Snakes in the Grass

“

Quinfort seeks further enlightenment from the great serpent.

— In-game description

Rewards

Quinfort's pleas for a sign are answered when he notices the scar on the serpent's belly is gone and another has appeared near its tail. Judging by its shape, he is convinced dark forces are gathering somewhere near Dyers' Wash. Valan agrees that it is worth investigating.

Shortly after arriving at Dyers' Wash, you spy two mages dressed in black. No sooner do you approach them than two spiders appear and assault you. The two mages seem to take delight in your struggles, but their smiles soon fade when the two arachnids are brought low.

The two mages panic and flee into the woods at the sight of your victory. You give chase in the hopes of uncovering their scheme.

You finally corner them after an arduous trek through the woods. The air is electric as the mages sling spell after spell at you, but their attempts to stave you off are futile.

Among the mages' belongings, you find a scroll outlining a plan that spans the breadth of Rak'tika. You rush back to Slitherbough to inform Valan and Quinfort of what you found.

Valan and Quinfort look over the scroll and are horrified at what they see. A plan to sever all flows of aether to Slitherbough, which would not only cripple the village but irreparably upset the balance of the forest. Despite the difficulty involved in explaining where they learned of this plan, the two have every intention of informing their betters. Quinfort once more offers praise to the great serpent, but he turns to find it vanished. Though the mystery of this snake-like being remains, they are content in the knowledge that the Greatwood is safe.