The next morning is one of aching bodies and cloudy heads. The celebrating is over and the hangover of rebuilding life in the village has set in.
The party decide to leave all the Guradam currency that was found in the treasure hoard to the Capstan family, to aid them in the rebuilding efforts. They keep all the art objects, gems, magical items and the mysterious currency from the "Dargean Empire", coins of Electrum and Platinum.
Some heart-felt goodbyes are exchanged between the party and their recently met allies, a crowd gathers to see them depart the Castle, with respect and gratitude hanging in the air. The party head south passing the sobering sights of the battlefield in the stark light of the new day, pyres of bodies are being burnt, while others are being buried respectfully, surviving families gathered.
Riding the few remaining horses from the village, the party pick up the pace and shroud themselves following the shadowed road through the Twisted Thicket.
As the daylight fades the party find an abandoned hut at the forked junction in the forest, seeing a defensible position to sleep the party stop to sleep.
Mornington's watch is lulled to an early end by soothing melodies of a nearby pan pipe. Mornington wakes to find his breakfast stolen and being mocked by a satyr who calls himself Vix. The rest of the party rise and join an odd conversation, not sure whether it will turn hostile or not. Vix warns the party to look out for Gruvteth, "Summer's Bane" as he prowls these woods this time of year and despises the race of men. The party remember that an Ivory statuette depicting a Satyr was found in Zorok's treasure horde. The party gift this to Vix, ultimately winning him over, and his mischevious nature subsides somewhat. He promises to share some secrets of the forest with them, but their horses won't make it far into the thick forest. Vix tells Mornington that if they return and he plays his flute loudly at the hut, Vix will return to meet them.
They agree and part ways, Vix bounds up into the canopy and hop skips across the branches out of sight and the party notice a number of shadowed figures in the foliage move off in the distance away from the party. It appears Vix was definitely not alone.
The party continue their overland trek and take the fork in the road toward Dundel. The rest of the day moving south is uneventful and they make it out of the Twisted Thicket and return to the familiar sights of Dundel. Well, familiar to all but Crom.
Next Session 41
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