Session 088 - The Ghost of the Boar Grove

General Summary

26^thof Kelen (Third month of Spring) 722TR
The story so far
Quazzy's Warlock patron, Desridaen has hinted that it would be of some value if she were to investigate Orgael Wood, a small dark corpse of trees near the City of Tashal. This was once an Elven Holy Grove and a Barasi Point, which can be used to simultaneously transport to other such locations. It would be invaluable if Quazzy could learn to use such magical sites.

Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 1 - The Ghost of the Cursed Wood.

Quazzy leads the Heroes into Orgael Wood. They find a grove filled with ancient gnarled trees, large moss-covered stones, and strange Brown Fungi patches. In the center of the wood is a huge hollowed-out dead tree from which hangman's nooses dangle.

Sabretooth grabs a large stick and strikes the dead tree. Suddenly the ghostly figure of an angry man materializes. He has a savage appearance, holding a great spear and wearing the hide of a Boar. The Ghost attacks and with his spear leaching the life from the Heroes. The combat was made even more difficult as the heroes discover that the Brown Fungi seems to absorb body heat whenever they stepped on.

Eventually, the Heroes seemed to defeat the Ghost, but instead of dissipating, it transformed into a new much more dangerous form, a huge Spectral Boar. It's glare paralyzed some of the heroes with bone-chilling cold while it gored at them with its razor-sharp tusks. When threatened it stepped into the Ethereal Plane only to emerge the striking from the side. Soon the Heroes were pushed to their limits, so Quazzy manages to banish it from the mortal realm. While holding it at bay, the Quazzy detects a magical doorway in the hollow of the dead tree. This is likely a portal to another location or world, so the Heroes flee through it before the Spectral Boar reappears.

Location - Sprucethorn's Grove Somewhere in the Feywild.

Part 2 - Enter the Feywild

The party find themselves in a somewhat bizarre natural forest landscape. Clumps of the Brown Fungi are scattered everywhere. The location seems dark, illuminated only by strange glowing plants. Sabretooth lights a torch and throws it into one of the patches of the fungi. The flame is quickly extinguished, and the fungi patch grows in size.

Then, as if attracted by the flames, large animals approach. An enormous Cave Bear, a magnificent Stag, and a pack of eight Dire wolves. These animals appear to be cooperating and intent on killing the intruders. However, Sabretooth activates his Ring of Animal Influence and to communicate with the Beasts. They are angry and directed by some mysterious Master to attack the heroes. He convinces them that they must speak with this Master and are allowed to proceed unmolested.

Part 3 - Displacer Beasts

The heroes make their way towards what appears to be the worst section of the strange fungal infection. Four huge cat-like creatures with long spiked tentacles protruding from their shoulders block their passage. These Displacer Beasts proved quite a handful, with Avon and Sabretooth badly clawed. Eventually, the Heroes work out how to deal with their location shifting abilities, and the monsters are killed, skinned with blood and paws collected.

Part 4 - The Treeman's Disease.

Nearby is a small stand of trees, severely infected by the Brown Fungi. Acheron boldly approaches and calls out to the so-called Master. Emerging from the trees is a curious creature, a 12-ft tall tree man, his left side is covered in fungi infected wounds, and he seems to be bleeding congealed crystalline sap. He is obviously in severe pain, confused, and speaks irrationally. Just before the tree-man attacks, Acheron makes an impassioned speech offering assistance. The inspired Treant using the last of his willpower collapses to the ground and expels from his body a vaguely Humanoid Sap Demon. The party quickly dispatch this monster.

Free from the creature's control, the Trent introduces himself as Sprucethron, who is extremely grateful for the Heroes intervention. He has been possessed by the Sap demon for almost 20 years and forced to commit a great many evils. He rewards the party with a magical Cloak of Forgetfulness.

He also asks a favor, a human Wizard, Atrena Quiglin, visited years ago, and while possessed he murdered her, something he deeply regrets. He asks if the party would return her bones to her home and bury her. Quazzy finds among her remains a well-preserved book authored by this Mage, The Secrets of the Verdant Doorways, which details her studies of Barasi Points.

To be continued.....