Session 43: Sygmis, Tanyth 16th

Just recovering from their encounter with the hags and losing one of their friends, the party now preparing camp to rest for the evening hears hooves approaching. The steps approach slowly, but intently. They stop about 300 feet away from the party. Before revealing themselves, they say from within the bushes, with a calm and confident voice: “We mean you no harm. We are the druids you seek, and have observed what happened here today. You did this forest a great service by neutralizing these hags, however you are now all in great danger, because this action caused great ripples. With your permission, I would like to approach so we may speak.”. A second, angrier, deeper and more imposing voice interjects: “We STRONGLY suggest you lay down your weapons – that means your spells too!”.

Vano, sitting by the campfire, responds to the voices and agrees to lay down weapons so they may approach.

As they approach the party, from the bushes Vano sees a woman, humanoid/elven in appearance. She wears armour made from a mix of bark and intricately woven vines. Many beads made of seeds and other natural materials are woven into her hair, which has practical, yet delicate braids keeping the hair from her face. At first it looks like she’s riding a zebra, until she’s completely in view and it is revealed that she’s a centaur. She holds a blodrur and has a calm, collected look on her face.

From behind her humanoid torso suddenly two white long ears start emerging, to eventually reveal the face of a humanoid rabbit glaring at the group. Standing about 2.5 feet tall, the creature wears finely crafted garments that also appear made of bark and vines. Instead of a blodrur, this harengon carries a sling that appears made of the same material as the blodrur, and definitely has the same orange cysts growing on it.

The druids introduce themselves as Thesseia and Ferez, and refer to each other as “Pacha”.

They explain to the group that they appreciate their efforts to help with the sunken temple. Thesseia recognizes Zannan, as “the one they saw at the beach, and nodded to”. They also reveal that the hags have been trying for a long time to reach Yigdrasiil (same as Nidhogg and the Drow). There are still many hags in the forest, and now that the group has defeated two of them, word will spread of their deeds and they are not safe. Others will come for them to try and steal their powers. The druids fear for what the Hag which escaped will be rewarded with.

Hags are thirsty for power, and defeating any of the party members (since they killed other hags) will mean power to them, so the party is not safe to spend the night in the forest. The hags have extensive means to hunt them here, so they better not spend the night here!

The druids cannot take the party to Yigdrasiil yet, as their elders need to be consulted with, and a decision needs to be reached first.

The druids propose to lead the party to safety, at the forest’s edge, away from the Hag’s reach (Transport via Plants). From there, they can find safety in a nearby town (Cathrill). Hags are significantly less powerful outside the forest, and likely won’t risk attacking them in town. The druids propose to meet again by the same tree at dusk the next day to bring their circle’s decision to the group.

The party accepts the druids offer and are transported to the outskirts of Cathrill. Upon arrival, they proceed towards the local tavern (The Greasy Pelican). While they are discussing room/meal arrangements, Lennie recognizes an old friend sitting in the corner of the tavern. Hazel, with tears in her eyes, immediately recognizes Lennie, who quickly disappears. After an altercation involving book smacking and more tears, the two old friends finally catch up. Hazel’s friends go to their room to let them catch up.

The whole party eventually joins them and they share their adventures so far (in one of their booked rooms). The party retires for the night. Some took food to their rooms, others got some reading done. Hazel and Lennie had some bonding time on the roof of the inn.

The next morning, Brandybuck and Lennie went to the docks to find out when the next ship to Multruvia would be available. There will be one expected tomorrow. Lennie gave the name “Twilight Wings” to the dockmaster, however they did not leave a deposit to secure a spot on the ship as of yet.

Meanwhile, the other party members did some shopping, including a large order of parchment, which had the shop keeper very excited and prompted him to include a gift with the order (the Vindictive Tankard).

The party still has not decided their next step, if they want to check out Yemoja’s Temple or go to Multruvia, but they are considering, for their most immediate destinations, a visit to Zannan’s childhood home.

Session 42: Cyclonis, Tanyth 15th

After considering their options at the lake, with too many unknown variables, the party decided to head southwest towards where they believe they could encounter the druids. After several hours of traveling, the party noticed they were being followed by something in the bushes.

Zannan and Lennie called out to the creatures in the forest, hoping to reach out to the druids. However, the party was instead approached by three drow females dressed in rags, bearing simple pouches and adornments made of natural materials and crude leather. One of them had an amulet of a blood-filled vial. She said they were only there for Ariadne, and everyone else was welcome to leave.

