Into the Woods: Bordering Felwood pt 2

Log Info

• Title: Bordering Felwood Pt1
• Emitter: Naneth
• Characters: Lorien (Level 4), Talon (Level 2), Belladona (Level 2), Verna (Level 4)
• Place: Felwood Borders
• Time: April 25th, 2014
• Summary: The Felwood's aberrations are reaching beyond its borders, the PC's travel and trek through the forest trying to find an Abandoned Village where mysterious lights have been seen
• APL: 3
• Encounter 1: Ear Seekers (CR 5)

"Is... is this because of the lights at the old village?" That's what the girl that the adventurers saved from the farmhouse had said to them after they rescued her. The mists at the border of the Felwood had been pushing their boundaries, dark and shadowy things lurking in their depths. The farmhouse had been attacked, the livestock slaughtered and only the escape of a few of the farmers to get help from the nearest Adventurer's Guild Outpost had succeeded in getting backup there in time to save the farm and destroy the beasts.

Talking to the little girl, and her parents, reveals the source of the question. An old village, long ago forgotten and abandoned to the corruption and evil that runs rampant through the Felwood, had recently seen new activity. Scouts from the area had reported hearing strange music, and the farmers in the lands outside and bordering the evil place had seen strange lights at night, blueish tinged balefire that suggested someone or some/thing/ new had moved into the village. While some of those who had helped against the attack are scouting the area and making sure it's clear of monsters or attending to the wounded, backup is secured from the Adventurer's Guild so that more bodies can be sent to the task. Unfortunately it means the villagers are not in any condition to send a scout or someone to guide the way to the village, which is some distance into the evil woods. The best they are able to do is give the PC's some barely adequate directions, and trust to the heroes to be able to find their own way.

And so our scene begins with the party on the edge of the forest, ready to see if they can make it there and investigate the site... Belladona has tended the wounds of her lioness although she did not use any magic to heal them. She follows the directions that were given and she keeps her shield up and reday along with her claws. She looks around as they are getting close to the site.

Talon was sticking close to Bella and Samafa, she noticed how they got rid of the Otyugh earlier while she was so miserable in the combat. She was looking left and right. They had just started on their way to the location. NOt far away from the actual farmer's place before she thought about something. "You know...I was wondering, how do Otyugh's come to be? Might give us an idea as to what we might find..." She was half trying to make it seem like an actual question. Cause she herself had no idea if what she was asking was feaseable.

Unexpected guests are often unwelcome, whether they are mysterious lights in the forest, curious children at the library, or possibly even adventurers near a village. Verna is rather interested in the interloper with acces to balefire. Travel through unknown woods is, unfortunately, a dirty, unpleasant means to sate that curiosity. "An interesting question. There are numerous theories on th creatures' origin." Belladona looks over t Talon and hmms, "If I remember correctly there is a story about a man in the Kuthlian empire who was obessed with all things...well sewer related. He was around at the fall of the kuthlian empire and he begged the gods for help. It happened that Tarien answered his prayer and promised him that he'd survive the fall of the empire. The man agreed hastily and Tarien turned the man into a Otyugh and so he wouldn't be lonely he turned the man's famliy into Otyughs too."

Lorien has arrived a bit late to the whole affair, but as he does, he notices Belladonna and lifts up a hand to wave, "Fancy meeting you here," he says, and quirks up a wan smile, as he tells the others, "Lorien Valiant," by way of greetings, and then notes Verna, another he knows, and dips a nod. The greeting mostly for Talon, as he hefts about his Eluna Sumbol rifle and then begins and follow the group towards the forest, "Some manner of a balefire?" he inquires.

As the adventurers begin to travel into the forest, a sense of foreboding hangs over the expedition. At the edge of the forest the trees seem practically normal, if a bit unhealthy and knotted in amongst each other. But the deeper they go, the darker it becomes. The canopy overhead is just enough to block out most of the light except for the occasional sunbeam filtering through to dapple on trees that grow increasingly sickly. The undergrowth grows increasingly scraggly and dead looking. Twigs and debris more than actual brush. It's an unpleasant place, that makes the animal in the group growl and shift uncomfortably, though Samafa is of course dedicated to following her mistress wherever they go. Even in this place where, as the walk continues, they begin to encounter torpid fog and the uncomfortable feeling of being in an evil place.....

Talon's hairs stand on end. Her blood almost makes her feel ill in this place. She nearly actually chucks her breakfast somewhere behind the Lioness and Belladona. SHe managed to hold it in though. Thankfully. Would be an awful image if she horked up now, after already fighting Otyughs. SHe paid attention to the others explanations though. SHe nodded showing her comprehension. "Then They are a form of Divine creature? OR are they Arcane based?" As she stared around, the low light vision kicking it as a Half-Sil. "Also what is up with this Nasty place? I feel sick to my stomach and my hairs on the back of my neck won't stop standing on end..."

When they arrive about at the forest and make their way, Lorien glances about, and furrows up his brows, "Quite a strange place, I have experience with navigation if it'll be of much use," he says, and chuckles, as he shivers a little, and holds about at the strap to his Ancestral Weapon for protection, "This place feels a little off."

