Wardens of Heroes Gate

The Deal with Rey Ko Toh

] Recap: You are in an anceint mining complex searching for your friend from the the Treyvigg Monastery – Olilrasi. Yesterday forenight, Joloobo and Rasi were out behind the monastery (the “Backyard” of the grounds) when a female deep gnome came running towards you… mysteriously out of a storage shed along the northern cliff wall of the grounds. She attacked Joloobo with a massive milky-colored staff, nearly killing you. When you awoke, Rasi was missing along with the staff. The deep gnome was later questioned and claims to not remember anything after having come into contact with the staff while mining in a secret location under the monastery. You assumed Rasi may have been possessed of the staff, as was the miner, and then followed her the trail thru the Vale of Soxolone and into the crevasse opening on the far northern side of the valley.

] After some exploring and tracking, you encountered a large circular chasm inside a cavern area. There is a floating platform in the middle of the hole. Three Gloom Goblins (which can transform into hideous beast-like spiders) began to attack you. The combat did not go well – two escaped down a tunnel on the NW side of the chasm leaving you restrained in webs. Joloobo, who was not able to catch up in time to engage in the combat finally arrives to find you struggling with the webbing.

Joloobo] “Welll…. Looks like that could have gone better… are either of you hurt?”

Yisi] “Just embarrassed Joloobo. Could you lend a hand here?”

] With some help from Joloobo, you are both freed of the spider webbing.

Yisi] “Chances are they will return with reinforcements… we should march. Any idea which of these tunnels Rasi went thru?”

Joloobo] “I saw nothing at the other 3 tunnels, so it would seem we are following the spiders.”

Valea] “Great! This one has tiny urge to make spider paste.”

] You follow the tunnel leading North-Northwest away from the chasm. The tunnel slopes down fairly steeply and the footing is loose and difficult terrain. The tunnel begins to wind around to the left, limiting your visibility. Shortly you begin to hear someone coming up the tunnel from below… a large number of someones to be more precise.

Yisi] “Aha, my fears have arrived… they found their reinforcements quickly did they not? Shall we retreat?”

Valea] “Valea has no room to fight in this rock tube.”

Joloobo] “I agree… retreat!”

] The three of you race back to the landing that circles the chasm. To your right is the rock slide blocking your way. To your left the pathway circles and there are three other tunnels breaking off to the left of the pathway.

Joloobo] “In here, quickly!” I whisper “before they see us”

Yisi] We duck into the first tunnel on the left and race to find a spot to hide.

] There is only a short stretch of tunnel before you have to duck through ancient support beams. Beyond the supports, you enter into a large chamber. The space feels like the inside of a globe as there is no clear difference between wall and floor and ceiling. Joloobo – you get the sense of the space being familiar as the three of you step all the way into the room.

Joloobo] “Wait! Stop!” I go back to the entrance support beams and feel for a force wall.

] You cannot reach beyond the beams – an invisible force wall is preventing your exit.

Joloobo] “Ogre balls! We’re trapped!”

] You notice a few of the goblin sort of folk just standing out at the tunnel entrance with their backs to you as if standing guard.

Yisi] “You mean this room is like the one you were trapped in before?” I go to feel the entrance as well.

] You have the same experience – you cannot exit the chamber.

Valea] “What now? Maybe we can find another way out?”

Joloobo] “We can try, but I suspect the force wall is actually some sort of sphere. Look at the shape of the room… even if we could dig into the walls further, I don’t think we would get very far. Look out there… we are being guarded by those creepy gobbies. We fell right into their trap.”

Yisi] “We are not the only ones… look at all the corpses in here!”

Joloobo] “Yeah… the other trap has some corpses… but no where near this many. What does that mean?”

Yisi] “More traffic in this area?”

Joloobo] I inspect the bones.

1d20 Investigation 9 +6 = 15

] Many of the bones are cracked and broken – like the ones in the other chamber. This time you notice that many of them are much fresher. You see teeth marks on the bones as if something was eating the flesh right off of them.

Joloobo] “This is not good. Look here… these poor folk were eaten. That is what kind of trap this is… it is a source of food for something.”

Yisi] “Perhaps there is something here which will help us face whatever arrives.”

Valea] “Nothing helped these that fell here before us no?”

Joloobo] “I’m with Yisi… search the place.”

] Scattered around the large chamber are the remains of at least 30 or more bodies. Over half were geared for adventure. You find a few suits of plate and of several chain mail armor. There are various swords, staffs, and axes along with a large hammer. Joloobo – you find a pack stuffed full with smaller treasure, including:

1,300 pp

Black opal (translucent dark green with black mottling and golden flecks),

Blue sapphire (transparent blue-white to medium blue)

Emerald (transparent deep bright green), ×2

Star sapphire (translucent blue sapphire with white star-shaped center), ×3

Gold ring set with bloodstones (250gp)

Gold locket with a painted portrait inside (50gp)

Carved bone statuette (20gp)

Embroidered silk handkerchief (25gp)

Pair of engraved bone dice (25gp)

A decorative mithril bracelet (??gp)

A dagger of pure silver (Dagger of Warning)

A polished agate (Stone of Good Luck)

Necklace – Bead of Force x6

In another pack you find several potions:
Potion of Superior Healing x5

Potion of Frost Giant Strength

Potion of Heroism x3

Potion of Fire Breath

Joloobo] “We have to get out of here now… we just hit a treasure trove! Look at this… someone already collected all the good stuff into a single pack for us!”

Valea] “This one is sure the last person thought the same… but yes… we have to get out of here.”

Joloobo] “Valea, I think this mithral bracer will look just lovely on that furry forearm of yours.”

] The bracer is made of looslely linked ovals made of mithral. It appears to be oa mastercrafted item and gives off a faint glow.

Yisi] “My moon… that is quite beautiful Valea. I’m no wizard, but that surely has some enchantment within it.”

Valea] “Lovely indeed. Valea is pleased with the gnomes gift.”

Joloob] “And for Yisi… this manly necklace of black beads. Careful… I’ve heard of necklaces like this which contain magic spells…. Throw a bead and it becomes a fireball or something.”

Yisi] “That could come in handy. Looking at these weapons, I’d say from base instinct that several of them are enchanted. Look at this beautiful double scimitar…” I unsheathe one of the blades.

] The metal of the double-bladed glows with the intensity of a full moon.

Yisi] “Makes me wish I had practiced more in blade lessons…”

] “Perhaps there will still be time for practice.” you all hear a voice say from the entrance of the chamber. Looking, you see a small figure with long black hair and a long pointy hat. He is relaxed backwards as if sitting in an invisible lounging chair. With his hands he is lighting a long pipe.

Yisi] I take a ready stance with the blade in my hands. “Who are you?”

] “A friend. Yes indeed… and you look to need a friend right now.”

Joloobo] “We need a way out of this trap. Since you are in here with us… what help can you be?”

] The smoke of the pipe fills the room with a sweet aroma. The man chuckles. “We have more difficult problems than that.” and he disappears and reappears in the tunnel beyond the force wall for a moment and then returns to his invisible lounge chair. “Getting to other places is not the problem. You have a friend in trouble. The blind one with a sword in her walking cane… she is fighting for her life even at this moment. I also have a friend who is, at this moment, fighting for her life in another place.”

Valea] “What does pointy hat want?”

] “Call me Rey Ko Toh. Of course… “pointy hat” works too… I have a deal for you. I help you help your friend and then you help me help my friend. Of course, both tasks shall be quite dangerous but it better than sitting here waiting to have the flesh ripped from your bones. Have we a deal?”

Yisi] “We don’t know you… and so far, we have no reason to trust you… but… Anything is better than waiting to have my flesh ripped from my bones… You say you can help our friend?”

] Rey Ko Toh “To be specific… I can get you to the place where you can help your friend. The rest of the saving will be on you. Should you succeed… I will need to get you to the place where you can help my friend.”

Valea] “Why we pointy-hat?”

Yisi]  “What Valea means is… out of all of the adventurers in the Sword Coast… why are you talking to us in particular?”

] Rey Ko Toh “I have a very good reason why you… but not very good words for it. Let me say this… my friend is very important to me and my instinct tells me that – out of all of the adventurers in the Sword Coast – my friend will become very important to you as well. Save her once and she will save you many times over. But we have spent too much time talking. Even now your friend is well-outnumbered and in great need of allies… Have we a deal?”

Valea] “Deal.”

Yisi] “Yes. Deal. Joloobo?”

Joloobo] “Anything to help Rasi. Deal”

] “Then come together.” Rey Ko Toh stands and joins you in a circle. Suddenly, as if you blinked, you are in a much larger chamber. The ceiling is thick with spider webbing. A fire burns hot beside consuming the aged wood of crates and carts and anything it can reach. Rey Ko Toh is not in the room with you. You see Rasi with the large staff in her hands in combat with a male drow and several of the Gloom Goblins you encountered earlier. The drow is fighting with a rapier and appears to be toying with Rasi at the moment. A boyish grin across his dark purple face. Rasi is flanked by two beastly spider goblin things.

Joloobo] I drop the packs I’m carrying and go straight for the beasts (GG01, GG02) flanking Rasi. I use psychic blades from the back

2d20a Attack 17 +6 = 23  [Hit] Dmg (1d6 + 2d6 Sneak) 11 +4 = 15

2d20a Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] Dmg  (1d4 +2d6 Sneak) 11 +4 = 15

] Your psychic blades spin into the vunerable blind spots of the werespiders flanking Rasi. The room echoes with their unnatural screeching before they drop to the ground.

Valea] I flank and attack the Drow

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Miss]

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 16 +7 = 23 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 1 +7 = 8

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 2 +7 = 9 +3 +7 = 19

] You deliver a series of devasting blows to the Drow with your Basto Sticks. You hear him grunt and groan under the assault. As you are attacking, you happen to notice under the leather bracer on his right arm, a few oval links made of mithril. You cannot see the entir bracelet but your half-a-second’s worth of impression is that he is wearing the match to the bracelet Joloobo just gave you in the trap chamber.

Yisi] I cast Haste using the sash around my torso to prepare for this battle. I hear the words from Rey Ko Toh sort of echo in my head… Rasi needs an ally. I’m not sure that Rasi is aware of any of this… but I do know she is going to be needing her body once we get the spirit that possessed her to leave. It feels a bit reckless to turn my back on that spirit but… I use my movement to take a defense position directly between Rasi and the Drow. I push Rasi back a little and use Dodge. “Let us help!” I say to her, or it, or whatever.

] You had the double-scimitar in your hands before Rey Ko Toh transported you here. Is it still in your hands? Still one blade unsheathed?

Yisi] Yes. I hold it similar to how I saw Guide Dawndra use her Ice Pike when teaching us the defender skills.

] As the light coming off of the magical scimitar blade hits the Drow, it begins to tremble and shake… and transform. Huge hairy legs sprout out of its back. Similar to how the Gloom Goblins shifted into spider like beasts, the Drow is transforming into a giant spider except that it seems uncontrollable and extremely painful.

] Rasi/Sharpfangs turns her sightless attention to one of the spider minions circling her (GG03). [()] With two quick slashes of her blade she drops one of the grotesque creatures. Another attacks her [()] its beastly teeth sinking into her white hide.

] Another (GG05) attacks Joloobo [()] you feel the spider jaws clamp down on you (5 piercing damage)  CON Saving Throw

Joloobo]

1d20 CON Save 9 +1 = 10 [Fail]

] You feel venom seeping into your skin where the teeth raked. (8 poison damage). [Joloobo does not know it yet… but he was just cursed with werespider lycanthropy] The remaining Gloom Goblin spiderbeast ()GG06) has taken high ground and attempts to restrain you (Joloobo) with a web attack [()] but misses.

Joloobo] “Oww! That hurt! And so will this!” With psychic blades, I attack the spider gobbie that just bit me.

1d20 Attack 13 +6 = 19 [Hit] Dmg (1d6) 5 +4 = 9

1d20 Attack 18 +6 = 24 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 2 +4 = 6

] Shimmering blades appear in your hands and you deftly plunge them into the Gloom Goblin where they disappear. The pitiful creature wretches and dies.

] The Drow is still in process of transforming. The armor he had been wearing broke away and fell to the ground along with his rapier. Valea, you notice that one of the spider legs still has mithril bracelet on it – it appears to be unbreakable as the limb within it shifts into a large hairy spider leg.

Valea] I take advantage of the situation and attack after charging Furious Force.

2d20a Attack 16 +7 = 23 [Hit] Dmg (2d4) 7 +7 = 14 +6 Force = 20

] Your Basto Sticks gleam with deep green arcane light. As the strike, the mutating creature is electrified with the same color for a split second. [()] The giant werespider is pushed 10 feet away from you – directly towards the fire that is seeking more food [()] but it does not get close enough to the fire to take damage. The creature seems to be nearly fully transformed now.

Yisi]  The giant spider seems the greatest threat in the room… I drop the double-scimitar and charge in to attack with my Trisula.

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Miss]

2d20a Attack (xtra Haste) 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] Dmg (2d4) 5 +7 = 12

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 4 +6 = 10

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 20 Crit 4 +6 = 10 +10 +12 = 32

] While the creature is still incapacited by the transformation process, you slide under the massive spider and find vital points to plunge your daggers into. You see a weak spot and drive your foot into it and the drow werespider lets out an unholy screech that pierces all ears in the large cavern. CON Save everyone

Yisi]

1d20 CON 17 +2 = 19 [Save]

Valea]

1d20 CON 20 [Save]

Jolooo]

1d20 CON 12 +1 [Save… barely…]

] Rasi [()]

] Rasi drops the staff and her sword and grabs at her ears. The giant werespider senses an opportunity and jumps towards the blind dragonborn. [Yisi opp attack]

Yisi] As the spider exits my range, I attempt another jab

1d20 Attack 4 + 7 = 11 [Miss]

] The werespider tramples Rasi to the ground. There is a brief flash of brilliant white that blots out the entire room. It takes your eyes a second to recover. When they do… you see Rasi wrestling with Rasi… the giant spider creature is no longer visible and instead you see an exact duplicate of Rasi.

