Loose Threads: The Moonflower infestation, whether the serpentfolk had a reason to attack drakes in particular.
Participants: Aoife Soo, Nasdac, Corvo Calgar, Plova, Plume.
Locations: Dragon's Tail
Summary (Plume)
The party set off to hunt a drake. On their way, they came across a Moonflower, an extraterrestrial plant that could spread quickly, and of which there are likely more in the region. Once the group found their mark, it was revealed to be a Sea Drake and was fighting a Serpentfolk group. The party defeated the drake, though there is another one nesting there.
Summary (Plova)
The party traveled down the mountain , heading to the north point of Dragon's Tail range. Along the way, they traveled a valley, fighting off a massive plant eating a Serpentfolk person. Further on, the party tried sneaking past a Serpentfolk camp , but fail miserably/ However, the Serpentfolk let them pass without issue. The Party finally finds its prey - an pair of Sea Drakes, on shore to guard their eggs. The party debliariated for seemingly days (in reality less than an hour) before Plova got fed up and forced an attack on one of the Drakes. The Drakes split, unable to leave their eggs completely undefended against the Serpentfolk. A fierce battle ensured - the Drake seemingly dominating. It's scales too tough to pierce, it's bites sickening those unlucky enough to be hit, the party running out of time as its deadly electric breath continued to recharge. Just in time, Plume and Aoife Soo turn the tides with a mix of important knowledge and a lucky hit. The party was not safe though, as the other drake stared in anger, and the Serpentfolk began to collapse on them - they decided to grab the slain drake and recall out.
Recap (Plume)
The party set off for the Dragon's Tail range, where drakes had been mentioned to live in previous reports. The goal of the mission was to slay one of these drakes, and retrieve its glands for use in the future creation of a weapon.
After some deliberation, the party decided on a path to follow, and went on their way. They reached the Dragon's Tail range without much issue despite crossing Serpentfolk territory; though the target location was still some ways away. Given the choice between encountering a serpentfolk force and going through a forested valley, the group descended into the valley.
There, they encountered a new threat: moonflowers, extraterrestrial plant-like creatures that are capable of turning the corpses of their victims into birthing beds for their young, spreading rapidly. Discovering that the creature was armoured against most physical attacks (except slashing ones) but vulnerable to fire, they managed to deal with it and move on.
Reaching their destination, the group found a presumed turf war between the serpentfolk in the area and a drake. Avoiding the serpentfolk group, the party made its way to the drake's nest, where two Sea Drakes were protecting their eggs.
The party drew one away, and engaged it in a fight. This creature is quite deadly, able to breathe out lightning that arcs from an enemy to another, to sicken with a mere bite, and to retaliate with electrified blood against close ranged attacks.
However, after a handful of exceptional acts, the group was able to slay the Sea Drake and recall with its corpse before either the serpentfolk or the other drake arrived, obtaining the glands shortly after.
The serpentfolk hurrying to the drake corpse seems to imply that their conflict with the creatures may not have been a simple territorial dispute.
*There is a note added at the end, written in Plume's handwriting*
The Moonflower incident is a high priority: they must be culled before they become endemic to the region and become a threat to all societies in the area. Once I have recovered from the events described in this report, I will mount a party to go and cull the plants. Should this be unsuccessful, there is a sign that would allow further parties to evaluate their kills: if the Moonflower grew from a corpse, then it is likely not from the first generation that landed in the New World.