Leaving the valley as the sun lowered itself over the mountains, casting long shadows behind their steps, the small band moved with haste. In all, there were ten residents of Sunset pursuing the gnolls, set out to avenge murdered and stolen family and friends.

Cire, Nicolas, Selene, Durg, and Stout made up one of the parties. The woodsman took the lead since he had the most proficient Tracking skill of the bunch. Their ragtag collection was joined by a motley group that held several faces that Cire had seen at the bar or in town. However, he did not know their names.

Two dwarves and three humans, all outfitted with similar weaponry and armor as Nicolas moved with determination. Each wore a similar expression of resolve, hardened through the crucible of loss and pain. No one would give up until they had hunted down those who had taken so much from them.

Never having been outside of the valley before, the thrill of leaving the familiar behind nipped at Cire. However, it was tempered by the nature of what drew him from the valley. Twin Pines gave way to a sparse, sprawling mountain grassland as they descended in elevation.

Once the party was fully in the shadow of peaks and cliffs, walking down well-worn switchbacks, they lit up torches for the humans to see by. While none of the others had Darkvision like Cire, the dwarves and Selene had Nightvision and could see with ease by star light. The humans though, they had started to slow for fear of tripping.

Moving swiftly took precedence over discovery at this point. The gnolls had almost a full day's start on them and could generally move faster. Their loping strides would cover more ground, encumbered with loot or not. It all depended on how much the hostages could slow them down and how fast the pursuers could make up time.

Traveling without conversation normally would have dulled most of the bands' wits, but not on this trip. Each member of the group moved with an alert sense of purpose. Traversing through the highlands was not carefree, but they were able to spot danger before it caught them.

Twice they had been able to avoid ambushes from large mountain cats. Once a dwarf had skewered an animal mid-pounce, and on the other occasion their attacker was sent mewling into the darkness with an arrow in its flank. Not much flora or fauna thrived in these mountains, but those that did often had thorns or claws. Seeking vengeance, these frontiersmen radiated an aura of violent purpose and ready defenses. Only other predators challenged them.

Pursuing the dog beasts tirelessly until sunup the next day, they made it most of the way through the Chimera’s Mane Mountains. Only a few ridges stood between them and the Shadowed Forest. It had been simple to follow the trail down through the mountains. The gnolls were moving swiftly, but they did not seem to expect pursuit, or they did not care.

The group moved to a small dell off the trail and made camp in a copse of trees. Most of the band collapsed in their gear and fell asleep within minutes. Traveling light had its benefits, but bedrolls and fires were out of the question.

Cire looked over to Selene. Preferring to build back some of the trust he might have lost, he gave himself a chance to do so.

“Selene and I will take the first watch.”

Selene quirked an eyebrow, but simply nodded in ascension. The two moved far enough away from the sleeping forms of their comrades for hushed conversation. They each stood with their backs to a large oak and scanned the horizon. Cire looked over for a moment at what he hoped was still his friend and offered his apology in a whisper.

“I am so sorry Selene. I know that I should have told you... all of you. I was scared, but that is no excuse. Please tell me anything you know about what I am?”

Selene looked pensive before responding in a similarly guarded tone.

“Cire, we are still friends. I do not know much more than what I told the others. I do not doubt your word.” She rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

“I want you to know that Durg and I only agreed to put you in that cage because we did not know what you would be like when you came to.

“We have fought by your side long enough to know you. Sunset has been a place for all of us to... cast ourselves in a new mold. If you are the same elf I have fought with against the yeti whose fur you wear, then perhaps the vampire who 'slayed' those gnolls could also find a home with us.”

Glad that he was facing away from her, Cire did a poor job containing his emotions. Tears fell freely, even if he dared not make a sound.

Selene wasn’t quite done and her next words gave Cire plenty to think about in the cold evening.

“Just because we are still friends doesn’t mean I have forgiven you. It will probably simply take more time. However, I will help you and I won’t abandon you because of this error. I understand why you acted as you did.”

They stood in silence for much of the next couple of hours. Before each settled down to get some sleep of their own, Selene drew close and looked him in the eyes. With a depth of compassion he had not experienced from her before, she spoke clearly, imparting the value of her offer.

“I will take you to my home when we are finished. The elders will be able to tell you more about your affliction. If you want to go of course?”

Quest Title: Elucidate your Elven Ancestry.

Condition(s): Travel to the Tempest Treetops with Selene. Meet with the Council of Elders.

Rewards: Increased relationship with Selene and her people. Additional rewards unknown.

Penalty for failure or refusal of Quest: None

Do you Accept? Yes or No

Cire smiled and nodded. “I am honored that you would take me to your home. I imagine they will have to know about the whole vampire and sun elf thing before I am allowed in?”

Selene smirked a bit before laying down, but offered no more response. She drew her cloak around her and settled in for a nap. Following suit, Cire bedded down for a brief rest as others took over their vigil.

Cire was awoken by Nicolas's shaking hands more quickly than he would have liked, it felt like only seconds after closing his eyes. His Indefatigable trait was working overtime. The packed up camp in a hurry and returned to the pursuit.

Trailing the raiders had become increasingly difficult as they left the mountains behind. The gnolls had begun to employ methods to distract their pursuers. It seemed that their scent had been picked up or this was natural behavior for the canines as they entered the Shadowed Forest. Either way, the group wanted to be rested before following the gnolls to their den.

