STATIC: The Blood Orchard

General Summary

Wherein Goos navigates an aptly named tract The Nether

The Blood Orchard

Somehow, despite never setting foot in the Nethers before, Goos knew himself to be among those planes of fiendish energy. The Forgotten Gardener, ruler of the Blood Orchard (the 492nd tract of the Nether in which Goos currently found himself) noticed that connection, too, deducing the source of the "wild" magic coursing within Goos to be from the Nether. It seems that whatever "rock" used to experiment on Goos during his captivity by The Concern was probably a relic of the Nether. Interesting!
But that doesn't help Goos leave the Blood Orchard and get back to the Blinkertons. Fortunately, the Forgotten Gardener can help with that, too. Since he appeared in the Blood Orchard, Goos is technically bound to the Gardener's service. If he would but join an expedition to solve a meddlesome invasion by another tract ruler in the west side of the Blood Orchard, the Gardener would free him from this bond. Having little choice, Goos agreed and was joined by a strange entourage:

• Kelkadir, called Kel: a barbarian wanderer, following his own visions, which usually involve him lifting objects and/or killing things.
• Elifice Creekcrimson, called Creek: a surgeon who heals via the considered application of blood
• Ichor: an embodiment of the Blood Orchard itself
• Ranger Kirk: chief groundskeeper of the Orchard

This stalwart crew set out to confront whomever Mollroggis, ruler of the Meadow (the 331st tract of the Nether) had sent to harass the Orchard. Before that confrontation could occur, they needed to navigate the Weep--the western expanse of the Orchard--which resulting in them dealing with "Blood Flowers," Blood Rain, and howlers. All of these obstacles
Two curious interactions happened to Goos on this endeavor. First, at a roadside "Blood Stall," he encountered Scooop Trakbar, blood stew merchant. Recognizing the latent energy of the Nether within Goos, he offered (pretty much insisting) that Goos quaff a deeply blood purple potion which enabled him to speak to whatever is inside of him. It turns out that might be a fragment of a long dormant devil? Interesting!
The second encounter was with an old acquaintance from the Concern, a person known to Goos as "Velvet." Velvet is currently in a kind of prison, and seemed to be fine with that state of affairs, telling Goos they are working the "long con." They did mention, however, that after Goos ordeal at the hands of the Concern, the person responsible for that ordeal, "Dumptruck" found their fortunes improving within the Concern. Now in a stronger position of power, it is unclear how much they are aware of Goos' newfound abilities.
Eventually, our adventurers found the source of the incursion, a fiend named the Painrider, and combat commenced. The Painrider was sent packing, and Goos elected to spend a bit more time with the Forgotten Gardener in the hopes of learning a bit more about the wild Nether magic that is now a part of him. The Forgotten Gardener provided one more clue in thanks for ridding his tract of pesky interlopers--Goos' powers likely come from an old tract of the Nether (the 7th, to be precise) called Bonefields.
Returning to the Blinkertons in Goos' stead--and likely now due to some sort of as yet to be understood connection--was Raal. A surprising twist for all involved, surely.

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see how Raal navigates his newfound connection to the Blinkertons during our next session.

Varied & Sundry Details

• Creek engaged in "blood-based" healing approaches, namely "rub some blood on it."
• Ranger Kirk had some lovely topiaries in the Weep, probably destroyed by the Painrider.
• Ichor stood on the ground in the Blood Rain, letting the Blood Worms course through him while everyone else put a rock between them and these creatures. It was rad, but painful.
• Kel lost his right leg to the Painrider, severed at the knee. It is unclear how or if he intends to replace it.

Character(s) interacted with

• The Forgotten Gardener--ruler of the 492nd Tract of the Nether, the Blood Garden.
• Scooop Trakbar--merchant that sells blood and blood related products
• "Velvet"--erstwhile colleague of Goos in The Concern, now working a long con

Report Date

04 Feb 2024

Primary Location

The Nether