Session 9: The Lodge, Diverging Paths

It was deep into the night, nearing dawn, when the exhausted party finally reached the end of their journey along the stream. The stream terminated at a serene pond, fed by a small waterfall that cascaded down through the nearby mountains. The air was crisp, and the glen around them was silent. The mountains to the west formed an imposing barrier, their terrain impassable except for narrow, treacherous paths known only to experienced hunters and trappers.   Nearby, a cluster of small log cabins appeared abandoned at first glance, with no signs of recent habitation. Rolandus surmised that this location could not be easily reached by a large military force, providing a temporary sense of security. Above them, the raven that had been their guide transformed back into the form of Mad Yanla. She landed gracefully and greeted the group, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.   After taking a moment to pause and gather their thoughts, the PCs realized they were being watched but had not noticed the ambushers.   As the group began to relax by the pond, the sense of calm was abruptly shattered. Figures clad in dark cloaks emerged from the shadows of the forest, their bows and arrows at the ready. The tension was palpable as the party instinctively prepared for a fight. Before they could react, one of the figures stepped forward and lowered his hood, revealing the stern face of a dark-skinned man.   He introduced himself as Niril, a local ‘lieutenant’ of the Circle. (He offerred no rank, that was their read of the situation). His stern demeanor softened as he spotted Ren Jorik among the group, and he offered a welcoming smile.   Niril spoke with the accent of old Duvik, instructing the group to come inside the lodge to avoid being spotted from afar.   Although Orian didn't know many in the Circle outside his direct contacts, he recognized Niril as the leader of the local cell he was introduced to when he joined the organization.   Inside the lodge, the atmosphere was modest but cozy. A large wooden table dominated the center of the room, and a fireplace sat cold and unused. The only light came from a hooded lantern that one of the Circle members lit, casting flickering shadows on the walls.   A figure the group hadn't seen before was introduced by Ilya. "Desmond, you old fiend! You must have been eager for new supplies to come out so far, so fast," Ilya said. "These are the ones I told you about... the alchemist and her lot. Though not in the circumstances that I imagined."   Desmond (Lev’s PC) had been a bouncer at a bar in Sevgorod frequented by Circle members, and had fallen in with them without fully realizing what he was signing up for. A drug fiend as well as a seller, he couldn't turn down the offer when Ilya sent him a letter about the newcomers to Krezko a week back. They talked for several moments, trying out each other's wares, with Desmond clearly not fully comprehending the gravity of the situation.   The room filled with hushed conversations as everyone settled in. Niril's expression turned serious as he began to speak. "There have been raids like the one you escaped from in several other locations. Many villages have been purged with fire, as they say. The Witch-Hunters' decree is no exaggeration. We must change our response."   Niril turned to Tashi with a grave expression and informed him that he had some difficult news to share. Tashi, who believed he was exiled for impropriety from his austere family, learned that his family was actually one of the primary financiers of the Circle in the Northlands. Niril explained the significance of the foreign quarter, Sendiir, in Rostova, where Tashi's family operated a massive front for the Circle. He revealed that the full name of the organization was "The Circle of Sendiir."   Tashi's shock was palpable as he stammered, "All this time! I've wandered like a beggar... Why did they not tell me?"   Niril sighed, his expression softening. "They were always looking out for you. Agents were nearby whenever things seemed like they might go awry, orchestrated by your family. They kept you in the dark to protect you from being captured and used as a hostage. You have told me the fate of Serg, this is a common tactic of theirs. Now that the purge is underway, they have given clearance for you to know the truth. They wish you to return to them."   With the weight of recent revelations still heavy in the air, Niril opened the floor for discussion. "Each of us must decide our next steps. I know many of you here are not officially members of our organization. But we are all now brothers in blood, as we will all be hunted. The Circle is a critical resistance force, but we are not large enough for direct conflict. We need to consider potential alliances and resources."   "You should understand that no one present knows who is truly behind the Circle. Not even I. Tashi's family is a major financier, but they did not create the organization. This puzzle will not be solved on this night, but it is a question worth asking. The Circle of Sendiir is the only organization that stands against the Crown across Chernaya, rather than the gangs of one city or province or another."   He gestured for everyone to contribute their thoughts. "Enough musing. Let's discuss our plans," he said.  

Plans for the Future

The group discussed potential destinations:  

• Rostova: to make contact with Tashi’s family and try to find the leaders of the Circle. Tashi, Ren, and his daughter planned to head there, hoping to rebuild a life and gain a stronger foothold within the Circle. Rolandus contemplated his feelings about returning to the place he had been unofficially exiled from.
• Sevgorod: Risky, as it was the capital, but vital for shoring up networks or freeing prisoners. Niril and most of the other survivors of Krezko planned to head there to seed rebellion, including Ilya and Arsen. However, Ilya implied to Desmond that the bar would likely no longer be safe for him, for the time being, as they are basically planning to start an insurgency.
• The Tovag Baragu: The riskiest path, to try to make an alliance with a very dangerous but powerful force. Yanla planned to head further north into the wilds of Oblidan to make contact with her people and venture to the dreaded Tovag.

  Danyar and the donkey Gordon would obviously go with the PCs wherever they went. As dawn broke, the group finalized their plans.   They chose to head north toward Rostova with Tashi, Ren Jorik, and his daughter, hoping to gain favor with Tashi’s family after getting him there safely. However, Rostova was a long way off, and they did not currently have mounts.   They used the rest of their energy to review the supplies kept at the lodge. Tonibore, buzzed from the snuff Desmond had given him, went for a scouting trip to ensure they hadn't been followed. So far, so good, though he noticed the trail of what his intuition told him was an Aberration... (TBD next session)   Back at camp, they convinced one of Niril's men to accompany Lena to family she had in Waylan for 100 silver. Rolandus contemplated his old homeland, Rostova, but had not yet told the others why he was exiled. The lodge offered a brief respite to rest before they set out on their long trip, but the threat of the Witch-Hunters loomed large behind-- and ahead of them.