Setting up a far more formal campsite than when they took their previous rest, this time the group built a sheltered fire. They even prepared a warm meal. While eating, Cire got to know the names of his new companions and a little more about Stout in the process.

Starting the fire had been far easier than Cire expected it would be. Apparently, the old gnome was an accomplished Fire Mage. Cire had not seen the barman's contribution to the defense during the raid, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Stout's familiar, a small flame elemental, danced down the gnome's sleeve. Without burning any of the fabric under its sparks it hopped into the collected kindling. The animate little fire dried the damp wood and a hot cooking flame sprouted almost instantly. It was kept tended by its creator.

Little conversation besides the introductions occurred during their meal of trail rations and a single hare. No one was up to small talk.

Cire finally recognized Borg when the dwarf raised his head from cleaning a rabbit leg. He was one of the two Stonebones that had literally kicked him out of the mine. If he was here, it was not hard to guess why. Borg’s brother must have been taken.

Bhelbir, a dwarf with similar features to Durg, was an apprentice smith. His motivations were clear as well. During the raid, the blacksmith shop had been hit hard and the smith killed.

Nicolas introduced the three humans in the other party. Galen, Timon, and Sebastian nodded in turn. All were either miners or lumberjacks by trade. Like everyone else gathered in their camp, they were either trying to find a loved one or revenge.

Upon waking the next morning, the group made sure they were prepared as they descended into the Shadowed Forest. The woods seemed not to follow any particular natural design, there were no discernible paths. Trees loomed overhead and rustling leaves whispered nightmares as they choked out the sky.

Selene had taken point and moved in stealth for much of the time. She made a rough spotting circuit in front of where Nicolas tracked. For their part, the rest of the pursuers tried to keep as wary as possible. Beasts encountered here would be far fiercer and stranger than anything in the highlands.

The party was being led southwest, keeping from the heart of the foreboding woods. With each step towards their quarry, they also grew nearer to the Stymphalian Swamp and the untold dangers that lurked in it's putrid waters.

Somber moods accompanied each member of the party for the next two days as their pace slowed further. A pack of wolves harried them in the early hours of their first evening. These animals had adapted well to the hollows and darkness of the forest. They were far more aggressive than their mountain cousins.

Vigilance could only go so far when facing a beast within its home. When the villagers were attacked, they managed to defend themselves adequately, at least. Most had simply worn their equipment to bed.

The pack alpha, an absolute brute of a beast, was able to savage the throat of a man in his sleep. It almost took the man's life without a sound, but not quite. It had been Galen. He had at least given the others a chance to not suffer the same fate with his dying scream.

Now nine strong, they buried him under a small pile of stones. It was a vain attempt to keep his remains retrievable, but animals would likely get to his body. Watch duties doubled after that, but it was a dangerous gamble as they neared their target. They would need their rest to face their foes.

Evening fell on their third night of pursuing a still unseen prey. Their hunters appeared resolute, but Cire could sense doubt creeping into his own thoughts. The others would likely be suffering the same.

Negative emotions intensified in general when Selene and Nicolas returned to their small unlit camp. Nicolas looked downcast and Selene had a plaintive look on her face. The woodsman addressed them, his tone defeated.

“I am sorry, I have failed our fallen. I do not know where, but I was tricked into following a false trail. About an hour ahead of us the tracks just stop. It took a while, but I was able to find a single set of tracks headed back along the original path. Screw these mutts. We need to back track.”

Deep inhales and a single groan issued from those present before slow nods of acquiescence. Morale had taken a hit with that revelation. Standing from his crouch, Cire moved next to his friend and placed a hand on the taller man's shoulder.

“Nicolas, we know that you have been doing your best. Now get some rest. When you are ready, we will get back to it.”

Pulling a guard shift with Durg in the middle of the evening, the two men stood back to back in the chill night air. Cire's new armor provided more warmth than needed to combat the cold. His bowling ball of a friend never seemed to be too affected by the chill. Half hunched so that he was on a level, Cire sensed a quiet moment to pick the dwarf's brain.

“So, how are you going to teach me the Meditation skill, buddy? Do I have to sit in the middle of a river or waterfall? Or is it easier than that for once?”

Pressing his shoulders back into Cire’s, Durg gave a soft snort and spoke in a guarded tone back.

“Aye. I can teach ya the basics, boyo. It ain’t too hard. I dunno why ya would have ta sit in a river. That be a good way ta catch your death of cold.”

A grin spread to his cheeks so large that the soft hide of his cowl pressed against them. It was nice to talk with his straight forward friend.

“Thank you, Durg. So.. there was another thing I wanted to bring up. I wanted to thank you for trusting in who I am after everything that happened a few days ago. Also, I wanted to apologize for not telling you sooner. I was scared, but that does not forgive my actions. Sorry it took so long. I didn't want to bring it up in front of the others, you know?”

Snorting, Durg gave his watch mate an elbow to the side. “Cire, ya may have been a human. Ya may even be a vamp now. But ya be as weepy and emotional as any elf I ever met. 'Twas your first rage boyo. I bet ya even gained the ability durin' the fight. I seen it happin' ‘fore. Ya swore ta work on it and ta use it only on enemies. That’s good enough for me.”

Following this was another, softer elbow. “Sides, ya be the tamest vampire I ever seen boyo. Bet we can get some folks real good with that trick where ya get all scary lookin’.”