Sessions 68-69: Solas, Ithronel 8

 A summary of past few sessions:

6 days ago, the group visited Shel Alari to learn more about the future Peace Talks between the Seldarine and the Drow/Unseelie, as well as searching the library for more information about dragons and the drow. Whilst in Shel’Alari, the group met Elered, a young and talented half-elf with an interest for outfits, enchantments, and an eagerness to see the world outside Shel’Alari. Elered accompanied the group to Cathrill, On their way to Cathrill, however, the group was once more approached by the two druids of Yigdrasiil they had met before. They were given a balm that could protect them against corruption, and the druids also revealed the discovery that one ingredient in particular could be vital in concocting a cure for the corruption: Yemoja’s Tears. The druids hoped they could find more of this ingredient at the sunken temple, and asked the group to pursue this.

-        On their way to Cathrill, the group came across an aggressive werebear, and Hazel was bit.

-        After spending some time resting in Cathrill, as well as helping some Multruvian refugees, the group set course towards lake Avaranthia. During their journey, Hazel discovered she was now the carrier of Lycanthropy, and can herself now turn into a werebear. This lead to the group being approached by Yinfaren, a werebear from Mossgrove, a werebear settlement where they all live in peace, feast together and have otherwise no interest in outsiders. Hazel learned a few things about her new abilities and the moon she’s under (Avalan).

-        Lennie noticed during one of their nights that they were being observed by a spell.

-        The group continued their way to the lake, and made the delivery of Hazel’s blueprints to Tincan, the construct who likes to take on the disguise of a halfling. Hazel had the harrowing realization that Tincan does indeed look like a halfling she used to know, and that Tincan has been programmed to “obey” a master.

-        Upon arrival at the lake, the group summoned a boat from a magical feather token gifted to Elenion by Selune a few weeks prior. On their way to the temple’s location in the lake, the group was attacked by sahuagin with corrupted weapons. During their descent to the temple, they saw more of these sahuagin, as well as undead priests near the entrance.

-        Stealthily, the group gained entrance to the temple, through a door that functioned like a teleportation device activated by their blodrur weapon.

-        Inside the temple, the group encountered a few foes, such as the sahuagin and undead priests. Hazel noticed that some of the weapons they were using did not hurt her. There were some traps in the temple, as well as some undead tentacles in the central area of the top floor.

-        Once they descended to the lower floor, the group encountered a beholder and its basilisk pet. The corner of the room had a massive carcass of a decomposing kraken, as well as a very obvious hole in the wall and some form of magical barrier.

-        After a long battle, the beholder was defeated, and the group was able to search around the now silent lower chamber of the temple. Pinkerton, the summoned Duergar survived the battle as well.

-        The group found what looked like a garden with some living and some wilted plants, as well as a table with some simple tools probably used for mixing ingredients (mortar and pestle, vials, bowls).

-        A notebook was found on a body near this garden. Additionally, there is a modified teleportation circle here.

Session 67: Cyclonis, Ithronel 6 to Solas, Ithronel 8

Still in her bear form, Hazel is now shuffling through her companions’ bags, looking for food, however is not aggressive. All her equipment and clothes transformed with her. She quickly got Elenion’s bag and ate all the quiche, cake, and mushrooms. Elenion was quite upset at her mushrooms being gone and blasted Hazel’s hindquarters with sacred flame.

The noises from the transformation (roaring) attracted a group of vampires, who rushed towards the hut. Other werebears approached from behind the vampires, sniffing out the air. The bears attacked them, swiping, and the vampires turned into mist and bats and flew away. One of the bears was in hybrid form (a polar bear holding a staff) and able to talk.

The Polar bear’s name is Yinfaren, and she wanted to talk to the group, saying they should be safe now, for a while at least. She explained to the group that Hazel would be a bear until sun rise, and likely wouldn’t remember anything that happened during her transformed state. She also said they didn’t need to worry, because after the first transformation, she would have a bit more control and even be able to transform when she wants at other times. On full moons, however, she will always transform. She’s lucky her first full moon is Avalan (Selune’s moon), as those who first turn under Vilis (Ganassis’ moon) more often than not turn into creatures of a more evil and selfish disposition, like the one who bit Hazel.

Yin then invited the group to spend the night at their settlement (Mossgrove), where Hazel can safely be a bear and eat to her heart’s content. Yin’s group keeps to themselves, and their settlement is well-hidden. Yin also gave Hazel a moon amulet (Selune), as a friendship bracelet.

As the group approached Mossgrove, they (except for Hazel) felt discomfort and a very strong desire to turn around and go back. Yin explained that this is because of an enchantment the druids put at that place to help them keep their home hidden. They have a good relationship with the druids and sometimes help each other.

