Expedition Logs - Norru 1195SY

Expedition Logs for the month of Norru.

Rowena's Log
Me and Jhanna left the camp in the morning, on our way we spotted a short wild haired man heading to the city, we didn’t engage with him at all and went to the negotiation stop. Jhanna enlarged the negotiation table with some slabs of stone to make it slightly more roomy for next time. As we moved onto the city we got attacked by four lizards, and quickly realised we weren’t going to win the fight, but we also wouldn’t be able to outrun them. Jhanna used her final action to cast protective spell on me and told me to run, sacrificing herself to let me escape.

Cian's Log
We set out a a little before day break and decided to head along the path adjacent to where we would usually tread through Sanctuary forest. In the next forest Rogdul spotted a shroomer which we decided to dispatch, the battle continued with 7 joining the fray, and then the Dry-Dryad, came in with some cinder-based Entangles.

After dispatching the Shroomers the dryad spoke to us, but in sylvan, not wanting to speak to it, I gave Jessari the sylvan language, she started diplomatic talks with it and was invited to its tree, for more chatter.

Along the way we came across a circle of stones where marcy-rose found some broken sword parts and Rogdul found a natural cudgel which turned out to be a +1 Warhammer The Broken sword seems to be a weapon that was used by the grey hawks, whom hunt mages, this metal would dampen magic users abilities when stabbed in to them.

We progressed to the Tlecua’s/Dryad’s tree, and let Jessari do the talking, she started up by presenting Tlecua with some of rogdul’s seeds, and thanked Tlecua for parlaying with us, she proceeded up to the Dryads Tree and investigated it, then pledged herself to heal the forest, through speaking to the three Sister dryads. She then sliced her hand open and bled on the tree, and we went home…

Marcy-Rose's Log

 * Went to the place they call 'Dryad Hell' to speak with the sisters to see what can be done about Tlecqua.
 * Didn't have too much trouble gettin' in - Doctor Testicle scouted us out a route and we headed for the densest part a' the forest.
 * Ran into some trouble before long, though.
 * Always seems ter find us.
 * Some sorta creature, dwellin' in branches and usin' the vines like ropes to snare us, took a likin' to the taste of our lil gang and started a scrap.
 * Got tangled up in more ways than one. Somethin' in the vines sapped the strength right outta me, made me feel real tired and weak, like a year's worth of hay-makin' all at once.
 * Came a little closer to death than I tend to care for.
 * Feels like there's been a lot a' that since I got here.
 * Doctor Testicle pulled some kinda animal-whisperer's trick, got a whole herd a' some fluffy lil horses to come through, and I managed to slip out on one a' them. Didn't get the critter in the tree, but can't win 'em all I guess.
 * Still felt mighty weak though. Truthfully, I coulda died then and there. But that ain't the plan fer me, I s'pose. Somethin in me just won't stop kickin'.
 * So by my reckonin', that's another someone I owe my life to, and that's a real hard bill to pay.
 * Anyway, the gang found me and we ran into one a' the dryads we were lookin' for, who led us to the circle we were after.
 * Rowena and Doctor Testicle had a long chat with 'em, talkin' the language o' the trees. Didn't make no sense to me, but they let us know the gist.
 * The circle ain't unsympathetic to their sister's plight, but they want somethin' in return for helpin' all the same. That's the notion I get, anyway. Want us to take some seeds into the city, plant 'em under the ice and snow that dragon's spreadin' around. Say that'll let the Dry Woods grow again - but that ain't the problem, I reckon. Some things you can't let go of, ain't nobody's burden but yer own. Ain't my area, though. I didn't say nothin'.
 * The dryads let us have a night's rest in their circle. Didn't seem too welcoming other than that, to my eyes, but I weren't in a position to question. Any port in a storm, after all.
 * Rowena wanted to check in with the Xipil and the Ichmatl, and we passed Acekrit's hidey-hole on the way. Learned Rowena and Doctor Testicle ain't met him before, so I felt obliged to make some introductions. Besides which, I felt it might be a good place fer a sorely needed rest, cause sleepin' in 'Dryad Hell' didn't do a whole lot to put me at ease.
 * Don't rightly know what they said with him, but then we headed to the Xipil camp. Rowena told 'em there are demons on these shores, and they didn't take it too happily (but who would?). Said they'd need a lil longer to decide about Rowena and Jhanna's truce plan, but they brought us in fer some lunch all the same.
 * Saw a giant armadillo-thing, but like, a lizard? Like a lizard armadillo? It was real big. Headed to the Ichmatl, got, uh. A lil drunk. Well, celebrating life warrants its own celebrations.

Rowena's Log
We set off in the morning and quickly came to a river filled with piranhas, feeding. Marvor, the halfling with the pet monkey who I hadn’t met before, declared that he could handle this and walked into the river and simply vanished. After he didn’t surface again we decided to just jump across the river. After too long a pause a piranha flopped out of the river and promptly turned into Marvor. Not sure about that whole thing, but we moved on and into “Dryad Hell”.

Whilst most of the journey passed without major incident, we very quickly got into trouble when Jessari was ambushed by an unseen enemy. We quickly discovered a giant creature that seemed to be able to control the vines of the trees around it and use them to grab prey to consume, which in this case was us. I resisted the urge to run away, (and probably into different trouble, alone), but I was very much out of my depth. My little crossbow didn’t feel like much more use than a peashooter. I mostly managed to avoid the tendrils notice, but once I’d finally been grabbed, it could have finished me off very quickly. I tried to use it pulling me close to it to try and get in range use spells to attack it and escape.

Unfortunately for me, it pulled me in a lot quicker that I anticipated and I didn’t have enough time or strength to escape.

Marvor however, managed to pull a strange trick off. Luring a herd of alpacas to stampede under the creature which knocked me and Marcy loose and we made our escape. With the creature distracted we put some distance between us and Marcy spotted a dryad watching us. After a brief conversation with Marvor and Jessari the dryad led us to a ring of very old trees where more and more dryads emerged. Marvor talked to them for a little and then introduced me as the designated diplomat and he magically shared their language with me. The dryads seemed to find this quite strange. As well as finding Marcy’s gun strange, they seemed to dislike mine and Jessari’s magic, so we made sure to avoid using any magic around them. We told them about the dead dryad and that we wanted their advice or help putting her to rest.

