"Wait, the first answer to the riddle or the first riddle?"  Dathnaea says, perplexed by Adryn's revelation.

Adryn pauses a moment to try and recall what the whispers of the wind said, "Unfortunantely, I think that would be too easy. I'm afraid the riddle is all we will be given."

Adryn looks toward Aethen and Genovia for confirmation.

   Aethen smiles at the verbal confusion.  "Dathnaea, the first riddle.  We were told that the first riddle toward saving humans would be found there."

"Well that's helpful," she says sarcastically.

She nods to Adryn.

"I would assume that is what was meant."

Nodding at Dathnaea, "I know there isn't much to go off of, but at least it's a start. I think things will start to become clearer as we get closer to the cradle."

"Perhaps our meeting will shed some light as well."

"Whatever else may be true, you've received a vision from your god.  He would not send you to your deaths without purpose.  If Torhavich is our friend or our enemy, our purpose seems clear and our path laid out before us.  The gods guide our lives onward and the Evangiel's timeline draws to a close.  If we do not succeed, there will not be time for anyone else to try."  Grondor, usually so silent in important matters lapses back into it to allow the group to digest his words.

Grondor's words certainly rang true for Adryn. The message he received laid out clear and defined objectives.

"You're absolute right, Grondor. There is no time to waste, and the gods would not have shown us this path if it were not important. Whatever the gods have in store for us however, I feel it necessary to be prepared for such things... and might I add, its nice having you back".

Adryn was happy to see Grondor back to his old self.

The hobgoblins grins a toothy grin and pats Adryn on the back heartily.  "Good to be back.  I still owe you folks one.  G'night all."  He trundles off to find the bed, following an unseen servant carrying a glowing stone.

Tyler, who has remained quiet through most of the meal and the discussion, nods to the others and heads off to bed without a word.  His actions do not indicate what might be going through his mind other than the great importance placed on his kind.

   Aethen sits on the floor and samples the various flora displayed on the tables.  Some cause him to scrunch his nose and fight at swallowing, but most give him no such reactions.  As the party begins to disperse into their assigned quarters, Aethen stands and moves toward a servant bearing a glowstone.  He asks the phantom to speak to Shavon, following it as it leads the way.

As the room begins to thin out, Adryn takes a few last bites of his meal and walks towards the rooms exit. He looks around the room with sense of finality, trying to take as much in as possible... certain that this is probably the last time he will see a place like this.

A few moments pass, and the he turns to follow the unseen servant back to his room.

Kahmaul waits for the others to retire to rest. Once they have found their places to retire to, the Anthros finds his way to a quiet corner to pray. He has taken precious little time to do so since their journey began. He wonders if he is strong enough to protect the others within this Cradle and frowns as he thoughts move to the vision of death the others have seen.

Finishing his prayer Kahmaul chuckles, "Fear not death, but a life of regret and failure." He moves to rest for the remainder of their stay.

When the others awaken in the morning they find a smiling Invar waiting outside the gates of Shavons home. He seems to be packed and ready to depart. He found it rude to enter the building unannounced, and his tasks left him within the city until very late in the evening. He waits for the group to depart and falls into step behind them.

The rest of the guests slowly leave to their rooms, one by one, guided by silent, invisible attendants.  Late in the night, a haunting melody drifts through the manse.

Our hearts are heavy laden,
With burden from the stars.
We lean on others strength,
Yearning for home afar.

What will be our end here?
What will be our fate?
Can we last the coming storm,
Or all be found by Hate?

When great evil comes for us,
My kind has not the strength,
Neither skill nor power,
To live before Death's gate.

Give your strength to those,
Who live within the trees.
Arms and hearts for that which grows,
Now tend to us in need.

Give your skill to those,
Whose arts both steel and mind,
With ready wits and bows,
Ne're leave one of us behind.

Give your pow'r to those,
Who stand within the way,
Their bodies and their might,
To shield my kind this day.

To those who've come before,
And those who follow after,
Let your blessings fall e'er sure,
Turning pain to laughter.

Oh Lord most high and mighty,
He who created all,
We beseech your presence,
To save us from our Fall.

   As all of the companions gather and proceed onward, Aethen finds himself near the front.  Taking advantage of his position, he walks forward until even with Shavon.

   "I wanted to thank you for sending me to the shaman, her help was invaluable."  Aethen spoke softly, but with no effort to conceal his words.  "What concerned me was the tone in which she regarded Torhavich.  She accused him of using others, under dubious circumstances, to explore this Cradle."

   He paused, because he did not want to seem as if he was accusing or supporting a point of view he did not share.  "The words heartless and cruel were used to describe this person.  Are they apt descriptions?"

"Heartless?  Cruel?  I would not use those terms though I can see where others might.  Torhavich does what he must, what is necessary.  Sometimes that entails sending people into situations that he knows have little chance of survival.  Still, those situations must be addressed.  I would say that Torhavich is one led by his mind, regardless of how his heart might break in doing it."  He pauses briefly then quirks a brief smile so short you almost don't catch it.  "I'm glad you found Sephanya to your liking."

Curious, Ardyn's ears perk up when Aethen mentions the trip to see Sephanya.

"When did you go see a shaman? Was that recent?"

"He went last night, oh observant one," Dathnaea teases the young Anthros and gives him a friendly bump with her hip...which hits just above the knee on the giant.  For whatever reason she seems to be in a better mode, more open, more cheerful, and less afraid than since anyone met her.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Sun 31 July 2011.

   Aethen smiles, in spite of himself.  "Adryn, I went to see Sephanya last night.  I needed a particular item and our host was kind enough to tell me the way."  His hand briefly reaches up and brushes against a charm that was hanging from a leather strap.

   "And yes," Aethen turns to Shavon, "I found her to my liking.  Thank you."  He emphasizes his gratitude with a small bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Sun 31 July 2011.

Adryns chuckles ever so slightly.

 "Well if the observant one is going to have an off day, I'd much rather it be in the company of friends than out in the wilds"., he says smiling back at Dathnaea.

"Thats a fine trinket you have there, Aethen", Adryn says squinting at the charm. "What does it do?"

"I've got my sights set on something as well, but its going to take some time to save up."

   Aethen looks down at the charm, then back up to Adryn.  "This will allow me to talk to the natives we encountered in the forest, without the necessity of conjuring the ability."

   Aethen pauses for a moment.  "You should go and speak with Sephanya.  She made it seem as though she had and over-abundance of items for those such as ourselves."  He smiles and nods to himself.  "I would be more than happy to show you there myself."

Adryn's eyes widen, "That sounds like it would be extremely useful. If you have the time, I wouldn't mind visiting this shaman. I'll need to collect my money and see what I can afford. How far away is it?"

You have time on your way out of town.  Sephanya is not in when you arrive at the shop but a young Anthros clerk is there and will sell you a charm for 1210 gold, since that happens to be the current price at which folk are willing to pay, as the clerk explains.  Unfortunately the charms won't work for non-druids.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:59, Mon 01 Aug 2011.

   Aethen stands behind Adryn, looking around the shop intently.  When the clerk announces the price to his waiting friend, Aethen chuckles to himself.

   When the transaction is done, Aethen follows his fellow druid out, looking back only once.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Mon 01 Aug 2011.