Mossgrove is a sturdy, yet rustic set of wooden homes built atop trees, over 100 feet above ground, with connecting bridges between them. The group was shown a place to sleep safely, while Hazel enjoyed a large meal at the kitchen hut. The next morning, Hazel did indeed not remember anything about the previous night, but thankfully her friends and Yin (now revealed to be an all white firbolg) filled in the blanks. Elenion was able to take some mushrooms with her. Hazel also tried to take a few in an attempt to make up for the ones she ate the night before.

The group decided to press on, so as to deliver Hazel’s schematics to the “Betrayer”. Once the message was sent, the Halfling-looking construct named Tin Can appeared to collect the schematics. Hazel remembered a halfling named Tinnerius Candori working as a tavern keep in one of the taverns in Berisut. She also noticed how Tin Can has an organic component to it, as well as him being “programmed” to obey a master.

During the night’s rest, Elenion noticed the group was being scried on.

The next day, the group reached the edge of the forest near Lake Avaranthia by midday. Zannan used the magic carpet to get a better idea of where the temple is. With the help of his arcane eye spell, he saw the temple door with a small teleportation circle on it. He also saw large groups of Sahuagin and Undead Priests (wearing Yemoja’s vestments) walking on the bottom of the lake. He also noticed a form of shield sealing the temple, so that even where there were major cracks, no water or anything else, can go through.

Upon returning to the group, and showing Hazel what the portal on the temple door looks like, Hazel recognized it as a lock mechanism, in the form of a lesser, more localized portal, that requires a specific item to transport people inside the building. 

The group used their feather token, a swan boat, to start their journey to the location of the temple. However, before reaching their destination, the group was attacked by Sahuagin.

Session 66: Terrane, Ithronel 4 to Cyclonis, Ithronel 6

The group traveled towards Lake Avaranthia, estimating about 5 days of travel to reach it from Cathrill. On their first day of travel, Elenion found 4 saffron and 7 mushrooms. Additionally, Brandybuck heard Nephira’s voice in his head: a cry for help. Nephira said that she and some of the Sanguine Raider’s crew have been captured by the Red-Haired elven woman while they were trying to make their way to Menell Dilth. She also said they were currently tied up at a camp nearby. She described a rock formation she could see that is shaped like a dog, and she could hear a creek nearby. Zannan knew that location, as he is familiar with this area.

Hazel sent a message to Nephira to verify what was happening, and learned that the real Nephira is actually still at Westwing Keep.

Soon enough, the group learned that the creatures trying to communicate with them were in fact not who they said they were, but 3 mind flayers. The mind flayers revealed they were on a mission from the Drow Queen. They revealed the Queen’s hunt for “The Betrayer” and knowing that this Betrayer had dealings with Hazel, which is why the Queen has been looking for the group. Queen is trying to learn what Hazel has been negotiating with the Betrayer.

Once the group was out of danger, Hazel sent a message to her mother, asking her to not act differently, so nobody would grow suspicious of any behavioral changes from her. The group set up camp with their tiny hut for the night and observed a few vampires passing by their hut, but not noticing the group. On the night of Ithronel 6^th, as the Avalan moon was rising, Brandybuck noticed Hazel’s body growing and changing, to the point where she fully turned into a bear.

Session 65: Terrane, Ithronel 4th

In Cathrill people were being slowly admitted into town.

At the gates (guards (human male and female): Biggs and Wedge), people were asked to briefly stand in a running water stream that was engineered at the entrance for the specific purpose to test for vampires. There was a commotion at the moment the party arrived, as a dwarven family arrived with a few people sitting in a cart, and they refused to ask the family members in the cart to step out of it, as they are old, tired and weak.

People in general are tense, as evening approaches, and many are still outside the gates.

Guards also explained that a few vampires were exposed this way early this morning, but they ran away into the forest, and because Cathrill doesn’t have guards to spare, they didn’t give chase.

Elenion sprinkled people with holy Yemoja water to check if they are vampires. None seem to be vampires, however Elenion noticed about 10 people showing signs of corruption.

Zannan conjured the goat mother to get the healing milk (healing potions).

Elenion cast 3 cure wound spells on the most injured ones. 

Once they helped as many people as possible and got everyone inside town, the party headed to the town hall. At the town hall, refugees were being admitted, with a few organizers from Cathrill’s administrative body: a female human in her 40’s (Ariana Crane), a young gnome male in his 20’s (Padraig Basileaf), and an old (in his 70’s) Tabaxi male (looks like a tuxedo cat, named Jungle Rumble). They are organizing people into groups that need medical attention, food and blankets/clothes, and keeping kids entertained/busy. Zannan’s friends Virgil (brought some alcohol from the distillery to help with first aid for the injured) and Grammor (brought books for children and adults in need of something to read and keep their minds occupied) are also helping place refugees. The refugees and organizers were very happy with the party’s contribution.

