After their dangerous adventure in the Spire of Quetzel, the party takes some time to rest and reflect on their experiences. Mimo thinks back on the friendships she made during their journey, and how her powers of persuasion have improved. Meanwhile, Kristov is consumed with worry about his debt and lack of treasure, and spends his time obsessively packing and repacking his belongings, trying to find any available space to hoard more silver. As Sturmberg rests and recovers from his injuries, Lucia spends her time exploring the nearby Dankwood glades and further honing her bushcraft skills.
One night, Kristov notices people walking around their camp in the tree line, but they keep a safe distance. The strangers make it clear that they want the adventurers to know the woods are filled with their kind, and that the party’s presence has not gone unnoticed.
The next morning, the group is met by a hunting party of elves led by a wise elder of almost statuesque beauty. After hearing the adventurers’ tale about the Spire, the ranger, who identifies himself as Kalman Rodenfell, demands to know their intentions for traveling through the Dankwood. Following a few minutes of consideration, Rodenfell orders the group to follow him to their enclave of Oakglade or be marched out of the forest. With little choice, the quartet follows the elves further north, towards the mountains and deeper into the woods.
Along the way, Rodenfell explains that the Oakglade outpost was built 600 years ago during the Blood Mist by an elven warrior known for her cruelty. Its original purpose was to be used in war, but Oakglade was later ravaged by years of conflict and abandonment. Nowadays, the outpost is in semi-functioning ruins and is inhabited by a band of Red Runners — elven spies and warriors — who use it as a staging post for their missions in the south.
Upon arrival at Oakglade, Rodenfell tells the adventurers that they are welcome but will be under constant watch. Mimo tries a bit of pickpocketing, but she quickly realizes that the deft Red Runners are onto her and find her antics mildly amusing, much like a mischievous child. Kristov takes the opportunity to rest and repair his many broken items, while Lucia follows Mimo around like a concerned parent and apologizes profusely for the halfling’s behavior. Sturmberg takes advantage of the free provisions and has productive but curt conversations with some of the older warriors. Later, Lucia confirms that the treasure won from the Spire is not cursed and the party is free to use it all.
Eventually, Rodenfell returns and explains that the elves are holding the team responsible for a dramatic shift in the balance of the world. He explains that the thread of Quetzel was one of the few things holding back the renewed ravages of Zytera and his Rust Priests. Rodenfell demands that the adventurers take responsibility for the broken peace, but he also provides them with a solution: the legend of the Stanengeist. He charges the group to find the crown or as many of the rubies as they can, and bring the artifacts back to Oakglade. Once the elves have the Stanengeist back, they promise to use its power to end Zytera’s demonic threat and then retreat into the Stillmist, allowing the younger races to reclaim the Ravenlands.
Mimo and Kristov press Rodenfell for more information on where to start their search. Rodenfell suggests they seek out Arvia of Crombe and her dwarven warriors, as his scouts have informed him that Arvia was heading to Stonegarden for an important dwarven ceremony. When describing Arvia, Rodenfell explains that “the dwarven princess stands outside the kinship of the clan. It is said that she was born after her childless mother slept with a stone statue and thereafter promised all of her offspring to the god Huge. They say that Huge marked Arvia for feats of war and sacrifice for his glory at her birth. Dwarves fear and are terrified of the woman but respect her all the same as one chosen by the gods.“
Regarding Stonegarden, Rodenfell imparts that “it is considered by all except the Crombe dwarves to be the dwarves’ place of origin in the world. It is said that the moon, stunned by the beauty of Stonegarden, will stay a while in its course above Stonegarden. Most dwarves go on a pilgrimage there at some point in their lives. This year’s Veneration of the Earth in the impregnable fortress of the Iron Hounds looks to be the most extraordinary event in years. It is rumored that the royal children of Belderan have come to privately discuss their father’s succession, and their mute ancestor is also expected to make an appearance.“
After telling his stories, Rodenfell bids the party farewell and says he hopes to see them again after returning victorious. The wisened elf then throws on a cloak with a flourish and retreats back into the woods with an honor guard of Red Runners leaving the adventurers in the midst of the ruins and the burden of destiny.
JesseFolk.com 