2. Deftwood

(Session - November 15, 2021)

Howl arrives in Ravenspeak with a message from The Voice in form of a (one-way) speaking stone.

Karitha -- who had traveled with the party from the Unbroken settlement -- has was traveling on a mission of some import and has not checked in. This has caused the Voice great distress and the party is asked to travel along her route to find -- and if necessary -- assist her. Karitha was traveling from Ravenspeak in the direction of Stranglehold. She was supposed to have checked in once she passed the area known as Deftwood. There is ancient magic in the area of Deftwood that can interfere with communication, so it is likely that she is still in that area.

Howl was instructed to wait for the party's response before taking it back to the Voice. Although Howl refused to divulge anything that the Voice had not mentioned, the party was able to tell from Howl's demeanor that the worry is justified, given that Karitha is a capable spellcaster and should have been well able to take care of herself.

Deftwood Road

The road between Ravenspeak and Strangehold is not well-traveled, but does exist. The area where the Deftwood magical influence begins is 80-90 miles - approx 3 days journey at a fast pace. (Yes, Karitha was expected to be past there by now, implying a magically-assisted travel pace).

The Deftwood itself is a large forest backed by mountains. The road - such as it is - runs south of the forest proper, not through it. 

The characters are expected to leave the morning after meeting with Howl (Tiga 20, 169 YCS).

Tiga 20, 169

Set off early from Ravenspeak for Deftwood

Long Rest

Tiga 21, 169

approaching Deftwood

severed arm, left (humanoid)

Medicine check 21, human arm male

not cut cleanly, burned in multiple places (fire), charred, within the past day

Investigation/Perception, burned plants, small 

Survival, a lot of tracks (too many), humanoid and horses

a few hours later

Windsister Karitha and caravans defending, looking for thing in forest

checking in with rangers, Ivellos (firbolg), hunt down corrupted creatures

cannot contact, Deftwood has demonic corruption

something there, Ibreth the Taker

Thra-Dunth (Elder Place) ruins, she is bound there and cannot leave

1.5 days to cabin in the woods

Long Rest

Tiga 22, 169

arrive at cabin

druidic symbols on nearby trees

large map of Deftwood, Druidic 

log book (two languages), Sylan and Druidic

last ten days written in Sylvan (and in pencil), ink and Druidic

following suspicious black robed woman, moving slowly, had a retinue sent away in a different direction

last entry 5 days ago, follow her into the ruins

carrying some kind of strange artifact

rough drawing, pyramid shaped stone with runes

Arcana 20, runes are Abyssal, some sort of arcane

Insight 20, older entries, increased demonic activity and “black presence”

Niolis Redleaf (Druid)

Long Rest

Tiga 23, 169

arrive at Niolis, hear noises loud knocking wood against wood

dim light

red-eyed bears (cave bears), dark hooded figure

Travel to (Standing Stones)

ritual, trying to power lance, Debier

pillars

symbol same as B'ob's Die

Armanite Lance of Ahstriv

Tiga 23, 169

Two plant-like creatures trying to tear down the door, red glowing eyes

they’re moist, squidge

shambling mounds, weird warlock, hellbear

small pyramid sculpture, Abyssal artifact

binding stone, summoning demons?, drained of power

journal, a lot of weird, some in Abyssal and cipher

Strathmaileel, organization

recovered artifact, headed to Thra Dunth (commune to Ibreth the Taker)

sent Debier and his cronies to recover lance, so he does not interfere with ritual

picture of standing stones, symbol of circle with triangle inside (question mark)

Stranglehold - Enclave? Archfey?

saw her corrupt bear on the spot, demonizes

ruins, abandoned

long rest

spell scroll of vampiric touch