They told us the city is a blight, stopping the trees growing back and that the city refuses to die and be reclaimed by nature, which the dryads are quite opposed to. They said they would help us, but first they gave us some seeds. They asked us to plant them in the soil under the snow and ice in the city. Doesn't strike me as the climate for snow and ice, but hopefully they know what they're talking about.

The dryads kindly let us stay overnight, we noticed a cave with the sounds of snoring coming from it. Whilst it was quiet I tried to get a bit of a closer look at the cave, but one of the dryads stopped me, saying they prefered if I didn't go in there, I asked her what was in the cave and she told me that someone helpful was resting there. That would help them destroy the city and the white dragon living there when the time came, with my curiosity mostly satisfied, I wandered back to camp. I took the opportunity to ask Jessari about Iztac a bit since I’d quite like to figure out what happened to him, for Jhanna’s sake as well as my own damned curiosity. She told me Iztac was from Dhramvate and they’d been having regular meetings and exchanging information until recently, when he had gone into the city after the vampire I’d managed to steal the journal from. Jessari had her own questions for me however and told me that the dryad we first met in the woods had called me unnatural, the same way that Marcy’s gun was unnatural. Jessari wondered if I had any idea why they might think that, I told her that I didn’t know except maybe something to do with my magic.

We rested at the dryad’s home and then headed back in the morning. With the need to go into the city increasing I suggested taking a detour back by the Xipil and Itcmatl camp to find out what was going on as we hadn’t heard anything from them. On the way to the Xipil we found a hole in the ground, Marcy told us we should go down and at the bottom we met a strange creature called Acekrit, who provided information for secrets. Deciding there wasn’t any information I really needed that I was willing to give up any secrets for I passed on this particular opportunity this time, but Peaches traded a secret on Marvor’s behalf to find out where the ice and snow in the city is. Not sure if that was worth it in my opinion as it sounds like it will be quite easy to find if we go far enough into the city, but I suppose it's nice to know that for sure.

We left Acekrit and went to the Xipil camp. Cihtli seemed a little upset to see me back before she had made her decision, but when I told her there had been demons attacking on this continent she said we could meet in two days and she’d make her decision by then.

After some lunch we went to see Jaghad, enthusiastic as ever. He wasn’t very happy that Cihtli wanted to meet so soon, but quite sympathetic that I couldn’t really have said no. After a couple of drinks we left to head back to the camp and Jaghad advised me that I should find a new negotiating partner before the meeting as it would look bad if I turned up on my own.

Cian's Log

 * Heading out into the city with the Thorsonn, Allyra and Arkaynon.
 * We headed down towards the sanctuary forest, in deep and towards the idol, we called out to Demi and made hot introductions before zipping into the city right outside the blacksmiths,
 * We found a note from Mael inside, which reads…
 * Cian- It has been some time since contact, I grow impatient, If I am not here when you get back, I will be in the city, I have left notes of where I have been where Ursula almost perished. -Mael


 * Allyra and Thorsonn headed up to check the notes, while I recopied them down.
 * We discovered that Mael has seen four interesting spaces and dangers to be avoided…
 * There are people in the east of the city that seem to be hunting Mael, White scaled Hunting Hounds, Various things happening in the sewers below, large creatures moving through cracked stone, rumbling of stone nearby
 * Interesting places -
 * A workshop near the docks
 * A Spiraled tower which is inhabited by a one-eyed creature
 * A building raised to the ground which attempts to rebuild itself
 * A market which attempts to mimic the facsimile of ongoing life
 * The bank seems inhabited by small plant creatures, whilst he’s avoided them, he has heard noises of Kherran below.
 * Once we entered through the sewer, we were jumped by two faceless stalkers, instantly downing Arkaynon. We rushed into protect Arkaynon and heal him up, eventually fended off the pair. Thorsonn truly showing off the skills of a battle-hardened fighter.
 * We got to the blacksmiths and discussed how to move forward, taking the lead in different areas to traverse the city toward the port safely, we came across the white hounds that Mael-tuili mentioned and found out that they were winter wolves, Arkaynon knows that they have breathe weapons and a fair amount about their anatomy.
 * Once the winter wolves passed Allyra saw a figure duck into an alley way.
 * Thorsonn was quick enough to spot them, and knew they were a look out, heading off to inform on us, we took evasive steps now to be followed, and managed to make it to the workshop as it were.
 * We came up against magic door that had three locks all protected by Arcane Lock, an inscription above the door reads “Property of Ilhui” after a short inspection of the door, we realized we couldn’t get in. we decided to bed down for the evening in a nearby town house. Allyra found a stone that responded weirdly to her grasp. As if it negated the feeling of being touched.  We gave it a check and it just seems to be a standard rock but is affected by the timeless effect of the city.
 * Arkaynon tested a theory by pulling a piece of wood from the wall, When the material is broken and removed from itself the broken off piece hastens the process of rotting. The years withered away from it.
 * Once snapped the sky opened with snow, realizing something may have detected us,
 * We attempted an escape while casting invisibility on ourselves.
 * From our hideout Allyra spotted two winter wolves accompanied by an Ice clad knight, who seem
 * It is not those stained ones, they would not do something so pointless, and too far from those of Dranveidt, perhaps a bait by the grey hawks, or it could be someone new, so I should let someone know.” As they raised their hand the wolves returned to them and then moved off into the city and out of our sight.
 * We slept through the night and decided in the morning that we would brute force our way into the Warehouse, we dispelled the cities effect and then Arkaynon threw a bomb to blow out the wall.
 * As the smoke and dust cleared, through the wall and glimpsed a that figure stood inert, we stepped in and discovered another Construct with arcane lines flowing like rivers from a central cavity within its chest. surely this would be the perfect place to find a battery for Jhanna's final project.
 * We rushed in examining everything we could find, most focusing upon the construct itself. With a brief glance inside everything looked to be designed for something smaller than your average Halfling. I set myself to scanning for power signatures and discovered a safe upon the wall erupting with arcane power. The temperature was dropping as we attempted and failing to gain access. so, in another stroke of genius Arkaynon decided to blow the safe off the wall, and Thorsonn would carry it back to the inner-city black smiths. it should have gone catastrophically but somehow through Allyra scouting ahead and Arkaynon guiding us through making themselves tiny. we were within reach of the Blacksmith, when suddenly, Allyra took a Frost Wolf’s Icey howl full straight to the face.
 * With a party member out of action for the fight and Allyra looking deflated, we teleported back to the Blacksmiths, leaving Arkaynon on top of the rooftops and out of harm’s way...
 * This drove Thorsonn mental, as they screamed and ran off in search of Arkaynon... Which honestly seemed ill-witted to me, as Arkaynon most certainly knew where we were heading and quite honestly sneaks far better than anyone else, I've ever met, including Mael-tuili, and that guy can turn warp shadows around himself...
 * Soon after Thorrson and Arkaynon returned, unharmed and Thorsonn still in a loud huff. We made for the sewers and along the path came upon what seemed to be an animated construct which spoke Kherran.
 * Thorsonn’s mood instantly changed, and he became best friends with it. we learned that it was undertaking a very secret mission, it wouldn't tell us if the sewer contained a security system, it despised the “Ce Yencuitl” [Tinker - tiny individuals who used to create amazing marvels] for granting them sentience and then enslaving them.
 * Thorsonn asked their name to which they said we could call them A'lah Suul, and we pootled off towards the exit.
 * Popped the safe in the external Blacksmith [Combination - cast a spell of [School Illusion] => [Force Nature] => [School Abjuration] => [Acidic Nature]
 * Within the safe we found the battery we need. We decided to head back to the camp under cover of dark wso that noone would see us carrying the Arcane battery. Succeeded without fault and went to bed after plonking the Safe and Battery into the workshop.
 * Please also note: do not cast magic near the battery/safe as it may very well eat it.
 * Notably encounters this quest
 * The shamblers - avoid combat if possible
 * The Winter Wolves - freezing cold breath that they can blast at you; they also seem to try to bite their opponents. (Further investigation required but these are nasty enemies.)
 * Frozen Knight - Sentient - seemed to command the Winter wolves
 * Signs of runners for an organization within the city.
 * Tinker - Ce Yencuitl - Work Shop Tinker - Ilhui
 * Construct [Ce Maquixti] - A'lah Suul
 * Knowledge gained
 * There are more exits in the sewer than previously expected. A'lah suul made hints to different exits.
 * When parts of the city are damaged, they will flake away, as if the only thing holding this place together is the sheer memory of how it once was and when this is disturbed it ages drastically to nothing.
 * When parts of the city are damaged, it will get insanely cold and shortly after beginning to snow, my only hypothesis for why this happens is that the mourning dragon has noticed us and its attention drops the temperature. Once more only a hypothesis.

