B’Reh shields her face as the spirit’s flames flare, the searing heat forcing her back a step. Her feathers singe at the edges, but she steadies herself, gripping her spear like an anchor. She doesn’t move to attack, even as the fire licks at the clearing’s edges. Instead, her sharp eyes scan the ground—searching, seeking.

Then she sees it. (Perception 19) “There,” she points toward the patch of raised earth. “A grave.” Her voice is firm, but tinged with something softer—understanding. The spirit’s hunched form, its repeated gestures toward the flowers, the sorrow in its stance—it all begins to make sense, or so b’Reh thinks. (Insight 17) “It wants to leave something behind, but it can’t,” she murmurs. “Its own touch destroys what it tries to offer.”

Turning back to the spirit, B’Reh lowers her spear. Carefully, she raises an open palm in a calming gesture. “You are trying to honor the one buried here,” she says, keeping her voice gentle. “But your fire consumes what you love. If you calm yourself, I will place the flowers for you, if you let me, that is if you calm down.”

She steps slowly toward the flower bed, wary of the flames but determined. She kneels just at the edge of the unburned blossoms, waiting—watching for any sign of recognition in the spirit’s flickering form. If it does not lash out, she reaches down, carefully uprooting a few of the deep indigo flowers. Cradling them in her hands, she rises and steps toward the mound, ready to place them upon the grave if the spirit allows it.

There doesn't seem to be any understanding in the creature's featureless face or in its demeanor as B'Reh speaks to it once more. It flares with heat again as she approaches the flower bed (another 8 points of fire damage), but she is able to snag a handful of flowers and move away before the spirit reacts any further. Its fire remains bright as she moves toward the hidden grave with its unmarked stone and raised patch of grass, but the creature makes no move to attack, merely staring through eyes of flame as the strig cleric kneels to place the flowers she just picked. 

As B'Reh rises, she looks back toward the spirit, who is now standing up straight, nearly a full head above Vira. Its flames have begun to dim slightly, but some of the sadness seems to have dissipated as well, and in the moments before it fades away completely, you all see clasped in its hands a few flowers made of fire, a final offering from an unknown stranger at an unmarked grave. With a gentle, warm breeze, the spirit vanishes, and the few small flames that had begun to spring up around the clearing slowly start to flicker out one-by-one. 

Vira watches in quiet awe as the spirit fades, its sorrow seemingly eased, leaving behind only warmth and the flickering remnants of its presence. Turning to B'Reh, she places a steadying hand on the cleric’s shoulder, admiration and concern mixing in her voice. “That was incredible! I’ve never seen a spirit, let alone seen one comforted like that before.” Her sharp eyes scan B'Reh for any sign of burns. “But that heat was no joke—are you alright?” As her gaze lingers on the flowers resting at the grave, she hopes that, wherever this soul has gone, it has finally found peace.

B'Reh lets out a slow, steady breath as the last traces of the fire spirit flicker away, leaving only the warmth of its passing. She had not expected her actions to work—had braced herself for failure—but now, standing before the grave with the flowers placed where they belonged, she feels something shift within her. A weight lifts. The pain of the burns lingers, and her feathers are singed at the edges, but when Vira's firm grip steadies her, she exhales another breath and manages a small, weary smile. “I did not know if it would work,” she admits, her voice quiet but firm. “But it was… the right thing to try. I have conducted a few rites and witnessed many more. Offerings of flowers, of beauty, of remembrance—they are woven into the farewells of all people. It felt right.”

The heat had nearly been too much. Her body still hums with exhaustion, the air still feels thick with remnants of fire, but she stands tall. Closing her eyes, she reaches for the Rhythm—its steady, eternal pulse—and pulls on its guiding energy. Warmth—not searing, not painful, but pure and whole—flows through her, knitting away the pain. Her feathers smooth slightly as the healing takes effect, though the scent of smoke still clings to her. She gives Vira a grateful nod. "I am alright now." Her eyes flicker toward the grave once more. “And I think, at last, so is it.”

(Channel Divinity: Divine Spark applied once for 8. I rolled twice in the game log but I noticed afterwards that the ability modifier is added and for only two missing HP I would not have used the feature a second time.)

Sherwin will do as much renewal of the burnt area as mend plants allows. He then summons 10 berries into his hand, giving three to B'Reh (2 for now and one to save) and one to everyone else (including Eliza). "Those should get you feeling your best again, B'Reh. And everyone should keep one on their person in case of emergencies. It can give you a small boost of vitality if needed. They will last 24 hours."

