Session 89 Departure for Timberheart.

Anat Day, 29th of Apollo

The companions of Acquisitions Incorporated, Franchise K departed Harker’s Manor at the eighth hour of the morning, beginning a four-hour trek across Harker’s Island toward the small harbor on the eastern shore.

Around the twelfth hour, they arrived to find the harbor bustling with activity. Four ships filled every available dock as cargo was unloaded and loaded with practiced efficiency. Dock workers—each employed by Acq Inc—moved crates, barrels, and manifests under the sharp eye of the harbor master.

Standing at the center of it all was Goluk Uzgal, a half-orc once enslaved by Lillian Harker and now an intern of Acquisitions Incorporated. Goluk barked orders with authority and precision, managing the harbor with discipline and pride born of hard-won freedom.

Moored at the first dock sat the CAS Porcupine, an Acq Inc vessel under the command of Commodore Draken Orris, a white dragonborn. The ship’s captain, Rorik “Ironwake” Hale, a seasoned and weathered sailor, stood ready. Quiet rumors followed him—whispers of a kraken encounter he neither confirmed nor denied. The ship was fully prepared, awaiting only the arrival of its passengers. Jasmal departs on the CAS Grand Rose to Soteropolis because she has been called by her order to lead and teach at the temple in Soteropolis.

The voyage to the city of Mesopotamia took eight uneventful hours. The Sea of Azure was calm, and no threats emerged along the way.

The companions arrived in Mesopotamia around the eighteenth hour, as the port prepared to shut down for the evening. Though Acq Inc had been formally hired for the mission, the group agreed—without hesitation—to allow Zaydri Kan to guide their decisions. This mission was deeply personal, involving her mentor and adoptive father.

Zaydri chose to remain in the city for the night, securing rooms at an inn. The group would depart for the Verdant Sanctuary the following morning.

Amun-Ra Day, 30th of Apollo

The party departed Mesopotamia at the tenth hour, setting out on a four-hour walk westward toward the Verdant Sanctuary.

Verdant Sanctuaries are places of rest and renewal for common folk, typically found near rivers or natural hot springs and maintained by druidic circles. Unlike the lavish bathhouses of major cities, these sanctuaries are humble, welcoming, and affordable—offering soaps, bath salts, scented candles, and restorative waters to anyone in need.

Upon arrival, several travelers were already enjoying the hot springs. Some of the companions took advantage of the opportunity to rest and cleanse themselves. The effects were unmistakable—Karin experienced a subtle magical healing, while the others felt refreshed, invigorated, and restored. Arceven, meanwhile, chose to remain with his apprentice in his wagon and did not partake.

During this time, Zaydri met with the sanctuary’s curator. Using the special coins enclosed with the letter from the Circle, she arranged passage through the ancient druidic travel network.

All companions except Zaydri were blindfolded and quietly led through a hidden passage within the sanctuary. Through ritual and magic, they were transported to the Circle of the Timberheart.

The Timberheart Circle

The blindfolds were removed deep within the Muttonwood Forest, an ancient woodland in northwestern Avalon, near the capital city of Camelot, home of King Arthur XVIII. Like the Socrates Forest, the Muttonwood is old beyond reckoning—its towering trees and whispered legends dating back to the creation of YonZora itself.

The forest teems with life and is protected by the native satyrs of Azure. It is also the land where Dimmir himself was raised.

The companions were greeted by Seren Willowdrape, a tall, slender half-elf and the circle’s Apprentice Coordinator. She welcomed the party warmly, telling them that the forest had been expecting them.

Then her eyes fell upon Zaydri Kan.

Emotion overtook her as she embraced her longtime friend—pride and joy tempered by sorrow. Zaydri’s mentor, Elder Thamior Mossglen, had been missing for over a ten-day, and the weight of that absence hung heavily over the grove.

Seren led the party into the inner circle of the forest. Onlookers watched with curiosity and caution—some pondering the presence of a guild company, others recognizing Zaydri and whispering with renewed hope.

“What brings a guild company here?”
“Is that truly Zaydri Kan?”
“If anyone can find him, she can.”
“The Timberheart will stand strong now.”
“Tell the elders—Zaydri has come home.”

At the heart of the grove, a tall elf stepped forward.

“I am Orren Wildbough, High Treewarden of the Circle of the Timberheart,” he said, welcoming Acquisitions Incorporated and confirming that the circle’s elders had approved the contract. He would act as their representative and sign on the circle’s behalf.

Then he turned to Zaydri, bowing respectfully.

“Welcome home.”

Next, a towering firbolg woman stepped forward—Elder Brienna Mossglen. She struggled to keep her emotions in check as she approached Zaydri with love, reverence, and deep sorrow.

Her words carried the weight of the forest itself.

“When we took you in as a child, you bore the pain of losing your parents. Thamior and I raised you as our own. You flourished. You embraced the land and your calling—your father’s legacy. You made us proud.”

“Then you were taken. Sold to the Drow. Thamior searched endlessly for you, never resting. Never giving up.”

“When word reached us that this guild had found you—and that the kind elf from your childhood stood by you once more—I knew you would return. But not like this.”

“Now I ask you to do what Thamior cannot. He and his companions are missing. The last message we received…”
She pauses, grief breaking through.

“Please, Zaydri. Find my husband. Your second father. We are not whole without him.”

Into the Muttonwood

After a brief meal, the party departed southward into the Muttonwood Forest, following the trail of the five druids who had vanished while investigating a disturbance in nature over a ten-day ago.

They traveled through the remainder of the day and into the evening before making camp.

During the third watch of the night, the camp was attacked by a pack of hungry owlbears.

The companions fought fiercely, slaying three and driving the rest back into the forest. Pepper joined the fray, dealing devastating blows—her ferocity catching the attention of Lucien, who had never seen a woman wield such power… or a breath weapon.

As the dust settled, Lucien tossed a coin toward one of the surviving owlbears, placing it into a hypnotic trance. Through Zaydri’s interpretation, Lucien negotiated a fragile peace, convincing the remaining owlbears to withdraw and leave the party undisturbed for the night. The companions also learned through owl bear that there were 7 creatures not as large as pepper but similar to her build.

Unfortunately, Pepper had other plans.

She revealed her true form—an adult crystal dragon—seizing the fallen owlbears and taking to the skies, chasing the survivors deeper into the forest.

She wanted fresh meat.