Session 24: Guardians of the Keys Report
General Summary
With the scales together and at full strength they decided to trudge back thru the rain and face the wraiths. The mysterious illuminated for returning they ventured within as the ghostly specters emerged. The scales with co ordination and team work were able to dispatch the apparitions with only a few further wounds inflicted. The Life force of Ismaril drained some by the wraiths. As they were dispatched part of their ghostly being became physical again revealing ancient armaments and garb of Dark Groves most elite soldiers and personal guards of the Dragon Lord. The Scales would spend another hour wondering the twisting maze of the grove, the cold downpour of the rain starting to dampen both spirit and enthusiasm. Retracing steps for what felt like a 3rd time, a path not seen previously would be followed, in the distance dancing lights of pulsing and various colors would draw their attention in the gloom. As they moved closer the rain would stop, and the gloom replaced by the dancing light of will o' wisps. In this delightful glen several strange creatures would turn their attention to the scales. "Marvelous visitors!" a female lilting voice would call, a voluptuous woman in little clothing would wave to them. A Faun would continue to play their flute thru the interruptions. A small creature with elfen ears but hair like that of leaves would watch the group warily, and beside the faun a wolf with a coat of green as the forest leaves and antlers would turn to watch with an appraising eye.
The group would cautiously approach tho enjoying the reprieve of the rain and frankly the light and music. "Yes I am afraid we are a bit lost?" A'lar would offer as they drew nearer. The woman would stand, the Scales taking note of her cloven and goat like legs, "Well, most seekers of the Key in this grove are...I am Aerithisia and these are my friends, Laith" motioning to the little fellow, "Decimus," the Faun would give a nod, "And Roir" the wolf bowing its head. A'lar would introduce the Scales, then show the first key, "Yes Key seeking, we have found this one, do you know where the others are?" Aerithisia would clap, "Marvelous you defeated the dead watchers...great champions of Dark Grove given the gift of eternal duty to challenge those who wish to speak to the Dragon Lord! I am also a Key keeper, a bargain struck to help test those sent here in exchange for some favors...and the third key is kept by a nest of Spiders that have taken up home in the wood. Sit rest, take your clothes off and let them dry!" A'lar finding this an acceptable idea would strip as several of the scales would groan at his frequent nudity. "And what is it we need to get your key Aerithisia?" Adalon would ask. "I require some magical flowers to be harvested, they are each from a Fae court, and very difficult to harvest, bring me one of each that I may make a wonderful incense to bring joy to all and my key is yours." Setting back to attempt and collect the flowers, Idalell would try first using his deft hands to try and pluck them, the first a posies of Spring came with ease but when he tried a winters rose, its pollen filled him with fear. Turning to a Goblin he would hide atop Adalons shoulders threatening any who got to near. Ayrien would move in next and with her expert knowledge of the wild easily harvest the remaining flowers with little trouble. Aerithisia would take the flowers preparing the incense, a highly narcotic smoke to soon follow. She invited the Scales to remain but they declined and headed for the spiders nest.
They had learned the Spiders could move between planes, phasing in and out. This knowledge however was not enough to prevent the spiders ambush. Massive arachnids with white carapace and glowing blue eyes emerged all about them, striking and vanishing with out warning. As the scales formed together from the webs masses of tiney spiders would swarm over them. Neia and Ismaril found the spiders venom especially damaging as the battle raged. Adalon would release his draconic breath weapon, the blast of force energy seeming to disrupt and damage the spiders regardless of which plane they were on. Longwei would channel his Ki into his fists generating a field of force striking down the spiders, while Adalon and Ayrien with Vaera would overwhelm the spiders as they appeared. A'lar too would find himself in the thick of the fight, using his array of alchemical supplies to deliver explosive damage to the phasing spiders. Indallel would weave and dance among the spiders cutting deep into their hardened bodies. The battle ended the scales battered and weak. Between the various spider venoms, the wraiths draining life energies, and the pouring rain, they were beaten, but still victorious. Finding the last key, A'lar started to walk back to the fae, "We should have stayed at the orgy, and I plan to remedy that." The other scales seemed to agree and followed back to the Fae circle, where indeed the incense had inspired other fae to emerge from the realm of Spring, Tir Na Nog, and partake in their favorite kind of revelry.