A Crossroad
General Summary
Heading a call to action from a "Mr. Brown" to help reclaim the wilderness from civilization, Bullgup met his allies Prim, Meako and a new face, Plays-With-Squirrels in Hunter's Glenn.
Crossing the river heading west, the party heard a group of people chopping at trees. Not horribly concerned at first, Bullgup was lead to ignore it, but after an observation with how Prim was feeling, decided to check in. Coming into the area that the people were in, they noticed two things immediately; The loggers were incredibly large human, and that they had a bound, and bark stripped Treant. Attempting to lock them down and talk before fighting, Bullgup locked down the area with entangling vines. Instructing his allies to not kill if possible, they began to engage. At first, the giants attempted to kidnap Prim and Plays-wth-squirrels, calling them witches and claiming to need to take them home. However, once Meako unleashed a volley of arrows, evicerating one of them, combat began officially, leaving one unable to move or attack, being struck down once again by Meako.
After the giants were taken care of, Bullgup saw to the wounded Treant, who introduced himself as Jannu, who promptly finished off his last torturer, and then destroyed the ship they had sailed in on. Bullgup mentioned needing to find a Mr. Brown. Jannu agreed to show them the way, but would not stick around, and him and Mr. Brown have differencing opinions and don't get along well. After departing, an eagle that was soaring above lands, and a elf appears to the party. He introduces himself as Apophis Brown, an ally to the forest, and explains that he had called out to Bullgup looking for a kindred soul who may help him in dealing with meddlers in The Black Forest. He explained he knew old elven magic that would ward the area from any sentient creatures who did not know the passphrase to walk safely. He planned to warn anyone who was there, but mostly planned to let the ward take care of any interlopers. After a few qualifying questions, the party hesitantly agreed, though had planned to create a warning people prior to entering the forest. Apophis informed the party of the items he would need to put together the ritual, which included blood of someone resurrected, bowls of obsidian, bark of a treant, heart of a froghemoth, and brainstalk mushrooms. Using magic, Prim was able to create the obsidian bowls, and they returned to the area in which they had been to retrieve some of the shed bark that Jannu had carved off of him. Plays-With-Squirrels at this time said his goodbyes, as he had his zoo to attend to.
After they gathered up the treant bark, on their way back to Apophis, Meako's keen eyes noticed they were being followed. After stating such, the creature revealed itself. A very beautiful woman-like figure stepped out, wearing a plant-like dress that easily blends into the forested enviornment. The party recognized her as a Muse, a powerful fae, and she introduced herself as Mercury. Mercury pleaded with the party not to follow Apophis's plan, as she believed it would lead to too many untimely deaths and was far too harsh. She feels that Apophis's past clouded his judgement, and jaded him against others, seeing their lives as inconsequential. Instead, she asked Bullgup to assist her in closing the portal to the abyss, and allow the forest to begin the natural way of healing. Unianimously, the party agreed, and were dispatched to retrieve the fur of a disenchanter, a chalice that lay in a dungeon, and the scales of a fairy dragon.
The party traveled to the location of the dungeon, encountering the disenchanters on the way. Using a combination of stealth and magic, they were able to retrieve a small amount of fur before leaving the creatures be. Upon arriving at their location, they noticed old runes on the door. Bullgup was able to translate them, stating they were wards against chaos, and those who seek out chaos should not enter. Hessitant, Meako and Prim debate on entering, but ultimately curiousity and concern for their friend overcame their fear, as they entered inside.
Once inside the dungeon, the party found a maze, but one that was more difficult to navigate by the intense fog of the area. As they begin to explore, they found multiple traps on the ground that would trigger, sending the individual back to the start in an endless cycle. After watching Meako and Prim be sent back to the resetting traps over and over, realized that it was triggered by their affinity with chaotic forces in the universe, and he could just easily press on. At the end of the route, Bullgup encountered an inevitable, guarding the enchanted chalice. Bullgup was able to explain that it was going to be used to close a breach to the abyss. Satisfied this was a worthy task for the chalice, the creature gave it up, and let them know the maze would remain no longer once they have left.
Continuing on their journey, they made their way to Pygmy Village to rest for the night. Asking around for anyone who had seen a fairy dragon, a disgruntled gnome mentioned that they had encountered one not far from the bridge, it had broken into his bag and ate all his snacks. Following the direction of the gnome, they explored the forest. Once again Bullgup and Meako's keep eyes were able to locate one, sitting in the branches of the trees above them. They called out to it, asking to talk. As it flew down, the part asked for one of its scales and explained why they needed it. The fairy dragon acknowledged why they would need it, as he, Mundungus, was a powerful fairy dragon, no other scales would do. After a good joke, Mundungus agreed, in exchance for a story. Bullgup told him the story that caused him to go out on the road, and afterwards, they shared in their disgust for the butcher named "Grood". True to his word, Mundungus gave one of his scales to the party before flying off. Having collected everything necessary, the traveled back to The Black Forest, ready to meet with Mercury.
