7th Nymm, 999 YK
- They review their sheets before the session. Runmae comments that she can bonk in a variety of ways.
- They continue fighting the Vrykudlak and the gnolls!
- Bhaltair channels their confusion at feeling a heartbeat, and casts Confusion on the vrykudlak. It critically fails on the save!
- The gnoll being grappled by Stormclaw escapes and runs, only to be shot down by Warren
- Naze tries to hit the vrykudlak with a Holy Light, but it dodges it!
- The vrykudlak turns on the nearest gnoll, biting down on their neck and draining their blood, visibly regenerating its wounds.
- Warren proclaims "is it a fucking vampire!?"
- Runmae tries to put the "snack gnoll" out of its misery, bringing it to the ground and then slamming her hammer down on it.
- The poor fucker is still alive, but having a really bad time.
- The spellcasting gnoll commands Runmae to drop her weapon, but Bhaltair counters it with their drums.
- The bloodbag gets up and flees. Good idea.
- Valaari tries to discern if there's a way to prevent the vrykudlak from regenerating, but can't. They throw their (silvered) spear again, making it stagger and giggle.
- Stormclaw runs up to the spellcasting gnoll and silences it with his fist.
- Naze fires another beam of holy light, severely burning the Vrykudlak
- Zaphkiel moves up to fight it too, but misses.
- Warren goes to investigate all the commotion, and sees what's going on. Oh.
- He shoots the spellcasting gnoll through the eye, putting it out of its misery.
- Bhaltair casts Haste on Valaari. Speedy boi.
- The vrykudlak lays into Runmae with its claws.
- Runmae, worried about not being able to hurt the vrykudlak, goes for the other gnoll that is flanking her and wounds them.
- Kryrk runs up and stabs the vrykudlak with the silvered end of his myrnaxe, which it very much doesn't like. He then barks an order to reposition, and everyone does.
- Valaari moves up to engage the vrykudlak in melee, stabbing it. It now has a spear in its back and its front!
- Stormclaw moves up and punches the vrykudlak in the face.
- Bhaltair then casts Force Barrage, and the vrykudlak turns into liquid blood and falls to the ground.
- One gnoll remains, and now has everyone's attention. Poor guy.
- Naze fires a holy laser and misses. Says it was a warning shot.
- Zaphkiel runs up to it and swings. Misses. Says it was a warning swing.
- Warren emerges from the bushes and sees the vrykudlak dissipate into a pool of blood, and sees them all looking at this one gnoll.
- From everyone elses perspective, Warren just ran away at the start of combat and then turned up at the end.
- Warren fires a shot and kills the remaining gnoll.
- With the gnolls down, the shifter looks at the group with contempt and says "Deserters".
- Valaari asks if he's talking to them? He confirms, and Valaari says they have leave to be here. Furthermore, they don't have to explain themselves to them!
- Stormclaw says they do, actually. At this moment, both Runmae and Bhaltair realise they know him! At least, by reputation.
- Bhaltair asks for his autograph. It's a very weird vibe now.
- Bhaltair quickly tries to explain who this is.
- Valaari asks how him being famous is relevant?
- Stormclaw says it is not. Part of his role is catching what makes it through the Labyrinth, so they need to explain.
- Bhaltair explains, but Runmae comments that they don't negotiate with terrorists.
- Valaari is like "woah, Naze take a look at her, Runmae is being weird."
- "But he's a terrorist! He's wanted by Aundair!"
- Warren comments that he's attractive enough but why would a country want him?
- Valaari acquiesces and explains their mission.
- Stormclaw is here for the same reason! He's investigating the missing convoys.
- Valaari asks about the fog monster. Stormclaw calls it a "vrykudlak", saying that the gnoll with him knows more.
- Bhaltair has heard legends of Vrykudlaks, but they are legendary creatures to them, they weren't even sure they were real.
- Kryrk introduces himself, but seems to be struggling with speaking Common. Naze asks if it would be easier for him to speak Diabolic, which it would be, but he would rather speak a language they all understand.
- Valaari asks if they killed the creature?
- Kryrk says no, they haven't. He asks what they know about gnolls?
- They've only ever fought them, they don't know much.
- Kryrk explains that in the beginning of time, the world was ruled by demonic gods. The Rage of War and the Wild Heart fought, and the Wild Hearts beasts consumed the demons of its enemies, becoming the first gnolls. A vrykudlak is a gnoll who has consumed another fiend, becoming closer to the Wild Heart.
- It is not dead. When a vrykudlak's body is destroyed, it's spirit possesses a nearby predatory animal, and moulds that animals body into another of its own. To kill it, they will need to find that animal and kill it, or cure it of the curse to save it.