The party did not agree to those terms and began fighting back. During the fight, the drow revealed themselves as being a coven of hags. After a few rounds of fighting, one of the hags got a hold of Ariadne, and teleported them both away using what appeared to be a vine bracelet, which after being used fell to the ground and withered away. The party managed to prevent the remaining hags from teleporting as well, and eventually terminated them both.

The party managed to take one of the teleporting bracelets before it got used. Zannan identified it as “Vines of Binding”, a single use teleportation item that can transport the bearer and one additional creature to Carantharas. The use of this item comes at a heavy price, however, as the creatures transported arrive at their destination in an extremely weakened state.

The party also recovered the blood-filled amulet that the first hag appeared to be using to track Ariadne. With evening fast approaching, and one member short, the party finds themselves in the middle of a thick forest, unsure where to head next.

Session 41: Cyclonis, Tanyth 15th

Cuilong trusts Zannan, and said he appreciates someone who shares a passion for knowledge. He said that he would like to keep exchanging knowledge with him as he explores the world and discovers more. He expressed concerns for the company he keeps. He asked the names of his party members and warned Zannan that the one who goes by the name of Ariadne is not what they appear to be, and that there are dangerous people looking for her. They must be either in service of or in debt with the Unseelie Queen.

Cuilong also mentioned that Blodrur must mean they have made an alliance with the druids? This could prove helpful.

Meanwhile, Ariadne and Elenion had a chat about stealing and ethics.

Zannan decided to confront Ariadne about her deception about her appearance. The group discussed the reasoning for Ariadne’s deception, and it was agreed that she is in danger while looking like a drow in public places, given their reputation. Vano revealed that he used to die his hair, and the group referred to him as a silver fox lion. Additional secrets were exchanged between the group.

Zannan showed Cuilong an additional spell (Greater speedy courier?). Cuilong revealed himself as a dragon of 913 years old. He is an emerald dragon and was very excited to learn that a crystal dragon with offspring is also alive in the mountains.

The group asked Ali to guide them to the lake with the strange fish men, and despite Cuilong’s resistance to this plan, Ali eventually agreed to it. The group reached the lake around midday, and observed the shores with lots of dead animals. They also noticed some fish people walking on the shore, as well as potentially additional ones in the water.

They captured one of them to interrogate, however they didn’t learn anything from them. They ended up executing the prisoner.

Session 40: Tempest, Tanyth 14th

 The Kobold Flint was eager and proud of his trap for the purple worm, and still holding a lit torch, he wanted to demonstrate to the group what the barrels can do. The group promptly stopped him.

The kobolds told the group that the tunnel to the east leads to the forest and if they cross that forest they will get to the lake. It takes about half a day in the tunnel to get to the forest. If they continue south, it will take about a day to reach a different forest, the one that has the big tree (Yigdrasiil). If they continue south from that forest they will get to some towns, but the Kobolds don’t really go there.

The party took a long rest and heard crunching sounds in the caves, but decided not to trigger any more creatures. Ariadne collected some manganese. Zannan asked the group some questions about dragons and revealed a bit of what he knows about the dragon Nidhogg and about the creatures at Lake Avaranthia.

The party took the tunnel to the east, and saw a few petrified Kobolds. Some of them were smashed and broken. The party proceeded cautiously through the tunnel, until they reached the forest’s edge. It was overcast and drizzling a bit, but they still had a few hours of daylight ahead and decided to proceed into the dense forest.

After travelling through the forest for a few hours, the group came across an area with a very large number of giant lizards that seemed to have been trying to get the last bit of sunlight, but now retiring to there hideouts under the rocks and foliage. This area also had lit candles (hundreds of them) hanging from trees. The group also noticed a lizard that looked smaller and red (in fact a drake), as well as a person hiding in the tree.

At first, this woman with reptilian features was defensive, but eventually introduced herself as Alitheiamitl (Ali for short), and she revealed that the red drake (T’Kashi) is in fact her pet.

Ali also told the group that strange fish-like people are taking over the lake, and that they are aggressive. This started happening only a few weeks ago. The lake itself is dying, lots of dead animals (fish, crocodiles, otters, capibaras, waterfowl) washing up on the shores. She also mentioned that the corruption had been advancing quickly in the last few years, but just over two weeks ago it came to a near halt, maybe even retreating a little bit, and suddenly there’s a bit of hope. However, those creatures started emerging from the lake. Ali and her father came to this area to try and stop the corruption. Ali told the group that her family is originally from the Braen’ She-Ran Wilds, but they didn’t bother wanting to help, only hide underground. Ali is determined to protect the forest.

