While providing aid and shelter for The Raven Shield, Aedan Elamorv starts rambling about a ritual to "bring them closer together".
In their dreams, Lorenzo, Luciano Vanitoso and Silvayn are visited by Brixom Malpa (facilitated by Klirr) to receive the latest tactical updates on the war: Port Sena is unlikely to survive its siege, the stalemate in the Passagio Stretto can't hold forever, and Luno and the Vastarian Forest are likely new theatres of war.
In the waking world, Aedan has the party participate in his ritual, involving gathering Emberweed to, as it turns out, make Potions of Fire Resistance.
With the party fully rested, Aedan manages to hang onto sanity long enough to explain his plan: his old comrades Uthal Flint-Finder and Welsinorae Clothtatar, under the influence of Aslani, will be able to track the group with so many of them being together.
A few moments later, the trio arrives.
My friends died that day in Grunsumpf, I know that now. I can't save them - but I can stop them from being used as nothing more than tools by the likes of you.
-Aedan to Aslani
In a fiery climax, Lorenzo slays the rampaging Welsinorae and Uthal, while Silvayn manages to incapacitate Aslani and mortally wound him.
Using his last sliver of energy, Aslani teleports away once more - but the Unknown Organization does not take kindly to his failures.
As the Raven Shield catches their breath, Aedan's sanity slips - for good this time - and he runs off after a butterfly. The party puts the fallen adventurers to rest and spends the night in Aedan's camp. For better or worse, they've now truly arrived in Val Luno - and it's time to get to work.