Ashton Anchors
Species
Children
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair
Aligned Organization
Session 13 - 4/15/24
[session resumed mid-combat]
Defeated tigers with sleep spell
one of the bodies got dragged away
harper wandered off and agro'd spiders
we came back and skinned a pristine pelt + the claws
seems like the beast came from the feywilds?
also checked out a side building, found some coins and a silver statue
As we're returning, we came across a wild flower patch. It has bright orange, almost bulbous petals with red tips. Arlen recognized right away that it's Devil's Ginger! It's a shame that we spent money on it earlier, but that didn't dissuade Velvet at all from collecting more. Well, perhaps there's a chance to make a profit from this?
We were able to sell the claws for a good price, and a pristine pelt! We could sell this as well, or maybe have something crafted from it
Harper also seems to be on the run from an arranged marriage. He's a Bowen, from one of the biggest families in Hot Lake.
Arlen talked about his past a bit as well.
Session 12 - 4/8/24
The next morning, we were all rested up - except for Mara I think, who looked like she just ran a marathon in her own sleep. I wonder what happened?
Before we departed, Arlen asked to detour to The Shimmering Scale. I think he wanted to improve his spellcasting rod? I wonder why...I've been able to cast my spells without them. The proprietor said they would be able to with Manabark. Arlen is eager to find some, I hope we do too. Velvet was also asking for..."Devils Ginger". Can tieflings not taste regular ginger? Whatever it is, the shopkeep was wary of her, and I can certainly see why.
More strange behavior from Mara...on top of feeling warm, showed signs of...scales? And there's a rash on her forehead as well. Did she end up with some kind of illness? We went to visit a physician. No one could figure out what it is...but Chael said it isn't evil, and the physician said it isn't a disease...so...maybe it will be okay? We'll keep an eye on her.
With that, we struck out to track the beast. The tracks it left behind were...imposing. The creature appears to have six clawed toes rather than four. And they were...large. This is no ordinary creature we're after.
But, before we found it, we came across a crying sound. We worried we had come across an abandoned babe, but instead was a grown woman, if not a bit mouse-y. She described herself as a researcher, who had lost her materials while climbing a branch over a tar pit, and was suitably distraught over it. Harper of course took the opportunity to impress the woman with his heroics, but truth be told I had the same idea as him...we tied the rope around either side of ourselves, and I acted as an anchor (haha, Anchor! Really living up to my name) and Harper the hook. Incredibly, Harper endured the hot tar and submerged himself before using his magic to blast out the tar and find the materials. We were able to return them to her absolute delight. She introduced herself as Dr. June Manji, and rewarded us with one of the sample she found - a small tar elemental! Harper did most of the work, so it seemed right for him to have it. ...And, I think Dr. Manji is hoping to see Harper back at town! Exciting!
With that resolved, we pressed on to a collapsed church of some kind and thats where we found the beast. It was joined by a pack that it leads, and I can see why it is considered the alpha. It rakes with incredible ferocity before flashing away. It seems to wield the same teleport magic that we use! As we fought, it ran off further into the church. We gave chase further into the collapsed building, but in doing so, drew the attention of some other local plant elementals. Our melee grew into a full on brawl with thornblights and vineblights further assailing us!
Session 11 - 4/1/24
After regrouping and shopping, we took a job as a caravan guard for a group traveling North. Met with Rigby who is in charge of the operation. I took the lead.
Spotted another one of those lizard shrines. This time it was light green rather than pink. I noticed there were some shuffling bushes near the trail, which were not naturally in place. I threw a lit torch and managed to hit it! I thought I was going to scare some goblins out, but instead the bushes themselves screeched and ran off! I was not expecting that at all. But, we've certainly earned our keep tonight.
