Session 50: Me and my shadow Report

General Summary

Session 50 – Wednesday August 30, 2023 – Me and My Shadow

  4.5 Hour Role Play/battle session 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 4

It is the 9th day of the month of Nightal (The Drawing Down) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Early December.)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L9 Druid – Jacob Munson
• Ajani– High Elf, L9 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda (Absent - School)
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L9 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Cassidy – Human, L9 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L9 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L9 Paladin – Will Johnson (sick)

Good Morning

The party woke up to Cassidy sneezing. They saw that Juan and Ajani were gone. As a not-so-great consolation, they found Gart and Warfus were still with them. Gazlowe asked what the plans are? The party decided that they need to take Gart and Warfus back to the Stronghold and perhaps deal with the traveling Orcs who were blazing the trail before them.

Gart complained about the roughness of the forest and wanted a warm bath. Gazlowe explained his theory on mass plumbing. Gart tried to charm Isabella but failed miserably. The party also learned that Gart may be a singer and songwriter, but he has very little “adventuring” experience.

Gazlowe didn’t want the party to start a fire due to the fear that the green dragon Grimnosh may still be hunting for them. So, he cooked food in his pot by casting Fire bolt. The party had some breakfast, grabbed their stuff and began to follow the trail blazed before them by the Orcs.

The Slaughtered Tribe

Traveling about 2 miles south of their overnight camp, they came to a horrible scene: Bodies of Elves lay slaughtered on the ground. The women elves were raped and then killed. Clearly, Orcs doing, someone said.

The party stood aghast among the lifeless when a young elven boy ran out of a tattered tent intent on attacking the party. He was barely able to hold a spear in his hand. The young boy’s anger and grief would not be calmed until Gazlowe showed him the necklace of the Stone tribe and held up his hand to indicate he wasn’t a threat. The boy asked in Elvish if they were here to help him. Abrash translated and told him yes. The young boy grabbed Abrash’s hand and led him into the tent where his mother lay dying.

Her dying words.

The party all went into the tent where an elven woman lay in a pool of her own blood. She was covered with large green boils. Clearly, she was infected or cursed by something horrific. She looked at Abrash and placed her son’s hand in his and said, “Dain.” Abrash knew that she was placing her son Dain into his care. She looked behind Abrash and glared at Isabella. Her eyes opened wide, and she said “Vampire” in Elvish. She then passed away. Cassidy tried to cast Spare the Dying, but it had no effect. Something was preventing her from being healed in any way. Abrash comforted his new charge, Dain.

Vampire? What Vampire?

Dain explained the Orcs had raided the village last night. One of the Orcs who attacked them was green and covered with boils. Cassidy recalled an Orc god named Yurtrus, a god of death and disease. Gazlowe asked about the tribe. Dain told him that his tribe is called the Eteranal Haven Tribe. They’re simple peaceful tree elves who help all traveling in the forest. Gazlowe asked if there was another tribe that he could go to. Dain told him the Swift Woods Tribe was a few miles to the west and they were friendly with them.

Abrash, concerned about the word “Vampire” looked at Dain’s teeth and then examined his neck but found no evidence of him being bitten. Cassidy gave Abrash a silver coin thinking a vampire may have a bad reaction to Silver. Abrash gave it to Dain who gladly accepted it as a donation but had no reaction. Cassidy examined the mother’s corpse for fangs and bites but found none. As usual, she collected specimens of foreign ooze by popping one of the boils on the body and adding the puss to a vial.

The party looked around at the other slaughtered tribe members and found no evidence of any vampire bites. The bodies all seemed to be slaughtered in typical Orc fashion except a few who were poisoned in the same way as his mother. Cassidy used her ability to envision the attack and had a vague vision of the Orc raiding party. Although she couldn’t make out specific details it seemed to be a standard Orc attack and the Orcs were riding on a massive dinosaur type creature. The party realized that if they hadn’t stopped for the night, they would have been able to save this tribe.

A Conspiracy?

