Session 7: Tracks and Exploration Report

General Summary

Aria and her compatriots would strike out thru the month of Fading spring taking a lazily northward arching path to explore farther afield while making for where in previous months their scouts had shown signs of others in the area. After a week of hiking thru the wilds and mapping the region they would come to the spot marked by Seleste and Grikz. The tracks would still be present, sunk deep into the mud from the heavy rains of early spring and now with several weeks of no rainfall, they had become dried imprtints in the earth. They would deduce that the reptilians like tracks would be that of a species of subterranean lizard commonly used as mounts by Shadow Elves that remained underground. They would follow the tracks West to the one of the tributaries of the East Urithore River where Aria would make the decision that it was better to return home and better prepare if they were going to venture into the mountains in search of Shadow Elves that may still be here.  

During these travels Malakar would begin to have dreams, a message from the Old Oak they had freed from Necrotic Well Spring. A dryad in distress would be calling out to him, but he could not hear. He would share with the others and his belief that she was in danger. Daereth would frown to his story, "You say she is asking for help but also you could not hear her? Which is it?" Malakr would wave a hand, "She is in distress it seems logical she is calling for help." Isenara would tilt her head, "Or warning us of something dangerous, those two things look similar." Malakar would seem slighly annoyed at this and shrug, "In any case I am sure it is the old Oak, I would like to look in on it as soon as we can." Aria would nod, "Well we are heading back today, lets take the river path to follow up on the wreckage. Heavy rains would return as they ventured along the river, causing its banks to swell again and start to wash away the wreckage. The expedition however was able to recover a few pieces of the boats and would identify them as Elven river ships, but would not find any sign of whom they belonged to. They would also deduce the Monolith upstream is what destroyed them. The swelling river would force the party to venture inland and near the primal well spring where they would see a tornado of immense magnitude swirling around a singular spot in the earth where rife, earth, lightning and other signs of elemental power would swirl in the tornado.  

Returning home Malakar would look in upon the Oak and find that if he focused he could see the faintest image of a female figure within the trunk curled up on herself and seemingly in hibernation, if she was still alive. Malakar would stand vigil guarding the tree until the city could extend its control to this region and Celandor could perform the Purification ritual. The faintest sign of life could be seen in the tree once more, but the spirit within did not yet stir. Summers dawn showed promise within Hithfaer as the efforts of Nymerias engineering core managed to clear an entire block of rubble and make ready for construction.  

It was decided that River travel would be a priority, since the Primal Well spring required more skill to harness properly then what the expedition felt they had. Taking small boats from their naval vessel they would head upstream to the monolith which surged with magical power and spat fire at them as they approached. Pushing forward their vessel would come up along side the damaged monolith, which seemed to be mostly submerged. Isenara would attempt to patch and spackled cracks in the great structure, assisted by Daereth who had no magical powers or means of controlling this construct. The others would struggle to work upon the monolith with the churning of the River. Malakar would anchor the boat and attempt to anchor himself to the monolith and steady the floating platform so the others could work. With this well in hand, Zaelith, Aria, Aelorna and Bahzel would work upon restoring the magical energy within the monolith. It would spit its fire several more times, Talindra answering each with her healing magics, eyes surging with a strange light blue hue from the winter court emparting its power to her. Zaelith would send one last surge of energy within allowing them to regain control of the Monolith and restoring its proper function. With the River ways now safe and controlled by house Nytraven, the expedition set off back home.