Early afternoon when the party wakes up. Vikta crawls out of her tent, like an eldritch horror, and spots a large pot of stew being made the old woman guarding it reminds them of a dragon guarding their horde. Vikta gets the kids fed, and eats as well taking her "Boss" aka "Mom" role that she's taken upon as she adopted this horde of children. Vikta realizes she's been promoted to Cult Leader Mommy and Group Leader.
The party awakes to explore the camp.
Cynder interacts with a sage, sage-woman-creeper dressed in white and violet robes. The sage seems heavy, they have pale glowing sky blue eyes and gaunt-looking face dark wiry strands appearing to be a fem being. The woman claims to be a sage of the forest folk, after introspection about what we've seen so far and what she knows of her own past. She talks of Elisium. Cynder asks if the sage has an advice on how to undo the ritual that was done to her and Ember. She mentions the-forlorn which we have run into, and that she has seen and knows of such rituals. Going more in-depth she talks about Forsaken-Flame beings who failed and create abominations, they seek to destroy Barovia. However, all are insane and none are powerful enough to wield it. The sage knows of it and asks if it is still a sanctuary and safe place. She doesn't regret the power but the ritual she had no idea of, she does. Cynder mentions that she had no choice in bonding with Ember, and the sage asks some hard questions of what Cynder is willing to be free. The sage stands and is 7' tall.
Cynder wishes that Ember would be freed from her, she has a soft spot for Ember it seems. The sage does not like that at all and reaches out to try and grab Cynder. Cynder tells the woman to mind her manners and the sage demands the flame (which we can assume is Cynder). Cynder is startled but a ballsy bitch, Ember takes control and tries to disengage to get away. Ember gets away. The sage slinks back into her wagon.
Kenji finds the Vistani-pet-vendor. The man's voice puts Kenji off guard he is a super old man who offers to show Kenji all the animals. This man makes everyone worried he's 1foot in the grave with how he sounds.--god those parrots are annoying--but there’s a bobcat and a monkey. The Monkey is not very smart. Kenji is more of a canine person however, he knows the party loves felines. He goes to find Ember and brings her to Murder-Mittens.
Ember meets Murder Mittens and the birds are wild and the monkey is also a bit wild. The bobcat attacks the cage when Ember asks if it is hungry. "Its a cat how can it be civil?"- Kenji
Ember makes a deal a parrot for the Bobcat's obedience. Ember tries to see whether or not the monkey is a viable pet option.
[1:20:50]
The party heads to the Dusk Elves to get goodies. Vikta has a fucking list a mile long.