Hidden Vale, New Britannia (PaxLair Times) – February 26, 2014 – by Ashlynn – Despite what the previous article on my most recent visit to New Britannia might suggest the trip was not wholly dedicated to examining mushroom specimens in the new world. And neither was I all alone during my travels – I was in fact joined by a few dear friends along the way.
I began my latest journey in Owl’s Head but soon headed to the town of Kingsport via the moongate amidst the old stone circle. Kingsport looked much as before though now included a towering lighthouse to aid ships coming in to port. I must admit I found the recent construction of such a thing amusing given that there was still some kind of blockade in place
On my last trip I learned that travel overland was ill advised but it seems the roads were clear this time and as I wrote previously, I discovered the existence of a small village located to the south in the middle of some woods. The explorer in my of course demanded I visit.
The village went by the name of Braemar – it was a tiny, overgrown, but quaint little place deep within the forest. It was populated by only a handful of people and most of them spoke of attacks by strange creatures of some sort. I wasn’t able to learn of all the details regarding whatever shadow loomed over the village and after stumbling across a sinister gathering in the woods one evening, I thought it best advised to return to Owl’s Head.
Owl’s Head is where I was finally able to catch up with a few familiar faces – specifically Nanoc, Se’an and Winfield. It appears whatever force brought me here had claimed them as well though. I had hoped to see a few other old friends but whatever magics united use were somewhat unpredictable.
Eventually some of us were able to organize a few meetings – the first on a large barge moored in Kingsport, and several more over the following days mainly in the famous Fire Lotus Tavern. While our meeting in Kingsport was a more formal one (where we also made a few new friends), the others were far simpler social gatherings, though generally larger. And rowdier. And with some people of questionable dress sense.
There were other sights to see during our journey and not just eerie midnight cultists and strange spiders. Most notably Winfield and I caught sight of the King – Lord British himself – wandering the streets of Owl’s Head. A crowd had soon gathered around him and I suspect many were simply pleased to see a monarch they once thought lost forever.
Sadly our time in New Britannia was not to last and we were soon cut off from the realm. However I feel the link to the world growing stronger especially now that friends can make the journey together. I foresee another trip in the near future and perhaps a little further research into New Britannian flora.