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• Aros – Lightfoot Halfling, Rogue
• Galiena Erenaeth – Half Elf, Celestial Warlock / Druid
• Baldur – Human, Pack Chain Warlock (Spear) / Paladin
  • Hellina Kaitlyn Deramu – Human NPC, Wererat

Waiting several weeks before Galiena and Baldur complete the summoning circle to return Aros to them – to ensure Mordak/Razathorn doesn’t realize that some of his students have discovered how to use the runes to their advantage – they sit around, finger tips extended, lightly touching – muttering the ritual that takes an hour to complete – Kavium watches, leaning against a barn door – as the runes on Galiena and Baldur’s neck begin to glow blow – then a blue, crackling energy goes between their fingers – and suddenly, Aros appears and collapses to the ground.

“Aros! It’s good to see you,” Galiena smiles, standing up and brushing the hay off of her dress. “We didn’t summon you immediately back because we didn’t want Mordak – or Razathorn, which ever name he wants to go by – to know we knew how to bring you away by mimicking his magical abilities of using these stupid runes on our necks,” her hand absentmindedly touches the rune, whose blue hue has died down.

“What did Mordak want?” Baldur asks, standing up, and leaning against his draco-spear.

Aros mutters, “Thank you, I was getting so sea sick.”

“But you were off the island,” Baldur says.

“Trust me, it was not good,” Aros shakes his small, halfling head. “Remember Wickedstraza – the bronze Dragonborn sorcerer that was with us for awhile? And remember, how one of the wererats bit her? (Back in Session 2!) And then she got summoned away? (Back in Session 3!) And remember, we didn’t meet with Relgar in Felhorn until after that happened – and we were working with him to help find a cure – at that time, for Galiena,” he looks to her, “who had also been infected by the wererats we fought in the manor. Well, as you know, we discovered my dagger,” and he pulls out Lycan Blade, “has the ability to try and cure those who haven’t succumb to the awakening of the two moons. Well, turns out… Wickedstraza didn’t get a cure before the full moons… and proceeded to attack a number of the students of Mordak… and… spread the infection. Quite a bit. Before Mordak appeared, furious, and contained all of his infected students. So Wickedstraza, right now – along with about forty other students – are all locked in cages. She – along with the infected – are all pretty feral, because they had no one to train them how to control their urges, like I guess they do around here on this island. So Mordak is looking for a cure for them.”

(DM Note – The above is a retcon – I’d originally told Aros that he was able to help cure the lycanthropy – but the player who plays Wickedstraza plays in the other game that everyone is in – and said she’s probably not returning to the off week one – so, I am retconning the cure to say she – and others, are still infected – thus explaining why the party hasn’t summoned her back)

Aros coughs, “And now for the kicker… Mordak put me on a boat, with others, to come to Eaglerock and find out who is messing with his stuff on the island. Those people,” Aros raises his eyebrows, “are us.” Aros shakes his head. “He sent me – and the others on the boat bound for here – knowing we’d get stuck here. We had just set sail, and been sailing only for about a day when you guys pulled me here.”

“Well, we’re glad to have you back,” Galiena smiles.

“He is kind of adorable, in that short, hairy footed way,” Kavium chuckles.

“We should go check with Crescent if our armor is done,” Baldur says. (The young, moonstone dragon met back on Session 13)

As they step out of the barn, they see Brandon Crowfeather (whom they’d met back in Session 8 – a wereraven!) signaling them. As the party approaches him, he speaks of the delicious apples, loudly – until the party is close enough to be standing around him. In hushed tones, he whispers, “With the arrival of Lord Brenmoon’s soldiers (see Session 21) a number of our… blacksmiths…” speaking those words reluctantly, because of Lord Brenmoon’s order to imprison or kill them all – and also because those who offered to help make the armor were not blacksmiths – they were farmers, who only knew of blacksmithing by watching their own local blacksmiths – before Lord Brenmoon’s men took them away. “The people,” he amended, “are nervous. They’ve returned to their homes, worried that Lord Brenmoon sent his men here to check out the town – and that perhaps the four of you are drawing too much attention. Give me some time, I should be able to convince them to go back to work, but it might take a few extra days for their nerves to be calm again before they will listen to me. This will put a delay on your… order.”