As we continue on though, we found something even more unsettling. We came across three dead goblins and two dead hobgoblins. The perpetrators seem to be more of those bush creatures, which were latched to the corpses and drinking up their meals. We were able to dispatch them easy enough, but then something else came upon us. Two ghostly black specters emerged from the hobgoblin bodies. One raked at Arlen and it passed through his skin, like it grappled and pulled on his soul. It was a horrid sight. Arlen turned pale and seemed to nearly collapse on the spot. Chael reacted just as violently though, causing the specter to explode is a light that seemed to annihilate it, as punishment for grievously harming a friend
I remember what happened the last time I tried to face down these ghosts. I did not like the idea but I knew the fight had to be finished. Thankfully, this material that was used to upgrade my sword is not just for decoration. It feels lighter, sharper, deadlier. And its magical affiliation lets me strike at them as though they were solid. Chael once more had a fit at the sight of such things and hammered away at the drained corpses of the hobgoblins until they were dust. Perhaps it was for the best that they were left dessicated by those thorn creatures, because the mess would've been that much worse. It's strange how he goes from being so calm to being so violently and back again.
Afterwards we arrived at Woodgate. The houses here are all of interesting varying sizes because the area is inhabited by Halflings, Rasps, and Half-orcs. We stopped at the inn, known as the Sleeping Rose. It's a good name, just the sound of it makes me want to crawl into a warm, soft bed...
While we were here, we took at some of jobs on offer at the board:
Logging team looking for day laborers
Assisting a local orcish tracker in trapping a Sabercat
Tracking down a notorious creature, "The White Rasp", harrassing the local loggers
Interestingly, the inn does not have many rooms. The sleeping areas are communal, but there seems to be an unspoken agreement among everyone here to be civil, so it ends up working. I ended up sleeping in the main room by the hearth on my bedroll.
Session 9 - 3/11/24
We took a breather after that tough fight, and went into the next room south. It was strangely empty, but it was almost more concerning that it was. A large manacle bolted to the middle of the room was left unoccupied, but we suspect that was not always the case. However, on the ceiling was that mark of the skull - a symbol used by the dwarves that signified valuables, but also danger. However, since its on the ceiling almost 15 feet high, we had to climb up using a ladder. I hit the seam with an axe and heard it start to give way, so we climbed down quickly and moved out of the way.
And it's a good thing we did, because some kind of terrible living black ooze spilled out, very much with the intent to eat us. As we hit it with our blades, the black ooze coated my sword an armor and seemed to corrode it. The splash itself burned against my skin. I'm starting to think swinging my sword at the things in here is a bad idea. I tried to get away but they grasped me with their...appendages. It burned horribly. Another brush with death. I've learned my lesson now - its crossbow bolts for these things from now on.
They split a few more times, but thankfully we were able to break them down into a harmless pool. Within one of them though we found a metal of sorts, too orange to be gold - Ambersteel. Good for working magic into and very valuable to smiths. How lucky! Maybe we can make something of this? And if not, we can likely sell it for a fine sack of coin!
In the next room, we saw something I certainly didn't expect. A lone hobgoblin looking...scared. It seems his smaller companions found the traps we've been disarming, far too late. With no will on either side to fight, we agreed to pass each other by in cease fire. Chael said something to him, I think he told him to leave, which he wasted no time doing.
It's unfortunate for the goblins, because the room we found beyond was incredible! It must've been the Treasury, because found a literal PILE of gold, and also a locked chest that contained an ornate tiara of sorts.
Starmetal Helmet - absorbs the blood of the wearer, but in turn allows them to heal on command
Mara and I rolled for ownership and fate deemed it better in the hands of Mara. Fair is fair, and after all I have these greaves already.
It was the last room on this floor, so we returned to the stairs and descended once more. We finally found the source of these strange green energy pulses. The room we found was incredible, flickering with brilliant lights and colors. In the middle of the room was an energy vortex that left the room feeling incredibly charged. Its a difficult feeling to explain, but it felt as though the room was flooded with magic and energy.
