The trip to Timber was a surprisingly fast one. After witnessing the effects of glowmadness on one of their own, the party made every effort for a speedy journey; Khala even opted to go through a rockstorm to cut some more time, despite the odds of survival.

Elyas spent much of the trip in solitude; his guilt weighed heavily upon his shoulders. He made many attempts to apologize, but found few words to convey his sorrow.

In eight weeks, the Chance docked in the port of Timber. The harbormaster, Erok, was their contact for the shipment. He also directed them to the supply store so they could trade their cargo. Before the heroes could pack up and leave, however, a small wildling burst through the town in search of Erok.

The wildling known as Roe had run for nearly three days in search of help. An elven shepherd was in the forest slaughtering wildlings. Without help, the wildling refugees would suffer for escaping Heartland.

Elyas was quick to suit up and march into the forest. The rest of the party fell in line, leaving Miri to watch the boat. Roe acted as their guide, taking them deep into the woods. Aided by the quick thinking of Glimwick and his magical staff, the party fashioned a passable raft and used the freefoam river to increase travel time. Unfortunately, Glimwick's geographical knowledge of Canopy was lacking. The river took them directly into a torrent of rapids that would consume them all--were it not for Areothotis' timely prayers. She is the the lifemother, after all, and what is a river, if not a giver of life to land? The raging waters calmed, allowing the party easy access to the shore, while Areothotis was lifted up along the water as buoyant as wood.

From there, tracking the path of destruction was easy. Roe found his friend Howler in a pit-trap, having used it to trap one of the shepherd's ferals. The heroes moved quickly through the village as Roe realized the wildlings would naturally hide in the hill-caves; where they go when the river floods.

It was a sight that sent Elyas into the same darkness he felt back on the Chance. The wildlings were perched on some rocky ledges, fending off ferals with naught but primitive spears. The Shepherd occasionally sniped any that successfully reached ground and made a run for the woods.

The heroes moved to act, with Elyas offering a diplomatic resolution, despite his surging anger. Seeker, as she called herself, ordered the heroes to leave. She was charged with culling the slaves and would not be stopped.

The ferals attacked quickly under her command, and proved why they're universally feared. Infused with the same primal magic as the elves, they blinked in and out of existance and seemed to occupy more than one location at a time. Along with Seeker's own command of the land, the heroes were grossly outmatched.

"I have no quarrel with you. Surrender, and I will let you leave with your lives. Stand against me, and you will suffer the wildlings fate."

She was right. They couldn't beat her. She had supreme command of the battlefield and took them in open combat. Khala gave the wildlings time to escape before lowering his blade to save Glimwick and Areothotis from the ferals. Elyas refused to give in, fighting until the ferals tore him down, leaving him bleeding.

Beaten. They had never been beaten. Whether it dragons, glowmad, demons, or pirates; the party had a strong might makes right mentality. Yet, now, despite their convictions and faith, they were defeated and the wildlings would suffer for their failure.