At Zannan’s family home, Brandybuck and Elered met Balixdor and improvements to Brandybuck’s cloak were made. Elenion went for a walk to the temple of Yemoja and healed a lot of additional people. Morale was vastly improved at the temple. A lot of pain and suffering was improved due to Elenion’s help. Hazel made notes on how to do sending. Also had her constructs go play with kids.

Zannan’s family took in 5 gnome children refugees (all orphaned – Finnemoor, Glidwart, Nostak, Hufobella, and Sazuni).

Zannan’s father (Thesandoral) had a talk with Zannan.

-        Thesandoral began his training in the Seldarine many centuries ago, and was at first stationed in Aerie, and then eventually moved to Shel’Alari as one of the generals. His duties included protecting Shel’ Alari from drow invaders, but also help control who enters the city.

-        After decades working at this station, he grew increasingly frustrated at how many refugees that were nothing but innocent people looking for a way to make a living were turned away at the doors of Shel’ Alari and left to their own devices, and with nowhere to go. He saw the misery of the people forced to seek refuge in Cathrill because Shel’Alari couldn’t be bothered to help.

-        As much as he swore allegiance to the Seldarine and Aerie, he couldn’t bear the cruelty of this lack of care for innocent, and often wonderful people. He observed how caring Irina (Zannan’s mother) was towards other refugees, and how she helped a group of them find shelter and go to Cathrill when they were turned away at Shel’Alari. Thesandoral quit the Seldarine that day, because he saw more kindness, compassion and light in this human woman he had just met than he ever saw in any other of his colleagues.

-        He left Shel’Alari on an impulse, with nothing but the clothes on his back, and some small possessions, including a borrowed book he was studying at the time.

-        With the increased dangers in the world, and the advancing corruption, he had been meaning to return the book to Shel’Alari.

-        Until this morning, when he saw once again people resorting to coming to Cathrill unprotected, at the mercy of the enemy forces, because Shel’Alari can’t be bothered to help anyone who isn’t an eladrin.

-        Therefore, as much as it pains him to admit that Zannan is now in a dangerous position, he would rather arm Zannan with better tools to defend himself against these threats. He knows there’s no sense in talking Zannan out of getting involved.

-        Gifts Zannan the book “Climate Change during the Dark Wizard Time”.

Zannan spent an hour with his father, and shared some of Virgil’s whiskey.

Hazel sent messages to her mom. Her mother was exasperated and relieved to hear Hazel’s voice, especially hearing that Remy is alive and well. She asked Hazel to please bring Remy back home and to please come home, but also revealed a few things:

 -        That just before Remy was taken, there was a red haired elven woman that kept checking their house from afar, but she hasn’t seen this woman since Remy disappeared.

-        Also that vampire attacks around Berisut are on the rise, there are at least 5 documented attacks every night now. She believes it may have gotten worse since the Fang Crushers stopped operating. There’s a curfew being enforced in Berisut, no leaving your home at night is allowed. Hazel’s family is safe for now.

Brandybuck got a rapier with cherry blossoms on the hilt.

Zannan decided Cathrill is still the safest place for his family to stay put for now. The group decided to proceed towards lake Avaranthia, in pursuit of more of Yemoja’s Tears at the sunken temple.

Session 64: Demis, Ithronel 3rd

The druids got the group about a two hour walk away from Cathrill. They couldn’t get too close, because the area became very busy with the influx of refugees fleeing Multruvia. The group wanted to make their way to Cathrill first to rest and gather their strength before heading to the Temple of Yemoja.

On their way to Cathrill, the group noticed the large group of people in the distance, headed towards Cathrill. They also noticed noises approaching them, and it turned out to be a werebear wielding a greataxe, talking about being hungry, with four constructs at his disposal. The battle resulted in some injuries, but the group managed to kill the enemies. Hazel recovered some Zafrine powder from the constructs.

Zannan modified Elered’s memory so he doesn’t remember anything about the druids, and thinks that they got here by travelling very efficiently because of Zannan’s skills.

Upon arrival in Cathrill, the group noticed there was a very long lineup of people looking for refuge in Cathrill. These people left Multruvia via foot just over 7 days ago. They said that they lost many people on the way here, about a third of the people who originally left Multruvia. Most of the people were lost in Festerburg (once known as Esilion, a small fishing village) to corrupted undead and vampires, which now overrun the region.

Zannan recognizes the guards at the gates of Cathrill, who are currently making an effort to admit people into town, while also being cautious about potential corrupted people, or any other threats. They are tired and obviously overwhelmed. The group is standing back for now, weighing their options.

 

Session 63: Demis, Ithronel 3

Still at “The Outer Shell”: Elered told Brandy and Lennie that the tavern keep would treat them nicely, but it’s the patrons they needed to be wary about. Some of the guards who frequent the place can be hostile towards outsiders, especially non-eladrin folks.