On the altar is an elfen man, strangely made of stone, who seems to be chained to it. Why would anyone need to chain up a stone statue? Chael saw it was held by pins, so he started removing them. That sent out another such green shockwave, the very same we were experiencing before. Shortly afterwards, a crack grew in the arm. Even stranger, returning the pin reverses the effect, restoring the crack.
Whatever is going on feels much bigger than any of us so I asked Chael to stop before we do something irreversible. Instead we turned our attention to four more sarcophagi in the corners of the room (as much as corners could be). Chael could read a small part of it, stating "guard against the darkness"
Velvet meanwhile looked deep into the vortex and claimed to see a vibrant forest. More than that, it seems that all the energy we're feeling is coming out of that portal, from wherever this forest is. While we were distracted by the vortex though, Arlen seemed to start freeing the statue
His name is Droman Selezan, and he explained that his fellow elves chained him here to act as an anchor for this portal. He was also almost 10 feet tall, with long, lankey arms. His demeanor was very unnerving, with a grin that almost looks wicked. But he called himself a creature of the fae
He explained the portal is called a Leyline, and they are scattered all over the land. He was also quick to correct me in saying that they are NOT his *fellow* elves.
A lot happened, almost too much to try and write down...my quick notes were...
fae escaped
crystal from Arlen shattered
room darkened
a portal opened(?)
guardians(?) from each of the 4 corners activated
fighting 2 shadow demons, they slayed 2 of the guardians before being taken down
but a new figure emerged
Harper seems to recognize them
Arlen attacked and dealt what looked like a horrid fatal blow, but it didnt stop her
She retaliated with a magic missile
Ashton wanted to attack but Harper bade him to stop
Then Chael erupted suddenly into a radiant light
we beat back the shadows attacking the guardians
Both Chael and the guardians (entirely) expended themselves to break the portal
gathered up 4 spears with bronze tip
we left and took the statues with us
We returned to Twin River after a long, long delve.
Session 8 - 3/4/24
Previous session ended with fighting and killing spiders, then ghosts. I got possessed again - I really need to stay away from ghosts...I almost lost my own life trying to shake it off.
We stopped to rest but I'm completely spent...Velvet offered me a potion and Chael healed me though. I was sure to thank them...both of them.
We packed back up and moved to the next room to find MORE GHOSTS?! But these ones didnt attack...they just kept working the forge. Harper couldnt keep his hands to himself though and the ghosts caught him trying to lift a blade. Somehow he managed to talk his way out of it.
Chael then offered a weapon, and incredibly, they tempered it. He left another weapon for them as a tip. Curious?
There was a room past the smith ghosts, I managed to sneak past them somehow [He did not] and entered a room with sarcophagi. There was a body with a large emerald orb, but when someone tried to lift it, the body animated! It looked like some kind of zombie, and boy did it hit like a donkey cart. Two other armors came to life to assist it, but when we finally felled the zombie, the armors blessedly came to a stop. We managed to find a necklace and some boots.
Boots of Elvenkind
Periapt of Health
Eye of Detection
Harper took an interest in the the Eye of Detection...but all of a sudden, perhaps in some fit of madness...we watched him gouge his own eye out and remove it...screaming in pain all the while as he did it. I thought one of those ghosts got him, but it was something else. I recognize what this horrid thing is. Demon Hunter fanatics would use a similar artifact to let them see beyond the Material Plane to do their work.
We all needed to sleep after that.
Our room was secluded well enough so we went unharrassed, but more goblins took the time to move into the nearby rooms and had to be cleared out again. There was quite a feast left behind too - no doubt they would've found some way to ruin it.
As we advanced, I think we found what we'd call the Goblin King. He was like that other dangerous warrior...only more decorated, and more dangerous. It took everything I had not to succumb to his blows...how do they become so powerful? With all of us, we managed to best him...and to the victor, the spoils.
Well made longsword
A shield with the symbol of a dove - Relentless Bulwark (Cleric or Paladin only)
The King's embellished armor, though damaged.
