27th Therendor, 999 YK
- They arrive at the Infirmary, where they immediately run into Kaitwaen Toldorath, the chief physician of the Maruk Ghaash'kala. She press-gangs Naze into assisting her with a patient, and then she sees to Denzel.
- Kait tells Naze that they have a shortage of medical supplies, and are in dire need of a supply run to the Abyssal Forest of Khaar. Naze is like, "yep, okay" and then goes with Runmae to speak to Torgaan or Durrnak.
- They run into Valaari and update them on the situation. Valaari is cautious, the Abyssal Forest is extremely dangerous. They should think about this.
- Runmae yells at them that if they want to be a coward, that's on them, but she's gonna help her friend!
- Runmae storms off and then realises she doesn't know where she's going.
- Valaari has their arms crossed.
- Naze continues towards the war room and Valaari follows.
- Durrnak looks up as they enter, and asks if there was something else?
- Valaari bumps Naze forward.
- Naze explains the medicine shortage and that a mission to the Abyssal Forest is needed.
- Durrnak asks if they are volunteering?
- Apparently so.
- Valaari asks if anyone has been to the forest and come back, that they can speak to?
- Durrnak has. He explains it's harrowing and dangerous, everything is venomous and hates you.
- They'll need to get a list of what they need from Kait.
- Durrnak also provides them with two ways of getting there, via the Labyrinth or via the Ironlands. The Ironlands has an exit to the Abyssal Forest to the west, next to the exit to Shaarat Draal. They don't know where the recently discovered entrance leads into the Ironlands, but at most it'd be a two day journey once inside the Ironlands and oriented.
- Valaari suggests they talk it over with the others over dinner.
- Kait has put Bhaltair to work in the infirmary. He identifies some of the plants they're using, as Sundew, which has antibiotic properties (though bigger than usual) and a paste made from Matico leaves (a numbing agent).
- Warren is in his cave, lying on his bed and humming to himself. Bliss.
- Valaari goes round the various members of the tribe and inquires about equipment and consumables for this job. Antidotes, antiplagues, the navigator's star tattoo (refreshed by Lailari). They also check spells, planning what scrolls to get from Jhirza.
- The rest of the group "sell" the equipment they recovered from the gnolls.
- They have a debate about who should get the Striking rune on Warren's sickle. It would be more valuable on either Runmae or Valaari's weapon.
- They roll a dice to decide between Runmae or Valaari. It rolls Runmae, and she gives it to Valaari.
- They debate whether Bhaltair will show up to dinner, since they don't need to eat. Valaari says if they don't show up, they'll get them (threatening).
- They discuss whether to take this mission over dinner.
- Valaari gets everyone's attention and then tells them Naze has something to discuss with them.
- Naze chokes on his food, and then gets to it.
- He explains there's a medicine shortage and they need to go to the Abyssal Forest as the Infirmary is struggling. Kait really needs these meds!
- Naze is like "we're all on board, right?"
- Naze looks down at himself like "yes!"
- Valaari explains the Abyssal Forest's whole deal. It has trees! and danger!
- Most groups don't come back.
- Bhaltair asks what about Arvel?
- Valaari explains that another group is being assembled to go after the missing patrol. Valaari says they could use Bhaltair in the Forest.
- Bhaltair says they understand, they are sure the others will find Arvel. But if not, when they return, Bhaltair wants to go after them.
- Bhaltair seems kinda sad but they understand. If they come back with medicine, it potentially saves more lives. Valaari presses this, and Bhaltair reiterates that they don't need convincing, they agreed.
- Valaari asks for Warren's opinion, he's being uncharacteristically quiet.
- Warren really doesn't want to go, the odds of returning are slim. He thinks he's being outvoted though, so he guesses he'll die there.
- Valaari has done some preperation, they think there's a good chance of survival. Warren admires their optimism.
- It is also a matter of necessity, if they don't go people will die.
- Warren says "okay! I didn't say I wouldn't go, I just expect some of us won't come back".
- Bhaltair says they'll make sure to put Warren's compost to good use.
- Bhaltair also says that if they're going to do this, they need to have each other's backs. No more calling each other cowards.
- Runmae apologises for her words to Valaari earlier.
- Runmae also explains that she feels like this is all her fault, she dragged Denzel out here.
- Warren tells her she can't live like this, she's in the Demon Wastes now and if she lets the past drag her down, she's going to die.
- Bhaltair gives Runmae a hug.
- They then discuss which route to take. Runmae thinks faster is better, and she wants to get some ore from the Ironlands.
- Bhaltair asks if it is guaranteed to shorten their journey.
- Valaari explains that the Ironlands is stable, and a 2 day journey at worst. It is more dangerous, though, and they'll need to account for the razorgrass.