“Understandable,” Galiena nods.

“So what do we do now?” Baldur asks.

“Well, there’s the evil heart eating birds in the mountains,” Galiena sighs, clearly not thrilled with that idea.

“I’d rather not go up there and deal with that until I have metal armor that makes ripping out my heart a little more difficult,” Baldur adds.

“Crescent has asked us to take care of them, because ever since the rocs abandoned the island (the party learned Lord Starfall commanded the Rocs back in Session 2, and learned of their departure when the curse came, in Session 3), the perytons have no natural predator and have been breeding wildly – using the constant darkness that lingers over the island to their advantage,” Aros points out.

“Yeah,” Baldur nods. “I get that. But I’d rather wait until our,” he looks around, “our order is done.”

“Well, Relgar had asked us to check back at Starfall Manor, to see if we can find that Imp and dark tome,” Aros points out. (This was back during Session 15)

“Kaitlyn knows the way into the secret passage at the manor,” Baldur points out.

However, a new option would come to the party as Dean Firearm, whom Galiena, Kavium and Baldur had just helped by defeating the Queen Ankheg nested under his orchid at Dean’s Delicious Apples, approaches the party, tugging at his straw hat he quickly took off and nervously tugged at. “Listen, I know it’s not in my place to ask for help – especially so soon after you just helped me… I am not sure if you overheard me earlier, before Lord Brenmoon’s men showed up – my brother Sam, he went into the swamps to get whistle leaf, which we use to help spice up the apples… well, it normally only takes him two days – one day there, and one day back… and it’s been about five days. I am worried, because he’s never taken more than four days. I don’t suppose you would be able to go search for him?”

“We just so happen to be between jobs,” Baldur smiles.

“Swamp it is, I suppose,” Galiena shrugs and the others agree.

The party heads back to the Drunken Dragon tavern – and as they speak with Dean, they overhear another group of individuals, “Those blasted Ogres! Keep rushing the orchard and stealing the apples trees – yanking them right out of the ground and running away.”

Dean explains, as he sees Baldur listening to that table’s concern, “The plants that Sam went to get is the Whistle Leaf, if you’ve heard of it?”

“We have,” Galiena smiles.

“The whistle leaf is grinded down, and used to water the orchards, that helps create the special effect of the apples,” Dean explains.

Baldur suddenly realizing that finding Sam is urgent, if they plan to continue to have Green Haven attempt to make some alcoholic apple cider. “We will find your brother, Sam,” Baldur says firmly, placing his fist on the table.

Kavium, Baldur, Aros and Galiena begin making their way towards the Swamp of Despair. As they begin walking, Galiena explains that she’s not really able to speak vine or grass, when Baldur asks her to talk to nature.

Baldur explains that grass and vines, they’re younger – not been around as long as trees to perfect their language. As they examine the map that Dean provided, Galiena complains about how the map is not consistent – and she takes the time to correct it, drawing hills and trees here and there. While Galiena is busy with the map, with Kavium lingering over her shoulder commenting on her fine art – Aros and Baldur both hear a distinctive fluttering sound coming from above them – just above the swamp’s edge and murky tree tops.

Baldur grimaces as he looks up – knowing it’s either bats – or another creature which he despises – stirges. The creatures however, don’t seem to be interested in attacking – Baldur quickly whispers, “Hit the floor,” and dives into a bush, and begins muttering, “Stirges! Stirges! Blood suckers!”

One of the stirges spots Aros – and dives down – and pierces his neck and begins draining blood from him. In a panic, he tumbles to the ground, frantically grabbing his dagger, and shoves it into the beast – and the sounds attract several of the stirges – which all dive for Kavium who made a lot of noise trying to get down, wearing his armor. One manages to get Kavium in the neck!

Baldur is more than ready to fight the Stirges! (DM Note – this is great, because the player always comments – in character – about his strong dislike of Stirges)

Baldur strikes the one in Kavium’s neck – killing it – but as he tries to keep hitting, he manages to hit and kill one of the other stirges. The stirges are suddenly driven off by something that makes them flee. The party looks around in the murky swamp trying to determine what could possibly drive off the troublesome stirges. Aros climbs a tree and believes he sees something in the swamp – large – like a rock – slowly moving.

