It is a day’s journey before the the tall, densely packed trees of the Lothenar Forest begin to thin, giving ground to the unforgiving terrain to the north. At the woodland’s edge, the group of adventurers can see that what lies beyond is a desolate, broken country, almost entirely absent of any vegetation, the arid soil marked by deep fissures and spotted with collections of jagged rocks and boulders.

Little stirs within the lonely landscape. The company members perceive a few lizards scuttling to the protective shadows cast by the taller boulders or patches of thin brush. From one crack, a snake emerges, winding amongst a grouping of dark stones in search of prey. Above, a single hawk screeches as it make a slow circle overhead. A cool wind crosses the emptiness from the west, strong enough to loosen some dust from the hard ground as it passes.

To the north, the adventurers can make out the tall silhouette of a mountain, its peak jutting up into the gray sky. But most of its stony expanse is hidden behind a dense veil of yellow fog. The curtain of mist appears fixed in place, somehow undisturbed by the passing wind. Those that gaze steadily at the cloud can see hints of a dark structure within it, a lone, ancient tower.

As the company regards the scene before them, they catch sight of a trio of riders, keeping to the concealment of the forest’s edge. At first, the party is uncertain of the approaching riders’ intentions until Renia speaks, stating that she recognizes the lead horseman, a fellow scout named Zinnelis, who she assures the adventurers is deeply loyal to King Gylharen.

Zinnelis and his fellow riders reach the group shortly, and the elf greets Renia warmly. He explains that Gylharen has been watching the gathering of Denagothian soldiers at the border with growing anxiety. The King, while still holding out hope that the adventurers would be able to retrieve Elvenstar, feared that Denagoth might seek to invade within weeks, and so had tasked some of his scouts and a handful of volunteers to seek out possible inroads into Denagoth, the means for small forces to infiltrate the country and possibly damage valuable targets within. Zinnelis and his companions had been seeking a way to reach the northernmost region of Denagoth, while circumventing the Lothenar Forest, a task that proved largely impossible.

Zinnelis confirms that they had heard the recent, terrible battle and thought that someone had fallen victim to the black dragon. He is is glad to learn of Vitriol’s demise, but sobered by the news of the loss of Jayanti and Patch.

”My companions, they are both adventurers of some accomplishment,” he explains, introducing his friends as the warrior Dimitri Reznov and the priest Windsor Moonwrought. ”It is surely by the blessing of Ildavir that we have come upon one another in such a dangerous land. Perhaps we could join you? Aid you in entering Gereth Minar and in winning back the Elvenstar?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

Jarder takes an immediate liking to the deadlands beyond the thickness of Lothenar Forest. Its predators have the good sense to stay on the ground or way above in the sky. Even better, he's had the time to dry out--not as dry as that lizard he just spotted but getting there.

Jarder smiles from ear to ear at the approach of the three riders and, impossibly, smiles even more when they offer their aid.

"It's not like we have any choice," Jarder japes. "If we said 'no,' you'd probably just stalk us until you could join the fun. So, yeah, you can join our gang but watch out for vengeful dragons."