The Wandering Isles - Session 34
The journey pressed on as the group reclaimed their sled cart—affectionately dubbed the "Slart"—and made their way across the frozen expanse. With the vast, icy landscape stretching endlessly before them, they passed the time with idle chatter, a lighthearted game revealing small glimpses into who they were beneath the surface. Yet even in these quieter moments, shadows of the past loomed close, shaping their thoughts in ways they could not yet fully grasp.
Amaedrianna spoke of where she had been during her absence, offering only fragments of her time away. Meanwhile, Slate was drawn into something far stranger—a vision that felt more like a memory. A temple bathed in soft light, trees with pink leaves swaying beyond its walls. Then, in an instant, the scene shifted to something much darker, much colder. He awoke with a lingering unease, the weight of the book in his pack pressing heavier than before.
Their path soon led them into the heart of a dense woodland, where the silence was broken only by a distant, haunting sound. Large tracks in the snow hinted at something just beyond their sight. Before they could dwell on it, a figure emerged from the shadows.
He introduced himself as Rowan, his words smooth, his presence effortless. There was something about him—something too practiced, too knowing—but he offered them safe passage, and for now, that was enough.
Beyond the trees, the town came into view—tall wooden halls built with care and purpose, reinforced with stone and metal, adorned with carvings of an older time. Gold inlay shimmered against the dark wood, catching the faint light of the overcast sky. The people here went about their lives as though nothing was amiss, paying little mind to the strangers in their midst. It was not indifference, nor was it caution. It was simply… expected.
Rowan led them toward the largest of the halls, its towering doors etched with symbols of hunts and moonlit gatherings. As he stepped inside, something within him shifted. His form stretched, muscle rippling, his very presence taking on something far beyond human.
