Session 43 Report: Hags

General Summary

Session 43 – Wednesday July 12, 2023 – The hag

4.5 Hour Battle/role play session 5:30 PM to 10:10PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 6

It is the 2nd day of the month of Nightal (The Drawing Down) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Early December.)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L7 Druid – Jacob Munson
• Ajani– High Elf, L7 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L6 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Thomas – Human, L7 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L7 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L7 Paladin – Will Johnson

Rest at the Swamp

The sun had set and much of the party was badly wounded and in need of a rest. Rather than moving on, they setup a camp just outside the entrance to the swamp. Thomas and Isabella went hunting and returned with a good-sized deer and 6 large rabbits. Thomas also found some berries and a few “Flatuary Berries” for Juan that aren’t necessarily poisonous but can affect one’s digestion in an uncomfortable way. Juan enjoyed the berries but afterwards, the others became uncomfortable with his presence.

Gazlowe setup a line trap between their camp and the path to the Hooded Robin’s camp. Ajani cast clairvoyance to spy on Robin and his Married men. He saw they were setting up camp and seemed to be passively enjoying a rabbit cooked over a fire. Abrash gave Thomas some Berries they obtained from the Eclivian Drow to make some healing potions. Thomas spent some time (and 50gp worth of supplies) and with his expertise was able to make 3 potions of Greater Healing. Juan took his rabbit and pulverized it with his hammer and made some Rabbit Glue. Juan ate some and Gazlowe and Thomas each took a vial (Gazlowe took 2.) The glue was strong enough to hold a 14lb object. Isabella made a necklace of Rabbit’s feet.

The party prepared their spells for the next day and setup watches. The night passed relatively uneventful. The atmosphere was cold but not creepy and the clear night gave way to a cloud covered night. Just before dawn Abrash heard the sound of a tree falling to the north. He mentioned it to the party, but it was the opposite direction of the swamp so, for now, they ignored it.

I feel a disturbance in the force.

Abrash woke up feeling “off.” He talked to Ajani who also felt unusual, as did Juan and Gazlowe. Thomas did not feel unusual. Abrash cast Druidcraft and felt a surge of wild magic, increasing his strength. Ajani had no issue casting Mage Armor. Gazlowe cast mending and felt a surge of wild Magic where he lost his ability to speak Elvish and suddenly could speak Abyssal. They found that conjuration spells are potentially affected, Transmutation spells can cause wild magic.

It took longer than usual, but Abrash was able to eventually cast water breathing. While trying to cast water walk (a transmutation spell) he cast grease on himself, and the spell failed. He tried again but it simply failed. Ajani cast Clairvoyance again to spy on Robin. The spell (Divination) was successful, and he saw that the camp was now empty, but then he heard a voice in his head that said, “Hmm, they seem to be gone.”

Before leaving Abrash mentioned the tree that he heard fall. Ajani reminded them that the Orcs were reported to be in that direction. Ajani also mentioned that he had heard a voice when he cast the Divination spell. As he described it, Abrash noted that the voice could be the same that he had when he used the tainted Druid Circle.

The Frog and the Scorpion

The party walked down the path and it opened to a large swamp. They saw that there was a body of water, but it was engulfed in an acidic smelling fog. Gazlowe determined that the cloud was not magical in nature, but it was clearly an acidic swamp gas. The fog seemed to start about 10 feet from the shore. There was a doc that jutted out 10 feet from the shore and there were 2 skiffs moored to the doc. Interestingly the fog seemed to be repelled by the boats. One of the boats had a head of a frog and it was clearly croaking as if it was communicating. The other boat had the head of a scorpion, and it too was clicking and hissing as if it were communicating. Abrash cast “Speak with animals” and engaged them in a conversation.

Abrash told them where they were headed and Frog told them to use him because he has been in this swamp all his life and he knows the way, whereas the scorpion will get them lost. The Scorpion argued that they should use him as the frog is not seaworthy and will sink on them. They party discussed what to do and after some arguments and threats they believed that were both being truthful.

Gazlowe walked on the water and discovered that it is acidic and if they swam, they would take about a point of acid damage every 5 feet. The fog itself was similar but the boats seemed to provide some magical protection. Isabella suggested they take both boats. Thomas lashed the two boats together and they road both boats with the frog providing directions and the scorpion keeping them afloat.

A Battle of wits

They rowed for about an hour through the swamp and found another dock. The fog cleared on the other side of the dock and they saw an area of land with lots of creepy swamp trees. The frog directed them to walk straight, and that the hag lived in that direction. As they tied the boats up a Froghemoth with a badly acid burned face appeared and spoke to them in common in a slow deep froggy voice and asked: . "Looking for something, or someone? Perhaps I can help." They told the Froghemoth that they were looking for a hag.

