====== Session 17: The Seed of Renewal ======

===== A Grim Awakening =====

The party awakens to find the artifacts they carry have grown even more tarnished by corruption. One of the **Red Oracles** hands **Jin** a letter from **Gimbol**, who explains he had to leave suddenly because **Durim** required his assistance. Along with the note, the oracle provides a scroll that **Gimbol** did not wish to take with him, the **Coronation Scroll**. Outside, the **Red Oracles** are seen collecting the remains of zombies, presumably to burn them.

===== The Prophecy of the Anchors =====

The party travels to a local tavern to gather information. There, they speak with the Red Oracle wearing the **Eyed Mask** regarding the spreading corruption. The figure suggests that **Parsons** played a role in it, possibly corrupting objects to harm those who retrieve them. They discuss a "seed" capable of mending the corruption and learn that **JB** is now working alongside **Parsons**, and probably has the **Scepter of Oaths**.

The **Red Oracle** reveals a prophecy:

> When three anchors awaken, the world is thrown into turmoil and the battle begins. Heroes rise not by blood or crown, but by burden, exile, and scars. They will carry a curse, and they will need to retrieve the seed of renewal.

The oracle explains that in this time of need, the **Red Oracles** are permitted to act. They admit that **Parsons**' plan began to unravel when the party rescued **Durim**. While one of the Red Oracles, a heavily muscled man with tattoos and long hair, assumes the party will fail, the **Red Oracle** clarifies their role: they cannot intervene directly when the party fights **Parsons**, but they exist to even the sides until the party is ready. The **Red Oracle** created the Flame as a means to watch over the gods and the emperor. When **Moss** asks about the remaining gods, the oracle admits they neither know nor care.

===== Arrival at the Fortified Town =====

At **Moss**'s request, the **Red Oracle** teleports the party to a heavily fortified town near Moss's grove. Upon arrival, the guards demand to know who they are. **Moss** identifies himself as being from the grove, but the guards are skeptical, claiming the grove is gone and overrun by monstrosities. **Moss** insists he has business with **tifAHNy**.

A voice calls out from above, identifying as **tifAHNy**, and commands the guards to let them in. However, the guards insist that everyone must leave their weapons and armor behind. **Moss** argues, and the guards specifically target **Jin**, claiming he can fight without equipment. They fire an arrow at him; **Jin** deflects it with ease, proving his skill, which the guards use to justify their caution. They then fire an arrow at **Vesper**, who is struck and crumples. The party decides to make camp outside the walls instead.

===== The Chateau and the Withered Grove =====

**tifAHNy** emerges with her entourage to set up a lavish camp complete with kegs of alcohol. She is visibly excited to see **Moss**. She shares grim news about the grove: it has been withering for four or five years, and those who remain have grown deranged. **Thistlegrim**, the Grovemaster, has descended into madness, while the **Heartkeeper** struggles to protect the seed and the tree of life.

**tifAHNy** mentions she will be staying at a nearby chateau for a time and invites **Moss**'s "friends" to meet her there. Throughout the encounter, **Moss** does his best to avoid her persistent advances. She eventually turns her attention to **Jin**, calling him one of the best warriors she has seen and suggesting he should shirtless oil wrestle her guard captain.

==== The Demon's Bargain ====

In a sudden shift, **tifAHNy** speaks to **Jin** in a different voice—one he recognizes from his past. A demonic image flickers around her. The demon offers **Jin** an out, taunting him that his friends mean more than he thinks. The demon demands **Jin**'s **Shadowsong coin** and **Moss**'s soul as the stakes for a contest. If **Jin** wins, **Moss** gets the town; if the guard captain wins, the demon takes **Moss**. **Jin** is roped into the deal and chooses to hold the fight that very night.

After the demon fades, **tifAHNy** returns to normal, seemingly unaware of the demonic presence. She begins preparing a feast for the party and her entourage.

===== The Contest of Mossville =====

During the feast, the **Guard Captain**—whom to some of the party appears to be the demon in disguise—taunts **Jin**, claiming his friends don't know him well and trust him too much. He also approaches **Sol**, offering to lose the fight on purpose for the right price.

As the contest begins, **tifAHNy** offers **Moss** a chance to pull out, but he refuses. **Jin** enters the ring against the **Guard Captain**, who reveals his true form as demon to those who can see it. **Sol** feels a familiar warmth on her shoulder and hears a voice:

> It's been a long time, darling. Watch this.