Her father asked Zannan if he would trade books or knowledge, after noticing Zannan was carrying his spell book. The old man and Ali live underground, the entrance to their den is concealed by an illusion that makes it look like a rock. The inside of the den is very cozy and welcoming, there is a living area with a small book shelf, as well as a trunk that Zannan noticed to be enchanted in the same way as a bag of holding. Zannan offered to teach him Comprehend Languages, and in return he can borrow one of the old man’s books.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is safely inside a tower that Zannan magically conjured. Elenion interrogated Brandybuck, as she is very suspicious of him, and the fact that he had Coleen’s lute. The party is about to take a long rest for the night.

Session 39: Terrane, Tanyth 13

Novasset asked the party to not harm the Kobolds, as they are longtime friends. She also let them know that If they greets the Kobolds with “Howdy There” they’ll know that they are friends.

Kalim gave Lennie the Bag of Holding, which she hesitantly accepted. Armando also explained that he would rather stay at the keep, because he finally has the chance to see his family reunited. He gave his Blodrur to the group as well.

Ariadne woke up Olena to offer to do something nice. Olena was a bit confused with the request. Ariadne still made a gift: a locket with small pieces of parchment inside where Olena and Rabak can write something nice for Armando.

Kalim promised Ariadne he would help, should the group ever face the Drow Queen.

Brandybuck approached the party inquiring about passage to Multruvia. Lennie recognized the lute he had on his back as Coleen’s.

The group had dinner and went to sleep. Ariadne enlisted 2 vampires (giving each a star sapphire) to help out with stained glass window repair. She thought maybe a tree pattern would be nice. She also left things in Kalim’s room:

-     That valuable book she had stolen in Menell Dilth

-     2 star sapphires

-     A note saying “sorry”

-     2 Silver Goblets taken from the Temple of Zafros

Brandybuck hid the lute under his bed at the keep.

The next morning, the party proceeded into the tunnels. The access is through the hoard cave, through a wooden trap door on the floor. A rope ladder is released and the group descends 20 feet into the tunnel system. The ladder then got pulled back up and the trap door closed again. From inside the tunnel, the trap door is indistinguishable from the surrounding rock, as it has been enchanted to look that way. Novasset also put alarms in case anyone tries to gain entry through the keep that way.

During their walk in the tunnels, the group heard scratching noises behind the walls, and an occasional shifting and crunching, followed by deep tremors, as if something very large was moving about.

After a few hours, the party came across an exasperated Kobold, by the name of Cliff. Cliff told the party that the Kobolds had been helping dig the tunnels. After they opened the east tunnel, some creatures that were desperate for a new home moved in, and some are very vicious and dangerous.  His family was in danger (they were hiding, but he was not sure how much longer they would be safe). He was on his way to ask Novasset for help.

Lennie cast Hold Person on the Kobold and the group carried him for one minute in the direction he came from, at which point he just told them which way to go. Vano continued carrying him, and he didn’t mind that. After a few hours, the group came across a half-elven male (Zannan) being attacked by two basilisks and a behir. A fierce battle began, Vano finished the behir, but got swallowed by a purple worm. Eventually Ariadne landed the finishing blow on the purple worm, and the party was happily greeted by a group of Kobolds.

And there was joy.

