Golden Oppertunity
The guild debated on where to send the second golden acorn, but ultimately decided on Pizol Springs; a glacial duchy near the guild. Reports from last weeks’ quest to plant the first golden acorn in Eal revealed that the Rotwood Conclave were aware of the golden acorns existence and attacked. Thankfully they failed and the first one was successful. Therefore, the task for this quest was similar. Protect the acorn. Protect the Archdruid completing the ritual. Defeat the Rotwood Conclave if they attack again. Don’t die.
The group who signed up for such an important task were Novak the Warlock, Teegath the Cleric, Herb Slate the Paladin, Gorstag the Sorcerer, Ridge Rockjaw the Paladin, Bjort the Paladin and Sol. When the group went to collect the golden acorn from the Tower of Magi, the pink haired Miko Tanner met them outside and gave them the acorn. She warned them though that this is the second one she’s made, and it turned out slightly different. When asked how it was different, she just shrugged and said she wasn’t sure. She wished them luck saying that the guild had suffered a lot recently and hoped they made it back safely.
With that the adventurers headed up to Pizol Springs. Once there they met Archdruid Serene Ashwood of the Verdant Light and Aurnak Stonekiller. Hearing about the quest, and knowing that the guild needed a Archdruid for this job, Serene volunteered eager to help an ally in such an important endeavour. She was a beautiful human with a kind demeanour who greeted our heroes with smiles and handshakes knowing most of the group by name. While Aurnak Stonekiller was there on behalf of the Duke, who couldn’t be there to greet the guild members himself. Aurnak was a muscular Goliath with bold tattoos on his neck and left arm, who was dressed mostly like a noble except he was wearing a vest instead of a shirt. He was a sour and grumpy individual who seemed distrustful of the group, especially when they tried to force conversation with him. However, as the group approached, he seemed to take note of Gorstag. Suspicious of these strangers Teegath managed to deduce that they weren’t enemies and Aurnak’s attitude could be attributed to his dedication to his job and his protectiveness towards the Duke and his realm.
With that the group headed out ready to plant the acorn and complete the ritual required. They followed Aurnak and Serene away from the Duke’s fortress, a five minute walk from the nearest structure. When the group arrived at the location, they were surprised to see a large open aired garden surrounded by a large ice wall and swarming with guards. As they went inside Serene explained that the garden was built under orders from the Duke to house the acorn. Despite being on a glacier the garden will be maintained and protected 24/7 with guards and spells to keep it in the best possible condition. They didn’t want it to be too close to citizens in case it was going to be a constant target.
When Novak summoned his 10 undead/demonic minions Aurnak grew tense and strode up to the warlock. Knowing that they were likely to be attacked by the Rotwood Conclave, a group known for using all manner of creatures, the Goliath was very tense and suspicious. He warned Novak to be careful as he would only have one chance and if he attacked the wrong people, threatening the Duke’s plans for the acorn, he would attack them. Aurnak turned to the rest of the guild members and said that his warning applied to them too. The agitated Goliath then left the garden and went outside to join the guards forcing protecting the ice wall that surrounded the garden.
Serene explained a little about the ritual that she would need to do in order to plant the acorn successfully, and if they were attacked by the Rotwood Conclave it would be up to the adventurers to protect her and the acorn. With that she took the acorn from Bjort and planted it in the ground starting the ritual.
The second that the ritual started the enchanted, highly protective ice walls of the garden began shaking violently, and an odd fog covered the area, blocking them off from the outside world. The adventurers could hear the guards screaming from outside the garden and the fog as something started attacking them. Suddenly the ice walls imploded and a man appeared floating above them. The man was Malix Silvershade of the Rotwood Conclave; an elf that had set an eleven headed Hydra on Novak and Herb Slate a few weeks ago, and tried to defeat Teegath and Novak during a rescue mission. He taunted the group for a bit and promised that now he knows more about how they fight, they don’t stand a chance.
Enemies suddenly appeared within the space. At first it was just a few zombies and blighted wolves but over time more and more dangerous creatures appeared. The group fought Hezrous, Myrmidons, Fire Giantess, Zombies, Blighted wolves, Ghasts, and a series of Rotwood members. It was a dangerous fight as the Rotwood Conclave forces tried to destroy the acorn and Serene Ashwood, while our adventurers tried to stop them.
Some notable mentions were Novak sending his demon up to Malix flying 120ft above their heads to punch his face in, Gorstag successfully using Hold Monster on a raging Fire Giantess, Bjort using Vortex Warp to throw a wizard at Malix Silvershade, Herb Slate using a magically dampened rapier to absorb the very essence of a water elemental, Teegath throwing a Guiding Bolt at Malix’s face, Sol’s favourite spell apparently being Silvery Barbs and Ridge trying to use Magic Circle to protect Serene and the acorn from the Rotwood Conclave.
Once the ritual was completed Malix and the remaining Rotwood Conclave members vanished. Aurnak ran inside to check on the acorn and despite being slightly bruised seemed to have survived whatever attacked the outside forces – he was the only survivor. Aurnak gruffly thanked the adventurers and six of the adventurers returned to the guild, while Gorstag chose to remain in Pizol Springs a bit longer.
All in all, a successful quest. A few of our guild members went down but everyone lived and the ritual was completed despite the acorn taking a few hits.
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