Lake of Tears Garrison
Witchboat
I travel to the harbor on the west side of Mulsantir. The ship I need is at the far end of the Harbor. Vaszil gives me the command word, 'Wendersnaven'.
Nadaj
I arrive at #1 on the Lake of Tears Garrison map. Just ahead are several Blighted Treants and Shambling Mounds that end up killing two Berserkers. I wade straight into combat, and cut them down rather easily in physical combat. An Ethran (apprentice Hathran) at #2 named Nadaj speaks with me for a bit and suggests that I see somebody named Dalenka.
Dalenka
I enter the house at #3, and speak with a Hathran named Dalenka. She'll allow me to enter the Ashenwood, but won't otherwise offer any assistance beyond that.
As an aside, a bookcase near the door will have spell scrolls for Greater Spell Breach, Greater Spell Mantle, True Seeing, and Mind Blank. But I already have them, or didn't need them, so I didn't bother.
Troubles in the Ashenwood
I leave Dalenka's house, whereupon Nadaj shows up again and explains a few problems with the Ashenwood to me.
Odesya
A merchant named Odesya is now available at #4. I sell him all the excess loot I'd been lugging around.
He sells a lot of generic or familiar wares, like magical weapons and armor, an Amulet of Natural Armor +4, potions, scrolls, magical ammunition, a Ring of Protection +4, Gloves of the Yellow Rose +4, Bracers of Armor +5, Cloak of Fortification +3, and a Belt of Hill Giant Strength. He also sells some unique items that may be of interest to you, such as:
Burnt Offerings
Speaking to Dalenka also results in the gate at #5 now being open. Near the gate is a pile of offerings. Nadaj is willing to explain what is involved.
The gate itself is the way to the Ashenwood.