Session 49: Dumber than a Wolf....
General Summary
The fight with Lord Mirt's demon guards Kuma and Sjaz took its toll on the Cherry Smashers as they were surrounded by a dangerous looking fog/pollution that the sensed needed to be avoided. To their north shined a dim light, beckoning them.
The fight with the demons took its toll on every member of the party before Offa banished them:
Silas became frightened and was forced to run into the pollution, unable to help in the fight and becoming exhausted as a result
Sikander was cursed during the fight, becoming filled with the corruption of the God Eaters, seemingly entangle in black mist only he could see, making it difficult for him and Wibbles to attack
Anya becomes Feebleminded, shattering her sense of self and memory, leaving her unable to communicate or cast magic, instead relying purly on instinct
Offa severely damaged and unable to be healed, launched his magical blasts at the demons while trying to stay hidden and out of reach
Highlights from the fight:
Tal, seeing Anya drop as she did, attacked one of the demons and blinked him all over, smashing him as he went in his fury
Sikander, seeing Anya enfeebled and in mortal danger took action by heroically picking her up and throwing her into a stone cliff face
Offa, remembering the scroll found in the dowager's room, pulls it out and finds a very powerful Command spell inscribed on it in Abyssal. As he commands them to return to where they came from, the demons freeze as paper is coming out of his hands until they are mummified and are snuffed out of existence.
Sikander and Offa gather around Anya and Tal, who is sitting quietly looking around and holding her head, when it becomes obvious Offa's eyes have a purplish glow to them. He sense a new kind of power, allowing him to see through the pollution. Using this, they collect Silas, with Sikander carrying him back to the others. Sikander also becomes exhausted in the process, both the dwarf and gnome feeling it in their souls. Hoping to help fight off the exhaustion, Offa does the unthinkable and shares a sentiment that hurts him at his core, "Sikander, my friend, darkness can never extinguish the light of a good soul."
Slowly moving with Silas exhausted and Anya easily distracted, not speaking, and being led by Tal, they finally make their way up to a shrine. The area is desolate, but the pollution is being held back. Ahead they see a line of tori gates, a low light coming off of them. There are three statues to the left, along with a few other buildings. Coming closer, they learn this is the Shrine of the Light of Ascent.
Offa casts Light on Vlad and sends him flying around the statues wearing knitted red hats, causing them to turn slightly and follow his flight. Anya notices as they turn, and walking over she reaches out to touch one. The features become soft as she does and taking pity on her, her sense of self and intelligence improve slightly. While she is occupied with the statues, the others notice a rhythmic clicking sound coming from another building. Heading over, Sikander finds a loom with a small lamp and a hooded woman at work. Stepping up he asks, "Hello mother, can you help us? My friends are hurt."
A pause as she looks up and answers, "Sikander, I've been expecting you and your friends. Be careful they walk in the light." She also shares the statutes are surrounded by wishes for lost children to be found. The rest of the party starts toward the building with Offa's light allowing them to pass. Inside, the others see the woman, appearing very old and as the wind blows parts of her seem to shift.
As they look on, the woman starts speaking, "I know what you're thinking. I am not of the dead as I never lived. Few of us really do. I am Yokira and we stand in the shrine of the light god. There are many paths, many lines, and all the lines will be cut when the God Eaters come." [Seven hells - Sikander] "The seven hells will not exist when the God Eaters have their way. They will spread across Yamato and to Faerun. You taste their pollution now. The darkness comes to take belief and stories, they want all the dreams."
Sikander, clearly tired and exasperated, "I've had a hell of day" while asking if there is a place they can rest in safety after how their day has gone. She answers, "The threads do not allow me to give you protection. I can give you but small words of advice...[Don't start a land war in Asia...Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line]. Shut the maw of the dragon and close the gate. Now, go and see what has become of the god of light."