- They have no chance of finding the animal in the Reaches. They'll need to capture an animal and use it as a trap for the vrykudlak's soul after killing it again.
- The group currently lacks the means to remove curses, so they can't save the animal they use.
- Valaari asks if Kryrk knows how to find it? He does, he has the gnolls scent now, it will likely return to their camp.
- Kryrk explains that they are here to try and save their people, gnolls. Show them that there is another way.
- Valaari comments that they didn't seem to be having much success. Kryrk says that not all can be saved, and the vrykudlak is a complication. It will be driving them into a frenzy.
- So, they have a plan then. They need to find a beast to use as a sacrifice. Kryrk requests that they keep gnoll casualties to a minimum. Valaari says they will try, but no promises.
- Valaari asks if there is a way to break the vrykudlak's influence over the gnolls? Kryrk says it must come from inside, the vrykudlak speaks to their inner demon and it answers.
- Valaar asks if the ones who fled had broken free? Kryrk is unsure, a wounded animal will rarely fight to the death.
- Kryrk asks if they need to rest?
- Runmae is beat up, Bhaltair and Naze are out of spells. Warren has itchy eyes and is sniffly all of a sudden (hayfever?)
- Kryrk says they'll need to wait a day or so anyway for the vrykudlak to reform. It gives them time to pick a beast to capture.
- The stronger the best, the better. It needs to be attractive to the vrykudlak so that it chooses to possess it.
- Stormclaw suggests a bear, wolf, hyena or maybe a badger.
- Bhaltair thinks the bear is likely to be the best option.
- They ask how they will capture a bear? Bhaltair suggests they could just ask, they would be surprised what the animals of the Reaches would do for the Reaches.
- They lack the means to remove the curse though. They ask if Stormclaw knows anyone who could, but he says nobody is nearby. The nearest village is gone.
- Maybe they could look around the village? They might find something.
- Or perhaps Bangle knows? They could also return to Vaanka Dar and get a scroll.
- How do they contact Bangle?
- Bhaltair just shouts her name
- That works! She lands on a nearby branch. Bhaltair explains they need her to look for someone, a druid, who can try and remove the curse. Bangle suggests the Warden of the Wood who was dealing with that giant boar? She will ask.
- She tells them to be safe, and then flies away.
- They make their way to the destroyed village.
- Stormclaw explains that this was a small community, less than 50 people, who cultivated this region's natural food sources, and wood. He forbids them from looting anything they don't need for this task, he wants to try and return belongings to the families of the victims.
- They search it, getting an idea of what happened here. It's a similar story to the wagon, something rolled through and killed everyone, taking the corpses. Rotting food remains on wooden plates. Bhaltair doesn't find evidence of a druid living here, just small scale primal magic.
- Warren finds a nice bowl, with blood spatter forming an interesting pattern on it. He puts the bowl in his bag, and nobody notices.
- Runmae looks over the village for anything silver, but doesn't find any.
- Runmae asks their new friends if they have any silver to spare.
- Stormclaw does not, but Kryrk has a backup silver dagger. He gives it to Runmae.
- Valaari asks Stormclaw how many attacks have happened?
- Stormclaw is aware of at least three convoys that have failed to reach Vaanka Dar, or return. He's not sure how long ago the village was attacked.
- Bhaltair attempts to consult with spirits in the area, hopefully of those who died.
- Bhaltair initially thinks they fail, as nothing seems to respond. It's almost like they're in a spiritual dead zone. Eventually, something faintly answers.
- It's a forest spirit, tied to the Reaches.
- They ask if anyone survived. They understand that no one did.
- They ask if there is any silver in the village. There is not.
- They ask what attacked the village. An abomination.
- The spirit dissipates, as Bhaltair loses it.
- Runmae puts on her detective goggles and tries to determine when this happened. She determines that the stains are at least a couple of weeks ago.
- Stormclaw says that the first convoy went missing a month ago.
- Valaari stipulates that it seems to be about one attack a week.
- They ponder acquiring a means to remove a curse. All of the options take too long, they need to consider the loss of one animal against the potential deaths that the vrykudlak might inflict.
- Valaari asks if Stormclaw or Kryrk have been staying anywhere? They don't fancy sleeping in a cursed village.
- The pair have been travelling, so they don't have anywhere specific they've been sleeping.
- They find a tree hollow to huddle in and sleep.
- Warren is in awe of the size of the trees, but these aren't even the biggest trees in the Reaches? Bhaltair is confused.
- Warren asks what's up? Bhaltair says he's got a weird look on his face.
- "It's just the size of the trees!"
