Harmony Session 16: Stories from the Swamp
General Summary
Finally, our heroes were on their way back to Echwink's Landing. Unfortunately, as fast as they could move, it wouldn't be fast enough to avoid trouble. Soon after heading out, our brave heroes happened upon a strange ambush in the newly reborn Swango Swamp. Two spiders with large sonorous horns on their carapaces summoned a flock of blind and ravenous orniraptors. The adventurers took some licks against the wild creatures, but were ultimately victorious. They made note of the increasing danger of the swamp and pressed on under a blanket of orange lightning bugs.
The next day of travel would also test our heroes when they stumbled upon a viiret nest. The disease-eating plant monsters were no match for our adventureres, and they took their reward in treasure from their hidden cave.
Touching Base
When our heroes arrived at Echwink's Landing after nearly 30 days in the wild, night had rendered the small encampment relatively inert. Even then, our heroes noticed changes among the structures. The camp had grown. The guards that greeted the explorers immediately woke Walden Echwink from his slumber. The excited scholar rushed out in his pajamas to express his relief and excitement at their return. He also let them know they would each be individually debriefed tomorrow morning. With that, he returned to bed and let our heroes settle into some semblance of civilization. Around the large fire that served as an ad hoc meeting place sat two adventurers: Pestus and Byzix Flintclaw. They exchanged minor pleasantries and quickly learned that these two were the only survivors of their group's last adventure. They were not forthcoming with much information, but told the returning adventurers they could read their report in the logbook like everyone else. It was then that Pestus and Byzix noticed some familiar equipment. Pilgrim bore Byzix's shield adorned with the sigil of The Reconstitution while Gorr wielded Pestus' pair of Crescent's Blades. These items had been recovered from the wharfling lair many weeks ago and only now had reached their intended recipients. Pilgrim, true to his word, offered the shield back to Byzix, but the leonin declined the offer, allowing his "brother in arms" under the Sovereign to continue to enjoy its protection. Pestus, on the other hand, was not so generous and demanded Gorr return his blades. The ever-polite swampkin debated putting this pathetic creature in his place and claiming the weapons as his own, but he instead returned the twin scythes. Perhaps it was pity that moved him. Whatever the reason, Pestus withheld his gratitude and slinked off into the darkness away from the victoriously-returning heroes. After learning that they "had set things right in the swamp," Byzix then left to go to sleep.Freedom of Information
The adventurers took some time around the fire to "get their stories straight" about what went down in Swango. They weren't eager to tell anyone about the Heart of the Swamp, Lady Blight, or even Lord Vine out of fear of inspiring some "Kill the Swamp" quest. They were understandably protective of the region and were having difficulty figuring out the best way to do right by their promises. Pilgrim in particular didn't understand why they wouldn't tell the whole truth, but was okay with omitting some sensitive information. Hopefully no one would let the wharfling out of the crate in tomorrow's one-on-ones. With that settled, our heroes finally found themselves in a rare moment of actual, considerate rest. Celebration, even. Inspired, Zoran made to "grip it and rip it" on the boneflute and gave his compatriots a thrilling victory anthem. Our heroes then went to their respective tents until morning. Upon waking, each of our six heroes met with Walden, Amintolous "Minty" Xallanich, and Ivin Ivinson, albeit the latter in brief spurts. They were questioned about their adventures in the swamp and the things they encountered. They discussed screegulls and sema; the poisoning goo and the cure (citing only the destruction of the sema nests as curative and the state of the Exodus and Azure Kevin-Kevin's subsequent burial. Ultimately, their report concluded that Swango Swamp was currently very dangerous and they probably shouldn't enter it right away. Whether or not that stops Varu vu Waterwend and the Bari Historical Society is another matter. Their report also mentioned Bilbinboombixbang and the gods' strange inability to enter Vardura, along with the hunting Kogos storm. The report also included several notes on the salvagability of the Exodus' remains, with conflicting opinions on the suitability of using the busted ship's wood for such a project. Next, our heroes would contend with a tenday of downtime, a Windblown Funeral Ceremony for lost heroes, and deciding what they were going to do next. Oh, and think of a fuckin' name to put on the board.Rewards Granted
- 2000 cp
- 1,800 sp
- 50 gp
- 8x Rhodochrosite gems (opaque light pink) (10 gp each)
- Potion of Greater Healing
- Level 5!
Missions/Quests Completed
- Find the Exodus!
Character(s) interacted with
- Walden Echwink
- Byzix Flintclaw
- Pestus
- Amintolous Xallanich
- Ivin Ivinson
Created Content
- Zoran keeps insisting Azarki summon his spiritual weapon for totally normal reasons.
- Zoran attempted to contact Mebrea Bretsk (Lady Blight) through his boneflute, as he believed he did with Rieta, but could not locate her.
- Malachai delivered his flail snail egg to the Bari Historical Society for study.
Notes
New buildings constructed in camp:
- Warehouse
- The Ill Tide barracks
- Tabernacle of the The Permitted
- Yusuf's Exports: A Kevin-Kevin Company hut
- Tavern
- GROUP NAME Barracks
- Blacksmith
Report Date
19 Dec 2024
Primary Location
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