Offa's light guides them as they head to the shrine. Looking within, the small room is in disarray and behind the lattice a melted figure is visible that appears to have imploded and with the head missing, clear evidence the god of this place has been destroyed. Anya starts exploring wordless and aimlessly, drawn to a coin box. Looking in, she finds it empty and Sikander tells her it is for putting coins in and gives her one. She looks at it and back at him, finally dropping the coin in as he pantomimes it. As it falls, a quiet chime is heard. Offa steps up and drops another coin, and the same chime sounds, but slightly fainter. Anya is distracted by the melted figure and is reaching her fingers through the lattice, trying to reach it. Sikander searches around and finds a trap door to the side and as he opens it, Anya darts in quickly. As she approaches, the statue gives off a sense of warmth and she is drawn to the feeling, hugging it. Sikander follows after her as the feeling of warmth shifts to deep sadness and loss. With the shift, she starts crying and looks at Sikander as she lets go. He comforts her, then pulls his Tymoran ring and places it on her right thumb, telling her to keep it close and safe. Distracted, she is enamored with the gold and shining diamond eye playing with it as Sikander looks around. Not finding much more, he starts to head out while Anya picks up a small lantern with a faint light within. Her attention bouncing between the ring and lantern, a small bright light in the corner shines, appearing as a small glowing rabbit like creature. As it moves, Anya's focus shifts immediately, like a cat focusing on a small creature. Reaching out to touch it, the creatures panics and runs from her.
Bolting back out of the shrine, Anya runs after the small creature, with Tal hot on her heels. Silas, being exhausted, remains with the old woman, while Sikander and Offa run off after the enfeebled elf. Coming to a hole, the creature ran down the side, defying gravity. Anya stopped short and sensed that whatever was below was giving off an immense sense of warmth and safety. Before she could climb down, Sikander came up fast and sent the pair falling down the hole. On instinct, Anya shifted into an Mandarin Duck and fluttered down while Sikander dropped, finally landing on a soft, squishy substrate.
Above, Offa and Tal get to the edge. Deciding to follow, Offa scooped up Tal and lowered the pair down safely. They all hear a whirring noise and the sound of a dragon at rest. Looking about, the boys see the tiny lima bean headed creatures again. Anya, having shifted back, spots the blue rabbit creature asleep on the ground. Offa turns and sees a massive face, with teeth visible as the massive furry creature they are standing on continues to breath heavily in its sleep. An eye opens and spots Offa, who telepathically speaks to the creature, "We are friends. People change - please be friends with me."
The massive creature regards Offa and shifts some before closing its eyes. Anya, spotting the face and feeling the stronger sense of warmth and safety, lays down and hugs the giant "Totoro" creature near his head. Sikander, concerned, starts telling it that she isn't worth eating, that the elf will make him sick. Making a face at the dwarf, the great spirit closes its eyes, clearly unperturbed by Anya hugging him.
Trying to get her to leave, Anya remains snuggled into the spirit's chest, refusing to move. Sensing she is safe enough, Sikander, Offa, and Tal climb down beside "Totoro", finding a bowl of fruit and two mossy creatures with a back next to one of them. Sikander eats one of the fruits, finding it tasty. In the leaf bag, he finds one hundred Japanese acorns. Eating one, Sikander has a sense of restoration (heals 3d6). Feeling a bit better, he looks around and decides to settle in for a rest. Offa, who had started rising back up the tunnel, spots the others and descends again, deciding to rest as well.
As they all come to consciousness, the "Totoro" has faded away, leaving Anya confused and a little sad, but otherwise rested. Returning to the shrine, they find Silas, who had not gotten a good nights rest (only benefitted from a short rest) was waiting for them. He spoke about terrible dreams about Samyra. Noticing the lamp had gone out, Anya drops the lantern, no longer interested in it and wanders aimlessly, playing with Sikander's ring. Sikander picks up the lantern while Offa attempts casting Light on it, but it will not hold the spell. Taking time to check the remaining buildings, they find a storage for various religious iconography. Anya settles in with a stamp, happily stamping the dirt all around her, starting with the "Hot Water" stamp. Searching around, they find a small book with pages made for stamping and realize it will fit inside the lantern. Searching the stamps, they find one labeled "Fire". Swapping out Anya's stamp, they place the paper under and see if the stamp leaves a mark. When it doesn't (and she can't make marks in the dirt) she stops stamping, looking around curiously. Finding the block of dry ink, they place that in front of her and she promptly pokes it, breaking it up, and then happily starts playing in the ink dust. Getting water added, they finally get a "Fire" stamp onto the book and place it in the lantern. It starts glowing, giving off about 5 feet of light all around it. They also snag three blessing stones before heading to the Tori gates, which also give off a faint light, seeming to keep the pollution at bay.
