Ulgrotha: Rocking around the Big Z Tree

Party: Iskren / Taurio /  Vultha / Sorval / Zantaroth

Xivaskir 23 - 25

From the Mountain Shade Temple, Vultha rejoins the group by finding Zantaroth at the Parlor of Pardons and then, they meet up with the others at the breakfast table of the Retreat. They discuss going through a ritual to help Zantaroth remove his curse.

Going back to the spot where Vultha communed with Autumn Willow in the Mountain Shade Temple, Iskren casts a spell to remove the curse, which leads to the party defeating a grey monster inside of (what they surmise is) Zantaroth's Dreamscape.

Afterwards, they communicate with Sengir and learn of the proximity of another Black Anvil, which they can use to gain access to another potential Balor ally and destabilize Leshrac. 

With their spat behind them and a feeling of more mutual respect, Iskren and Sorval head to the smithy, followed by Zantaroth, and work progresses on the gear Sorval was making. Vultha and Taurio wind up at the Anaba Lodge, where they inquire after tattoos (being informed of two potential masters of the craft: Snarfblatt - the minotaur tattooist - and Giglund - a goblin mystic).

And thus, we head into downtime. 

Iskren spent some time and effort on getting to know the location of the Black Anvil, first through spellcraft (which fails, due to protective measures taken against the powers of Sengir and detection in general) and then through social interaction and mild application of pressure (which succeeds and points to a path in Koshun Pass, diverging from the main road to the Barony, where several hunters have either gone missing or half-eaten corpses were found). Having obtained this, and in return for applying some of the mild pressure aforementioned, Iskren turns their attention to teaching Zantaroth a bit of their restraint and techniques for focusing the mind. 

Taurio and Sorval spend some time together at the Anaba Lodge, where being seen with Taurio makes sure Sorval is treated with some deference and respect, and is allowed to see the Runesmith at work. Watching the aged minotaur craft intricate symbols of power helps Sorval a little along his path as a crafter, while Taurio gets to perfect a specific refined Kefir - Kumis.

Vultha spends a lot of time at the Mountain Shade Temple, putting a lot of effort into crafting two beautiful statues, one of Autumn Willow and one of Arcades Sabboth, during these moments, Vultha spends a lot of time lost in thoughts and in tune with nature, just becoming one with the landscape at times. Without noticing it, he changes the land around him and by the time he finishes his work, small outlines of a feminine form grace the insides of the tree where he was working. 

Zantaroth, checking in on his friend with a bit of unusually obtained meat, notices the presence of Autumn Willow in the hollowed tree and the two discover the place to have become consecrated to Autumn Willow. Taken aback a little but both feeling very satisfied, they spend some time together munching on the meat and reflecting on nature, leaving them both restored in body and mind after the arduous month they lived through.

Ulgrotha: Something punny with rock

 Party: Vultha / Sorval / Iskren / Taurio / Zantaroth

Xivaskir 22

After the pitfight, the party noticed Zantaroth running out, so they follow him out. 

Iskren and Sorval decide to leave the talking to Taurio and Vultha. Those two trail Z to the outside of town, all the while trying to get an explanation for his behavior. Zantaroth explains he was overcome with hunger, but no sure reason for the aggression leaps to the fore of his mind.

The three meet Tevesh Szat in the forest who offers a deal to Zantaroth, trading a 'control pendant' for a future favour. Zantaroth pretends to attune to the pendant. Afterwards, Tevesh disappears into a shimmering portal, where floating isles topped with white castles make up most of the vision. The three return to the town.

Iskren retires to their room after encountering a follower of Sengir who gives him some coin, as does Sorval, who spends the evening studying his Frostbrand.

 Zantaroth eventually finds his way to Iskren, disturbed by the item he had received and seeking some aid in shielding his mind. Iskren talks with Zantaroth about events that transpired. From the pendant, a certain aura of cold malice emanates, menancing. Also, a deep voice echoes within Zantaroth's mind, urging him to violence and almost driving him to distraction. Iskren takes the item and puts it to the side, the voice shifting into a more subtle whisper that seeks to convince Iskren to grasp more power. The cleric steels themselves, shoves the item under their pillow and talks to Zantaroth about it influencing the mind and friendship. They also suggest to cure Big Z with all powers at his disposal. 

"Your problems are our problems [...] Everything that is yours, is mine." - Iskren

After Zantaroth leaves, Iskren and Taurio talk about investments such as booze, 'not getting stabbed'-clothes, the metaphysical nature of the soul and legal possession of such things. Taurio siddles out of the room a little richer and still the owner of his spiritual elements.

Vultha, arriving at the Mountain Shade Temple outskirts, meets Loosha (a minotaur mercenary who accompanied the group from the bridge to Strongrock) and has a bit of a chat with her about Taurio before she leaves disappointed with a lack of information. Vultha then meditates near the statue of Autumn Willow he had crafted. In his meditative dreams, Vultha realises the plans Szat shows him in his dreams, they are not what he seeks for the Shademurk or nature at all.

Zantaroth sleeps an uneasy dream, with Szat standing near him and telling him he ought to have kept what he was given, before a mucky red ground sucks Zantaroth into an unnatural darkness. Waking up, there are clawmarks around the bedding.

Iskren communes with Baron Sengir, learning the magics of Szat are not specifically unending or all-mighty. The Baron suggests enforcing gratitude in those aided in order to gain leverage with Autumn Willow. He also thinks it would be fun to give Zantaroth wings.

Xivaskir 23

Sorval takes an early bath, the party meets at breakfast. They plot to check out the Anaba Lodge, the Irone Brotherhood and discover Vultha not being around. Going to 'the graveyard', Sorval talks to Big Z and has a bit of a discussion about power with Iskren. The chat goes a bit sour, but they agree to discuss it later on.

At the Mountain Shade Temple, Vultha notices the grass around the statue he had carved having become more healthy, fresher somehow. He takes the statue and goes looking for the party.