Episode 28
General Summary
The Unlikely Association regroup after defeating the Shadow Witch and her three giant boars. Searching the body reveals nothing of interest, other than some gold and an enchanted quarterstaff. Addressing the purple elephant in the room, the topic of Godric's heritage is discussed... Veda recounts the information she had learnt about devils, and how their associated colours pertain to the eye colour of tieflings, and can affect the colour of flames around them. Eva reveals that she has discovered that Godric was in fact born into this world, not summoned as he had always assumed. He is the son of a warlock of the archdevil Wrath, who now travels with the Shadow Witches. Along with this revelation, Eva finally confirms that she is also a warlock - pacted to an archdevil herself - and that she is pregnant.
A heated discussion is had around the subject of Godric's birth and his heritage. The tiefling is still convinced that there is evil within him, despite his party's attempts to convince him otherwise. Agreeing to disagree for now, the group head back to Okin to relay the news of their success.
Welie, the slightly feral halfling, leads the party back to town, where she and Leah make their way to the Hunter's Guild to fill them in on what has happened.
In the organisation's entry hall, the pair meet Torleth Vanorin and a gnome called Agni Cherrytrees. Welie excitedly relays what happened in the forest, and Torleth sends Agni to go and retrieve Yarren Jost, the leader of the guild. The red-haired elf shoos Welie away, before having a brief chat with Leah. Not long after, Agni returns with Yarren, who has a large black wolf obediently following him. Yarren brings Leah into a side room to talk privately, where Leah fills the master ranger in on the goings on of the Shadow Witches, and the potential danger they pose to the forest and the town. Yarren takes the news in, and promises to lead a search in the forest for the evil witches. Despite the forest's large size, he is confident that they will catch up to the witches and root them out. As thanks for the party's good deed, Yarren gifts Leah with a magical collar. The collar can be worn by a creature to allow it to speak to its master (the wearer of a matching bracelet) three times a day.
Meanwhile, Veda heads to the local blacksmith to see if they can do anything with the Ankheg scales she has recovered. The smithy is impressed by the tiefling's handy work, and confirms that he should be able to make a breastplate from the scales - and that he is one of few smithies who could do the work justice. The smithy offers Veda 100GP for the shells if she decides not to go ahead, and the offer is left on the table for now.
Eva and Godric take a trip around the town, searching for "Harmony", to no avail. The pair take this time to discuss secrets, and Eva (having just revealed hers) pushes Atlas to tell her about the "haunting" and perhaps anything else he may be keeping from the group. The artificer remains tight-lipped however, keeping his secrets for now.
Godric arrives at Kale's Tavern to collect Hope. The tiger cub is currently having a nap, with Weddy McDowel and Reena Taman keeping an eye on her. The young princess has been no trouble apparently, though seems to be developing a taste for cream. Godric chats with the two woman for a while, who find him a little odd, before Leah and the rest of the party arrive at the tavern.
Leah gives the magical collar to Hope, who speaks to Godric directly for the first time since becoming a tiger. Not really prepared however, Hope doesn't have much to say but promises to think of something for next time.
The party spend the rest of the evening in Nature's Rest, where they meet up with Torleth once more. A few drinks are had, and Torleth reveals a little more about herself, mainly her longing to experience some sort of civilisation again. Leah extends an invitation to the elf to join her in the Feywild sometime, which Torleth seems to be agreeable to. After a few more drinks, Torleth makes her exit, extending an invitation to Leah and/or Eva to join her for a "parting gift" should they be interested. Leah decides to take the elf up on her offer, but Eva decides she has too many complicated relationships already.
The following day, the expedition continues its journey south through the Okina Forest. Leah spots something shiny under a bush, and uncovers a small shrine to the goddess of war, Hostetta. Providing a small offering to the goddess, Leah and Atlas are both granted a minor boon.
As the group pushes on, they eventually find themselves in The Slithering Wilds. Weddy pulls out a map at this point, indicating their current position and the location of the ruins. She suggests the group take one of three possible routes to the ruins, each with their own pros and cons. The party decide to take the most direct route, which runs the closest to an encampment of "snake people".
The first obstacle the party encounter comes in the form of a fast flowing river, infested with piranhas. Using ropes, the party make their way across the river, but some members are less acrobatic than others - slipping feet into the river and getting bitten in the process.
Eventually everybody makes it across, and the party continue on. Further down the trail, the sound of snapping twigs and rushing air is heard, as Godric and Eva both fall into pit traps - just as a group of creatures rush the party from the west...
Rewards Granted
Quarterstaff +1
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