Neverwinter Stories: Campaign 1 — Session 43
Book One: The Trees of Life and Death — Chapter Forty-Three: In the Lower Hollow
General Summary
The towering heights of Furtîlorn disappeared as our heroes entered the hollow. While navigating the narrow tunnels, they encountered a handful of giant, docile termites. They answered that party's questions, telling them that they have been living here since the tree was young, that the last time explorers came here was long ago, and they went up to the canopy of the tree.
They continued forward, where they soon discovered a large open space within Furtîlorn. Dense, oversized foliage, magic pools supplied by waterfalls, and ethereal webs filled the cavity. The party dropped down to investigated further, but before they could do so, Sheldanna called for a break. She was exhausted, she showed signs of unnatural aging, and elvish markings and crescent moon cataracts formed on her face and in her eyes. Known as transcendence, Sehanine Moonbow had opened the door to Arvandor, and Sheldanna's time on Toril was growing short. Not wanting her friend to be alone, Askra and the elf sat together on the bank of the shimmering pool.
Meanwhile, the others went about the area, looking for clues about the nature of the mythological tree. Markus and Ilyra stumbled upon an enchanting, memory-eating toad. Although it prayed on them, they countered by overstuffing the toad, causing it to burst. The two adventurers recovered most of their memories, except for Ilyra's memory of betraying her fellow prisoners. Instead, she chose to imbue it into her mask.
Lilith and Alessandra Corlinnar found the flower-covered grave of Benjalem hidden in the tall grass. Ally noticed that the grave appeared to be very old—much older than when the explorer allegedly distributed his maps. Wanting answers, Lilith summoned his spirit and questioned him on his past and Furtîlorn. Benjalem revealed he could only pass through the River of the Lost because he had never killed others or lost family, but he couldn't return since his entire team perished in the process. Ben decided to live in Furtîlorn until his death a hundred years ago. He revealed that it was his son, Melv (and his 49 brothers), who set up his game. Finally, before departing, Benjalem let the girls take his last possession, a magic spyglass that served him well in life.
During their rest, Askra and Sheldanna encountered three powerful fey. Their leader, Dako, sent his companions Relideri Hawkeye and Melv to gather our heroes while he introduced himself. Once assembled, he and his brothers explained that the Redwings were trespassing in their mother's palace, the Evergreen Queen. They apologized and told the eldest son that they came to Furtîlorn by following Benjalem's trail, and they'd like to use its healing powers. According to Dako, the queen was the only one able to use the tree's power, and the only way to get an audience with her was to complete the Test of the Elder Sons. However, only those connected with their inner selves could attempt the test. To prove that they were, Dako asked each task force member to perform an outstanding act that represented their true selves. The Redwings and company agreed, but Markus started before they could settle on an order.
Dropping from the sky and diving into the shimmering pool, Markus rained lighting on a golden catfish and slew it in its lair. Lilith showed distaste for the situation, electing to pout in the corner and act as though she were above it all. Seeing herself as a hero-to-be, Alessandra rode Swoopty up to the bough where the awakened roc, Jerry, nested. There she found the Grubfather's children stashed away for later consumption. Sneaking past the hatchlings, she gathered all twelve of them and hurried off. Jerry pursued, but Swoopty managed to get them all safely to the hollow. Askra channeled her faith and creativity, making golden armlets featuring Dako's favorite flower.
Finally, Ilyra healed Markus, thinking that doing her job would be enough. Dako protested, saying that she wasn't sincere. He made her an offer: forfeit her chance to earn the blessing of the Evergreen Queen in exchange for being accepted as his guest. She agreed, but the deal was bait to get her to drop the facade. Infuriated by having an agreement broken so casually, the Waukeenar lashed out. Excited by her passion, Dako invited all the task force outside the hollow, where the first test would soon begin.
They continued forward, where they soon discovered a large open space within Furtîlorn. Dense, oversized foliage, magic pools supplied by waterfalls, and ethereal webs filled the cavity. The party dropped down to investigated further, but before they could do so, Sheldanna called for a break. She was exhausted, she showed signs of unnatural aging, and elvish markings and crescent moon cataracts formed on her face and in her eyes. Known as transcendence, Sehanine Moonbow had opened the door to Arvandor, and Sheldanna's time on Toril was growing short. Not wanting her friend to be alone, Askra and the elf sat together on the bank of the shimmering pool.
