We spend some more time around town but don’t find out too much more about the elves. Filarion plays at one of the local bars and gets quite the crowd. The name of the place is Akamagosh and caters to more of the working class crowd. The people there say that the elves left and then came back — most likely they were casing the city and then came back to steal the lute.

At the Golden Lute Filarion’s set is not met with as much enthusiasm, but he hears from the locals that they were waiting for something before they attacked.

We move on to the Slippery Fish where there is a big party going on. Filarion plays really well and everyone is having a great time. We don’t get so much information from them, however. We decide to turn in.

Later, Filarion visits the druidic grove where Mord is convening with the druid circle. The two ask several questions that the druid circle, firstly “Why did the elves take the lute?” which they respond “To draw the orks in.” They ask “What is their motivation?” and they respond “They think they are following Alona but are not.” They ask “Who are they actually following?” and the answer is “Erevan Elesir.” Erevan is a pretty severe elven god who is a trickster and hates orks.

We wake up to the smells of really good food and we eat and then visit the mayor. He says that he’s torn sending more of his men out. He can send six orks with us. We decide that we’ll use them as a rear guard and not go directly in with us. They will build some cover for us if we want to fall back.

Greedex, the local druid, comes with us. As we get closer, he says that there is a “shielded space” ahead of us. The elves must be using magic to protect themselves. Mord, Filarion and Dardenne go ahead and tell Greedak and Hadrian to wait for us.

We approach along with the unicorn and are told to stop by two elves who are ahead of us. We identify ourselves and say that we’re aware of the conflict between the elves and orks. They say that they are eladrin from the fae realms, and were told by Alona to root out the “corruption” in the forest. We say that they have been commanded by Erevan Elesir who is tricking them. They don’t believe us but Mord says that he can ask the god directly. They agree but we notice that there are warriors behind them ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

Mord’s divining works and the goddess speaks through him. She says that the elves are being commanded by Erevan Elesir. This causes a crisis of faith with all of the other elves and they seem to be questioning things. The cleric tries a spell as well, and says that we are telling the truth.

We suddenly hear a rumbling above us, it appears to be rolling thunder. An elf appears beside Hadrian and tells him to come with her. He detects evil and senses none, so he goes with her. They both approach us.

She goes to the other elves and says that Erevan was trying to use them, and he will pay. We can tell that this is Alona from her energy. She touches the leader and he breaks down crying. She summons Greedak out of thin air and introduces him to the elves as a faithful follower of hers for many years. She says that they could learn from him.

Greedak says “Our town welcomes those who come in peace, you could return and make amends.”

Filarion suggests that they return the lute that they stole.

The elves invite us to their town and say that they’ll disarm their traps so we can visit with them. They give us the lute and Filarion starts playing it. It is just a regular lute and is pretty out of tune.

Back at the ork town, the leader puts both of his swords down in front of the mayor — one is fire, one is ice so they sizzle when they touch. He asks for forgiveness.

Filarion plays the sacred lute in the town square but doesn’t do the best performance. The town is entranced anyway.

The mayor says that they are deeply in our debt and we can stay here any time we like.