Session 12 - 4/8/24

The next morning, we were all rested up - except for Mara I think, who looked like she just ran a marathon in her own sleep. I wonder what happened?
 
Before we departed, Arlen asked to detour to The Shimmering Scale. I think he wanted to improve his spellcasting rod? I wonder why...I've been able to cast my spells without them. The proprietor said they would be able to with Manabark. Arlen is eager to find some, I hope we do too. Velvet was also asking for..."Devils Ginger". Can tieflings not taste regular ginger? Whatever it is, the shopkeep was wary of her, and I can certainly see why.
 
More strange behavior from Mara...on top of feeling warm, showed signs of...scales? And there's a rash on her forehead as well. Did she end up with some kind of illness? We went to visit a physician. No one could figure out what it is...but Chael said it isn't evil, and the physician said it isn't a disease...so...maybe it will be okay? We'll keep an eye on her.
 
With that, we struck out to track the beast. The tracks it left behind were...imposing. The creature appears to have six clawed toes rather than four. And they were...large. This is no ordinary creature we're after.
 
But, before we found it, we came across a crying sound. We worried we had come across an abandoned babe, but instead was a grown woman, if not a bit mouse-y. She described herself as a researcher, who had lost her materials while climbing a branch over a tar pit, and was suitably distraught over it. Harper of course took the opportunity to impress the woman with his heroics, but truth be told I had the same idea as him...we tied the rope around either side of ourselves, and I acted as an anchor (haha, Anchor! Really living up to my name) and Harper the hook. Incredibly, Harper endured the hot tar and submerged himself before using his magic to blast out the tar and find the materials. We were able to return them to her absolute delight. She introduced herself as Dr. June Manji, and rewarded us with one of the sample she found - a small tar elemental! Harper did most of the work, so it seemed right for him to have it. ...And, I think Dr. Manji is hoping to see Harper back at town! Exciting!
 
With that resolved, we pressed on to a collapsed church of some kind and thats where we found the beast. It was joined by a pack that it leads, and I can see why it is considered the alpha. It rakes with incredible ferocity before flashing away. It seems to wield the same teleport magic that we use! As we fought, it ran off further into the church. We gave chase further into the collapsed building, but in doing so, drew the attention of some other local plant elementals. Our melee grew into a full on brawl with thornblights and vineblights further assailing us!