The demon suddenly transforms into a pathetic kobold, and **Jin** obliterates him instantly. The scene is impressive to onlookers, as the **guard Captain** still appeared normally to them. **tifAHNy** honors the deal: **Moss** now owns the town. The party informs the guards of the change in leadership and is guided to a manor within the town.

That night, **Jin** is interrupted by the demon again, who asks if he wishes to end their feud or continue it. The demon expresses interest in **Jin**'s friends and the artifacts they carry. Meanwhile, **Sol** suffers from nightmares of the webs she's woven through her life strangling her.

===== The Heart of the Grove =====

The next morning, the party discusses the logistics of running the town with the man who had apparently been doing the real work behind the scenes. **Moss** renames the town **Mossville**. They begin the journey toward the grove, noticing the lush green landscape turn to a diseased grey. Animals appear branching and curling like claws.

They arrive at the part of the grove where **Moss** grew up. The people there are covered in warts and disease. **Thistlegrim** appears, his voice booming as he blames **Moss** for the death of **Bartholomew**, and for leading **Parsons** to the grove. He declares that **Moss** must die but first must face the **Heartkeeper**.

==== The Heartkeeper's Judgment ====

The party is taken to the Tree of Life, which is now a dead, decaying husk. The guards shove **Moss** down before it. As they approach, the artifacts react: **Vesper** feels the **Chalice of Concord** shake, **Sol** hears the **Orb of the First Dawn** groan, but **Moss** hears nothing from the **Crown of Stars**.

The **Heartkeeper**, a massive and diseased tree-person, rises from the ground. It speaks:

> You should not be here, but the seed remembers you... remembers betrayal, remembers loss.

The party sees visions of **Moss**'s past within the trees. The **Heartkeeper** claims the seed is its to guard. The grove's council turns their back on **Moss**, but **Bebop** the toad hops out to the druids, and the party attempts to convince the **Heartkeeper** that the ruin was caused by **Parsons**, not **Moss**.

**Moss** finally proves his intent by producing the head of **Bartholomew**, explaining that **Parsons** sent it to him. The **Heartkeeper** finally believes him. **Moss** explains they need the seed to cleanse the corrupted artifacts. The **Heartkeeper** warns that taking the seed will result in its death, but eventually agrees. The party retrieves the 🗝️ **Seed of Renewal**, knowing they have only six hours to use it.

===== The Cleansing Ritual =====

The party sends a message to the **Red Oracles** to meet them in the city. Upon arrival, they find the archers pointed inward toward the square rather than out, in the direction of the **Red Oracles**. **Moss** reassures the guards, and they proceed to a manor with the oracles.

**Valera** uses bones to form runes on the ground, crimson light creating a pedestal of bones. The four oracles take their positions at the corners. **Thren**, the warrior oracle, warns:

> This is no gift. If it fails, you are all dead.

**Valera** opens a tome and begins the incantation. The **Seed of Renewal** begins to crack and expand. The **Orb of the First Dawn** spins, the **Chalice of Concord** thrashes, and the **Crown of Stars** radiates heat. **Valera** declares:

> The seed will cleanse, but it demands truth, sacrifice, and unity. Face yourselves or be consumed.

==== The Truth Sacrifice ====

The party members face their trials:

  * **Sol**: Confesses the secret of **Lunaris** being her fault.
  * **Moss**: Sacrifices his strong hand.
  * **Vesper**: Sacrifices their mask.
  * **Jin**: Sacrifices his gambling.

Corruption explodes from the **Chalice of Concord**, dealing psychic damage to **Jin** as he catches it. The anchors feel their blood boiling as the process continues. **Jin** and **Vesper** collapse, but **Moss** and **Sol** manage to heal them, purging the corruption. **Vesper** hesitantly retrieves the now-cleansed 🗝️ **Chalice of Concord**, which speaks to them:

> Drink from me when you're hurt; I will help you.

**Valera** applauds, noting that this was an outcome they could not foresee. **Moss**'s hand is restored, though it remains permanently "crispy" and scarred. The oracles state that while the prophecy has ended, they will remain available if needed, though they warn that "all is not as it seems.", seeming to be looking at **Jin** in particular.

===== An Official Summons =====

A messenger arrives with an official summons for **Lord Moss** from **Chancellor Valeris** of the Royal Council. The leaders of the realm request a meeting at a location of the party's choice to discuss the new leader of **Marrow**, the **Ashen Coven**, and the artifacts.

As **Moss** holds the 🗝️ **Official Summons**, he notices his fingers are covered in ash. He declares that the meeting will take place in **Mossville** in one week's time.

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