Krask awakens from his fever dream and keeps his memory a secret, not wanting the others to be reminded of his past (If you remember correctly, Krask stole from a red dragon who ended up wiping out his entire clan. And Krask is next. Okay, back to the action).
Before venturing out to clear out the remainder of the Graul Homestead, Theo partially heals the Black Arrows so that they will be better equipped to defend themselves if danger were to arise in the party’s absence. Jak, Vale, and Kraven ready their weapons but take a semi-relaxed stance as they continue to recuperate from their wounds. The party heads back through the violent sheets of rain, the constant lightning providing an ominous backdrop to their adventure.
The previously unexplored rooms in the farmhouse’s first floor fail to yield anything useful; besides some crude human fetishes and hidden skeletons of female babies, these particular rooms seem to be related primarily to day-to-day life as an ogrekin out here in the Kreegwood. When the party reaches the attic, however, there are a few discoveries to be had. Fobias uncovers several vials of acid stashed underneath a messy assortment of alchemical instruments and devices. In the corner of the dusty attic, Theo is able to find a thin blue vial that matches the vials taken off some of the Bloodless several days earlier. Whether it belonged to Ralk, the prisoner who didn’t survive his captivity, or if the Grauls have an even deeper connection to Garitran and the Bloodless, remains to be seen.
Having fully investigated the farmhouse, the party is content with setting the structure ablaze, (hopefully) burning away all that remains of the Grauls and the atrocities that they committed here. With the flames enveloping the building behind them, they return to the barn to see Jak happily reunited with his firepelt cougar companion, Kibb. For the rest of the day, the party discusses the layout of Fort Rannick in preparation of their assault. Vale is able to to provide a substantial amount of detail on the Fort, going so far as to drawing a representative map of their destination. Because the place is sure to be overrun with Kreegs, Value suggests using the emergency tunnels as a potential entrance, instead of the front gates. The Black Arrows believe that a pair of shocker lizards might be the only creatures dwelling in the infrequently-used tunnels, they reiterate that they are unsure of anything else that might lurk in the shadows there.
Everyone gets another night of much-needed rest, and they set off in the morning. Their day is uneventful, passing the time with steady travel and mild conversation. A watch is set at night so that the party won’t be surprised by an ambush now that they are less than a day’s travel away from Fort Rannick. Theo, who is tasked with the last watch of the night, is never roused by his predecessor, Kaven. Much to his surprise, Kaven is nowhere to be found; he has seemingly fled in the middle of the night. There isn’t a sign of struggle or kidnapping, meaning that the Black Arrow left of his own volition. Fobias and Richard are able to deduce that Kaven was still heading towards Fort Rannick, and the party decides to quicken their pace to try and catch up.
While they run, Theo sends Rashaala (his quasit companion) ahead to scout. After some time, he is able to feel the excitement that Rashaala feels as if it were his own. When she returns, Theo confirms that Kaven isn’t much further ahead of them.
And he looks guilty.
What secrets is Kaven hiding? What other horrors lie in the tunnels leading inside Fort Rannick? Was the Sihdreon tattoo too obvious of a clue?