Belladona looks around and she keeps Samafa close to her. She is glad that she has darkvision as she looks around. She puts a hand on Samafa, "It's all right." She frowns, "Something is definitely wrong." She shrugs, "No one really knows, they are just stories. Perhaps both are true." She nods to Lorien, "Hello."

GAME: Lorien rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (12)+7: 19 GAME: Talon rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7

Talon looked at each person as they spoke. Gathering all the knowledge that she could, the more the better she always thought. Knowledge was the greatest power one could have. She curtsied slightly towards Lorien. A new member of the group. Someone she had never seen yet. "I am Talon, it is of a pleasure to meet you Lorien." A happy smile as she shivered more and more the deeper they went.

"Greetings," Verna acknowledges Lorien's arrival before turning her hood towards the others. "My name is Verna. While I am not a skilled woodswoman, but I must agree with Lorien. The flora do not appear healthy and I would expect more indications of active fauna. As for otyughs, they are a mallable abomination. They tend to dwell in environments lethal to most and are constantly mutated by the same."

Lorien considers, as he regards the questions of the creatures and then quirks a brow, "Aye, they tend to dwell in lethal environments and mutate to match what they feed on, they're actually a lil' intelligent, communicate by smell, and they worship disease an' such things," he says, as he relaxes a bit, and towards Verna a little, as they finally manage and note him about, "The consider plaguebearers that are among them to be touched by the deities, aye?" Walking Artificer Encyclopedia. As he shifts the conversation, "Heya Talon, and aye, I imagine that it's perhaps an auric influence here, if the balefire's an indication, but that's speculation."

Belladona nods in agreement, "They are very adaptable and show that even in places like cities that life does try to find a way to balance it out." She hmms, "What is this balefire that you two are talking about?"

Well, the Felwood has been overcome with evil for years now, decades even. Adventurers and nations have fought against it, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. But it's been an anchor of evil in this world for over a generation now, a constant thorn in the side of those who love nature and the deities associated with a peaceful world. And deeper into these woods they go. Following the directions given to them by those who used to live in this place, before the Felwood finally drove them out. Left at a grove of mushroom rings. Right at the sickly and brownish looking creek trickling through. Moving through the wilderness slowly. The trees are even worse, an hour or so into the journey. Sickly and some of them weeping ugly sap. Some of the branches and trunks are straight rotted, wet and moist and occasionally eaten through with fungus. Yet at the same time that they seem to be in worse condition, there are more of them. The forest becoming thicker and the path less clear. Trees pressing in on every side, causing the party to have to sweep branches out of their way or occasionally push logs out of the path.....

GAME: Lorien rolls perception: (13)+0: 13 GAME: Verna rolls perception: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Talon rolls perception: (11)+5: 16 GAME: Belladona rolls perception: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Naneth rolls 2d8: (9): 9 to Lorien GAME: Naneth rolls 2d8: (14): 14 to Verna GAME: Naneth rolls 2d8: (7): 7 to Belladona

Lorien is way too focused on the wondrous conversation about creatures that he doesn't take much notice of whatever may be about. The youth heaves a sigh, and slowly shakes his head a bit, "Hrm, I wonder," he says, as he begins a slow study of the general area, and rubs at his chin. Verna's cloak is thick and offers reasonable protection against the underbrush. This does not mean that she enjoys slogging through it, however. After detoured slightly by a resilient bit of brush and nearly tripping over a log, she pauses briefly. "Perhaps I should have invested in another means of transportation. Is anyone certain that this is the proper path or direction?"

Talon almost deafens all the party members when she realizes what she thinks is causing her hair to stand on end and her to feel so ill. She actually moves slightly away from each and every one of them. "Ewww! Oh that is just beyond gross! That is sooooooo Not right!" As she looks at them all horrified and shivering in complete disgust. "How can you not feel those things wriggling their way into your ears!" As she looked over herself, making sure there were none on her and wiping herself continuously.

Belladona looks around as does Samafa, but she too is distracted about the conversation. She shrugs a little bit, "I would think so this is the way that the family we saved indicated was the way."

GAME: Belladona rolls knowledge/nature: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/nature: (13)+7: 20 GAME: Lorien rolls knowledge/nature: (5)+5: 10

Belladona ughs as she spots the ear seekers that Talon pointed out. "Ear Seeks." She reaches up to try to clear out any and she looks at Samafa to see if she has any. "We are in trouble if we don't get these treated. They lay eggs and in a few hours when they hatch it will be very painful." "Ears?!" Verna is initially confused. This then promptly becomes concern and she begins rapidly bruishing at her cloak. She quickly doffs her hood and also brushes at it and her hair. "Ear Mites. Earwigs. Ear Seekers, perhaps?" She frowns when Belladonna confirms. "Unpleasant, but not immediately fatal or debilitating." Which may not be reassuring.

