Session 4 Notes

Some Bookkeeping: looted armor needs to be resized. armor from a dungeon has a % chance it'll fit.
 
Pheylynn's going to keep track of the cart's bulk. Currently (start of the session) contains: druid's kegs - ?, studded leather armor - 1B, leather armor (x2) - 1B/armor, short sword (x3) - 1L/sword, dagger (x2) - 1L/dagger, javelin (x5) - 1L/javelin, 13gp, 7sp, 26 cp
 
Next day is chill, clear day.
 
As night approaches, we see both stars and 2 moons (siblings). On the side of the road, we see 2 ancient standing stones with greenery making its way up. (There are 13 stones in total, think stonehenge). D'Vallen is enamored and bolts from the cart. He runs his hands across the stones. The last time he was here was 50 years ago and would love to do another trip when this is all done. He has no idea what they do. We all agree to set up camp here.
 
Critters, cicadas, and fireflies can been heard and seen through the trees. An additional sound is heard. Drums. And flutes. Aiz, Meadowlark, and Pheylynn venture into the woods to investigate. There are smells of fire, perfumes, and food.
 
(Diagram in notes (X1 is the cart, X2 stoness, X3 bottom of the hill): X1 X2 X3).
 
Aiz sees smoke 1/2 mile away through the thick tree coverage. We make our way stealthing towards the drums. In a small clearing, there's a festival of clothed-people with pop-up tents. No one has seen or heard us yet. While we don't recognize the group, we notice that its a mix of humans and elves. They're wearing face paint and primitive clothing. These are people who like living in nature. In the center, people playing instruments are interspersed with people holding giant snake heads (2ft wide) above their heads (some with their hands, others with sticks).
 
Meadowlark speaks with them, while Pheylynn accompanies her. Aiz stays hidden in the brush. We're brought to Delena, a woman with long braided hair nearly to the bottom of her back who stands about 5'9" tall. She's wearing dark face paint/eye makeup. She tells us that Spawn of the Dostatos (massive baby snakes) are upsetting the balance and that she cannot spare more men. Dostatos is a large & ancient snake, once worshiped by their people, now takes (consumes) too much.
 
Dostatos lives in a temple, specifically designed for the snake, deep in the woods. Delena holds her arms out and says that's how wide around Dostatos is. She says that everything is magical around here. Steel can hurt it. It has a terrible venom and it's neck can stretch (think cobra). They would love assistance but they are in no rush. The temple is 3 sunrises from here.
 
Meadowlark asks how many people they've lost. Delena pulls out a cloth with stitches in it, one for each lost life.
 
Meadowlark asks about the stone (spill it). "There are many more like it from the time with the others. Some have been lost, some secrets are uncoverable." Meadowlark asks if there is any way to pay respects to the stones. "respects is not necessary to show for the stones."
 
We go to leave. "Many blessings be upon you" Should we return to aid, she'll do her best to aid us in kind.
 
"How do you feel about eccentric people?" "We have many children" Meadowlark describes D'Vallen. "Oh, a fool!"
 
They are unwilling to create weapons but are willing to receive them. She requests someone who wields the nature of gods. "May the Wind be at your back"

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Druid is not a fan of snakes and does not want to give them the gear we found. We do. D'Vallen is willing to give Druid more money or fancy armor. Also, after a question/threat from Druid, we discover that D'Vallen is claustrophobic.

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Meadowlark returns to the festival with Druid. Turns out Druid is an alcoholic.
 
We deny helping at this time but give them the armor and weapons.
 
Delena gives Meadowlark a sending stone. She tells them that the spawns are everywhere. "they're out to play"

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Back at the cart, D'Vallen is talking to Pheylynn. Malthazar was on a counsel. D'Vallen doesn't know magic. Pheylynn tells him that knowledge is its own magic/power (the notes don't clarify which).
 
We continue our way and a city is ahead of us. We're early. Really early.
 
Chasir - grand stonewalls on top of a hill. Half of the size of F-M. 3 stories is the maximum height. Gorgeous looking lake.
 
We walk through a guarded gate. There are people everywhere.
 
The Market Square has a platform in the center of town. D'Vallen goes to the front of the crowd. Pheylynn and Druid join. Aiz and Meadowlark wait by the cart. (Aiz is sitting on top).
 
There's a flicker that turns into an orb. Arcs touch different buildings around. There's an explosion & a blinding light. A human appears in the center of the stage wearing fine clothing and jewelry. Malthazar.
 
According to Malthazar, D'Vallen has tried this 7 times. Also, D'Vallen has tried to convince Malthazar that he's worshipped giants 10 ft tall or more. If we take on this quest, we're likely to die from a wyvern. But past parties that joined him has faced "mushroom people" and "hydras" but Malthazar believes it's just been bandits.
 
Malthazar give Meadowlark "MMM of Miniature Monstrosities" aka a book on baby critters.
 
Malthazar asks who would like a ring. He puts it on Pheylynns hand by magic. Apparently it's permanent and provides them with telepathic communication and limitless connectivity.
 
He tells us about his friend Arzst, a necromancer, who has many oddities.

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Druid and Aiz team up to convince Malthazar to join us on the quest for the snakes and the temple. Appealing to his need to be the center of attention and his ego. (Best comment was Aiz book idea on Reptile Dysfunction)
 
The goal is to get the big snakes. We head out 1st thing in the morning.
 
We go to the Azure Star. There are 4 others. One in Caldane Proper, Ambercil, Munchwalt, and Cinstra.