] One of the transformed Gloom Goblins (GG04) attacks Yisi [()] but fails to bite into you. The other (GG06) seems intent on spraying Joloobo with restraining goop from the thick webs on the ceiling [()] but is unsuccessful. It drops down on you and tries to bite you [()] successfully. You take 4 piercing damage… CON Save against werespider venom

Joloobo] “Oooh….Hagteeth!”

1d20 CON 16 +1 = 17 [Save]

Joloobo] “You will not be biting me again! Foul beastie!” I attack

1d20 Attack 17 +6 = 23 [Hit] Dmg (1d6) 2 +4 = 6

1d20 Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 4 +4 = 8 +6 = 14

] The Gloom Goblin takes massive damage from your psychic blades. [()]

Valea] “Which Rasi does Valea whack with stick?” I look around the room to evaluate my options here…

] Aside from the two different Rasi’s fighting each other…. You see one Gloom Spider attacking Yisi and another fighting with Joloobo and appears to be staggering from Joloobo’s last attack. All of the others have returned to their original goblin-ish form and lie still as death on the cavern ground.

Valea] “Valea help Yisi first… then figure out which Rasi is Rasi.” I flank the spider engaged with Yisi [GG04].

2d20a Attack 12 +7 = 19 [Hit] Dmg (2d4) 4 +5 = 9

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 1 +5 = 6  Total 15

] A couple of well-placed strikes bring stillness to the creature. It falls and slowly begins to transform back into its goblin shape.

Valea] “Now what Yisi? Look! How to help Rasi?”

Yisi] “Not sure… maybe we just stop them from fighting any more?” I attempt a grapple on one of the Rasi’s I see.

1d20 Strength 9 +2 = 11

[()]

]] How to do this? Random? Orn is Odd, Rasi is Even? 1d4 = 2… Yisi attempts to grapple Rasi with an 11. Rasi Ath check 14 +3 = 17

] You pull one of the Rasi’s back and try to restrain the white dragonborn but you are unsuccessful. Rasi wrestles away from you and dives towards the 8ft long staff still lying on the ground. [()] She rolls and snatches the staff up and then charges the other Rasi. Rather than using the staff as a weapon, she runs up to the other Rasi and forces the staff sideways into the jaws of the other Rasi and then collapses to the ground.

] The illusion is broken and you see the giant werespider holding the staff in its teeth. It scurries up the wall and into the massive nest of webbing on the ceiling you see movement in the web but only briefly. The remaining transformed Gloom Goblin follows quickly behind the retreating giant.

Yisi] “What just happened?”

Joloobo] “Rasi!” I race to see if she is ok.

] Rasi is alive but unconscious. She appears badly injured.

Valea] “This one is so confused… This is real Rasi now? Real-real Rasi? Not spooky Rasi or Spider Rasi? Oh so confusing…”

Yisi] “Here, see if you can give her a potion Joloobo.” I had one of the 4d4 healing potions to him.

] Rasi regains 9 HP but remains unconscious

Joloobo] “We have to get her back to the monastery. Elder Ysthorn can help her I’m sure.”

] “We will get her to help, to home.” You hear the voice of Rey Ko Toh and suddenly he is standing among you. “Well done heroes, you saved your friend. Now gather your things… I will be right back.” He touches the shoulder of the unconscious Rasi and they both disappear.

Yisi] I gather my pack and the double-scimitar.

Valea] I also grab my pack and then glance around the room for the mithril bracelet I saw the drow wearing.

] You do not find the bracelet. The rapier which he was using lies on the floor, as does Rasi’s cane sword.

Valea] “Rasi may want this back.” I pick up both the Rapier and the cane sword.

Joloobo] I gather my things as well.

Rasi Gone Missing

] Yisi and Valea are currently in their room. Joloobo is laying unconscious in the grass of the Backyard behind the monastery. A couple of hours have passed. It is quite dark when you awake, you can barely move and everything is blurry. You slowly remember what happened.

Joloobo] “Rasi! Rasi are you there?” I try to look around.

] You think you see a figure lying on the ground near where you last remember seeing Rasi.

Joloobo] I try to stand and walk over to the figure. [Str check]

1d20 Strength 8 +0 = 8

] Your legs are too weak to actually stand up. You crawl over to the figure and see that it is the deep gnome that attacked you. There is no sign of the staff she was carrying and no sign of Rasi.

Joloobo] I start crawling towards the monastery buildings…  calling for help.

] You make it about halfway when some students and an aide soon hear you and come running. They help you to the temple of Dunea and wake Elder Ysthorn. He heals you with a blessing as much as he can (4d4)

Joloobo]

4d4 3 +3 +1 +4 = 11 HP restored (12 total)

] Elder Ysthorn “You have been severely hurt Joloobo. Can you tell me what happened?”

Joloobo] “Rasi is missing! We have to find her! Call for Yisi and Valea. We have to start searching.”

] Moments later, Elder Arrodon enters the temple and begins to question you Joloobo. “Start from the beginning… what happened?”

Joloobo] “Rasi was practicing her sword forms in the Backyard, not too far away from the storage shed along the northern cliff. We had just started to talk when she sensed someone coming. Actually she said she sensed danger… I turned and saw a deep gnome, a woman deep gnome, running towards us carrying a long staff. It was twice her height at least, if not more. She used it, I think… to blast me. The world spun away. When I woke up, Rasi was gone but the deep gnome was there. Oh! Hey! The deep gnome was still there unconscious! Be careful though. I don’t know where that staff is, she may still be very dangerous.”

] Elder Arrodon “You say this deep gnome had come from the storage shed?”

Joloobo] “Yes. I think there must be some kind of portal enterance there somewhere… Many days ago I watched three other gnomes walk into the shed and just disappear.”

] Elder Arrodon “You saw this and did not tell anyone?”

Joloobo] “Who am I going to tell? None of my business really… I thought at the time. Could be normal – what would I know different?”

] Elder Arrodon “Indeed. Well it is somewhat normal these recent days, and it is somewhat of a secret too. Tell me more about this staff?”

Joloobo] “It was big. Even for a human or an elf, I would think it very large. I never got a good look at it. The deep gnome was still a good distance away when she used it to kill me, or nearly. If it had markings or what I would not know. I don’t think it was made of wood though… it was sort of a colored white… alabastery if that makes sense.”

] Elder Arrodon “Maybe it does… I have to wonder if the gnomes uncovered the Staff of Shoon. If they did, the entire Sword Coast may be in danger.”

] Yisi and Valea – the two of you are awakened by an aide wearing the red and white robes of the monastery. He tells you that your gnome friend has been injured and is in the temple with Elder Ysthron.

Yisi] We hurry to the temple.

] You see Elder Arrodon and Elder Ysthorn there speaking with Joloobo. He does not appear badly injured, but both elders look overly concerned. Some students carry in an unconscious female gnome with dark skin.

Joloobo] “That is her! She is the one that blasted me! Keep watch on her!”

] Elder Ysthorn begins praying over the deep gnome. She begins to stir. Moments later her eyes open and she looks around in a panic. “Wha… what… where am I? what happened?” Elder Arrodon begins to question her. She calms down enough to explain that she was digging… “far away from the discovery of the dragon” she makes a point of saying, when she discovered what looked like a very large talon. Not certain what she was seeing, carved out a bit more rock and behind the giant claw she found a material she had never seen before, “like a colorful milk” she says. She tried to clear a little more of the rock and dirt away when her hands touched the mysterious material. That was the very last thing she remembers.

] “I must consult with the other elders” says Arrodon, then he turns and starts to leave and then turns back. “At first light we send out tracking parties to find Rasi… I hope our visitors will be willing to help in the search.” he says, looking at you three.

Valea] “Of course. Valea will certainly help.”

Yisi] “Indeed we will. Joloobo – are you fit to start tracking?

] Elder Arrodon says to one of the nearby aides. “Wake Guide Wildpath and Guide Dawndra. Inform them we need to build search parties before light arrives.” With that, he leaves the temple.

] A short while later, three search parties are fully formed. Guide Wildpath leading one, Fable leading the second and Joloobo – you are to lead Yisi and Valea along with Guide Dawndra. You are each given 3 healing potions (4d4) and blessed by Elder Ysthorn (2d8 Temporary HP) for the task ahead.

] The sky begins to light, though it will be some time before you see the sun creep over the edge of the cliff walls of the valley. Guide Wildpath has identified the tracks of Rasi leading into the Vale of Soxolone. They are easy to follow for a short while and then the suddenly disappear, as if Rasi took to wing or stepped into a portal.

] Joloobo “That staff she has is more powerful than a trolls uppercut… no tellin’ what magic it might be capable of. ”

] Guide Wildpath “We must assume something at this point… We can assume Rasi is somehow beyond following… or we can assume her trail might be picked up again. For her sake and for Elder Arrodon, I shall assume we can still find her.”

Valea] “This one agrees. Hope is to be held tightly for as long as ones fingers might have strength to hold.”

Yisi] “Remind me to write that one down… after we get Rasi safely home.”

Valea] “Valea will forget her words knife-ear. But let us not forget hope.”

] The three parties spread wide and enter deeper into the Vale of Soxolone. Hours go by without picking up any tracks. Your group is now in a thick pocket of large trees not far from the lake where Rrellette had nearly brought you to a watery end.

Yisi] “Is it possible the water wight has Rasi?”

] You all hear from above you a deep echoey voice say “Looking for someone? Someone who cannot look for themselves?”

Yisi] I startle and look up, hands to my weapons in case of ambush. “Who is there?”

] The voice questions “Who is always there? What would the elf do with the knowing of who is there?”

] Guide Dawndra says “Relax your stance Yisi. I believe this to be the master of this valley.” then she looks up. “We are honored to hear your voice Soxolone. ”

] The tree tops all seem to shuffle around, as if to get a better view of the scene below. Soxolone says “Why have we not spoken before my white giant? ”

] Guide Dawndra “I don’t have a good answer for you Soxolone. It has been assumed among us that only Elder Arrodon is ever granted an audience with you.”

] Soxolone “How is Arrodon these past moons?”

Yisi] “Today he is worried. The blind dragonborn girl is dear to him, and we are in your forest today to find her and bring her home to Arrodon.”

] Soxolone says “Why not hurry to it then? Why not, indeed, begin to look where you cannot see?” Several large branches above you shift and all point in a single direction towards the northern cliff.

Joloobo] “We should be looking where we cannot see? Is that… in the dark? Are you pointing to the valley edge? The caverns! Should we look within the caverns beyond the cliff wall crevasse?”

] Soxolone says “Why would I lead you to waste looking time anywhere you would not find?”

] Guide Dawndra says “Thank you for your guidance at this critical hour. You have our gratitude. We shall hurry to it.”

] Giving wide berth to the lake of Rrellette, you return to the crevasse where Joloobo unwillingly spent a night a while back. Joloobo, you easily spot fresh sign of Rasi leading into the crevasse in the wall.

Joloobo] “There… Rasi came through here and entered into the crevasse. Don’t go into the room on the right… and watch for spiders… this place was swarming with them before.” I slip into the caverns.

] Guide Dawndra says “This may be where I go find the others and alert them to our discovery. I am quite confident I will not fit into the entrance, and the other parties need to know we have picked up fresh tracks here.”

Yisi] “Understood. We have no idea how far into the mountain these tunnels go. Our last time here was, thankfully, very short.” I enter into the crevasse.

Valea] I bow to Guide Dawndra and enter behind Yisi.

] The three of you squeeze through the crack in the massive cliff wall until it opens into an old mining tunnel. To your right there is a long hallway which you all recall being a dead end and a trap. The your left, the tunnel turns deeper into the mountain.

Yisi] “Should we check the trap? Perhaps Rasi is there, just sitting and waiting for rescue like Joloobo was…”

Joloobo] I search the ground for fresh sign.

1d20 8 +4 = 12 [Success]

] You see footprints you recognize as Rasi’s on both sides of you, one set leading down towards the dead end and the other deeper into the tunnels.

Joloobo] “She went both ways. We can check the trap but my guess is she did not fall for it. I know she is blind… but she somehow sees more than the rest of us.”

Valea] “Wait here for Valea.” I run down the tunnel to the right.

Joloobo] “Remember not to cross the threshold into the room… it is one-way only!”

] You get down to the end of the tunnel and peer into the large chamber. You see no one.

Valea] “Rasi! Is dragon-girl there?”

] Your voice echoes around the chamber but you hear no other reply.

Valea] I run back to Yisi and Joloobo. “Short-pockets was correct… empty room.”

Yisi] We follow to the left.

] The mining tunnel to the left turns right and then follows a straight path for about 200 feet. Along the way you see more debris and a few aging bones. The tunnel is thick with webs except for a center path that has been recently cleared. At the end, the tunnel opens into another large chamber.

Joloobo] “Careful… It may be another trapped room.” I slowly look inside from the tunnel.

] The room is swarming throughout with small spiders. They either don’t notice you or don’t care about you. The chamber is similar in size to the first but it has years and years of webbing filling the upper spaces. There is another exit on the left side (Eastern) of the room. Up in the ceiling, you see a giant spider that appears caught in its own web except that it is not trying to get free… it is in fact motionless except for the thousands of smaller spiders which are swarming all over it.

Joloobo] Do I see any fresh humanoid corpses in the room?

] There are many ancient bones and cocoon shapes around the chamber, but none of which appear recent.

Joloobo] “It would seem that giant spider was no match for Rasi… or whatever has control of Rasi.”

Yisi] “Let me enter first.” I attempt to activate Shadow Shroud and then search the room for dangers.

