"Happy to help.  I'm ready to go when you are Torq." Gaelin adds.

"thanks, but I'm fine... really. Please feel free to go with Jinara and Iris." Mucor would reply with a smile. "Perhaps it would be best to have some alone time with my mom. I wonder how soon we'll be able to bring back my father from the grave... That should make for an interesting conversation." he would add as he feels a bit of anger rise up inside of him once more. "I'll be fine here.. and know that I will drop everything to come help you if you need it."

Mucor-The air is cold and a gentle light snow causes each breath creates a small cloud. As you exit the courtyard to enter the grove you see Quentin pacing across the outer wall on duty.  Preferring not to interrupt him you enter the grove and take a moment to look around.  The vast beauty of the swampy grove brings a smile to your face and your tense body relaxes.  Your eyes scan across the grove and pause on the large black scar from your destruction of Button.  The tinge of anger returns and you feel an inner warmth within you.  Your vision seems to be focused and the soft gloved hand that touches your shoulder causes you to jump.  You turn and find your mother, soft smile on her face.  "Hello Mucor.  I'm glad you made it back safely." She pauses looking at your intense expression. "Is everything alright?  I... I know I may seem like a stranger to you but if you ever need someone to talk to you, I will always be willing to listen."

Jinara and Aryn- While Iris jots down notes onto parchment Jinara paces the room pondering the day's events.  Cedany peers over Iris' shoulder and observes silently taking the whole situation in.  Kelgos sits silently in a chair in the corner of the room watching the door.  A subtle knock sounds on the door and Aryn enters offering her services in the upcoming research expedition.  Iris smiles and nods, "We'll take all the help we can get.  I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes as long as Jinara is ready.  We're heading to Sonas, the dragonborn capital.  Hopefully they'll have more information about the cataclysm there.  Whether they allow us to see it is another matter." she says with a hint of skepticism.  

Gaelin and Torq- The twins look at one another and though disappointed, they agree. "Your life is your own.  We will wait for you as long as it takes." Alexandria says with a smile. Juliana playfully punches Torq in the shoulder and adds, "Don't take too long, your muscles might go soft."  

"I know.  I'll see you soon." Aryn says and leans in for a quick kiss.  "Take care of yourself Mucor, don't make me have to come save you again." she whispers with a smile and nibbles on his ear then walks up to the tower.

"Take your time Torq. I believe we have a bit of that at the moment." Jinara says understanding the need to do something alone. "We will see you when you return."

 (Have we had a long rest since battling the avatar?)

(I don't think we have. I think we just got healed up to full by the acolytes.)

Gaelin will follow Torq's lead not wanting to overstep personal boundaries.

(@Jinara- no it's only midday from the battle.)

Mucor would return the kiss and wave goodbye to Aryn before making his way through the grove. When his mother stops him he would stop and force a smile. "It's funny..." The elf would say looking down towards the dirt below his feet. "I've told many people the same thing over the years.. but most of them are gone." He would add before looking back towards his mother. "that black section of scorched earth over there... That used to be my best friend. My attempt at having a friend that might not leave me... and instead that friend tried to kill me ..." He would look towards the black scorched earth and use druidcraft to make some new buds bloom from the ashes. "But I'm learning to try put the past behind me. Sometimes the old bad things in our life need to be burned away to make room for something new and better. Have you heard how soon they plan to bring father back from the dead? I would be lying if I told you I didn't want to turn him to ash as well but if he traded my life in the hope that he was protecting you and my sisters from a coven of vampires... then I may be a little more understanding." 

Torq lets out a strangely high pitched chirp that you think is a chuckle.  "I'll return stronger than before." he says to the twins and will look at Gaelin.  "Thank you friend.  Let's go visit Herbert so we can get this over with." He says with a bit of resignation in his voice.  

When they find Herbert, "Herbert, I know I spoke with you earlier about this but would you be able to transport Gaelin to the Khir forest?"

Mucor- You mother wraps one arm around your shoulder and escorts you around the grove.  "Life will always cause you to have scars.  Just like this blackened spot here.  Over time... they heal and but still carry a lesson learned.  Your father was good to your sisters and I.  He provided everything we could want and more.  I don't know if I want to bring him back either but I am interested in the truth, as good or bad as it may be.  The turtle man said he and one of your friends can perform the ritual tomorrow or the next day." she pauses and smiles at the beauty of the grove, the burnt spot now 300 feet behind you.  "The turtle man also said you helped create this grove.  It's quite beautiful..." tears well up in her eyes and begin to run one by one down her cheek.  "I'm so sorry Mucor.  Sorry I couldn't be there to feed you, to hold you when you got cold, to play with you and give you all the love and affection you deserve.  You have done so well without me that I don't know what to do to try and help." she says stopping and hugging you tightly.  Out of the corner of your eye you see Torq and Gaelin enter the grove and approach Herbert.

