Session 19: Tempest, Volodar 31

 The group made their way through the path in the forest they thought would get them back to Garth. They tried their best to do so stealthily, and despite their best efforts and slow moving, they found it quite difficult to move quietly, due to the extensive debris on the forest floor, and thick brush they were constantly running into. As it became darker, the forest looked less and less familiar. Was this the tree we just passed? I don’t remember seeing this rock before, this must be the way! Wait, we just came from here…

The party was lost. After many hours, they realized they had to set down camp, or become exhausted. As they debated what to do, they started hearing noises coming from the forest surrounding them. The noises were getting closer. Within seconds, they found themselves surrounded by a large and hungry pack of wolves.

The group hacked and slashed through the wolf pack with ease, however just as they thought they were almost safe, they were approached by a bat, who then turned into a man, who said: “ah, how I love when food makes its way to me!”.

The party began fighting against this creature. He seemed resistant to their normal weapon attacks, as well as necrotic damage. He also seemed to very quickly heal from his wounds. Luckily, some of the party members remembered that vampires are sensitive to running water, and Lenny also made good use of holy water. The vampire didn’t seem to heal as well after Lenny splashed him with it. Ultimately, the party was able to carry the vampire to a nearby creek and hold him in the water until they defeated him. Hazel spotted some beautiful glowing flowers that grew on the creek’s margins. She picked two of them to try to study later.

After this battle, the party definitely felt like they needed to rest, and set up Lenny’s Magic Hut on the north margin of the creek. They decided to just have a short rest, and while they were doing so, Lenny noticed a person coming out of the tree line on the south margin of the creek. The person looked around for a while and then returned to the trees. When Lenny conveyed this to the group, Hazel got very curious about who this person might be. She decided to infuse some marbles with a magical scent that mimics blood. She then proceeded to throw the marbles across the creek and rush back into the hut to see what would happen.

A few seconds passed. Nothing. And then the person came out again, apparently sniffing the air. And then another. And another. And a total of 7 people came out of the woods looking for something, apparently drawn by the scent of the marbles. One of them picked up one of the marbles and showed it to the others. They seemed to communicate something and then rushed into different directions in what looked very much like a hunt.

Terrified, the party opted to stay in the hut until sunrise, and take a long rest. The night went on. Lenny noticed that some of the people may have gotten fairly close to the hut. But at least they weren’t discovered. Once the group had their rest, they made their way back to Garth the next morning. They rushed. And fortunately they made it back in time. Garth is still alive! He looks in very poor shape, however. Additionally, Garth is in the company of a silver-skinned dragonborn, who seems to be comforting him. Marvin sits beside this dragonborn.

Session 18: Terrane, Volodar 30

The party gathered more information from the gold dragon Garturax, to determine the best way to approach the cave containing the gem that could save his life. They tried healing him with lesser restoration spells, but it didn’t work.

Garturax also mentioned that Magmarivox has a family that usually resides around Yigdrasiil, and that the weapon that Armando carries (Blodrur) is a weapon made from the sick roots of Yigdrasiil (roots that the red dragons tried to destroy to sever its connection to other worlds). These weapons are used by druids of Yigdrasiil to fight off the red dragons.

However, most of the red dragons don’t really inhabit this area of the forest, except for Magmarivox, who is bent on destroying Garturax. The party asked if they could help protect Garth while they are gone. They also came clear about wanting dragon blood as a reward.

Garth asked if Marvin could carry a message to the Silver Dragonborn folk in the town of Kepios. Hazel was able to program Marvin to do so, while carrying a note that could only be read by a silver skinned dragonborn. Garth was happy to learn the party wanted a cure for vampirism to help other people, instead of money. He also offered one of the scales of his elbow, should the party return.

The party made their way west towards the cave by Dragon Eerie Mountain. On the way there, they were attacked by a T. rex, but had little trouble disposing of it. Once they arrived at the cave, they took a short rest inside Lenny’s magical hut.

Lenny used an invisibility spell and flight to reach the centre of the cave and retrieve the Aeli Stone. Once inside the cave, she noticed small creatures skittering and whispering inside the cave. They seemed to live and make nests in the dust and rubble piles.

The cave had unnatural winds coming from large pits that occurred inside the cave. In the centre of the cave, a large circular podium held a pedestal with the Aeli Stone floating above it.

Lenny approached the pedestal and eventually touched the stone. The party isn’t sure exactly how, but she got the stone. Lenny seems worried about the stone, however. Once the party exited the cave, they were approached by a woman who offered to trade the gem for a wand.

The party refused the deal, and the woman revealed herself as a young red dragon. Combat ensued, the dragon became overpowered and attempted to flee, however Armando landed a precise blow with his crossbow, and downed the creature. The party spent a few hours looting and harvesting the dragon for blood, scales, and teeth.

Nightfall approached, and the party decided to head back to Garth presently.

Session 17: Demis, Volodar 29, 4 PM

 The party decided to head back to town from Hermit’s Pass and get more supplies and rest before heading off to the Braen' She-Ran Wilds in search of a gold dragon.