Once the party had joined up, they gave over the items. Mercury explained how the ritual would work, and asked them to be on guard, after she starts there was a high liklihood the abyss would try and fight back. The party took their places as Mercury started, reciting stories in sylvan of those who once thought they could rule nature, but how the world fought back and healed itself.
After a few minutes, a very large demon came through the portal, a creature known as a Nalfeshnee. It declared the site an unholy site of the abyss, and it would stop them. Combat quickly ensured, the party struggling to make much damage past its resistance to damage and spells. Bullgup, realizing his spells were not as effective as he would like, shapeshifts into the form of a treant, and begins hand to hand combat. Though the battle was fierce, the Nalfeshnee fell to its injuries. Mercury cried out to Bullgup, needing his help reciting the final incantantion, while asking the party to focus their energies on the chalice, now glowing like the sun, and concentrate on the healing nature of the world. Bullgup reciting the following poem in sylvan to finalize the ritual:
By the roots that bind us deep
By the secrets the forest keep
I call upon the ancient powers
to guard these lands for endless hours
let no harm befall the sacred ground
no outsiders here shall be found
in harmony with nature's grace
This forest be a sacred place
Once again the chalice filled with a blinding light, and once it subsided, the tear between realms was gone. Exhausted, but proud of their work, Mercury gave the chalice to Bullgup, asking him to keep it as a reminder of what they accomplished together. She charged the party with pledging to heal nature not through hate, like Apophis Brown wanted, but instead through bringing people together in harmony. Mercury told Bullgup that should he ever need her, to simple call out and she would appear. After a long and laborous last few days, the party returned home, eager to rest for their next adventure.
Crossing the river heading west, the party heard a group of people chopping at trees. Not horribly concerned at first, Bullgup was lead to ignore it, but after an observation with how Prim was feeling, decided to check in. Coming into the area that the people were in, they noticed two things immediately; The loggers were incredibly large human, and that they had a bound, and bark stripped Treant. Attempting to lock them down and talk before fighting, Bullgup locked down the area with entangling vines. Instructing his allies to not kill if possible, they began to engage. At first, the giants attempted to kidnap Prim and Plays-wth-squirrels, calling them witches and claiming to need to take them home. However, once Meako unleashed a volley of arrows, evicerating one of them, combat began officially, leaving one unable to move or attack, being struck down once again by Meako.
After the giants were taken care of, Bullgup saw to the wounded Treant, who introduced himself as Jannu, who promptly finished off his last torturer, and then destroyed the ship they had sailed in on. Bullgup mentioned needing to find a Mr. Brown. Jannu agreed to show them the way, but would not stick around, and him and Mr. Brown have differencing opinions and don't get along well. After departing, an eagle that was soaring above lands, and a elf appears to the party. He introduces himself as Apophis Brown, an ally to the forest, and explains that he had called out to Bullgup looking for a kindred soul who may help him in dealing with meddlers in The Black Forest. He explained he knew old elven magic that would ward the area from any sentient creatures who did not know the passphrase to walk safely. He planned to warn anyone who was there, but mostly planned to let the ward take care of any interlopers. After a few qualifying questions, the party hesitantly agreed, though had planned to create a warning people prior to entering the forest. Apophis informed the party of the items he would need to put together the ritual, which included blood of someone resurrected, bowls of obsidian, bark of a treant, heart of a froghemoth, and brainstalk mushrooms. Using magic, Prim was able to create the obsidian bowls, and they returned to the area in which they had been to retrieve some of the shed bark that Jannu had carved off of him. Plays-With-Squirrels at this time said his goodbyes, as he had his zoo to attend to.
After they gathered up the treant bark, on their way back to Apophis, Meako's keen eyes noticed they were being followed. After stating such, the creature revealed itself. A very beautiful woman-like figure stepped out, wearing a plant-like dress that easily blends into the forested enviornment. The party recognized her as a Muse, a powerful fae, and she introduced herself as Mercury. Mercury pleaded with the party not to follow Apophis's plan, as she believed it would lead to too many untimely deaths and was far too harsh. She feels that Apophis's past clouded his judgement, and jaded him against others, seeing their lives as inconsequential. Instead, she asked Bullgup to assist her in closing the portal to the abyss, and allow the forest to begin the natural way of healing. Unianimously, the party agreed, and were dispatched to retrieve the fur of a disenchanter, a chalice that lay in a dungeon, and the scales of a fairy dragon.