[DM Note: I designed Shadow Shroud to work with a Stealth check. If there is another creature to hide from, a dice roll may be required but if there is no one to hide from… hiding is automatic. ]

] A cloud of magical darkness surrounds you as you enter the room. The swarm of spiders remains focused on the giant spider hanging dead in its own web 12 feet above. The smell of something like rot fills the dank air. You do not detect any traps or other dangers.

Yisi] I whisper to Valea and Joloobo… “I think it is ok to follow” and I cross the room slowly towards the exit on the right.

] Crossing under ancient wooden support beams, you enter a wide open area with low ceilings. Only Joloobo can stand fully upright. There are many small crates and barrels and other debris to indicate that this was once an active mine, once long ago. From where you are it is difficult to determine but it appears to open up in several directions .

Joloobo] I take a quick peek inside some of the crates and barrels.

] Most are completely empty but in one small crate you see several small uncut gems. [4 Green Spinels – approx 50gp each]

Joloobo] “Hey, there are still some gems laying around this place. ”

Valea] “Gems cannot help Rasi yes?”

Joloobo] “No… but it is an interesting fact. If these mines have been explored since they were active… I would not find a handful of loose gems just lying about.”

Yisi] “Worth noting Joloobo. However there very well could be explorers which care nothing for a few measely gems… like that giant spider behind us. And what of all the dead fellows you shared a room with for a night? ”

Joloobo] “Point taken.” I drop the gems in my pocket anyway.

] As you go deeper into the dank hollow you see the complex extends further to the right and you see a tiny tunnel directly ahead – one even Joloobo would have to crawl through.

Valea] “This one hopes the trail does not lead into the hole.”

Yisi] “Unlikely, but let us remember it is there yes?” We continue to the right.

[()] [an ochre jelly detects party and begins to follow behind them, oozing along in the corner where the wall meets the ceiling.]

] You are in a tunnel with low ceilings. Ahead you see several doorways with rotting wood beams branching to the left and right of the tunnel. As you pass and look inside each, they appear to be small exploratory dig sites leading nowhere. One of the rooms on the left appears to have been used as storage. You see more crates and barrels but these are somewhat neatly stacked and unbroken.

] As you are looking into the storage room, Valea you feel something drip down onto you and it begins to burn. You take 3 acid damage.

Valea] I yelp “Agh! What is it!? Look out!” I run several steps away and look back to see what fell on me.

] You see yellow blob moving thinly across the low ceiling. It is still above Yisi and Joloobo.

Valea] “Move quickly!”

Joloobo] “I listen to Valea and leap towards her while reading my psychic blades. I turn and attack, throwing my psychic blades at the blob on the ceiling

1d20 Attack 4 +6 = 10 [hit] Dmg (1d6) 4 +4 = 8

1d20 Attack 9 +6 = 15 [Hit] Dmg  (1d4) 4 +4 = 8

] Colorful blades flash from your hands and pierce the jelly, illuminating it briefly in the dark tunnel. It then drops down from the ceiling between where Yisi is, still in shadow and you two. With a large section of itself it attempt to mallet Joloobo [()] but you are able to step back out of the way.

Yisi] I attempt to spot any weakness in the blog and then I attack

1d20 Medical 14 [Fail DC 26]

2d20a Attack 10 +7 [Hit] Dmg (2d4) 4 + 5 = 9

] Your daggers plunge deeply into the ooze with little resistance. There is, however, no indication that the creature could even feel the attack.

Valea] “Ugh! Slime monster must die!” I yell as I attack with my Basto Sticks

1d20 Attack 14 +7 = 21 [Hit] Dmg (2d4) 6 +5 +2 = 13

1d20 Attack 8 +7 = 15 [Hit] Dmg (1d4) 3 +5 = 8

]

Elder Arrodonn Returns

] Four Tendays have passed. The Daystar no longer lingers as long in the sky and colors of the Wealdath have begun to brighten. The three of you have spent your time at Treyvigg monastery well, gaining skills and experience as well as friends and allies. You have grown to love and respect the blind sworddragon, Olilrasi, and she has become very attached to you. In recent days, she has begun to be able to hear you walking and recognize you each by your unique gait. She often calls a greeting and waves at you from surprising distances even though she cannot see.

] You have only one tenday left in Treyvigg Monastery before you begin your journey back to Song Moon Temple with Teacher Solomvar’s Summertide Rose wine. Your daily lessons with the monastery’s Guide teachers are productive and enjoyable. Each of you have learned new Feats.

] Yisi, you have learned the Keen Defender feat:

When taking the Dodge (or Patient Defense) and you are attacked within melee range, an attack of opportunity is possible. If the attack succeeds, the damage is halved. If the attack fails by 5 or more, you gain an attack of opportunity with your Reaction.

You have also spent much time in practice with your poetry and your calligraphy skills and you now have double-profiency with the Calligraphers Supplies. You have also spent many hours with with the monastery’s head scribe, Guide Greenhill. The aging Genasi has taught you how to make various types of ink, including common colored ink, waterproof ink, invisible ink and even a few basics on using special materials to create enchanted ink – although you have much training to go before you can effectively write your poetry with enchanted ink.

] Valea, you too have learned the Keen Defender feat from your daily participation in lessons. Additionally, you have spent waking hours every forenoon practicing flow forms on the overlook with Guide Dawndra. You have learned the Heavens Orbit feat. This feat enhances your ki generation. If you spend at least 30 minutes in flow form practice during the early hours, you gain additional ki points equal to proficiency bonus.

The extra energy from your Heavens Orbit practice has allowed you to spend the hours after lessons training with Fable. She has taught you the Fierce Mobility feat:

Focusing ki to bolster your speed gives you additional benefits to your movement. On your turn as a Bonus action, you may spend one ki point to activate and start concentrating on Fierce Mobility.

Your speed increases by 10 feet while Fierce Mobility is active.

Dash becomes a Bonus Action while Fierce Mobility is active. While dashing, difficult terrain doesn’t cost you extra movement on that turn.

You can easily move through a dangerous melee. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity while Fierce Mobility is active.

For every ten feet of your movement speed you use on your turn, you may add a d4 to the damage of your next successful strike.

Fierce Mobility is active for a minute or until you take any damage.

] Joloobo, you have spent most of your time over the last 4 tendays out in the Vale of Soxolone. You have been training under Guide Cawtris Wildpath, a Half-elf from the eastern Yuirwood forest. She has taught you much about tracking, trapping and hunting as well as reading the signs of nature and weather. You have gained the Survivalist feat. Wisdom is increased by +1, you gain an extra proficiency in Survival skill and the Nature skill. You also have advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks when in an outdoor setting.

Guide Wildpath has helped you in tracking the Fire Troll’s activity. Twice since you entered the mining tunnels beyond the cliff wall crevasse, you have discovered fresh tracks. It appears to be doing some hunting of its own. You found evidence of a deer that had been fed upon like a beast might, but with scorch marks on its hide. You have been trying to devise a method of trapping the fire troll as it leaves the mountain.

] It is shortly before the forenight meal when Aide Camarie approaches you in the courtyard with two Moon Elves. She introduces them as Elder Arrodon and Elder Thaola.

] Elder Arrodon “I am pleased that Solomvar sent his favorite students to us. I hope your stay has been pleasant and fruitful?”

Yisi] I bow to both elders. “Indeed it has Elder Arrodon, thank you.”

Valea] Also bowing… “This is sad to think of our departing in a tenday. Teacher Solomvar will surely be awaiting our return, and a fresh keg of wine, otherwise… Valea would extend her time with you.”

] Elder Arrodon “Solomvar should not be without his wine.” He says smiling. “But you are welcome to return to us anytime you like.” He turns to Elder Thaola. “Thaola, I believe we have a special batch to share with Solomvar?”

] Elder Thaola “Yes, we should share some of the Bright Bracer. How is Solomvar? I’ve not seen him since… well, since a long time ago.”

Valea] “Teacher Solomvar is well. We were honored that he chose us to visit you. He extends the same offer to your students.”

] Elder Arrodon “Yes, of course. I will confer with the other elders and select two students to return with you.”

] Olilrasi comes running up. “May I be considered father? Please?”

] Elder Arrodon “Rasi! How I have missed you!” He steps in and embraces the blind white dragonborn. “Of course you may be considered. Have you been well?”

] Olilrasi “Yes father, except for missing you. Yisi and Valea have become friends. Oh, and Joloobo too…. When he is not playing in the Vale”

Joloobo] “Nice to be an afterthought if nothing else.” I try to add a quick smile … afraid my quip might be taken too sharply.

] Elder Arrodon “Joloobo, I am pleased to meet you as well. You do not strike me as a student of the Song Moon Temple.”

Joloobo] “That is probably because I am not. Though I’m not saying would not like to be, that is, no offense intended. I mean…”

Yisi] “Joloobo the Troll-Hunter became a fast friend on our way here. We ran into some trouble with forest trolls within the Wealdath and he joined the conflict just in time.”

Elder Arrodon] “Troll-Hunter? Strange profession for a gnome, though you do not seem a typical sort of gnome do you?”

Joloobo] “The Wealdath has been plagued with trolls these last few years, I am merely protecting my home. And, I suppose, making some coin in the process. You seem to have your own trouble with a troll in the vale. I’ve been trying to find a way to track it and trap it.”

] Elder Arrodon turns to Aide Camarie “A troll in the Vale of Soxolone? This is the first I am hearing of this?”

Joloobo] “Not just any troll good ser. You have a fire troll hunting in your peaceful forest. It seems to have developed a taste for deer. Comes from a crevasse in the cliff wall it does. Can’t say for sure what it means… but I would hazard a guess of molten areas under the Small Teeth again.”

] Elder Arrodon “Yet more trouble from the depths. Thank you for your efforts Joloobo. Guide Wildpath should be informed.”

Joloobo] “Indeed she is Ser. Cawtris has been helping me track the vale. She knows what I know and then much more.”

] Elder Arrodon “Good then. We shall keep the troll on the list of troubles then.” he turns to you Yisi. “Young Adorinn… You bear your fathers strength well.”

Yisi] “You knew my father?”

] Elder Arrodon “Yes. I spent many years with both of your parents in facts. Vhann and Vina were revered among us and I was honored to call them friends.” He looks down at the Trisula along your outer thighs. “Your weapons are strikingly similar to your fathers sword. How did you come upon them?”

Yisi] “The Trisula were my fathers, I am told.” I pull them out and offer them to Elder Arrodon. “They are all I have to know him by. You say he also had a sword?”

] Elder Arrodon inspects the weapons but does not touch them. “Yes. It was precisely the shape only much larger. The very same needle points. I dare say, the same amazing Black Mithril material. I can only guess that these two were once one, or Vhann’s sword had children of its own. Amazing.”

Yisi] “Can you tell me anything of what happened to my parents?”

] Elder Arrodon “We last shared company long before you were born. I imagine Solomvar has already told you all that I might know. They received call from Arvandor to hurry to its defense. The realm still stands so they were successful, but no word has ever reached me of their fate. That both Vhann and Vina remain missing is actually an encouragement to me. It means they are likely together.”

Yisi] “Then… you think they may still yet live?”

] Elder Arrodon “The outer planes contain many mysteries. What passes as 30 years here in the material plane could be 30 days there, or 30 thousand. They indeed may still live. I am puzzled by your possession of Nightpiercer however. As I recall, the sword has been passed down within the Adorinn family for many generations. This weapon, or perhaps some form of it, has been wielded by many generations of your forebearers. It’s origins lost to time. Even the smithing method used to make the metal is unknown. I recall a battle with your father… a long time ago… we were overwhelmed and both of us nearly killed. An enemy wrestled Nightpiercer from your fathers hands as he lay nearly unconscious. I thought it my delusional imagination at the time…. But the needle sword turned into a lump of stone, as if it was refusing to be used by any other than an Adorinn. Have you ever had such an experience with it?”

Yisi] “I have not. But then… No one has ever tried to take them from me. But my Trisula are clearly enchanted. When I was young and my arms were much shorter, the tip would reach just to my elbow when held in defense. My arms are much longer today, but still… ” I flip the trisula around in both hands… “they match the length of my forearms perfectly. They also have the power to shroud me in darkness.” I demonstrate Shadow Shroud.

] Elder Arrodon “Now that is impressive. I witnessed your father perform feats which could only be explained by magic, but never so blatantly magic. I find myself curious… Does the darkness extend from the weapons themselves or from you? Stand still a moment and hold both out to one side.”

Yisi] I hold both Trisula in my left hand and hold them out to my left side.

] The Shadow Shroud moves to your left side, centered on the weapon.

] Elder Arrodon “Now hold your right arm out… Will it escape the shroud?”

Yisi] “I have never tried this… I find myself curious as well.”

] As you lift your right arm, the cloud of darkness expands to envelop all of you.

] Elder Arrodon “It is obviously attuned to you. Very powerful magic this is. It will likely grow stronger with you as you continue your training.”

Yisi] “Forgive me if I am being nosy… but at the mention of the Fire Troll, you said something about ‘more trouble from the depths’, what other kinds of trouble has their been?”

] Elder Arrodon “The very worst kind… to be honest. A dragon.”

Valea] “Dragon! Teacher Solomvar warned Valea to hurry in a direction away from any dragon.”

] Elder Arrodon “This is not just any dragon I fear… I just returned from Candlekeep trying to identify this particular blue dragon. Sharpfangs is an Ancient Dragon. But she has not been seen before the Spellplague. Most assume she did not survive it. I believe she is actually trapped in the solid rock beneath Treyvigg Monastery.”

] Elder Thaola “This should remain secret Arrodon.”

] Elder Arrodon “Of course you are right Thaola – on a number of levels, this must stay very quiet. Please do not share this knowledge?”

Yisi] “Understood. You have my word – it will remain confidential.”

Valea] “This one agrees to know nothing of what is said here.”

Joloobo] “Dragon you say? Trapped in solid rock? Who would believe me if I told them! But of course – secrets must sometimes be kept. Besides… with only one exception… these two are my only friends.”