Since the shield was meant to be used by Paladins, I traded it to Chael, who gave me a regular shield in turn. It will serve better in his hands.
Session 7 - 2/26/24
The next room over had some statues we examined, but some kind of ghost or specter came out?! One of them entered into me and a chill came over my entire body, which started to move on its own. I could not fault my friends for swinging at me, because I did the same - or rather my body did, not me! A strong blow finally dislodged it from me, somehow, but boy did that hurt...
Afterwards, Velvet tried her hand at opening a lock as usual, but she must've been shaken up from battle, because the lockpick broke, which left us with no treasure and Velvet with no tools...she looked pretty upset by it.
We did the best we could in the circumstances, which were to break open the chest the old fashioned way. It's a good thing we did, there was a King's fortune inside!
We also found a greenish metal bracer, which was similar in material to the boots we found. We took the time to Identify (and rest, thankfully) the bracers and boots we found.
Arlen took the bracers, which helps his magic recover. I was given the boots, which give me a burst of speed when most needed.
We continued through a few more unremarkable rooms but came upon one with a nattering goblin in it, at least until Mara clocked it over the head. This seems to be where the goblins were hiding all of their stolen loot! Thankfully, Velvet was able to find another set of lockpicks in this room. We're back in business!
Little else was found on this floor unturned, so we descended to the next floor. Rather than narrow twisting tunnels, this floor seemed to be more traditional hallways and open rooms. We found more goblins down here and got rid of them as we usually do. However, some unusual ferver overcame Chael and he bolted down the hallway like a bat out of hell. We ran after him, with Mara in particular calling for him to slow.
One of the rooms that Chael ran to was some kind of laboratory? Or surgeon room? Chael was drawn to a skeleton found in this room, whose bones were covered in runes. It also had some kind of black mass on it that connected to its other bones. Chael revealed his sleeve, showing similar runes on his bandages?? Whatever this is, greatly disturbed him, and he started speaking harshly in some language I had never heard before, but he sounded furious. Before we could even discuss it though, the skeleton began to move on its own!
Though it was a skeleton, it instead glowed with a holy light and would sear us with radiance - a burning that left no heat or smoke. Chael was even more distressed by what he saw and halted it with magic, before telling us all to retreat. We did so, but instead it pursued unrelenting. Chael asked me to strike it down after all, and though we did, the end only left Chael to collapse in utter despair. He wailed and cried like a sound I never wished to hear. I think whoever that was was once family...its no wonder he was so pained by what happened.
With everything done, we took the time to examine the bones. Some of the runes were the kind I've never seen before, but some I recognized - meaning 'containment'. What was being contained? On top of that, the black stone(?) that was attached to it was knocked away. Did I imagine that the skeleton stopped moving when it was detached?
Mara managed to find the stone and Harper used his magic to examine it. He called it a Black Stone Fruit...and said that consuming it improves you permanently...but...at a cost of your humanity...
What does that mean? These things terrify me. Did the once living owner of this skeleton eat this fruit? Is that why he ended up that way?
We all wanted to destroy it, and yet Chael wanted to preserve it. It seems to be a clue for...whatever he is trying to figure out.
Session 6 - 2/19/24
We made it past the goblins outside and found doorway leading further in. We descended the stairs to, unsurprisingly, find more goblins. They were easily dispatched.
Velvet managed to discover a secret/false wall in the next room. One of the statue arms acted as a lever to operator the door. We entered in and thankfully Velvet spotted and disarmed a trapped pressure plate. Someone definitely does not want us here.
We passed through some crowded hallways and into another small room covered in a green...moss? residue? But yet another secret door was discovered. Just what are we headed towards?
We found two chests and unlocked one of them. The locked one had some gold and green metal greaves. The unlocked one however had a gelatinous cube waiting in ambush! Good thing we opened it from a distance.
