Sept 5: Caught by Surprise!

Sojan Brule, Indaril, and Emberclaw made their way into the Shadowwood. They made progress during the night, choosing to sleep during the day, taking watches to be alert. They were relieved to find their night and day uneventful. As night fell, Tybris and Aezra snuck up on them, causing some irritation among the three, who didn't like the trick. Tybris and Aezra inform them that the coast is clear to the portal, and if they hurried, they could make it before sunrise.

The party pushes through the night, stopping only for short breaks, and arrived at the portal shortly before dawn. After some confusion, they step onto the dais, and Sojan activates the portal. They are sent to a strange plane, the Astral plane Aezra suspected, and from there emerged on Hestine.

They were shocked at the lifeless state of Hestine, for all but Aezra remember a beautiful, thriving world. Following the road, they see a village in the distance. As they pass through some large rocky outcroppings, the five explorers are ambushed by a group of six goblins.

The party was unsettled at first, as four armed goblins attacked and two unseen bowmen loosed arrows into their midst. The party soon took the upper hand, eliminating their melee opponents. Tybris especially showed his skill with his bow, brutally injuring one and slaying another with a well-placed arrow to the skull. The bowmen fled, and the party decided to pause for a moment before continuing on.

Tybris was nicked by an arrow, and Indaril took a bit more damage (down 35%), but for the most part, they survived their first encounter with the goblin bandits relatively unscathed.

Tynna's Fortune

Tynna pours a handful of several aromatic herbs into a small bowl, and sets fire to the bowl’s contents. The small house is quickly fills with a strong, calming blend of smells.

Making sure you’re seated on the fur rugs on the floor around a low wooden table, the elderly woman kneels and spreads a thin piece of supple hide on the table. Tynna flips her long, white braid over her shoulder and tugs a worn, leather pouch from her belt. She raps her knuckles on the table, the sharp sound startling.

“You will be silent, while I cast my bones. No words while I hear the spirits and interpret the bones. When I am done, you will go. Now, silence.”

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, holding it before releasing it. She repeats this several times, in out, in out, as she enters a meditative state. Smoke seems to coalesce around Tynna, forming a hazy shroud.

She murmurs, chanting in a strange tongue, her small body swaying back and forth. Tynna holds the pouch in both hands, bony fingers clutching the leather.

With a sudden, sweeping gesture, she upends the pouch onto the table. Polished white knucklebones fall to the table. The bones do not bounce or roll, simply immediately stop where they land. Tynna opens her eyes.

Where once had been sharp, black eyes, they now lack either pupil or iris, being stark white. The change is frightening, eliciting startled gasps. She looks down at the bones, her head tilting one way, then another, as she carefully examines the position and placement of the bones.

Her petite frame snaps upright, the eerie white eyes regarding you sitting at the table.

“Life and death,” she begins, but the voice is not Tynna’s, being soft, raspy, and patient, as if carefully choosing each word.

Life and death.

United in one,

separate in another.

You are the link.

Your past has no bearing on your future,

But the past will determine the future.

The lost will be found,

And myths made true.

You are hope,

But for you there will be none.

The key to rebirth lies in ruins long forgotten.

Tynna’s body shudders and slumps, but she quickly recovers. Her eyes have returned to normal, and she gathers her bones back into her bag. She rubs her temples and in a grouchy tone says, “Why they always gotta leave me with a headache? Well, a tisane will take care of that sure enough.”

“Well? You heard my words, now get out of here. Make your way into the ‘Wood and take care of yourselves. Joel has a lot of faith in you, and now’s your time to prove you’re worth all the trouble he had in haulin’ your asses off that world.” Tynna rises, shooing you out of the door and on your way.

Aug. 29: Joel Asks a Favor

*Check the PB Wiki page "Sable" in case you missed descriptions of Joel, Badon, Mishell, Tynna or their homes. Check the "Heroes" page for descriptions of your fellow companions.

The companions arrive home at Joel's house after a long day working in the mines. You were greeted by Joel and his adopted children. Joel urged you to enjoy the dinner prepared for you, but quickly as he has news. He refuses to discuss it further until after dinner, despite your anticipation. Joel took you down below, into the secret area in the basement.

Goblin raiders have emigrated to Hestine, something that concerns Joel. The goblins may have acquired supplies that could be useful to the resistance, and Joel does not want them in the hands of Githyanki, who are likely soon to investigate. There is also a keep near the village, and Joel asks that they also check the keep, once owned by a Githyanki Lord, to see if there are any salvagable supplies or information. You are hesitant at the thought of possibly taking what belonged to the lost people of Hestine, but Joel stresses the importance, and in acting quickly. He's secured your absence from the mines for now, and provides a rough map of the area, and 2 keystones (one to get you to Hestine and one to get you back), both in Emberclaw's possession. Sojan takes possession of a hand-held sundial, which Joel says will tell you the time on Sable, no matter that you are on Hestine.

Aezra and Tybris have gone ahead, Joel trusting Tybris's stealth and Aezra's magic to protect them and make sure the area ahead is secure. You will all meet up on your way to the portal.

You will have to leave for the portal this night, and travel about two days to reach the portal. You must use the portal at night, when it is unguarded by Githyanki soldiers. He also tells you to be sure that you return at night, for the same reason. Joel sends you on to Tynna's home, who has supplies for you.

Tynna is no-nonsense in her attitude, dropping heavy sacks in your laps filled with useful supplies for your mission. Before you depart, Tynna offers to tell your fortune, just as she did for Aezra and Tybris before they left. You leave Tynna's feeling confused and uneasy about her words, and head into the Shadowwood.

(The fortune-telling will be emailed to each of you.)

Map of Hestine