] Olilrasi “Count me too! That is… count me among your friends Joloobo… and also – count me a silent witness to whatever is said in confidence. Father… who was Sharpfangs?”

] Elder Arrodon “Sharpfangs is just a nickname for very powerful Blue Dragon by the name of  Iryklathagra. It was once common knowledge that the Small Teeth is where she kept her lair. Many have gone looking for the lair in the past hundred years, surely it would contain an immense hoard. To my knowledge, it has never been found.”

Yisi] “But you say you found Sharpfangs in solid rock? Perhaps the lair is also buried in the same manner?”

] Elder Arrodon “Possible. No evidence to prove it so yet.”

Valea] “Valea is curious how such a beast was discovered within solid rock under a mountain? Magic?”

] Elder Thaloa “Ahh… well that is answer is going to lead to another secret, and one which we are not ready to share.”

] Aide Camarie “Pardon but forenight meal is ready.”

] The three of you follow Aide Camarie and the two Elders of Treyvigg Monastery into the dining hall and enjoy a hearty meal in silence. After forenight meal, what do each of you do with the evening?

Yisi]  I excuse myself to spend some time writing. The conversation about my parents has words swirling in my soul and desire to ink them.

Valea] I will seek out Fable and spend some time in practice with her.

Joloobo] I will spend some time with my new friend Rasi.

] The sun is already shielded by the surrounding mountains by the time you finish eating and there is about an hour of twilight ahead. Yisi spends several hours in the Temple to Dunea writing with Calligraphy set. Valea and Fable spend time in the courtyard. Fable reveals that she calls Ashabenford home and that her mother still lives there. She is a locally famous dancer in the Velvet Veils tavern. Fable says she likes to dance herself… but is uncomfortable with the idea of dancing in front of others… especially drunken others. While the two of you are talking, Guide Dawndra walks over.

] Dawndra “Greetings friends. Valea, I hear you and Yisi will be leaving us soon?”

Valea] “Just a tenday remaining. This one is sad to leave new friends, but home will feel like warm sands.”

] Fable “You will return to us won’t you? Say you will?”

Valea] “Valea will count days till she sees you all again. We were told by our teacher that one or more may return with us and visit our Song Moon Temple for a time.”

] Dawndra “Yes, I was to be a candidate to visit your home Valea, but I will be leaving on another journey. In fact, I expect to depart in a tenday – the same day you and Yisi head for home.”

Valea] “Where will Guide Dawndra go?”

] Dawndra “I travel to the far north, to a place called Icewind Dale. They have an annual competition there called the Frozenfar Fray Games. Teacher Riandyl was in the competion several years age and has encouraged me to test my skills against the mighty barbarians of the north.”

] Fable “I am certain you will win… but it does sound dangerous.”

] Dawndra “Just traveling to Tentowns is a dangerous endeavor I hear. The games bring clerics from The Winter Palace to heal those wounded – at least in the first two rounds of competition. The third round is… well… interesting…”

Valea] “What does white tower mean?”

] Dawndra “Do you know anything about hunting Frost Trolls?”

Valea] “This one does not… but our pocket-high friend Joloobo… he surely knows about Hunting Trolls. Talk with him and see.”

] Dawndra “I will indeed. The third round involves 3 days of hunting in the mountain ranges for a Frost Troll.”

] Fable “I’m so excited for you! What will you do with your winnings?”

] Dawndra “I will share them with my friend Fable on Rockwall.” She smiles. “And the rest of my home friends.”

Valea] “This one wishes you bright moons Dawndra. Valea wants to say also… thank you for being a teacher superb. This one will practice every day and make white tower proud to be her friend too.”

] Joloobo goes looking for Rasi and sees her practicing sword kata in the Backyard under a large tree. Before you get within 40 feet of her, she somehow senses your approach and sheathes her sword back into her walking stick. “Hi Joloobo!”

Joloobo] “Hi Rasi. I didn’t mean to interupt your practice.”

] Rasi “I have already practiced plenty today, but I’ve not spent any time with my friend Joloobo! How are you? How goes the hunt for the Fire Troll in the valley?”

Joloobo] “We have found more sign, but so far I’m unable to determine any patterns in its hunting. I believe it surfaces about once a tenday. This troll seems much smarter than the average troll, and larger too. From damage I’ve found on a few trees in its path it must be at least 13 feet high… over twice as tall as you and probably 4 or 5 times taller than me.”

] Rasi “Wow! What will you do if you find it?”

Joloobo] “I keep asking myself the same question. I don’t even know if I can extract blood from a fire troll… fire or acid are the main weapons against the trolls in my forest… I’m just guessing that this creature will not care about either. Without knowing where it is weak, or even if it has any weaknesses… I may be foolish to fight with it.”

] Rasi “Now that father, I mean… Arrodon, is back, he will think of something. I’m quite certain Soxolone does not want a Fire Troll wandering around his forest… they will find a way.”

Joloobo] “Yes, I am certain we will. Say… Rasi… did you mean what you said about calling you friend?”

] Rasi “Of course I did! ”

Joloobo] “I would like for you to call me friend also. Rayni says I need some friends.”

] Rasi “Rayni is certainly correct… Who is Rayni?”

Joloobo] “Rayni is… er… well…”

] Rasi interupts you and points over towards the northern cliff wall  “Wait… Someone is coming towards us. Who is that!? ” You see a female deep gnome running directly your way. She is carrying a long staff over her shoulder.

Joloobo] “It is a gnome, a deep gnome, coming from the storage shed.”

] Rasi pulls her sword from her cane. “On your guard, I sense something… I sense danger.”

Joloobo] “Let us see.” I begin to walk towards the deep gnome. “Greetings friend!” I yell towards her.

[()]

] Still about 60 feet away, the deep gnome pauses for a moment and drops the staff down to both hands. Behind you Rasi makes a loud gasping noise. Joloobo – you are struck with Arcane Bolt and take 26 damage (Massive Dmg). You feel like you took the entire blow with your face and the world around you begins to spin. Con Save

Joloobo]

1d20 Con Save 1 Crit fail

] You fall unconscious.

Appreciation & Collaboration

The Hunt for Joloobo

] Joloobo – you were exploring a crevasse in cliffs walls in the Vale of Soxolone. After entering a large carved out room, you found you could not exit it… an invisible wall has trapped you. Thankfully no further spiders have yet discovered your presence. Still, it has been a long night of sitting among desicated bones, resisting sleep and wondering if the others could ever find you.

] You, Yisi and Valea, are at waking meal. Valea, you have just come from another early flow-forms session with Guide Dawndra. Yisi, you have been spending the early hours in the temple writing verse in the sand with a stick. Last forenight, you both noticed Joloobo did not attend meal – as he has been eager to do this past tenday. You thought it odd, but knew he was in the Vale of Soxolone that day and expected he was just returning late. Now you are looking around the refectory for him during waking meal.

Yisi] “I don’t see him.”

Valea] “It is not like Low Pockets to miss a meal, much less two. Surely he found trouble yesterday no?”

Yisi] “Surely. I propose we tell Aide Camarie and Guide Dawndra of our concern, and then we set out into the vale to search.”

Valea] “This one agrees.” I finish my porridge in haste.

] You find Aide Camarie just outside and tell her your news. She says she wishes Elder Arrrodonn had already returned, he would be able to ask Soxolone what befell Joloobo.

Valea] “Soxolone is a real person? Valea thought it was just a name, or a legend…”

] Aide Camarie “Yes, Soxolone is real. He is a treant who has lived in the valley since before Elder Arrodonn and Elder Thaola arrived here and built this monastery. I think he somehow knows everything that happens in the vale. He is not likely to speak with any but Elder Arrodonn however. You must inform Guide Dawndra and then start the search for your friend. I will pack some meals for you.”

Yisi] “Thank you Aide Camarie.” We go to find Guide Dawndra.

] Guide Dawndra looks thoughtful for a moment when you tell her the news. “The Vale is a big place. Are either of you skilled in woodscraft?”

Valea] “This one would say no.”

Yisi] “As would this one… but I’ve always wanted to learn.”

] Guide Dawndra “We have several hunters in residence, but Fable may be just the right resource to assist.” She looks around the courtyard of students getting ready for the days lessons. “Fable!” she yells out. From the direction of the temple, a female Tabaxi with jet-black fur runs across the grounds with a surprising speed and grace. “Yes Guide Dawndra,  Fable is here.”

] Guide Dawndra “Our visiting students need your help today Fable. Their gnome of a friend has not returned from the Vale since a day before. You are quite familiar with the Vale of Soxolone as I recall. ”

] Fable “Indeed I am, and I am always glad to help find a friend. ”

Valea] “This one thanks Fable for her help.” I bow to the tabaxi.

] Guide Dawndra formally introduces the three of you and send you to grab packs (Explorer Packs) and be on your way.

] As you are walking across the backyard, Fable is already searching the ground. [()] She turns towards a large tree. “Here” she says. “Your friend has been sleeping in this tree. I see his foot prints go from the base over towards that shed.”

Valea] “Joloobo does say he prefers sleeping in trees. But what interest would he have in a shed?”

Yisi] “Worth a quick look inside.”

] Opening the shed, you see only what would be expected… gardening tools, crates and barrels of soil supplies, etc.

Valea] “Perhaps Small Toe needed a shovel?”

] Fable “Your friend was not the only small toe in here. Look – three other recent prints. Perhaps Halfling? Probably Gnome from the size. They all lead to those barrels over there.”

] You see three large barrels, nearly as tall as Jollobo, in the corner of the she. They are all lashed together.

Yisi] I look inside the barrels.

] The barrels are mostly empty. You see nothing inside them but small amounts of compost.

Yisi] “Curious… but Joloobo is surely not here. Shall we get to our hunting?”

] You walk to the back of the “backyard” and enter into a sparse wood. The trees here are old with massive trunks. They appear to prefer to maintain a distance, that is, none of the giant trees are really close together. There is very little undergrowth and the gloam is soft to walk on. Fable has lost the tracks and then found them again twice over the past couple of hours.

] Fable “Joloobo was himself tracking something, though I cannot tell what – I do not see the sign he did. Did he say what he was hunting for?”

Valea] “Fire Troll. Jobo likes hunting trolls. This is how Valea and Yisi met the gnome. We were attacked by trolls in the Wealdath and Joloobo appeared and helped finish them.”

Yisi] “He extracts their blood to make potions. Powerful potions he claims.”

] Fable “I have heard of such things. Never encountered a troll, but I’ve heard they can be formiable, and they won’t die unless you burn them right?”

Valea] “Even chopped off hands keep attacking! Valea saw this!”

] Fable “But how would a troll get into the Vale? Perhaps it came over a cliff wall? The fall would kill most creatures, but a troll might easily survive it.”

Yisi] “We don’t know what a “Fire” Troll is compared to any other, but Aide Camarie said something about them only being found near active volcanoes and Kossuth’s Eyes are long dormant.”

] Fable “So then… perhaps not over the wall, but up from beneath it. This may help our search. Joloobo may have been looking for open fissures in the ground, or in the cliff walls.”

] Two more hours pass. In addition to the sparse groves of giant trees, you encounter small fields of fine grass that appear to be tended. There are no weeds or flowers or shrubs within the greenswards, just perfect soft grass. There are, however, other areas which are full of flowers. These too appear to be cultivated to a flawless garden of beauty.

] Fable “This is my favorite spot in the entire world, here among the bloom fields… especially when the daystar is high and the warmth fills the vale.”

Yisi] “It is certainly its own kind of beauty. I should like to return under less dire circumstances.

] Fable “Of course. You worry for your friend, and beauty cannot be enjoyed from under a hairy cloud.”

Yisi] “I think you mean harried?”

] Fable “Perhaps. But would you not imagine a harried cloud as being quite hairy?”

Valea] I laugh out loud at Fable’s joke, perhaps a bit too much… I want, perhaps not fully consciously, to somehow endear Fable to me. She is, after all, the only other cat folk I’ve met. Sure I’ve seen a few others in passing, but never with an opportunity to get to know them at all. “Valea likes the words of Fable. She makes this one laugh. And so clever yes?”

Yisi] I smile at them both “Yes, a harried cloud should indeed appear quite hairy – the way of poetry just might demand it be so.”

] As you continue further, the earth slopes upward as you walk towards the cliff walls on the far side of the valley. You can see to your left, there is a large lake at the bottom of a gulley that is surrounded on the South and the West by cliff walls.

Valea] “Perhaps when we return, we go for a swim yes?”

] Fable “Oh, you don’t want to swim there. No one ever goes down to the lake. Well… no one who knows better. Especially no male who knows better.” She halts. “Oh! What if…. Sure, could be…” She seems to be saying to no one but herself. Then she snaps out of the thought and says to you, “It is my guess Joloobo did not know better! Perhaps there is still time… Rrellette has told me she likes to play with her catch a while.” and she starts running down hill towards the lake. She stops again and turns. “Yisi, you should stay here, or better… go back over the hill out of sight and out of ear range. Rrellette preys on men only, and she would surely take a liking to you. It will be safer where you cannot hear her song.”

Yisi] “Wait… What? But…”

Valea] “Valea thinks knife-ear should heed the Fable and turn back. This one will be okay. Fable she Rrellette thing only preys on men, which all can see Valea is not. ” I motion with my body in silly slinky way.

Yisi] “Fine. Be careful.” I go back back to the top of the rise, but I keep watch on the two cats.

] You see Valea and Fable reach the shores of the lake. They are perhaps a half-mile from where you stand. The surface of the lake is smooth and from your vantage you can see the detail of the cliff walls on the far side of the lake mirrored perfectly in its surface. Moments later there is a break in the surface far out in the middle of the lake, several hundred feet from the shore where Valea and Fable stand. You see a tall slender woman rise and begin walking towards them across the surface of the water. She has wild hair that seems to be blowing in a strong breeze, yet the air in the valley is calm. Even from the far distance, you experience a supernatural attraction to the creature gliding across the lake. She is just a few feet from Valea and Fable along the shoreline now and it appears to you that they are speaking. Soon, however, you catch the faint hint of a note  traveling up the hillside.

