As the session began, it is late evening on the 23rd day of the 1st Trigon of Elok’s Influence. The party is again seated around a table at the Blackrooster Inn in Blesa. Large bowls of desert vegetable soup and mugs of High Sun ale have been delivered. A welcome reprieve from the water and rations of the past couple of days.
Seated next to the party is a group of tieflings engaged in a game of dice. The party overhears the group discussing increased orc activity around Blesa over the past day. The tieflings are sure that they are looking for something and seem very determined to find it.
Discussion with the tieflings confirms that the orcs were travelling from the direction of the Scar and moving toward Blesa. The party heads off to bed, fully expecting trouble by morning. They are not disappointed.
Early the next morning, the party is awakened by the sound of frantic commotion throughout Blesa. Heading downstairs, Velspira tells the party that orcs are outside the cavern gates, demanding to speak with Fernly. Alanis confirms that this is the name she gave Oshug and the other orcs at the Scar.
Heading to the entrance, the party finds Oshug and six of his men waiting for them. Oshug demands the return of the map that was taken from his tent. After attempts by the party to discuss the situation, Oshug becomes impatient, and a battle erupts. The orcs are strong opponents, but the party again works well together, winning the fight.
Knowing that they have a full day of travel ahead to get to Vuland, the party quickly collects their possessions and departs as the inhabitants of Blesa begin the process of cleaning up and hiding the evidence of the battle.
Just before arriving in Vuland, Xarmir apologizes to Alanis for not getting her safely to the Scar and back. He returns the fee she paid him and heads back into the desert, stating he needs to inform the families of the dead tiefling guides of what has happened.
Arriving in Vuland, the party heads to the Sand Whisper Inn. There, they are informed that Methor Zandani is looking for Alanis. The party meets with Methor and learns that the Zandani sisters made it back safely. As a thank you from the Zandani family, Methor gives Alanis a “Devil Star” diamond and a carved wooden token.
The diamond sparkles with internal light that is said to come from magic trapped inside it during the explosion that destroyed the area now known as the Sea of Sand. The token is carved with the Zandani family symbol and can be used to call upon the Zandani family for help.
After enjoying an evening of celebration with Methor, the party boards the Stargazer and departs for Hollow Harbour in the region known as the Divide. The decision is made to drop the party off in Hollow Harbour to begin looking for Tressa Frostdancer’s fortress. At the same time, the skyship will take Alanis back to the City of Alagon to speak with the Penumbra Bards about the Iceborn Orc’s map and plans to resume their advance into Easterly.
In Hollow Harbour, the party begins exploring the bustling town. Discussions with several merchants confirm that Tressa Frostdancer was well-known in the region. Information gleaned from a discussion with Sewell Downweaver, the owner of Wanderlust Supply, suggests that a half-orc named Harabar Muzura will be a good source of information on her. He is known to spend his nights gambling at the local fighting arena.