Silvanost, City of Elves

 08 Hiddumont 348 AC

After Raven suggests planting the magical seed Cedron carries in his pouch in Silvanesti, the minstrel-priest is taken aback, Cedron turns to Raven “A fine idea but where to plant the seed?” He muses momentarily, “The Tree of Progess is not only a conduit for Malazzarrr to a realm, but it also a location of reverence. It’s placement is not to be taken lightly. An ill-minded lumberjack could undo all that has done with a careless swing.” says the minstrel-priest. “If I could find a location of relative peace, then I’d gladly try. Perhaps a local can guide us?”

"I think an elven realm is probably one of the most unlikely places one could find an ill-minded lumberjack," Raven replies. 

“Truth be spoken. But the concern remains valid if not for safety than appropriateness.  I bet our lovely guide can offer a suggestion,” says the minstrel with a tone of optimism.

Raven then tells Cedron about the vision he had while he was laid out. He was in a far-off realm at a fancy castle during some posh dinner party. People had come from all around to pay homage and pledge loyalty to a woman named "Queen Marie." A fight broke out and bandits captured the Queen and hauled her off. He was pressed into service to carry out a rescue and after much struggle found himself in the lair of a ... "rat king, I think." Raven fought and slew the queen's captors, this rat king, and some sort of spindly-legged construct that was powered by an unbreakable piece of hard candy. While battling the machine, a guard he had missed ran Marie through with his blade. There was a flash of energy and when Raven awoke, his arms and head were tingling as if he had fallen asleep atop them.

“That…is well…a lot. Even for us considering our history.”

Cedron sits there for a moment trying to appreciate the story Raven has shared with him. “Ran her through, you say? Then a flash of light? And now here?”

He nods his head in agreement. “I mean why the hells not!?! Nothing surprises me anymore. I’m just glad we’re all together, else nobody would believe us.”

Raven nods, "I guess as long as I don't take up baking again, everything will be alright."

Grotto packs away his alchemy set in frustration. Knowing his magic is limited, he practices with his axe. "You will not fail me!" Grotto says to his axe as he licks the blade, ever so slightly cutting his tongue.

Arthur begins to think what this world has to offer;

what monsters and lore there is. He look out the window over the horizon into the sky, he whispers to himself "what's out there waiting for us" almost drawn to this new world and it's mysteries. Lorraine, who has served as our primary host thus far, introduces the knight to one of her apprentices at the House of Healing, a silver-haired woman named Agnesallyn, often simply called "Agnes" for short. She smiles at the Lankhmarite's question. "It is a wide world, after all. All manner of man and beast roam the world. Dwarf kingdoms hide inside of great, hollowed-out mountains, mad gnomes travel between towns hawking the wildest of steam and gear powered inventions - some of which almost work as intended." She frowns though, her face taking on a sad look for a moment, "There are also great ruined cities, torn apart when the gods brought down the Cataclysm. Continents shifted, cities reduced to a dust, forests burned to ash. Monsters roam the lost byways and shattered homes of the tens of thousands who were slain," she pauses, brightening somewhat, "but there are bastions of Good that still seek to preserve what remains and protect the peoples of these lands. Men like you, if I have understood the stories Lorraine and Onforithalas have told me."

Kysek continues to ponder how we return to our time. If not our own realm. His inability to commune with his wife and child is bringing him to a breaking point he’d care not to see. Onforithalas sees the plight of his unlikely friend and invites him to his home, introducing his wife, Tephysea.  Tephysea, a red-robed wizard, greets Kysek politely. "My husband has told me of your troubles.  I am saddened to hear of your plight.  I don't know how you are holding up so well, all things considered."

Knives locates a magic shoppe and purchases a few fire-breath elixirs, drawing concerned glances from the forest-dwelling elves working within. A nod from his escorts, guards in the employ of Onforithalas, does get him what he wants although the magical potions are turned over somewhat reluctantly. The thief-acrobat and former Mayor of Hamelin explores Silvanost at length, learning different routes to the city's gates. He knows that there must also be secret ways in and out of the elves' capital but suspects that the guards won't be in any hurry to reveal those to an outsider.