The path to Treffenbaume took Kosvia and Kip far from the forest Kip knew so well, and far from the towns and roads Kosvia had begun to be familiar with travelling. But, it seemed the best option to try and find Kip’s father, so they set out in what they hoped would be plenty of time and braved the journey across the land and over the mountains to the famed festival in the remote town.

Approaching the mountain pass that would take them to the correct side of the mountains, Kosvia and Kipling came to a small settlement among the stony peaks. it was there they encountered a frantic woman whose children had strayed too far and failed to return. In fear of the potential fate of the children Kip and Kos left behind the small Inn and it’s dour innkeeper they had just arrived at in search of the children. Kip was able to use his tracking abilities as he Wildshaped into a dog to assist them in finding a trail of sorts.

Clambering over the dubious mountain paths they soon found themselves confronted with a small brigand of kobolds. Attempts to negotiate the location of the children from the kobolds soon collapsed when a hidden kobold struck out at Kos. A battle ensued. Quickly joining the fight was an elderly gnome barbarian woman called Dikmov. Together they defeated the Kobolds and discovered the location of the children who had taken shelter from them nearby. Their escape was nearly marred by some dangerous plants, but some teamwork kept the children safe and they were all soon back at the Inn, returning them to their grateful mother.

Further, Kip and Kos had acquired a very capable travelling companion in Dikmov who was also heading to Treffenbaume.

As Kip, Dikmov, and Kosvia journeyed through the treacherous mountain pass, they faced an unexpected and perilous encounter with a group of undead in a wide tunnel. The battle that followed was intense and challenging, as the trio found themselves ill-prepared to face such creatures. Their limited knowledge and equipment posed a significant disadvantage.

To make matters worse, one of the undead managed to possess Dikmov, turning her against her companions. The group was thrust into a harrowing situation, forced to fight not only the relentless undead but also their possessed ally. It was a difficult and emotional struggle as they had to overcome their hesitation to harm their friend while defending themselves.

Despite the odds stacked against them, their determination and resourcefulness prevailed. Through a combination of skill, teamwork, and sheer willpower, they managed to defeat the undead and break the possession that had taken hold of Dikmov. The battle left them battered and bruised, but it also forged a deeper bond between the companions and honed their abilities.

Emerging from the tunnel, they continued their journey towards Treffenbaume, their spirits undeterred by the challenges they had faced. The encounter with the undead served as a valuable lesson, teaching them the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the necessity of being adequately equipped for the dangers that lay ahead.

With their newfound experience and a strengthened resolve, Kip, Dikmov, and Kosvia pressed on, knowing that their journey was not just a physical one but a test of their courage and determination. The encounter with the undead in the mountain pass became another chapter in their shared adventure, shaping them into more capable and battle-hardened individuals as they ventured closer to their ultimate goal.

A few days later they boarded some boats to travel the river to Treffenbaume itself. They travelled on the boats for a few days. Along the way they got to know two other travellers also making their way to Treffenbaume. The handsome knight, Aginthar Lothringien and the somewhat haunted Drow Sorcerer who called himself Bob.

While on the boats, just outside Treffenbaume, they were attacked by huge Crocodiles, and a tentacled monster. The motley group worked together and slew the monsters, keeping all the boat crews and passengers safe. This was their first time really working together.

Once in Treffenbaume they investigated the festival more or less as a group. They also met a Dwarf called Tor who had come to the Treffenbaume festival several times and seemed to know the lay of the land, but had lost companions to the Dragon Ulthor on each previous visit.

After some research around town they were directed to the local cemetery on the trail of Bob’s father. A visitor’s record showed he had died in Treffenbaume previously, so the group headed to the cemetery to try to confirm. On arrival there they found a device continually causing undead to rise from graves in the cemetery. After a lengthy struggle the undead were defeated and the device had been discovered and deactivated. The device seemed to have been created by Tyron Silvius, some investigation indicated he had travelled with Tor.

On the way out of the cemetery the group saw signs of golden spiders in the trees and felt a sense of acceptance or approval. Perhaps, this was a sign of the “Lady” some of the locals had spoken of. Some sort of local god or nature spirit that they revered.

The people of Treffenbaume were pleased that the undead threat had been dealt with and the group gathered some acclaim. The overseer of the guest book, by this time, had become quite enchanted with Kosvia’s beauty and readily allowed them to search the visitor book for more clues.

Some investigation indicated that a name in the book belonged to an old acquaintance of Kip’s father. It seemed likely this was an alias he had adopted. Further investigation indicated he had gathered several locals, including children when here, and had headed into the forest with them leading to all their deaths. This had earned a great deal of enmity for this name.

The group decided to head into the forest in search of the Dragon of the woods, Ulthor the Lurker. They prepared by researching the dragon and seeking magical aid in resisting its worst poisonous attacks. A negotiation that involved Kosvia agreeing to a date with the vendor of magical supplies in return for a hefty discount. Some games and activities that were part of the festival were also engaged in with some reasonable success.

The group headed into the forest the next morning and searched high and low for the dragon as well as for other groups that had also been seeking it. Eventually they found it in a small open area with some ancient ruins. The fight with the Dragon was eventful, but mercifully quick. It also involved defeating Tor the dwarf, who was a corrupted Druid in league with Ulthor, and a creature he controlled.

For Kosvia perhaps the most important moment was in the midst of the battle when Aginthar stole a moment to passionately kiss Kosvia before attacking the Dragon head on. She was quite taken with the moment, as well as the bravery and might of the knight as he felled the dragon, with considerable aid from the whole group.

The companions of Tor were recovered, they had been held in cells within the Dragon’s lair, ready to be eaten. This included a changeling that the rest of that group had distrusted once their changeling nature was revealed. But, Kosvia and her group protected her and saw to all of the captured group’s safety. They also plundered the Dragon’s hoard for money and magic, handing over the majority of it to the Treffenbaume community.

Within the Dragon’s hoard a small golden spider crawling amongst it took Kosvia’s attention and watching it, she spotted a magical sword hilt, which she took.

They also restored a shrine of sorts in the forest, this seemed to bring about a huge wave of acceptance and approval from the forest god known as the Fate Weaver, often called “The Lady” by the locals. The group returned to Treffenbaume seemingly flanked by thousands of the golden spiders that were signs of the Fate Weaver’s presence.

They spent a few days in Treffenbaume, seeing out the rest of the festival and discussing what was next. Kosvia also spent some time having local artisans craft a new long Adamantine blade for the hilt, creating a sword she called “Fate Weaver’s Blade”.

Soon it was decided the directions they would go. Bob would head into the Underdark, via a nearby abandoned mine shaft, to bring word of his father’s fate to his family, and reclaim his true name. Kip would return home to ponder the fate of his own father and seek peace. Dikmov would go back to travelling alone, seeking fortune and anonymity. But, Kosvia and Aginthar discussed travelling together for a while. A suggestion that Kosvia relished and responded to by kissing Aginthar on the cheek. Perhaps an indication of what she hoped there might be more of in their future.

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