Session 49: Cyclonis, Tanyth 22nd

The group found themselves at the docks, while Brandybuck resurfaced, with tears in his eyes, to deliver the news of his deceased friend tied to the dock base. The group works together to pull his body out of the water and have a closer look to find some answers. Merek had claw marks all over his body. The cause of death was quite obviously a deep gash along his throat. Lennie also noticed some previously healed scars of similar claw marks to these fresh ones. The claw marks seem to resemble size and shape to Vano’s claws, although the manner in which they are distributed and dragged across the wounds don’t match Vano’s fighting style. They are too small to match an adult (or even juvenile) dragon. Brandybuck checks Merek’s pockets and finds a leather case sealed with wax, cylindrical, made to hold a scroll and be waterproof.

The group was then approached by city guards who seemed very disturbed by the sight of a body surrounded by this group. They were very intent on bringing the group in for questioning, especially once they realized the body belonged to Merek Walleye.

The guards escorted the group to the guard station, where they were aggressively interrogated by Gili Coalgrog, Captain of the guard. Gili was especially suspicious of Hazel, and interrogated her about the circlet on her head. Eventually the group discovered that the circlet was a family heirloom, belonging to Gili’s deceased brother (Mr. Bigsby). The circlet was taken away from Hazel.

The captain tried multiple times to talk the group into paying for their freedom, unless they had a “city sponsor”. The group refused to pay, so they were requested to relinquish their weapons (as well as Trillion) and any metallic/suspicious objects. Hazel and Lennie managed to keep their bags of holding, Brandybuck his thieve’s tools.

Hazel was put in a cell next to a male drow who introduced himself as “Zix”. Zix offered a deal, in which if the group helped him with a distraction, he could guide them into a tunnel (hidden behind a poster advertising the Ul Adar race) he has been working on to escape the prison. He also mentioned he could potentially set them up with a “city sponsor” within the Ravencloaks.

Too suspicious to trust Zix, the group decided to take a night’s rest and come up with a different plan. Brandybuck opened the leather case he recovered from Merek’s body, and inside found a quite revealing letter addressed to Hazel.

“Dear Hazel,

I hope the day we meet again will finally come. I can honestly say I miss the days when we worked together. Ah, you had such spunk! But if you are getting this note, it means that you are getting closer to fulfill my wish of making this happen. But worry not about the details of this meeting, I will be in contact soon to make arrangements for a more appropriate get together. You well know that I’m an extraordinary host, so allow me to prepare a PROPER meeting at a time and place that suits the occasion perfectly. Multruvia is a wonderful place for such a meeting, so I recommend you stay put for a while and perhaps see the sights. Of course, you wouldn’t be so rude as to show up to our meeting empty handed, so I fully expect to see some more of those wonderful drawings like the ones you worked on in Berisut. You know which ones. I may also have something that may be of interest to your friend Ms. Kauma, so she is welcome to join our meeting as well. Should you attempt to pursue me before I send you my specific invitation, or if you decide not to show up with the drawings I requested, I will offer the young lad to the vampires – I’m sure they will be generous in my compensation. I fully understand if you’re not interested in our exchange, your brother is a brat after all, and my patience grows short indeed. Sincerely, J’Zargo (but you are welcome to still call me Vaeri).”

Brandybuck gave the letter to Hazel, which prompted her to lose sleep and become exhausted. Zannan used a spell to float an invisible eye to check on the captain’s office, as well as along the tunnel excavated by Zix. The tunnel went underground for quite a while, until it reached a solid door with a cylinder built into it. The cylinder had 4 dials with symbols Zannan couldn’t recognize. Lennie had visions during her rest.

In the morning, Nephira came to bail out Brandybuck, and delivered him a sealed letter that she was instructed to give him, should Merek happen to die. The letter contained the proof of ownership of The Sanguine Raider (a leather piece with engraved text, and Brandybuck’s name), and a heartfelt message from Merek to Brandybuck, effectively making Brandybuck the captain of Merek’s former ship and crew. Nephira and Brandybuck walked back to the tavern, she apologized for not having enough coin to bail all of his friends, and told him she may know a contact within the Ravencloaks.

Meanwhile, Zannan convinced Gili to tell his guards to leave him alone, so they could discuss a very lucrative “business” in private. Gili was convinced, however one of the guards was convinced by Hazel to question that decision, and nearly started a fight with the captain. Once the guard finally walked away, Zannan cast Modify Memory on Gili, making him believe that the Vines of Binding he had taken from the hag would give him the power to turn copper pieces into platinum pieces. Seeing the incredible potential of this magical item, and overcome with greed, the Captain took the deal, freeing the entire party and letting them have their items back. The captain then told his guards to leave him alone for a while, that he would be busy in his office.

The group then headed back to the tavern. Vano was very outraged by the injustice and corruption he witnessed within the city guard and decided to start a militia that would truly help the people of Multruvia, and fight real criminals without it being a money grab scam. He leaves the Twilight Wings to stay and follow this path.