Changing the subject, Gazlowe asked if Dain had heard of the Red or White lady. He mentioned that some emissaries of the White lady, a group called the Brothers in Arms were there several days ago. He had heard them mention to the elders something about joining with the White lady. He knew the elders were going to discuss it but had no idea what the result was. Gazlowe thought this might mean something. Abrash suggested it could be just a coincidence. Gazlowe laid out an organizational chart clearly depicting the connections between Orcs controlled by Tanarukks controlled by Fey’ri controlled by The White Lady, controlled by Niptu, and somehow Eversus was involved too.

A call for help.

Mulling the consequences of their decision to rest for the night, Abrash said he didn’t want another innocent tribe to fall victim to the Orcs again. He declared that they should finish off these Orcs today, sparking discussion on leaving Dain on his own or taking him to fight, or dropping him off first with this other tribe.

Dain listened the party going back and forth and grew impatient for a decision. He pulled out a horn and blew it hard. A loud ear-piercing tone, very different than the one that summoned the Tanarukk, pierced the party’s ears and silenced their debate. Abrash noticed that several ravens took off as soon as the horn was blown. Gazlowe yelled at Dain. Abrash confiscated the horn and lectured him about the dragon and other dangers. Dain said he was just calling for help.

The party told Dain that he should come with them. Dain asked how his green friends would find them. The party assumed he had called the Dryads and they became concerned. The party mentioned that the Dryads are not behaving normally and were looking to hurt them. Again, the party debated leaving Dain and commanding him to not tell Dryads where they were going. Isabella suggested the Dryads may be helpful. Isabella went to grab Dain to force him to come, but Dain told them help is coming and he wasn’t going to leave. Debate continued on the merits of leaving Dain on his own. When they reviewed the list of all the children they’ve saved, Gazlowe said, “Great! We’ve got our bases covered. So what if one slips through the cracks!”

The Emerald Knight

As the party argued about what to do, a tall dark-haired elf wearing a forest green outfit and having a bow slung over a shoulder walked out of a tree. He walked over the leaves and his footsteps made no sounds. Dain ran to the green elf. Warfus whispered respectfully to the party, “That’s the Emerald, knight, revered and respected by all.” The Emerald knight asked, “What happened here?” Cassidy explained the whole situation and told him the Orcs are about ½ a day away.

Abrash handed the horn back to Dain and they explained that they were concerned with the horn because the green dragon Grimnosh was hunting them. The Emerald Knight explained that Grimnosh only hunts those who came from the Endless Cavern and accused the party of coming from the Endless Cavern. The party said they didn’t go into the Endless Cavern and redirected the conversation to Dain and the Orcs.

The Endless knight explained that he’s the protector of this region called “The Sisters.” They asked about the Dryads, and they were so aggressive. The Emerald knight explained they’re protecting the forest from intruders who start fires and that they were warned by a group of elves that invaders are coming into the forest to cut down trees and make settlements. The party assured him that they are not interested in making settlements. The Emerald Knight asked the party their business and the Party explained their background. Bart approached and started singing of their tales.

The Emerald Knight contemplated all he had heard. Hearing the brave and impressive tales, he told the party that he would take care of Dain and asked if they could take care of the Orcs. He gave them a green sending stone and told them to contact him once the deed is done. He would give them 2 Emeralds worth 500gp each.

About that vampire thing…

As the Emerald Knight began to depart with Dain, Cassidy mentioned that the mother’s dying words were “Vampire.” The Emerald Knight handed Cassidy a small mirror. Cassidy looked in the mirror and saw herself. She then used it to look at all the Orcs and didn’t notice anything strange. She then used it to see the reflection of Gart and Warfus and saw them. As she glanced through the party however, she couldn’t see Isabella’s shadow or that of her pet Bunny!

How do you know she’s a Vampire? Because she looks like one!

