Session 09: A Growing Conflict and Guidance!

General Summary

A Growing Conflict

This session began with you all near a Creek surrounded by gorgeous wild flowers, small fern-like plants, reeds, and the rather isolated and rare Two of Cups. This flower was altering the emotional state of the team and causing increased levels of the need to be self-focussed as well as distrust. While pondering this and appreciating the new source of water, you heard a cry for help from down stream from a low-voiced individual followed by a chorus of higher-voiced individuals shouting back at him.
Namina, Kaswink and Hysteria (the last of which was quite reluctant) ran off towards the source of this duress while DAN Wildcloak and Frode stayed behind for a bit. Agave, presumably, also joined the first three, though we'll never truly know.

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While staying behind, DAN witnessed Frode arranging some flowers he had found earlier on a nearby stump. He muttered something underneath his breath which caught DAN's attention and the two of them had a nice conversation about Ilmater and their role in the party.
Frode tried to explain to DAN the teachings of Ilmater, the burdens that everyone carries, and the difference between them and the rest of the group. Most of what he said was met with confusion or disagreement from DAN, some of it was agreed upon though DAN had differing philosophies and guidance to provide to Frode on those matters, but Frode continued to try to get DAN on his side about the issues. Some of it may have stemmed from a point of self-love triggered by the nearby flower.
In an attempt to move things along, DAN eventually convinced Frode to continue explaining this while they walked toward the rest of the group.

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Meanwhile, as the rest of the you were running down the creek, more shouting and then the exchange of blows could be heard. Kaswink took a brief moment to stop and hit a nearby tree. This caused a bit of a split up the trunk to occur and an incredibly loud noise which was heard by DAN and Frode and most likely by the fighting parties up ahead. Namina continued running and pulling Hysteria behind her despite this.
They eventually found the source of the conversation up ahead where they discovered Croak and a group of Myotlings. Three of these myotlings had simple white wings with some groups of black spots while the fourth and presumed leader had a design similar to a Mourning Cloak butterfly.

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Meanwhile, Frode and DAN were still heading down the creek and continuing their discussion on Ilmater.
The discussion turned rather dark as Frode continued voicing his concerns for his reliability in such a strange and dangerous world. Whether or not he would survive, how everyone else is better equipped for the situation with their magic, and each point was countered with words of encouragement from DAN. He explained how, as fighters, they need to protect the magical folk and take their suffering as their own as this is the way of Ilmater.
Eventually, this conversation reached an end with Frode convincing DAN to, at the very least, wear a red chord as a sign of solidarity with him. DAN, not being the overly religious type, and certainly not one that subscribes to Ilmater, was as bit hesitant at first but agreed to do so for his friend.

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Further down the creek, discussions began between Namina and the strange butterfly creatures. They claimed that the frog-person, Croak, was a usurper of the one true queen of the forest. Croak countered this by stating that he was voted into the position. The myotlings grew more and more agitated at this and at the demands to leave by Namina as they claimed that "this is our forest, you're the intruders! Why should we listen to you, outsiders!?"
Kaswink, sick of this shit, grabbed the leader Myotling by the head and demanded that they stop all this noise before releasing her again. The threat and the arrival of Frode and DAN led to the myotlings conceding and desparately trying to escape as Kaswink started grabbing them. Her hand was wounded by the gentle stabbing of one of their rapiers, and they were eventually released to run into the woods shouting at the party to "Stay away from Thera Relovut!"

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Guidance

After the myotlings fled the scene, you were all left with a rather well-dressed bullfrog named Croak. He explained that while he may have been appointed "ruler" of Tympi's Forest, he sees himself as more of a guide both for the accidental newcomer and for the wildlife and spirits that spend their whole lives there. A caretaker rather than a King. He called himself an "Interim Magician" as he feels that this guidance is more important that providing some form of rule or law outside the already existing natural or spiritual laws in the forest.
With this in mind, he began to provide what guidance he could to the lot of you. This involved answering all of your questions to the best of his ability and showing you the ropes. He gave DAN a flower called Ulunor's Bloom and explained that, with the help of a talented Apothacarist, it could be made into poultices or potions to help keep the party healthy. He showed Namina how to prepare and use a spiritual ward to keep everyone safe from spirits throughout the night, and he showed some places on the map that might be best avoided.

