The party take a rest in the clearing at the heart of the Twisted Thicket. They tend to their wounds, eat and drink from their trail rations, but most importantly, get to know this elven paladin who came to their aid.
Amarion apprehensively converses with Mornington Lormanston, Edward Fogbluff and Crom. He informs them of his travels through the Feywild to get to this portal. How he has been sent by his elven superiors from the Shimmer Isles to investigate the unusual change to the flow of magic in the world.
The party tell Amarion of Horn Peak Mountain, the Dargean, Karna-Kar and the Element Stones. While some things align with his knowledge, there is plenty that does not, and by some strike of fate he has found those close to the topic of his mission.
After some lengthy discussions including; the source of his magic (Edward), some formal introductions (Mornington), and exchanging of battle trophies (Crom), the party become familiar enough with Amarion to trust him. The four adventurers realise that their goals align and that they should travel together.
They discuss how Vix was supposed to lead them to an Element Stone but escaped through the portal. Amarion actually saw him moments before using the portal himself. Amarion reveals how he can traverse the portal at will and shares that he can transport others along with him. An amulet he bears that was given to him by a member of The Tide allows such travel, and was paramount to him carrying out his mission. The party decide to brave the Feywild in pursuit of Vix to get answers.
Amarion holds the amulet that depicts a flying beetle out in front of him, toward the stone arch. The portal activates once more, bathing the party in light. They step through and are transported to a new world.
As they emerge on the other side they see a forest exaggerated in multiple ways. Vibrant colours, impossibly tall trees, dense foliage, teeming with exotic life, they are no longer on the Material Plane.
Edward uses his Familiar Artax to scout the locale. They find signs of satyr branch-hopping to the west, and travel that way. This brings the party close to a large ridged mound of earth with a cavern entrance. They see a large creature in the dim light of the forest and prepare to defend themselves from creatures of the wild. The creature ahead sniffs the air and then begins charging forth.
As the creature gets close enough to be identified they see a huge bear, with bony protrusions emerging from it's body. The dire bear unleashes a deep roar, and the adventurers hold fast for combat.
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