The Froghemoth said: “Yes, Carla Grimeshifter. She has returned. She sent out her enchanted minions to guard the swamp. Seems you must have snuck your way by them. You must be clever... hmm.... You will never find the entrance to her lair without help. But I can help you... If... any of you can defeat me in a one-on-one challenge of wits. If you win, I'll tell you exactly where to find the entrance to the lair. And if each of you should individually fail and likewise suffer the embarrassment of being outwitted by a Frog, I will then revel in my superior intellect and then let you know where to find Carla Grieshifter's lair as you’re clearly not a threat.”

The party accepted the challenge in where they would take turns filling a tadpole with swamp water in increments of either 1qa, 3qa or 4qa. Whoever exceeded 15qa would most likely cause the tadpole to burst resulting in acid damage and loss. Thomas went first, after a few turns of each filling, the Froghemoth handed Thomas a tadpole with exactly 15qa of swap water. Thomas added more and it exploded dealing 25 points of acid damage. Juan went next and it only took 2 turns each for the Juan to wind up losing taking 30 acid damage. Gazlowe lasted a bit longer but in the end still ended up losing and took 20 points of Acid damage.

Ajani went next and fell into the same trap as Juan and when it exploded on him, he took 38 points of acid damage leaving him near death. Isabella went next but she too failed and took 18 points of acid damage. Abrash thought he would outsmart the Froghemoth and insisted that the Froghemoth go first. But that strategy didn’t work for him and in the end, Thomas took the acid damage for Abrash.

They learned that the Froghemoth’s name was Naveen and abrash obtained his autograph. Naveen was pleased that he had proven his intellect far superior to any of the Stone Bearers. Feeling they were not a threat; he gave them precise directions to a specific tree that was the entrance to Carla Grimeshifter’s lair.

Thomas and Ajani were both smoking from Acid damage, so the party took a short rest and had some rations. Abrash used his feature to heal Thomas and Ajani some more. Then Abrash cast Goodberry twice to help heal them some more. The first time worked fine The second time also worked but with Wild magic, Abrash’s skin turned dark and he looked much more like his brother.

The Hags entrance.

As the party walked further south, away from the dock, they felt as if their magic was restored. They found the tree mentioned to them. Abrash spotted the outline of the door. Thomas went ethereal and passed through the door. He found a passageway going down and back under the swamp. Gazlowe found 5 knots and evidence of a poison tube trap. He used ½ of Juans shirt and some rabbit glue to plug the holes and after some trial and error he found the proper sequence to open the door.

Thomas walked ahead of the group. The others followed behind, but Juan’s War Rooster Mount (Bird) was too large and he stayed behind. They all noticed they were under the swamp as there were small drips here and there and large wooden supports here and there. Thomas reached the end of the hall opened a 2nd door.

They saw 2 females in the room. The first was a very attractive (yet demonic looking) female and Gazlowe was instantly smitten. The other was a very ugly old hag looking creature who mumbled as she talked. The good-looking one was named Anith while the old hag was Carla Grimeshifter. The party introduced themselves as the stone bearers. Carla did most of the talking but Anith provide a clear and calm translation for her.

The hags dump some lore

The hags explained that they were just there to pick up some things and they’d be out by nightfall. After some conversation, Ajani recognized they were brewing Bloodantimoniumiumum in a cauldron. He mentioned it and they asked if he knew of Niptu. After confirmation, the hags said (with fear and disgust) “He’s returned.” The Hags confirmed that the voice Ajani heard when he cast a divination spell was that of Niptu and that he can intercept any divination spell wherever there is a lack of Weavite.

They learned that the Weavite is a mineral generally found in small patches on the surface of Toril. It is what amplifies the weave. Niptu had discovered this and learned how to exploit it or more importantly how to cast magic without it. Wherever there is a lack of Weavite, spells may not function as expected and different schools may be affected differently. However, with the use of Bloodantimoniumumum, and blood Magic, there is no need to tap into the weave and Niptu’s magic power will reign supreme.

Are the Hags evil?

During the conversation, Abrash perceived the cry of help from a young child. He couldn’t pinpoint where the call came from, but he knew that Hags have a history of doing evil things with children. He psychically communicated this to the others (Except Isabella.) Abrash looked at Gazlowe who clearly was torn. He knew that if they just left the Hags would be leaving and they’d be done with the assignment. If it’s just one child, is it that big of a deal? Plus, Anith was rather hot.

The hags asked the party to politely leave. Thomas asked where the 3rd hag was and Anith looked sternly at Thomas and said, “We don’t need a third.” Carla gave Ajani one dose of Bloodantimoniumumum, saying “For your troubles.” Gazlowe gave Anith a business card and said, “Call me…” Anith, very sultry, gazed int Gazlowe’s eyes and held Gazlowe’s hand and gently scratched it to get one drop of blood that she wiped onto the card. She said, “Now I can properly find you.”