Session 38: Demis, Tanyth 12th

         Hazel told Lennie (via sending) that she’s on her way to Shel Alari via Airship, and also told her that Ascal Olovalur is on his way to Multruvia via a regular ship.
    The party welcomed 10 newcomers to the West Wing. A dwarven woman (later revealed to 
    Novasset’s humanoid form) greeted them first, followed by the Twilight wings. They recognized farmer Tanner. Among the newcomers were a few people that looked like they could hold their own in battle, but half of this new group looks like civilians more suited for general labor or other skilled work. Farmer Tanner brought an oxen drawn cart with some supplies (farmers tools, cooking gadgets, gardening and cleaning tools), and a soggy box with some grease stains addressed to “My dearies the Twilight Wings, with love from Tatiana” (it contains about 2 dozen soggy and cold buffalo wings).
    The party met Vano, a Leonin who proved to be quite capable in battle. They shared with him the information about friendly vampires and drow, he seemed surprised, but trusting of the party.
They then proceeded to the Chapel (a chapel of the God Zafros). The front door was barred from the outside by wood planks, which the party removed. On the door a carving of a five pointed star (the symbol of Zafros) glowed as the group approached it, in response to the amulet that Lennie was carrying.
    Inside were a few undead creatures, as well as two wraiths. Once the group finished fighting them, Lennie found a heavily bound red book (in dwarvish) by the altar on the main floor. Ariadne found two silver goblets.
    The lower level contained catacombs. In the centre of the catacombs there was a brasier with blue magical flames. The flames reacted to the presence of the amulet, intensifying as the Lennie got closer to the brasier. The flames felt cool to the touch, and a pull of the amulet could be felt. Lennie cast the amulet into the flames, and an impact wave was felt. The flames were be extinguished. The zafrine in the amulet disappeared, leaving behind the gold setting and chain of the amulet, as well as a star sapphire.
    After this, the party still had a bit of down time, and they decided to keep Ugoa’s skull as s trophy in the main hall of the West Wing.
Kalim also revealed to the group that he wished to stay at the keep, because he feels a sense of responsibility for the groups that currently reside at West Wing, and is committed to protecting them, as well as making the keep a functional and welcoming place, hopefully sustainable once all repairs are completed.
    The group received the news with a heavy hard, however they understood his motivations. Ariadne had concerns about Kalim’s money managing ability, and entrusted one of the newcomers (Brandybuck) to help out with the financial side of things. She gave Brandybuck the star sapphires she had previously taken from the horde.
    The group decided the next step would be to take the tunnels to travel to their next goal.

Session 37: Demis, Tanyth 12

 The party spent a few days at the hold to recover and work on a few things.

-     Lennie spent a bit of time each day flirting with Garth.

-     Garth gifted Lennie with a clockwork wind up music box.

-     He told her: ”I wanted you to have this. I bring this with me when I travel to remind me of happier times. In the last several years, I feel like many of my acquaintances have only ever been interested in my magic or fighting abilities, which of course is because that’s what has been needed. But you have been the first person who tried to get to know me. When you asked me if I ever tried a …. What did you call it? A churro? I was caught by surprise… nobody ever asked me about things that aren’t related to battle or strategy. I know it may seem very little to you, but I was touched, and especially after the last few days when you came to talk to me so many times, you are the closest thing I ever had to a friend. I will not forget you, and hope to see you again. I hope this music box brings you happiness too. I no longer need it, as you have given me another source of happiness. You are very special to me. (blushes)”.

-     Lennie was touched by this and gave Garth a mimic tooth as a gesture, telling him that a mimic can also change its appearance and also that is all she had to give him. Garth liked that and went to hug her, Lennie managed to sneak in a kiss on his cheek, which made him blush again.

-     Garth suggested that in the future he would like for her to visit his  home.

-     The party noticed that Novasset’s presence while they rest made everyone feel more energized. Additionally, the following things about the area were noticed:

-     Regional Effects of Crystal Dragon’s Lair

-     Clear Skies. The skies above a crystal dragon’s lair remain clear and free of precipitation unless magically altered. Winds blow lightly, posing little threat to those approaching the lair, and visibility is the best possible for the time of day.

-     Crystal Profusion. Plentiful quartz crystals form in natural stone within 6 miles of the lair, particularly in places where natural light can shine on the crystals.

-     Positive Energy. Any creature that finishes a long rest within 6 miles of the lair regains two additional spent Hit Dice.

-     Thriving Wildlife. Animal populations flourish within 6 miles of the lair. Ability checks made to forage for food by hunting, fishing, or trapping in that area are made with advantage.

-     Novasset lets the group know that there are extensive underground tunnels now, which can be used to escape in an emergency, but they also lead to paths within the mountains and can be used to travel. There are creatures residing in some tunnels, however, so beware!

-     Ariadne and Kalim sparred in the training grounds – Kalim won. That’s what you get for sparring with a monk!

-     Kalim spends time bonding with vampires, getting to understand them better. He also sends 2 monks to Menell Dilth to recruit additional help for the West Wing.

-     Kalim also deciphers new recipes.

-     Lennie helps Ariadne with her memories, and Ariadne reveals what she remembers about the drow, the corruption and vampires, describing what different ranks of drow look like. She also revealed that she has a brother that has been stationed at Skyhorn Lighthouse. 

-     Lennie communicated with Hazel (in Aerie), who revealed that a master blacksmith can be found in Multruvia.

-     There was also communication with Rabak (Armando’s father), who is eager to join the group in West Wing, and revealed that the Seldarine is not safe. The location of West Wing was revealed to Rabak so he could make his way there.