Lorien seems and give regard towards the others, "Oh, nothing that can't be cured with ease," he says simply, as he adds, with thoughtfulness, "We could try and take care of them, and such, or we could take time for getting nearer the destination." The youth looks about towards the others for their thoughts and instructions.

Talon is still keeping her distance and doing her utmost to avoid those tiny little creepy crawlers. The more they talk about them the more she is nearly panicking, making sure none were on her at all. "If they hatch in you wouldn't that be bad just all around, specially if they make it further in or something? Also how can you even think of leaving them in there?!" She shivered non stop. Almost thinking of lighting the entire area on fire to kill them all.

Belladona frowns, "Well I can try to get rid of them. I am not the best medic however and my magic is not strong enough to get rid of them. If someone has a spell such as remove disease I would suggest we use that."

Lorien nods slightly a bit towards Belladona, as he chuckles, "I will assist with that, if you like, I can get ya a few extra supply maybe," he says, as he rummages about his pack and hefts up some goods.

GAME: Lorien rolls heal: (11)+0: 11

Talon was shaking her head, she was not going any where near them, but at the same time she has no idea if any got in her as well. She was not really good with bugs, they seriously creep her out and she cannot stand them, Although she nearly always ignores them, till she sees them entering people's bodies. That is just so not right!

GAME: Talon rolls Heal: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Verna rolls heal: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Belladona rolls heal+4: (6)+2+4: 12 GAME: Belladona rolls heal+4: (2)+2+4: 8 GAME: Belladona rolls heal+4: (16)+2+4: 22

"Calm yourself," Verna exhales softly as Talon reacts. Overly so. Verna pulls a kit of bandages and salves from her small pack. "My magical ability is not enough to completely remove the infestation, but this could minimize or delay it, at the least." She locates the appropriate topical unguent and explains its use before offering it to Belladonna."

GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12

Belladona takes the supplies as she begins to treat the wounds. She takes out a dagger to try to slice them out. She does her best to be careful. "Ughs they are moving faster than I thought."

Lorien nods at Belladona, as he heaves a sigh and assists with the healing.

Talon is calming a bit as they try to help each other heal, but she is still without being completely calm. "How can you keep calm with those things all around us?! Gah!" She started to pat herself down again. Anytime she spotted one of these ear seekers she was far from sane.

Verna's ears may be larger than some, but that is only the upper cartilage and not the canal. Still, she remains calm, even when the dagger is used for limited chirurgy. Until the third cut, when she removes her ear from the dagger's presence with a scowl. "Perhaps we could attempt a more delicate and focused approach. Removing the ear will not make anyone pleased, nor will it solve the issue." She turns the scowl to Talon. "If you continue to flail about, not only will your treatment be difficult, but you will likely cause the eggs t roll nearer your brain. Would you prefer to wave your arms and have your memories devoured, or be still and receive treatment." Verna extends a hand to Belladonns for the medicines. "May I?"

Belladona nods as she hands them over to Verna, "I was not trying to take off your ear, like I said healing was not something I have studied on. My focus was more martially focused. "I'd be happy to help."

Lorien chuckles a bit at Verna, and grins slightly, as he begins and submit for being checked, after he's assisted the others with it, he leans back, relaxed, eventually "Ah, ears!"

Talon quietened down a bit at Verna's scolding. She still couldn't stay 100 still, but she wasn't flailing all over. Keeping her eyes peeled for the little things all around them. Making sure they did not get near her at all. "Still creepy as heck..."

GAME: Verna rolls heal+4: (3)+10+4: 17 GAME: Verna rolls heal+4: (16)+10+4: 30

Verna carefully drips in some of the salve in each ear canal, then promptly places her gloved hands over them to keep it from running out. "This will be uncomfortable, but allow it to work." Once suitable minutes have passed, she utters a brief call to the HArsh Lady for sustenance for the living. Fresh water is conjured to flush out the affected ears. For those stubborn remnants, she utilizes a needle from the kit intended for stitcing. Held it reverse to use the eye, it is not the perfect implement, but much more delicate than a dagger. Eventually, she is satisfied. "There. If any do remain, they are too few to cause any issue." She then returns the remaining supplies to the kit and her pack.

Verna is a skilled cleric, and in her hands removing the eggs and Ear Seekers from the others moves smoothly. With the assistance of Lorien and Bella filling in as skilled nurses, and underneath Talon's nervous and grossed out eye, the infestations are removed and none of the PCs are in danger of having their brains eaten by deadly worms.

The rest of the trip is for now uneventful, leaving the PC's in the outskirts of the abandoned village. It is eerie and quiet in the day time, with that fog drifting in and out among the trees and buildings. Huts lay open to the sky with their roofs caved in, a network of wooden boards forming pathways and 'roads' in between them in the marshy ground. The feel of evil hangs in the air, and their are corpses of abandoned sacrifices and hunting victims nearby, the various forest animals that have been managed to be caught. It is clear that some number of beings, perhaps 2 or 3, have taken up residence and are using the village for cultic evil practices. But they are not present at the moment. Wherever the bad guys are, the PCs have found their lair while they are out. But surely they'll be back..... soon