Session 20

@6 April 2026, 3/29/753 ATC

When morning comes, we receive a message to meet with Professor Fisk. When we arrive we're greeted by Investigator Quinn who tells us of another Leyline incursion, a bigger one with Hobgoblins and a commander. He also hinted this may provide additional information about whats causing the Leyline disruption to Luna's grove and Koda's shores. Professor Fisk will be coming and overseeing this mission. This incursion is in Outer Toresta.

After a few hours we set off, first by long boat then by halfling wagons. It takes several hours to leave Toresta proper behind and enter the open fields and agriculture.

As we arrive near our destination, a number of guards stop us to let us know the area is closed by order of the Ten. Fisk hands him a letter from Quinn and the guards let us pass. As we get closer we start feeling uneasy. Luna sees a circle of mushrooms, signifying a bad omen.

As we continue, shadows overtake us and we're transported into the shadow realm. Professor Fisk and Icarus identify evidence of an anchor, holding this portal in place. Fisk reminds us "By Oak, Road, and Stone."

We begin by searching the immediate area for a stone with runes on it, a rune of power. Professor Fisk destroys the rune stone of power, resulting in a large concussive force. Icarus finds another and Mickey finds a third, each in a perfect triangle around the wagon. Icarus casts Identify on one of the stones, confirming it is an anchor rune stone for a portal. As the sea splashes against the shore the shadow splashes against the road. As we move through the Shadow Realm, we notice the Moon is static. Time or space seems to be distorted, its more than simply a corrupted reflection of our world. If we were traveling this distance in our world we would have reached the end of the peninsula by now.

We are following the shore possibly in our realm possibly in the Shadow Realm. As we ride in the wagon, Professor Fisk warns us not to eat anything in the Shadow Realm. Luna remembers hearing tales of travelers eating things in the Shadow Realm and being trapped here. As we travel down the road we see a stream of something flowing, not water. Mickey uses Mage Hand to collect a sample in a vile.

It moves like water but looks like ink, it smells, not right. Smells of puss. After several more hours, Fisk says he's exhausted. We begin to move closer to the trees and setup camp. We do see some small wildlife in the Shadow Realm, a few squirrels and birds. Icarus creates a live trap, before bed.