Finally at the end of the path we found a...valve of sorts. It took me a bit, but I finally realized it was made of Cold Iron, a material used for impacting the Ethereal. What is it doing here?
We were concerned however that whatever that capsule was made of contained something dangerous, so we did not open it immediately and instead returned to the main path.
We went through more winding paths, arriving at another room with a large fountain in the middle. It seems to be filled with...alcohol?? It was filled with more goblins though, including some bigger and definitely more dangerous ones. One of them was able to cast some dangerous spells, and the other was armed to the teeth.
We eventually took them down, but the armored one was tough. Even facing down the 4 of us he held his ground - it was Arlen's searing bolts that did him in. He reminded me of the knights from the stories that I enjoy so much, having a heroic last stand...he was nothing like the other runty goblins that we dispatched. I had to show him the respect that a warrior was due. And then I desperately needed a drink afterwards...
We had to go upstairs and rest - another hit from the warrior would've done me in. Thankfully our rest went undisturbed [Ashton was not awake when Mara managed to knock out the two goblin scouts that came upon us].
We came back to the fountain room, except there were more goblins there?! How did this happen! We caught each other by surprise and went back into the fight! Thank the gods that there wasn't another one armored like the last one.
In the fight, we ended up damaging one of the statues by the fountain...I hope we do not come to regret that later.
We continued through the winding hallways and passed another door that leads down. Just how far does this go?
The hallway emptied out into another room covered in that green residue. We're prepared for slimes this time.
Session 5 - 2/5/24
[missed from last session - we met Velvet's friends, Glory, Nowhere, and Despair]
We decided on jobs dealing with the goblins and [killer plants??]
Harper identified my lab friends. Apparently the Eyes of Googlie make these objects sentient, but they have no mouth to speak with. It's kind of sad...
We went afterwards to the guardhouse to take on one of the posted jobs. We were brought back to a jail cell to interrogate the one that was brought in earlier. The mutilated cultist that tried to intimidate Velvet earlier. He said some pretty awful stuff, I can see why Velvet is so afraid of him. After his last mocking words, he turned to some kind of dirt or sludge right before our eyes. Thankfully other guards witnessed it, as I don't know how we could explain that otherwise.
When we head out, we come across a dragon head totem that seems to have some offerings placed to it. Chael wanted to stop to say a few words and left an offering.
The closer we got to Hotlake, the more Harper panicked, as he is currently wanted by his family.
We dispatched the goblins and found that they were inhabing a large stone structure. We stopped to rest for a short while before proceeding.
Session 4 - 1/29/24
Inside the laboratory we found on the alchemist's bench a single finished Potion of Healing and another red-brown potion, but did not have a crystalline substance.
I found...lab friends? A protractor, a vial, and a component pouch all with...googly eyes. I had to keep them.
We entered in to another room to see something grim. I don't fully understand it, but it seems like horrid flesh creatures were dumping bodies into a blood pit. Right in the middle of the fight, they took one of our slain opponents and dragged him into the pool.
We backtracked to a larger room with a statue. We figured out that it was trapped to belch fire or acid to us and thankfully was disarmed.
Velvet found the grave of a "Biff McManLarge" and...discovered...from it a blue vest with silver on it. She also found a black bag with...some kind of...black...cracker? cookie? in it?
We re-emerged with our barrel bandit in tow and return to the church to report our findings. We've found ourselves in Good Standing with the Temple of Kord. Definitely a worthy boon.
We also stopped by the Guard Post to see the captain. He wasn't available though, and Velvet did not want to relay her message.
While waiting, Velvet noticed someone being brought in for interrogation. They had the telltale eye icon on the back of their neck, but they also had other imposing tattoos on their arms.
Velvet delivered her missive to the Captain, but it seems they had more to discuss. She followed him inside...somewhere.
We retired to the inn for the night, and we were approached by a blue rasp with black hair. He delivers a brown wrapped + twine package to Arlen. Unwrapping it shows a polished, finished box with a lid. Opening it reveals itself to be a music box.
