33: Welcome to Crows Hollow - Report

General Summary

• During the course of this session, the party reached level 8.

 

The Whispering Woods

After leaving Ravenia's cabin last session, we begin with the party trying to make their way out of the Whispering Woods safely. They are all tired and drained, and are not in a condition for any major fights. As they wander, they stumble across some ruins in the forest, but notice from afar that it is filled with a multitude of undead zombies; all of which have yellow flowers growing from them.
They feel that while they could potentially beat a horde of zombies, they don't know what else they will come across in their attempt to leave the forest, so decide to sneak away from the ruins. They manage to do so, without rousing the zombies notice. With a successful survival check, the party are able to navigate their way out of the forest without any more encounters.

Back to the Village

They make their way back to the Quickpaw Tribal Village, where Ophellia clambers into their carriage-mansion entryway, and after not allowing Icarus to spend quality time with the Basillisks without her, she eventually retires to bed for some well earned sleep.   Meanwhile, Darnalore and Zolv check in with the priestess Jacqualine, and offer their help. Zolv uses the last of his magic to contact Gregory, the village chief. Just as the sun begins to set, the other hunting parties return. After checking in with his people, he gives the party their reward. (7 gp each) And after a meal, they all head to the hill behind the village to set light to the pyres holding their dead. The next day, the party remember to give the village chief the letter from Barerun. Shortly after, they take their leave.  

Encounter: The Dauntless

As the party travel North, Darnalore is feeling under the weather and retreats to her room for a number of days. Only emerging after some nagging from her party members. During the travel, Icarus notices a strange flying object like nothing they have ever seen before. A flying ship! Ophellia notices that along its side reads, The Dauntless. Remembering listening into Hazirawn's conversation with Malady when they were exploring her base looking for Asog, they realise that it is likely the very thing they were talking about, and has a high probability that it filled with members of the Devil's Menagerie. They quickly try to conceal the carriage under a nearby tree and wait for them to pass overhead. The ship does not slow down, and passes on ahead of them. Perhaps they were not noticed? Or perhaps, they weren't being hunted at all...  

Crows Hollow

As Darnalore and Ophellia rest in the mansion, leaving Zolv, Icarus and Pipps to drive the carriage. As they belted at full speed down the road, they attempt to catch up to and over-take a wagon they spot further down the road. However, as they were catching up to the wagon it suddenly vanishes! Not only that, but the environment around them changes somewhat, the sky taking on a twilight hue rather than the blazing afternoon sun they were previously being subjected to. Looking around, they see a village atop a nearby hill and decide to head up to investigate.  

• Crows Hollow is not on their map

  As they enter the village, Darnalore and Ophellia emerge to check on the boys, and see the situation. A village of humans!? Not only that but this place feels strange, and yet somehow familiar. But there is a strange, unsettling sensation that they are being watched.   After pulling into the village square, they get out and begin to look around. Darnalore feels the strange familiarity to this place and the Dead Grove. They head into the Crows Nest Tavern and buy some drinks and food. While they sat, they were approached by a tiefling. The first non-human they had seen since arrive in the village, other than themselves. He introduces himself as Jasper Duncan, a travelling merchant. He asks if they just got into town as he had not seen them before. He explains his situation, that he's been here for a few days now, but can't seem to be able to leave the village. Everytime he tries, he just ends up back at the village entrance. The villagers think he's just making up stories, saying he can leave whenever he wants.   They get Jasper to take them out to a cornfield, where he mentioned he saw strange symbol carved into the field. After examining that, the party head to what looks to be a abandonded chapel near the cemetery. Darnalore senses something strange inside. And after looking at the strange vines that cover this place from the entry way, she begins to make her way towards the alter at the far end of the church.  

• We end the session here, as we realise that JTM has fallen asleep and can hear him snoring. :)