Torq & Gaelin- After saying your goodbyes to the twins you enter the grove and find Herbert tending to a snow covered shrub.  He turns and greets you warmly. "Ah, yes. I am familiar with it. I believe you said your village was on the north eastern edge nearest the mountains, yes?" he asks.  You confirm and he walks over to a large tree and prepares to cast a spell.  He taps the tree and you watch the bark alight with arcane energy then flicker out.  "Strange... it appears the forest in that area has changed.  Perhaps the northwest will give us better luck." and he once again taps the tree.  This time you see the bark open and a forest with a light layer of snow lies on the other side of the portal.  You step through and enter into a pine and spruce forest on the lower expanse of a mountain range.  Torq, you recall this section of forest well and know your old village lies roughly 10-15 miles to the north east.  Make a perception Check!

Jinara & Aryn- Are you leaving now (1pm game time) or taking a long rest and leaving in the morning?

Perception:  11

Perception:  17

(Aryn is good to leave whenever Jinara wants to.)

(Let's go.)

"Most my life I wasn't doing well... wasn't doing well at all." Mucor would reply. "I created this grove like a collage of sorts. Taking only the nicest parts of the swamp I grew up in from memory and leaving out the bad. It has only been since joining my companions... that I have managed to change my life for the better. We eventually became the light bringers and have been able to do a great deal of good." The elf would pause "I had always hoped that if I did enough good... that I might be able to prove that I had some worth. That maybe I shouldn't have been thrown away so long ago..."

Aryn & Jinara- Jinara nods to Iris who pulls out her chalk and begins scrawling on the stone floor of the tower.  AS the arcane runes ignite with power you all step into the circle and vanish in a falsh of light.  You appear on a still glowing circle in the middle of a chamber.  Though you're used to this sort of outcome from these spells, you're taken slightly aback at the dark obsidian walls of the chamber you now stand in.  you exit through a large iron door and find a group of 7 dragonborn guards standing watch.  One larger blue scaled dragonborn steps forward and says in a deep voice, "Welcome to Sonas.  Please state your names and business in the city." As he speaks the pronunciation of the s' and c's are slightly elongated creating a short hiss.

Mucor- "No one's life deserves to be thrown away without justification.  What you've done is good, noble and merciful.  The lives your group has saved cannot be measured.  You have a wonderful group of friends.  Your wife... girlfriend.... Aryn, she seems very nice and quite capable herself..." she says locking eyes with you.  "She sees what I see in you.  Passion... Never lose that Mucor."  

Gaelin & Torq- With a bit of assistance from Torq you rapidly climb/ fly to a rocky outcrop to the north that hangs over the forest.  As you gaze out you see the vast expanse of trees to the south then turn to the east and see a barren wasteland in the distance.  The forest below you extends out for about 2 miles before it abruptly ends in a large swathe of charred earth.  Scattered black pillars are the only remnant of vegetation in this place and the light layer of snow is stained grey.  

Torq- Though you've seen the scarred landscape before, the cold winter air and coating of snow do little to dull the burning rage within you.  You look at the mountains and spot a familiar landmark and know the location of your old village is about an hour's flight away, but by foot it'll be at least two if not more.

Torq will turn to Gaelin, "Now you see.  You see why it was so hard for me to forgive.  This is all that's left of what used to be ours.  If you aren't opposed to the idea, we'll reach my village much faster if I carry you."

Gaelin will remain silent a moment to take in the horrible sight and ramifications it means.  He turns to Torq and replies, "I'm sorry Torq.  I had no idea the extent.  I've always enjoyed flying, now shouldn't be any different."

Aryn will step forward and say ”Aryn Xilvaris of the Lightbringers. Jinara, Iris, Cedany and Kelgos are here along with me.” And motion to each then look to Jinara to step in not fully knowing what they’re looking for. 

JInara steps forward and speaks in Draconic "Greetings and Salutations." He then transitions to Common "We are members of the Lightbringers and we come to Sonas on a research mission. It is with great honor and reverence that we are able to be here in your great city and thank you for the opportunity to speak with your leaders and representatives regarding the intricacies of our visit."

Jinara feels a unique sense of peace being in this space, unsure as to why.