Arkaynon's Log
Party: Arkaynon, Thorsson, Allyra, Cian Thorsson’s and I’s first expedition with the Gilded Dawn we have grouped with Cian and Allyra in order to find a power source for a Golem in this camp, to that end they have taken us to the Sanctuary Forest where "Demi" has transported us to a blacksmith's within the city's walls. Cian's Noc kinsman proprietor of said smithy has left a couple notes of note behind as he rushed away from the place.
 * White wolves patrol the streets
 * A tower with a one eyed monster
 * A building that has been seen to reconstruct itself
 * Plant life in the bank
 * A mimicry of a marketplace

Traversal via the sewer system seemed safer for a lower profile, most of the city is unexplored but we have a lead there is a workshop near the docks, we were ambushed by and dispatched several swirl faced  humanoids hiding within the waters (Note to self; preparation of cold steel would be advised, also self healing operations working at viable capacity). After some time we arrived at a second smithy's.

Sneaking through the city is fraught with dangers, the aforementioned white wolves seem to breath ice and are quite large in size, we however make it an assumed workshop that is "Property of Illhui". Locked via several arcane and mechanical contraptions we take some time to survey the surroundings.

As we lay down in a town hall for several minutes our group made notice of a phenomenon with some of the architecture of the city, it seems to be enchanted in a bizarre manner in which to stop the aging process, to that end cutting off a bit of wood it rotted away rapidly to dust, most peculiar. Almost in response however the temperature dropped and snow fell as we hid from a figure armoured in ice guided by several white wolves, they were overheard saying something similar to "It is not the stained ones" "too far from the haunts of Drandete". Some time later they gave up on hunting for us and with them went the cold as we decided to bed down for the night.

Awaking we decide the best course was the quickly breach the workshop and escape, the exterior was easy enough to break through using several improvised explosives and within was a almost chiseled stone sculpture humanoid with silver/mithral like veins running through it with an empty chest cavity. The shop was also fitted with stairs for a smaller creature with a door to match I s’pose indicating the owner’s diminutive stature. We spot a peculiar safe, detach it and take our leave quickly as the temperature and snowfall again.

Our escape was somewhat harrowing being caught by the wolves, I can attest albeit second hand to the strength of their breath weapon, a close call as I am separated from the group but ol’ reliable Thorsson comes back and gathers me to the party as we make it to the sewers. What we can only assume to be patrolling the sewers is a somewhat similar construct with the silver veins running through it but sentient with the filled aforementioned chest cavity. It was quite large but acted cordial to our attempts to communicate it however would not tell us why it was here, when the workshop and owner Illhui was brought up it seemed displeased to hear about the "Ce Yencuitl" and that itself Alasaul of the Ce Maquixti would not associate and to not mention it to others of it's kind that would be quicker to anger for they did not wish to be created as slaves. The construct pointed us in the right direction and left on it’s way.

We made it to the edge of the walled city soon thereafter however we had taken long enough that Demi was unable to bring us back near the camp. Having the time Cian inspects and manages to unlock the safe revealing a silver mass held aloft by several circles to which we assume is our objective. We travel by night back in case of the “Ichmatl” or “Xipil”, groups I am told are allies, although our activities would be deemed less than scrupulous at this point. The journey back was rather simple save a broken bridge, reminder Allyra has somewhat a fear of water, an amusing premise. All in all successful for the most part, second note to self to restock on oil.

