Operation Parameters
| Date |
1492 DR, 6 Eleasis
|
| Soldiers |
|
| Status |
|
| Casualties |
None |
Operation Details
From Aceso:
Background:
In preparation for creating the divine/sacred pool, Durella has asked us to collection a variety of materials that should help expediate the creation of the pool.
Three different sacred pools contain useable materials:
All are near the base of Mount Callidyrr.
1. A pool that glows at Dusk
Collect the water -- will vastly help create the pool
2. A small caldera with an island in the middle
- collect the water and the flowers from on the island
3. An abandoned pool that is high in the mist
- collect the water from it... but not sure what all is there now
Based on the information from Durella, the plan is to collect additional seeds, acorns, saplings, tree shoots, plants, moss, dirt (microorganisms), and water from the glowing pool at dusk. We also will collect the water (and flowers) from the other sacred pools as well.
Aceso would lead the group out on horseback to follow the same path they took before to get to the base of mountain near Mount Callidyrr. This path avoided both the city of Lehigh (enemy controlled), and the capital of Caer Callidyrr by going west before heading north.
As we made our way north, we came across a man with a cart full of fabrics, who seemed lost. Based on initial conversations, his name of Benny and he seemed to be telling the truth. He was able to craft Kevin an amazing robe, Belial bought various fabrics, and he made Nine an incredible hat. Based on detect magic, we determined he had some sort of magic items in the cart, but to avoid turning the merchant into another enemy of the camp, Aceso recommended we didn't attempt to go digging into his cart full of fabrics. In the end, we were able to point him in the direction of Horsa, which was his ultimate destination. Overall, our interaction with this tailor of sorts, Benny, was positive, but as we've seen in other cases, he is wary of magic.
After that interaction we were able to make our way to base of Mount Callidyrr without issue. Once at the base you will notice three different openings while looking toward the base of the mountain.
1. At the far left is an opening that leads up to the thick fog.
2. In the center is an opening that leads to the sacred pool that glows at Dawn.
3. At the far right is third opening that leads to the small caldera with the island in the middle
Our primary goal was to gather the materials from #2, but given that the pool only glows at dusk, we assumed that it would be best to collect the materials at dusk. For this reason, we avoided the fog, and chose the middle path with hope it would be the caldera sacred pool.
By chance, we got lucky, and it was caldera in the middle opening. As we approached, the path became thick, and we had to get off and walk the horses. A clearing opened to show a caldera
that was made of three difference levels. The top-level ring of land had a drop of 30 feet to the second level ring of land of about 30 feet wide, which was followed by another 20 feet drop to water. This bottom level was filled with water, with a small island in the middle with a rock.
We carefully secured the horses, and then through the use of rope and pitons we were able to create a rope path all the way to the water. Taking a look at the water itself, we noted that is was very murky and full of life.
Belial jumped into the water and was immediately attacked as enemies appeared from below the murky the water. There were 3 harpies that seemed to have some sort of stun on touch, while also wielding a sword. There was also an aquatic horse that attacked twice in quick succession and was attempting to mess with our minds -- but never did succeed.
In the end we were able to defeat the foes, and through the use of Kevin's floating disk, we all made it to the center island. The rock itself didn't have runes or anything, but detect magic showed something magical deep within the rock. Aceso was able to collect a good amount of moss with his herbalism tools, and Kevin was able to collect more with his mage hand for Durella.
With the removal of the moss, a small amount of water was created similar to the other divine pools that Aceso had visited. Aceso was able to collect 2x vials in the leather-bound glass containers. He was also able to collect 3x flowers (out of 6) from the island that Durella had asked for.
At this point something interested occurred... Kevin lifted his hand and disappeared... He reappeared shortly after along with 5 barrels of the divine water. He would explain that he had appeared at a magical tree and was asked what he wanted. He answered that he wanted more of the divine water, and then re-appeared by the rock. To all present, Kevin seemed much older upon his return.
We could collect as much of the divine water as we could carry in the 3x waterskins and 1x vial that various party members had on them. One person drank the water and seemed to gain some vitality [temp hit points], and Nine drank the water and turned brown... and stank to high hell.
To avoid the divine water being misused, and unable to bring it back with us, we made the decision to dump it into the pool that surrounded the island. Our hope is this would leave the sacred pond better than we found it, and hopefully help to avoid any evil creatures from making a home in the pool that surrounds the island.
Using Kevin's floating disk, we were able to make our way up across the pool, and back up the 3 levels back to the horses. Looking at the time, it seemed that time hadn't passed, but as we left the pool, time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. We went from being early afternoon, to suddenly being around 4:30-5pm, with the sun already setting. Given our goal of collecting water and materials from the flowing pool, we made our way as quickly as possible to the glowing pool (right opening based on initial description when looking at the base of the mountain).
When we arrived at the right opening/clearing at the base of the mountain, we did see the glowing pool, which had two statues standing near it. Concerned that time may not stand still, like the previous pool, Aceso decided to approach the pool quickly before the sunset. As he approached the pool, he met a resistance of sort that significantly slowed him down, but he was able to mentally power through. When he arrived at the pool, he knelt to collect the water with a vial, but as he saw his reflection in the water he blacked out. What happened next is unclear/unknown to the author of this report.
In the end, the party made their way back to the camp without having to be able to collect any materials from the glowing sacred pool. Many of the team were significantly exhausted when we returned to camp. On our return to camp, we happened across a person with brown hair in a purple cloak headed for the camp. The main had a rapier, and upon requesting identification, presented a small gold pin with a crescent moon with a heart. We would learn from Cpt Tel that he was sent by the Harpers.
We were able to deliver the materials collected to Durella upon our return included:
Moss from the caldera sacred pool
3x flowers from the caldera sacred pool
3x vials of divine water from the caldera sacred pool
3x waterskins worth of divine water from the caldera sacred pool
A follow up mission will hopefully be conducted the day after tomorrow to return to glowing pool, and potentially the abandoned sacred pool in the mist.
From Belial:
Well, that could have gone better.
I mean, yeah we got some of what Durella, Druela, Dertela, I don't know, never really met her. The druid lady in camp that never answers when I try to ask he what she wants to eat. Some of the things she wanted we got from this gorgeous caldera near Mount Callidyrr.
Side note: weird time changing stuff stings.
Side note 2: beware of water horses and fish that sing beautiful songs, they're not as friendly as you might think, but I guess they're dead now so...
Anyway, I'm not sure what happened at the second location. I just know that for some reason Aceso didn't drown, and we woke up hours later near the lightning tree.
Well, that's the end. Gotta get mini Nine, MiNine, MyNine, I'll think of something to call it, something to eat.
-Belial
Oh yeah, a really friendly cloth merchant seemed to know some things about my past. First person in a while that recognized my name. Not sure if he put two and two together though, but maybe.