Gazlowe was convinced that she was a doppelganger because she seemed a bit rude today, so the party all ganged up and started attacking Isabella. Shocked, Isabella went into a rage. Gazlowe held up a mirror to Isabella and said, “You don’t have a shadow.” He said to the others, “I think she’s a goner.” Isabella started swinging her axe. Abrash tried to entangle her in vines with his thorn whip and was able to grapple her. He tried to calm her down and said, “Let’s talk.” Gazlowe said, “Talking is over!” as he started punching trying to just knock her out.

Isabella started cursing at everyone saying, “I’m not the enemy!” Cassidy threw a vial of holy water on her. Other than making her wet, it had no effect. Cassidy moved ethereally up to Isabella and looked at her neck. She saw no bite marks and said, “This doesn’t make sense!” Isabella yelled, “I know it doesn’t make sense!” Abrash wrapped a 2nd vine around her to restrain her but Isabella flexed her arms and the vines broke. Abrash again called everyone to calm down. However, Gazlowe punched her.

A departing shadow

Isabella tried to break free of the vines grappling her but failed to break them. She let out a visceral roar and then slumped her head and started to cry. Cassidy reached forward and touched a tear rolling down her cheek. Cassidy focused on what could have happened. Inspired by all that was going on around her, she had a clear vision. In the Endless cavern, she saw Isabella’s shadow separate from her body and fade into the darkness of the cavern’s depths.

Cassidy explained what she saw, and the party started to calm down. Abrash released Isabella and gave her a hug. She reluctantly forgave Abrash for entangling her but was still angry at Gazlowe. Gazlowe said, “So you’re not a monster.” Abrash suggested they all take out their frustrations on the Orcs. Abrash cast Goodberry and was able to heal everyone. Isabella said, “This place has bad vibes, we need to go.” Gart started writing a song about Isabella the Shadowless.

Orcs on a Scyza

The party started running to catch up to the Orcs. Everyone kept a good pace except Cassidy who had just recovered from death. As they started to hear the crunching of trees ahead of them, Cassidy had a gained a level of exhaustion. They continued until they spotted the Orcs. They found a side passage in the forest and ran around to flank the slow-moving Orc tribe from the East. They saw a Gargantuan dinosaur monstrosity of a creature called a Scyza with a dozen orcs on its back and hanging from ropes on its side. They got into position. Gazlowe cast Haste on himself, and Cassidy prepared her whips.

Isabella popped out of the forest, yelling, “You killed my friend’s family, prepare to die!” She ran up to the Scyza, grabbed a rope, climbed, and and punched the closet Orc, the Orog hanging on the side. The head Orc shot 3 crossbow bolts at Isabella but only 1 hit. Another Orc shot a firebolt at her. Abrash peaked out from the trees and cast Wrath of Nature. Grass, vines, trees and rocks became animated. The trees killed 4 of the Orc Minions and bloodied 2 of the other Orcs. Abrash used his starry form to maintain his concentration and then he hid in the bushes.

The Orc with claws cast Cure Wounds on the leader. The Orog pulled out a great axe and hit Isabella. The Scyza walked up to Gazlowe and missed both attacks with his claws. Gazlowe hit the Scyza and then cast Lightning Bolt hitting a line of Orcs and the Scyza, killing the last minion and the Orc of Yurtrus, and hurting 4 others. One of the Orcs hopped off and threw a spear at Gazlowe. Cassidy crawled into the Scyza in her ethereal form and hurt it using climbing picks as she climbed through its body.

Isabella climbed to the top of the creature and started wielding her great axe against the Orc Leader, hurting him badly. The leader smacked her with his war mace and then magically healed himself. The claw again cured the leader. Abrash’s Wrath of Nature continued to slash at all the Orcs, killing one of the orcs plus the Orog. Abrash had one of the rocks fly into another orc’s head, killing it. Abrash then shot a guiding bolt at the claw. The Scyza again went after Gazlowe but Cassidy forced the creature to miss and Gazlowe used his reaction to blind it. Gazlowe pummeled the Scyza with his fists.

