Finally. It is nightfall. Twilight time. That magic moment. Whatever 1950s romantic phrase you wish to conjure up for this much-anticipated time of day for our noble questers – now is the time to do so.
But, first things first…
DM: Brent
Draeya: Half-Elf Ranger CG (Heather)
Brenna Badger: Forest Gnome Druid NG (Maddy)
Dallian Lorgo aka “Dealio”: Rock Gnome Rogue CN (Kurt)
Eldewyn: High Elf Fighter CN (Anderson)
Kit Kat: Half-Elf Bard NG (Jenny)
Chsaud: Wood Elf Paladin LG (Elliot)
The Midnight Barge Express appears at dusk to transport the party + Natima to the Temple Gardens (and once there, they are to escort her to Hrunchuk’s Gardens, WHICH THE DM WOULD LIKE TO REMIND US IS UNDERNEATH THE STATUE OF HRUNCHUK. THIS IS IMPORTANT.). As the vessel carries the team through the dark canals of Zenicce, there are many questions for the boatmen:
1. Do they sing sea shanties? Answer: Yes.
2. What do you know of this Hrunchuk? Answer: He is an evil water demon.
Without incident, the boat comes to a canal that is spanned by a small footbridge onto a dark-forested island. The bargeman informs the group that this is The Forbidden Canal. The questions resume:
3. Who forbids it?
4. Why is it forbidden?
5. What happens if we cross?
The answers are unclear, but it is evident the waterway is to be traversed. There is much imploring of Draeya to dump the vial she received from Husaud into the canal; after all a “forbidden” canal seems to be no better place to pour a vial of water-lizard repellent. Which is all well and good, except there is nothing concrete (yet) to indicate the vial dump is needed. As the group crosses the 50-foot bridge that spans the canal, something that looks like a log appears in the water. And it is a log with legs (and probably extra ones, at that) as it looks to make its way towards the party.
Now, there’s the concrete evidence Draeya has been waiting for. She dumps in the vial, and the log creatures clear out. Chsaud then breaks out into a full sprint across the bridge, carrying the Princess Natima with him. Eldewyn and Draeya touch the other side as well, shortly after the paladin. Dallian, KitKat, and Brenna bring up the rear. A number of paths can be made out in the dimness, all of them leading into the foliage. KitKat suggests taking a path to their north, and away they go.
Moving along the paved trail, the group ventures further into the growth until they come upon a bend. As Eldewyn rounds the corner, he spots a fair number of torchlights up ahead. The group waits while the high elf scouts it out (Dallian advises caution, which is hilariously ironic considering what happens later). Eldewyn spots a group of rather swarthy MonkMen who appear to be sparring with each other in a well-lit arena.
And the group decides to take a hard pass on going that route. They head back the other direction and come into a cleared meadow-type terrain…where six buffalo are indeed roaming (no deer or antelope playing, though, for those who follow the song reference). And of course, the buffalo all have an extra appendage.
Eldewyn implores Brenna to come forward and speak with these animals, but before civilized conversation can really take place, the animals begin moving (quickly) towards the party. Brenna attempts to stay the herd, saying, “Stop. We’re cool!” Either the buffalo do not hear the forest gnome, do not understand, or do not care.
It’s time for the Showcase Showdown – where our brave heroes roll Initiative and see what’s behind door number two…
KitKat: Casts Fear, which affects one buffalo out of the six (the scared buff wanders away from the stampede).
Dallian: Draws bow, fires, and misses.
Eldewyn: Casts Burning Hands on the herd. Out of the five still coming, three buffaloes are on fire.
Draeya: Fires her longbow, misses once, and hits for 10 pts damage at Buffalo #2 (Dallian must be firing at Buff #1).
Chsaud: Slashes at Buff #3 for 14 pts of ouchie.
Brenna: Casts Entangle; immediately vines and weeds sprout up around the target.
It’s really a very bad, no good, terrible day so far for these buffalo. One is running amok, scared out of his little buffalo mind. Three are on fire, and four are now restrained by the whippy, leafy forces of nature. Oh, and the sixth one? Critically fumbled his save and just flat out falls over.
And it’s about to become less fun for our shaggy extra-legged friends.
KitKat: Casts Cloud of Daggers to surround the herd and do pierce damage to the Entangled buffs = 6 pts.
Dallian: Sneak Attacks one of the non-flaming buffaloes for 18 pts of hurt. This buffalo is now way dead.