Session 48: Tempest, Tanyth 21st

Still stranded on a group of rocks, the party worked on repairing the Thassa with help from the sirens. The siren who was spared by the party (Loraenai) made a bracelet out of a strand of her hair, seaweed, and a single tear. The bracelet can be activated by signing a sea shanty while wearing it, and will give the wearer a swimming speed equal to their walking speed for 2 hours. It can only be used once.

The sirens disclosed that lots of ships have been travelling west from Multruvia. Baby Executioner is learning how to turn pages.

As the repairs of the Thassa got completed, they resumed their travels to Multruvia, arriving at the docks just before sunset. The party immediately spotted the Sanguine Raider at the docks, and Brandybuck saw his friend Merek on the main deck, however the crew was not his usual crew, but rather a full crew of drow.

The group decided to still stay aboard the Thassa, while the rest of the crew preferred to go into town and spend the night at the local inn, “Ye olde crab tavern”.

Elenion and Hazel decided to go invisible and go for walk at the docks to gather more information about the Sanguine Raider. They saw many posters advertising the “Ul Adar annual race”, to happen in two days.

Once they approached the ship, Elenion saw Merek again, but she felt like he may have looked right at her, despite her invisibility. Concerned about that event, both Hazel and Elenion decided to go back to the group to discuss a strategy. Brandybuck decided to go into the tavern to learn more information there. Upon arrival at the tavern, he was greeted by a Tiefling named Nephira, the former First Mate of the Sanguine Raider. She welcomed him as a long time friend, however felt uncomfortable talking too much at the tavern. So they returned to the Thassa, where she disclosed a bit more information about the past few months aboard the Sanguine Raider:

-        She revealed that the old Eladrin referred to as Ascal Olovalur has hired the Sanguine Raider a few months ago, although they have been making many stops and sometimes staying at different ports for a while.

-        Merek had been looking sick for the past weeks, and didn’t seem like he was getting any sleep.

-        Last night, Merek and the old man went into the tavern for a drink, but only Merek returned to the ship, at which point he dismissed his entire original crew, and a new crew made up exclusively of drow now works on the Sanguine Raider.

While the group stayed at the Thassa, Boyd alerted the group that the Sanguine Raider started leaving port shortly after sunset.

Zannan commanded Boyd to hide a coin aboard the Sanguine Raider, and Hazel commanded Marvin to hide up in the crows nest of the ship.

The group then returned to the tavern to investigate the disappearance of Ascal. Lennie chatted with one of the tavern’s employees (Jarin Writingham), who disclosed that the room in which Merek and Ascal were seen going to together was left a mess, lots of blood to clean, claw marks, and a missing rug.

The party followed a blood trail from the outside of the window towards the docks. Brandybuck jumped into the water and found the rolled up rug tied to one of the dock supports. When he opened the rug to see what was inside, he recognized the face of his now perished friend Merek Waleye.

Session 47: Tempest, Tanyth 21

The party is still aboard the Thassa (Captain Danae).

Hazel worked on a new construct, a red panda lookalike named Trillion. With a heat metal spell, Hazel also hand cuffed the captive Sahuagin, so they could be interrogated. Lennie also noticed that Hazel had taken her bear grease.

The Sahuagin was interrogated, and the party discovered that the Sahuagin people are in alliance with Ganassis and the drow. They seem to have some trading agreement for weapons, and the Sahuagin were happy to reclaim the lake they call their ancestral home (Lake Avaranthia). The Sahuagin was uncooperative and didn’t disclose many details about the sunken temple in the lake, only their disgust towards Yemoja.

After the interrogation, Lennie commanded the Sahuagin to plead to drop the alliance with Ganassis, and spread the word that the Twilight Wings are coming to kick ass. The sahuagin was then tossed back into the ocean.

After continuing their journey, the group came across two sirens and an aboleth. It turns out the aboleth was controlling them, but with the group’s assistance and the death of the aboleth, one of the sirens managed to break free of its control. The other siren did not survive.

During their attack, the sirens crashed the Thassa into a small group of rocks, and the ship took substantial damage. Because of their victory over the aboleth, some other sirens residing on those rocks were grateful enough to be free of the creature’s control to lend a hand in repairing the ship.

This was potentially the party’s last night at sea. The favourable winds accelerated their trip, and they expected to arrive in Multruvia by early afternoon the next day, if everything went well. However the encounter with the aboleth (and damage to the ship) delayed their arrival, and they are now expected to reach Multruvia by nightfall.

Session 46: Terrane, Tanyth 20th

The party is still aboard the Thassa and defeated the City Fog, as well as a skeleton wielding a corrupted sword.

Some of the crew talked to Hazel after encounter, and together they worked on making fire arrows (+1 fire arrows).

Over the course of the next few days at sea, the party encountered some floating debris, containing a gray bag of tricks, from which Vano got a dire wolf (Rowdy), Lennie got a badger (Baby Executioner), and Brandybuck got a weasel (Mr. Turner).

Vano hired Bryce de Gray as “poop master” of Rowdy. A welcome career change for Bryce.

On the third day of the trip, the Thassa was approached by a pirate vessel (The Dauntless, captained by Elaine Rothgar). After a successful naval combat, the party boarded the Dauntless and convinced the remaining pirates to surrender. Captain Rothgar agreed to the terms and took a barely functional ship back to shore for repairs.

