Session 0- The Party Assembles

Shigal considers his options and quickly comes to the conclusion that this has gone far enough. Moving with unnatural speed, he sprints 80 feet down the street.

Trissrie- you can choose to pursue or not
1. Cinaed
2. Shigal
3. Other Bar Patrons
4. Trissrie
5. Zila
6. Bartender

The bartender lets out a sigh of relief once you are all safely inside. I'm only supposed to do this in case of emergencies. Magic shut-off switch for the whole building. Costs a damn fortune in upkeep. It will have alerted the guards by now. I'll still stand here until they come though. Indeed you notice something feels off about your magical abilities in the room now. The rest of the patrons seem a little on edge with the magic turned off, but they do their best not to acknowledge that anything happened, except for Zila who rushes over to Trissrie. Are you hurt? I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help. I knew it'd turn out fine though. Sorry. Can we talk now? I've really been looking forward to meeting you.

Zila walks with you to the corner where you had been talking with Cinaed. Please come sit Trissrie! and you must be Cinaed. I imagine the others will be here soon as well. Sorry again, I do this sometimes. I am Zila Cree, a minor oracle. I have foreseen that you would be here and the unfortunate events that took place. I know you are headed to the city of Ilan Ketur. I myself am headed to north, to the far far north in fact, to seek my destiny. I would like to travel with you! Safety in numbers right? She looks around the room briefly before continuing in a quieter tone I also know that you have your own destiny to fulfill and I can be a help to your mission for as long as our paths coincide.
By this point a squad of four city guards arrive through the front door and begin speaking with the barkeep (who looks more than a little relieved finally taking his arm out of the metal box- you see now his hand seems to have developed harsh red blisters during its time in the box).

Cinaed's temper is cooling off now that Tressrie is back in the inn. It has been a while since he got this worked up. He follows Trissrie and Zilla back to the corner. "I am sorry things got out of hand. I cannot abide anyone who uses magic in such a way. Thank you for your assistance, miss." Cinaed watches as the guards are talking to the bartender. He is fascinated by box that he had used and wants to examine it. However he will wait until the guards leave.

Thank you. Now perhaps we can talk on peace. Cinead sits down at the table. He sags back against the chaor from the effort of the fight. Adrenaline draining from him.

Just a moment please. Zila's eyes glow with a slight golden light for a moment. Sorry about that. Perhaps we can wait a few moments. I believe Laura and Barrott are approaching.
The guards finish hearing the barkeep's story and come over to your table. The captain opens the visor on his helmet and looks down at you apologetically. My greatest apologies that you suffered such treatment in our fair city. We are out to apprehend this foul villain. These mages eh? They seem to go mad more often than not. His eyes rest a mite too long on Cinaed. No offense I mean, but you see how it is right? Before we're off, is there any information you can give us that might be of help?

Cinead notices the look but chooses to let it pass. "None taken. I despise anyone who attempts to use magic to influence the mind of another. It desecrates the purpose of magic. I do not know much other than he was part of the Alchemicals. That and if we meet again it will not go well for him."

The captain nods. Then we'll be off straightaway. There aren't many places he could have gone. The guards file out of the inn's door and begin a brisk march up the pathway.
Moments later, Barrott and Laura appear at the door to the inn.

Cinaed sees Laura return with a man beside her. It seems Laura returns with the other member of our group. I have worked up a thirst. I will return in a moment. Cinead does not wait for a response and turns to the bar. He walks up to the bar and signals to the bartender. Thank you for the assistance in that. I apologize for my part in escalating the situation but you seem to have a most impressive way of handling these things.

Cinead orders a larger pitcher of ale and mugs for everyone. Then heads back to the table.

Over the course of the next few hours Zila explains that she is a budding oracle on a mission to reach her full potential. She has perfect, but very limited knowledge of the future. It may come in handy during your journey. She would like to travel with you to Ilan Ketur as it is on the way for her journey to the far north, where it is said the greatest living Oracle lives in the Great Temple of Zelava.
You all feel like you've learned a lot about the world and yourselves from today's experiences:
Knowledge and skills that previously seemed beyond your comprehension suddenly clarify!
You advance to level 2.

Now that you are gathered, you have to plot your route north.
1. You can try to travel north to Din Shalem, where you might be able to take a boat all the way upriver to Ilan Ketur, but that would require some backtracking (this is in fact how Laura arrived here).
2. You can travel along a road that goes due northeast to Emzah, which has some smaller villages dotted along the road.
3. You can travel a road due east to the Fingerfrost Wood, where there are some lumbering villages around the edges of the forest. That road winds around the forest to the north and east before reaching Emzah as well.
4. You can also choose to travel off-road.
Zila says she has a good feeling about option 2.

Given the foreknowledge of Zila and her abilities I vote for following her recommendation. After all, she is behind pulling us together.