Mornington prepares his spell of hypnotising patterns, waiting for the beast to approach. As the ground shakes under foot from the large beast he unleashes his spell. Glowing intricate lights draw woven patterns in the air and the dire bear slows to a halt, bewildered at the sight, falling victim to the magical charm.
After a short conversation to consider running from the beast, Crom, Amarion and Mornington gather around the creature, weapons drawn. Likely able to track them over great distances, they deem it best to nip it in the bud. This wild animal of the Feywild, sat in a hunched position, still towers over them. Edward finds a position around twenty feet away with a clear shot to the bear's side as the party prepare to attack.
At Mornington's signal, the weapons drop. A coral scimitar, a beastfolk greataxe and an elven warhammer strike the bear, a split second later three bright rays scorch the flesh of the creature. The beast barks in pain and anger as the scene is thrown into a fight to the death. The bear turns to Crom and lashes out tooth and claw, slicing into his flesh with every hit. The bear gets a grip of him, using its weight to try and force him to the ground. Crom grits his teeth, his muscles taught holding the creature at bay before he manages to shrug it off throwing the bear back. The fight continues for a few short moments, eldritch blasts and further weapon strikes tear at the hide of the creature before Mornington wedges his sword into the ribs of the beast, and it slumps to the ground.
The party brush themselves off, Crom cuts a bear claw trophy from the corpse, and they collect themselves to continue tracking. They pick up the trail once more, working as a team to spot signs of the Satyr's movement through the forest. They travel a mile westward before spotting a peculiar feature in the distance.
A gathering of sorts, in a partial clearing in the trees. Still figures, haphazardly stood, with a horned figure at its centre. Mornington casts a spell to enhance the stealth abilities of Amarion, this helps him overcome his noisy chainmail. The party sneak forward and once within a hundred feet, Edward uses his Familiar Artax to scout the scene.
They find a most strange statuary, various animals and humanoid inhabitants are represented in the collection. Some are old and crumbling with pieces missing, and almost all have thick plant life growing over them, mosses and vines and such. One is very distinct however. Edward, through Artax's eyes can see that the central horned statue has no plant life on it at all, and it looks a lot like Vix. In fact it IS Vix, petrified in place, looming above him is a network of webs and a giant spider at its centre. The carapace to the arachnid has stone like protrusions and what look like stalagmites on it's back. The party surmise that the spider, unaware of their presence, must have a venom that petrifies its target, and these half destroyed statues are its victims. To add to this solemn environment before them, Artax can hear a creature close by, breathing heavily and gurgling slightly as it does. It cannot be seen, obscured by foliage.
Discussing their options Amarion remembers a tale from his holy book; patrons of his faith curing those turned to stone by the gaze of basilisk in the eastern reach. He informs the others that given a new day to pray for his divine gifts, he could utilise a spell that may save Vix.
The party retreat, worn from battle and the lack of sleep in over 24 hours. They retrace their steps, wanting to gather their strength before trying to save their runaway guide. They do so, a half mile trek leads them to a downed tree wedged between two others at an angle. They spend the next hour constructing a makeshift shelter to shield their presence from predators. Taking turns to stand guard, they rest for eight hours, getting some much needed sleep. Mornington and Edward witness an elf's trance for the first time from Amarion, a state that replaces sleep, and requires far less time. Amarion sits calmly cross legged for half of the rests duration. The party notice that night does not approach, a slight dimming in light occurs but nothing that would resemble night in the material plane. With a duality of solar objects in this plane's sky, it is no wonder.
Fully rested and prepared for further adventure in the Feywild, they set off, hoping it is not too late to save Vix.
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