Session 25: Bysaes Tyl Revelations

General Summary

After finding the "beacon" in some ruins of Aeor, the party were picked up by the Eryn'Alqua and they finished the trip to Bysaes Tyl under the spring rain.
The boat arrived in the Port of Bysaes Tyl in the evening. Captain Y'llahana stated that the city proper was roughly 5 hours inland into the forest, so they should stay the evening and set out at first light. And he would send word ahead that they arrived. The party could bunk on the boat or maybe along the sea edge just outside the tree line. They chose to enjoy a break in the weather and a beautiful sunset on the coast.
The next morning, the party reached the eastern gate of the Port and found Captain Y'llahana waiting with a cart and a few crates in the back. He mentioned he sent word ahead and that the Ring of Three would be waiting for them. The party set off.
The lush, live, natural forest of the northern Pearlbow Wilderness was wonderful change over the twisted, corrupted Savalirwood they left behind. Atreena, never having known any different, was particularly taken aback.
A few hours after they started up the well traveled road, a runner came from the opposite direction and stopped the cart. He asked to speak to the Captain in private. The Captain and the messenger walked into the woods and started to chat. Atreena slipped into the woods behind them to eavesdrop.
Atreena overheard that some of the party were considered criminals by the Empire and that the Ring would meet them outside of the city.
By the time the Captain returned back to the cart, Atreena was back as well. The Captain wasted no time and let them know that the Ring knows the identities of Zanthros, wanted for being a traitor to the crown, and Eglantina, wanted for murder. While these are serious crimes, the Ring still wanted to meet with them. They would instead meet an hour outside the city in secluded location. The party agreed and they continued along the road, but the took a turn north into the forest along a less traveled path.
They arrived in a verdant glade, surrounded by tall trees and lush, soft grass. On the opposite side stood a wooden statue of a beautiful, androgynous elven figure flanked by marble pillars covered in vines that had gold and silver blooming flowers. Brother Les quickly determined it was a representation of Correllon, the elven god of beauty and spring, and considered the mother and father of the elves.
A few hours go by and just after sunset, from the east, three elves in cloaks emerge from the tree line, followed by more elves that are armed. The three cloaked elves walk to stand in front of the statue of Correllon and then turn to introduce themselves as the Ring of Three.
The party recounts their tails of stopping the corruption of Molaesmyr, bring up the Nightback clan and how they should be involved, and any possible rewards for their services, including being involved in the library and other possible rewards. The Ring offers an immediate payment of 5000gp and says more will come.
The problem the Ring has is that with the Molaesmyr freed of the source of corruption, they can look to a future where they no longer have to live under the Dwendalion empire, and the fact that two criminals of the Empire are their saviors. They express that they hold no issue with a traitor of the Empire, as they will likely be considered such as well once they leave the city. And an alleged murderer, who states she is innocent, can be overlooked as the pro's outweigh the cons. BUT, they need to keep their future plans a secret, and the party could gather too much attention by the current Starosa (mayor) of the Empire in the city. So, the Ring asked that the party leave the city until such time that the city of Molaesmyr is reclaimed. And that should they find themselves in Molaesmyr in the future, they will be welcome and rewarded greatly.
The Ring of Three leaves them to rest for the night in the peaceful glade and asks they leave by the morning. When told about the party's plans to head west, they state they can travel west towards Icehaven and maybe charter a boat there, or travel over the mountains. Or, they could make their way to Odessloe, towards the heart of the Empire, and might find a wizard there that could transport them quickly to the coast.
The party decides to travel to Icehaven to get out of the Empire quicker.
The next morning, the party packs and starts west towards Icehaven. The spring rains are cold and dreary.
That evening, the party encounters a pair of figures on the road waiting. Atreena immediately slinks off into the trees. The party approaches the pair. Zanthros recognizes the clothing of the pair as being from the Cerberus Assembly. One a wizard, the other a Volstrucker, or Scourger.
They get closer and the pair strike up a conversation with Zanthros, asking him to come quietly, else he will be taken by force and his friends will die. Zanthros has none of that as he doesn't want to return. Violence erupts.
After an exchange of fireballs and arrows, the trees surrounding the party erupts with lances of fire from hidden Volstrucker agents. The party quickly scrambles to combat the new threat.
Atreena rushes into the branches of the trees and faces off against one female half-orc, fighting amongst the leaves.
Zanthros drops some fireballs and other massive damage against some agents above him in the branches.
Pooka rushes forward with Akoop and quickly slices down the main Volstrucker agent.
Eglantina rushes around, tossing eldritch blasts this way and that.
And Brother Les drops his glowing sun of Pelor and keeps his friends alive.
Before long, over half of the Volstruckers are dead and the rest turn invisible, disappearing into the night.
Disturbed by the fact that they were tracked here, the party decides to not go directly to Icehaven, and instead makes their way to a bridge on the road, then diverts their path to follow the river south towards Yrrosa, hoping that the change of direction will throw off any pursuers of the remaining Volstruckers.
How long can they evade the Cerberus Assembly and protect Zanthros? What will they find in Yrrosa? How can they reach the coast and what lies in store for them there?

Report Date

13 Mar 2021