2021.03.27 - The Dead Forest
General Summary
Jörgund Brynjolf, Ledwen Blackbreeze, Gazerax on ledge 3, of the far cave at the Unknown Crater.
The group settled discussed methods of reaching the end of the cave, deciding to clear out the rock pile in the side tunnel. Gazerax started pulling at rocks. Every rock he pulled, jumped out o his hand and moved away from the Tunnel. Ledwen smiled and asked if he wanted to Move Earth the hard way, instead of using magic. .... Gazerax stepped aside ... As Ledwen excavated rock and threw it to the side, the group heard bashing and breaking of rocks on the other side of the Ledge, that seemed to follow after every time Ledwen dumped rocks. At the 3rd dumping, a pickaxe broke through and some eyes shone in the rock cloud. Who goes there, Jörgund called out Ayyyee, they heard as a grizzle face stuck out of the hole, spotted the Giant Wasps hovering in the Cave, and ducked back in Who are you, what are you doing in the mountain? The 2 groups talked and found they weren't hostile to each other. Yukon was mining for ore, with his cart-bear carrying the loads, and a gnome helper following. The traded Yukon rations for uncut red gems (banded Agates) and 1 pound of grey ore. Degnut wanted out of Mining, Thoradin was interested, so the druids also swapped. Before turning back to his mining tunnels, Yukon again asked if they've seen any of the Peppermint Ore - green veins in the rocks. Alas, no Ledwen continued excavations into the small cave. Once the tunnel was cleared, he sent in Strigine to scout. In the tunnel, he found a large room with scrapings, fur, and refuse that was recently vacated. Flying further down the tunnel, he spotted sleeping rat creatures but no treasure or weapons. Seeing nothing of value, they turned, backfilled the tunnel, and continued. The group gathered at the ledge edge, then Ledwen cast Water Walking on everyone. Crossing the water, Jörgund spotted the outline of a huge creature underwater, waiting for something to enter the liver lake. Quite sad that NOTHING dropped in the water, it nestled back into its hiding spot Rounding the corner in the cavern, the group spotted a quick-moving section of rapids. Degnut spider-climbing along the cavern wall to cross the rapids. The rest of the group shot down it, with Gazerax, the Dinosaur, and the Mushy-Man falling down and getting tossed about The river brought them out into light, the crater behind. This outer land was desolate, burned and dying trees, no creatures about. Strigine shot out, spoting a Huuge burned tree, many floating Eye Monsters, a greenish muttering lady, a red-rimmed portal, 1 sack hanging in a tree, and a dead-looking worker handling a 2nd sack over a fire. Ledwen sent 1 Wasp over to see how hostile the creatures were. A few of the outer Eyeball Monsters saw it and followed it in. The Wasp landed, getting the muttering lady's attention. She looked at it for a moment, cackled, and pointed at it. The Wasp took off, and was intercepted by the screaming Eyes. They suicidally smashed into the Wasp, exploding their poisons all over it. The Wasp flew on, unharmed. That gave Ledwen a brilliant idea - send the Wasps to suck up the dumb eyeballs, and let them play chase, while the main force heads in. Jörgund snuck around the right side, Gazerax and Degnut went straight - all hiding behind trees as the Wasps found bobbing stringer Eyes. At each tree, they found a small stick creature trying to stab them. Not Ledwen - he stood at the back (with a Dinosaur bodyguard), waiting for ripe targets. And Targets came in, filling the land. Many Eyeballs from the far side of the Huuuge Burnt Tree came screaming in. As Gazerax charged, Degnut jumped on him to catch a ride. Jörgund snuck forth to a tree near the center. Ledwen stayed back and Messsaged the Lady:We don't have to fight, can we talk?
_Talk, yes. Come over to the Fire and we shall Talk
At that, Fireballs were thrown. Poison Eyeballs exploded all around, the Lady and Worker creature laughed, and the Cocoon above the fire glowed red. As the Worker reached to remove the Cocoon, A lightning storm sprang up from Degnut and zapped it. Exploding, they saw eyeball bits fall out. Another fireblast to the cocoon in the tree popped it, revealing a full-size angry Eyeball. Rays went zapping the 1st creature it saw - Gazerax. Little eyeballs popped easily, none succumbing to the after-posion. And soon it was just 1 Eyeball and the Lady. She tried zapping Gazerax, Jörgund, and Ledwen with various draining rays. Gazerax's Aura kept the group afloat Jörgund even swatted away the dreaded sleep-ray Jörgund smitted the last Eyeball into a showery explosion and the group closed on the retreating Lady. Jörgund smashed everything he had into her. But it hardly phased her, seeming to mostly glance off. MY Turn, her green-gleaming claws seemed to whisper. But instead of an incapacitating strike, Ledwen hit her from behind with firerays. It was enough to sear her and realize maybe she was outmatched. She swiped a casual hand at Jörgund as she turned to run through the Red Portal. The group took final shots as she ran, but didn't pursue. They debated on jumping in also, but saw the portal shrinking. Within a minute, it was too small to enter. Watching the final closing, Fire-Creatures were seen running at them. The lead creature threw a jagged black spear at the portal as it closed, missing wildly Sad that they missed acquiring an unknown weapon, the group surveyed the area, cleaned up the remaining Eye Monsters, and tucked in for a much needed rest.
Rewards Granted
2175 xp each
Avoiding an underwater creature while crossing the liver lake
Combat with Huuuuge Eyeball force, confusing & splitting them in the initial 2 rounds
Removing a 2nd Huge Ray Eyeball before it hatched from the cocoon
Missions/Quests Completed
Nasty Nazeer
Completed Step 2: Wiped out the Eyeball force at the Huuuge Tree outside of the cavern
Character(s) interacted with
Met and traded rations to Yukon
Added Regnut to the group (tired of mining and missing daylight & plants)
Related Reports
2021.03.13 - Nest of Nasties
2021.03.20 - Empty Nesters