[()]

] Valea -roll a Wisdom saving throw

Valea]

1d20 Wisdom Saving 16 +3 = 19 [Save]

] Yisi – you see Fable begin to walk into the water and Valea appears to be trying to pull her back towards the shore. The water-walking woman is slowly backing away as if drawing Fable into the lake.

Yisi] I use the Haste spell in my sash and race down to the lake to help.

] As you are running down hill, you watch as Valea continues to struggle to pull Fable back to the shore. The water itself seems to have a grip on the black Tabaxi. When you are within 150 ft the song of the water spirit becomes clear. Roll a Wisdom saving throw

Yisi]

2d20a Wisdom Saving 12 +3 = 15 [Save]

] You resist being captured by the charming power of the womans song. She has been watching you run to the rescue, as if she had expected you to do just that. She rushes towards you Valea and tries to throw herself around you, her arms thin and watery. Valea – roll a Con Saving Throw

Valea]

1d20 Con Save 5 +1 = 6 [Fail]

] You feel the uncontrolable urge to laugh, as if being tickled mercilessly. Rrellette backs away into the lake about 15ft from the shore, still laughing with whimsy. Fable, released from your efforts to hold her back, plunges into the water after the water spirit.

[Initiative]

] Rrellette, still overly amused, says to Yisi “Welcome brave hero. My but you are a pretty sight for Rrellette’s eyes. We should spend some time together you and I. I know we could have a picnic on the beach! Why don’t you clear a nice spot for us along the shore.” She casts Suggestion. Roll a Wisdom Saving Throw

Yisi]

2d20 Wisdom Saving 17 +3 = 20 [Save]

Yisi] “Why don’t you go choke on your picnic!”

] Fable is still charmed and treading water at the feet of Rrellette, looking up at her lovingly. Valea is still laughing uncontrollably… Roll to save again.

Valea]

1d20 Con Save 13 +1 = 14 [Save]

] The overpowering sensation slowly leaves you.

Yisi] I try to determine where I might strike Rrellette for the most affect. (Bonus Action check)

1d20 Medicine Check 5 +3=8 [Fail] (Vital Point Expertise lowers to DC 15 against undead)

Yisi] Seeing no potential vulnerabilties, and seeing that the water spirit is out of reach and I’m no great swimmer, the only thing I can think to do is try to snap Fable from the charm. I use Serpents Hiss to try to deafen Fable temporarily.

1d20 Attack 16 +6 = 22 [Hit] Dmg 1

[()]

] Fable is deafened but remains charmed and enthralled with Rrellette. (She can attempt a save next round.)

Valea] “Laughing Bitch!” I dive in to try to save Fable again. [Strength Ath Check]

1d20 Athletics 16 +4 = 20 [Success]

] You swim underwater and successfully grab one of the kicking feet of Fable. You pull her back towards the shore. Fable continues to fight against you but you successfully return to the shallow water where you have footing.

Valea] “Yisi! Help Valea! We must carry Fable away.”

] As Yisi goes to help, Rrellette sweeps into the shore. “Kiss me Elf, I want to taste those sumputious gold lips.” [()] Her speed across the water is surprising and within a blink she has your face in her hands and she is kissing you Yisi. You feel the air leave your lungs and your feet lift up off the ground and you are pulled out over the lake.

[()]

] Fable stops struggling against you Valea, but she is confused about where she is and panic’d at not being able to hear anything.

Yisi] I fight to break free of Rrellettes grapple.

1d20 Str 6 +4 = 10 [Fail]

Valea] “Ugh! Now Yisi is in water!” I dive back in and swim to Help Yisi break free.

] Rrellette plunges Yisi underwater and tries to drag him down to the depths of the lake. Valea, with double speed, is able to catch up quickly. Fable sees you dive in after Yisi  and determines to assist. Using Violent Mobility, she bursts into the water and swims past Valea. She attacks the water spirit with an unarmed attack [()] that strikes critically, stunning Rrellette for a round. She loses her grip on Yisi.

Yisi] Realizing I am released, I am desperate for air and begin swimming back to the surface and shore.

Valea] I help Yisi get back to the land.

] Fable crawls out of the water on all fours right behind you. “Quickly, away from the water, out of her reach.”

] You are just a short distance away from the shore when you hear the ethereal laughter of Rrellette behind you. “Come back my pets. We had only begun to play.” She taunts you. “Boy, come and give me another kiss!” She casts suggestion. Roll Wis Saving

Yisi]

2d20 Wis Save 16 +3 [Save]

Yisi] “Go kiss Ogrebutt! You wicked wench!” I keep running uphill away from the lake, and awy from the sound of her voice.

Valea] “This one is dismayed… Laughing Bitch nearly had us all. Valea is not prepared to fight with water ghosts.”

Yisi] “Nor I. She instantly had me helpless.”

] Fable “She has never attacked me before. But I think she knew you were close Yisi, and she tricked us.”

Yisi] “And did we even learn anything of Joloobo?”

Valea] “Laughing Bitch teased us… making us think she had him. ‘Teatime games with him’ she said. She was only guessing that we were looking for another Tabaxi. That gave it away, and Laughing Bitch became Singing Bitch!”

] Fable “Elder Arrodonn has let her be. I think todays attack may change his thinking. She is dangerous and powerful… and a deceitful bitch.”

Valea] “Deceitful Laughing Singing Bitch!” I yell back at the lake. Then I crouch, raise my tail and spray an insult of urine at the water spirit. “I piss at Laughing Bitch!”

Yisi] “We should find a safe place to rest and calm down. I still feel like I have water in my lungs.”

] You continue until the lake is completely out of sight and take a short rest while the Noon hour passes. Afterwards you continue your search for Joloobo. Following the earlier line of thinking, that a Fire Troll might be tracked into the ground, Fable leads you to the cliff walls to the West end of the Vale of Soxolone where Rrellettes lake is once in again in view. She quickly turns to the right away from the lake, and follows North along the western walls. The ground gains in elevation as you go, but the wall of rock still towers at least 150ft over you. Almost an hour of brisk walking goes by before Fable sees something ahead.

] Fable “There! See the small opening in the wall ahead? And I think I see tracks coming from the North.” She races ahead and begins inspecting the ground. [()] “These are hard to make out.” She says. “But see the large burned areas? I think Joloobo might have been following these, and they lead right into that crevasse.” The small opening in the cliff wall is only 2ft in width and tapers upward into a fine crack in the face of the cliff.

Valea] “This one thinks only Joloobo might fit into such a space no? ”

Yisi] “It will be a tight squeeze, but lets take a look.” I try to crawl into the crevasse.

] You have to belly crawl to fit. The crevasse opening leads straight into black rock. After several minutes of inchinging forward with your elbows, you find yourselves in a tunnel. It appears to be an old mining tunnel based on the debris you see on the ground. The tunnel goes to the left where it appears to wrap around a corner and to the right where there is an opening marked by wooden frames.

Valea] “Ugh! The smell! What smell is that smell?”

Yisi] “Rot. Death and Rot. Friends of the end be death and rot, yet from their alliance springs forths the sweet smell of new life.”

Valea] “This one would wish they hurry about the new life part yes?”

] Fable says “I cannot tell much from the ground in here. I do not see a Gnomes feet go either direction, but it sort of looks like the dust has been recently scattered. Which way do you think…”

Joloobo] “Psst! Psst!” I whisper down the corridor.

Yisi] “There he is! Joloobo!” and move down towards the opening on the right

Joloobo] “Shhh… quiet! Stop! Stop stop! Don’t come in here, it is trapped.” I whisper.

Valea] “Jobo does not look trapped”

Joloobo] “There is an invisible force wall blocking the doorway. It allowed me to enter, but I cannot exit. Look see.” I grab the 8 foot staff I found and push it into the invisible wall.

] The end of the staff meets no resistance and goes right into the corridor.

Joloobo] “What!”

Valea] “Jobo does not look trapped at all… no?”

Joloobo] I slowly feel for the wall the was blocking me yesterday.

] The force wall appears to be gone, you walk through into in the corridor.

Joloobo] “I don’t understand… but lets not wait around. There is a spiders nest close by, a large one. And I need some fresh air.” I carry the staff and the other items I found in the room worth keeping down to the crevasse and hurry my way out.

] Minutes later, all four of you are outside once again.

Yisi] “So you spent the night in that room?”

Joloobo] “I swear, yesterday there was an invisible force wall blocking my exit. Either you all somehow disabled it by accident, or maybe it only lasts so longer after it is triggered. This I will tell you… there are many rotting bodies in that room, and they spend far longer than 24 hours trapped. The edges of the floor all the way around have been carved out, like the captives were trying to dig a way out. Some of them have been rotting there for over 50 years. But look see what they left behind.” I show them the items I found. “I’m sure this staff once belonged to a wizard. Is there a wizard at the winery?”

Valea] “This one does not know. Fable?”

] Fable “A good question for Elder Ysthorn. He may be a wizard himself, though I’ve never heard any call him that. Hi Joloobo, my name is Fable. Well met.” I extend an arm.

Valea] “Fable is the reason we found you. She as great tracking skills yes?”

Joloobo] “My thanks to you Fable. Well met indeed. Shall we make our way? I am hungry for a meal or two.”

] After providing something to eat from your packs, you all head back to the monastery.

Joloobo Hunts a Fire Troll

] The past tenday has gone by pretty much as the first day did. Yisi and Valea, you have spent your days in training with Guide Dawndra. Joloobo, you have spent your time in the Valea of Soxolone searching for sign of a fire troll. A new month started yesterday and you anticipate continueing with the next 4-5 tendays just as this last one has past.

] Joloobo, you awake before first light. You are nestled comfortably on a high branch of a sturdy tree in the monastery’s “backyard”. As you stir, you hear soft voices below but cannot make out what is being said. As you look down, you see 3 very small people, possibly gnomes based on their stature and gait. You watch as the three of them open the door to a small shed that is built up against the base of the cliff wall on the western side of the yard. Several minutes go by and they never exit.

Joloobo] “Curious” I say to myself. Then I climb down to investigate further. I open the shed and look inside.

] You see various gardening tools and buckets of seed and fertilizer and other such things as you might expect in a shed. There is no sign of the 3 gnomes.

Joloobo] I am certain they did not come out… I look more closely

1d20 Investigation 17 +6 = 23 [Success]

] You spot a group of barrels which appear to be lashed together. The dirt beneath them shows indication that they have recently been moved out and back in against the corner of the wall.

Joloobo] I try to move the barrels out.

] The whole group of lashed-together barrels slides easily out, as if on a hinge. Behind them you see a dark leading down and into the face of the cliff wall.

Joloobo] “More curious… but perhaps none of my business. Certainly… none of my business.” I put the barrels back and go find Yisi and Valea for Waking meal.

] Yisi and Valea – the two of you are sitting at table with Rasi, the white Dragonborn student you saw on your first day. You have since often spent time with her and learned that her full name is Arrodonn Olilrasi. Elder Arrodonn found her as a nearly dead infant 16 years ago and saved her, bringing her back to Treyvigg Monastery as a ward and eventually… a student. She has no way of knowing her clan name, so she has taken Arrodonn as her clan name. You also learned that her bright pink eyes are sightless – though it was not apparent for several days that she is blind. Joloobo – you enter and see the others.

Jolobo] I am careful to observe silence, but I wave at Yisi, Valea and Rasi and join them for breakfast.

] After finishing, the four of you find a comfortable space on the grass of the backyard – behind the refectory and the Temple building.

] Rasi “I never get tired of porridge and tea. Others complain that it is always the same… but it so delicious I still look forward to it… Speaking of compaints… How are your legs Yisi? The first tenday of stance training with Guide Dawndra is sure to make anyone complain.”

Yisi] “Can any mortal mixture of clay and rock breathe such enchanting and divine strength as that born of disciplined pain.”

] Rasi “What?”

Valea] “Goldie waxes with enthusiastic words Rasi. I think he meant his legs hurt but it is good for him. That about right my knife-ear?”

Yisi] “Indeed. I find the quiet of stance training to help open my thoughts. I’ve written more lines this tenday than the month prior. Perhaps it also because no one has tasked us with chores as yet.”

] Rasi “Oh, visitors don’t have chores… but if you want some, mine are always available to you. Maybe you can teach me some fancy words that will help me like them better.”

Valea] I turn to Joloobo “Tell us Jobo, what news of this fire troll you have been hunting.”

Joloobo] “No clear sign, but I think I may be getting close. I have seen a lot of beasts. It is almost like the Vale of Soxolone was stocked with them to be a hunting ground. ”

Yisi] “I am the last one to be telling you how to hunt trolls… but do be careful friend. Perhaps you will find its haunt and allow another day before confronting it so we can help.”

] Rasi “A fire troll! It does sound downright terrifying… I can’t wait!”

Joloobo] “I don’t even know if Rayni can work with the blood of a fire troll… but I just know she will be excited to get some…”

Valea] “What kind of potion bottle will hold fire troll blood, I wonder…”

Joloobo] “Well that is a good thought… a thought I should have already had myself and didn’t…Perhaps I can ask an alchemist. Rasi – is there alchemist here at the monastery? Seems like a good place for one.”

] Rasi “If there is, I don’t know it. Ask Elder Ysthorn. If anyone can know, it is Elder Ysthorn.”

Joloobo] “I was going there next. I suppose… I am going there now… enjoy your lessons – I’m off to find a burning troll.” I go to the temple for a blessing and to find out how to procure potion vials which can withstand magma.

