Session Four - 3/30/25
1832 AS Apollal 13
The Village of Thataways
We continued our search for the centaurs by the lake and burned out tree landmarks. Gildas sends out his familiar owl to help search. Sees a large bushy tree. We head that way and encounter a centaur who takes us to a village named “thataways”. When we enter the town we see houses built within the trees with centaurs, satyrs, dryads and even an earth elemental in the mix. The atmosphere is light, welcoming, and festive. The center of the village is dominated by a large tree infused with blue elemental energy.
You should talk to the sages in the mother tree and tell them that you were sent by the messengers of the queen. As we pass through the village, we see places to barter, temples to Eerol and Apollo. The music in the air is unusual to my ears. Heavily influenced by satyr music, it tells of the history of the people and gods that they worship.
The Party Splits
Makani
Makani heads to the temple of Eerol in the worship sector of the village. She enters. She sees many centaurs in fine clothing with Eerol and Dina symbolism adorning their clothing. She approaches one of the zealots and begins talking. She mentions that she seeks knowledge of the centaurs, Jennifer, and Urgan’s Axe. The response is that nature provides all and that she should commune with nature. Makani cannot understand the nature of the magic that is demonstrated and shown. As she is leaving, somewhat disappointed, she hears the voice of Namalea through running water. It whispers, “A storm is coming”
Faban and Brigit
I head to the music circle and engage. This is the entertainment sector of the village. Beings are playing lutes, drums, and violins. A particularly chipper fey creature is playing the fiddle and I match his groove and improve upon the makeshift music. People donate barter goods as we busk. The overall space is peaceful merriment for the protectors of the village. I decided to introduce the only centaur song in my repertoire, “Stars and the Centaurs”. I am delighted when all of the centaurs pick up the tune and sing verses I have never heard before. I am surprised that this song is a central one to their culture and speaks to the origin of centaurs and their god's history. After the rousing busk session I chat further with my new found satyr violin playing friend. I ask about Jennifer and the axe. The satyr mentions being one of the few denizens who did not make an oath of secrecy. He tells you in a hushed voice that the axe is buried under the tree and that tree is a well of magic.
Gildas and Corvinas
They explore the barter sector of the village. Gildas joins in on a street magic performance. He really impresses the crowd and the magician really appreciates him. Gildas asks him about the witches. The busker tells of the witch that is one of the tree sages. She protects the village with spells. The five sages are powerful. The three druids are all shape shifters. The witch is the most powerful user of the fey magic. And there is a wizard that keeps the library and much of the defensive magic in the village. The witch is fey elvish. The wizard is a birdfolk. The druids are Air Genasi, Centaur, and Saytr.
First Visit to the tree
The party rejoins in the barter section of the town. We decide to go to the central tree to figure out how to contact the sages and a way to get that axe. Gildas approaches the two guards outside the tree and we mention that we are messengers of the queen. They allow us entry into the tree.
We encounter a massive room lined with books inside the tree. Gildas checks out the books. Most are religious and historical texts, but one book catches his eye. A book entitled “History of the Infernal”. He touches the book and his hand is immediately smacked by a staff wielded by an Arakocra (bird folk) wizard. “Please do not touch the books” he mentions in a gentle voice. Gildas mentions the reason for his curiosity with the book and explains his bad encounter with infernals.
We get around to asking the wizard about our encounter with the witch in the outer forest. The Arakocra wizard mentions that one of the sages is a witch, however, she will not join us unless the entire sage council is present. Gildas explains the hag encounter and shows the tome that was recovered and that the hag seemed to have designs against the village. The wizard mentions a coven of witches that is nearby.
Gildas is given permission to inspect the Book of the Infernal. Inside Gildas learns that infernal items will leave a mark on a person if encountered. It also mentions that any infernal item should be handled with care. Otherwise, one could fall victim to the infernal temptations and powers. He closes the book and carefully places it from the spot in which he pulled it from the shelf.
The wizard escorts the party to a hall with five seats. In one seat is an elf with bright green hair, the witch sage. She is twirling a small chain in her fingers. Seated near her is a centaur druid who has a small swarm of bees resting about his head and back. Gildas explains the hag encounter and the hag’s desire for us to prompt a group of gnolls to attack the village. The hag mentions that the gnolls follow Yongu - a demonic god. We then explain that we are seeking the axe of Urgan. Gildas then gives the history and encounter with the infernal item (the orb). The sages mention the Allegiance of Stars - a group of outsiders that are a threat to the village. If our party could take care of them, the sage council would consider giving you the axe to use. I mention that time is a factor and that we have only a few days left before the city we are trying to save will be destroyed or taken over by infernals. The council thanks us and tells us to go stay in the village and wait for a council summons as this action will require the full council.
I go and busk in the village that night before retiring to the local inn. I give the proceeds to a group of clerics. Gildas casts detect magic at the inn to check for infernal signs and sees a mark on Corvinas’ forehead. No mark is found on Gildas.
1832 AS Apollal 14
Second Visit to the tree
The next morning we get a message from the sages that they are ready. We head to the tree where the library has been transformed into a meeting room. All five are in attendance. I explain the situation to all and it is quickly brought to a vote. The council agrees to allow us to use the axe with the promise to return it when done using it. We agree and mention that we will take care of the Allegiance of Stars problem upon our return. The sages give instructions on how to care for the axe. They produce the great axe from a rune. It is wrapped in leather and Gildas takes possession of it and places it within the bag of holding from the hag encounter.
Makani asks about the celestial isles. The sages share their collective wisdom on them. They mention the outer rim was devastated by storms. These storms are primordial in nature from chaos and there is no known counter to combat them, unless one is of god-like power. We ask about Jennifer and are told she is a strong spellcaster and the last of a dead breed of folks. She lives in the far north in the mountains.
The sages also share that there are other wells of magic across the world. The wells can help understand what is happening in the world today, especially in regards to the tech failures that have been happening. When we return with the axe the sages will allow us to talk with their well of magic. We ask for an escort through and out of the fey wood. One escort party is quickly assembled.
An Unexpected Gift
As we were leaving I was approached by the violinist satyr that I had jammed with the other day. As a token of gratitude he was blessed by fiddle, imbuing it with magical runes which increased the quality and brilliance of the tone of the instrument. We bid our farewells and headed back to save the city.
