Haunting of Blackrot Session 1

We begin with the oddity that are the mists that have enveloped you. How long it was the case is uncertain. Some of you may be familiar with this nightmarish existence, but for the others, you may find the rest of your eternity here. No matter how hard you dig to find answers as to why you are here, it doesn’t make sense. From one place that was a familiar comfort, to another of uncertain fate.

In the end, it does not matter…

When the mists finally disperse, you stand alone and see what crude imitation of a whitened sun shines through a foggy forest of twisted trees. The air is still and chilly despite being outdoors. There is certainly some form of stale stench that permeates around the region.

Ahead of you is a trail to a village not too far away. You can barely see the inhabitants within it gathered around. Although, there are paths less taken you can see that lead to the forest. What occurs next is up to you…

Liquified Tree Flesh

As an action to drink this potion, the creature gains 2d4+2 temporary hit points. While the temporary hit points are active, the creature’s features and skin are grown over with pieces of hideous decayed bark.

So, boldly into the forest you go. The trees with their branches hiss as a simple gust of wind blows through. A few leaves trickle down from the simple nudge. It’s unsettling with the lack of wildlife. The only thing that roams up in the trees are decrepit birds the size of small dogs. Even then, you see a few of these things devouring a grotesque corpse on the side of the path.

Straight forward through a cluster of trees, you see a hut in the distance with strange fungal and viney growths on the side of its pathway. A strange crone of sorts with a bulbous head draws her hand to harvest swaths of dangling plants into a cluster. She then turns to stride her way back inside. Not before she uproots a shroom then creaking the door shut.

What quickly draws your attention next is a wretched and gaunt humanoid creature panting and growling as it moves to another humanoid wearing a thick overcoat with a puffed up collar, perhaps a Forester with all the cut marks on the nearby trees. With a swing of an axe, there is a sickening crack as the wretch topples over easily.

Another wretch comes running out but instead of looking at the Forester, its gaze turns to you. Just as it goes to pounce, the Forester cleaves the wretch’s shoulder off. Panting in the silence, the Forester’s soft and weary eyes look to you for a moment before walking off to collect a piece of a fallen log.

The cabin ahead is nothing big. It’s still sizable but is easily overcome by the heights of the towering trees around it. The last light of day slowly dims along its outer walls. One better be swift before what lurks during the night comes out.

As you make your way, you spot others head there as well. This time, however, these people are not decrepit in appearance. Instead, they’re something more normal like yourself. Well, meet your new party.

Sitting or standing has never been more uneasy. The only sound is the small burn of a flame or the subtle hum from a light spell. The trees do not hiss, there are no crickets in their nightly ritual, nor do the birds make their presence known with flapping wings.

Breaking the silence are occasional whispers from outside. You can hear something scratch a simple line along the wooden boards on the outside.

“How can you forget?”

“The false forest beckons.”

“Why does the blood fester?”

“The Ancient shall never rest.”

As the night progresses, you can hear a small crowd trudge their way closer to the cabin. Their breathing is clearly sickened with irregular breaths as they occasionally gag. The dry soil crunch as they get even closer.

You can hear one stumble to the dirt. Their voices are clear in fear.

“I’ll make it! I am not weak!” The first voice pleads.

“The Hunter made its mark. Worry not. You will suffice!”

You then hear an ungodly agonized scream as sounds of bone are ripped and the delivering of a blunt beating as the howls of pain are quickly silenced. The ravages of meat being devoured are all that remain for a brief moment before their footsteps creep closer after that.

Just as it seems the chaos would reach fever pitch, there’s an odd ripple that permeates around the area. It’s a strange chill but one you can tell silenced the wretches that sprawl lifeless around you.

A gentle voice from outside calls out, “Your fate is not theirs this day…”

You need only know that I am a guide that can only hope to get you back home someday. In order to find your way out of these domains, you must light beacons. They will be guarded and I advise you to find strength and allies by looking beyond these mists.”

She then reveals a skull and provides it to you, “I provide a key to one such domain, one I believe should suffice for your first venture. Prevail, and I shall grant multiple keys to others. Find the monster huntress, she will be the best help against this great evil.