Cassidy went after the Claw that kept healing the boss. The Boss hit Cassidy after she ran past him. Cassidy grabbed the Claw and knocked it off killing it. Isabella hit the Boss who had protected himself only taking half of her damage. The Boss hit Isabella twice with her mace and healed himself. Abrash hit the Boss with a rock but didn’t knock him off. The trees slashed at everyone and killed the Scyza. The Scyza fell knocking Gazlowe and the Orc next to him prone. Abrash restrained the Orc next to Gazlowe.

Gazlowe got up and punched the prone Orc to death. Gazlowe ran up to the Boss and punched him from behind. The Boss used his legendary action and moved up to Gazlowe and swung his mace 5 times but missed 4 times. Cassidy walked to the Boss and she started punching him with her brass knuckles leaving him critically wounded. Isabella finished him off with her great maul smashing him in the head.

Return of the Emerald Knight

Before the maul finished its swing, Gazlowe had messaged the Emerald Knight that the deed was done. He then looted the Orc corpses to find 600cp. 11,00 sp, 2,000 gp, and 140pp. They stuffed the silver into Isabella’s pockets and backpacks. Cassidy collected a Claw and some teeth from the Scyza. Gart tried to flirt with Isabella but failed miserably.

A tree opened and the Emerald Knight walked through. He looked at the dead Orcs and nodded as if he was impressed. He tossed a small pouch towards Abrash but Gazlowe jumped in front and grabbed it. It contained 2 500gp emeralds. He asked them if they figured out the Vampire mystery. Gazlowe explained that Isabella had lost her shadow. The Emerald Knight looked at the party sternly and crossed his arms. He asked them again, “So you have not been into the Endless Caverns?” The party explained that the didn’t really go in, but kind of stepped into the mouth and Gazlowe told him that he was never there, just the others.

Doje, the Shadow Lurker

The Emerald Knight explained that Doje, a Shadow lurker resides in the Endless Caverns, and she steals shadows. Cassidy had heard of Shadow Lurkers but hadn’t heard of Doje. He told the Party of Shadow Lurkers. He told them, “The shadow lurker was once a humanoid with a shadow of its own, but it traded the shadow in a bargain for fey riches. Too late, it discovered the horrors of being shadowless.”

Cassidy went on, “The Shadow Lurker is a Shadow Thief. The lurker is envious of people who still have their own shadows, and it enjoys forcing those people into hardships by convincing their shadows to come with it. The shadow lurker prefers to approach at night while a victim is sleeping. Then, it convinces the victim’s shadow that the shadow’s owner doesn’t appreciate it and that there is more fun to be had with the shadow lurker.”

Cassidy then said the victim of losing the shadow gains 1 level of exhaustion every 10 days until they get their shadow back or they die. The Emerald Knight told them they can wish for their shadow or confront Doje and convince him to release the shadow or even take it from him by force. Isabella said, “And Bunny too?” The Emerald Knight said, “Yes, and Bunny too.”

Another side quest.

The Emerald Knight pulled out another small pouch of emeralds. He told the Stone Bearers that he’s impressed with their skills and if they are interested, he has need of them. He told them a Tribe of Wild Elves known as the Protectors of Nithrithvinae have disappeared from the Village of Nithrithvinae. Gazlowe asked what is special about them and the Emerald Knight told them that they protect an ancient tomb of Royals from the Sharrven Empire. He pointed out on the map where the village is.

The party explained that they need to get Warfus back to the Stronghold. The Emerald Knight shrugged that he only had one pass left through the trees and he wanted to go home. The party persuaded the Emerald Knight that time was critical, as Isabella had already been several days without her shadow. The Emerald Knight reluctantly agreed to help them, justifying his decision, “I haven’t seen Ogian in some time.” He cast Travel via Plants to take everyone to the Stronghold of the Nine.

Rewards Granted

Treasure:

On Orcs:

• 600cp.
• 11,00 sp 
• 2,000 gp
• 140pp.

From the Emeral Knight

• 2 500gp emeralds.