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.