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At some point in the conversation, Frode produced a large stack of paperwork and handed it to Croak with hopes that he would sign it. Croak, being unfamiliar with the written language on the document, asked to use Frode's eyes to read it. Unfortunately, it was revealed at this point that Frode is largely illiterate. He then asked DAN for help instead and read the entirety of the document while grasping DAN's head. It would seem that he has some rather interesting abilities.
After reading over the contract, Croak seemed to be quite offended. In discussing the finer details with DAN it was revealed that Frode's king was looking to gain ownership of this land through some rather...colonial means. Croak explained that he would not sign this contract for numerous reasons much to the dejection of Frode.
Frode also brought up that he would prefer a nice place to sleep such as the town that they saw earlier. Croak explained that he would gladly invite the lot of you into "The Mothlights" for safety, but only on the condition that Frode promises not to share the secrets found within. He mentioned something about an Inn there being a great place to rest, however, the idea was eventually abandoned as Frode refused to promise secrecy, especially from his king.

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With that settled, the party continued setting up their camp and built a rudimentary fence around the perimeter to keep out wildlife. This was completed with some gathered vines that DAN found, some rope from the party's supply, and some logs that Kaswink fell with a few mighty swings.
While looking for vines, DAN also happened across some rather mundane looking root vegetables which would be great added to the stew that Frode was working on for that evening's dinner. They also found, in the same area, a catalpa sapling that seemed to bring about large amounts of inspiration. What this means is still unclear, but DAN harvested the sapling anyways. Most of them were picked without issue, but one potato broke off at the stem revealing to DAN that it corkscrewed into the ground. DAN, resolved to procure this potato, unscrewed it from the earth and discovered that the very sight of this unseemly potato filled them with unpleasant feelings. Despite this they brought it back to the camp for use in the stew along with the other vegetables.

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Closing

The session wrapped up with a brief discussion on how to move forward which was decided to be left until everyone is ready to weigh in. DAN sent their daily breakdown to Quince and everyone enjoyed some tasty stew before heading off to bed. What awaits them in their dreams? What might be found in the forests the following day? What will be their next plan of attack with regards to The Expedition or The Succession of Tympi's Forest?

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Quince's Response

First Plants Discovered and analyzed: Hey, wow, that's great! I'm really looking forward to hearing all about these discoveries, each and every one of them! Hopefully all the ones you find are useful and none of them just cause instant death, that'd really suck! I'm really looking forward to having my own pod of Coffee one day, that sounds lovely! These plants you mentioned that alter emotions and stuff sound like they could be incredibly beneficial as well as that "Ulunor's Bloom"... I wonder who that is?
First Animals Discovered and analyzed: Knocking, huh? Sounds a lot like that entry on- what was it called? Farvjar- no, Fjarve- no wait... whatever it was, I'm glad that you didn't open the door! Monkies? With unusual amounts of limbs!? That's amazing! Oh, and a frog as your guide? Interesting, it would seem that a replacement was found for the "Tympi" that was mentioned in the journal. I'm desparately curious to learn more about all of these lovely critters!
Signs of Civilization: Oh, wow, a town!? The Writer never mentioned a town by the river, I wonder what's up with that. Maybe it was recent? Or...maybe it just wasn't worth mentioning? Either way, it'd be important to look into it at some point. First things first though, you seem to have encountered civilized life already. If this "Croak" exists then he must have some sort of shelter somewhere, same goes for these myotlings and Ilven. It might be worth checking out the "Thera Relahvoot? Is that what they called it? wow! These "Mothlights" sound interesting too. Best find a way to either take Croak up on that offer or maybe find another way?
Spirits! Amazing! I love hearing about the strange spirits that can be found. I'm impressed with all the uses you've thought of for these Wisps you found, and I love the details about empathy and auras, so much more than what The Writer provided in his musings.
Conflict! That's no good! We can't have warring nations while tourists are visiting...it'd be far too dangerous. You better find a way to resolve that while going about your regular expedition work as well. Who knows, maybe you'll find some interesting stuff along the way, or maybe it'll even lead you to some interesting discoveries you wouldn't have found otherwise. Regardless, it must be resolved, either peacefully or however you see fit. Though I think a peaceful solution might be best.

In-Game Date:
Nurend 04, 308

Report Date

20 Dec 2021

Primary Location

Tympi's Forest

Related Plots

• The Expedition
• The Succession of Tympi's Forest

Related Characters

• Croak, The Night's Eyes
• Ilven, The Misguided High Priestess
• Tympi, The Lost Magician

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Mentioned Locations:
Something called "Mothlights"
Thera Relovut
Mylnawha
The Sleeping Oak
The Endless City of Greed

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Discovered Plants:
Ace of Wands
Ulunor's Bloom
Corkscrew Potato
Ginseng

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Discovered Creatures:
Myotlings
Mothlings (Only mentioned)
The Citizens of Greed (Only mentioned)