The party traveled to the location of the dungeon, encountering the disenchanters on the way. Using a combination of stealth and magic, they were able to retrieve a small amount of fur before leaving the creatures be. Upon arriving at their location, they noticed old runes on the door. Bullgup was able to translate them, stating they were wards against chaos, and those who seek out chaos should not enter. Hessitant, Meako and Prim debate on entering, but ultimately curiousity and concern for their friend overcame their fear, as they entered inside.
Once inside the dungeon, the party found a maze, but one that was more difficult to navigate by the intense fog of the area. As they begin to explore, they found multiple traps on the ground that would trigger, sending the individual back to the start in an endless cycle. After watching Meako and Prim be sent back to the resetting traps over and over, realized that it was triggered by their affinity with chaotic forces in the universe, and he could just easily press on. At the end of the route, Bullgup encountered an inevitable, guarding the enchanted chalice. Bullgup was able to explain that it was going to be used to close a breach to the abyss. Satisfied this was a worthy task for the chalice, the creature gave it up, and let them know the maze would remain no longer once they have left.
Continuing on their journey, they made their way to Pygmy Village to rest for the night. Asking around for anyone who had seen a fairy dragon, a disgruntled gnome mentioned that they had encountered one not far from the bridge, it had broken into his bag and ate all his snacks. Following the direction of the gnome, they explored the forest. Once again Bullgup and Meako's keep eyes were able to locate one, sitting in the branches of the trees above them. They called out to it, asking to talk. As it flew down, the part asked for one of its scales and explained why they needed it. The fairy dragon acknowledged why they would need it, as he, Mundungus, was a powerful fairy dragon, no other scales would do. After a good joke, Mundungus agreed, in exchance for a story. Bullgup told him the story that caused him to go out on the road, and afterwards, they shared in their disgust for the butcher named "Grood". True to his word, Mundungus gave one of his scales to the party before flying off. Having collected everything necessary, the traveled back to The Black Forest, ready to meet with Mercury.
Once the party had joined up, they gave over the items. Mercury explained how the ritual would work, and asked them to be on guard, after she starts there was a high liklihood the abyss would try and fight back. The party took their places as Mercury started, reciting stories in sylvan of those who once thought they could rule nature, but how the world fought back and healed itself.
After a few minutes, a very large demon came through the portal, a creature known as a Nalfeshnee. It declared the site an unholy site of the abyss, and it would stop them. Combat quickly ensured, the party struggling to make much damage past its resistance to damage and spells. Bullgup, realizing his spells were not as effective as he would like, shapeshifts into the form of a treant, and begins hand to hand combat. Though the battle was fierce, the Nalfeshnee fell to its injuries. Mercury cried out to Bullgup, needing his help reciting the final incantantion, while asking the party to focus their energies on the chalice, now glowing like the sun, and concentrate on the healing nature of the world. Bullgup reciting the following poem in sylvan to finalize the ritual:
By the roots that bind us deep
By the secrets the forest keep
I call upon the ancient powers
to guard these lands for endless hours
let no harm befall the sacred ground
no outsiders here shall be found
in harmony with nature's grace
This forest be a sacred place
Once again the chalice filled with a blinding light, and once it subsided, the tear between realms was gone. Exhausted, but proud of their work, Mercury gave the chalice to Bullgup, asking him to keep it as a reminder of what they accomplished together. She charged the party with pledging to heal nature not through hate, like Apophis Brown wanted, but instead through bringing people together in harmony. Mercury told Bullgup that should he ever need her, to simple call out and she would appear. After a long and laborous last few days, the party returned home, eager to rest for their next adventure.