The party left and Abrash asked, “What do you want to do about the child?” Gazlowe, still smitten said argued for the child and said maybe it’s their child. Isabella, however, was outraged and wanted to go right in and kill the hags. They debated and wound up agreeing to let Abrash go back in as a spider and see what he can find. Abrash cast Find Familiar and sent a Spider in to investigate.

Where are they?

The spider found 2 doors and a library; the First door was a kitchen. He crawled under the 2nd door and found a bedroom with only 1 bed and 2 chairs. The hags were nowhere in sight. Ajani explained that Bloodantimoniumumum is made from blood and the last time they found it being made it was being made with the blood of an elf. Puzzled as to where they may have gone, they agreed to go in and give the place a good “once over.”

The front door was locked but Gazlowe had no issues opening it. Ajani spend his time in the library, and he found the recipe for Bloodantimoniumumum. Juan sat in the corner making faces with his shield. Isabella found a stove in the kitchen that had recently cooked something, and a pot of tea was still hot on the top. Thomas noticed that the room was conspicuously absent of any lab equipment and the cauldron was about ½ full. Juan tasted the Bloodantimoniumumumum and took poison damage, he quickly healed himself. The party made no attempts to be quiet. Eventually they noticed that there was a little trickle of water that went under a wall. Examining further Gazlowe found a secret door.

A trap

They eventually opened the door and found a passageway that went down at an angle. They saw a couple of support beams, one of which was badly straining and the ceiling above was steadily dripping into a puddle on the floor. Seeing a clear structural weak point Gazlowe delicately placed a bomb at a place that looked weakest. In the placement he found that someone had already tied a rope to that weak point and the rope went into a hole in the wall. He started to pull the rope from the wall and after a few feet it stopped. He then cut the rope and the rope quickly fell through the wall away from him as if weighted on the other end. Following the hall deeper they came to another wall where the water continued to trickle under a wall.

The child

Gazlowe figured out how to open the secret door while Abrash cast pass without a trace. As the door was opened it was clear that the Hags knew they were there. The party saw Anith standing back from the door waiting for them. They saw a rope in the pile on a floor below a hole in the wall, clearly cut. On a table in the center of the room was a young male elf child. Equivalent in maturity to a 13-year-old human boy. He was barely conscious, and his body was pale. The elven child’s arm was attached to tubes and blood dripping into a series of 3 large pots. Above him stood Carla and next to her was a Witchalder. Abrash summoned his Fey and Anith said, “You shouldn’t have come in.”

Kill them!

Isabella ran toward the child and recklessly struck Carla with her axe. Carla struck Isabella with her poison claws. Thomas ran in between the 2 hags. Thomas struck the tubes with his whip. The tubes were ripped out of the boy’s arms and blood started pouring onto the floor. He then struck both Hags. Juan channeled divinity trying to frighten all the enemies, only Carla was not frightened by the gnome. Ajani glimpsed the future and saw that Anith was going to automatically fail her save. He screamed at her, and a red beam shot from his eyes as he cast Psychic Lance at her, incapacitating her and badly hurting her. Abrash and his fey creature focused on Anith hurting her badly.

Gazlowe ran to the elf boy and healed him (Saving his life.) The Witchalder grappled and started choking Gazlowe, but Gazlowe was able to prevent the choking. Isabella ran to aid Gazlowe and broke the Witchalder’s grapple on him. Seeing that the battle is not going well, Carla cast plant growth and tried to run out of the room. Isabella and Gazlowe both hit her with attacks of opportunity as she ran. Thomas struck her and branded her.

Juan hit Anith again and frightened her again. Ajani cast a lightning bolt at Anith, and the Witchalder, striking Juan at the same time. Anith lit up as she was struck and fell over dead. Abrash moved to block the door and his fey hit her and teleported to the other side of the door. Gazlowe punched the Witchalder and gave himself some Temp HP. The Witchalder grappled Gazlowe. Isabella struck the Witchalder.

Carla threw a toxic splinter at Abrash wounding him greatly and then she ran. Thomas and Abrash both made their opportunity attacks and Carla was very badly wounded about to run past Ajani. Thomas hit her with his crossbow. Ajani had another headache and envisioned that he would hit with his next attack. He cast Chromatic Orb and obliterated her.

Abrash heard the sound of another child somewhere…

Campaign

The Forest

Protagonists

Thomas Elliot

Abrash Asim

Chaotic Good Moon Wood Elf (Folk Hero)
Druid 1

9 / 9 HP

STR
7

DEX
10

CON
13

INT
8

WIS
19

CHA
14

Report Date

19 Jul 2023