Meanwhile, the others went about the area, looking for clues about the nature of the mythological tree. Markus and Ilyra stumbled upon an enchanting, memory-eating toad. Although it prayed on them, they countered by overstuffing the toad, causing it to burst. The two adventurers recovered most of their memories, except for Ilyra's memory of betraying her fellow prisoners. Instead, she chose to imbue it into her mask.
Lilith and Alessandra Corlinnar found the flower-covered grave of Benjalem hidden in the tall grass. Ally noticed that the grave appeared to be very old—much older than when the explorer allegedly distributed his maps. Wanting answers, Lilith summoned his spirit and questioned him on his past and Furtîlorn. Benjalem revealed he could only pass through the River of the Lost because he had never killed others or lost family, but he couldn't return since his entire team perished in the process. Ben decided to live in Furtîlorn until his death a hundred years ago. He revealed that it was his son, Melv (and his 49 brothers), who set up his game. Finally, before departing, Benjalem let the girls take his last possession, a magic spyglass that served him well in life.
During their rest, Askra and Sheldanna encountered three powerful fey. Their leader, Dako, sent his companions Relideri Hawkeye and Melv to gather our heroes while he introduced himself. Once assembled, he and his brothers explained that the Redwings were trespassing in their mother's palace, the Evergreen Queen. They apologized and told the eldest son that they came to Furtîlorn by following Benjalem's trail, and they'd like to use its healing powers. According to Dako, the queen was the only one able to use the tree's power, and the only way to get an audience with her was to complete the Test of the Elder Sons. However, only those connected with their inner selves could attempt the test. To prove that they were, Dako asked each task force member to perform an outstanding act that represented their true selves. The Redwings and company agreed, but Markus started before they could settle on an order.
Dropping from the sky and diving into the shimmering pool, Markus rained lighting on a golden catfish and slew it in its lair. Lilith showed distaste for the situation, electing to pout in the corner and act as though she were above it all. Seeing herself as a hero-to-be, Alessandra rode Swoopty up to the bough where the awakened roc, Jerry, nested. There she found the Grubfather's children stashed away for later consumption. Sneaking past the hatchlings, she gathered all twelve of them and hurried off. Jerry pursued, but Swoopty managed to get them all safely to the hollow. Askra channeled her faith and creativity, making golden armlets featuring Dako's favorite flower.
Finally, Ilyra healed Markus, thinking that doing her job would be enough. Dako protested, saying that she wasn't sincere. He made her an offer: forfeit her chance to earn the blessing of the Evergreen Queen in exchange for being accepted as his guest. She agreed, but the deal was bait to get her to drop the facade. Infuriated by having an agreement broken so casually, the Waukeenar lashed out. Excited by her passion, Dako invited all the task force outside the hollow, where the first test would soon begin.
Rewards Granted
As a gift, Alessandra was allowed to take Benjalem's Spyglass from his grave.
Missions/Quests Completed
Alessandra rescued the Grubfather's children.
Character(s) interacted with
The party was accompanied by Sheldanna, Trogo "Good Shot", "Frog Face" Frank, and Worvil "the Weevil" Forkbeard.
While exploring, Lilith and Ally questioned the spirit of Benjalem. Dako, Relideri Hawkeye, and Melv approached them and explained the laws of Furtîlorn.
Alessandra fled from an enraged Jerry.
While exploring, Lilith and Ally questioned the spirit of Benjalem. Dako, Relideri Hawkeye, and Melv approached them and explained the laws of Furtîlorn.
Alessandra fled from an enraged Jerry.
Notes
- Watching through the yoke of the memory-eating frog's eggs, Markus saw some of Swoopty's earliest memories as a spell within the weave.
- Markus was the first of the Redwings to see Ilyra's face when she removed her mask.
- Ilyra's bad memories were absorbed into her mask, transforming it into a cursed item.
- This wasn't Dako and Ilyra's first time meeting. He recognized her from when she fought his personas in a tournament outside Blackford Crossing.
- Furtîlorn's wild magic affected Askra and Ilyra. The elf's age decreased by seven years (404 years old), while the Sonnlinor's age increased by ten years (84 years old).
- Dako's favorite flowers are tiger lilies. Despite this, he did not accept Askra's gift due to being made of metal.
- When Ilyra lashed out at Dako, she threw her blighted arm at him. He nearly destroyed it in retaliation, but he was otherwise not upset.
Report Date
12 Jul 2021
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The Trees of Life and Death Saga
- Sunless Expedition Arc
- Map Hunters Arc
- Shadow Giant Arc
- Armillary Road Arc
- Furtîlorn Expedition Arc
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