Weeks after we arrive in Nicodranas, each of us has settled in; Rascar, for one, has been offered work by Unknown, with whom - unbeknownst to the rest of Unknown - he has taken part in the assassination of Erhad Adolar, diplomatic envoy of Unknown.
Zee (Zameia) Dusk, meanwhile, had originally set off to ask around town after her brother, the real Neph but is abducted by Unknown and held for a few days for reasons not disclosed... when she returns to the others, she seems roughed up, worse for wear, and cheerfully evasive about her absence.
Huski& Greycoat have both taken up work and residence at The Drowned Nightingale under the old elven tavern-keeper, Beldani.
Huski, after his experience as a Unknown exterminator for the Unknown owners of the Slovenly Snail Inn some time ago, has been successfully clearing the basement of rats (and keeping himself fed in the process).
Grey, meanwhile, has been tending bar, cleaning, and lusting after the Unknown bard who plays sitar and sings at the Nightingale, Ashkeet.
The Claws convene at the bar, and over some Unknown they meet Ashkeet, along with his Unknown playing companions, Rowan & May.
Of all people, Mab enters and sits with the party, asking for Unknown, with a strange/knowing look at Grey; instead, she is given a Unknown, which seems to go down okay.
Mab charges the group with a new quest – seeking out some nefarious goings-on concerning a legendary forest guardian mentioned in ancient elven myths at the town of Hillfar, in the Cyrios Mountains. Grey pretty much trips over himself agreeing to do whatever Mab wants, while the rest of the party talk it out.
They arrange that, in exchange for the boys’ wages at the Nightingale, Beldani will give B (Bahaa Luna) a place to stay, and Unknown Sylvan City of a distinct style, and after around two days’ travel we arrive in the snowed-in town at night.
We notice that many buildings seem dilapidated or even broken into, and head to a central bright spot - The Swift Hatchet, run by Edmond, a Unknown, & his wife Arelen.
They tell us that Falk the tailor is the latest of several townsfolk to go missing, and ask us to investigate; Edmund’s tales of elven myths seem to align with Mab’s mention of an elven or fey forest guardian.