Session 3

October 14th

As V is leaving Della’s room, they catch a glimpse of what could be a dead vine curled into V’s hair. Only a few moments pass before Ophelia knocks and barges in. Though nervous, she gets straight to the point of asking Della for an explanation for their wildshaping earlier. She says she can tell something has corrupted Della’s magic. They admit they don’t entirely know what the deal is, much to Ophelia’s frustration, and she points out Della’s reaction to her bringing up the beast earlier. All they can offer for an explanation is that the beast came in proximity to their town a while ago, and that may have been the source, but there’s still no knowing for sure. Della assures she can control her magic, for the time being. Apparently it’s been becoming more difficult, slowly over time, but they promise they have nothing but good intentions.

Ophelia satisfied for the time being, Della brings up what Berwin said during their briefing about Ophelia being haunted. This takes her off guard and she grows defensive, not giving a clear answer. Della takes this in stride, regardless offering her a bundle of dried bluebells. They explain it’s a ward, something that might help keep her safe by putting the bluebells on the ground around her. The gesture obviously flusters her to some degree and after some back and forth she scurries off.

After that, the night passes uneventfully.

October 16th

Two days of travel pass quietly before Vollendorf comes into view. Coming closer, they see there's a line of people waiting to be let into the city. People are really sketchy when they see V because he looks like a soldier. Della passes along some water and yarrow to a person who passes out in line. After waiting in line for six hours, they reach the gate where they’re questioning everyone one by one.

V offers to go first and approaches the gate.
-V lies and, then Eden tried to play along, but Ophelia told the truth and they got pulled in for further questioning
-They clear it up and are let out, only to pause as they hear a commotion at the gate
-Ophelia recognizes people presumably from her homeland? Her origins? Arguing to be let in immediately for aid from the general. Ophelia goes and pretends to greet and recognize them, but the guard isn’t willing to let them in on those grounds

After Ophelia rejoins the party, they pass through the wet market so Della can buy fish and Eden a few apples. By the time they finish its grown later in the evening so they make their way to the closest budget tavern—The Spiders Den. They purchase room keys, Della retiring to hers immediately, while Eden and V settle at a table to work silently on their respective crafts.

Ophelia opts to dip out at this point and head towards the central building, where she suspected the strangers from earlier would have gone. Though closed for the evening, she notices a tavern nearby and sure enough spots the older man inside at a table. He’s surprised to see her again, but not unwelcoming. They talk briefly before he invites Ophelia back to the room where the woman from earlier is, and there they explain the full scope of why they’re in town.

he two of them, an uncle and niece, are from a settlement a few hours north. Lately their people have been plagued by seemingly mundane misfortune that, nevertheless, is making it difficult to survive. Disease ravaging crops, people going missing, and other such occurrences. To make matters worse, High General Cleves ignores their pleas for aid. When she mentions perhaps seeking out an herbalist to look into their crops, Ophelia offers to have her and her companions return with them tomorrow and look into the matter.

Obviously, they’re both eager for any help they can get. The trio heads back to The Spiders Den and gathers the party into Dellas room to catch them up on the situation. Though something about it rings personal for Ophelia, there is no denying that the description of their plight sounds like the work of the beast, so they agree to help.