Hush dodges the attack and calls back over his shoulder, "Watch your close quarters attacks. It seems to leech its energy into me when I hit it. I'm ok, just a little fuzzy is all."

While Ralnor was able to dodge the initial attacks of the creature, its second go-around connects and sucks energy from him at an incredible pace. He barely manages to break contact and stay on his feet.

Taking advantage of Hush's nearby presence causing the creature to divide its attention, Ralnor stabs his rapier in quickly at the first opening he sees.

Then, knowing he can't take another hit from this thing, he moves quickly away, pulling back to the edge of the lake. (Square J11).

Action (with Sneak Attack from Hush being within 5' of creature):  Attack: 13 Damage: 7  plus 2  sneak attack damage for total damage of:  10

Bonus Action: Cunning Action - Disengage

Movement: Full 35' to J11

Holden uses his bonus action to rage, grunting as he draws his axe before rushing towards the spirit. Using his full movement, he should be able to make it within melee range and takes a heavy swipe with his axe.

(Reckless attack— Holden had advantage, but the spirit will also now have advantage against him.)

Attack: 22 Damage: 10

(I did not expect you to kill it that quickly. Nicely done!)

Ralnor’s bow strikes true as Holden’s axe crashes into the creature’s ephemeral form. Despite the physical impacts having little individual effect, the combined force proves too much for the Lost Spirit. With an agonized shriek, the being’s form dissipates and vanishes into thin air - leaving the woods relatively quiet. For now. 

The whimsical forest and spiraling growth of the trees continues. Luminous moss and the chirping of woodland animals magical and mysterious in nature breathe life into the blue-green forest dotted with flowers and vegetation of all color. Thick ferns grow underfoot that all seem to have a unique appearance from each other. The light gradually shifts from meager sunlight poking through the canopy above to simply the ones given off by fireflies and glowing mushrooms - while certainly dimmer than the usual sunlight, the sheer number of different luminescent sources allows the magical place to truly come to life. Unfortunately - it impairs in the way of tracking for footsteps or any sort of orientation through the forest.

Let me know what your actions are.Two people may make a Survival check (DC 18), with advantage if you are of the Morka. 

A golden glow from an awaiting spell fades from Luxaene's hand. She looks to the others and speaks up, "Do not take our success here as crack in the defenses - we were just lucky. Now, let us proceed..." Her eyes linger on Holden before taking the lead.

Survival Check: 20 

Holden again takes some time to calm down from his rage as he breathes in heavily, cleaning and sheathing his axe as well. He then looks to the rest of the group and on ahead “Well then, let us be going. As Luxaene says, stay vigilant. We do not know what else may bar our progress.”

Survival: 21

Ralnor sips his rapier back into its sheath and moves along the path laid out by Luxaene and Holden. While forests are where he grew up, this one is different. Unsettling.

He keeps his eyes scanning from side to side, hoping to make sure nothing can get the jump on them again.

Perception: 15   (Passive Perception: 15)

With some amazing survival rolls, both Holden and Luxaene are able to guide the party through the strange woods without veering on any tangential pathways or falling victim to any more luring lights. It is almost as if the woods was welcoming you into its midst. 

After several hours spent walking, the party notices light flitting through the trees beyond. Dappled sunlight gives way to the sight of a circular clearing carved from the trees in the precise shape of an eye. You have arrived at the city of Morka in the strange way most do - by simply stumbling upon it by the will of the woods. Most legends tell of esteemed sorcerers and diviners who draw power from the old ways of the world - most Morka inherit magical capabilities from their old bloodlines while others learn to weave the arcane through alternate means. The Morka can be considered a large village in size. 

The strict, uniform architecture of the brown-thistle huts with speckled red-white roofs are as rigid as the rest of Morka society. All residential buildings are identical in make. Punching from the center of where the eye-shaped town's 'pupil' should be is a majestic temple, likely sandstone in make. It appears to have three tiers in a pyramidic shape with an open foyer on top, presumably for worshiping the belief Morka spellcasters tend to share - simply, vision beyond sight. If the symbolism of the town being constructed in the shape of an eye wasn't enough, over half of the villagers milling around town are wearing purple-brown soulmasks imprinted with white-painted eyes in all forms and number. 

The party is paid no mind as they emerge from the woods. The Morka in the group know - and it becomes clearly evident - that many people wander from the woods and wander back out. There are no roads leading from or away from the tribe, but pathways are carved into the tightly-packed buildings. 

For the Morka:

Ralnor pauses as they leave the woods and he gets his first glimpse of the Morka village. None of his prior assignments ever brought him here so he absorbs as much as he can, committing it to memory.

"All buildings look the same," Ralnor says to the others. "Makes finding smith hard. Do we just ask for Juno?"

Hoping Juno is a blacksmith or weaponsmith, Ralnor does his best to listen for the sounds of metal banging to give hint to which building might be the smithy.

12 

Lazarus gazes with wonder upon the Morka city, a city of magic and mystery. For all the while he's spent in the Wilderness, he's tried to find this place. And now, he's finally here. 

