The full dark of evening has settled on Sorø. The green glow of Harvest and her cold blue sister Mab have long ridden below the horizon. The twinkle of the celestial stars offer no solace on this cloudless and chill autumn night.

The frantic search for the missing children has drawn to a close. Mother’s and father’s huddled protectively together – both for warmth and solace. The shock that such an event could happen right under everyone’s watchful gaze has impacted everyone in some way or another. The heroes of the hour – Romero and Ka’Tau – are weary and bone-tired after their traumatic battle with the undead and shadow beasties. They dream of rest and recuperation as the next morning will see them setting off – first a detour to the Finley farm, then a longer journey to Fort Palco.

Garitas

Garritas and Redemption being unsuccessful in their efforts to find the lost children, return towards the end of the evening to find the children once again safe. Redemption heads off to bed, weary of her efforts. As Garritas leaves the crowd, Himli the young gnomish ambassador calls to him from the shadows. A brief conversation is held beyond prying eyes in her adobe. Garritas leaves with a look of deep thought on his face.

The following morning …

Ka’Tau

Having arranged with the mother of Helena – one of the pre-maturely aged children – to attempt some magical healing, Ka’Tau heads into the clearing where the folk are assembling the caravan to the Finley Farms. Addressing the heavens above and calling out in a powerful and booming voice, he beseeches Bahamut – the good dragon god – to intersect on his behalf and heal young Helena. Quickly his healing act draws a crowd of onlookers and an impromptu sermon is conducted on the virtues of Bahamut. As the lesson draws on, some of the crowd make jokes and loose interest. Although his words seem to have touched a few – especially Helena and her mother.

Garritas & Romero

The two head off to gather some supplies for the journey. They retrieve some healing and curative potions from Melanie with a promise to return with fresh herbs. They are slightly less successful when attempting the same with Jana – with a similar promise they exit only with a single alchemist fire potion. Finally they visit Christopher to see if he is interested in joining them. They find Christopher busy at his forge sharpening his weapons. After a brief conversation, he reveals his own eagerness to join them on another adventure!

Eastward Ho!

The early morning spent, the caravan heads out from Sorø towards the Finley Farm. On the road they encounter a large wild boar hiding in the scrub. Romero plans to scare of the creature with a well placed firebolt, however the creature – enraged – rushes them from its spot. A fierce battle ensues – the boar turning out to be quite formidable. Mid-battle the creature morphs into some fierce hybrid boar – humanoid creature. Its rage intially focused on Ka’Tau – its heavy hands and sharp tasks ripping into his belly, sends Ka’Tau tumbling to the dirt. Rounding on the fearless halfling – the boar creature attempts to continue its punishing attacks. In the mean time the ranged attackers (several Westvale’ers and Romero) pummel the creature from a distance.

Quickly they release that the creature seems to have some immunity to their weapons, as its wounds are quickly healing – but the continuous barrage of arrows, fire weapons, and Christophers wickedly sharp axe finally send the creature to its doom.

Shortly after everyone recovers, a weird black maize is seen (by Ka’Tau and Garritas) eminating from Romero – everyone in the party is sickened by a cold ripping sensation that seems to wound their very souls. Fortunately this damage is not enough to send anyone else into a coma.

A heated argument ensues between the spell casters as to why this happened. An uneasy truce is reached between Garritas and Romero. Ka’Tau is inspired by this story and learns something about his own personal history…

The party sets of the following morning and a long trek sees them at the Finley farm towards the end of the afternoon. Much to their horror the farm is once again under seige…

An army of 24 Triffids encircles the farm…