Session notes 10-8-2020

6th day in the Feywild - continued
 
Almost forgot to mention, we are currently on the Highwind again, travelling with Baradox, while writing all this. Just after we stood there looking at Thalmiir, William came running in. He had followed our tracks, found some dead vine creatures, and passed through the different rooms and found us standing just outside the courtroom, befuddled by grief and slight relief of seeing him enter after not having seen him the past few hours. As we told him what happened, the somewhat relieved expression on his face faded to meet the sadness that was in our eyes. As we stepped away to reveal Thalmiir's statue from which all liveliness had now faded, William simply crashed down in front of it. Overwhelmed by his emotions we simply joined him for a little bit. After we had all been quiet for a while, we looked at each other and realised that, even though we do not want to, we must go on. We once again thanked the Emerald King for his aid in slaying the Queen and for the wish that he gave us. This was responded to that we would always be welcome here, an invitation for life. Smiling slightly at the idea that those centaurs could not repeat their word game, we gave a small nod to the King, and we all said our goodbyes to Thalmiir as we made our way out of the reforming throneroom again.
 
The satyr looked better, by the way, he must have drunk from the well as well.
 
The way back was odd. I think it was because, firstly, we were all in thought, and secondly, because the forest was changing around us. The dark forests that we walked trhough on our way here were reshaping as we walked through. It seemed lighter now, and less claustrophobic somehow. The Emerald Queen must have really had an impact on the surroundings.
 
 
We just discussed what we are going to do. After telling Baradox what happened we were all kind of struck with sorrow again. And after writing, thinking and keeping lookout we continued the conversation. Now, we have decided to take some time, a day or perhaps two to gather our senses. Luckily Baradox knew a place, the Silver forest slightly out of the way north towards the fire giants (our next stop). This sounded good, and we sat down for the ride once again.
During this, we also had a discussion about Thalmiirs possesions. Some health potions were handed out, and I was handed the ring of spell storing. It felt odd, somehow. More could be discussed later.
 
During the flight, I took some time to just lie on my back and look at the clouds. Liya soon joined me, but our minds wandered and we did not see anything remotely interesting. What was interesting, however, was Ferrum doing some kind of meditation. That may not sound exciting, but he says he can connect to his ancestors that way, which sounds really neat! He can simply ask a question and get a yes or no answer if I understood correctly. That is really nice, he asked them is staying in the forest seems safe and they responded yes, which is reassuring. William was really quiet throughout the flight, I hope he is doing okay. He seems like the kind of person who processes most of his things on his own, but I hope that a bit of rest helps him.
 
Almost forgot, Ferrum has also sent a message to Roberta. Informing her about how we gained one and (a half) of the ingredients and about the price we paid for that. She seemed genuinely worried about our sudden change in tone (for her barely an hour had passed since our last message) and she mostly said she was very sorry. Next to that, we had mentioned if there was the possibility of sending someone else to help us, as we had learned that with only four the risk of loss is present, and with Erky wandering around this place, we are again with only four.
 
 
We landed not too long ago on a riverbank. The forest beautiful in a strange way. It is nothing like the forest in the emerald kingdom. The trees are, as the name implies silver. Due to this, they reflect and bend the light of the permanent sunset in strange and enticing ways.
 
After quickly checking out the place a bit, I decided to set up a little hut, as when we arrived, it was already quite 'late' for all of us (except Baradox who had slept already). Laying under the trees gave another nice look at the almost iridescent leaves and needles. Ferrum kept the first watch, because of the fear of Oranje returning, I set up an alarm around him, and William bound his hands. It may seem excessive, but with the heat and pain, Oranje must have gone through we were scared that he might take over and leave when he does.
While we were doing this, Liya set u some kind of trap with arrows closer to the river. It looked like quite a contraption.
 
 
Keeping watch is quite a bore, nothing much is happening. Well, Mina in her bat-shape was quite fun to watch, as the small insects flying around seemed to dance and move around her like the waves around a ship. I think I am going to wake up William in a bit.
 
 
 
7th day in the Feywild
 
The first hours of the morning were mostly filled with cleaning peoples clothes and sending them for a swim in the river. I have now really gotten the hang of the spell I must say hahah!
 
We have also received a letter from Roberta, with the simple question to keep us up to date. Also, she might send someone to help us.
 
The rest of the day was filled with chatting, swimming and overall relaxing. It has been a while since we took some time for ourselves. Baradox joined us in the relaxing, floating in the river and even catching a fish without much trouble! Not sure how he does it, with those crystals grown over his eyes?
 
