Chapter 3 - Session 14b

Stepping cautiously into the treeline, Fyrn peers over a large white mushroom standing at chest height. Remembering the red and white spotted mushrooms of this size from the Rubyagaric, the sight of this plain white mushroom makes Fyrn uneasy and hopes that these do not hold the same dreadful fate. One way that she is confident to deal with the fungus is with fire as she ignites the cap. Bursting in the flames reveal the mushroom to be a fake, constructed of fabric and metal wire. The question pops into Fyrn's mind of who made these and why.

More of the false toadstools are found leaning up against the rock face of the basin cliff side. Some appear to be unfinished and still being worked on, perhaps by the people living in the nearby cavern just off to the side. The same people that may be the owners of the large wooden cart parked right outside.

Fyrn takes this as good fortune, the cart may provide an easier way to travel towards her next destination of Westvale across the plains.

Approaching the cavern entrance Fyrn announces her presence with an echoing hello. Emerging from the darkness is a barking guard dog, teeth out and eyes trained on the strange genasi. Pulling back on the dog's leash and man steps forward requesting that Fyrn identifies themself, scowling with distrust. Through some careful wording, and mentioning possible payment, Fyrn was granted an audience with the group's leader about securing outbound travels.

Escorted deep into the dark hole and through a set of heavy wooden door built into the cave Fyrn is met with a small group of men all sitting at a large table counting out their bounty.

Although outnumbered, Fyrn is confident as she strides into the room where she bargains with the 4 ne'er-do-well on a discrete passage in their caravan to the capital city. Obligated by the payment made in advance, they take her outside and into their sturdy cart, promising they will set off soon. Right as the door is shut, the click of a lock ticks and laughter bursts out from the men outside. Minutes turn into hours as Fyrn waits to set off. Her patience eventually wears thin while she listens for the others outside only to hear that one has set off for a hunt and another is hanging about for a smoke break with no intention of leaving for the day.

Feeling like she has been held for a fool by the miscreants just on the other side of the walls she is trapped in, Fyrn turns up the heat to exact her revenge. Using her control over fire the wooden coach is set ablaze. Startled by the fire the thugs come out of their cave hide out and are met with the full wrath of the fire genasi they took advantage of.

As all that was part of these thieves' operation went up in smoke, the last words uttered to Fyrn was an ominous threat. "The Snake's Den will bite back..."

Fyrn made a trip into the cave dwelling and sought to repurpose the ill-gotten gains the thieves were hoarding, including an amulet bearing the symbol of her god Moradin and some official notary equipment from the Westvale nobility. Surely tools used to falsify documents and aid in the troupe's heists.

Now with the idea of a quick path westward looking a little less possible, Fyrn begins back on foot heading towards the nearest place of familiarity. A cozy little hut along the cliffside that belongs to the strange kenku shaman Mewer.