Eldewyn: Attacks one of the on-fire one, killing it.
Draeya: Hits twice for 15 damage, and one more (flaming) buffalo bites the dust.
Chsaud: Takes out another non-flaming/Entangled buffalo.
Brenna: Passes.
KitKat: Inspires Eldewyn in a Bardic Manner.
Eldewyn: Kills the last buffalo (well, except the scared one, that is).
Those warriors must have really been into their training to not have heard the flaming, the screeching, and the dying noises from the buffalo somewhere in the distance. However, there’s no time to consider this as the party decides to continue on. But not before Brenna casts Cloud of Rain to put out the fire. Soon, the smell of barbeque dissipates from the air, and Brenna also (does anyone else see her do it?) hacks off the horn of one of the buffaloes.
Onward.
Eldewyn and Draeya move towards a statue they see at the far southeast corner of the meadow area. The group follow and soon they all arrive at the feet of a 10-foot-tall lizardy-looking dude. This must be the infamous Hrunchuk. Before anyone can say “All Hail King of the Water Lizards”, Dallian the rock gnome scrambles up and begins to climb it. And the reason is soon evident: Hrunchuk’s eyes are two red rubies. Because what else would impel Dallian to throw caution to the wind and begin chipping out the gems. Draeya remembers something about Hrunchuk’s eyes buying an enclave and so she moves to cover the rogue.
Because it is very likely the stones are NOT supposed to leave their sacred sockets. It is also likely there will be some consequence for the attempted theft.
And soon, from the north, a man comes a-running. He looks displeased. And strong.
Draeya waits, armed and ready. Eldewyn fires a Fire Bolt for 10 points. Brenna attempts to cast another Entangle spell, which the Monk deftly evades. KitKat begins to play her flute in an attempt to Enthrall the approaching man (but she must do so for a full minute before any effect is noticed). Incidentally this guy, by the way, has a very capable Monk-y look about him. Chsaud decides to take a few rounds to Embue his sword with Searing Strike.
Monk: Still running.
Dallian: Still prying.
KitKat: Inspires Draeya in a Bardic manner.
Chsaud: Still Embuing.
Draeya: Two arrows hit their mark for 17 damage.
Eldewyn: Misses on a Fire Bolt.
Brenna: Wild Shapes into a crocodile.
KitKat: Stops singing, and casts Heroism on Draeya (which will increase her hit points).
The Monk moves towards Eldewyn (remember magic-casting is a weird, weird, weird thing on this planet, and so the warrior gravitates towards that weirdness first) and does this crazy, like, Fists of Flurry thing on the high elf. Even though Eldewyn casts Shield, he still takes 20 points of fist damage.
Dallian continues digging.
Despite being Bardically Inspired by KitKat, Draeya misses her next shot.
Eldewyn: Rolls a Nat 20, casts Action surge, takes 10 damage, but misses the second shot. Also, Eldewyn decides the best offense might be a good defense. Thus, he also casts Blade Ward on himself.
BrennaCroc: Moves to bite the monk and succeeds for 3 pts of damage.
KitKat: Moves to heal Eldewyn for 8 pts.
Chsaud: Still Embuing.
Monk: Gives Draeya 25 pts of McFistFlurry damage.
FINALLY. Dallian is able to pry ONE of the eyes out. Yay for him. There is some grumbling from the group below, because after all, they are the ones dying while Dallian is the only one prying (poetry!).
Draeya: Two of her four short sword strikes fall upon Monk for 10 points of damage.
Eldewyn: Misses. Twice.
Brenna: Misses on her bite attack.
Chsaud: Done Embuing, and Wow! He’s fired up and rolls a Nat 20 + a successful Critical Damage roll. MonkMan takes 30 points of sword damage…AND with Searing Strike, the Monk now catches on fire. Talk about getting hot under the collar.
Monk: Deals out 16 points of damage to Eldewyn, despite being on fire and stuff.
Dallian: Begins chipping away at the other eyesocket.
Draeya: Administers 8 pts of sword damage.
Eldewyn: Gives the final blow and fells the Monk.
The group heaves a collective sigh of relief. However, two of their party are suffering semi-grievous wounds with no prolonged hours of rest and recovery in sight. The big Monk may be dead, but surely the others will come soon. The party is about to be held responsible for buffalo-slaughter, murder, and theft. It seems to be a dicey scenario, for sure.
And for crying out loud, will Dallian just hurry up!?
Your Scribe Forever and Ever,
Heather