Session Date: 3/22/2018
Our heroes make their way to the Blazing Palms Tavern and Inn. A beautiful woman sees these adventurers enter and welcomes them in and walks with them to the bar. The place is crowded but the woman introduces herself as Esmeralda and steps behind the counter and starts preparing drinks. After learning they are on a quest to save Rachel, she quickly snatches the alcohol away saying she needs them sober if she is to help them on their mission. She informs the trio of a legend that discusses the treasure they seek:
Long ago, a great enchantress, Cressidia, made her way to the Isles of the Dancing Scimitars. It was there that she created some of the most powerful magical artifacts of light magic. One such object was “Cressidia’s Pearl,” a mote of pure light magic in physical form. However, dark forces sought her magic for their own purposes, and so she retreated deep into the jungles of the Isle of Dalia. There, in a sacred clearing she hid her magics, and they were lost to time and the world forgot.
No one has been able to find the clearing, or at least none who lived to tell the tale. Esmeralda suggests they go to the guard at the jungle gate. Perhaps he can help guide them into the forest. Varis regains his drink (thanks to the help of a mage hand by Khadgar) and offers it as to the guard in an attempt to gain information. They are told of directions into a deep section of the Numberi Jungle. However, once there, they are on their own. After a trek through the wilderness to the deepest and darkest portion of the jungle, and a very brief encounter with some wolves (and glowing Moana), Khadgar notices a rippling of magic around a certain group of trees.
Varis responds to this knowledge by taking his dagger and stabbing the first tree. As a result a furious Dryad emerges, much to the shock (and probably dismay) of the party. The three are able to calm her at least to the point where she does not atack. She trust their story as “only those with pure intentions could have made it this far into the jungle and this close to the clearing.” She allows only Khadgar and Moana to enter the grove (hidden by an illusion spell), but Varis must wait outside the border (because she is still angry at him for stabbing her tree).
- By this time 4 hours have elapsed since arriving at the docks -
Inside they see a pond and waterfall with a small opening in the rocks. As Khadgar and Moana approach, they are suddenly attacked by three blights. After a harrowing battle that leaves Moana in bad shape, a figure emerges from the rocks. A being with an aura of power and enchantment. She beckons the two closer and even heals Moana. She introduces herself as Galandra and escorts the pair deep within the rocks to the chamber of the pearl. Khadgar removes the pearl and wonders what other knowledge he can obtain. Moana is interested in getting a present for Rachel, and Varis is attempting small talk to appease the Dryad, Oakandra. With the swish of her hand, Galandra summons Varis into the chamber to reunite the trio. Varis steals the pearl off of Khadgar because he believes Khadgar is taking too long seeking arcane knowledge. He also finds out about the attempted theft by Moana and the successful theft of Khadgar of his missing 80 GP. Khadgar and Moana promise to use the funds to pay off Varis’ bar tab with Melissa. Moana learns that he is not the only one after Rachel’s heart and that the good Captain Michael is her suitor. After more discussion and questions, Galandra finally sends the trio back to Fulmea’s docks.
Moana meets Thorn Steele, the dwarf first mate of the Blue Duchess and seeks armor. Khadgar retreats to study and meditate, while Varis talks to Michael and learns the depth of the relationship between him and Rachel as well as probes about potential culprits of who cursed her. Afterwards, always the romantic, Varis gives the pearl to Moana so that Moana can be the one to present it to her father and hopefully, find favor with Rachel. Late in the evening of the 6th day, after unsuccessfully trying to convince Michael to remain on the ship, Michael joins the party on the way to the Governor’s Mansion. They stop in the laughing Pelican and pay off the bar tab (100GP). The 4 then proceed to the mansion where Khadgar and Moana convince Zelena that Michael should remain away from Rachel as his presence could have an effect on the pearl’s magic (which is false but you have to give them credit for trying to set up Moana and Rachel). With the three of them convincing Michael to wait in the foyer they proceed to Rachel’s chambers as evening falls, hoping the pearl can restore her.
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