Rowena's Log
After some preparations we set off early to arrive in time for the diplomacy. We were slightly delayed, unfortunately, when we arrived at the Basic White Bridge. We discovered that the horrible piranhas that Marvor tried to make friends with were attacking it, significantly damaging it. It doesn’t seem safe to cross anymore. Will let the camp know when we get back, hopefully someone else can fix that up later. Rogdul leapt over the river with a rope and set it up so me and Fiona could use it to hold onto if we broke the bridge crossing. I crossed next, holding onto the rope, but I needn't have bothered, easily made it across. Fiona just about managed fine too.

We were the second group to arrive, the Ichmatl were already there, notably Jaghad and Kukulkan as usual. Shortly after we arrived, the Xipil arrived, a couple of them looking a little soggy. I guess they tried to cross the bridge less successfully than us, hopefully the fish didn’t get fed. They very quickly moved to prepare for talks, as did Jaghad and Kukulkan and I gave Rogdul a quick rundown of what would be expected of him and we also moved over. As I’ve come to expect, Fiona gravitated towards the Xipil crowd.

Cihtli appears to be very perceptive for her age, and as intimidating as ever. We checked the drink that the Xipil had provided, but I wasn’t really paying attention and I don’t really know much about poison anyway, I’m sure everyone else had a better idea than me.

We got to business pretty quickly. Cihtli generally seemed quite shaken by the news that demons had been attacking so nearby. I’m actually almost thankful for that happening at this point, because I don’t think we’d have managed these negotiations without that. Mehtzla started by asking me if I knew what we’d find in the city that would stop the demons. Unfortunately I didn’t have any direct idea, I pointed out that there was a massive demon invasion there, and now there’s no demons, so something must have stopped them. I think they were hoping for a more direct and helpful answer, but that was the best I had.

It went okay after that, Rogdul kept quiet to my relief. I'm not sure what he’s like, but I really needed someone with me. Negotiations very quickly turned south however, when I tried to tactfully point out that the Xipil didn’t seem to have many options stopping the demons without our help, which was taken as a threat, after some harsh words were exchanged between the Xipil and Itchmatl as a result of that, I swiftly apologised and to my relief that was taken very well and both sides apologised as well. I tried to reassure Cihtli and Mehtzla that we didn’t have any nefarious intentions for the city and we weren’t planning to simply desecrate or loot it, which I think, hope, they appreciated. I told them that they didn’t just simply have to trust us, they were welcome to come into the city with us, to keep an eye on us, help us, etc. In the end they were persuaded, possibly because they felt they had no other choice. They felt they didn’t have enough manpower on their own. They suggested a bond of trust, which turned out to be everyone involved sharing a drop of blood in a drink and then mixing it and drinking it, It proved to be very awkward for me when everyone else was strong enough to just, cut their own palm themself, Cihtli offered me a thorn from a plant to use which I took so I could also participate. Really not sure what to think of the whole thing. The Ichmatl seemed to take it as *just a* tradition, whereas it seemed like a lot more of an important tradition to the Xipil. I really hope there’s no actual magic involved in that, but still it’s done and it seemed to reassure Cihtli and I guess it made the alliance official.

Me, Kukulkan and Cihtl had a quick word in private away from everyone else. Kukulkan mentioned they were concerned about a lot of the horrible monsters in the city. They mentioned vampires, which I’d already heard about, but they also mentioned the dragon which I recall the dryads talking about and had heard mentioned a couple of times. I asked if they knew much about this dragon. They said they knew it had been there since the city had fallen and it was raised by an old knight and it shared the knight's beliefs very strongly. I mentioned the possibility of talking to the dragon, who else would know about anything in the city that could destroy demons. They said they wouldn’t want to themself, but that the dragon is obsessed with words and like most dragons wouldn’t be able to resist the truth game. I believe Jhanna mentioned this game before. From Kukulkans brief explanation and what I recall from Jhanna, the game involves taking turns to drink from a container, asking questions and telling the truth. I believe Jhanna said the glass shatters when someone lies. Kukulkan said they had one glass I could use when I decided I was going to go and talk to the dragon. Usually I’d actively avoid such a game, but playing it with a dragon? That would definitely be interesting. Talking to this dragon is definitely going to be a longer term objective, but in the meantime I’d be interested in any information I could find about the dragon or this knight that raised it.

Kukulkan left us and Cihtli asked me a couple of more questions before leaving herself. Fiona let us know that she was going to go stay with the Xipil for a few days and I wished her luck and said hello to Jaghad before me and Rogdul headed back to the camp.

Tanim's Log
Objectives: Touch base with Mael, investigate sounds (specifically: Kherran speaking) coming from the Bank

Began the excursion into the city by stopping off at the Xipil to inform them of our intention to enter the city, and to see if anyone wished to accompany us.

Was introduced to Arisa who was to join us. Dark skinned women, braided strands with soft pastel colours woven through. Seemed like a pretty competent combatant who also seemed well suited for subterfuge.

-Aside- The Xipil seemed to have learned about the custom of handshaking, perhaps worth looking into their customs of greeting and acquaintance.

From the Xipil camp we journeyed towards the city before reaching a broken bridge that spanned a swift running river.

Cian jumps across

Arisa follows suit

Cian then attempted to tie a rope to the bridge and then throw the rope across the bridge, but it falls just a hair short, so Rowena made an attempt to catch it.

Unfortunately, she fails to catch it, and in that same span was attacked by a fish from the river. Fortunately, the fish barely misses her arm and ends up striking the bridge, and part of it crumbles into the water.

We ask Arisa what the Xipil normally do, and learned that they generally avoid them during this season when the river floods. But since there was no easier crossing, we resolve to try jump across like Cian and Arisa.

Rowena casts a spell on herself and makes the jump without difficulty.

I however, miss the mark. Completely. And fall into the river.

I get surrounded by other fish and they start trying to bite and drag me down into the water. After several gruelling attempts to shake them off and swim across, some excellent shooting from Arisa and Rowena, and some smart spellcasting from Cian I eventually make it through the river. Unsurprisingly, I can see why the Xipil avoid fording the river when it floods, as swimming against the current along with the fish is not an easy task.