We exchange some stories, Ferrum explains his story to Baradox. Even William about who, even though we have travelled for some time together now, we know little of his past. He dropped quite some heavy information about his heritage, mainly that he was abandoned as a baby. That is quite, harsh. He did not really want to share much more about it, which is understandable, perhaps later. (I did feel like apologising for asking about his parents some time ago, felt quite bad about that now) Still, we talked a bit about the places we want to go and where we have been. For example, William would not recommend going to the desert while literally carrying a dead man, but otherwise, it has its charm. I am not sure what he has been through, but it sounds very very rough, I truly hope that the universe also balances out all these hardships for him in the form of easier and better times.
 
Baradox seems really keen about keeping information and writing about the past and the current events. He mentioned this to Ferrum, as he used to write down the 'dreams' he had as a young elf about his past lives. I kinda merged into this conversation by being enthusiastic about my new writing habit, which is kind of new actually. Ferrum was not too happy to hear that I was kind of a well laid-back (slacker) in my studies before I met them. His teacher-side seemed quite disappointed about this. He did explain a lot of things about the Elves and the Feywild for me, with some additions from Baradox. I did my best to pay attention, but to be honest, I have never been the best at staying attentive, so I might have wandered off for just a little bit. Okay a little more than just a little bit, but I am quite sure that neither Ferrum nor Baradox noticed.
 
More things that I picked up were the name of Ferrums older sister: Saronya. As well as him theorising that he might have been hurt or killed by his own family, as he had a really rare disease (a blood fungus), but perhaps that is just speculation.
 
The rest of the day, we sat, ate a bit and sunbathed until we were done with it. Without keeping any watches, we went to sleep.
 
8th day in the feywild

This morning we woke up with dark clouds approaching from the east. Today, we will continue our travels and make our way towards the fire giants fortress in the mountain.
 
After breakfast and packing up, we say goodbye to the serenity of this place and get back aboard the Highwind once again. Flying along the river, we can see how large this forest actually is, the silvery shine stretching far.
 
On our trip, Ferrum drops yet another piece of information on us: Baradox is his father. Yes, he is Baradox grandmother, but Baradox is his father. This whole family seems to be a bit odd. Luckily, Ferrum took the time to explain the way elvish reincarnation works, and how this is possible. Like the teacher-duo they are, Baradox filled in the gaps and explained that this is something that is more specific to their family, and it explains their strong ties to their ancestors. Which explains Ferrums connection with his past and his past lives.
 
This talk took quite some time, and all the while we fly rust above the tree tops. It has started to rain softly, but the overall weather is calm, no harsh wind or creepy clouds aiming rocks at us. The light of the permanent sunset now reflects and refracts on the silver leaves and somehow silver evergreen of the forest below.
 
I stated that I wanted to write some things about Thalmiir. Some stories, quotes and memories about him. I already got the following from our wonderful party (some only work in dwarvish)
"Hij was best knap (in het maken van dingen)" - Liya
"The rapier he made works great!" - Liya
"I wouldn't be walking if it wasn't for him" - Ferrum
 
Perhaps on a more serious note, he was a guy who I think really guided us through a lot of things. I think it would be important to note down deeds such as retrieving strange artefacts and saving us in battles as well as leading a rebellion of duergar against a Dao who had enslaved them. These are stories to be remembered. That they might inspire those who come after us or amuse them who listen in on everything I do.
 
 
A few more hours pass as we approach the mountain in which the fire giants live and work. Ferrum tells us what he knows about the giants:
Are they nice? No.
Are they stubborn? Yes.
Are they stupid? No.
That is about it.
 
Baradox has a little bit more info: These giants are building a large robot, one they intend to probably use to try and conquer more of the feywild. They take prisoners and make them mine, their leader is Zalto, who is stronger and larger than the others. They hardly ever go outside. And finally, on top of the hill lives a community of Yakfolk, who live of the heat generated by the forges and grow their food there.
 
After this info we tried to prepare best we can. I attuned to the ring of spell storing. (fancy that I have now got two magic rings) But in order to prep our plan, I had to empty out the spells that were still there: A healing word, a guiding bolt and a sending spell. Feels odd to use these spells which remind us all somehow of Thalmiir. While I let the healing word out without a target and sent the guiding bolt up into the sky, I used the sending spell to message Gizelle, the sister in law of Thalmiir to inform her of his death, but also that we would come back to help. There was little response, but that was to be expected...
 
The mountain is close now. I can spot some kind of large door in the middle of it, it shines slightly green. Almost there.