We espy a cave, I can see faint aura of magic. After short rest, Igan, Xanadu, Tork went into cave, 50 sq feet with bed of leaves and a chair. Xavier’s piece of fabric –  trace of magic from transmutation school.

Mutant Xavier comes out of woods, Artemis alerts friends in cave. Xanadu calls Xavier’s name and he shrieks and runs away.

We track MX south and then west to Dread Ring, tracks end. Tork climbs a tree (successfully) sees some rocks in twenty-foot ring. Group goes to ring of stone pillars, not much happening there. We take a long rest. Igan had dream about circle being used for demonic purposes. Tork climbs tree/stone, sees smoke to the north and northeast and a castle to the south.

Group goes to the abandoned castle, there is a shrine to mougoubliet (goblin god)

Group goes back towards woodland manse. Xanadu fights a swarm of cranium rats in the night which run off into the forest. Xavier turns into a puddle of goo.

We go north towards where Tork had seen smoke. Tork picks lock, goes into cabin. It’s a hunting lodge, but not a place people stay. No one there. Found guest registry – this morning’s guest was Rosie Mothlight. There are lots of taxidermied animals, kitchen, office with a ton of scattered papers.

Drip puts water on trees around cabin. Igan sets lodge on fire. In rubble, Igan finds secret door underground. Drip goes into it, sees more taxidermy, but different monsters – dragon head. Evidence that weapons/armor were hung, but not there now.

Drip tries to burn other trophies – doesn’t work on dragon head.

Sildar appears – talks about a gem that can teleport to another plane of existence; we need to go to is run by a ruthless demon – Sildar gives us a chant to get to that plane; gem is with Tork’s people. Sildar also mentions the burnt building belongs to Falcon, a renowned hunter who has killed many dragons. Falcon will find you, states Sildar.

Sildar tells us Xavier is under a transmutation called polymorph that causes him to keep changing but he can’t do it.

We give Sildar the shard.