We end up meeting with Mael, who relays (initially to Cian in a language I do not recognize) that we should avoid the north west part of the city. The side further from the ocean. As the people who occupy it are reckless and aggressive.

Mael then relays to all of us that the Minotaur guarding the gate has died, and with that, the wererat which seemed to patrolling the area has since also disappeared for a few weeks.

The undead rising from the red earth seems to not have been happening during the rain, and whilst one might occasionally see unnatural smoke rising from the city, that too would cease with rainfall. So it had been on that front relatively quiet as of late.

Before heading into the tunnel into the city Arisa asked if she could examine the gate has it held some sentimental importance for her and her people.

We then proceed down into the tunnels, with Mael holding a silver beaded chain, that seemed to have a bell at its tip. Mael explaining that they didn’t like the chime and ringing of it the chain.

As we draw closer to the bank, we notice that there are roots growing around and outside of the bank. Moving in I start hearing clicking, scratching and scraping.

We position ourselves anticipating a fight and as Mael pushes open the two doors he turns back calling out for someone to light the room before rushing in to engage as we hear now more clearly shrieking from within.

We fully converge on the room and Mael starts making quick work of the plant creatures.

The fight goes fairly well, although at some point it seems that the creatures start slowly circling and surrounding Mael, which then prompts Cian to yell out an apology before letting loose a blast of fire engulfing the plant creatures as well as Mael.

The attack ends up taking out most of the creatures, but equally leaves Mael rather worse for wear. Fortunately as there are only a few left we end up finishing them up without difficulty.

Afterwards, Arisa begins patching up the injured whilst Cian starts inspecting the doors towards the end of the room. After looking through them Cian finds what appears to be a vault, which seems to be both magically and mechanically safeguarded. Arisa steps up and helps to supress the magics securing the door and opening it. Revealing a staircase that wraps around and goes down.

It is then noted that we haven’t a tremendous amount of time since the magics are not dispelled only temporarily allayed. With no real way to hold the door open we try to make our way down quickly.

As we move down we see some empty glass cabinets, with stands that seem moulded and decaying, before eventually reaching another locked door, which Rowena manages to quickly and successfully disable.

The door opens into a vault which at a glance reveals a room filled with a tremendous amount of gold, with a chest at the end of the room.

Cian strides further into the room, but within steps a gold pile begins to shift as I start to hear what sounds like an exhale. Seeing this Cian calls out “Knight” in Kherran, and I notice that there’s an indentation that seems unnatural to the rest of gold, as it starts to shift, as an ancient armour begins to emerge from the gold. Bearing an axe and shattered shield, who then names us demons, saying they will not fall for our tricks.

After some moments of hesitation and indecision from the group, Rowena calls out and tries calling out exclaiming that we are not demons

Which seems to get the Knight to pause albeit briefly, who turns to Rowena, their grip tightening on their Axe, responding that they cannot trust that we are not some trick of the demons, and demanding that we prove otherwise, before holding his Axe out.

Unfortunately, from my own experiences I’m not confident that there are any ways to affirmatively prove that we aren’t demons, sure there are ways to shake off an illusion or spelled trick, but with something that comes from within, from paranoia, there are no real solutions.

With that in mind, I turn to the knight and admit that there is no proof which we can provide, and so I suggest that as a sign of goodwill, as our only source of proof that we are not there to cause harm, is that we will leave and retreat from the chamber.

However, as I am finishing he cuts me off and responds, saying “No, there is no means to accede to your request, if you are demons, I cannot suffer you to leave”

And with that, steps in and begins a sweeping strike with his axe towards Arisa.

Fortunately, Rowena triggers her mirror image protection which she had previous placed on Arisa, and with that, throws off the knights attack causing his swing to go wide, crashing the axe into the stone by my feet.

Cian then tries appealing to the Knight by bringing up the dragon, which only prompts the Knight to return with “I know no dragon”

With an affirmative look from me, Arisa attacks the knight and I prepare myself to engage with the Knight, however, Rowena makes a further attempt towards the Knight, explaining that killing us will bring them no peace, nor their freedom, and did the Knight not seek that?

The Knight then turns towards Rowena, exclaiming “I have been offered freedom…so many…so many times..”

And so I hesitate, and against my better judgment, I hold off doing anything

The knight then pulls in Rowena close, muttering something to them, before pushing off and stumbling back, and then slowly walks towards the door. It’s axe falling to the ground, being dragged away.

I follow the Knight as they leave, and call out to Mael to give the Knight their freedom they long deserve.

---Not in Tanim’s written account---

Cian lets his greed get the better of him, goes invisible, and decides to inspect the chest, waiting until the Knight is barely out of the room before trying to investigate it. As is entirely deserved, it turns out the chest is a mimic. Who then grapples Cian. Cian ends up having to go into debt to dimension door out, leaving Arisa and Rowena to fend for themselves against the mimic. Which then runs through, putting itself between the door and them. Arisa fires a shot and moving back, Rowena manages to avoid a broad swipe from the mimic which goes over her head as she gets out through the door. Arisa swiftly follows as they try put as much distance between themselves and the mimic.

---Back to Tanim’s POV/meanwhile upstairs---

I watch as the Knight makes their way up, and pulls open the doors, who then looks up into the sky, asking almost to no one in particular “Have they been vanquished then, the city not aflame, peaceful? Where are the people? Are they gone?”

And so I answer his question, and tell him that the demons have indeed been vanquished, and that they are gone. But, as his axe drops, and I notice almost what is a dust seeming to appear around his hand, I note that the demons however are returning. And with that the haze around him seems to solidify again, as he clenches his fist. I approach him and implore him to pass on his duty to me, to let us continue his fight against the demons on his behalf, for that is why we and I are here in the city.

But to no avail, responding he says, “Is that so?” Before once again looking ahead and asking, “Do you know where the demons are? Do you know where the demons have gone”

I briefly recount what we know happened in the city, the departure of the demons, and their recent return. He picks up his axe, asking which direction to walk to seek them. With few good ideas, I end up deciding to send him towards the other expeditionary group, who had recently encountered some demon activity, as he leaves he turns back and says “Thank you for my freedom” and heads off.

With that, I finally fill Mael in on everything which took place in regard to the Knight, and deciding not to linger any further we head back to the blacksmiths with Mael to briefly take a reprieve before heading back proper.