- Runmae says not to bully Warren, he can't help his face looks that way. He was just born like it.
- Bhaltair says that the trees are big, but they get bigger. Much, much bigger.
- It's kinda weird that Bhaltair is so small, really. Maybe they'll get a growth spurt. They wouldn't mind being that big by the time they reach 10 years old.
- Runmae says not to feel bad, she hasn't grown in like 95 years. Bhaltair is confused, wasn't she that big when she was born?
- Bhaltair thought dwarves hatch from eggs, fully grown. This has been a revelation.
- Warren thinks that Bhaltair has grown! As a person, anyway.
- Bhaltair comments that they have, they take things more seriously now. They don't joke anymore, they are Responsible.
- Warren says he's not very responsible, so he wouldn't know. He thinks that Bhaltair should relax a bit.
- Bhaltair says to make a deal, they will joke more if Warren is more responsible.
- They shake on it. Warren's hands are perpetually sticky.
- Ugh.
- Bhaltair picks some strawberries. Naze discretely tries one and spits it out. Bhaltair is disappointed.
- Naze checks on Zekko to make sure he's okay. He's never seen him so afraid! Zekko's okay now, he was reacting to the vrykudlak.
8th Nymm, 999 YK
- They wake up in the morning, after an uneventful (but noisy) night.
- It's a bit humid this morning, though my players insist on describing it as "moist".
- They are not greeted by Bangle, but they were sleeping in a hollow and hidden, so it's not too surprising.
- Bhaltair starts gently playing an instrument, to try and signal Bangle, but she doesn't turn up.
- They return to the village to see if she's there.
- She's not here either :(
- So either the Warden is too far away, or something else happened.
- They discuss what animal to try and capture. A bear seems like the best bet.
- Valaari asks again how to contain a bear. Bhaltair says they'll ask, they'd rather get an animal that understands what is going to happen and is willing to die for the Reaches.
- It probably won't work, but it is worth a shot?
- Warren thinks so.
- Valaari understands, they'll try it.
- Stormclaw suggests they start following Kryrk's nose to the gnolls, and try to find an animal along the way. Everyone is okay with that.
- Bhaltair thinks about their moth familiar, who should be arriving in Vaanka Dar some time today.
- They head deeper into the Reaches, and they feel instinctively when they've entered the Towering Wood proper. They feel the weight of history bear down on them, it's foreboding in a way they're unfamiliar with. For Bhaltair, it feels like a weighted blanket welcoming them home.
- Warren feels unworthy to be here, it's strange.
- Valaari feels subdued here.
- Runmae has no opinion, apparently.
- For Naze, it feels like when they first entered the Reaches and he felt uncertain and uncomfortable, but more intense. He clutches his staff tightly and walks closer to Zaphkiel. He's spent his whole life being told his presence here would corrupt this place, he doesn't belong here.
- They proceed, and encounter a bone effigy. Being near it makes Bhaltair nauseous, a new experience, which intensifies when they look directly at it. For the others, there is a pressure in their head, and looking at the effigy directly makes them uncomfortably aware of their heartbeat.
- That's familiar.
- Bhaltair casts a Root Reading, and learn that there is no Medium or larger creature undetected nearby, and none passed through in the last hour. That comforts them a bit.
- Stormclaw reaches up and pulls the effigy from the tree. He explains that it's fiendish magic, and it reminds him of Sora Maenya, but this work is sloppier than hers. Spirits are bound to the bones, and disrupting the symbols should release them.
- Stormclaw breaks the effigy and hands each of them a bone to disrupt. Valaari uses their dagger, as does Warren. Runmae and Stormclaw snap the bone at the symbol. Naze gives his bone to Zaphkiel, who breaks it. Bhaltair snaps the bone and burns it by tying it to his torch, not feeling that just breaking it is enough. This effigy was evil.
Description of the Deep Wood
As you walk along the path behind Stormclaw and Kryrk, you instinctively know when you've entered the Wood, almost like you can feel that capital W at the start. The air seems heavier, thicker, and laden with the weight of history. The Wood feels ancient in a way that none of you would be able to articulate, some of these trees survived the Age of Demons. They saw the rise and fall of the Dhakaani empire, the arrival of humans on Khorvaire, the rise of Galifar. They saw the arrival of the daelkyr, and whilst some forests were burnt down to contain the influence of Avassh, the Towering Wood endured.
It's not tangible, but you can feel the mark of all that history in this place. It is foreboding in a way that is totally unfamiliar to most of you, though Bhaltair likely feels right at home within it. It is less that the wood means you harm, like you might have experienced in the Abyssal Forest, and more that you need to watch your step and show your respect, like you're walking through an open air temple.