On the 4^th day, the Thassa was attacked by a group of Sahuagins. Zannan noticed that their armour and weapons look more advanced than expected for these otherwise savage creatures. End of day, just before sunset. 

Session 45: Solas, Tanyth 17th

The group debated whether to proceed via ship or via land.

Zannan mentioned to his family that they are potentially going towards the dead fields so his father gave him 2 doses of Brilliant Colwort concoction, which halts the effects of corruption for 24 hours (reverses the corruption if taken 2 days in a row, and keeps it dormant if concoction is taken daily). This medicine is extremely rare.

Brandybuck and Vano go to the docks to find out more about the ship headed towards Multruvia. They speak to dockmaster Bodyn Ousath (a half-orc male). There’s news of increasing attacks on Sel’ Narr Keep: undead and other creatures coming from Carran and the Dead Fields.

Lennie scries on Hazel’s brother, and sees that he’s still alive, currently being held captive inside a cell in the lower portion of a ship. There appear to be two additional adults sharing his cell.

Once the ship finally arrives at the Cathrill docks, the party sees a heavily demoralized crew. The ship had taken some damage, and many crew left the ship, because it had been attacked by vampires and a mysterious sea monster. Much of the crew was also lost to corruption and thrown overboard. Without access to a cure, the healthy crew was afraid of contamination.

The group decided to go by ship and boarded “The Thassa”, captained by Danae.

In the middle of the night, the crew found themselves surrounded by “The City Fog”.

Session 44: Sygmis, Tanyth 16

The party visited Zannan’s family home. Brandybuck asked for an outfit to be made by Zannan’s brother, Balixdor. Balixdor also expressed he wants to open up a shop in Menell Dilth, to put Arvandor Apparel out of business, because the owner is very unpleasant and mistreats people. Balixdor and Zannan’s mother Irina are also working on an embroidery design for the Twilight Wings. It will take about 2-3 days for the logo to be completed (or at least a first draft of it, for the group to approve).

The group decided to visit the Chapel to Yemoja. There, they met Enndolynn, the human Priestess of Yemoja, who told them what she knew about the temple sinking (a few months ago, but unsure exactly when or how quickly it happened, just that in the span of 2 weeks it was gone). Also explained that the temple used to have an enchantment that was somehow kept active by the priests. The enchantment kept the temple from sinking, as well as a bridge from land to the temple. Elenion made an offering to Yemoja (incense). Vano lit candles. Lennie communes with Selune and learns that priests in the temple are most likely dead. 

Party goes to talk to druids: at the forest’s edge they see two terrified kids hiding from a venom troll and 3 ogre zombies. Once safe, the halfling kids (Mary and Pip) told the party they saw a white bunny and a striped horsey here yesterday and wanted to see if they would come back, because they made some pretty flower crowns for them. 

The party then meets up again with the two druids, and they are transported towards the Circle of Yigdrasiil. 

Yigdrasiil is Guarded by the Protectors of Yigdraasil. They protect it from the offspring of the red dragon Nidhogg, intent on destroying the tree by gnawing at its roots. They protect the tree by a modified plane shifting spell that prevents anyone from approaching it (the only way in or out is via a modified transport by trees spell, which requires the caster to have a blodrur).

-        Sofriss (the Elder Prime of the Druids) has been scrying on the temple priests up until the moment of their demise. They were attacked by a creature of great power (a kraken). It appears the creature has been neutralized, however the temple sunk as a result of the extensive damage, and the last priests likely could not survive much longer after the battle. She cannot scry on any of the priests any longer, nor the location, since the temple has moved from its original location.

-        The druids know about the sahuagin at the lake, but they don’t know who their leader is. There seems to be a greater force at work, but any attempts to approach the temple have been unsuccessful due to the sheer volume of enemies.

-        The druids also mentioned the temple of Yemoja may have a portal to Necelia, and it could be what the enemy was after. This portal would require an amber orb made from the amber of Yigdrasiil. An alternative is planting the Yigdrasiil seed at the altar in the temple.

-        Concerns that the hag now has the amber (had been stolen by Nidhogg and given to the Drow Queen).

-        Concerns that there is something evil residing in the temple now. Something that may have brought in the Sahuagin.

-        Concerns that the corruption will advance further if nothing is done, but druids can barely spare any scouts, because they need their numbers to keep the enchantment going to protect Yigdrasiil.

-        The corruption of the lake itself is very dire to the forests surrounding it.

-        Druids mentioned there used to be people that lived underwater. They were good people, called “The children of Yemoja”, but haven’t been seen around since the Sahuagin took over the lake.

-        Druids will work on enchantments or items that could help the party in the temple quest.

-        The druids understand the need to protect family (when Hazel mentions her kidnapped brother), and assured the party that this matter is urgent, but not as urgent as saving the life of a child that’s in immediate danger.

-        The druids also offered to take the party to the edge of Alusfaenvandor forest, closer to Multruvia.

Long rest in Cathrill. Level up.

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.