The Road to Magrae

Population Migration / Travel

The Group continues their travels, escorting Benadon towards Vinlok. This leg of their journey brings them from Youk to the Youkan town of Magrae.

After spending the remainder of the the 14th of Uath in Youk, the group gathered Benadon's cart and their horses and set out towards Magrae.   Three days of bright sun and quiet travel passed by (15th-17th of Uath). On the first night, the group stayed in an Inn in a small village. The next three nights were spent under the stars.   On the fourth day of travel (18th of Uath), a set of ridges rose on each side of the river the road had been following. The group halted, taking a short breather while Zyck cast his silver spiderlegs to Augur the path ahead and Alto climbed the ridge to see what he could see. Zyck's casting showed a chance of danger ahead. Alto saw a small man further along the ridge, with several wolves and mastiffs keeping him company. He seemed to be watching the trail, waiting for something. Alto stayed in his position, having a brief scare as a pair of mastiffs and one of the wolves seemed to be sniffing him out before being called by the small man.   The Rest of the group continued on the trail, passing by the small man. Alto watched him look at the group with a spyglass and mark something on a roll of parchment before mounting one of the mastiffs and bringing his pack of canines down the opposite side of the ridge, riding into the depths of Prost Forest. After seeing this, Alto returned to the group and told them of what he had seen. The group agreed that because he had not been seen by the apparent scout, Alto should tail the group at a distance to watch for ambushes from the rear.   The rest of the day passed by uneventfully. That night, Zyck felt a presence moving through the air, heading in a Southward direction. He could not see the creature, but felt something amiss. It passed by quickly, not seeming to notice or care of the group's existence (18th of Uath(night)).   The following day (19th of Uath), the group moved cautiously along the road, which separated from the river, heading deeper into Prost Forest, Alto trailing behind by about a hundred feet.   At a region of particularly dense foliage, Zyck noticed that a few branches had been intentionally manipulated to provide cover, along with the glint of metal. He signalled to the group to halt and be prepared for conflict. Imp sent a quick message to Alto, updating him with the Zyck's warning.   From behind, Alto could see the small man he had seen on the ridge the previous day. He and his canine companions were sneaking behind the group.   Realizing the jig was up, three of the ambushers stepped unto the trail in front of the group, demanding they turn over their valuables. Zyck traded intimidation tactics with them as Kkakkar quietly prepared to conjure an orb of flame.   When it became confrontation was inevitable, Kkakkar unleashed his orb, beginning a fight that ended in the death of all but five of their twenty-one assailants. Two fled into the woods, two willingly surrendered, and one was knocked into unconsciousness by Zyck. Kkakkar's horse was also slain and Benadon took a crossbow bolt, but was revived by Imp.   After speaking to Zyck's prisoners, they learned they were called Cassian and Pro Da. They told Zyck that the third, unconscious prisoner, name was Yalara. Cassian said that he had only joined the bandit group only a week prior to the party's arrival. Pro Da said he joined a month or two ago.   The group learned that the leader