Session 36: Delightfully Devilish Developments: Ilven's Return?

General Summary

A Logging Camp

The session began somewhere in the forest. The sound of several people logging nearby could be heard, and Agave had a vague idea of where you all were. The sound of a nearby creek further cemented the likelihood of Agave knowing your whereabouts. Some discussion was had about what direction to head, and it was generally accepted that "civilization" is better than wandering about, and there is likely to be Mothlight Tree in that direction as well. Agave also had some desire to interview whoever is logging to see if they know about the rot or if they're destroying the forest. Kaswink, however, was under the impression that destroying the forest is likely not a possibility. You all traveled a bit before you finally reached the source of the woodland cacophony. You saw several humans, though something about them was off, and they were carrying massive saws. Some of them had hammers and were building small structures or pounding in stakes to guide how the trees fall. Some had axes and were splitting logs. There were tents, a campfire, and a mothlight tree at the center of camp was cordoned off while the rest of the area’s trees were being cleared out. All the "humans" of this camp were around 8 feet tall, and some thin vines with pink flowers were growing around their necks and heads. Their limbs were longer than they should be, and the reason why wasn't entirely clear. Their flesh was all normal human tones, nothing monstrous or to suggest they were undead in some way. The vines could've even just been an accessory.

Agave saw no communication amongst the loggers, no apparent leader, just mindless logging. Inspecting the flowers, they seemed unfamiliar and seemed to just be mundane vines and pink flowers. Though there were large glowing seeds in their necks and heads that became more visible as he used his spyglass to get a closer look. It was also confirmed that they were not related to Vine Beasts. Agave began hypothesizing: Perhaps it was as symbiotic relationship or a parasitic relationship and the loggers were clearing this area to make room for more flowers. Discussion about the vines and flowers continued, and Kaswink pantomimed to Frode to cut the vines with the Gardening Sword by making a "snip snip" hand motion. At this time, Namina also pointed out that the aura of these creatures was incredibly dark red and very hard to see. It was so cut off and faint that it was barely visible, and the combination of its lack of opacity with its color suggested that they were holding onto anger or trauma, had low energy/exhaustion, were over-worked while also being very disconnected from their Selves. This was confirmation for the rest of the group that this was definitely parasitic.

Inquiring DANs wanted to know: "Do the flowers have an aura?" Looking over them, however, Namina didn't see any sign of an aura coming from these plants. Unusual? There was some debate on plants and auras and spirits, but in the end there was no aura on them. You all began trying to sneak, at least Kaswink, DAN, Hysteria and Frode did.

Kaswink was the first to do some sneakin'. She snuck around the "left" side of camp to get a closer look at these creatures. As she did so, a logger bumped into Hysteria. This logger seemed to not really care that Hysteria was there, though did make a grunting noise before continuing with their work. Kaswink inspected the bags found near some of the tents to see if there were any clues, and she was able to find lots of clothing, tools, and even children's toys and games. This luggage seems to have either belonged to a parent or perhaps just someone connected to their inner child. Either way, there didn't seem to be any children here, it was like they took whatever they had at the time before ...leaving wherever they left. Kaswink theorized that they were going on a "normal logging expedition" and just never came back. Though, what logger would bring children's toys? I guess it gets boring out there in the logging communities. Agave continued trying to investigate these flowers, and he discovered that, whatever they are, they came from somewhere completely different than this part of the forest. Kaswink tried to pantomime using the gardening sword again, though it was ignored. Kaswink snuck to the other side of camp to begin setting up a trap for a couple of these loggers using her Glaive of the Stalker. She placed the Pylons from this weapon in such a way as to prevent the loggers from getting too roudy when conversations start. DAN also started to sneak up closer to be a part of these discussions, as they were sneaking forward, they suddenly fell asleep. As Kaswink was getting everything set up and seeing DAN collapse, she also happens to hear the incredibly faint sound of fluttering wings. She allerted the group to this by signing Ilven's name to the rest of the group.

Myotlings?

DAN had passed out, as previously mentioned, and Kaswink was curious about that. She didn't notice anything happen with the loggers, they seemed to just constantly be doing their thing with no attention spent on DAN. Something else may have caused this, and she was looking for whatever it was. In the meantime, though, she approached DAN to wake them up. Agave's working theory was that these plants growing on the loggers released dangerous spores! DAN was suddenly awoken, the first thing they feel is the rough shaking from Kaswink before everything is suddenly thrown into darkness. Those near Kaswink were blinded to everything and could just hear the sound of sawing wood and other noise from the lumber camp. Those that stayed behind just saw a dome of dark energy filling the area. From DAN's perspective they apparently saw an Oni hand grasping at their throat as the darkness filled the area, though it quickly let go after the spell was cast. Frode had some complaints about this darkness, though, as these lamentations began, the darkness was suddenly turned into glitter. Sparkles filled the air anywhere that darkness once was, and it glinted in the air, vanishing before even hitting the ground.