They travel for a couple of hours until there is a darkness ahead, where the lights of the Tori's have gone out. Anya, feeling uneasy steps out front of the group and sense danger....something not safe. Unable to communicate, she throws her arms out to get the others to stop and back up. Before her, a tiny doll like creature appears, speaking and laughing, then starts walking, jogging, running, then dashing toward the party.
The fight with the demons took its toll on every member of the party before Offa banished them:
Highlights from the fight:
Sikander and Offa gather around Anya and Tal, who is sitting quietly looking around and holding her head, when it becomes obvious Offa's eyes have a purplish glow to them. He sense a new kind of power, allowing him to see through the pollution. Using this, they collect Silas, with Sikander carrying him back to the others. Sikander also becomes exhausted in the process, both the dwarf and gnome feeling it in their souls. Hoping to help fight off the exhaustion, Offa does the unthinkable and shares a sentiment that hurts him at his core, "Sikander, my friend, darkness can never extinguish the light of a good soul."
Slowly moving with Silas exhausted and Anya easily distracted, not speaking, and being led by Tal, they finally make their way up to a shrine. The area is desolate, but the pollution is being held back. Ahead they see a line of tori gates, a low light coming off of them. There are three statues to the left, along with a few other buildings. Coming closer, they learn this is the Shrine of the Light of Ascent.
Offa casts Light on Vlad and sends him flying around the statues wearing knitted red hats, causing them to turn slightly and follow his flight. Anya notices as they turn, and walking over she reaches out to touch one. The features become soft as she does and taking pity on her, her sense of self and intelligence improve slightly. While she is occupied with the statues, the others notice a rhythmic clicking sound coming from another building. Heading over, Sikander finds a loom with a small lamp and a hooded woman at work. Stepping up he asks, "Hello mother, can you help us? My friends are hurt."
A pause as she looks up and answers, "Sikander, I've been expecting you and your friends. Be careful they walk in the light." She also shares the statutes are surrounded by wishes for lost children to be found. The rest of the party starts toward the building with Offa's light allowing them to pass. Inside, the others see the woman, appearing very old and as the wind blows parts of her seem to shift.
As they look on, the woman starts speaking, "I know what you're thinking. I am not of the dead as I never lived. Few of us really do. I am Yokira and we stand in the shrine of the light god. There are many paths, many lines, and all the lines will be cut when the God Eaters come." [Seven hells - Sikander] "The seven hells will not exist when the God Eaters have their way. They will spread across Yamato and to Faerun. You taste their pollution now. The darkness comes to take belief and stories, they want all the dreams."
Sikander, clearly tired and exasperated, "I've had a hell of day" while asking if there is a place they can rest in safety after how their day has gone. She answers, "The threads do not allow me to give you protection. I can give you but small words of advice...[Don't start a land war in Asia...Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line]. Shut the maw of the dragon and close the gate. Now, go and see what has become of the god of light."
Offa's light guides them as they head to the shrine. Looking within, the small room is in disarray and behind the lattice a melted figure is visible that appears to have imploded and with the head missing, clear evidence the god of this place has been destroyed. Anya starts exploring wordless and aimlessly, drawn to a coin box. Looking in, she finds it empty and Sikander tells her it is for putting coins in and gives her one. She looks at it and back at him, finally dropping the coin in as he pantomimes it. As it falls, a quiet chime is heard. Offa steps up and drops another coin, and the same chime sounds, but slightly fainter. Anya is distracted by the melted figure and is reaching her fingers through the lattice, trying to reach it. Sikander searches around and finds a trap door to the side and as he opens it, Anya darts in quickly. As she approaches, the statue gives off a sense of warmth and she is drawn to the feeling, hugging it. Sikander follows after her as the feeling of warmth shifts to deep sadness and loss. With the shift, she starts crying and looks at Sikander as she lets go. He comforts her, then pulls his Tymoran ring and places it on her right thumb, telling her to keep it close and safe. Distracted, she is enamored with the gold and shining diamond eye playing with it as Sikander looks around. Not finding much more, he starts to head out while Anya picks up a small lantern with a faint light within. Her attention bouncing between the ring and lantern, a small bright light in the corner shines, appearing as a small glowing rabbit like creature. As it moves, Anya's focus shifts immediately, like a cat focusing on a small creature. Reaching out to touch it, the creatures panics and runs from her.
