The party sat in a quiet circle, resting after the chaotic events of Krezk. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] took a deep breath and began casting a spell to commune with Jess and Derek back at the keep. The spell formed a faint, shimmering connection, and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s voice carried through. “Sordia Vignti is safe for now,” he said. “We plan on returning home shortly. See you soon.” After a brief pause, Jess’s voice came through, fragmented and strained. “Oh my... oh my... OK, we miss you... come... back safe.” The party exchanged glances, a renewed sense of purpose filling the room. Even after all they had endured, there was still a place to call home and people waiting for them. [[Ellette|Ellette]] turned to [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], her tone calm but edged with steel. “Give me the water flask.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] hesitated. “Why? I want to save Nissa.” [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me? You want to pretend to be a hero now? Save the sister you killed? Give me the flask. Now.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s hand tightened around the flask, his jaw set as if ready to argue. Before he could speak, [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] stepped forward, his voice firm but even. “Give it to her, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. It’s her sister. And it’s your fault.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s gaze flicked between the two of them before he relented, handing the flask to [[Ellette|Ellette]]. She took it without a word, tucking it securely into her bag. The group gathered around Esmeralda to discuss their next move. Mount Baratok loomed large in their minds, its ominous reputation and promise of answers drawing them forward. “We’ll need to cross the lake to get there quickly,” Esmeralda said. “Luckily, I have a boat hidden nearby. It’s sturdy enough for the rivers and large enough for all of you.” The party agreed, gathering their gear and making haste to the riverbanks where the boat was moored. The party climbed into the small wooden vessel, its worn planks creaking under their weight. With [[Ellette|Ellette]] steering and the others rowing, they set off down the winding rivers. The banks were lined with dense trees, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows across the water. Before long, the silence was broken by the sound of rustling leaves. Werewolves emerged, their glowing eyes tracking the boat as they ran alongside the river. “They’re stalking us,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] muttered, gripping his staff tightly. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] fired his revolver, the sharp crack of the shot echoing through the valley. A werewolf yelped and fell behind, but the others continued their pursuit. “They won’t try the water,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] assured them. “But keep rowing.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] sat rigid at the back of the boat, his face pale. “This is awful. Water is awful,” he muttered, clutching the sides of the boat tightly. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] smirked. “You’re afraid of water? Should’ve told us before we got in.” The party had a short laugh. The river opened up into a vast, still lake. The air grew colder, the silence oppressive. The water’s surface was unnervingly smooth, reflecting the cloudy sky like a mirror. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s breathing quickened as the boat drifted into the open expanse. “This place is wrong,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] said, her voice low. “Keep rowing. We don’t want to linger.” As the party rowed, a faint singing reached their ears. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] peered over the edge of the boat, spotting figures moving beneath the surface. “Hellooooo!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] called, leaning closer. The singing grew louder, more insistent. The water erupted as fish-like humanoids leaped out, their sharp teeth glinting. They attacked the boat in waves, their claws scraping the wood. “If this thing sinks, we’re dead in the water,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted. “Row harder!” The party fought off the attackers, their weapons flashing as the boat rocked violently. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] clung to the sides, his eyes wide with panic. Suddenly, the reflection of the moon on the water began to rise, its surface cracking and dissolving. From the broken reflection emerged an eldritch being of eyes and tentacles, its form both terrifying and otherworldly. Waves crashed against the boat, throwing [[Ellette|Ellette]], [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]], and [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] into the water. [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] scrambled back aboard, their movements frantic. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] screamed, his terror reaching a fever pitch as he clutched the boat’s edge. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], now in the water, wildshaped into a massive shark. Gripping the boat with his powerful jaws, he began pulling it toward the distant shore. The party braced for another attack, but as the boat touched land and they turned to look back, the lake was eerily calm. The creature was gone. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] collapsed onto the shore, his hands and knees sinking into the dirt as he gasped for air. “Never again,” he muttered. “Never again.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] looked around, her expression hard. “We need to move. We don’t want to find out what else is out there.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], back in his natural form, stepped toward the water, reaching out to touch it. Without even turning, [[Ellette|Ellette]] said, “Don’t do it, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]].” He paused, his hand hovering above the surface. “Fine,” he said, stepping back. The party gathered their gear, the mountain looming before them. They began their ascent, each step bringing them closer to whatever awaited them at Mount Baratok. [[Chapter 80. The Trials Ahead]]