- Warren also mentions that the danger is comparable, seven days in the Labyrinth is possibly more dangerous than 2 days in the Ironlands.
- Bhaltair doesn't want to go through the Ironlands, it sounds too dangerous, too much of a risk.
- Valaari mentions that not everything in the Ironlands is dangerous, and they have a truce with some of the inhabitants of the demiplane.
- Comparatively, last time they went into the Labyrinth, they ran into two Goristro.
- They go back and forth for a bit. Valaari gives more information on the Ironlands and the potential dangers there.
- Bhaltair suggests going there via the Labyrinth, and coming back via the Ironlands.
- Valaari isn't sure they can find the Ironlands entrance in the Abyssal Forest if they arrive there via a different entrance.
- They can't map the Forest, and if they aren't careful they may get lost there.
- Discussing how to do this, they decide they need a bag of holding more than the navigator's star tattoo. That gives them some room to get metal as well.
- Bhaltair can use the spell "Breadcrumbs" to help them find their way back in the Abyssal Forest.
- Valaari asks Naze if he has an opinion on how to get to the Forest. He says he doesn't feel he knows enough to give an informed opinion, but the Ironlands sound scary.
- They decide to go via the Ironlands, and get some metal as well as the herbs.
- They make their preparations. Breadcrumbs and Restoration spell scrolls. Metal shoes. Antidotes. They get a temporary bag of holding from Lailari.
- They get 2 weeks worth of rations. Bhaltair is concerned about getting access to sunlight, as the Ironlands has no sun.
- 2 Elixirs of Life for Bhaltair. 2 Antidotes for Naze. 1 of each for Runmae, Warren and Valaari.
- Runmae has the bag of holding.
- They sleep.
28th Therendor, 999 YK
- They have a good, hearty breakfast before they head out.
- Bhaltair gets up early and sees Talana'aashta before she goes in search of the rest of the missing patrol.
- Talana says she'll get them out if she can, but if she can't, and they're suffering, would Bhaltair want her to put Arvel out of his misery?
- Bhaltair can't answer that question. If possible, they would prefer Arvel answer it.
- Bhaltair wishes her luck, and she heads out.
- Bhaltair wakes up Warren, lulling him to wakefulness with the gentle rustling of leaves.
- Warren wakes up, startled. Bhaltair tells him he's late, they're going.
- Valaari purchases additional spell scrolls.
- Runmae goes to check on Denzel. He has a bit of a fever, he's currently 6 days into stage 1 Tetanus. He'll make his next save tomorrow.
- If the disease progresses normally, he has maybe 3 days to live if he doesn't respond to treatment. When the party return, he may already be dead.
- They gather and leave Maruk Dar.
- Bhaltair asks if they want a marching song?
- They travel, and don't encounter anything today.
1st Eyre, 999 YK
- Valaari's player reminds everyone to eat a ration, dinguses!
- Warren's player curses the seagulls outside their window.
- Bhaltair sits in the sun for a bit.
- As they travel through a tight crevasse, they come across someone calling for help. It's a feminine voice, speaking Common. They sound panicked.
- Bhaltair asks if this is their problem, they have a mission.
- It's right in front of them, they need to check it out.
- Warren's in front. Lucky.
- Warren sees a human or elven woman run out of sight. Her movements are slow and stiff, as if she's been poisoned by some paralytic substance.
- Valaari and Bhaltair think maybe an imp sting?
- Warren hears a faint buzzing noise, in the direction the woman went. Warren thinks this is sus.
- Valaari thinks they need to investigate.
- Warren creeps forward and hears the voice shout again that they can't move. He gestures to the others to do a pincer manouevre.
- Warren sees the woman, who has frozen in place. Her eyes dart around, terrified.
- Warren approaches, tentatively. The buzzing gets louder.
- Bhaltair asks Naze when they're supposed to issue the challenge?
- The woman is totally paralyzed now, only her eyes can move.
- Valaari tries to recall anything about invisible buzzing things. They recall both that there are insects that puppet corpses, and Ashurak has tiny invisible demons that spread diseases.
- Valaari comes up behind Warren, and asks the woman some questions. She gestures with her eyes.
- She was bitten by insects, she can't move. Valaari asks if the insects are inside her, she looks around.
- Naze comes and examines the woman, and finds welts on her consistent with hellwasp bites. He informs Valaari that there is nothing they can do for her but kill her, and they should do so quickly because she's going to turn into a swarm of hellwasps.
- Valaari apologises to the woman, and raises their axe. Zaphkiel comes up behind the woman and swings their mace.
- The woman dissolves into a swarm of hellwasps. Oh fuck.
- "Do we also issue the challenge to wasps?"