] Elder Ysthorn greets you and invites you to sit and breathe. He performs his blessing (2d8 tmp and 1d8 Con bonus – you recv 12 temporary hit points and +8 to your Con while the temporary hit points are available). He does not have a quick answer to your question about potion vials, but says he will investigate on your behalf.

[add more dialog here]

] Elder Ysthorn, after providing a physical blessing, he touches the crown of your head and offers a benediction: “Go in strength, friend of the forest.” He stands and goes over to attend others in the temple.

Joloobo] I return to the Vale of Soxolone and begin searching for sign of the fire troll [Survival]

1d20 Survival 13 +6 = 19 [Success]

] You search for several hours and eventually find some odd tracks. You recognize the clawed feet as similar to a troll and so you follow them. They lead you to a section of the far end of the vale to a small crevasse in the cliff wall. You notice there are two sets of tracks, the one leading out of the crevasse, which you have been following, and another set, likely from the same creature leading back into the crevasse. It is only about 2ft wide and leads straight into the mountain. Examining the sides of the crevasse, you observe that something large pushed its way though here recently.

Joloobo] Using my very best “quiet foot” technique, I explore further into the crevasse. [Stealth]

1d20 Stealth 17 +6 = 23 [Success]

] The crack in the cliff wall eventually opens up into a larger tunnel. You see debris in the corridor, some broken mining tools and a small pushcart with a missing wheel. The corridor goes to the left (N) and to the right (S). On the south side the corridor opens up into a larger area. On the north side, the tunnel turns deeper into the mountain. [MAP Crevasse into bottom left]

Jolobo] I explore to the south side, into the larger area.

] You see a high ceiling and wide round walls, all cut with pick and hammer. It looks as if mining efforts were extentisive here. There is more debris along with several corpses. They are just bones and hair.

Joloobo] I take a closer look at the corpses, curious who they were and maybe how they died. [Medical]

1d20 Medical 20 +4 [Success]

] From their sizes you guess these were once dwarves but cannot tell for certain. You notice some of the bones are broken and even crushed, but cannot know for certain if the damage happened before or after they died. If it happened before, it likely killed them. You find among the bodies the following:

110 gp (in various coins), an Iron Ring (25 gp), a Leather Belt with pure Silver Buckle (50 gp), an Iron Idol (of an Unknown God) (25 gp), Rabbit Fur Sash (?? gp),  Jasper (50 gp), 2x Onyx (50 gp), 2 x Star rose quartz (50 gp), Potion of Healing (common)

Joloobo] I gather the items I think might have value, especially the coins and gems and the silver buckle. I try the rabbit fur sash on to see if it fits me.

] The sash is in surprisingly good condition given the decay of the bodies and their clothes. It is perhaps a little big, hanging past your hip, but it fits you.

Joloobo] I dig around the rest of the debris in this room to see what I see.

1d20 Investigation 14 +6 = 20 [Success]

] There is more than was initially apparent. The ground of the room is cut away from all of the edges of the room, giving it a cicular feel, like being inside a ball. There are more bodies in the trench as well. You find 120 gp of coin, Pair of engraved bone dice (20gp),  Gold locket with a painted portrait inside(10gp), Small mirror set in a wooden frame (5gp), Black velvet mask stiched with silver thread (??), a wooden Staff (of the Python) (2k+gp)

] The wooden Staff looks to be a wizards staff. It is over 7 ft tall and appears to have scales carved into it.

Joloobo] I laugh out loud and say to myself… “Can you picture yourself carrying that thing around?”

[()]

] The moment the echo of your laugh stops bouncing around the room, you can hear them. Light scurrying feet can be heard from the corridor. And then the swarm is upon you. Spiders, black and shiny, shaped like reverse arrowheads, with a bright line of red up their backs ending in the point of their bodies.

[Initiative]

Joloobo] “Trollgum! I should have went the other direction!” I attack the swarm (1) with psychic blades

1d20 Attack 3 +6 = 9 [Miss]

1d20 Attack (Left) 9 +6 = 15 [Hit] Dmg 4 +4 = 8

] Your soul knives fly into the swarm of spiders and disapper. There is no indication of any damage. The swarm surrounds you. [()] you feel them crawling over your legs but you do not feel any pain yet.

Joloobo] I try my blowgun to see if it will do more damage

1d20 Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] 7 dmg

] The swarm does not seem affected. It continues to surround you. [()] You remain unharmed but covered in odd arrow shaped spiders.

Joloobo] I try my pyschic knives again

1d20 Attack 13 +6 = 19 [hit] 4 +4 = 8

1d20 Attack 19 +6 = 25 [hit] 3 +4 = 7

] You finally appear to be having an impact on the numbers. [()] You still have not  been biten for some reason.

Joloobo] I strike again at the swarm (2)

1d20 Attack 19 +6 = 25 [hit] dmg 4+4 = 8

1d20 Attack 2 +6 [miss]

] [()] You remain in full health and strength, the spiders cannot seem to find a way at you.

Joloobo] I continue

1d20 Attack 20 [Crit] 6 +2 +6 = 14

1d20 Attack 09 +6 = 15 [Hit] 3 +6 = 9

] You slash at the remaining crawlers until none remain moving in the room.

Joloobo] I say, very very quietly to myself… “teach me to make noise won’t it…” I decide to explore further the other direction down the corridor.

] As you try to exit through the doorway, you run smack into an invisible force wall. The entire exit way appears warded.

Joloobo] “Ogrefart! Now what!” I exclaim… very very quietly. I look around the room for any other possible exists, a crack in the wall… something.

] There is no exit from the room.

Joloobo] I thinks to myself… “the room is a trap… the pile of bodies should have clued me in. If these were all caught in here like myself… I’m in trouble. I wonder if Yisi or Valea could track me? I suppose they will try, won’t they?”

] Hours pass

Joloobo] Out of boredom, I start looking through the debris again to see what else there is to find.

] You find a few empty potion bottles, 2 silver bracelets  (10gp), some useless weapons, and a journal written in gnomish, sort of. You recognize only some of the characters. Among those, you see the word for ball or sphere. You also find some passages about the spiders, or rather “the spider”. There are dates written in the journal as well. The author died here over 50 years ago.

] More hours pass

Yisi and Valea Meet Guide Dawndra

] You arrived yesterday in Last Shadow at the Treyvigg Monastery. A Grand Master of your order at Song Moon Temple sent you here to train with their teachers and learn their famous defensive tactics. Also… replenish his supply of Summertide Red wine. It is early waking and the stars are still visible in the sky.

] Joloobo – you continue to sleep in a tree on the back side of the monastery grounds. Yisi you are sitting in meditation on the small bed provided for you. You hear Valea shifting awake. Others in the longhouse are still sleeping around you. Valea – you open your eyes and consider doing as you said, sending off the Wwaldyr siblings

Yisi] “Good waking Valea” I whisper

Valea]  “Good waking. Valea will be back soon. Will see off the Wwaldyrs” I creep quietly out.

] Outside you cross the large courtyard to the gates. One side is open far enough to walk through. As you enter the large yard area to the stairs, you notice large person, nearly a small giant, with long white hair standing with her back to you looking out over the magnificent landscape of the Umar foothills below and into Tethyr. You see on the ground near her, red and blue robes and you realize she is quite naked. Her entire body is covered in a fine white fur. She shifts her stance to one you recognize as a Bow stance, and then she is still again, peaceful in the dim light of waking.

Valea] I recognize she must be doing her stance training. Rather than interupt or distract, I enter a stance to match hers.

] You didn’t realize it last night, but from here you can see over the entire Wealdath forest to the Starspire Mountains – where your own home at Song Moon Temple is hidden. You notice just the slightest portion of the peaks of the Starspires are glimmering with the new days sun. The white giant shifts into right bow stance, her head turning towards you. If she was not aware of you before, she likely is now… thought she makes no indication.

Valea] I shift into a right bow stance.

] The long haired woman is very still, almost like she has become part of the surrounding cliff walls. After a seemingly long time, she shifts again into horse stance, facing straight forward. Slowly her arms rise up in front of her and then drop from the elbows. Her hands circle a ball and then push it slowly down. She repeats these simple arm movements several times, moving more slowly with each iteration.

Valea] I try to copy her stance and her movements. It is not at all like the forms training I have learned. We learned punches and blocks, but these movements do not have any apparent martial application.

] The naked monk continues, her arm movements becoming more intricate and yet, even more graceful. You feel somewhat mesmerized by her flow. Something about her solid posture and the gentle stream of her movements connects very deep inside you. Your many years of martial training suddenly feels very basic, immature even. You feel like you are again just a beginner.

Valea] Awkward as it may look and feel, I try to keep up with the monk, imitating her movements, her pacing… the strength in her stance.

] You continue to practice until you notice your own shadow on the ground. The sun has fully appeared in the sky over the vast Wealdath forest and what felt like brief moments to you was actually over an hour of form practice. To your left, a figure steps out of the open gate. Aide Camarie smiles at you but sees you are in forms practice and steps backwards quietly. Dawndra must have noticed her because she steps into closing posture. She sweeps her long arms out to her sides and up over her head and then brings her hands down, slowly in front of her, pushing the breath out. Twice more she performs this closing breath movement and then places here hands together and bows forward, to no one in particular, or perhaps to everyone. She then turns and starts to walk towards you. With one of her feet she hooks her robes from the ground and in a slow sweeping forward kick, lifts them up into the air in front of her and she almost walks right into them.

] “Good waking Aide Camarie.” She says to the woman behind the gate door. “Is it time to get started?” As you walks closer, you get a better look at her features. She is over 7 feet tall, perhaps closer to 8. Her build is large and unnaturally muscular. Her face is very human in shape but like yours, is covered in fur, fine white fur.

Valea] As she approaches, I copy her earlier movements, placing hands together and then bowing.

] “It is rare for me to have a student I have never met.” She says softly, not exactly smiling.

] Aide Camarie “Guide Dawndra. Good waking to you as well. I was hoping to introduce you to our visitors after our meal. This is Valea Syh. She is visiting from Song Moon Temple along with two others who I will locate next.”

Valea] “This one is very pleased to be here and to greet the guide Dawndra. Valea is spellbound… never has she seen such flowing movement. To watch and try to follow your forms was greatly pleasurable. Valea thanks you for allowing it.”

] Guide Dawndra “Elder Arrodonn has asked me to share some defensive tactics with your and your school, but I don’t mind teaching flow forms if you have the interest.”

Valea] “Great interest has Valea. Teacher Solomvar has told Valea she must find a balance to martial skills. Valea did not know where to look but she has found.”

] Guide Dawndra “There is much more to flow forms than can be seen on the outside, much more. The practice requires years and mastery of it is forever ahead of the practioner… but I would be delighted to get you started. Most new students have no interest… ‘it is too slow’ they say… ‘it is too dull’… I would delight in a student hungry for the practice.”

] Aide Camarie “Waking meal is being served. Afterwards, I will bring our visiting students to your courtyard for lessons Guide Dawndra.”

] Guide Dawndra “Indeed. Good waking to you Valea. See you at lessons.”

] Aide Camarie walks you back to longhouse to gather Yisi. Meanwhile in the backyard of the monastery, Joloobo is awakening in a high branch of a tree. You smell the food from the refectory.

Joloobo] I climb down and go find the others.

] Yisi, Valea, and Aide Camarie are just exiting the visitor resident quarters as you arrive. They are walking your way, toward the waking meal.

Joloobo] “Whatever it is that’s cooking… it smells delicious!”

] Aide Camarie “Our meals here are simple and mostly the same everyday, but if you can get past that, they really are delicious. Waking meal is a porridge made from grains and roots and seeds. Everything served is from our own lands here. If you have a preference for eating meat, you can go hunt your own in the valley. The small forested area we call the “Backyard” behind the monastery will open out to a large valley that extends few miles into the Small Teeth. We call it the Vale of Caefri. I understand there is plenty of game out there because it is largely protected from hunters from the cities. Occasionally other creatures find there way into the valley so be on your guard. We had reports of a fire troll in the Vale just a tenday back. Terrible sight I’m told.”

Joloobo] “Fire Troll? I’ve not encountered such a troll before. What makes them be called ‘fire’ trolls?”

] Aide Camarie “You are asking the wrong person on that topic… but I was told they reside in molten caverns. We had believed the Small Teeth to be dormant… but apparently the sighting of a fire troll suggests otherwise.”

Joloobo] “I was wondering what I might do why you guys are doing your punch and kick thing… I just might explore the Vale of Caefri.”

] The three of you are led to the dining house. The entire place is silent except for the sound of stone spoons scraping the insides of clay bowls. After you have finished eating you have an hour before lessons.

Joloobo] “I will see you back here later, I’m going hunting for a fire troll!”

Yisi] “I would like to visit the Temple of Dunea.” I say. “Will you join me Valea?”

Valea] “Where goldie goes, so does Valea.”

] You cross the courtyard t the large temple structure. The front entrance is raised several high steps to a stone portico with tall square pillars. The pillar faces have carved images that appear to tell stories. The entire front of the temple is open, no doors or a front-facing wall. Stepping inside you notice the floor is made entirely of soft white sand. There is a small line of sandals along the outer edge and it seems apparent you must take your shoes off to enter. The main chamber of temple is fairly small as temples go. You estimate it is maybe 40 feet wide and 60 or 70 feet from front to back. In the back you see a simple clay statue of a female elf. She is standing in a front bow stance raising two hammers overhead. There are several others in the temple area. They are all sitting cross legged with a straight spine, in meditation. A barefoot elf in red and black robes approaches you.

] “Welcome visitors. May we offer you strength for the day?” The wood elf says quietly.

Yisi] “While we do not know what the day holds… surely a gift of strength would not go wasted.”

Valea] “What cradle-tongue here means is, yes…. We would appreciate temple services.”