Brandybuck and Elenion headed over to the Golden Clover, and were greeted by a very friendly elven woman, the tavern keep Elyel. Elenion noticed ear piercings on Elyel, which she told them were a gift from her son. They talked to her a bit more and realized her son is Elered. Brandybuck and Elenion tried the very delicious ale, as well as eggs and pastries. The chef at this tavern has proven very skilled, and apparently received their training in Menell Dilth. They packed a platter of 12 Cherry Strudels.

Elenion and Brandybuck tried to find out more about Elyel and Elered’s father (Frederick Runlithmae). They discovered that Elered’s father died “as a hero” (at least that was the official story given), however Elenion later saw a vision of him and other humans being used as bait or test subjects by the eladrin in an attempt to advance through corrupted zones.

Elenion and Brandybuck returned to The Outer Shell to try and talk Elered into coming with them, however he worries about his mother. His mother also doesn’t want him out in the world, as they both feel it’s very unsafe outside, and only safe where the eladrin can protect them. In an attempt to convince him to come along, Elenion scared Elered. She used a charm spell to have an easier time convincing him. Eventually he did come along, because this was his deepest wish for a long time, and perhaps this was the push he just needed.

Halaema took a portal back to the keep, whereas the remainder of the group decided to travel by foot, after Brandybuck also stopped at the docks to question one of the local sailors about the Sanguine Raider, which hasn’t been seen by this sailor.

Elered has revealed he loves designing outfits, but he’s not good at sewing. He does like making the fabrics or outfits more “special”, by adding enchantments to them. He was making frantic notes about Hazel’s constructs. Hazel asked him about the enchantments, he mentioned some “cloth with fire” and “invisible glove” creations, as well as Elenion’s colour changing scarf.

On their way to Cathrill, the group was approached by the two Druids of Yigdrasiil they had met previously (Thesseia and Ferez). They brought with them an item crafted by the druids: a jar of light blue, translucent and oily balm with enough product for 4 doses.

Once applied to the skin, the balm protects the user against corruption for 4 hours.

The discovery of the effectiveness of this balm is recent. It was accidentally discovered because Pacha spilled his Yemoja water bottle (Yemoja’s tears) as they were surveying the eastern side of the forest, and when they returned days later, the corruption had taken over the area except for where the water was spilled. Unfortunately, the druids only had a few of those bottles left, and they were kept more as a sentimental token, but now that they know that they are so effective against corruption, they will be more careful. There should be an ample supply of the tears still left at the temple, if more intact bottles can be found.

The druids used up their last supply to make the balm, in hopes that the group could use it to attempt to retrieve more tears from the temple. The high priestesses there used to conjure the tears and keep them in bottles as a component in healing for those that to came to the temple for healing purposes. They suggest this is likely why the temple was attacked.

The druids offer a transport via plants to get the group to their destination.

Session 62: Demis, Ithronel 3

The group spent some time investigating a bit more about the griffon’s possible assailant at the keep. They determined that the griffon was likely struck by that arrow before they even moved into the keep.

Lennie communed with Selune, and learned that Nidhogg has a home. Her vision suggested that it is somewhere on Glass Island.

Halaema was prepared by the group for the arrival in Shel Alari, so that she would look less “undead”.

Elenion created a code phrase (in case anyone tried to impersonate her): “Where do bees live? Cat’s Cradle Farm.”

The group proceeded to Shel’ Alari, where Halaema for the moment hasn’t arisen suspicion of the guards. She told them that the people accompanying her were in her service, and had tasks to complete at the library and market. The guards informed the group that they have 3 hours to complete everything and leave.

Zannan, through some research discovered a few things about Nidhogg:

1.     She wants to sever the connection between worlds, so as to eliminate places where here enemies (the metallic and gem dragons) can escape to.

2.     She concentrated efforts into eradicating gem dragons first. One famous attack was the one on an emerald dragon mother and her clutch of eggs, a massacre that resulted in the burning of Cathrill 500 years ago.

3.     There are mentions of a ruby dragon, which was the one most feared by Nidhogg. Little is known about this ruby dragon, as there is no name mentioned for it, or any reason as to why Nidhogg is so focused on it, but it is believed that this dragon potentially holds the key to causing Nidhogg harm.

4. This book was signed with a series of symbols, but not in any known language.

Zannan also looked for additional spell books.

Hazel found some basic information on drow and Yemoja (a Goddess of renewal, healing, flow of life).

Meanwhile, Brandybuck and Elenion went to an outfit store (The Outer Shell) to talk to some locals. While there, they met Elerod, a half-elf young male with a very friendly disposition. He immediately offered help to Brandybuck, so that he would get a coat that would make him more accepted at the Golden Clover (the local tavern).

Brandybuck got a fancy coat with golden filigree, and Elenion got a shawl, blue in colour, which changes from dark to light, depending on how far from the ground it is placed.