As Aros continued to stare at this… moving rock… he realized… this rock had a long, extended neck… and a tail… it was a creature none like he’d ever seen before. He tried to get the attention of the others, but they were too busy making sure the stirges they’d just fought were dead. As the “rock” lumbered ever closer, Aros was horrified at the visage before him… it was a foul looking beast, that brought with it, an unbearable odor. The creature’s head appears to have a goat – with long tusks – a long neck, with orange, brown, and green, mangy fur.

Aros hisses, “There’s an ugly creature approaching!” Aros observes the Stirges that are fleeing and realizes that whatever this creature is – it’s what caused the distress among the stirges.

Baldur mutters, “We need to figure out how to domesticate whatever this thing is that’s coming to us if it keeps those damn stirges away!”

Kavium snarls, “I have those damn vermin. Not the kind of sucking I enjoy.”

Galiena, Kavium and Baldur fail to see this approaching creature (failed Perception checks). Aros’ eyes go wide as the creatures long neck goes down towards the swamp – reminding Aros of when cats are ready to bounce. Aros hisses, “Let Darko out of the bag! I am going to light one of my arrows and shoot it towards the creature!” Galiena releases Darko, and without asking, lights one of his arrows.

Galiena, mortified shouts, “Aros! That’s rude! Darko, I didn’t know he was going to do that!”

“Do you see it now!” Aros shouts as a faint glow lights up. “My arrow would not stick in a rock!”

“But it would in a mud mound,” Kavium shrugs, “which would explain why it’s moving – perhaps caught in a stream…”

“It’s not a mud mound,” Aros shouts.

Suddenly the mount charges – and as it approaches, a foul odor pours over the entire party – the creature’s gaze suddenly meets Galiena’s – and while she’s shaken up – she’s able to shake off the effect. “Don’t look at the mud mound creature’s eyes!” Galiena shouts.

The creature then uses its tail to strike Kavium – and striking him so hard, that it severely dents Kavium’s armor – and robs Kavium of his air, as he collapses to the ground! (Failed Constitution save!)

Baldur runs up to the creature and tries to stab it with his spear – all the while, the young amethyst dragon, Kor’Shar‘s voice rang in Baldur’s head, “Aggressively attacking a Catoblepas is ill advised.”

“A Cato-what?” Baldur shouted as his spear missed. “And can we discuss it after? You’re making me miss.”

“I had little to do with that horrible attempt at spearing the large beast,” the dragon’s voice countered, inside Baldur’s mind. “Something that big should be impossible to miss, unless the one attempting to hit is unskilled.”

Aros shouted down to Galiena, “Who is Baldur talking to?”

Galiena shrugged, “I don’t know. Seems like everyone has voices inside their head these days.” (Galiena is teasing Aros, from when the spirit inside a needle from a haunted doll spoke inside Aros’ head in Session 19). Galiena rushes to Kavium’s side and casts Cure Wounds on him – just as the creature brings its massive tail towards Baldur and slams him for massive damage, ripping the wind from his lungs – but he’s able to release a Hellish Rebuke before collapsing to the ground.

Kavium is able to crawl over, difficulty breathing with his armor pushing into his chest, but manages to hit with his long sword and expend a Divine Smite through his blade, coursing radiant damage striking the foul beast.

The battle rages on for awhile, with Kavium and Baldur, taking some hard hits from the foul beast before Galiena closes her eyes, extends her hands and purple energy crackles from her fingertips, a cloud forming about the beast – with bolts of purple energy – striking the beast. Bolt after bolt striking – until the beast’s eyes bulge and burst from its head and the entire body collapses down onto the ground.

The horrid stench of the beast still lingers, as Kavium covers his nostrils. “What form of beast is this thing?”

“My spear called it a catyplus,” Baldur said. “Something like a platypus, I imagine.”

“Catoblepas,” the spear corrected.

“That’s what I said,” Baldur sighs loudly. Aros and Galiena exchange glances.

“Cat-o-blee-pus,” the spear says phoentically.

“Fine – cat-o-blee-pus,” Baldur enunciates.