(in future Sherwin will use a leftover spell slot before a long rest to cast it now I have realised that they last for 24 hours from casting)

B'Reh accepts the berries with a grateful nod, rolling one between her talons before eating it. The renewed energy settles within her, soothing the lingering exhaustion. “Thank you, Sherwin. The Rhythm flows stronger with many hands.” She tucks the last berry away safely, glancing once more at the grave before turning back to the group. “Shall we continue?” If she had prepared Ceremony, she could have done more but who could have known? Anyway, she recalls that quite a lot of silver was needed for the ritual, something she couldn't afford, it always had been supplied by the temple. Suddenly, she realizes that so many things are just out of reach for the poor, even something as simple as spiritual ceremonies. 

Vira watches as B'Reh regains her strength, relieved to see the cleric looking steadier. She accepts the berry from Sherwin with a nod of thanks, rolling it between her fingers before tucking it away. “Appreciate it,” she says simply, knowing firsthand the difference a small boost of energy can make in the thick of things. As they prepare to move on, she finds herself reflecting on everything they’ve witnessed—the spirit, the unmarked grave, the way B'Reh’s kindness brought peace where steel and strength would have failed. There’s so much she’s never seen before, so much more to the world than just fighting and survival. The thought excites her, fuels her resolve. She nods to B'Reh, then steps back toward the road, ready to resume pulling Eliza’s cart and continue their journey toward Alderheart.

You all make your way back through the underbrush and few trees that separate the clearing from the path. After assuring Eliza that the fire has been dealt with, and perhaps sharing the touching moment you experienced with the fire spirit, the group continues onward toward Alderheart. The rest of the day's travel is more silent than the morning had been, with everyone lost in reflection on various feelings evoked by the encounter in the clearing, and you eventually reach a point in the road where a short path branches off into a larger clearing that seems to be some sort of commonly-used campground for travelers between the great tree city and Winnowing Reach. Gathering everyone together near the center of the clearing, Vira removes a small golden charm of woven tree branches from her wrist and places it on the ground, whispering the command word Brynlee had taught her earlier that morning, and a mass of golden branches quickly spreads outward into a 30 ft. diameter platform before rising into the air as a metallic tree grows beneath it, ensuring safety from creatures on the ground for the night. 

[[ Long rest. ]]

The watch shifts of that night pass without event, and the morning brings overcast skies that, after a few hours, begin to gently drizzle rain onto the forest. Eliza gazes reverently upward as the first drops begin to fall, offering a short whispered thanks to Altus, the amaranthine of storms.

The water brings a slight chill to an otherwise warm Dawning Verse day, but it also enhances the greens of of the forest, creating a beautiful landscape of dazzling emerald, deep pine, and bright fern as you continue on your journey. The day passes without event, and soon you are setting up camp for the night, ready for your last full day of travel before arriving to Alderheart. 

The rain lets up about halfway through Vira's watch that night, but the clouds remain as the sun rises on the third day of travel. 

A few hours into the day's journey, you all come across a fallen tree, blocking the road roughly 70 feet ahead of you. Without any sort of cart or wagon, it would be easy enough to clamber over or skirt around it, but the simple wooden wheels of Eliza's trade cart weren't made to handle much more than packed, dry ground, and have already slowed travel some as they occasionally stick in the soft, wet earth of the road after yesterday's rain. 

Aric will go up and check out the tree and see if this is some type of ambush. 

Perception: 12

Vira stays near the cart, glancing at their surroundings for possible enemies trying to sneak up on them.

Perception: 9

Sherwin, having not seen this tree nest before is amazed on the first night. It definitely offers him more comfort than he expected.

Coming across this tree, Sherwin casts elevated sight to get a birds eye view on their surroundings and see better if it is an ambush. 

Before settling in for the night, B'Reh once again offered the Emerald Goblet’s blessing to extend her companions’ sight through the darkness, ensuring they would be well-prepared for whatever the road might bring.

The next morning, when the fallen tree raised suspicions of an ambush, B'Reh considered climbing it to gain a better vantage point. However, seeing Sherwin call upon his magic to scout from above, she instead decided to remain near the cart, where she suspected any attack would be focused. She reached out, placing a steadying hand on Sherwin’s arm as she murmured a quiet prayer, weaving the Great Rhythm’s guidance into his senses. “See clearly, and may the Rhythm reveal what hides in the shadows,” she whispered, her touch briefly pulsing with divine energy. Then, gripping her spear tightly, she turned her sharp eyes toward the surrounding trees, waiting for any sign of movement.

