2022-01-19 - A Bear in the Wood Report
General Summary
We picked up with our heroes at the moment Snowflake, the rabbit burst from the mouth of the cave with a bear hot on the heals. The party moved out of the way as the bear rushed after the rabbit who was dismissed after pulling the bear away from the cave entrance. The party quickly unloaded on the bear and Hringol in flushed rage dispatched of the bear and nearly cleaving off its arm.
The giant-kin, a verbeeg, stepped out of the cave and hurled several large spears out at the party before retreating back into the cave. The party waited for the creature to re-appear but the first thing out of the cave mouth was several goats, one of which Grelin blasted with a firebolt.
Snowflake followed the giant who headed around to anther entrance in an effort to flank the heroes. During the lull, Hringol's rage faded. Zee rushed through the entrance and right into the creature. His agility kept him ahead of the creature, avoiding the creature's attacks. He then stabbed the creature with both his blades, drawing blood, but as he turned to head back to the rest of the party, after throwing a taunt, the giant used both hands and drove his spear through his back and out his chest. In the next moment he slammed Zee to the ground, moments from death.
Grelin took a shot before poor Zee was slammed through the ground, but it did a minor amount of damage. Instead of saving Zee instead it marked Grelin as the creature's next target. It rushed forward and drove the spear through the skull of the half-orc dropping him to the ground in a pool of blood.
Hringol, not one to quit rushed up to fight the creature as Vega turned the ground beneath the creature to ice. Hringol's axe, which had only moments before been returned to Hringol, found a way through the creatures armor but when the verbeeg brought his spear down and drove it through the barbarian. A moment later he slammed his weapon into the prone body and made his way towards the one who had cast flames, Vegathal.
The moment looked dire for the heroes with three of their friends unconscious and dying. Mishaan rushed to Zee's aid but was unable to give him the rejuvinating goodberry before Zee gave up his last breath. Likewise, Hringol was lasted only a few second longer before his heart gave out.
The moment lay before the remaining three, flee and live or fight and likely die. They did not waver. The three heroes remaining held their ground and poured everything into the creature. Adriel expertly landed a firebolt, Mishaan stroke with a fury after cursing the creature, and Vegathal used his scimitar to draw a fount of blood.
The creature looking to end Vegathal's life brought his spear down, but the goliath would not be downed easily and what might have been a killing blow was nothing more than a scratch to Vegathal. In the end flames which had been burning on the creature since the first of Vegathal's flames touched him ended the foul creature's life. The mead and the sugar burned hot and bright and in the end the theft of mead proved to be the verbeeg's undoing.
Only three of our heroes stood once it was all done. They collected the bodies of their friends and while Mishaan was saying a prayer to Uluru over Hringol the barbarian suddenly stood up. He screamed about a demon and his chest exploded as a slug like creature launched our of his chest cavity. It slithered away into the darkness and the body of their friend collapsed, finally free of the parasite.
In the cave the party explored finding treasure, repairing a cart, and corralling a few goats. They also investigated some strange metal that had seemingly been found by the giant. It was during this time that Vegathal revealed a secret he'd been carrying and the party, heavy with loss, hugged together. They were bound by this moment. As Adriel put it, "I didn't run when I could have." None of them did and that gave them all hope in their companions. They hid the metal in a frozen pool and slept through the night, but were interrupted during the night by the sound of someone approaching. Whoever it was left after leaving footprints and making some racket.
In the morning they loaded up the cart with everything they could find and headed back to Good Mead. On the way they walked by where they had hidden the militia only to find that the bodies had seemingly gotten up and walked away. Someone had come to the resting place and cast some spell to disturb them. The party immediately began to suspect the Frostservents.
Upon arriving at town they felt stronger, ready to advance their skills.
In town someone was shouting about the speaker position and suggesting that a man named Shander Froth should be elected. Hlin, seeing the party taunted Shander and shouted that the ones who returned were the ones who showed real strength.
Rewards Granted
Level 2
Missions/Quests Completed
Mead Must Flow
Vegathal Gathakunta
Report Date
20 Jan 2022
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