Loose threads Five giant beetles mimicking Swarmy still alive in the caverns that once held the roots of the Necromancy Tree.
Participants Swampy Whudon Darkstone Plova Murphy Guy Sourpatch
Locations Necromancy Tree
Short summary:
Druids + Rangers and Murphy kill beetles of all sizes and some plants. Then beetles (almost) kill us.
Full Report
LIVE SESSION PORTION
The party began as usual near the South Gate of First Landing. They had a few days travel ahead of them, which was quite, as the ant swarm has dispersed at the death of their puppet master(The Queen). When we reached the Fey Forest tree line we decided to find a quiet and defendable spot to camp before venturing into the night. During our rest many swarms of beetles came scouting about to observe Swarmy. They referred to it as "family" as did Swarmy to the beetles when it noticed the swarm early in the rest. Additionally the beetles said only family was allowed to approach the tree. For the whole night(presumable as some members rolled bad) the beetles came to and from the forest line. Similarly Swarmy almost had an instinctual reaction to the beetles comings and goings. When dawn came the party went into the forest they quickly found the tree Galias reported in her talks with Whudon days prior. Beetles eating the goop of the tree we sent Bacon to see of they would react hostile like(they did ofc.) Assassinvines as well as hostile bushes put up a fight but Murphy used a well placed Inner Radiance Torrent and obliterated the beetles, the tree, the assassinvine, and a bush. Quickly the assassinvine was properly dealt with. Healing was done, the tree was examined and put alight thanks to some ember ash Murphy had and the R&D Co.(Ranger and Druid company) continued onward knowing there were underground roots to find. The first cave we found was filled with cockroaches(that Swampy sought out thanks to the Survey Wildlife feat) and immediately rushed in recklessly. Swarmy paid the price and nearly died but was able to come out on top in the fight as everyone killed the 6 giant cockroaches that started munching on Swarmy.
At this point the 3hr mark came by for the live session so we decided to slip to Pbp to finish the session off. Essentially skimming off at least a month of play time for the two fights and exploration! Huzzah!
PBP PORTION
After some time to recover the party heard noises indicating a larger threat behind a cavern wall was looming about. The party, woefully unprepared dug through to see five giant beetles. Spitting images of Swarmy. However, unlike the real Swampy, they were mean and hungry for blood. A violent and one sided skirmish left Swarmy and Swampy dying and the rest in the sight lines of the creatures. At Whudon's beckoning everyone recalled while the dwarf turned himself a martyr to save Swampy. His fate unknown as he nor his corpse did not recall back to First Landing.