Mael also mentioned it would be helpful if we could bring him some food or perhaps wine next time we come through, though he might himself might visit the camp shortly in a few days to pick up supplies.

Summary of the mission:

Made our way to the Xipil and was accompanied by Arisa who turns out is both an accomplished shot and spellcaster.

Suffered a setback at the bridge owing to my failure to cross the river.

Entered the city with no real obstacle, encountering no undead thanks to either the rain, Mael’s trinket or both.

Encountered and dispatched with plant-based enemies inside the upper level of the bank.

Encountered an ancient Knight inside the depths of the bank vault on the lower levels.

Thanks to Rowena we managed to negotiate and avoid any bloodshed, though after freeing the Knight I ended up setting them on the path towards the other expeditionary group.

Apparently, Rowena, Arisa and Cian encountered a mimic after the Knight and I had departed the room though I am not too familiar with the details on that since none of them have been especially forthcoming about the details. Perhaps their reports will shed more light on it.

Tanim's Log
We set off towards the city, picking up Asi on our way, before meeting with Mael and make our way through the tunnels.

Fortunately, despite a few unfortunate missteps, we just about avoid the notice of this creature of undulating red viscera (bloodwraith)

As we were making our way towards the surface, there was rubble near the exit that needed clearing. Rogdul shifted them somewhat, but whilst it seemed sufficient enough for most people to traverse, turns out I wasn’t quite careful enough and ended up missing the mark whilst making my way up. Would recommend people taking their care if they have to come this way in the future.

After making our way up, we looked around trying to find a large tree which Mael suggested would help us keep and find our bearings.

Whilst looking for other distinctive features about the tree, I hear the sound of movement from down the road. And so we try make our way towards the market, in the direction away from the sounds as quietly as possible.

Unfortunately, we don’t do the best job of it, and despite trying to distract them through some magical trickery and sounds, and then hiding, we end up getting discovered by what we subsequently learned were some creatures whose bodies seemed to be made of some sticky adhesive material. I’m not entirely sure what they are, though they didn’t seem extraplanar, and definitely seemed sentient and capable of communication. And didn’t appear to be undead from our encounter with them.

We make relatively short work of them, and although Fiona did get grabbed by one and didn’t seem to have the best of time, we managed to make it out relatively unscathed. Give or take a few lingering limbs which we couldn’t quite get off a few members and their weapons.

Following the altercations we manage to make our way to the market without attracting the attention of any other enemies, and as we reach closer towards it, we see what looks to be some winding and twisting paths and foliage.

As we forge on ahead, eventually the actual brush backs away, and instead of the twisting paths, a wider one opens before us, leading into a large marketplace filled with various stalls.

The first we see is held by multiple cerulean coloured beetles, selling various strange contraptions. From Rogdul I learned that they were called Bulabar.

There were also some fey that seemed to look like winged painted mannequins called Choxani,  which communicate through the colourful patterns on their dragonfly like wings.

There was also a stall with a furry scaled creature called a Gerbie, that apparently exudes a very magical aura which makes people like them more, though they are also apparently fairly innocuous and not prone to violence. Still seems reasonable to keep your wits about yourself, at least when trying to make deals, but otherwise a safe bet considering.

Also around the market in general, there were some large green haired wolves which looked to be roaming and guarding the place.

Looking around, if I were to hazard a guess, I suspect this market is neither on the material plane nor the fey plane, but on some limbo between the two.

We made our way to the Bulabar but shortly learned that they didn’t speak Kherran, fortunately Rowena seemed to posses some magics which would allow her to converse with them.

Following is meta notes since only Rowena could speak and understand:

[ Asked the Bulabar about people from the city possibly coming to the market, learned that they were chased off by Alaoeth (who we later learn is the founder and protector it seems of the market), as they were not there to trade. Made different by Alaoeth, and when asked different how, we were told it was “however Alaoeth wanted”, “let the wilds decide”

Inquired about if they knew any anti demon technology but got a pretty resounding no.

Asked if there was anyone who might know something about anti demon tech, or if there was someone who frequently leaves the marketplace. They noted that Alaoeth was the fey who had the most conversations with folk from the city, however, for generally leaving the market, it is Altuaride'sshi, an owl with long legs and deep set, almost reflective black eyes. Who it seemed flew down to a branch as they were becoming the subject of the conversation.

Rowena thanked the beetles for their help as we turned to speak to the owl, though they seemed a bit disgruntled that we didn’t buy anything. (Rogdul did ask about a greatsword or enchanted weapons, and offered a few potential items for trade, but they didn’t seem keen. Mostly wanted technology, and would not trade on promises. Did note that there was a butterfly knife there but again, with seemingly nothing to trade for we moved on)]

When asking about safe passage into the market, Altuaride'sshi chimes in noting that we could always come through the fey portal. Before asking Rogdul if he had an answer, or if he had considered their request to kill Xolototo. To which Rogdul explained that whilst he wanted to address the request, he hadn’t been able to as there were other priorities within the group, though he might revisit it and push for another attempt to kill Xolototo.

Altuaride'sshi then introduced themselves to everyone proper, noting that they offered various services, though there was of course one they offered for free (to foretell your death)

Altuaride'sshi also pointed out that besides Alaoeth that they were probably the best source of information at the market.

Altuaride'sshi then also said that perhaps they needed to sweeten the deal from when they previously offered, so I vouched my own services for Xolototo for information about the demons, or how to deal with them. Altuaride'sshi in response explained that there are ways to where the remnants of the demons are kept through the fey, and that I could find my way there quite easily with the right guide, though Altuaride'sshi would not obviously speak of the ways, nor of the who could guide us until we accomplished their request.

Rowena decided to clarify the request, and so Altuaride'sshi explained that over the portal which linked our world to the fey, there was someone who sat above it, guarding it, and that he was “both a nuisance and a dick” and wanted us to “kill him, soon. Please.” Altuaride'sshi mentioned that Xolototo was a tall, pretty and arrogant prick, though they would rather we didn’t say that first bit.

