looking much younger and flowers begin to bloom from within her tangled mess of hair. She exclaims how happy she is to see true heroes still in the world and begins to make garlands for each of the party from the flowers in her hair. As she places them on each of their heads she blesses them in druidic. Sariel understands the druidic as blessing them against the dragon they now seek.
Continuing on with another night’s rest the party reaches a much denser portion of the forest. Soon they notice that the thick moss hanging from the trees has changed into a more transparent, almost sticky material, hard to observe in the ever present mist. Seebo analyzes the material and notes that there are massive amounts of spider webs. They also notice that small birds and animals, long dead, are tangled in many places. Understanding that they are now too deep into it to avoid it, they prepare for an ambush and make all attempts to avoid touching the webs. Sariel polymorphs into a Giant Spider and uses her senses to seek out those nearby. She feels the 10 large and 3 smaller creatures slowly making their way toward their location.
The ambush fails and the party quickly pushes the offense. EKIM dominates a giant spider and one of the ‘mole’ creatures to help in their defense. It doesn’t take long for the party to thwart the attack, killing all the creatures that approach. They make camp, using Dennis’ tiny hut spell for protection, before continuing on in their hunt for signs of the dragon. By the late evening of the next day the party carefully approaches the sound of running water. Before them is a large pool of water fed by a waterfall from the high cliffs above.
Session Date – 29 May 2026
Roster
- Belgwyn
- EKIM
- Sariel
- Seebo