Zerel frowns. His sword's still in his hand but he keeps it down for now.

"You want us to travel to a mountain we've never been to on an island we know next to nothing about to kill goblins we have no quarrel with. And so far all you've offered us is a meal and place to spend the night. I'm not going to kill anyone just on your say-so and I'm not going to march into obvious danger when you've given us so little information. It would be one thing if you'd offered to pay us, but withholding information is suspicious."

Folam turns to Amory, saying, "It is a pleasure, Amory! But do not trouble yourself. Epithets do not equivocate greatness - merely the public opinion. They are not earned, they are gifted. Yours will come with time, I sense it!"

The mage's eyes light up with each of your assents. When Oz questions Folam regarding the goblin threat, the mage responds, "Hard to say... dozens, at least. And I'm not certain how long they've been here, time passes strangely in this part of the world. A month, a year, a decade? But now, they're dangerously close to reaching the end. I suspect the fiend that has usurped control over the goblin band is to blame for the latest progress."

Drogomar's question lights up the mage's eyes. "It would be my honor! Truly, I would be happy to impart you all with my knowledge of the Void. But, it is quite extensive, and I don't suppose we have enough time before your departure for me to properly explain it all. However, I think it would be imperative you know of something lifesaving - stay with the light. Whatever light source it may be - torch, fire, the glow of a sword, perhaps - shine it, and do not put it out. The Void functions by extracting the energy out of all that it can reach. Light will serve to deflect the Void's forces," explains the mage, "When you return, I would be delighted to elaborate further."

Folam frowns at Zerel's words. "While I understand your hesitancy," begins the mage, "There is only so much I can explain at this moment. Should I reveal all to you, it might elicit more questions than answers. However! Should you return to me after a victorious slaughter, I would be willing to answer all of your questions, and provide you safe passage home, out of the Void Sea."

Something seems off, though. The mage isn't being completely honest with you. Or is that just the Void making you paranoid? It's hard to say. 

Drogomar gives a sharp, barking laugh.  "Talk about Cosmic Jests.  Me... born and partially raised in darkness.  Spent most of my early life living and working in the shadows.  Trained to work with the shadows.  And what is asked of me now to survive?  Standing tall in the Light!   The Gods must be having a good belly laugh right now."

He pauses a moment to think before addressing Folam once again. "I can produce light with ease but it only lasts an hour before it must be renewed. And my companions might not be as 'blessed' with such magic.  Might you have more of those glowing spheres -- perhaps not so large but as filled with life affirming light that they might carry on this journey?"

He looks around at everyone, "I know... I know... I keep asking for the impossible in the hopes some lesser 'possible' is granted. I was trained to never be afraid of asking... "  Drogomar shrugs.

When Drogomar asks about the spheres, you can see the mage's body tense up. His eyes dart frantically back to the sphere's position on the table, as if he's trying to make sure that the sphere is still there. After a moment of silence, Folam responds, explaining, "As much as I'd like to make your journey smoother, I cannot spare the orb. In fact, it's the only one of its kind that I possess." Folam turns, presumably to return to his seat by the fire, before looking back and continuing, "I do, however, have a torch or two. Would that be to your liking?"

"I apologize I cannot be of more assistance. However - it fills my heart with joy that you are not afraid to ask, Drogomar", finishes the mage. He settles in by the fire, but not before striding over to a chest (the same one which held Drogomar's hat and staff) and plucking from it 10 torches, which he disperses evenly amongst the five of you.

Folam, from his chair, remarks, "It is late. Time to retire, I suppose? Unless you lot have any further questions, I'll see the five of you with a hearty breakfast tomorrow morning!". Then, with a snap of his fingers, the feast and chairs disappear. The table shrinks back to its normal size, and five freshly made beds appear, each with their headboards against the wall where Folam's bookshelves used to be. The light of the fire dims, and the pitter patter of the rain disappears... only now, it's snowing.

"A fiend you say?" Amory almost chokes a piece of bread when she hears Folam mention it. "Do you happen to know what kind? What it calls itself? Its size? Color? Any wings or horns? A tail?" With each question her voice gets louder and more frenetic. She turns her whole body in her chair to face Folam as she waits for his answers, if any, until she is literally at the edge of her seat. She then sits back and adds, more softly, "If you happen to know, that is."

She gratefully accepts two torches.

Cobalt nods, taking two torches before inspecting it. He looks at the five beds, a bit surprised at the display of power. The genasi pinches himself to make sure he's not on some weird dream. "Ow!" After making sure this was reality, he hums, "Well . . . sleeping in a warm bed after what happened surely seems nice . . ."

"Yes, a fiend," begins Folam, "However, I admit that I do not know much. I have only recently been alerted of his presence. But it commands the goblin band with an iron fist... I believe it wants what's inside that mountain for itself. Take caution."

The sound of the snowstorm outside increases in volume. You can hear the wind itself shrieking past the walls of the cabin, and your view of the outside devolves into a white haze.

"I believe I will excuse myself for a stroll," continues the mage, "you've all given me much to think about, and for that I am grateful. A walk in solitude should help clear my head. Until tomorrow!" And with that, Folam picks up the orb from the table, opens the door, and strides out into the snowstorm. Within moments, you all lose sight of him, save for the steadily dimming glow of the orb.

((If there's anything else you'd like to do before ending the day, now's a good time!))

((Can i cast Goodberry before going to sleep? since they last 24 hours they will last for a long while, and will allow us to not starve during our quest))

((Yeah, of course!))

 Zerel looks around at the others, an incredulous look on his face.

"So are we really going to do this? I can't be the only one who thinks this is incredibly suspicious, we're being sent on a kill-quest by someone we just met. Hells, for all we know he'll slit all our throats in the night!"