As they reached Menell Dilth, and night fall approached, the party witnessed the festivities of the festival of light. Lenny was in the mood for some deep fried treats, and had no trouble finding an establishment called “Morgran’s Mooncakes”. Mr. Morgran, an older gnome with white wiry hair was happy to serve the party fried shrimp, moon cakes (similar to a donut), and a “Churro Sword". 

The party noticed a woman with a small child paying close attention to Esta. Kalim approached the woman and spoke to her briefly. He noticed the small child had green hands, which the woman tried to hide. Kalim did not find this woman threatening, but he let the group know that she was indeed observing them.

As the party was ready to go to their rooms and have some rest, fireworks started. Hazel was immediately interested in these fireworks and decided to get closer and attempt to take some. She successfully disguised herself into a carnival worker, and had the opportunity to take some fireworks with her. She did not set off the fireworks for the show very well, but that distracted the fireworks artist just enough to prevent him from chasing her down, as he noticed the bulge under her clothes, where she tried to hide the goods.

The party rested at Tatiana’s Inn for the night. In the morning, Kalim picked up some glass vials at the general goods store, and also donated 1 gp to the store. The clerk was very pleased and appreciated his generosity.

The group successfully navigated their way through to the forest (without getting lost), and through a good portion of it, following a trail of claw marks left on the trees. They encountered 2 huge creatures (Triceratops). After successfully dispatching of the creatures, the party heard sounds of a creature in pain.

They followed the sound and discovered a gold dragon among a patch of edible mushrooms known as “Goat’s Beard”, the dragon’s favourite snack. The dragon explained to the party that his mortal enemy “Magmarivox”, a red dragon, had poisoned the mushrooms. They poison acts slowly, but is deadly. Magmarivox is likely reveling in the idea that this creature is suffering a slow and painful death. The dragon then explained that there is an antidote for this toxin inside a cave to the west. The dragon offered a favor in return for the group’s help in recovering the antidote.

Session 16: Demis, Volodar 29, 8 AM

 Hazel woke up quite upset with the memories that returned, especially because she now realized she was never safe with the Fang Crushers and is now being chased by two governments. Armando also recovered his memories, but he seemed more relieved to finally know what happened. The team members shared their memories, Lenny mentioned she got a stern reminder from her goddess. Kalim mentioned dreaming of a song from an old friend, and waking up to a loud roar coming from the forest to the south.

Things that the discussion between players brought up:

-     There are currently only 2 known portals between Arvandor and Necelia: one really heavily guarded and regulated one located in Aerie, and one that is a portable “one way only” from the Fang Crushers headquarters to Arvandor (used to be to the Seldarine), but it got stolen and nobody knows where it is currently leading to.

-     The Fang Crushers have most definitely been infiltrated by the Drow

-     Kalim knows Armando’s mother Olena, who has been turned into a vampire, however she doesn’t attack humanoids and has been hiding for years

The party decided to go back to Tatiana’s to recover their gear. Once outside, and heading towards the busy streets of Menell Dilth, the party noticed a significant increase in people coming to town.

This is the week of the “Festival of Life”, which starts on the first Demis (Sunday) after Avalan’s Life Blessing (the first Silver full moon after the Spring Equinox). There are two moons in Arvandor: Avalan (the Silver Moon) and Vilis (the Blood Moon). By the end of the Festival of Life celebrations, both moons are at their first and last quarters, respectively, symbolizing life’s balance. This balance and transition is very important for the followers of Selune.

The celebrations during the week of the festival include a few traditions: people in town will be carrying bags of things and piling them up in the town centre, where at nightfall they will be lit on fire in huge pyres. This is in a way a “fire of sacrifice”, because life is believed to mean eternal transition and change, getting rid of what burdens you and moving on, taking the darkness from the winter months away and feeding the fire that brings the light. People were piling all kinds of personal belongings (from letters, to clothing, to lockboxes with unknown contents) to burn later in the evening.

When the party got back to “The Murky Ox Inn”, they were happily greeted by Tatiana, who immediately asked for Miss Hazel (Hazel was disguised, as she was worried about being chased). Much to Hazel’s content, she told the party that she had a crate for Hazel, containing Marvin and a note, stating the following:

“I have been watching you for some time. I heard about how you handled the Murky Ox Farm situation. Not many would have had the mercy you displayed towards them. I believe we can help each other. Come meet me at the old cabin at Hermit’s Pass tomorrow at dusk. Come well armed, it can be dangerous out there.” Signed “Zaru”.

The party also spoke to Faith Fast Fingers about the Casino, and she mentioned interest in turning the building into a shelter/orphanage for all the refugees (especially people escaping slavery). The party made her aware of the monsters left in there, so she will be looking to hire people to clean the place up.

The party then proceeded to recover the remainder of their belongings (everything was just as they had left in their room). They decided to go meet Zaru, but to get some supplies before heading out, and “reserving” a trip to Aerie with Sheila Coppertree. Sheila agreed to wait for them to return for 2 days, and if they’re not back by then, she’d head out for a few contracts she had prior.