Bolting back out of the shrine, Anya runs after the small creature, with Tal hot on her heels. Silas, being exhausted, remains with the old woman, while Sikander and Offa run off after the enfeebled elf. Coming to a hole, the creature ran down the side, defying gravity. Anya stopped short and sensed that whatever was below was giving off an immense sense of warmth and safety. Before she could climb down, Sikander came up fast and sent the pair falling down the hole. On instinct, Anya shifted into an Mandarin Duck and fluttered down while Sikander dropped, finally landing on a soft, squishy substrate.
Above, Offa and Tal get to the edge. Deciding to follow, Offa scooped up Tal and lowered the pair down safely. They all hear a whirring noise and the sound of a dragon at rest. Looking about, the boys see the tiny lima bean headed creatures again. Anya, having shifted back, spots the blue rabbit creature asleep on the ground. Offa turns and sees a massive face, with teeth visible as the massive furry creature they are standing on continues to breath heavily in its sleep. An eye opens and spots Offa, who telepathically speaks to the creature, "We are friends. People change - please be friends with me."
The massive creature regards Offa and shifts some before closing its eyes. Anya, spotting the face and feeling the stronger sense of warmth and safety, lays down and hugs the giant "Totoro" creature near his head. Sikander, concerned, starts telling it that she isn't worth eating, that the elf will make him sick. Making a face at the dwarf, the great spirit closes its eyes, clearly unperturbed by Anya hugging him.
Trying to get her to leave, Anya remains snuggled into the spirit's chest, refusing to move. Sensing she is safe enough, Sikander, Offa, and Tal climb down beside "Totoro", finding a bowl of fruit and two mossy creatures with a back next to one of them. Sikander eats one of the fruits, finding it tasty. In the leaf bag, he finds one hundred Japanese acorns. Eating one, Sikander has a sense of restoration (heals 3d6). Feeling a bit better, he looks around and decides to settle in for a rest. Offa, who had started rising back up the tunnel, spots the others and descends again, deciding to rest as well.
As they all come to consciousness, the "Totoro" has faded away, leaving Anya confused and a little sad, but otherwise rested. Returning to the shrine, they find Silas, who had not gotten a good nights rest (only benefitted from a short rest) was waiting for them. He spoke about terrible dreams about Samyra. Noticing the lamp had gone out, Anya drops the lantern, no longer interested in it and wanders aimlessly, playing with Sikander's ring. Sikander picks up the lantern while Offa attempts casting Light on it, but it will not hold the spell. Taking time to check the remaining buildings, they find a storage for various religious iconography. Anya settles in with a stamp, happily stamping the dirt all around her, starting with the "Hot Water" stamp. Searching around, they find a small book with pages made for stamping and realize it will fit inside the lantern. Searching the stamps, they find one labeled "Fire". Swapping out Anya's stamp, they place the paper under and see if the stamp leaves a mark. When it doesn't (and she can't make marks in the dirt) she stops stamping, looking around curiously. Finding the block of dry ink, they place that in front of her and she promptly pokes it, breaking it up, and then happily starts playing in the ink dust. Getting water added, they finally get a "Fire" stamp onto the book and place it in the lantern. It starts glowing, giving off about 5 feet of light all around it. They also snag three blessing stones before heading to the Tori gates, which also give off a faint light, seeming to keep the pollution at bay.
They travel for a couple of hours until there is a darkness ahead, where the lights of the Tori's have gone out. Anya, feeling uneasy steps out front of the group and sense danger....something not safe. Unable to communicate, she throws her arms out to get the others to stop and back up. Before her, a tiny doll like creature appears, speaking and laughing, then starts walking, jogging, running, then dashing toward the party.
Report Date
27 Jun 2024
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