The Keys of Telku / Witch War pt. 2 / Fos the 30th through Von the 4th, 3593 CE / 10-4-20

General Summary

The Adventurers have been following the Deep Forest Road through the vast expanse of wilderness known as Greenwood Forest. But along this route they were attacked and now they and their newfound ally, the elven scout Thorne, are locked in battle with vicious dark fey creatures known as fear eaters. Even as some of the party suffer the effects of the creatures' spore infections, the Adventurers are able to band together to fend off and defeat the monsters. As one more of the maggot-like fear eaters rises from the ground to attack, it is torn to pieces by a hail of arrows fired by a cadre of elven warriors, the same war party for whom Thorne had been an advanced scout. As Roisyll and Moss treat their infected companions, the elves, lead by Captain Paeris, parlay with the party, stating that there is an ongoing war on between the elves of Greenwood and dark forces of the blight emanating from Tanlin Marsh to the east. The war party demands the Adventurers accompany them back to Celene, one of the elven capitals, in order to stand in audience before their queen. After several days of travel, the Adventurers reach the so-called City of the Sky. which rests high atop the canopy above the massive trees of Greenwood Forest. As they pass through the city streets towards the Queen's palace, they notice recurring iconography among the buildings consisting of images of the sun, moon, and stars, as well as occasionally stylized stag horns. At the palace, the party is left in a waiting room, where Roisyll interprets a mural depicting the origin of the druids' pilgrimage to Greenwood and their ancient accord with the elves. When Captain Paeris ushers them into the Queen's audience chamber, they find themselves surrounded by gawking elven nobles and citizens. Queen Talmhain and her druidic advisor, Naurcrist, give the party more background on the trouble plaguing the elves of Greenwood. It seems that forces of darkness are working to spread the blight that is infecting the forest. The source of this dark plot may be a coven of hags based out of Tanlin Marsh. Using dark magic, they have created a magic field that prevents any of elvish blood from reaching them. Though the elves are at war, they still do not know why the hags or the dark powers they serve wish to overthrow the elven kingdom. John points out that back at the Temple of the Apocalypse, Princess Zuggathoa was infected with a fungus similar to that spread by the fear eaters, but the queen seems unsure what connection, if any, exists. It is decided that with Roisyll and Moss in the party, the Adventurers should be placed in the care of the Druidic Council for the time-being. They are offered a place to spend the night in Celene, with Thorne as their chaperone. Moss takes the opportunity and the access to Celene's markets to sell some potions and resupply. The next day the party, guided by Thorne, set out to a pre-appointed meeting place with emissaries of the druids. However, when they reach the circle of stones, they see no sign of their druidic contacts. Instead, the party is ambushed by vicious fey creatures called red caps. Though they are able to defeat the blood thirsty fey, Roisyll and Moss spot a satyr, infected with blight, fleeing with more red caps into the wilderness. A quick check of the stone circle's perimeter reveals the sad truth: the party's contacts from the Druidic Council had been previously murdered by the red caps. The Adventurers must now decide whether to press forward or return to Celene.

Character(s) interacted with

Moss Cherry-Blossom Quickroot, Roisyll, Henry Skalitz, Jaunzaggaroth ("John"), Adrienne Kirk, Thorne, Captain Paeris, Queen Talmhain Aladar, Naurcrist, fear eaters, Celenite soldiers, nobles, and citizens, red caps, blighted satyr

Report Date

12 Oct 2020