[[ Rolled Sherwin perception 13 with guidance. ]]

Nobody notices anything out of the ordinary as your party comes to a stop some distance from the log, but as Aric moves closer to investigate, four shapes emerge from the trees on either side of the path. Two large-eared jerbeen skip lightly across the log as a large moose-like cervan and a sleek gray vulpin move to stand in front.

"You folks lost?" the cervan asks, with one hand lightly resting on a club at his side. "What business do you have on the road?"

B'Reh tilted her head slightly, the strig equivalent of raising an eyebrow, as she took in the figures before them. The cervan’s question was hardly subtle—who could possibly get lost on a well-trodden road? If these were supposed to be guards, they weren’t very convincing. If they were bandits, they weren’t very good at hiding it. Keeping her spear at rest but ready, she let the Great Rhythm’s calm settle over her and stepped forward, her voice carrying the steady weight of conviction. “Lost? Hardly. This road leads straight to Alderheart, as you well know.” She gestured to the fallen tree with a flick of her wing. “A fallen trunk in the middle of a clear path, and now a group of strangers appearing just as we arrive? It seems more likely that you are expecting travelers, not simply meeting them by chance.”

Her tone did not carry hostility, only a quiet, measured confidence. “We are simply passing through, as many others have before us. If you wish to aid us, you could help move this obstruction so all may continue their journey unbothered.” She let the words settle, watching their faces carefully. “The Great Rhythm teaches that the forest provides for all. You need not take from those who walk the path when you can work alongside them.” She did not speak of their mission, nor of Meadowfen’s plight. That was not information these strangers needed to know. But if there was a shred of decency in them, perhaps they could be swayed away from whatever they were planning.

Vira lays a hand on her greataxe and moves forward to back up b'Reh, watching the strangers carefully.

Insight: 3

If its been less than one minute, Sherwin keeps going with his spell to make sure no additional people are sneaking up behind them. 

"And who's to say your arrival here isn't the Rhythm's way of providing for us, hm?" the gray vulpin asks before the cervan holds up a hand to stop him.

The cervan glances over your party, eyes lingering for a moment on B'Reh's armor, Vira's axe, and Eliza's cart. "The road leads to Alderheart, sure, but not many travel it these days apart from refugees and supply carts. Your group doesn't seem to be refugees, though you're not the typical Council supply caravan either, and you're headed towards the tree city rather than away, so there wouldn't be any point in us attacking you for food stores. Here's what we'll do instead: You can pay us a round 20 allers in exchange for our...help...in clearing this obstacle so you can get where you're going. You've got an eluran trader with you, so I'm sure you're good for it, and we've got mouths to feed that aren't nearly as well-off as yourselves. "

The cervan's words don't betray anything about his motives, intent, or sincerity to Vira as she observes his conversation with B'Reh, and for the moment Sherwin doesn't see anyone else nearby besides the four individuals by the fallen tree. He does notice a few ropes looped around the branches of the fallen tree that were difficult to see from a straight-on angle, so perhaps these individuals really do have a way of easily moving the tree from the path. 

Vira tilts her head quizzically, glancing at the tree. "Your 'help'? I think I can move this tree and all of you out of our way pretty easy if I put my mind to it."

Intimidation: 14

The vulpin lets out a quiet snort at Vira's clear attempt at intimidation, but the group before you still doesn't seem openly hostile. The cervan looks to Aric, and past Vira and B'Reh to Sherwin.

"Do these birdfolk speak for you? Kissing the Council's tail feathers, buying into their whole 'coexist' bullshit won't stop them from sending humblefolk like yourselves to live in the Roots or denying requests for aid to smaller ground villages while your birdfolk friends here live it up in the Canopy or in their high-rise perches around the Wood. We're just here trying to help correct some of that disparity."

B'Reh remained still, her sharp gaze shifting between the cervan and his companions, watching for any sign of true hostility. The ropes, the prepared obstacle—this was clearly a planned effort, but the lack of immediate violence suggested they were still feeling out their options.

At the cervan’s words, she finally spoke, her voice steady and unimpressed. “If you truly wish to help correct the disparity, preying on travelers will do nothing but make you the same as those you claim to despise.” Her wings shifted slightly, her fingers flexing near the haft of her spear. “And robbing an Eluran trader?” She gestured toward Eliza without looking away from the cervan. “That’s not exactly the Council you’re punishing, is it?”

She watched his reaction carefully, gauging whether her words struck a nerve. B'Reh had no interest in a fight, but she would not allow herself or her companions to be extorted. If this group was truly desperate, there might be a better solution—but if they were simply looking for easy coin, then it was best they learn their mistake before steel was drawn.