When Fiona asked why he did not kill him, Altuaride'sshi explained that the “Death he saw was not the death he would want for him”. Wanting Xolototo to have the worst one, an embarrassing one, one which is fast enough that it does not get boring for Altuaride'sshi, but slow enough that they can relish it.

Altuaride'sshi also explained that there are certain parts of the woods that had changed by what happened here so long ago, and whilst they aren’t exactly what we’re looking for, perhaps we could gleam something from them. Besides, Xolototo has gone quite mad, domineering more so than before. They also warned that we’d want to avoid being touched by Xolototo, noting also that he was resistant to magic, and that we should bring the right types of weapons, quite resistant otherwise. When Rogdul asked what kinds of weapons, Altuaride'sshi laughed and questioned “I thought you knew about the fey boy? You know what we hate”

They also vaguely suggested that whilst they could summon Alaoeth for us to talk to, they recommended that we don’t.

I then asked if Alaoeth or others might object to us going after Xolototo, to which Altuaride'sshi responded that they didn’t think so, the two of them being pretty far removed from each other. And that in general we needn’t worry too much about others if we went after Xolototo, sure he has a few things beneath him, but that he is mostly ruler of the trees, though not in ways that dryads would appreciate.

Altuaride'sshi again offered their services, before seeming to settle on Rowena, and expressing a rather keen interest in telling her fortune, as she was “so interesting that they almost wanted to say it”

Altuaride'sshi then finally before departing, notes that should any of us traverse through the fey realm again and come across them, they will expect a final answer on the Xolototo request.

When Fiona checked in with Asi to see if she was okay, we learned that there were 9 beings like Altuaride'sshi. Who could speak the deaths of people and make it true. Also pointing out that it did not even need to be heard for the death to become fixed. Which was why she wasn’t keen on being too close or near to it.

With that strange and unnerving encounter finished, we decide to stroll and browse the market a bit. At the Choxani table we saw various vividly coloured and carved totems. At the Bulabar table there were various mechanically crafted items, including a moving wind up duck toy. And eventually we find ourselves drawn to the Gerbie stall, seemingly beckoned by the varied spiced and sweet smells wafting out from the many small pouches on display.

Rowena struck up a conversation with the owner, Ledara and apparently the various scents had many different properties.

We also learn from Ledara a bit more about how the marketplace was established in the city, learning that Alaoeth came to the old marketplace, spinning a web around it and claiming it for the fey. She knows not why, nor has she asked, she simply knows it’s an interesting place to be.

Rowena asked about how long it’s been around for, but Ledara wasn’t sure in terms of our sense of time.

With some help from Rowena, I manage to purchase for some lovely non magical scents for soap making, which she requested pay for by giving her something nice that she could say to future patrons in Kherran. Though apparently in general she tends to like shiny things as her primary form of payment.

Rowena then inquired if we’d be able to talk to Alaoeth, and Ledara points out a large tree in the centre of the market, explaining that if we can head there and try calling out to her.

In asking a bit more what Alaoeth is like, we learn that she is soft spoken, green, has a very effective and interesting way of doing her eyeshadow, and can make cocoons. Oh and she can climb.

As we make our way towards the centre tree, we see a small gnome like creature with a dyed red hat looking over us, shooting us a pointed toothy smile.

After reaching the foot of the tree, Rowena calls out up to the tree, and we see the branches and leaves begin to rustle as a wide bulbous caterpillar like thing begin to descend the tree. Long raven black hair obscuring her face, before eventually turning to look towards us proper, revealing a face heavily painted with makeup, with striking and red colourations above the eyes, in stark contrast to her green body.

Again meta notes because only Rowena could speak to Alaoeth:

[ Alaoeth asks why we called to her, or more specifically why Rowena did

Rowena explains that we were told this market belongs to her

Alaoeth seems almost amused by this, saying that she’s flattered, but it’s less than it belongs to her but more that she was the first here, and this market was build around here, and the territory that she holds

Rowena asks how long Alaoeth has been here, and she responds that it’s been a long while, but not so long as to be stagnant. (A decent amount of time after the demons at least) She had aspirations of making the city grow again, finding it unsightly, thinking it a shame that it was dead with nothing growing from it’s corpse. She came here before the beasts with the blood things came from so far away, and before those who worship the corpse of something that refuses to die. The only thing that came here before her was the dragon. Wretched beast that it is. Finding that whilst the dragon has aged, it remains a spoiled and precocious child, it comes here in hopes of keeping this place dead, a mighty shame and an affront which she detests. She is not so desperate that the trees reclaim the city, but does not wish to see it rot beyond repair and help. And would see people return to the city and stay there, make it different.

Rowena asks if she knows why the city has stopped growing, which Alaoeth explains is because of the dragon. That it has always been the dragon. Drawing on power that isn’t its, or at least wasn’t. Sitting atop the castle still, watching every nook and crack, preplanned. Though the changes of late, the breaking of the city are welcome to Alaoeth, for it is something different.

Alaoeth then asks if Rowena ever wanted to be something else, and says that if that ever should be her wish, she could offer it. Or offer it to any of Rowena’s companions.

Rowena asks how might she make us different, which Alaoeth explains that it is the way of her and her kin, to keep things from growing stagnant. To replenish and rejuvenate those who wish to be something else, or need to be. Though Rowena’s voice is so beautiful that she would not make that choice for her. Rowena politely declines saying that she is happy with who she is for now.

- Rowena then asked if Alaoeth knew anything about the demons in the city, Alaoeth notes that it was long ago, and did not see them. However, she was alive when they came here, although they did not enter the fey realm, nor is she even sure that they know of it. But the city burned for a long time, and Alaoeth does not know what got rid of them. Though it was not the small creatures (the tinkers) who took it over before them, nor was it the dragon, for it must have been but a whelp at the time. It was not the knight who was locked in a foolhardy attempt to save those who he could. She felt that we had freed the knight, and was glad that we had, thinking it kind that we gave it reprieve from its awful unchanging life. She is glad for it, and looks forward to see how we change the city

Rowena then asks what Alaoeth knows about the groups in the city, to which she responds, how far back do we want to know? The blood of outsiders goes back to when the demons came, not brought by demons, but brought by us, people not from these shores, brought it to these shores, and left it. Making their home here, taking it from others. Then some others came here (the city specifically?), warping the flesh of those near them, which Alaoeth does not judge per se, but they are certainly settled and have no wish of change and so perhaps doesn’t especially love that.

