GH 07 - "A Deepened Quarry"
General Summary
Hello and welcome back to Phonic Fables - Green Hunters of the Dragon Queen Edition. This Quarry of Lovers is a product of The Techno God, free to consume on World Anvil, Discord, and platforms like Spotify under Wizards of the Coasts’ Fan Content Policy. This journey is shared by myself, my Partner in Life, Kat, and some friends we’ve met along the way, Rachel and Jarod, as well as newcomers Peter and Kaylee, who have given consent for their characters and tales to be shared here as well. This content is not official in any capacity, and is merely a rendition of stories Wizard’s IP has already published throughout the years. The foundation of lore from the books we use, mine and my players' creativity and passion, and little moments of spontaneity create this tale. With boundless joy, my scribing and reciting of these tales is something I am most happy to share with y’all.
Episode 06.5 Recap
Braving the paths and roads through and to Conyberry, on their way to Butterskull Ranch, the Trio and was beset by Brigands and Rogues! Orlais used his quick wit to allow them to pass unscathed. The path also found an ally in Iverna, awaiting at the ruins in stifled darkness to make a grave decision. Intercepted, she joined their counteroffensive the next day and, with the help of the owner, Big Al, they were able to repel the invaders and stop them from attaining an ancient relic. In the end, the Orchard was a little hole-ier, and the farmhands were slain, but the valley was secured, for now. After another rest, the party would leave to search for Petunia, Big Al's prize cow, which had wandered towards the Starmetal Hills to the North and East! Petunia was found just in time and saved with the help of new friends Vaskyr Longstride and Harper June.Session 07 - "A Deepened Quarry"
Luckily enough, after moving the barbarian corpses, looting them, and finding little more than some basic weapons, the party already had a camp made up! No longer a Trio, they now are refered to as a Quarry. Each member of the group finds a different body or few to loot, but it is on the corpse near the bedroll that Orlais finds a journal. A little water wear, but otherwise legible, the man was searching for a flower for his lover in Neverwinter. He was going to ask her to marry him with it and a "less-than-what-she-deserved-ring". The time in the camp would allow the Trio to talk with their new Feywild Friends, learn of their motives to retrieve ammo to keep Littlekindle's area secure, but admit that they have heard no tales of Harper June and this Satyr, only laughing about the last Satyr they met - apparently that is Vaskyr's cousin. Final thanks are also given from Big Al with kind words, the promise of a bed when next in the area, and his Mithiril Armor. Orlais, Zelana, and Remira all agree that Vaskyr should take the armor, as, without their and June's help, they would surely have been felled by those Reghed Barbarians! Harper June says, "As long as you're feeling generous, would you mind helping me to find more of these.", holding out her hand to a collection of starmetal chunks that she had found near the heart of the crater. Vaskyr chimes in, "Our smith friend admited that there would be more to the North." The North is where the Starmetal Hills proper lies, and once they finish resting up, piling the bodies, and giving rites, they march on to seek more starmetal, and chat even more!River's End
The wood's path stretched like this for another hour and half, to the point where Midday began to turn to afternoon, and while the lower Sun would give way to Selune in due time, Lathanders' path had yet to shine it's streaks of orange and crimson. Crimson like passion, like the love that burgeons between members of this Quarry, and has already blossomed into a deep rooted tree. In this life, there are few things that utter such sweet melodies as love, and for those that find it, few boundaries are enough to withold it. The Sun still burned with a quiet yellow, bits of orange starting to tear through the luminous body, bits of red from spots where Elemental flares swatch in. The Neverwinter River was famous for one reason, and that was the warmth that radiated out of and from within it's waters. Connected to the springs that flow from Mount Hotenow, the river was awash with that same heat and fire within, all the way to this River's End. The river was fed by the Volcano Springs, clear and fresh as it is warm, but the Woods lurk as danger does near places of beauty, with guardians and threats both holding back those delightful tides that chase towards the ocean as much as Neverwinter in the West. Betwixt the rocks at the end of the long-since-past-brackish waters set two humanoids, though one seems to have fins! Orlais pauses a moment, and then prepares to step out to greet them, but Zelana grabs his tunic and pulls at him to come back. The tug makes Orlais see what the others too have realized and that is that the... Merfolk is with a Sahuagin. None of them know much about Sahuagin, but Zelana knows a little about Merfolks, and knows that it is odd for them to be around Sahuagin. Sharkfolk, they are usually far out to see or along reefs. Orlais adds that he thought the Merfolk was in danger because the Sahuagin usually are in oppositon to their allies, the Triton. The Quarry decides to give them their privacy, with one exception. Zelana could not