He too helps search for a blacksmith among the tightly-packed buildings. However, he's more interested in seeking out anything magical that he can find, whether it be people casting spells in the street, or obvious magical items dangling in view. 

Perception: 6

Arcana: 18

Holden would explain the basic characteristics of the castes in the Morka to the party as they draw nearer to the village. Then, when they finally reach it, instead of head up looking around in awe at the area, he keeps his head down and walks forward, following the rest of the group in deference. 

Luxaene takes a deep breath; home is such a welcome sight. But the breath isn't as deep as it usually is...

"Those of the Imperials, it would be wise to cover up any symbols or perhaps don a long cloak. People here may hold some views and we do not need trouble at this time."

Luxaene looks to Ralnor, "Worry not, we can find you a smith. Unless there's urgency?"

As they approach, Luxaene nods along with Holden's explanation. She approaches while the others take in the impressive sights of the Morka, "Worry not, our time will not be long, I feel... What about this place causes resentment?" 

(OOC - isn't Juno the smith and why we came here? I don't think Ralnor's search for the smith is related to weapons or armour if that's the case.)

Hush looks around, noting any stalls or buildings that look like they might hold things of value. He stops at a stall and inspects the produce. "Tell me, friendly merchant," he beams a broad smile at the stall keeper, "Could you point me in the direction of the blacksmith in these parts? My friend over there has blunted his butter knife and is in dire need of a blacksmith to un-dull it," he chuckles as he laces the last part of statement with plenty of sarcasm and dry humour.

(OOC - yeah, I misread that too and thought Juno was a smith).

Ralnor joins Hush at the stall.

"And Juno," he says. "Do you know Juno?"

Otherwise, Ralnor stays relatively quiet and keeps an eye open for anyone that might take a lot of interest in the party.

(OOC: see this post for a description of Juno. She worked with Miko and is said to be a smithy who specializes in enchantment.)

The grassy floor of the small meadow leading to the circular city of the Morka eventually gives way to carved stone pathways which seem a little too exact to be placed naturally. Those with proficiency in Arcana can tell the city has been constructed nearly entirely through magical means. Citizens can be seen peacefully walking the narrow streets - strangely, very few people talk. Nearly half of the occupants where painted soulmasks in the colors of Morka, designating them as spellcasters. Unfortunately, neither Ralnor nor Lazarus are able to quite discern any sounds which could be produced from a smithy. 

The party eventually takes a turn into what appears to be a small market. The same, uniform houses lining the streets widen in a circular shape. Stalls containing various generic products - traveling gear, clothing, wares, equipment, etcetera - line the stone-street plaza. Interestingly enough, most conversation seems to be somewhat muted; Luxaene and Holden are aware quiet is heavily appreciated in Morka society. It allows the spellcasters to concentrate, and usually only those in charge are meant to speak. Idle conversation is frowned upon outside in private. Business, on the other hand, is permitted.

Even with the low rolls, Lazarus, you notice around half a dozen separate figures engaged in their own form of spellcasting. The specific nature of their spells is difficult to tell. You see one outside their apparent home looping silver string around the perimeter of their home while another is dusting green, chalk-like material over their garden. In the center of the square is a raised pedestal where a woman wearing an ornate mask is kneeled, chanting something as incense burns around her in a circle. You notice a stall in the corner - it appears to be vending supplies for spellcasting.

Hush approaches a stall at random which appears to be vending carved trinkets and toys. On the back shelf of the small, tarp-covered stall built into the side of a thatched building is a bored-looking, aged dragonborn of copper lineage who leans forwards as you approach. "Your friend sounds like he should sharpen his mind instead of his knives. Offer him my congratulations for managing to blunt a butter knife. Blacksmith? Why on earth are you looking for a blacksmith around here?" he wonders before his eyes trail over the remainder of the party. "Ah. I see. I've heard of a Juno - arrived here with a troop of us. She's an enchanter looking to learn our ways. At least she has some respect for our customs. Not like most." He leans out of his stall and points towards a building further down the street - it crosses a small river, designating it being within the second circle of the Morka. "She frequents over there. I'm not a spellcaster myself, so I tend to stick on my side," he snorts, settling back into his seat. "Or 'our' side, I should say. I wouldn't wander too far in the district. They don't like Imperials here." 

Hush nods, "My thanks." He notions to the others to follow him and starts heading in the direction indicated, still looking about however, taking everything in.

Luxaene gives a gentle, but meaningful nod of thanks and follows Hush.

((Does Luxaene have a mask?! Or was it removed when she awoke in the charred/dead forest?))

As they move towards the building that was pointed out, Ralnor finds he enjoys the quiet of this place. 

Lazarus follows Luxaene's advice and dons a long cloak from his pack. He puts up his hood and keeps his head down, scowling that he has to take such measures despite his noble birth. He watches the spell-casting from afar with a mix of awe and confusion.

"Those charms...are nothing like what Mr. Demar taught me. I should investigate further into these strange Wilderness magics." 

He keeps a low profile and follows along with the group. 

Holden follows, again quiet, and his face sullen. Largely ignoring Luxaene’s question, he continues, and only gives a small shake of his head to indicate he doesn’t wish to speak of it.