The Council assembles, the leaders of the expeditions lined up in the front. One by one, Vac, Rhael and Audley, Blaise, Swift, and Kavalan all share their findings on the towns their groups have spent the last two months exploring.

"So, at least three of the towns are populated, but have seen few signs of Hollow."

 

 

"The most they’ve seen is the strange Fae Spirit appearances."

 

 

"It’s disturbing that the Fae are visible to non-Spiritualists."

 

 

"I’m glad we got through to Yew’s Bend in the end! I was worried they’d never talk to us!"

 

 

"Our biggest worry is Deptsford and New Haven. Hollow has already hit them."

 

 

"You’re sure about that?"

 

 

"Saw the aftermath with my own eyes."

 

 

"..."

 

 

"It’s time to tell the town."

 

 

"I agree."

 

 

"We should keep looking right?"

 

 

"Yes. We’ll organize another team to keep on their trail."

 

 

"With Deptsford and New Haven, we have the beginning of a path. We should search the areas close to them."

 

 

" … What about the message we received from Vahk’asha?"

 

 

A few months ago, Atmos arrived and headed straight for the Mayors. With him, he held a letter, inscribed with careful writing.

To those who lead the town,
My hope is this letter finds you in time. I am Vahk’asha, Elder of Xaaida. I have foreseen something that spells disaster for us all. A Voidsent will escape his containment, steal the body of one of your own, and walk this world freed. I urge you to guard the seal closely.
I can only hope this warning reaches you.
-Vahk’asha.

"We’ll try to write a response to send with Atmos’ return there. If they are allies, it could be worth informing them of Hollow’s escape. And we will inform the town of this too."

 

 

A day later, the town of Whistler Crest gathers for a meeting in front of the town hall.

Hyndrel steps up, carefully explaining to the town the true purpose of the expeditions: the Skcirt brothers and the ghosts have somehow escaped from their sealed prisons, with the help of a voidsent named Hollow. Fearful whispers quickly rise in volume. Hyndrel continues, firmly assuring the nervous townsfolk that The Council, Town Guard, and Spiritualists will be working in tandem to keep the town safe in these times. The Town Guard will continue to be on high alert, while the Spiritualists will continue running their classes on how to make warding charms to deal with the unruly fae, and to fend off any other malicious spirits. They announce that the strongest team of council members - Vortea, Swift, and Kavalan - will continue gathering information as well as to monitor and track Hollow & Co.

This information was delayed, not because the Council intended to hide the problem, but in order to gather as much information as possible. Further meetings will be held to keep the town up to date as the situation develops, and everyone should remain calm.

The Expedition Leads then give their reports to the townsfolk on what was discovered in the towns. They talk of friendly South Warren, wary Yew's Bend, and the hardworking folks of Silverkeep. New Haven and Deptsford appear to have been abandoned, and while they suspect it is due to the void's influence, they do not believe it happened recently.

Honey brings the good news, accompanied by the Guardian Spirit Atmos: Atmos has brought word of a faraway ally, who has also been affected by the imbalance of energies in the world. The Island of Xaaida, she calls them, and reveals that this is where Atmos migrates to during the Dark Year. Whistler Crest will send a return letter to Xaaida when Atmos migrates back, sharing what has happened with Hollow and Co.

It is imperative that Hollow is found, and dealt with accordingly.