Agave attempted to sneak up to the Mothlight Tree at the center of camp. As he did so, a couple of loggers looked towards him as he was not very sneaky, but they quickly turned their attention back to their work. Shortly after this, Agave collapsed to the ground asleep much like DAN did. DAN, seeing this, picked Agave up and started waking him up as he walked him away from the "danger". Kaswink, also seeing all the forced snoozing happening to her friends, decides to try using a sleep spell of her own. None of the workers that she tried to sleep fell asleep, but a Myotling gentleman with pale green wings, white spots in the corners, and yellow stripes along the wings fell out of the sky. Kaswink used a moment to sign once again, this time stating "definitely Ilven." The loggers standing near the group stopped cutting down the trees and started cutting down Kaswink and Hysteria. Their expressions didn't change, it's like they were still performing their logging objective but now just against living people. It was incredibly unsettling!

Combat ensued, and it was a fairly tough fight as several of you had spent most of your energy on the Wheredigo counter earlier that day. These loggers seemed capable of implanting seeds in the bodies of their targets and draining their health from a distance while also just generally using logging equipment to harm you. Frode used his Gardening Sword quite effectively against these enemies. DAN tried desparately to not kill one of them, though the myotlings were having none of that, and Agave spent his time studying the mothlight tree and conversing with these myotlings. He also managed to knock two of the myotlings out of invisibility with a wave of thunder. The myotlings spent a lot of their time communicating with the group and claiming that their mission here is "Just" after Agave questioned their motives. "It is a little known fact that the roots of the mothlight trees are actually very poisonous to surrounding plant life and certain animals. That’s why you usually see them on their own with trees more spread out and away from them. We’re doing the forest a service by cutting them down and destroying their roots so they can stop spreading their toxin." Kaswink held one of the Myotlings hostage and demanded the fighting stop, questions be answered truthfully or the myotling will die. Instead of answering, the two other myotlings flew into the sky about 40 feet into the air, dancing and giggling. Kaswink held true to her promise and did indeed kill the myotling with the pylons from her still prototype Glaive. The reason for the myotling's dancing was revealed as they released a beam of light that knocked out Agave and Hysteria. The bodies of the loggers were fried as well, destroying a great deal of evidence, but those that survived the barage easily dealt with the myotlings afterwards. Particularly, Kaswink jumping from high above in the Mothlight Tree managed to cut through the two myotlings, though she fell and ended up being unconscious as the fight ended. The bodies of these myotlings quickly vanished, turning into yellow-green leaves and glittter.

Back to the Mothlights

After combat, some investigating was had around this logging camp. The loggers were nothing but charred remains, the myotlings were gone though inaccurately described as still being there, and the rest of the logging camp was ripe for looting. Agave was able to find some plans after being brought back thanks to Namina. Specifically, he found a map and some plans. These plans seemed to suggest that some points on the map were referring to expansion for the myotlings and Ilven, while other points were notable on Mothlight Trees with the intent of cutting them down. Notes and hypotheses amongst the group brought some to the conclusion that damaging the Mothlight Tree seems to be impossible while the plant life around it is still alive. Because of this, they had to damage the forest around the Mothlight Tree before cutting it down. A journal also confirmed Ilven as a guilty party. Notes about her creating these creatures called Uginot ec Mlet, which was apparently the name of the creatures that were just fought. They were created to damage the Mothlight Trees as Myotlings and Mothlings are apparently unable to do so. They were also created as extra muscle due to the Myotlings themselves being quite weak on their own. Ilven's goals is apparently to destroy the light that comes from these Mothlight Trees so that she can spread her darkness and take over the forest/Spirit World as a whole. It was not expressly clear if Ilven is actually alive and doing these things, or if she just visits her people in their dreams to give orders...or if it is just fierce fanaticism. Whatever the case, she has to be stopped before the Rotting Gate can be pursued. The reasoning behind this is because the forest might not be there when you get back from the Rotting Gate if Ilven is allowed to have her way.

