Into the woods

After the battle with the wererats, we rested in the miners sleeping quarters. In the morning, we searched the rest of the bodies, and then began searching the mines to ensure the threat was over. shortly after finding a room with some Dwarven miners (who were not happy about going back to work) we were attacked by some more giant rats. Tyu was hit several times before we killed them all, but in the end things were fairly simple. I also found I had gained in power, and was able to unlock a couple of more powerful spells into my spellbook. We divided what we found, as far as money we each kept a chunk of gold and left 5 gold chunks as well as all the silver and copper coins we found for Don-Jon to pay his miners when they return. We also found a pair of goggles that allow the wearer to see in the dark. Originally I was going to keep these goggles, but it makes more sense for the Dragonborne to have them, as he cant see in the dark, and I have my spells. From the mine we travelled into Never winter wood to find this Manse the Falcon told us about. While we searched we encountered a "shack" in the woods. Upon investigating we were confronted by a Banshee. Fortunately she did not want to fight, as I believe we would have lost more party members than it would have been worth right now. She did ask us to bring her a gift. What in all the underworld does someone gift to an undead spirit. Fenestrae suggested spectral flowers. I do not know if she was joking. We finally found the Manse and as we approahed we spotted several boars eating in the pumpkin fields. They ignored us for the most part and we entered the Manse through the front door. We split up to search the ground floorand Arget discovered a room with a well, and a tree growing out of the well. There was a strong sense of evil magic surrounding this tree. We also heard what could only be Orc voices coming from two rooms off the tree room. As the group positioned themselves to enter battle, Arget decided to enter one of the rooms, with Ryu right behind him. Apparently (as I was told later) the Orc Shaman was in this room and summoned quite a few plant monsters. to attack Arget and Ryu. In the meantime, from the second door quite a few Orcs filed out looking for us. Fortunate for our party, I was quick enough to cast a spell before the Orcs could charge. I used one of my new spells, and it did not fail to impress, or collapse part of the building. I threw a small orb of fire into the midst of the Orcs and the flame exploded injuring or killing a number of the orcs, as well as the evil tree. The orcs fortunately were far enough away from me that they could not get to me right away. Aldrin was not so lucky and he was hit several times before he was able to get away from his attackers and take flight. The other Orcs moved to attack Ryu, and he was quickly down. I do have to add that my spell did not affect my party members that I was able to see due to me willing it not to. I believe however Arget took fire damage, but again I could not see him to protect him. I feel justified in blaming him for that. To keep this short and not bore my readers with gorry details of battle, we fought the orcs, and I eventually ended the battle with a second ball of exploding flame (again protecting my party members I could see. This time I finished off the orcs and the tree, as well as several tree creatures that climbed out of the well. I also collapsed more of the building which also killed some Orcs. I am hoping in the future, If Fenestrae and/or Ryu want to rebuild this Manse we will be able to, but that is for later. According to Arget the Shaman he was fighting was able to escape by jumping out of a window. Fenestrae told us she was 3 boars running into the forest. Upon searching the Manse we found a map the Coast with a line drawn to a circle of logs? benches? its a crude map, but I am sure we can follow it. We also found some dust that makes the user disappear, a staff that imitates birdcalls, a cloak that billows when commanded and a rod that when activated will not move. Not sure how useful these items will be, but we will divided them amongst the group after we rest again.