The three (plus Mule) were on the road through a forest after foraging and picking up a few planar crystals in the area. Agent had asked Khonshu to look at the venture and use his maps and supply knowledge. Arcturius-9 was sent along as security, and from the front of Lanternwurm, the Overseer asked Kona to participate from the watch as well.
Heading back to Lanternwurm as the summer day wore on, they came across an area of quiet and chill. Ahead, they saw three corpses hanging from a tree, and a symbol carved into the trunk indicating these were thieves. As Arcturius-9 got close and saw blood flowing from the symbol, the tree animated and attacked with crushing limbs.
Hacking and poking away, the party destroyed the monster and the feeling of chill disappeared. Kona advised them to bury the bodies, and they covered them in debris. Kona offered a short Sahuagin prayer.
After a short rest break, the group moved on. They heard a horse crying out and load roars. Ahead they came across an overturned cart spilling grease across the road, a wounded horse attached, and a man caught in the harness between. Next to the cart, a hapless owlbear was harassed by seven opportunistic worgs.
Hiding behind a tree, the party discussed their options. Kona covered with his hand crossbow as Khonshu sneaked ahead from tree to tree until he was close enough to reach the man. Deftly cutting the man free, Khonshu dragged him away from the accident. The injured horse ran, drawing one of the worg’s attention. The other party members took a wider path to try to avoid notice but were not stealthy enough. The wolf beast turned on them as the horse expired.
Kona, Arcturius-9, and Mule ran as fast as they could. As the worg gained on Arcturius-9, Kona spun around and abjured the foe, striking a large pose amplified with divine energy. This frightened the monstrous canine off and they were able to continue their escape. As the grease peddler was passed over to Arcturius-9, he thanked them as they carried him to safety.
After running from the worgs, the party found themselves lost on an off trail. They came to a three way split in the road. In the middle sat an old man dressed like a beggar, whittling some wood. He smiled as Khonshu stepped up for introductions. The man called himself Vevric and, when asked about the path back to the main road, he cleared his throat and recited a rhyming request for charity.
Khonshu flipped him a gold piece, and Vevric directed them to the path on their right with another rhyme. The party could tell the man might have ulterior motives, and Arcturius-9 intimidated Vevric, but they followed to the right.
After about an hour, the path led them back to the same split in the road. Vevric greeted them and cleared his throat to repeat his riddle. Cutting that short, Arcturius-9 ran up and punched him in the mouth. Stunned, the beggar stutteringly repeated his previous words. Khonshu couldn’t sniff out any enchantments involved, so the party just picked the path to the left and went on their way. This eventually led them back to the main road and they returned the rest of the way back to Lanternwurm before sunset.