After quelling the threats, we navigated further into the forest. We caught an Astral Ward signal—a distress call. A couple of ward scouts were being attacked by something, and that something sounded big. We followed their trail, defending against attacking creatures as we made our way through the trees. When we eventually caught up to the two Astral Ward members, they were fighting for their lives against a strange beast. A warclaw, I think? I didn't think they left the Mists. Before we could make a dent in the beast, a hunting party of kodan hurried into the fray. The allies we'd been seeking came right to us. Their leader motioned for us to halt, directing us to calm the beast by other means. She gave us a salve to do so, and to our surprise, it worked. Once everything in the clearing had settled and the beast was calm, the lowlander inspected the two Astral Ward members. She cautiously introduced herself as Barbed Vale and offered to guide us to their village before dusk; the forest would become even more dangerous after sunset. Her underlings quietly and carefully watched us as we departed for the village. ***