The Crescent Forest was described as a lush and terrifying jungle, teeming with towering trees, thorny bushes, and razor-sharp grasses, along with various wild beasts. By sticking to the recently used logging trails, the adventurers managed to evade serious threats. They arrived at the logging camp in the afternoon, finding it deserted with the loggers' belongings and meager food rations left behind. Tracks of a large creature were discovered along the camp's edge.

As they explored, they heard the sounds of a nearby fight and the low growl of a creature. Following the commotion, they reached an open area within the forest where a group of robed men was under attack by a large creature resembling a serpent with multiple clawed legs and a draconic head. The creature exhibited remarkable agility, and the area bore signs of recent charring from its attacks, crackling with electrical energy. The group of heroes immediately engaged in battle.

The behir whelp, as they identified the creature, unleashed debilitating lightning charges and vicious claws while moving around swiftly, knocking the heroes to the ground. Four cultists supported the creature, channeling primal power to enhance its attacks, while attempting to harm Fazanna with their deadly wrist razors. Fazanna held off using her magic until the druids were at a safe distance before deploying her spell-singing defenses.

Hamra utilized his fire cleric abilities, while Shiv engaged in melee combat, disrupting the enemies grappling the behir whelp. Morhen contributed by slinging stones initially before resorting to his bow, delivering precise strikes. When the behir whelp charged Morhen after freeing itself from Shiv, Morhen immobilized it with deadly arrow shots. Shiv and Zyel alternated between attacking the creature and retreating to avoid its range.

Despite sustaining significant damage, the heroes successfully dispatched both the behir whelp and the cultists.

One of the men who had been engaged in the battle against the cultists and the creature approached the players, introducing himself as Barazin. He expressed gratitude for their assistance, revealing that the cultists had been attempting to imbue creatures with unnatural paraelemental powers, with the ultimate goal of destroying the Crescent Forest.

Upon receiving the seed from the Tree of Life, Barazin showed great appreciation and willingness to assist the players in any way possible. However, after studying the seed, he decided to return it to them, sensing its potential importance for their future endeavors. He informed them that what they were seeking was a druidess named Alaya, the last in a lineage of druidesses who were intended for sacrifice in ancient Yaramuke.

A sudden cry of "Ngangas!" interrupts their surroundings, drawing their attention to two masked templars engaged in a heated argument. One of the templars raises a staff and utters what appears to be primordial language, summoning a cloud of ash towards the other. However, the second templar swiftly counters with a spell, binding his opponent with primal energy, rendering him motionless. The victor proclaims loudly about the consequences of betraying the Oba to the primal spirits, before fatally impaling the paralyzed templar with a spear. Despite the gruesome scene, the onlookers, particularly the native Gulgans, seem to purposefully ignore the event.

Amidst the unfolding chaos, they receive information regarding the civil unrest within Gulg. Many of the city's templars, known as ngangas, have betrayed Lalali-Puy to ally with the primal spirits, posing a threat to loyal citizens. These traitors are apprehended and slated for potential sacrifice in the upcoming Red Moon Hunt, a festival significant to Gulg. The situation worsens as more templars reportedly defect to serve the primal spirits, challenging the efforts of Lalali-Puy and her loyalists in maintaining order.

They learn that access to the city has been restricted due to the unrest, with only those possessing special dispensation allowed entry. Additionally, securing an audience with Lalali-Puy or her representatives becomes increasingly challenging amidst the preparations for the Red Moon Hunt. Despite these obstacles, a message reaches Fazanna telepathically, revealing the presence of a friend beneath the Veil and the location of Ayala within the city, urging them to meet at the House of Avarice and order greenwater. Fazanna shares this vital information with the group.

Marta expresses disappointment at the group's chosen method of gaining entry into Gulg, perhaps expecting a more diplomatic approach. However, she refrains from condemning their decision, instead offering advice. She suggests that once inside Gulg, they should seek assistance at the House of Charity, where they might find support in freeing Alaya. Marta hints that they can signal their affiliation with the Veiled Alliance by requesting "bluewater." 

The group opts to ambush a camp of ngangas situated outside Gulg. Approaching stealthily, they catch the ngangas off guard. Hamra unleashes a fireball, engulfing the tents in flames and revealing five female ngangas poised for combat. The ngangas retaliate by cursing the group, augmenting their strikes with extra damage. Using spiritual ghost jaws, they attempt to paralyze the group members before launching ghostly lances.

Amidst the chaos, two trees spring to life, ensnaring the group with their roots and assaulting them with hefty branches. Shiv swiftly dispatches one nganga, while Morhen finds himself entangled by the trees. Hamra creates a barrier of fire around himself for protection. Zyel charges in but is swiftly overcome. Only Fazanna remains standing against the last nganga and the remaining tree, eventually defeating them.

In the aftermath, Fazanna attempts to use Morhen's scroll of healing, but to no avail. Sole survivor Fazanna reflects on the heavy toll of the battle, realizing that Zyel has fallen. Despite emerging victorious, the group contemplates the cost of their victory.