Episode 21, "Homecoming"

The heroes turn back toward the forest path to the South leaving Lake Sera, Peter, Elmsea, and Zizzle in their rearviews... Despite having discovered the "true" nature of Peter and Elmsea's love, most of the adventurers feel a twinge of regret for not staying behind and allowing themselves to become swept up in the magic of the dryad's glade. Ignorance, in this case, could certainly have spelled bliss. Doc is, perhaps, the most troubled as he is voluntarily leaving his childhood friend behind to a lifetime of being charmed by a fey. But, having tried on several occasions to snap Peter out of it, his friend simply saw nothing wrong with his situation in the glade and opted to stay put.

Returning to the riverside campsite from the night prior, the party discusses what to do next. Some express concern about treking it all the way back through the dense, hostile jungle and suggest a lengthy detour through the grasslands and up past Lehren to the West. Vyreth expresses his concern over his village and the state of the women who were stolen some time ago. He'd like to either go to Veir to find this "Gandrin" person (see previous journal notes) or to the Thanon mines to give Bruenor a talking-to. The crew eventually agrees to trudge forward along the forest path as it's the quickest way back to town.

Upon their return to the abandoned lumber camp, under the cover of darkness, the heroes encounter a small group of Iron Gate guards camping in the clearing. Relieved that they're no longer alone in the woods, the two groups come together for a fine night of drinking, banter, and story-telling. As the guards start to nod off, a strange visitor appears out of nowhere asking if anyone had bothered clearing the barracks (nope). It was a rhetorical question. The stranger's name is Trace, an elven ranger of some repute whose face everyone recognizes from the Ruins of Enra (see doppleganger). Once disbelief wears off, Fhasys finds her heart a'twittering once more for the shady character and they wander off for a late night chat. Fhasys, being the sharp cookie she is, discovers that Trace is in fact her long-lost father... The so-called "psycho" that her mother, Sybil, had driven away before giving birth.

While Fhasys and Trace caught up on history, the forest edge nearest the Gate campsite begins to warp and twist violently, eventually spewing forth two humanoid tangled masses of vine and leaf who charge the camp. Combat ensues.

The strange creatures turn out to be quite tough, and one manages to grapple and squish two of the Gate guards! Vyreth tries his hand at lightning, but to everyone's surprise what's expected to damage the creatures only ends up healing them. Doc valiantly puts himself between one of the shambling mounds and Fhasys/Trace, and he takes a solid beating for it. Finally, with no more of the guards remaining, the heroes triumph. Clearly sick and tired of the forest at this point, the group high-tails it out of the forest and back to Quanlo.

Returning to the Mages guild, Talos seeks out Reeser to discuss the situation in Lehren (sealing the mine) and whatever Reeser has managed to discover about the dragon, the tomb, and the strange "eye" medallions he'd found. Reeser presents a mixed-bag of results, but says there's much to discuss and offers to gather everyone over dinner at the guild hall.

For the next two hours or so, Fhasys finds a guild enchanter who charges way more than she can afford (always frustrating), Vyreth finds a potion store and stocks up, Talos spends some time in the guild library and Doc takes a nap.

Dinner time finally arrives and the heroes are greeted by Reeser once more, to be lead to the great dining hall where much will be divulged.