Chael asked about the OotRS. It was great to talk to him about it!
Velvet revealed who she saw at the guard shack. The person she's been pursuing was the same one mentioned in the journal. He was also the one who murdered most of her family...
Session 3 - 1/22/24
Party resumes by going to the Temple of Kord. Very Spartan in design
Velvet goes to speak to the head of the Temple regarding the cultists. War Cleric Reybald. Reybald made a proposal to exterminate other cultist camps. I see no reason not to?
We were directed to Berthold, who brought us back into a War Room. Asked to investigate a section of Oak Shade that might be a secret cultist location.
We arrived at the location and found signs of recent use by a symbol discreetly marked on the inside of the door. It was also locked, but the lock stood no chance against Velvet.
We entered in and found the building to be long abandoned. However, we detected faint traces of a recent fire in the oven, and footprints. We found out a large box in the corner was a cover for a cellar hatch.
We descended and ran into three decently armed thugs. I took some hits but we managed to dispatch the 3 of them quickly. Chael reminded me that we should try to keep them alive, so we managed to capture the large one of the group. He did not go without a fight though, I think he wanted to topple one of the support beams to bring down the ceiling on us. He said they would rather die than surrender, which he did probably just to trick us. They had the brand of the cultists on them as well.
Another flight of stairs was hidden behind a wall of barrels. The setting was much different, like a catacomb.
We went through a series of fights, seeing more of the creatures we saw the cultists using as minions before. We must be getting close.
I tried to restrain a mage only to find myself with a front row demonstration of how a fireball is formed! Thankfully, Mara persuaded him to stop with an axe halfway into his brain. Now who's the smart one?
No longer threatened by the mage, we found ourselves in a laboratory. It reminds me of the one we saw back at the fort...
Session - 2 1/8/24
Returned to Maford and spoke with Althalos
He was grateful and paid us for job complete, and with that asked us to deliver a missive to Twin River, the Guard Captain.
We ran into goblins on the way to Twin River. We thought they were harmless, but sure enough when we set ourselves vulnerable, they tried to attack us. They won't be a problem anymore.
Arrived at Twin River.
Velvet met with a character named Shane at the Prismatic Eye, they seem to know each other
Session 1 1/1/24
5th of Lenzig
Session 1
In Maford, guard had blue shield with silver antlers. First town in the Northern Kingdom.
Althalos Stagdew, Lord of the city
————
Very tall
Navy captains jacket
Eyepatch
Short blonde curly hair
Lots of paintings of his ship, red and black sails, dragon figurepiece
Talking with Velvet
Arlen delivered a lockbox and a missive from the Academy. Athalos was expecting a key too.
A favor for a favor. Athalos wants a bandit problem resolved. Taken property and hostages. In return, he will allow some items across the border for Eamon Drakewarden. Arlens patron, fascinated with dragons and gives preferential treatment to the best students.
Meet with Adelaide Budd, Captain of the Guard
Shield is silver with navy antlers
Trench style coat, decorated w/ chain shirt and longsword
Tomorrow will engage bandits early morning thru westgate
150gp, more with recovered property
2 groups, we will take front and scouts will take back
Dilapidated Fort
People taken at random, but no ransoms or demands
Began about a month ago
10-15 strong
We purchased a potion of healing from The Ten of Eyes at a discount but are beholden to purchase the other one after our bounty
Bandits have a symbol tattooed on them. Simple eye shape with yellow circle filled in
Room with strange profane creatures. Ritualistic symbols in chalk. Locket with name Arthur Dudland
We found a journal note written over the last 3 months. My interpretation is that they had “silver shards” that they were trying to turn green and they were successful once they had something from captives (blood? Skull?) and were referred to as seeds. I think these green crystals were stuck in living things to turn them into these monsters.
We found a flask that was still brewing and produced a green crystal from black ichor. We kept it, still in flask.
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