] The monk slides softly down into a seated position on the sand. “Please, sit with me. Close that I may reach you. Quiet your spirits. Close your eyes and feel the pull of the ground stabalize you, center you. Breathe in… slowly… breathe out… again… breath in… and out… Now hold an empty chest.” Yisi, you feel his fingers cup the underside of your chin… “Slowly… breathe in…” There is a deep smell of copper coming off of his hands. You feel your body charge with the inhale. “Now hold a full chest… a moment longer… Now breathe out…” [Yisi recv’s 11 temporary hit points and +4 to Constition while any of those temporary hit points are available]

] The monk repeats the same, this time with his open palms under your chin Valea, you feel an internal surge in energy and strength [you recv 8 temporary hit points and +6 Con while the temporary hit points are available]

] “Go in strength friends.” the monk says

Yisi] “Much gratitude we return. I am Yisi and my favorite feline maiden here is Valea.”

Valea] “This one bows to you.”

] “I am Elder Ysthorn. You are the visiting students sent by Teacher Solomvar?”

Valea] “This is true. Teacher Solomvar did not prepare us for the beauty of the monastery here Elder Ysthorn. ”

] Elder Ysthorn “Treyvigg Monastery is indeed a beautiful place. It is also a good home to us. I hope it be so to you while you stay. I can offer additional services next waking, please come and see me. For now, I return to my duties. Go in strength.”

] Your hour is just about over and Aide Camarie arrives to attend you to the training courtyard. When you arrive, there are nearly twenty other students in the courtyard performing various warmup exercises. With one exception, they all wear the monastery student robes of red and green. The one without student robes is a male centaur who looks to be quite young. Many of the students are human or possibly half-elf. Valea – you notice the tabaxi woman you saw the night before in the dining hall. She is performing the same soft flow forms that Dawndra was doing this morning. Others are stretching or squatting or swinging their legs to loosen up. Yisi, you notice a very young dragonborn girl. Her scales and hide are entirely the purest white and she has a thick tail with a spike on the end. Your attention is captured because you have never seen such a creature. You have heard of the dragonborn, and thought you knew what they should look like, but this girls appearance is far from your expectations of what a Dragonborn would look like.

] Guide Dawndra arrives and calls out “Hearken students. Lesson begins.” Everyone turns to face her and they put their hands together in a salute and bow. There is no orderly formation, everyone just keeps a certain space around them.

Yisi] I follow as I see others doing.

Valea] I follow as well.

] Guide Dawndra runs the students through stance practice, kicking drills, jumping drills, punching drills. Hours go by and you have not learned anythign new, but you have had a good workout. Dawndra walks over to a small round arena marked by round stones. It is filled, like the temple interior floor, with a soft white sand. She sits cross-legged. Even seated on the ground, she seems incredibly tall.

] Guide Dawndra “Todays text… The Book  of the Heart… Passage one. When the heart is full of things, the body is constrained. When the heart is empty, the body is boundless.”

] All of the students repeat Passage One aloud and then there is a silence that lasts several minutes.

] Guide Dawndra “When the heart is full of things, the body is constrained. When the heart is empty, the body is boundless.”

] Again the students all repeat the passage. Without another silence, Guide Dawndra goes on. “Passage Two. When the heart is obessed with base lusts, principles are forgotten. When the heart is set on high desires, principles guide the way.” The students repeat Passage Two of the Book of the Heart and then are again silent for a period. Guide Dawndra repeats the passage, the students repeat the passage. This continues through a dozen more passages, and Guide Dawndra finishes with “Passage Fifteen. When the heart is full of illusion, reality becomes a cruel master. When the heart seeks reality, the world submits to the master of mind and body.”

] Afterwards, Guide Dawndra releases the students to their chores. She walks over to you Valea and gives you a respectful salute. “Shall I see you again on the overlook next waking?”

Valea] “Valea is eager to see you on the overlook.”

Settling in at the Treyvigg Monastery

] You, Yisi and Valea, have spent the past 3 days traveling from your home Song Moon Temple to Treyvigg Monastery. Along the way you met some new fellows, including the Gnome Troll Hunter, Joloobo. You have arrived at Treyvigg Monastery and you are parting ways with the three guards from Titans Fist Protection Company – the Wwaldyr siblings, Argathen, Ariola and Tolvathir.

] Tolvathir “Thank you again Valea, for the astonishing gift. My feelings would not be hurt if you came to your senses and wanted it back.”

Valea] “Live long and fight strong pup. That is all Valea should want from you.”

] The sun is still glinting off of the peaks of Small Teeth, but the rest of the foothills are shadowless. You finish your goodbyes then the three of you begin the stairs leading up into the cliff wall. The elevation gain is a steep 1400 feet. The steps are carved into a narrow crevasse the entire way with the exception of 2 resting areas – larger openings in the rock where benches have been carved out the face of the cliff. The air is cool and even wet in parts as water seeps through cracks in the rock. Eventually the stair way opens out into a small valley between more steep cliffs. You see an open grassy area which is still getting sun though shadows are stretching. There is a high stone wall constructed between the two side cliffs and a small wooden gate at the center, about 200 feet straight ahead from where the steps finished. Carved into the gate is the symbol of two crossed hammers.

Joloobo] “Whew! Legs such as mine were not made for such a climb. I am near exhaustion.”

Valea] “This one feels energized by the step rocks. How lucky they must be – these monks can walk that everyday!”

Yisi] “I’m with Joloobo on this one longtail. That was exhausting…”

Valea] “Maybe Valea will run down in the morning and say another farewell to the Wwaldyrs… just to get the exercise yes?”

Yisi] “Give them a travel blessing for me then. Shall we go find Elder Arrodonn?”

] As you approach, they slowly open and a human woman walks through them towards you. “Welcome friends, to Treyvigg Winery. I am Aide Camarie. I am here to help make your visit pleasant. It is late for the tour and tasting, but we serve you a meal small if you are hungry. We have tour at noon tomorrow for you to join.”

Valea] “Greetings from Song Moon Temple. I am Valea, this is Yisi. Teacher Solomvar has sent us to meet with Elder Arrodon. Oh, and wine. We are to replenish his wine. What did he call it Goldie?”

Yisi] “Summertide Red.”

Valea] “Yes yes, Summertide Red.”

] Aide Camarie “Greetings to you. I was informed you would arrive this tenday. Oh, I belive you mean Summertide Rose. Elder Arrodon was looking forward to greeting you himself. Unfortunately, he has been called away on dire matters. I am to see to your comfort and connect you with one of our martial trainers. Please… follow me to the refectory.” She turns and walks inside.

Valea] We follow her.

Joloobo] “I like the carving on your gate. Is it just decoration or does it have meaning?”

] Aide Camarie “The Crossed Hammers is the symbol of Dunea. We have a temple to Dunea here if you are in need of services.”

Yisi] “Forgive my ignorance, but I’ve not heard of Dunea.”

] Aide Camarie “Easily forgiven… Not many in the realms have heard of the elemental deity Dunea. She is the goddess of the terra, that is, of the soil and ground. Her spirit is bright and her smile provides a beacon in dark times. Dunea, and her crossed hammers, informs our martial techniques as well. We believe in a strong defense as inspired by stories of Dunea. Strength comes from a strong stance and a strong stance comes from being rooted with the ground. But I am hardly qualified to teach these things. Guide Dawndra will surely be a better resource of such knowledge.”

Valea] “Guide Dawndra? That is who will teach martial skill?”

] Aide Camarie “Yes. She is one of many teachers here. She can be a little, well, initimidating… to new students… but I am certain you will like her… yes, you will see.”

Joloobo] “There was an… Uh… incident. Out in the fields as we were arriving here. A young man was killed. Is there someone we should inform?”

] Aide Camarie “Dreadful! Another murder?”

Joloobo] “Not exactly. He was killed by a flying beast. An oddity called a Peryton by most. We heard there were rumors about a previous death. I thought we should tell someone so the fear can stop.”

] Aide Camarie “Yes, I am aware of the rumors. You are confident the death of Vyralla was not nefarious then?”

Yisi] “We did not get her name. A young woman was found mutilated with her heart missing. If this was Vyralla, then yes… it was the doing of the beast. Apparently the male of the species likes to present hearts to his mate as a breeding ritual of some sort.”

] Aide Camarie “And these flying beasts have taken our mountains as their home? We must protect the workers from further attacks.”

Joloobo] “One of them is probably nesting nearby. The male, however, is joining the loam as we speak. The female remains dangerous, maybe more so now, but I expect their mating ritual has ceased.”

] Aide Camarie “I will inform our elders. It sounds like we owe you some appreciation.”

Valea] “This one certainly would not mind that meal… moggies paunch mumbles and grumbles.”

] Aide Camarie leads you through a large courtyard. The monastery is surrounded on two sides by towering cliff walls and behind it you see the small valley elevate further up into the peaks of Small Teeth. On three sides of the courtyard there are long buildings, similar to the ones you saw in the workers village below, but these are far more refined in appearance. The foundation structure is stone but instead of thatched roofing, there are roof tiles made of red clay. As she walks, she points out the training halls and the training courtyard behind it on the right. On the left are students quarters. On a ledge behind them is another line of longhouses which are the quarters for Aides and Guides. She points higher up to a single longhouse up on a cliff edge. “The Elders quarters are there” she says. The beauty of the place is almost overwhelming.

] Aide Camarie “On the far side of the courtyard is our temple to Dunea. Within you will find priests and healers should you have need. And if you are training with Guide Dawndra, you will be having need.” She smiles, apparently amused with her own comment.

] She takes you all the way to the far end of the courtyard and thru a stone paved walk. Behind the temple is the refectory. You are arriving in the middle of the forenight meal. You can smell the food  before you even enter the longhouse. As you, you see the room is filled with people all eating in silence. Everyone is dressed in similar clothing, simple red robes like you saw the workers wearing. Some are red and white like Aide Camarie’s, some are red with side lines of green or blue. You estimate there are maybe 100 people here. Many are human or half-elf but you see several other races as well. Valea – you notice there is another like you sitting in silence at a table, her long black tail swishing the floor behind her.

] Aide Camarie whispers to you as you enter “We eat our meals in silence here. Please do your best to observe our tradition while in the refectory?”

Valea] I nod, but I really want to go talk to the other tabaxi, even more than I want to eat. Still, I decide to wait.

] Aide Camarie leads you to a long table where there is room. Within moments, two others dressed in the same colors as Aide Camarie arrive with flagons of wine and clay goblets. They leave and return with large clay bowls full of a thick vegetable stew for each of you. No words are spoken by any the entire mealtime.

] After forenight meal, you are directed to one of the longhouses on the courtyard level. Inside there are many partitioned areas – not really individual rooms, but short walls around a simple bed and a table with a chair – enough to have just a small privacy. There is quiet chatter among others in the longhouse, but everyone generally speaks in whispers.

Yisi] “Rest well you two. I will not fully sleep tonight and will keep a light watch.” I whisper.

Joloobo] “I’ve heard elves don’t need sleep. Must be nice. I doubt I’m going to sleep much either. In fact, I saw some decent sized trees about behind the place… I will probably be more comfortable sleeping there. I will be back with first light.” I slip out of the longhouse and go find a tree to sleep in.

Valea] “Valea will sleep just fine. Right here and right now. See you at waking darkeyes.”

Yisi] I practice calligraphy at my table for a while, and then enter trance.

Reaching Treyvigg Monastery

] You are traveling East along the Tethir Road to your destination – Treyvigg Monastery. Last night you slept among the caravan wagons in a field outside Trademeet. Early this morning, you parted ways with Nim and Norli Bragos and the rest of their caravan. They continue their way North to Baldurs Gate. The three Wwaldyr syblings accompany you to your destination, which you expect is only hours away now. The Forenoon hours were uneventful. You have not even seen another traveler along the way.

] Tolvathir stands in the back of the cart, watching the skies. Argathen and Ariola are walking alongside but occasionaly have rested by sitting on the back of the flatbed cart. Where are each of you?

Yisi] I am sitting in the drivers seat of the wagon, holding the reigns. I kept watch last night while other slept and my Trance period was not as peaceful as it usually is.

Valea] I sit alongside Yisi. I notice he looks a bit tired. I grab the reigns out of his hands. “This one will make horseys go a while. Rest now my black-eyed prince, Valea will watch for grape fields.”

Yisi] “So, after all, we may in this life, rest in a true friend”

Valea] “Knife-ear should keep this line – Valea thinks it is good and would like to hear it again.”

Yisi] I climb into the back of the wagon to lie down for a rest.

] As you turn, you see Joloobo standing on the wagon. He smiles awkwardly and waves.

Joloobo ] “Greetings ‘knife-ear’! Sorry, I forgot your name already. I think the human here was Ariola, and her brothers were.. Well brother names of some sort I suppose.”

Yisi] “Joloobo! I really I needed a surprise today, but how did you know?” I say with a bit of a snark in my voice.

Joloobo ] “Surprise? But I didn’t know… should I have known? But how would I have known? I don’t think I could have after all.”

Yisi] “I was making jest Joloobo. I am as pleased to see you as I am surprised. But I thought you had a troll to hunt?”

Joloobo] “Oh yes, that is done. Rayni was very please with the harvest! The blood of three Forest Trolls is enough to make a hundred healing potions. Oh, that reminds me…” I dig aroung in my satchel and pull out 5 potion vials. “These are for you. They are very powerful healing potions [Superior 8d4+8]. Rayni sells these for 500gp each! But since you helped bring down the Trolls, I told her you should share in the rewards. Drink them when its dire, or sell them if you need the gold instead.”

Yisi] “This is quite generous Joloobo. Our many thanks! ”

Joloobo] “I thought we might also meet that green dragon today. I would not dare hunt it on my own, but I got to thinking… you all just might encounter the beast today, and if you did, well… if you do and we can bring it down… well that would make us all wealthy beyond imagination. Even though it is a young dragon, I can harvest enough of its blood for several hundred potions – each worth a thousand gp apeice. ”

Valea] I turn and interject “Yes… or dragon gets a light snack in the afternoon.” I chuckle as I amuse myself.