help but to set the mood, so, she pulls out a humble wand, flicking it thrice on her vambrace, she hums and erupts in expressive movement willing music to travel and surround the aquatic couple with orchestral momentum. As the music travels over to them, all eyes are on the couple, save for Iverna and Orlais. Orlais is watching Zelana, her goofiness, and her readiness to set aside such a dangerous quest for even a moment to spread just a little more love in this world, dark and dreary as it has been. As he thinks about these qualities, he lights up with the same red hue as the Elementals that burst with fiery argency on the Sun, hues that are stark on his light-skinned face. There she is. Iverna's eyes try to meet his, but see where his have landed, and looks back waiting for him to see her in that moment of tenderness, but he would never look her way, she would only see his smile, see his warmth given to another, and their silent praise with an embrace as they walked away from the couple. Walking to the West, Iverna's eyes meet a centaur named Xanth, just outside the treeline, but Vaskyr is already on approach, greeting them as a friend.The Agile Equine Acolyte
Xanth embraces his old friend, and they catch up about the last few months of events. When Vaskyr first met Xanth, Vaskyr had just arrived from the Feywild and Xanth was just leaving to enter the service of an Archfey's Court, and it seems that, in Valnym'yr, they found their bonds. Due in no small part to Vaskyr's sharing of training amongst the Sprites, Nymphs, and Dryads that are among Her court. What a difference three months can make, for Xanth is now here to deliver Valanym'yr's Oath of the Ancients, and as Vaskyr bows to one hoof, they accept the tenets of their Oath. The divine power of Vaskyr's Oath flux the Feymark Tattoos that Iverna and Orlais carry, but only light pours out of their green and violet arcs. Vaskyr stands with bristled hairs, nervous but eager to serve his Lady of the Evergleam. His friend began as a local turned acyolyte of the Fey, and now he and his partner Harper June, natives of the Fey, are on the precipice of being local legends. The exchange with Xanth ends with a warning, and a request: to be wary of and meet him at the Dragon Barrow West of where they already approach. Once Vaskyr is done aiding Reymira, Valanym'yr needs help with "A shadow that should not be near bones of Draconic heraldry." Vaskyr is curious as to how his lady knows this Half-Orc, but keeps his inquries to his own mind for now. Xanth and Vaskyr leave with a bow, not too deep, but with two cupped hands, the right hand cupping the left one - a gesture that symbolizes ones capacity for good and evil, and that good must supercede that former, but none are without both.Rest Before Retort
Xanth gallops away to the West and the Quarry hike West along the River parallel to his tracks for a time, then aways South. There is no trail but Reymira insists that this is the place to go inward. Looking around, a little into the treeline, are indeed Anchorite markings, talons of lightning scratching into trees with fire and skulls of those from other tribes. The Lord of Destruction leaves traces where they roam. A couple hours South before the forest began to incline, Reymira said this is a good place to ready themselves for whatever may come. Harper June agrees that she needs a nap, and Zelana is happy that she isn't the only one complaining now! The Quarry commit to a long rest well into the evening. A storm rises out of what seems like nowhere and wakes folks who are sleeping, though the rumbling alerts Orlais and Iverna. The cloud that funnels towards the heavens emerged from further South, and swirled into a wispy tunnel of doom alongside flashes of bolts - Orlais noticed in sets of three. The crash of the first bolt wakes Reymira from the nightmare she was having, ending the same way - but with a bolt striking her suddenly. A hot sweat disappears in the cool air, and she springs out of the tent as if it were real. The camp is packed the fastest it's ever been, and likely ever will, as they begin their ascent. Vaskyr and Flint scout atop and above the trees, while Flint dashes ahead on Orlais telepathic command, the party moves forward with Vaskyr in the trees providing overwatch. They stop in a grove, with a large Oak tree in full bloom. Waiting patiently, the party interacts with nothing in the Grove while Reymira details her more-than-fuzzy memory of the area. The tree seeming to spark something alongside the storm. Orlais is occupied through their warg sight, but Zelana and Harper June listen intently. Rey informs them that the ritual must not be completed, and, that there are three different ways this is done. The first is that some kind of sacrifice must be made within the Circle - the sacrifice is what differs, but the process for the ritual remains that one of the shaman must be chanting within the circle to conclude it, and that the result will not occur until 'Ruin's Rest'; which is midnight. She remembers that there are three results depending on the sacrifice, the first, is an animal, and results in an offering to Talos' Elemental Companion; the next, is an offering of Life's Blood, and results in an increase in power to Talos' most faithful, who serve him; the final, she cannot recall, but knows that any of the three must take place during a storm. Vaskyr goes ahead while the rest of the group