18. Onwards, East

Leaving behind the burning forest, the adventurers continued to Trg. For the most part, it was a quiet evening at the town lodgings, though Bal’Aur and Catsby took the opportunity to amuse themselves at the Siren’s Call.
The following morning they arranged a coach to take them back to the village of Junstol, where their adventure had begun only barely two weeks ago.
The village people here seemed somewhat on the edge, and they found out the reason shortly. The Soulguard Knight that had been left behind by the Inquisitor Roscoud was outside of Mirabel’s home, sporting new scars.
Mikael told them that the village had been attacked by a couple of strange monsters last night, and without any hesitancy the knight had thrown himself into combat.
Mirabel was also nearby at that time, and also bravely joined in with her smith's hammer The monsters were killed, but not before tearing apart and devouring an old man who was simply taking a stroll during the summer eve.
Bal'Aur sought Mirabel and she confirmed the story, noting that despite that the Soulguard were partly responsible for the execution of her father, Mikael had fought bravely.
The monsters were described like balls of plum coloured flesh, with multiple asymmetric arms and wide grinning mouths that split atop the apex of their forms. Their carcasses now smouldered after being set alight by Mikael.
With the situation seemingly under control, the adventurers did not tarry and sought to find out how to get to Rez Isle. What little information they could gather, some of the locals mentioned that there was an underwater ridge that during the lowest tides of the month could left on their journey further east, towards Rez Isle, despite the approaching night.

Karoocha!

The travel east went without problems. They used the bright stars to navigate, which were clear given the sky was bereft of Lanar or the Prophets. They sat camp without any careful preparation and most slept fitfully, regardless of the uncomfortable, rocky ground.
They set forth again in the morning, surveying the land. The valley was mostly flat, rocky terrain with small shrubs, interspersed by what peculiar trees. The trees were now past their full bloom, with some white, lily-like perfumed flowers among the sharp leaves still remaining.
The sun traveled higher and the adventurers trekked for miles, hampered by the lack of paths.
It was mid-afternoon when they reached the coast, where Rez Isle lay in front of them. It was a large isle, with a large mountain that jutted up from its centre.
They then noticed a large white shape circling them, and sought cover under the sparse trees around them. Regardless, the shape descended to the ground near them and looked at the adventurers. Some of them realized that the creature was a white dragon.
It threateningly glared at them before it spoke, introducing itself as Karoocha and that it demanded tribute in return for safe passage through her lands. The adventures threw down gold and gems to appease Karoocha, and in return she let them past.
Not far between it and the exposed causeway, they passed remnants of somebody’s body that had been torn in parts, resting in gory puddles, but they ignored it to quickly get as far away from the dragon.

A Strange Community

The adventurers proceeded across the exposed sea floor, the ocean’s waves cruising past them on each side. They quickly reached the coast of Rez Isle, where a dozen or so villagers, armed with pitchforks and such emerged from the bushes. They were led by a brutish man, who beneath his close evidently wore armour.
The leader of the group challenged the adventurers and after a tense moment, they let the adventurers past following their mention that they were here to see Florence, Gilles’ friend. The brute ordered one of his men to lead the group of adventurers to Rezmouth, the small community where Florence was.

The young man who guided them introduced himself as Robnob, who had sallow skin and wide, bulging eyes. The adventurers followed him and during the trek that lasted a couple of hours sought some answers from Robnob, who tried to help them as much as he could.
Of note, the community followed a strange religion, and certain persons were chosen to ascend claim their reward, which meant travelling to the Nameless Mountain. These people were never seen again, and Florence was a newly chosen.
They arrived in Rezmouth, a sorry state of a village by a lake where many of its buildings and shanties were dilapidated or half rotting from the incessant moisture.

Though there was a large white house on its edge that looked considerably pristine and by the lake they could also see the large church looming over the village.
Robnob led them inside the tavern called The Eel, and told them to wait. He would bring the leader of the community, Father Raab, to come after the sermon and speak to them.
After being fed and provided drinks at no charge, a bearded and aged tiefling entered The Eel, clad in a heavy brown robe, though the sound of armour could be heard clinking underneath. He approached them and welcomed them to Rez Mouth, introducing himself as Father Raab.
Gilles asked about his friend, and the elder confirmed that she was in the village, undergoing meditation as part of her status of being chosen. They could freely find her later in the evening.
The group enquired further regarding the community, and Father Raab explained that Rezmouth was a quiet and respectful community, home to many an outcast and called upon the Protector – their version of god.
Some people were chosen and would ascend the Nameless Mountain and to the temple in its heights, obtaining their ultimate desires and happiness. Those his claims seemed strange, the tiefling appeared genuine in his beliefs.
Father Raab offered them the village's hospitality, on the condition that they would not cause problems.
When the village elder left, the adventurers huddled around and pondered their next steps.

Locations
Junstol
Rez Isle
Date
Sune 13th-14th, 5249AC