We set out from the Great Tower by the Swamp Gate in 3461 (1256 WY). On the first day, we journeyed through the Swamp of a Thousand Souls, and made camp at the very outskirts of the Forest. The trees seemed older this time, and the start of a familiar path was just barely visible. During the night, fireflies dotted the forest, and faint screams and animalistic growling could be heard from its depths.

On the second day, we were ambushed by a ferocious band of Conniving Goblins. Greeno convinced them to let us go without eating us, but I was forced to turn over the few francs I had brought with me. Alas, there would be no shopping from the Merchant of Nurn on this voyage. The Singing Boys were in awe of the goblins, who were much hairier and more wrinkled than any creatures they had yet encountered.

We made camp in the center of a small clearing, where there was a pool of dark red liquid. The trees around us were of a different type than the dark pine or spruce trees that normally fill the Forest. These were shorter, and extended their limbs over and around the clearing, keeping us safe from harm. Furthermore, these trees were colored a deep maroon, and bore strange, bulbous red fruit. Lucky picked one of the bulbs, and bit into it. He spat it out almost instantly, and exclaimed “It tastes like blood sir!” I gathered a few of the bulbs for further experimentation.