DAN had some concerns about traveling via mothlights, specifically if it would corrupt you all in some way...perhaps turning you into trees? There were debates amongst you all about this, though it was eventually agreed to just use it. Planning to head back to the Expedition Base to plant your new sapling, you all entered The Mothlights to fast travel.

Inside the Mothlight Village, you saw a commotion that interrupted your progress. A large group of Mothlings were fluttering around something, but as you approached they dispersed revealing a pair of Myotling Refugees. A member of Tympi's Court was there as well, and before the refugees could explain their situation she interjected saying that the two of them are liars. Apparently they've been making claims that Ilven is trying to destroy the forest. The refugees were dressed in damaged clothing that vaguely resembled what were once beautiful leaf dresses, but most of it had been replaced with low-quality patchwork as if they had been fleeing some place for some time. One of them spoke: "Some weird looking mortals were brought into camp, they seemed to be treated like honored guests and were just chatting with their captors about their hobbies or jobs! But they were led into a tent, and while they were still laughing and talking well…the other sounds that escaped were quite shocking. Chanting, cutting, rustling of leaves and …well, the next time we saw those same mortals we knew we needed to get out of there and get back home as soon as possible. Someone has to do something to stop them!" Kaswink tried to read the situation to see if any of it was rehearsed, and Agave asked if they had seen Ilven recently. Apparently they had seen her recently, and she can be seen in Thera Relovut helping with the rituals to make these creatures. They hadn't seen Logren in a long time though, unusual. Kaswink didn't see any sign of rehearsal, they seemed genuinely frightened.

Clavi, the member of Tympi's Court on the scene, confirmed that they would give them refuge, but objected to the very notion that Ilven would destroy the forest. She claimed that it's "Impossible", "Outrageous", and so on. Agave had questions about the vines growing on the "Ugi" creatures, though beyond the more common Vine Beasts, Clavi was unfamiliar with parasitic plants capable of such things. She offered to take the seed that survived the blast, but Kaswink refused saying that she would make sure it is safe first. Even with the journals and other evidence, Clavi still refused to believe that Ilven would do such a thing, suggesting it could be an imposter. Agave, wondered if "even if it is an imposter, or someone doing good", is there a way to cure people of something Ilven might be going to. She agreed to consult with the other members of the court and to look through the library. She also agreed to help look for ingredients for the Talisman Namina is working on to ward against The Unblinking Sein. Kaswink turned her attention back to the refugee, inquiring if there are others that might also not like what is going on. The refugee agreed that there might be some, but they would be pressured or frightened of going against Ilven or the soldiers. They're more scared of Ilven than of anything else. When asked if there is anything that could be done to convince them to fight or run away, the refugee suggested convincing them that it isn't Ilven. They also claimed that it is mostly just darkness, but there is a piece of her in there...something trying to frame outsiders, trying to control the forest, like Ilven but twisted and messed up. Kaswink lamented for a moment, thinking of spirals and how "There are so many directions to be pulled in..."

Return to the Base

Plans continued to be made, discussions of talking to Quince and destroying the gate if necessary. How the gate that Quince made works was pondered, and a reminder that the sapling you received needs to be planted. Kaswink wanted to at some point get a bit of Day and Night from Aotrom and Dorcha to make the underground farm more viable along with all the wisps and spirits that have been congregating. Inventory of everything you had was taken, and you traveled back to your Expedition Base. Along the way, Agave was able to forage for Aotrom's Gift and Ar'En'El's Longing, two ingredients needed for Namina's Talisman. Kaswink also looked around for something to pair with the Courageous Black Moss, and she found a Giant Heart Slug.

After a good 12 hour long journey from the nearest Mothlight Tree to your base, you finally arrive at your base. The familiar, though long since seen, sight of the toxic vine hedges that wall your camp were visible along with a nearby gate providing easier entry for those that know how to access it. On the other side, it was in fine shape thanks to Kaswink tidying up during her downtime not too long ago, but there were some carcasses and bones, some of which were being feasted on by a Refracted Stalker kitten. Its whisker-tendrils were gently waving through the air and rubbing against each other to make sparks, it looked content. Upon seeing Frode it perked up, recognizing the person that spared it and looking even more happy. All the plants were in good shape, animals seemed fine, though the monkey was notably missing as Kaswink was aware of since awhile ago. The Teacup Peppermint Dragon was also eager to see DAN come back. The session wrapped up with a bit of a consensus on how to proceed forward. Getting resources and information about the situation with Ilven, making the Talisman, and trying to do what you can to prepare for that encounter is the first step, but the overall goal is to find and either cure or defeat Ilven.

Monday, July 11, 2022 Recording