Lenny and Kalim also went to a store (Arvandor Apparel) to look for a cloak for Lenny. They were put off by a very snarky store clerk and decided not to buy anything.

On their way south to Hermit’s Pass they noticed a Cyclops looking for food, just west of their path. Since the cyclops didn’t notice them, they decided not to engage in combat and leave it be. Upon reaching the cabin, they checked and noticed that Zaru was not alone. There was at least one more person present, and Lenny determined it to be a vampire.

They chose to talk to Zaru still, and appreciating their peaceful approach, Zaru shared her secrets:

-     She is in fact a doppleganger, and therefore a very capable spy.

-     She despised working for Mr. Bigsby, but she did it under the promise of a vial of dragon’s blood he had in his possession.

-     Her husband (a half orc male named Bartok) is a vampire who had been feeding on animals only, as he also didn’t want to harm other people.

-     Zaru and Bartok joined “The Hopeful Dawn” an organization of vampires who want a cure, lead by the very Olena (Armando’s mother), who was saved and helped by Kalim.

-     The dragon’s blood that Zaru took from Mr. Bigsby worked on Bartok, as after drinking it he can get the same amount of nutrition from drinking the blood of any creature (not just humanoids), however he is still sensitive to sunlight. So it is a half cure, as he doesn’t feel weak and sick anymore, as long as he consumes any blood, regardless of the animal (rare beef or even fish will do!).

-     The headquarters of the Hopeful Dawn is the cave that Kalim helped Olena get to, and Zaru and Bartok are headed there to share the good news.

-     Zaru asked the group to find more dragon blood to help others get the “half cure” at least. She heard rumors of a golden dragon to the south, in the Braen’ She-Ran Wilds. The group collectively recalls that metallic dragons are typically good natured, and perhaps a peaceful accord can be struck. They also recall that most metallic dragons have left Arvandor about 2000 years ago, when the corruption started, and the fact that there’s even rumors of one living in the forest is a sign of hope.

-     Zaru offered her services as a spy in exchange, as well as a powerful item she stole from Mr. Bigsby. She warned the party that the item was likely obtained illegally by Mr. Bigsby’s thugs, and the one who brought it back perished shortly after, from injuries displaying necrotic damage.

-        The item was identified by Hazel as a Blodrur, a spear wielded by the Guardians of the Great Tree of Yigdrasiil, which is also the source of legends about travel between worlds. Hazel read books about its sap and amber being used to create portals between Arvandor and Necelia. She also knows that the legends speak of a red dragon (named Nidhogg). The dragon was desperate to sever that connection, as it revels in chaos.

-     The sickly roots of the tree (attacked by Nidhogg and its offspring) get turned into weapons: the Blodrur. 

Hazel decided to keep the “red dragon” bit to herself, but shared with the group what the “Blodrur” can do (see homebrew item on dndbeyond for details). The party decided to try and locate the gold dragon.

Session 15 - Calamis, Volodar 28, 2021 Post Discidium

The party now has the key to the vault. Armando, Esta, and Lenny are in Mr. Bigsby’s office still, whereas Hazel and Kalim are upstairs. 

The Spectator started speaking to Hazel (still disguised as Mr. Bigsby) in a language she couldn’t understand. All the guards panicked, as they had never seen that creature, much less heard it speak. Hazel tried to pretend speaking to it, but that didn’t really work, and the Spectator became hostile.

Hazel, Kalim and a few guards managed to escape to the downstairs area, while a few guards remained upstairs fighting the Spectator, who was now believed to have turned against Mr. Bigsby. Upon arriving downstairs, some of the guards saw Esta making her way to the vault.

Hazel and Kalim deceived some of the guards (with Hazel enacting a fainting episode). Lennie acted seductively and proceeded, furthering the deception, and then also putting some of the guards to sleep. Esta and Kalim entered the vault and then quickly realized they were in fact inside the mouth of a giant mimic that was trying to eat them. 

The party collectively broke a few of the mimic’s teeth and managed to escape the trap. Henry, at this point, realized that Mr. Bigsby wasn’t the real Mr. Bigsby, and accepted to help the party. 

On their way out, Esta heard the Spectator speak in undercommon. He said: "run, you little mutts! You wish I was as simple as just a few pettings! Muahahahaha". 

Once outside, they compensated Henry, and he promised to cover for them should anyone ever question what happened to Mr. Bigsby (he’ll say he only saw Mr. Bigsby going into the forest). Henry was given 22 gp by the party and with his newfound fortune, he hopes to get good gear and join the Adventurer’s Guild in Menell Dilth.

Henry Duststone

Esta collected the 4 pseudodragons from the hiding spot, where they comfortably slept. The party then proceeded to Cat Cradle Farm to ask for shelter for the night. Yiri and Maldara were more than happy to offer them shelter and made them tea. Maldara gave Lennie a kitten bee flower as a gift. Lennie attempted to steal one of Armando’s swords, but he noticed the attempt and told her she could have it, all she needed to do was ask. Awkward.

The party took a long rest.