Id: c5c827f9-91f0-4069-861c-f7f6540517fa
SessionDate: 2024-09-08
GameDate:
{
	Day: 5
	Month: Istenarum
	Year: 3322
}
Author: Logan
Title: Walking with Mercenaries
Text: "The party (consisting of Dheir, Xedran, Saxon+Kit, and Cassian) prepared themselves to take on the Rust Monster that seemed to be fairing pretty well against the group of mercenaries before it, their armor and weapons looking terrible from the creature's attacks rusting them away. The combined might of the two groups quickly overpowered the Rust monster, allowing everyone to live another day. The sergeant of mercenaries, a Rock Dwarf named Barst introduced himself and the members of his company to the party. He also mentioned they were on the way to a small druidic hamlet known as Elder Tree Hollow, conveniently in the direction the party is heading, so they all agreed to travel together since the mercenaries' equipment was clearly not fit for battle. 

The two groups traveled the remainder of the day without issue, they all took the time to get to know each other, learning things like Barst hoping to retire soon (though he is unsure of who his successor would be with the natural pick Tellas, a cloud elf and the assumed successor seemingly uninterested in the position), the Exu in the company, Raquel, is the most recent addition to the group. Dheir attempted the best she could to try and become friendly with the aloof Tellas, but the cloud elf not only seemed disinterested, but almost embarrassed by the attempted interactions. Barst went on to explain that they are mercenaries employed by the kingdom, working on keeping the frontier roads safe for travelers as best they can against the monsters that tend to roam the countryside. They rest of the day went by without issue, eventually the mercs found a good campsite and they all retired, sharing ghost stories and being friendly with the party overall. 

Night soon came, and with it a torrential storm battered those on watch, causing Dheir, Saxon, and one of the mercs to come down with a disease that seemed to sap their strength. On the morning of the 5th of Istenarum, Cassian took the time to heal each of them after examining the sickly people, casting a Lesser Restoration on each to purge the disease from their bodies. With everyone feeling better, they all resumed their journey to Elder Tree Hollow. It was only a few hours of walking before they found the small hamlet of less than 10 buildings, small animal carvings could be seen spread around the town. While the mercs went to get re-equiped and rest after their journey, an old sapien male in white robes came up to the party, introducing himself as Aelloria, the head of the small community. He invited them to the local Inn+Tavern known as A Peaceful Rest, hoping to discuss possible work with the party. 

They followed him to it, while doing so, Cassian observed the various decorations and idols, getting the impression this druidic community belonged to the Circle of the Land. Once inside the Inn+Tavern, Aelloria explained that a corruption seems to have taken root where the local nature spirit resides, stating that he has been unable to confirm due to a deep fear within him preventing him from stepping foot in the grove it resides in. Cassian quickly offers the party's assistance with the matter (asking them if they are open to assisting immediately after), Aelloria accepts to offer and explains he has a ritual he can can do to purify the corruption but will need assistance in gathering materials as well as being protected from anything the corruption may throw at him. He offered a magical ring (one that helps prevent possession by undead spirits) as reward for the assistance given, as well as introduction to a dwarf of the Bander Clan named Yanvez, a dwarf knowledgeable about the Ember Sands and a useful contact for any attempting to make the journey. 

Aelloria informed them of the ingredients needed and the party went to work, finding them relatively quickly and returning them to the Druid. They all then began to prepare for whatever awaits them in the Elder Tree Grove..."