Y4 D39 & 40 Report

General Summary

Sage's Hollow is introduced to four new members: the tablet-studying Nizhalgal, cult leader hopeful Carmine, sword-seeking Titus and the unfortunate Darcinogen, whose first steps into town were preceded by a wildfire! Meeting them at the proverbial gates are Tanaros and Merios, who do their best to explain the ins and outs of the town to the newcomers. Little did this group know that they would soon have their own adventure thanks to the handiwork of one very frustrated-sounding, disembodied voice! Several hours passed in relative peace in Sage's Hollow (save for Carmine suddenly taking ill, helped back to his feet by Tanaros' caffeinated concoction) until a mysterious, reddish tear suddenly opened up in the middle of town, sucking in Titus as the rest of the crew swiftly leaped in. Some were carried by whimsy; others, by tales of a mysterious library...but none could have foreseen the end result of their actions, for the portal suddenly faltered, spitting all six of them out to the west of Sage's Hollow, beyond the river. Their only clue to what happened were the words, uttered from somewhere beyond the portal, "Come on...come on...DAMMIT!" Working together, the team organized and managed to survive despite word (and a sighting!) of goblins in the area. Their actions led to the rescue of a young girl, whose father offered to pay the team for her safe return. While five of them refused the money, and an argument soon heated up the cold climate considerably, it ultimately went to the one dissenter, Carmine, who wished to use it as a donation to the religion he was attempting to build. Frustrated and ready to move on, the team made their way back towards Sage's Hollow via a raft that had been most fortuitously left behind. Meanwhile, far to the east... The cave was cleared and a new mission was imparted to the adventuring team, who emerged from the darkness stronger than before. Just as in town, however, the adventurers were suddenly met with a now-familiar sound of popping and crackling as a red tear opened itself before them, prompting Conord, Silver, Varren and Isabella to leap inside. Mellis, feeling guilty about leaving Alger behind, remained, helping with repairs and beginning a project to craft a canvas jacket with Alger's provided materials. The portal, as the one in town would, faltered, leaving behind a frustrated cry of, "DAMMIT!" as the other four were spat out just slightly to the west. Conord, pushed to his limit at the need to return to town, hauled up two enormous cherry logs and literally prayed himself back to Sage's Hollow instantaneously. Varren ran back, to be followed later by Mellis, while Silver and Isabella found nests of silk-bearing spiders and honey-crafting bees and a flock of sheep. As half the team returns to town, the other half remains in the east. What will they do now? None can say. Because only two things are certain in this world.