Day 1
Day 2
On the second day, we explored the
island and surrounding land across the
lake. We traveled north since that was the shortest path to a shore. Along the way, we ran into some sort of
carnivorous plant that tried to, ah, digest
Catchis. Thankfully, we threw our thoughts together and triumphed!
Explored: Zone A (Please reference attached map)
Day 3
We traveled north, deciding to reach the
mountain first. Most of our travels revolved around
exploring this unnamed river that flowed from the north. It almost looked to us like the river itself flowed from the mountain into the lake behind us.
Traveled to: Zone B
Player's note: I didn't realize moving to a hex and exploration were two different days' actions, so I erroneously thought we'd moved to and explored this hex at the same time. We didn't skip exploring this hex for any real reason. Note for future explorers.
Day 4
Our intrepid team of travelers traversed north today rather than exploring this zone, still following the flowing river coming from the northern mountain.
Traveled to: Zone C
Day 5
Today, we woke up and wound up
wandering the wilderness. Eventually, we stumbled upon a
section of trees that seemed to
sparkle brightly.
Closer inspection taught us the trees twinkled with needles. The sewing kind, swarming in stupendous numbers. Whole trees bore not leaves but needles. Even the sudden movement of angsty avians caused a rain of pain should one venture too close to under the metal-laden branches. Yet more curious, we spotted a raptor appearing to be made of pure gold not far from the tree line.
A small skip later had us run into a whole field of bright light and heat, only growing in intensity as we drew closer. The whole glade was covered with swords and fireball-tipped flowers, making the whole field a veritable obstacle course of death. The group decided to come back on a later day, since the weather being already overbearingly hot contributed to the caution of the scene. Fatigue and flourishing through a field of falchions did not facilitate fine fortune. We camped and prepared to travel north the next day.
Explored: Zone C
Day 6
We traveled north, following the river. The mountain grows closer. We grew more and more excited, waiting to learn the secrets of the mountain.
Traveled to: Zone D
Day 7
After a spot of rain, we spotted a Satyr sitting by the river, setting a fishing pole and fingering a flute. We introduced ourselves, keeping a wariness due to past encounters with the Fey, but ended up getting into a scrape with a handful of
Fuaths looking for lunch. We protected the Satyr
Prux and talked about the region, learning the name of the river was
Rhynac River and that it flowed from the mountain.
Prux offered us food and lodging in his humble home, and we traded stories of our pasts and present. Unfortunately, there was conflict at breakfast the next day, when we were offered Dreamtime Tea without forewarning. The surprise bitterness cause suspicion, and we parted on unkind terms. Prux likely did not intend to inflict insult, in retrospect? Perhaps patching the relationship is possible. I regret its retrograde, in reflection.
Explored: Zone D
Day 8 & 9
We began reaching the foot of the absolute unit of a mountain. Traveling has started to become difficult, slowing our steps as we struggle to surmount the slopes. Travel took twice as long, so we took two days to explore. Finally, the beginning of the river became closer to us, finding a small waterfall leading into a basin that fed the river. The sights and sounds of the spectacle were spectacular.
Traveled to: Zone E
Day 10 & 11
With travel still suffering, we took the next two days to explore the area. Finally at the end of the second day, we found a cave above the apparent source of the water, billowing out with steamy clouds of warm, colored water. Oddly enough, the openings into the earth were perfectly circular, bringing an air of mystery as to what could have caused them.
Inside the caverns were pools of steaming, golden-yellow liquid filling the room with a pleasant heat. The pools were not magical, but the party feared interacting with the mysterious fluids more than necessary. The wondrous water winded down from stalactites 15 feet overhead.
Shortly after studying the solution came scary skittering, in the shape of several centipedes. They managed to mangle us up badly, almost claiming three lives, but we succeeded against them ultimately. We decided to rest instead of venture forth, considering both our resources and nerves were ragged.
Explored: Zone E
Day 12
Not ones to give up, we ventured further into the same cave. A swarm of baby centipedes came after us, but we managed to make mincemeat of them easily enough. Our adventure lead deeper into the dark winding tunnels, walking a few miles in before the cavern opened up into an open cave full of precious metals and a huge waterfall that fed the mouth of the river. The cavern was lined with multiple openings to other paths, both big and small. We chalked our path down the first entrance large enough for all of us to enter and... tripped an alarm. Lichen on the cave walls started to glow and shriek.
Just like an alarm that Drow would use.
So we ran. We heard
dozens of footsteps chasing after us, but a stream of water stopped us dead in our tracks. Drow caught us and magically set us in
Darkness, only to flank us, almost kill
Diane, and threaten us all in a foreign language.
Catchis, the Tyrant,
recalled the unconscious
Diane and barked at me to recall, baring his teeth for a challenge against the Drow. With a dozen swords at my throat, I did. I watched Catchis get knocked out in my last moments in the cave before appearing again in First Landing.
Catchis the Tyrant deserves better. His armor and stance scared me in the seconds our first session, but I have grown in fondness of his favor. I need to know the facts of his fate.
- Dolen