Rewards Granted
Loot:
(before Plays-with-squirrels departs)
Coins
14 pp, 178 gp, 490 sp, 1,100 cp
Armor
[350 gp] masterwork breastplate
Potions
[300 gp] potion/oil of invisibility (CL 3)
[50 gp] potion/oil of feather step (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of ant haul (CL 1)
[25 gp] potion/oil of guidance (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of endure elements (CL 1)
Scrolls
[700 gp] arcane scroll of firefall (CL 7)
[13 gp] arcane scroll of flare (CL 1)
[700 gp] divine scroll of plague carrier (CL 7)
[25 gp] arcane scroll of cause fear (CL 1)
[13 gp] arcane scroll of flare (CL 1)
Wands
[750 gp] wand of ray of enfeeblement (CL 1)
Weapons
[2,400 gp] +1 composite longbow [sheds light]
[315 gp] masterwork scimitar
(after Plays-with-Squirrels departs)
Coins
0 pp, 23 gp, 260 sp, 573 cp
Armor
[1,350 gp] +1 breastplate
[200 gp] masterwork scale mail
Art
[1,200 gp] platinum scepter with gold inlay
[850 gp] gold decanter with grape vine patterns
Gems
[9 gp] alabaster
[11 gp] unworked irregular freshwater pearl (worth 5 gp; Craft (jewelry) DC 10 to repair)
Potions
[25 gp] potion/oil of light (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of animate rope (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of magic fang (CL 1)
[300 gp] potion/oil of resist energy, acid (CL 3)
[50 gp] potion/oil of sanctify corpse (CL 1)
[300 gp] potion/oil of wood shape (CL 3)
Scrolls
[150 gp] arcane scroll of burning gaze (CL 3)
[150 gp] divine scroll of restoration, lesser (CL 3)
[150 gp] arcane scroll of bull's strength (CL 3)
[25 gp] divine scroll of magic fang (CL 1)
[1,125 gp] arcane scroll of shadow evocation (CL 9)
[625 gp] divine scroll of animate dead (CL 5)
[725 gp] divine scroll of divination (CL 7)
Weapons
[350 gp] masterwork heavy crossbow
[2,302 gp] +1 blowgun [no light or external clues]
[10,115 gp] trident of warning [no light or external clues]
Wondrous Items
[1,400 gp] daredevil boots [no external clues]
[1,000 gp] beneficial bandolier [no external clues]
[12,000 gp] bodywrap of mighty strikes (+2) [no external clues]
Experience:
BullgupMeakoPrim: 7875xp = 675xp (loggers) + 600 (disenchanting!) + 2400 (traps for chaos) + 1200 (bargining for a cup) + 600 (trading for scales) + 2400 (demon fights)
Plays-With-Squirrels: 1350xp = 1350xp + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0
Alignment:
Bullgup shifts to:
Prim shifts to:
(before Plays-with-squirrels departs)
Coins
14 pp, 178 gp, 490 sp, 1,100 cp
Armor
[350 gp] masterwork breastplate
Potions
[300 gp] potion/oil of invisibility (CL 3)
[50 gp] potion/oil of feather step (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of ant haul (CL 1)
[25 gp] potion/oil of guidance (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of endure elements (CL 1)
Scrolls
[700 gp] arcane scroll of firefall (CL 7)
[13 gp] arcane scroll of flare (CL 1)
[700 gp] divine scroll of plague carrier (CL 7)
[25 gp] arcane scroll of cause fear (CL 1)
[13 gp] arcane scroll of flare (CL 1)
Wands
[750 gp] wand of ray of enfeeblement (CL 1)
Weapons
[2,400 gp] +1 composite longbow [sheds light]
[315 gp] masterwork scimitar
(after Plays-with-Squirrels departs)
Coins
0 pp, 23 gp, 260 sp, 573 cp
Armor
[1,350 gp] +1 breastplate
[200 gp] masterwork scale mail
Art
[1,200 gp] platinum scepter with gold inlay
[850 gp] gold decanter with grape vine patterns
Gems
[9 gp] alabaster
[11 gp] unworked irregular freshwater pearl (worth 5 gp; Craft (jewelry) DC 10 to repair)
Potions
[25 gp] potion/oil of light (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of animate rope (CL 1)
[50 gp] potion/oil of magic fang (CL 1)
[300 gp] potion/oil of resist energy, acid (CL 3)
[50 gp] potion/oil of sanctify corpse (CL 1)
[300 gp] potion/oil of wood shape (CL 3)
Scrolls
[150 gp] arcane scroll of burning gaze (CL 3)
[150 gp] divine scroll of restoration, lesser (CL 3)
[150 gp] arcane scroll of bull's strength (CL 3)
[25 gp] divine scroll of magic fang (CL 1)
[1,125 gp] arcane scroll of shadow evocation (CL 9)
[625 gp] divine scroll of animate dead (CL 5)
[725 gp] divine scroll of divination (CL 7)
Weapons
[350 gp] masterwork heavy crossbow
[2,302 gp] +1 blowgun [no light or external clues]
[10,115 gp] trident of warning [no light or external clues]
Wondrous Items
[1,400 gp] daredevil boots [no external clues]
[1,000 gp] beneficial bandolier [no external clues]
[12,000 gp] bodywrap of mighty strikes (+2) [no external clues]
Experience:
BullgupMeakoPrim: 7875xp = 675xp (loggers) + 600 (disenchanting!) + 2400 (traps for chaos) + 1200 (bargining for a cup) + 600 (trading for scales) + 2400 (demon fights)
Plays-With-Squirrels: 1350xp = 1350xp + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0
Alignment:
Bullgup shifts to:
Show spoiler
N5/G3
Prim shifts to:
Show spoiler
C8/G3
Report Date
16 Jun 2023
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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