The party prepares to go back to Blackraven Hall. They give their report to Freyr detailing Auramesties & research from the Lower Library on Tashanna and the Torc of Kostchtchie. It’s decided to send a letter to the Lastwall crew for an exploration of the Veil of Frozen Tears. The party also learns forces on the border are strengthening. They receive new weapons imbued with the oil of elemental quenching.
Later, a meeting is assembled of the higher ranks. They and the party discuss their speculations on the denizens of the Hut.

• It’s agreed that Gaj is likely very adept at alchemy, given that troll’s blood potion is difficult to make. This would mean she probably had knowledge of the toxicity of the tea. If she is prevented from doing direct harm – and Baba Yaga is rumored to be fond of ironic curses – then this would not violate that condition.
• Hendrik
• Koschey
• Zorka
• Hawthen
• Louhi

The party is then granted a week to go to the Grungir Forest to consult with the druids there about Temperance’s Sylvan book. One such druid named Hildegarn agrees to translate the passages. The text reads mostly the same from what the nymphs gathered – it is the journal of a traveler to the First World, appearing to be from the perspective of a gnomish man. The first half is an uneventful bit detailing the world and its inhabitants. Midway, Hildegarn discovers the book is haunted by a mad soul and remarks that she will need to be quick about reading the rest, lest they succumb to the madness as well.
She confirms that the journal does indeed include mention of The Envious Prince and a fey royal court; this would date the book at least hundreds of years back, as the court in question (according to legend) collapsed a long time ago. The traveler befriended the prince, whom in turn committed some act that led to the fall of the court. The author went insane in short order. Aimo asks if the prince had perpetrated siblicide; this is not confirmed, however it is suggested that he was responsible for the disappearance of some of the members. Aimo then asks about Zorka’s portrait in the Bestiary. The druid confirms that his appearance matches some of the stranger fey of the First World. Temperance requests turning to the pages with the birds, but is denied.
Deeming the book too large of a threat at this point, Hildegarn closes it and purifies it with the other druids. Chance and Temperance are asleep for this portion. Upon waking, Chance finds a talisman of minor warding against evils – a gift from the druids upon Aimo’s request. Temperance is upset to see that the journal did not survive the exorcism and is now blank. The party leaves the forest after a fuming monk. Chance and Aimo discuss the implications of what they’ve learned. Suspicions are cast upon Zorka. They get on the topic of warlocks, and Temperance recovers and joins the conversation.
Back at Blackraven Hall, they enlist the help of Vessi for warlock magic testing. The ruling is that Temperance shows Archfey magic.