Cobalt stares at Zerel dumbfolded, "This is so rude! Don't be disrespectful towards someone that gave us food and shelter!"

"Besides, don't you think that if he wanted to kill us, he would had conjured poisoned food? I think you're being too paranoid. I agree to help him, since wathever those goblins find may end up affecting other parts of the whole world." He comments, taking a small leaf from his pouch. He murmurs an incantation, with 10 berries appearing on the leaf, before carefully plucking them and putting them back on his pouch for later use.

"I understand your concern, friend. Folam the Eternal's request is grisly indeed and was given rather suddenly, but he appears to be a powerful conjurer and has promised to send us on our way if we do what he asks. That alone should be reason enough to comply, though I myself am curious about what these goblins are excavating." Amory says to Zerel. 'And I must see this fiend as well. All this trouble would be worth finding that one.' She adds, "I would take food, shelter, and goblins over none of the three."

"We've eaten the man's food - magicked up or not. Feels right that we should do him a favor in kind. Even in the Void, I'd imagine betraying a guest still brings bad luck. And to some of your concerns, there's only so far he can trust us as well, you know, and while he's not telling us all, I think he's trustworthy enough. I don't like his late mention of a fiend running the goblin camp, but maybe... it'll be alright after... all..."

Coat, boots and armor off, Osmund's musings get softer and more muddied, drifting into deep, peaceful breaths, for sweet is the sleep of a well-fed halfling.

"I have no experience with fiends or demons nor did my mentor give me any special knowledge concerning them, " Drogomar spoke softly.   

"This may be a fool's errand but, it beats dying on a beach in the Void." 

His voice drops even lower, "and the bed is comfy and I am not soaking wet so...  I can accept what comes... whatever that may be."  The last words getting softer and slower until you hear a soft burring noise as Drogo immediately crashed in sleep.

You all settle in for the night. Amidst the growing snowstorm outside and the smoldering fire indoors, sleep quickly takes those of you not already slumbering. A familiar dream finds you - the very same one you encountered while you were drifting out at sea. Only this time, the colors are stronger, more vibrant, more palpable. The colors threaten to pull you in farther, to keep you there and never let you out. "REMAIN. HERE. IN OUR EMBRACE." hums a voice, just out of reach. A face appears, only its brief outline visible at first. It begins to materialize, yet you awaken with a start before it's able to manifest itself further.

Looking around the room, Folam is nowhere to be seen - but neither is the cabin empty, either. The table has extended itself once again, yet only this time is filled with fruits, meats, eggs, and breads lightly frosted with sugar. Herbal teas bubble from their respective kettles, and the scent is enough to make you salivate.

Your armor, which you removed last night before settling into bed, lies stacked in a neat row, freshly polished and gleaming. It is the same for your weapons - the sparkle of the metal glitters like silver.

And Folam hasn't left without a trace... a handwritten noted lies scrawled on the table, right next to the eggs.

To my magnificent guests,

May you travel with the Lady of Winter herself. While I had to leave again this morning to attend to some urgent business, I trust you'll enjoy your breakfast! And please, take some for the road as well! Speaking of, be sure to take the passage to the north. You will travel through a valley, of sorts. At the valley's end will be the mountain that you seek. Be prudent, keep your wits about you, and KEEP TO THE LIGHT. I shall see you in this very cabin upon your return. Return with the devil's head.

Your friend, Folam the Eternal

Looking out the window, you can see that the snowstorm has ended... what was once a leafy, mild landscape is now a snowy paradise. Not a single speck of the once heavy undergrowth is visible. The snow is almost comforting... the colors remain muted outdoors, yet the muted tint of the Void is not quite as apparent with white as the predominant hue... 

The snow must be two, three feet deep. How could such a snowstorm create this much snow in only a single night? Strange...

Cobalt feels a wave of nostalgia upon seeing the snowly landscape outside. "Reminds me of home." He thought outloud. 

Just to check for any other weather-related surprises, he casts Druidcraft, aiming to foresigh the weather for the next 24 hours.

Upon casting Druidcraft, snowflakes begin to rain from the cabin's ceiling beams. The effect is faint at first, yet quickly grows in strength. However, something strange is happening with the snowflakes - they morph in and out of existence. One moment they're rain drops, the next they're snowflakes, and the next they form a mighty gale. It's as if the spirits of nature themselves cannot predict the weather... or perhaps the spirits can't even reach you.

The final form the effect takes is that of a black snowflake. Then the spell ends, and the snowflakes disappear.

Outside, however, it is perfectly calm. Nothing stirs - it's overcast above, but not a single raindrop or snowflake falls from the sky. Perhaps you will encounter rougher weather during your travels?

Cobalt appears horrified at the spell's effect. He puts a hand on his chin, confused. "This place. . . it is . . . It appears that this place has a chaotic nature! The spirits have little to no strenght here . . . Honestly, i'm scared." The genasi confesses, "But . . . we can't stay on this place, either . . . we need to find  way out."

"And it seems the only way out is to go and kill the goblins . . . and hopefully come back . . ."

"A black snowflake . . . what does this mean? . . ."

Drogomar looks up from his breakfast, "Cobalt, is that normal?"

 "This place. . . it is . . . It appears that this place has a chaotic nature! The spirits have little to no strenght here . . . Honestly, i'm scared." 

"Now you have ME wondering..."  Drogomar pulls his staff over and holds it upright as he speaks a word softly bringing forth a glowing orange light Light

"No . . . it's not normal." He answers to Drogomar, "My spell should foresee the weather. But either it can't foressee due to the chaotic nature of this place . . . or the spell works, and we should be ready for a possible ravaging weather against us."