remains in the grove. He gets to the edge of this section of the wood, before meeting a small ravine, not too deep, but plenty wide, with a rope bridge spread across a well-guarded section. The storm continues to rise and crash, and the light from the storm flashes white streaks into view, as well as Orcs and Half-Orcs along the hillside across the bridge. Vaskyr sees Flint head back, but remains, certain the others would catch up, and keeps watch of the hillside patrol. By the time the rest of the Quarry catch up, the patrol has completed one of it's cycles and is seen again. Vaskyr informs the others what he witnessed after clambering down in a way that only a mountain goat could, or, a Satyr even, it seems With express timing, and Harper June's Druidic gifts, a separate land bridge would erupt from the earth, Molding from the Earth, crawling across gaps as if rising from a gigantic mole hole being burrowed below. Harper June's arms raise up to the air as her feet stomp forward to cast the spell, the loose earth and dirt smoothing out as she steps forward. This bridge was further to the West, lower, and a more advantageous position to get across the ravine quickly.The Ritual Rises
The Circle of Thunder Ritual had already begun, as they got closer, as the storm grew, this had become apparent, but getting to the bottom of the telltale area's hillside, climbing 90 feet upwards was where the arcs of lightning would aim towards, pillars of stone climbing the final ten feet as the rods of lightning. Those great columns of stone radiated with humming energy at the edge of Orlais magical sight, but it would not be enough to dissuade the Quarry to scout closer, two Orcs frolic chanting in partly druidic, partly orcish, and another language none can recall - smaller shadows surround them dancing in a similar circle. Time was not on their side, but neither would a surprise attack in the heart of enemy territory. None ponder why they stand next to Reymira, though, not even Iverna who naught tendays prior would have killed her like any other Orc-kin. Her honor keeps her people aloft as if upon the wings of the Dragons themselves, resonating among them all with sound mind and reason. Zelana is inspired, charged by Reymira's affect, and delves first into the two stone doors that are each discovered with Flint's overview. Delving into these small rooms beyond the door, Zelana finds trapdoors in the back leading closer to the center of the hedge circle atop the hill. having charged right in, it is good that there are no occupants! Orlais finds magical items within each room, using their Warlock Gifts, the shaman hid them under their beds like those crafty criminals opposed to the banks in the city. Dug into a tiny dirt pit and covered with stone and dirt in kind, it was not enough to repel Orlais's Magic Sight. A potion and a shield made of wood, respectively, they understood that it was magical and that was enough to use it in this moment, Vaskyr silently claps their hands towards Orlais, putting their metal shield on their back, hanging from a quick-twine, and grapples the shield tossed like a discus, slipping it on. Orlais pockets the potion, and keeps it in mind as they ready up shortly before Ruin's Hour. A final breath, a silent prayer, for some, and a zeal like none other, they step-up, step out, and position themselves around the outside edge of the circle without trying too much too be silent, the thunder rumbling their footsteps to be silent by comparrision. Now, they charge from all across the hill into the ritual circle - it is time! But lo, what is that to the South? Vaskyr is focused on the circle, charging in with an Entangling Strike, missing horribly, but his concentration then turns to see, just in time... Harper June having readied herself for the onslaught, stepped forward and stood against the contingency of at least a dozen and half Orcish warriors coming uphill - Vaskyr sees them in the flash of lightning and is as full of horror for Harper June, as he is for them. She looks on all sides and meets Vaskyr's awe, realizes that she needs to act, no one else has time! A casting of Entangle corrals the whole band, save for the three Orcfolk who lead the group - inspiring! Lucky for them, she needs to help her allies, and moves towards them, winking at Vaskyr. His heart soars and pushes him to race against Agar Dro-Barah, who stood as the tip of the Spear once more, this time, atop a Warg!Fury Consumes
The smaller shadows that had been dancing alongside the two Half-Orcs within the circle were revealed by Harper June to be Twig Blights, small living plants that shoot spikes as twigs and are known to serve Evil Druids and their kind. Rey and Zelana clear the air, and the circle, of nearly all of these little almost undead-like husks of things with each of their Draconic Breath's. Reymira shoots out fire alongside Zelana's casting of Gemini Dragon's Breath, sweeping up the remainder in the next moment or two. Now, only the Orcish warriors and their battle leader remained. Orlais stood outside the circle casting spells and barraging Eldritch Blasts to various targets. Attempting to distract or maim those performing the ritual, he was emboldened after drinking the potion he found, he felt - Inveulnerable. Agar was met with much hardship though, these, Feywild Friends made sure of it. They had never seen the Orc before but knew that there was something