Session 8: Corruption of the Dryad Grove

General Summary

Session 8

Chapter 7: Corruption of the Dryad Grove

Upon receiving general instructions from Captain Estienne Talbrooke to investigate the situation in the Dryad Grove and begin by interrogating Gaiden, the head of the Netarla Kinship, the Mighty ASSes crossed Maplemoor to learn what they could. There they discovered that Gaiden was actually an Orc, and lived by trying not to cause trouble with the inhabitants. He expressed his frustration that he had been forbidden entry to the Dryad Grove and was prevented from performing his duties, and the party decided to bring him along to assist.
The team also noticed that some shady characters were keeping an eye on Gaiden's home. Indra went to try to confront them, but as they slipped away and she drew her bow she was accosted by some passersby who did not view Tieflings kindly. Gaiden and the others arrived to try to defuse the tension, and after awhile the watch arrived and dispersed the crowd. The party then proceeded into the Dryad Grove.
Inside the Gorve, the ASSes found a considerable space that was dead and dying, then crossed paths with a pair of Dryads. Attempts to speak with the Dryads ended in no response, as they saw familiar glowing purple eyes that they had seen with the lizardfolk at the Snakefort. A battle immediately ensued, then ended when Brooklyn cast Sleep and forced the Dryads into a magical slumber. Securing the Dryads, the party attempted to remove diseases from the creatures, succeeding in removing what seemed like a corrupting influence. However, the Dryads were still singleminded and mad, muttering over and over that the tree needed to be saved. Discovering a tunnel under the roots of the tree - one that Gaiden admitted to not knowing about - the ASSes descended into the depths.
Making their way into the tunnels, the ASSes chose a path that led them deep under the Grove. Along the way, they crossed paths with a wounded drow named Mathih, who warned them about Myconids that were acting unusually violent. After passing over one of their health potions, Torcanimir suggested they leave the drow behind and continue on into the Underdark. Their path led to a cliff overlooking an underground river, and Brooklyn attempted to scout the area with her familiar, Edyn. Unfortunately, Edyn's flight disturbed a flock of stirges, and the familiar was bamphed out of existence and the party leapt to engage their foe. After defeating the foul creatures, they pressed on and descended along a rough-shorn path toward the river.
Indra discovered a chamber with a Myconid in it, and the party sprang into action, defeating a number of the fungi creatures after noting their glowing purple eyes. Once the area was secure, they continued down a narrow passageway to a small pool beside the river. To their astonishment, they discovered that a rift to one of the demonic Lower Planes. Some investigation into the water by Torcanimir revealed that the rift seemed to be the cause of the Grove's - and the Grand Maple's - corruption, as the roots from above flowed into the pool. In his investigation, he discovered the corpse of a demon lying at the bottom of the pool. By studying the rift, it was determined that the means to close it were not available to the party, and they would need some advanced mages to investigate.
However, their investigation ended abruptly when Indra heard the roar of another monster in the Underdark. Weary though they were, the party took up positions in the previous chamber and ambushed the Babau that came hurtling into the space. The battle ended quickly, their advantage too great for the demon to overcome, and at the end Torcanimir burned it away with radiant fire from Sacred Flame.

Campaign

Of Snakes and Fiends

Protagonists

Mia Dalmahni

Indra Ravensway

Torcanimir

Brooklyn Sunmeadow

Lawful Neutral Lightfoot Halfling (Celebrity Adventurer’s Scion)
Wizard 5

32 / 32 HP

STR
9

DEX
14

CON
14

INT
18

WIS
11

CHA
13

Player Journals

I LIVED! by Brooklyn Sunmeadow

Report Date

31 May 2021

Primary Location

Maplemoor City