Session Report 75

General Summary

After defeating the Bheur Hag and her snowball wielding cronies, the Muskrats determined they would not be able to rest in the snow and so renewed their search for a portal into the Feywild. Itzal pondered whether the presence of winter creatures might indicate an allegiance between the Snow Queen and the Lord of the Hunt, but Sloan disagreed, concluding (very rationally) that the Muskrats were in the mountains in winter so of course the enemies were snow themed! Itzal merged into Serenity to surveil the surrounding area and found both a trail of prints and what seemed to be a forgotten temple to a bronze dragon.
The Muskrats unsurprisingly opted to explore the temple, hoping to find a place to sleep safely for the night. The adventurers remembered how Itzal’s borderline abusive marching orders and inadequate search led to Kelgac’s death the last time the party had hid inside a cave, which led them to search the entirety of the cave before camping for the night. Perhaps the Muskrats do learn! This proved to be wise, as the temple contained curses that would smite any who were not of draconic descent. To their surprise, the temple was covered in draconic script, which illustrated the fall of Charhama. The Muskrats learned of her rise to power, her divine ambitions, and her subsequent defeat at the hands of the Achivelli. Furthermore, Cambio recalled a rumor he had heard as a child – that Charhama had laid an egg, which the Achivelli had never managed to recover. As the Muskrats searched, they stumbled upon an egg perched upon a pedestal. The glyphs covering the pedestal spoke of the Muskrat’s past adventures and foretold a great battle against a purifier of elven descent, concluding the symbol of the Lord of the Hunt. As Dami and Sloan debated the merits of stealing the egg, Itzal urged everyone to run as the curse had nearly run its course. The Muskrats decided that this egg might prove a valuable bargaining chip with the Achivelli, but how would they hide it? Dami displayed uncharacteristic brilliance, urging the Muskrats to cover the cave in snow, hiding it from view. Despite the intense weather and the discombobulation of multiple teleportations, Shade was able to mark the location perfectly on a map. Before departing, Itzal plucked a branch from a nearby tree to serve as a teleportation focus were there a need to return in the future. Itzal ripped a tear in reality to allow the Muskrats a chance to rest before they returned to the trail.
After their rest, the Muskrats stumbled down a ravine towards what appeared to be a glowing light. With few party members able to see in the deep night, the party did not notice the watchful eyes peering down at the from above. Cambio and Sloan noticed a skittering sound ahead and yelled to the party but it was too late. Weird spined monstrosities scrambled across the cliffside towards the Muskrats. Cambio’s blasts landed, forcing one to the ground before Dami, who ignited her axe and cleaved deep into its abdomen. The other two creatures burrowed below the ground, leaving the ambushed (and blind) party members confused. Out of nowhere, silvered arrows flew from thin air, pinging off the rocks amongst the Muskrats. Unable to identify these foes, the party opted to sprint towards the portal. As they neared the portal, the beasts sprang forth from the earth, hungry for flesh. Itzal traced a glyph in the air and the creatures slumped to the ground, dazed. A few more arrows whipped towards the Muskrats, with one grazing Cambio, leaving him strangely fatigued and unable to run. Sloan ran back and pulled Cambio to his feet, his magic alleviating Cambio’s enervation. Sloan pulled Cambio to the portal and pushed him through. As he did so, the creatures sprung from their stupor and lunged for Sloan. Sloan stood firm, avoiding blow after blow from the spiny creatures. One of the creatures overextended, allowing Sloan to land a crippling counter with his shield. As the creature recoiled, Sloan dove through the portal, which closed behind him.
The Muskrats found themselves standing in a clearing deep in the woods, with lightening raging above. The air seemed to thrum with a sort of mystical energy. An overgrown path extended before them, disappearing into the brush. They knew this to be the Lord of the Hunt’s domain. A sort of solemnity befell them as they reformed the line and processed onward. The path twisted and wound through the woods before forking around an ancient oak. The Muskrats felt an ancient consciousness probing at their minds but no one was to be seen. The clearing grew still and a deep voice reverberated through Sloan’s brain, warning them that the Lord of the Hunt had been coerced into compliance with this plan and that it must not be held against them. In exchange for this information, Sloan had to offer a story – choosing to recount the deeds of Solin the Great and (less successfully) the story of the boy at court. The ancient tree returned to its slumber but not before taking a swipe at Itzal, who might have finally learned to shut the fuck up during social encounters. And so the party continued on.
The Muskrats were greeted by a familiar and pungent face – the Garlicle – who again offered to look into Cambio’s future. Unsure of whether to proceed, Cambio determined it best to commune with Malar for guidance. As this is apparently best done while unconscious, Cambio asked Dami to knock him out. Dami had been deafened in combat and did not understand Cambio’s wild gesticulations so Itzal abruptly turned about and bitch slapped Cambio, knocking him out. Cambio felt a dark presence reach into his mind and before he knew he was in the presence of his lord. He asked whether he should seek clarity on his future, as his last prophecy had undermined his relationship with a long time ally. Malar acknowledged that he must come clean and revealed that he had chosen Cambio at the behest of Cambio’s father, Tritemeus, angering Cambio. Further still, Malar spoke of the Achivelli’s manipulations, which allowed them to control the world. He insinuated that he had gifted Cambio these powers to challenge those manipulations. When Cambio came to, he was furious and confronted the Garclicle, demanding answers regarding the Lord of the Hunt. The Garclicle delineated how the Achivelli had bent the Lord of the Hunt to their ends but that he could be freed by a powerful (level 6 or higher!) casting of dispel magic but that it would only be effective were it to be cast while the Lord was at the brink of death. (Itzal groaned – always the hard way isn’t it.).
As this advice did not constitute a prophecy, the Garlicle offered its services to another and Itzal stepped forward. Much to his dismay, the Garclicle convulsed as the clearing darkened and a rotten smell filled the air – a weak voice hissed that Itzal would die the most painful death. Before Itzal could ask any further questions, the stench retreated and the Garclicle was renewed with no memory of his prophecy. The Garclicle stated that its powers to pluck the strings of fate were limited and so any additional prophecies it delivered might alter an individual’s destiny. Brave Dami stepped forward, unafraid. Perhaps she should have been – as the Garclicle revealed that she would turn on her allies at the moment they needed her most. In a rare moment of trust, Dami laid bare her demonic patronage – Mephistopheles. The party was not even remotely surprised to hear she was allied with a devil. They had all witnessed how death brought her an almost uncontrollable glee. The prospect of betrayal was a problem for another day.
The Garclicle left the Muskrats rattled – Cambio questioning his purpose, Itzal his mortality, and Dami her strength. Lost in thought, the Muskrats pressed on. Out of nowhere, an ear-splitting shriek pierced the air – but it sounded humanoid? They rounded the bend and spotted one of the lost princes! Ever the healer, Sloan sprang into action, sprinting ahead with lethargic Itzal a few paces behind. The moment Sloan reached the bereft princeling it began to weep tears of blood. Sloan looked on in horror as the prince peeled back its face, revealing a sinister grin. A blood hag!

Report Date

18 Jan 2023