Yisi] “I can see why you hunt trolls, but I agree with Valea, a dragon might be a thing to first run from. ”

Joloobo] “Oh, well yes, you are probably right. As I said… never would I think to take one on by myself. But just in case you need my help, can I ride along and watch the skies for you? I can be pretty handy whether we face dragons or orcs. Besides, Rayni will be travelling for a few Tendays. ‘What will you do with yourself while I’m gone?’ she asked me. I just didn’t know the answer so she gave me one… she told me to find my new friends. So here I am friends, if that is ok. I don’t take up much room after all, and like I said, I can be pretty handy in a scrap.”

Valea] “This one thinks Joloobo is welcomed.  Here and at grape farm.”

Yisi] “Indeed. Welcome friend. We have only a few hours of travel left until we reach our destination. I would suspect that the monks will have room for all of us.”

Joloobo] “Monks you say? Grapes?”

Yisi] “Yes, the monks at Treyvigg Monastery. That is our destination. We are going there to purchase some wine, and perhaps train with their martial teachers for a while. We ourselves call another monastery our home. We don’t see many visitors in our mountain temple, but I understand Treyvigg often entertains outsiders and provides lodging to them.”

Joloobo] “I don’t really need a room and bed… I can’t remember the last time I used one. Just give me a solid tree with a thick canopy and my comfort will be great.”

Valea] “The wee one sleeps in trees? Like a squirrel yes?”

Joloobo] “Most all my life. Never had much use for walls and doors. Doesn’t it just feel weird to step into a box where you cannot see the sky or the ground or anything?”

Yisi] “The soul has no need of box, the spirit no need of a cage, the breath lives in a light breeze and dies in a still coffret.”

Joloobo] “Uh… yea… I suppose you would be right, in some weird way… but who am I to say anything be weird. ”

] As you are traveling the roadway, you notice up ahead a small structure off the side of the way. It appears to be shrine. As you get closer, you see there is a walkway of paving stones from the roadway up to a rounded alter and a large table in front of it. The table is overflowing with coins and gems and other items of values. You estimate there must be near a thousand in gold pieces alone. The overall wealth just sitting out here must be ten times that.

Joloobo] “What’s this now? Who left all this gold just lying about?” I walk closer to inspect it further.

] You see markings around the arch-like surface of the shrine. They appear to be carvings of several different types of language, some are just pictograms.

Joloobo] “Looks like an alter of some kind? But who would let all this wealth go to waste. Look here, this gem must be worth several hundred gold.”

Valea] “Strange place for an altar yes? But this one thinks it is bad mojo to touch the offerings of another.”

] Argathen “I’ve seen these before, they are all over the wilderness places but occaisionally they are found roadside. Travelers Blessings they are called.”

] Ariola “I remember our nanny telling me stores of Travelers Blessings. Clerics of a long ago temple in Tethyr enchanted dozens of Shrine Stones with powerful magic. The presence of all this wealth is a fairly sure indicator of the power of the stone. Let us see.” Ariola walks over and tosses a single gold piece to the mound. There is a warm glow of light around the stone which rises and hovers for a moment before it zips towards Ariola and flows into her torso. She receives 9 Temporary HP and the Boon Guidance. “Ahh, that feels nice.” She says. “See, this one is still working.”

Yisi] “What a wonderful thing! I’ve never imagined such a marvel. Does it matter how large your offering?”

] Argathen “Just judging by the items left as offerings, I’d say that is a likely bet.”

Yisi] I dig out 20 gold pieces and offer them on the shrine

2d8 Temporary HP = 7

1d8 Blessing = 5

] Again, there is a warm glowing light that lifts from the Shrine Stone and plunges into your chest Yisi. Floating in front of you are 3 small stones. The hang there for a moment and then drop to the ground.

Yisi] “Curious. Look – it gave me three pebbles… I wonder what they do?” I reach down and pick them up.

] Upon contact, you instantly know what they do… These stones can be thrown up to 60ft as a ranged attack. It does not require much strength or accuracy. If you can see the target, the stone will hit it and deliver 2d6 Bludgeoning dmg. The magical charge of each stone renews daily.

Yisi] I explain aloud what suddenly and magically know about the stones.

Joloobo] “Wow! How much did you offer? I’m going to double that, no triple it… and see what happens!” I put 60 gold down at the altar.

2d8 Temporary HP 12

2d12 Blessing table 3  9 Magic Vestment) & 9 (Bears Endurance)

] Again the warm light floods you. You have advantage on Con checks for 24 hours and your AC is raised by +1 for 24 hours. A magical candle appears floating in front of you Joloobo. It hangs for a moment and then drops.

Joloobo] I try to catch it.

1d20 Slight of hand 11 +4 = 15 [Success]

] You catch the candle successfully. As soon as you touch it, you know it is a Candle of Invocation with 4 hours of burning time. It’s alignment is Lawful Good.

Joloobo] “Wow! What a boon! Remind me to light it if we get into a scrap.”

Valea] “This one shall see what the stone wishes her to have.” I put 50 gp on the altar.

2d8 Temporary HP 16

2d12 Blessing Table 6 (Sanctuary) & 12 (Owl’s Wisdom)

] A warm glowing light rises and fills you with vital energy Valea. In front of you, a golden shield appears and hovers for a moment.

Valea] I take hold of the shield.

] You instantly know this is a Spellguard Shield.  Its value is beyond anything you can imagine ever possessing (60k).

Valea] “A Shield! And a fancy one at that… Now Valea will just have to learn how to use it. Valea’s mind tells her it is a Spellguard Shield. Very fancy no?” I look over the youngest Wwaldur sybling. “Hey pup… have you had fighting practice with a shield?”

] Tolvathir “Well yes. I may not be a very good teacher, but I can try to show you what I know.”

Valea] “Later pup…  you show Valea later. For now, you carry heavy shield. If dragon attacks, I watch how pup fights with it yes”

] Tolvathir “I would be honored to carry it into battle.”

] Argathen “Well you should be Tolvathir. That Spellguard Shield is worth 50, maybe 60 thousand gold in any market. I imagine Valea would be able to sell it for 80 or 90 in Waterdeep.”

] Tolvathir “Oh! That is heavy. I dare not get a scratch on it then. Valea, I fear to carry such a valuable item for you. Perhaps it would be best if it stays with its owner.”

Valea] “This one agrees with you. Shield best stay with its new owner now…. Tolvathir. Valea will still watch you fight with it yes?”

] Tolvathir “You cannot be serious! You are just giving me this shield?”

Valea] “Valea did not even know she had a shield just minutes ago. She will not miss one now. But a pup who knows how to fight with a shield will fight better now yes? Fight well pup and you will deserve fancy shield.”

] Ariola “The Wwaldyrs will not forget your generosity. I hope you will not regret the gift.”

Valea] “Valea has not learned this thing… regret. Neither should she wish to learn. ”

] The six of you continue traveling East on the Tethir Road. After several hours you begin to see what looks like farmlands up in the hills. There are many sections of the land where you can see vines hanging on tressels. Before long, you come across a small turn-off and a sign which reads “Treyvigg Winery and Monastery”

Yisi] I halt the horses just after turning into the lane. “It appears we have arrived friends. ” I say to Argarthen, Ariola and Tolvathir. I give them the remaining 50 gold pieces.  “The remainder of your payment, as agreed. I expect you could likely stay at the monastery if you so desire, or however you wish to proceed. We consider the job done.”

] Argathen says “It seems silly taking another 50 gold after you gifted Tolvathir with so much.”

Valea] “Tolvathir was not included in the original agreement, and so the gift has nothing do with that no?”

Yisi] “Agreed. Tolvathir was a guest on the journey, not a paid guard. Paid guards should be paid for a job well done.”

] Ariola “Thank you. Whether we might have a roof tonight does not matter… we shall accompany you the rest of the way to the gates of the monastery. It would appear to be some distance still. ”

] You continue North through the Umar foothills. The sun is shining brightly on the peaks of Small Teeth just in front of you. The land you are crossing is varied. There are large sections of forest that appear to be well groomed with walking trails winding through them. There are also large areas of grassy fields. You notice that some of the areas have curious swaths of red grass among the green and browning. You begin to see more an more tressels supporting large grape vines and a number of workers among them.

Yisi] “A poet once wrote: ‘ I bring an unaccustomed wine    To lips long parching, next to mine,   And summon them to drink.”

Valea] “What kind of wine is that?”

Joloobo] “A very special kind I’m sure…”

Yisi] “yes, I suppose that would be right”

] You being to see a lot more workers in the field. Most are human or half-elves. There are a few elderly but mostly younger men and women. They are tending the vines, tilling soil and other such farming activities. Some of the notice you and give a wave or a nod – it seems no surprise to have strangers riding through. As you are passing near by a small group loading empty crates onto small cart, suddenly a huge shadow passes just overhead. Valea, you notice something odd about the shadow, something the others do not notice, but before you can place what is odd about it, a large winged creature lands talons first on one of the workers. It has immense wings still spread out as it drives it antlers into the chest of the human man it crashed down upon. It is goring him, apparently trying to open his rib cage.

Joloobo] I pull out my blowgun and rush to get within range behind the winged beast.

2d20a Attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 3 +1 Force

] The Peryton seems to not notice the attack but keeps at the poor victims chest.

] Tolvathir runs behind you and attempts to attack the winged monstrosity with his scimitar [()] and is successful, doing 5 damage. The Peryton turns and attacks Tolvathir [()] He expertly blocks the slashing talon with the golden shield but leaves himself open to be struck with the birds antler. (9 /2 = 4 damage)

[Initiative]

Yisi] I use a bonus action to inspect the strange creature for any vital point vulnerabilities

1d20 Medicine (DC 18) 18 +3 = 21 [Success – you have advantage on your next attack]

Yisi] I think I see nice spot to slide my Trisula in and slow the beast down.

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] 5 +5 = 10

] The winged stag bellows with a piecing howl [()] it turns towards you Yisi but it does not take flight. Tolvathir circles to flank and attack. [()] and does another 4 damage. Argathen releases an arrow [()] and does 3 damage.

Joloobo] I use both of my psychic blades, throwing them from my current position

1d20 Attack 3 +4 = 7 [Miss]

1d20 Attack 16 +4 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 5

] Your first blade flies overhead but the second sinks into the feathered stag and then disappears.

Valea] I take the other flank and unleash every attack I’ve got

2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] Dmg 5 +5 = 10

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 13 +7 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11

2d20a Attack (Flurry) 19 +7 = 26 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11 + flowing fury bonus 7 +5 = 12

] Your Basto stick blurs as you strike the Peryton over and over with graceful ease. It  crouches for a jump away but you bring your final blow down into its skull and it collapses to the ground in a spit of feathers.

Valea] “Help, over here!” I run over to the worker who was attacked. “Does he live? Yisi look, does he live?”

Yisi] I inspect the victim of the Peryton.

1d20 Medicine 6 +3 = 9 [Fail]

] There is a large amount of blood and the workers chest has been severly damaged. If he yet has any life in him, you cannot tell. The other workers have started to gather around.

Yisi] “I can find no life in him. I don’t know how to help him now.” I look to those around us.

] One of the workers says. “I know his brother. I will take his body to him.” Another thanks you all, especially the cat lady with the long tail and the deadly stick in her hands. A third also thanks you and mentions that this was the second victim this tenday. Just a couple of days ago, a woman was found dead with her chest ripped open and her heart missing but since no one saw the actual attack, there have been outrageous rumors flying around the farm about a vicious killer among them. “Now we know…” They say, “this beast must have taken her heart and her life from her.”

Joloobo] The event, and the mention of a missing heart sparks something in my memory [Nature Check DC 13]

1d20 Nature 13 +6 = 19 [Success]

Joloobo] “I recall something about a beast like this. When their mate is ready for, well, mating… the sire attempts to impress the female with a bloody heart. I suppose she turned down the first one, or maybe she liked it so much… the male thought to repeat the performance. I don’t know if their blood is of any value but I will harvest it anyway just in case.”

Valea] “Gnomey is saying this killing was just animal instinct then?”

Joloobo] “This here be ordinary animal… so probably no ordinary instinct.”

Yisi] “Joloobo is right, this is no beast and no bird, but some twisted concoction of both. Destruction is warranted. So Joloobo… do you think there is another close by then?”

Joloobo] “Likely yes. And if my memory is strong the females are the larger and stronger of the strange species.”

Valea] “This one is anxious to speak with Elder Arrodonn of these things.”

] You leave the workers and continue your way up the windings hills towards the monastery. A mile or two later you see a village on your right. It is made of six longhouses arranged in a circle. The longhouses are stone structures with thatched roofs and likely sleep about 40-50 people each. You see a few people among the long houses, all dressed in the same red and brown clothing as the workers you saw earlier. Another half mile uphill and you come to a cliff wall where the trail end. There is a large stable at the base of the wall. There are a few other wagons and half-a dozen horses being cared for by workers in red and white garments. One of them runs up to you as you halt your horses.

] It is a young looking half elf with black hair and brown skin. “Greetings visitors. I am Aide Skylen. Allow me to care for your horses? You can continue up the monastery just through there.” he points to a crevasse in cliff wall. “It’s a bit of a climb, but the way is safe.”

Yisi] “Before we go, can I ask about lodging for our friends here? We hired them as guards to protect us and I would see them sleep well tonight. Elder Arrodonn was only expecting two of us.”

] Aide Skylen “Of course. We have plenty of room in our village quarters for overnight guests. You can share our forenight meal and if you feel the need, there is a warmspring where you can wash off the road. Allow me to secure your horses and I will get you settled.”

] Argathen “We extend our thanks Skylen. I’m certain my sister here will delight in a bath, and she would probably be happier if I did as well.” He turns to you. “Yisi, Valea – it has been a pleasure to be your protectors. I hope your time here is well spent.”