After cleaning themselves off, the party resumes the search for Sam in the swamp… the murky, bog of the swamp seems to make every attempt to drain them of their energy as they’re forced, with all of their strength to pull their feet from the mud, with every step they take – growing increasingly more and more difficult. After a short while, Aros spots a humanoid figure moving quickly through the swamp – headed directly for them. Aros uses Darko to ignite an arrow and fire a warning shot, telling the approaching figure to slow down. The figure stops – looks over their shoulder, and resumes their quick pace, though keeping their hands in the air. “Please help me,” the humanoid shouts.

“Who are you?” Baldur shouts, gripping his spear.

“My name is Domar Runningrock,” the human calls back. “I am a friend of Sam Firearm. We came out here to get Whistling Leaf, but we got separated.” As Domar approached, it was clear he was human.

“Do you know where Sam is?” Baldur shouts.

“Yes, but we got separated in the swamp,” he pants, and points at the Catoblepas, “that thing has a mate. We were looking for the Whistling Leaf – where it normally is, but – the patch was rotted. Then we … smelt something… horrible, and then the Catoblepas charged between us and Sam and I ran in separate directions. I was running blindly and got lost in the swamp. I am not sure what happened to Sam.”

While they speak with Domar, Baldur uses his Lay On Hands to heal all the wounds he’d earned trying to go head to head with the Catoblepas. Galiena decides that she will see if she can look at the plants and what may have broken through the plants in a rapid fashion; as they move through the swamp, something becomes very obvious – there’s no sound of wild life, as if – much like the stirges, the arrival of the Catoblepas – has driven everything out of the swamp. Eventually the party comes across where it looks like Sam had been running – and then fell – and looks as if he’d been dragged away. Following the drag marks – it suddenly vanishes as if he’d been lifted.

Looking around – she discovers smaller prints near where Sam had fallen. Following the foot prints – it becomes clear that the kobolds were carrying Sam. Following the tracks further, they’re shocked to see – they’ve come across the kobold village from before! (Back during Session 6)

“It’s the kobold village,” Galiena whispers.

Kavium draws his sword, “We can dispatch the kobolds easily, if they’ve captured Sam.”

Galiena places her hand on Kavium’s hand, “No, we helped these kobolds.”

Kavium looks surprised. “You… helped Kobolds? Aren’t they typically evil?”

Galiena nods her head, “Well, we helped them overthrow a useless drug addict chief who was addicted to Dearbhán’s breath.” Dearbhán coos from beneath Galiena’s hair, wrapped comfortably around her neck like a scarf.

“So you took a useless kobold and put a more competent kobold on the… throne, or whatever it is these kobolds use for authority?” Kavium asks.

“Yes,” Galiena nods.

“I can stealth ahead and see what’s going on, see if I see Sam anywhere,” Aros offers.

“That’s probably best,” Baldur nods.

“The password is murder,” Aros says. “You hear me say or shout murder, that means we’re killing.”

Aros begins to stealth away and Kavium turns towards Galiena, “He’s a very blood thirsty individual for such a short person.”

Aros eventually comes back, “They’re speaking their kobold tongue.”

“It’s Draconic,” Baldur says. “I speak it.”

“Want to come with me?” Aros asks.

Together, they make their way back to the kobold village and spy on the hut that “King Kril” calls home. They listen – and Baldur is able to translate – that the kobolds found a human, and they need to make sure he survives – it’s critical to King Kril’s plan. Aros points up and begins climbing up the hut and looks around carefully – and manages to see a hut that Sam seems to be in – and he seems to be wounded, but being tended to.

The party eventually speaks with the kobolds, who take them to King Kril. They explain that they’re here for Sam – and King Kril says that they found him wounded and have been tending to him – but the whistling leaf in the swamp has been destroyed by two large creatures. It doesn’t take long for the party to quickly uncover that the two creatures are the two Catoblepas. The party explains that they managed to kill one of them; and King Kril asks them to kill the other and make the swamps safe – but, more importantly – allow Whistle Leaf to grow again. The kobolds make the agreement that if the party gets rid of the Catoblepas – that they will release Sam to the party – with the agreement that the party will return to Green Haven and work a deal with the kobolds – that the kobolds will bring the Whistle Leaf to Green Haven, in exchange for trades (and apples). Baldur – and more so Kavium – is rather surprised at King Kril’s innovation and goals.

The party agrees to try and get rid of the second Catoblepas.

TO BE CONTINUED.