special about him, something... off. He and his two other leaders were not Entangled by the vines and earth that held the Orc band to their positions. The Shadowy tendril of magic and illusiory flame would have incited the same fear in the Quarry as it had during Reymira's bout with Agar, but his attention turned instead to the Mithryl-Armored Satyr that stood between him and his prey. Vaskyr would ready another attack, one enchanted with the same Entangling Smite as before, humming with ancient energy, it flies forth and strikes true, the boomerang is met with it's own unique flash, a divine spark, different from the lightning, more, static in it's spread. The glow pulsates out in a green flare, but the vines that leap from the earth still cannot grab this brutish Orc. The leader behind Agar, another shaman, had cast a blessing on him it seems, allowing him to be just agile, or just strong enough to break free before the would fully tighten. Agar rides towards the circle and Vaskyr strikes at him as he rides, another hit, but their energy is almost spent after that boomerang, they channel their power to find more of it in a quick breath. Orlais now attempts to make the dancing Orc's slip with ice, felling an Ice Knife from between the clouds above, but to no avail, at least one maintains their balance or continues to chant. The rainfall runs rabid, sideways, assaulting their armor with bullet-like pings on metal, but the crashing of thunder, discord of raindrops, and blood-curdling scream of Agar charging within the circle are nothing compared to Reymira's inner pain unleashed after all these years. Harper June had begun to rage with the fury of her ancestors, and even still, the pain of Reymira's spirit made her rage all the more profound. Bubbling over like a pot of unwatched water, oozing into steam and fumes, Reymira unleashed the chaos within. Fists, kicks, and even a headbutt of channeled Draconic force, Agar barely had time to get off his Warg before Reymira's Flurry after Flurry of Blows would buffet the burnt Orc to oblivion. Others would aid in his demise, and the shaman would feel his loss, but... seem to revel in it. No! Life's Blood! Midnight! This was the plan, all along! Talos was leaving with a faithful one way or another! Reymira fulfilled the task she was asked to perform so many years ago, the task to kill a sacrifice within the circle, during a storm, she feels terror instantly, awash with guilt, remorse, and shame all at once, she crumbles to her knees. She couldn't hear Orlais calling out to stop, she couldn't her the voice from the dream... there was only silence. A perfect symphony of nothingness against the chaos of the moment - stillness that she had only found as a Monk. It was deafening, but kept her focus, the shock of it all. What's worse... she enjoyed it. These thoughts race as fast as the lightning that begins to strike into the center of the circle, bolts in chorus' of three, pulsating as if a drum beat. Agar is slain, and the other Orcs spread far and fast, watching from about 20 feet down the hill, the party is surrounded, but stunned all the same. The pulsing of light begins emiting an echoing screech, and on the final pulse, the three bolts are larger, and blue, and out from the orb of energy that had amassed comes Gorthok, Talos' companion and champion of the thunder. A huge, elemental boar, summoned to this very spot!Chaos Ends
Gorthok was made of the very energy that had coalesced, transcended from the plane of Pandemonium for plans of great destruction. Blue streaks, yellow veins, and two tusks of semi-corporeal light charge with power, and where the battle with the Orcs was rush attack, this fight would be one of attrition. Reymira would prove the most useful, her Draconic essence chipping away the health of the champion, as Zelana melts their thick hide with empowered flames, and Orlais does the same with ice, Vaskyr and Harper June try their best to help - her rage inciting just enough extra to make Gorthok feel it. None of them hold magical weapons though, and with Gorthok being an elemental, it begins to look grim, stamina and resolve begin to drop, and Vaskyr begins to use their holy connections to Lay on Hands as one of the Quarry is felled. Reymira's Ki is drained, party spellpower waned, but hope was not lost! Harper June stands between those wounded and puts her life on the line to put down this threat, once and for all. Her greataxe swings with a mighty cleave towards the creatures maw, horizontal, jaw to jaw, and as the blade meets, a horrific scream shudders out, a small shockwave included, staggering Harper June backwards. Immediately, there is silence, the storm begins to still, and the greataxe is changed... transformed, the parts that were metal for the blade were now fitted around a bone haft, and shaped out of... glass? The Quarry stands, catching their breath, but one final burst comes down from the heavens, three bolts of lightning fall at once, striking Reymira, but leaving no discernable marks on her body. The others rush over to her, Agar's body, and the corpse of the Huge Boar of fizzled-out-blue-lightning. The storm has passed, the chaos ended, but only for a moment. The clouds are still thick in the air, and Selune is blocked for now, but at least we're all alive, right?
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12 Jul 2024
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