As for the others in the city, there once was a grey thing that watched this world, but when it grew too powerful, its fellows cast it out, it should have died, but instead it found its place in where it watched, and it began to stain those that it saw, and that saw it. One of the places that it came was here, and so, many that searched for it, find their way here, in its footsteps. It is an awful stain, and it is something that does not accept change. (ASIDE: Reviewing my earlier notes, and from Alaoeth clarifying, it seems she is talking about “for quishiotil, or veyn the stain (in dranmal the language of dramvate). The stain being a black mark on the neck. And is a thing that draws mourners to the city.”)

Rowena then inquired about what Alaoeth knew about Altuaride'sshi request for us to go after Xolototo. Which led to her commenting that Altuaride'sshi seems to be making strides in its own way. Before explaining that Xolototo is something that drew power in way from the forest that hurt it, and that he has found himself a throne from which he directs the woods. Pointing off out the market, saying that should we walk in that direction we will find him. But that if we do not feel confident, we should avoid braving the woods. He is, or was a vain and loud mouth braggart, and feared by many. Alaoeth cared not for him, but wishes him neither well nor misfortune.

When Alaoeth asked if Altuaride'sshi bid us hurt Xolototo and Rowena confirms it is so, Alaoeth explains that it is not out of character for Altuaride'sshi. But we need not worry about our safety here, as Altuaride'sshi has no power over her. Though should we want to make an alliance with him, we should expect similar work as payment each time we seek favours and trades.

Rowena asked if Xolototo was very powerful, and if we were being led to our deaths, Alaoeth noted that she doesn’t know how capable we are, but suspects that if we are prepared we could kill him.

Before we leave though, Alaoeth asks if she might request something of us, of Rowena. If she could sing for her. Rowena seems unsure and so Alaoeth simply says that for the next time we visit, should we want her help that a song from Rowena be her price.]

Feeling like we had learned a fair amount and not wanting to risk finding ourselves stuck in the Fey realm, for we had vaguely heard mention that if we were not careful and lingered long that we might struggle to return, we set off and began to make our way back to camp.

As we are walking, we begin to hear a high pitched whining noise. Looking around we notice the trees are a little different to what we saw in the marketplace, but looking around we don’t quite pin point the sound. There are a few sources of it, and one specifically source that resounded a little deeper, but no clear or precise source of it. However, whilst looking for the source I end up getting distracted as I see a strange protrusion coming out of the ground. And on a slightly closer inspection, I realize it’s the corpse of an earth demon. It’s quite old, and things had been growing on it for a long time, there almost seems to be insect eggs in the eye sockets.

I cautiously approach the earth demon, and try gauge how long the corpse has been here but to no avail. Growing closer I can see how large it is, almost statue like at this point. I decide to try find my bearings, and so I climb up a tree but I slip and end up falling. Deciding not to chance things overly more, we get ourselves ready to head back off again, however we realize at this point that both Asi and Fiona aren’t around anymore. And shortly after that, we see a large mosquito approaching us.

The mosquito charges me, it’s proboscis goring and snaring me. And in truth it was a pretty hefty strike that it made, fortunately two swift attacks from Rogdul and myself seem to convince it that we aren’t worthwhile prey and send it off fleeing. Rogdul then decides to chase after it and manages to finish it off.

Meanwhile I try rather unsuccessfully to stem the bleeding, but it seemed to have let some of its proboscis still in me and dislodging it proved a little difficult and if anything made things worse. Luckily Rogdul was able to race back in time with a potion to help stave off any further harm, though I certainly still felt rather worse for wear.

I take another look round before we head off, and I notice that there happens to be a few items left amongst the eye of the demon corpse. Specifically, some jewellery and javelin. Gathering those up we head back to camp and on our way stumble into Asi and Fiona who had seemed to have been led by a different path out of the fey plane in a completely different area.

When we make it back to camp at last it turns out that we had been gone for two whole days. Considering what we know about the previous excursions into the fey wilds it seems that the disconnect in time when crossing the two planes is not consistent. Something definitely worth noting for future trips.

Summary of the mission and important TLDRs:

- Made our way to the city and then navigated towards the market. On the way there encountered some creatures made of some sort of adhesive. They are very good at grappling, and using weapons on them can easily lead to the weapons being dislodged and stuck. They also seem capable of communication and are at least intelligent enough to understand magical trickery if not more so.

- The marketplace itself is reached by traveling on various constantly winding paths, and seems to rest somewhere between the fey realm and the material plane. There are lots of stalls and wares there, and is protected by and the territory of a caterpillar like fey named Alaoeth.

- The death foretelling owl fey - Altuaride'sshi apparently frequents the market, and urges us to follow up on his request to kill Xolototo, noting that should he find us in the fey realm again he will insist on an answer from us as to whether we will accomplish this. In return, he offers us information about safe passage through to the fey realm, the market, and information about ways and a guide to a place in the fey where remnants of the slain demons might be found.

- From Alaoeth we learned that the market predates any of its current occupants bar the knight and dragon. But was also established after the demons invaded and were driven away. She does not know who or what rid the city of the demons, but Alaoeth also suspects that it was not the Tinkers. Does not think it was the dragon (who would have been too young), nor the knight.

- As for those in the city at present, she confirmed that there are the werefolk, who seem to have come from the Kherran mainland or at least, other shores. And then the other folk it was revealed were those who carry the stain. Who we learned worship some being, a ‘watcher’ who was cast out and supposed to have died but has somehow found a way to persist.

- The dragon is what keeps the city from changing or growing, and is apparently in Alaoeths opinion, still a petulant child.

- Leaving the marketplace brought us out into the planes themselves rather than the city. It also separated us and Fiona and Asi.

- Where we exited, there was the corpse of a large earth demon, it seemed very old and it is hard to say how long it was there for. It was near and around the mosquito forest.

- Two days had past when we got back, which not only means time passes differently in the market and fey realm, but that it’s not consistent since the last time people ventured into the fey, they had been only gone seconds in our plane, whilst having spent several hours in the fey.