Session 27 - PT: The Grove Report

1 OCT 2021   20 SEP 3024 Ǎ12 36288 Ê1   [Travel time modified to accurately reflect RAW travel]   The session starts at 1:30Pm on the fifth day of travel, after completing their short rest. They have already traveled 15 miles that day before the spider encounter, and have 3 hours/9 miles to go for traveling. After an uneventful 3 hours of travel, they make camp at 4:30pm.   They do some downtime activities. Dunkel makes spider leg soup. Atlia practices her shortbow. Kyo practices with his sword. Vaela works on stitching her leather journal.   After setting watch, they retire at 8pm.   21 SEP 3024 Ǎ12 36288 Ê1   They arise at 6am on the sixth day, after an uneventful night. After the morning routine and breakfast they are on the road by 7:30am. After about 3 hours of uneventful travel, the party comes upon an ox drawn wagon.   Inside are Harthacnut, his wife Gertrude, their son Leif, and a rambunctious gnome named Snorri Sturleson. Harthacnut is a middle-aged chief of a fishing village called Guelder, which is the same village the party is traveling to. Snorri is the villages druid, and tells the party that they are seeking help. He believes giant spiders are responsible for villagers disappearing and seeks the party’s aid.   Dunkel casts Detect Good/Evil and finds that there are 7 people on the cart, but after only being introduced to 4, challenges Snorri on where the rest of their party is. He is offended and demands that Dunkel holds his tongue. After failing to do so, Dunkel saves against the Polymorph spell. Further pushing the issue leads him to make another Polymorph save.   The party agrees to help Snorri and the village. After this three fairies, who had hitched a ride on the cart pop up and ask for the parties help too. (Although not asked or given, their names are Donella, Nerida, and Rosina. They will give the names at the next meeting) They confirm the danger the spider poses, and can take them to a grove, where they have made their nest. The village and the fairies will help the party any way they can in getting north after the completion of the quest.   The fairies lead the party on a trail just off the road. About 15-20 minutes upon this trail, they come to the grove. Dunkel recognizes the grove from his vision. Kyo sends McSchmiddy back to the road with the horses for protection. Meanwhile the ox cart travels back down the road they came to setup came and prepare for the party to arrive after dealing with the threat.   When the party enters the grove they are attacked by 16 attercops, 4 hunter spiders, and a very large spider. They have a great battle, but in the end succeed in killing the huge spider and the remaining spiders flee.   They discover some corrupted trees at the far edge of the grove. They are covered in webs, and mark the entrance to a cave. The time is 10:45am, they have traveled 9 miles, and have 65 miles/2 1/2 days to go to the village. This is the stopping point for this session.   Atlia gains 10 Piety points with Polemas. She is considered a Votary (taken vows of dedication to religious service - monk or nun) and gains the following:   Polemas’ Devotee Piety 3+ Polemas trait As a devotee of Polemas, you have earned his favor through victories won in his name. You can cast compelled duel with this trait a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.   Polemas’ Votary Piety 10+ Polemas trait You can cast crusader’s mantle with this trait. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.   Dunkel gains 10 Piety points with Kalkeus. He is considered a Votary (taken vows of dedication to religious service - monk or nun) and gains the following:   Kalkeus’ Devotee Piety 3+ Kalkeus trait As a devotee of Kalkeus, you have drawn the notice of the god of crafts with your skill. You can cast shield of faith with this trait, requiring no material components, a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. In addition, you know the mending cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.   Kalkeus’ Votary Piety 10+ Kalkeus trait You can cast heat metal with this trait, requiring no material components. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone.     Rewards: 1000XP for the session 500XP for RP 1850XP for defeating the spiders at the grove 500XP for helping the innocent