The Keys of Telku / Witch War pt. 1 / Fos the 18th through the 30th, 3593 CE / 10-4-20

General Summary

The Adventurers have spent the last 15 days resting and training in the town of Magepoint on the edge of the Bandit Kingdoms, far from Anoria, the continent that most of the party call home. They have been staying in the now-unoccupied Temple of Knowledge, the former caretaker having met a gruesome fate after betraying the town to cultists and being betrayed in return. The former temple turned library has kept Moss and Coron busy with research on various topics, as other members of the party enjoy the hospitality of Magepoint's residents, who consider the party heroes for their assault on the Temple of the Apocalypse. Roisyll meanwhile has attempted to divulge the dark secrets of the book which they had been seeking, The Rites of Pazuzu. It appears to be a treatise on a Demon Lord of the same name, but Roisyll quickly discovers that the book has dark influence on those who read it, and, having gained the knowledge she seeks regarding the Keys of Telku, refuses to read further. Though Coron and John both take a stab at it as well, it is soon determined that the curse of the book is best left alone for the time being. The party has gained the information they need however, both regarding the demonic origin of the Keys and their ability to open a gate to the Realm of Chaos, as well as new knowledge that the Keys' coming together in an improperly performed ritual may result in a massive explosion. The information is deeply concerning, and though there is disagreement on how much Tarrus can be trusted with the Keys, the party agrees that for now the best course of action is to return as quickly as possible to Liem in order to warn the Lord of Liem of the threat the Keys pose if kept in one place. Without Uli to guide them, it seems that Greenwood Forest may be the Adventurer's fastest route home, but the isolationist elves of Greenwood present their own set of problems. Roisyll consults with Jaroo Ashstaff, the Druid of the Grove, who in turn sends his fellow town council-member, Cymria of Celadon, an elf and personal lieutenant to the arch-mage Manzorian, to speak with them. She provides the party with Marks of Safe Passage and offers to guide them to a path they may take through Greenwood to reach Anoria. The party agrees to this plan and bids farewell to the friends they have made in Magepoint. Coron and Blur also decide to stay a little longer, Coron wishing to further delve into the Temple of Knowledge's collection, and Blur just enjoying having a town he can call home for a bit. After an uneventful journey downriver and to the edge of Greenwood, Cymria reveals a secret path to the party before bidding them adieu. The Adventurers spend the next several days on a pleasant journey through the deep woods, resting safely in a magic hut provided by Moss. But soon the idyllic landscape becomes dotted with dying trees, until there is overwhelming evidence that some sort of blight has struck Greenwood Forest. Reaching a clearing in which most of the trees have died and rotted away, the party is confronted by an elven scout named Thorne, who demands to know their business. Seemingly satisfied when presented with Cymria's writ, he nonetheless demands they come with him when suddenly bizarre maggot-like humanoids burst from the rotting stumps of the dead trees and attack! As the party and Thorne band together to defend themselves, they are able to fell several of the monsters, but the vile creatures' spores infect both the elf and Henry's horse Gustavius, the latter falling unconscious in shock and mushrooms burst from its flesh.

Character(s) interacted with

Adrienne Kirk, Moss Cherry-Blossom Quickroot, Roisyll, Henry Skalitz, Jaunzaggaroth ("John"), Thorne, Blur, Coron, Jaroo Ashstaff, Cymria of Celadon, Gustavius, fear eaters

Report Date

05 Oct 2020