Session 99: The Hollow Harvest

Most of the party had seen Fiain Mossantler in his human guise heading north toward Arandari Scythe-song's farm. Coincidentally, it was the same location that Zadock Marlin, Aisling Hollowthorne, Mira of the Shallow Pool, and Sir Hearts Aflame were headed south toward.   A scream was heard coming from that direction. Fiain and Illevaere arrived first, to see a Hollow One, an animated scarecrow, risen in the corn field. Animated corn stalks arose as Husk Stalkers and haystacks were risen as Shambling Haystacks. Illevaere immediately cast dispel magic on the Hollow One, limiting some of its power. They also noticed that spores from Sprout were in the area--recalling that they had placed them onto the false Shadowstich that they had encountered during the last evening's dance. Fiain immediately opened the paths to the farm, making it easier for the other groups arriving to reach them.   As everyone arrived, they found the firbolg farmer, Arandari, being overpowered by a small horde of the Husk Stalkers working together to restrain him. Myohn, who had arrived by air, was able to free Arandari with a hypnotic pattern that affected all of the creatures restraining the firbolg, though he needed to break the hypnosis on Arandari, who then began to rush inside to arm himself to aid in the battle.   As the battle started, Black Bill ignored the animated creatures and instead immediately went for Fiain's antler, drawing ire from those who were fighting to protect the farm and farmer.   Bolvaic, Levi, Aisling, and Tertius rushed up to attack the Hollow One. But by working together as a group, some of the Husk Stalkers were able to pile on and restrain Bolvaic, but only for a few moments before he was able to free himself.   Aralmani cast flamestrike on one of the haystacks and it ignited, proving to be vulnerable to fire.   Illevaere summoned a draconic spirit to attack, having it breathe fire onto the vulnerable enemies.   Zadock and the others approaching from the north encountered several of the animated haystacks, one of which engulfed Mira into it, though she was then able to escape. Zadock used Narahm's spear, Gae Bulg, to attack the stack, calling upon his ability to smile to critically wound one of the stacks before taking it out.   Ilbryen, having heard the screams, used the scroll of recall given to them by Minet Reed and teleported to the middle of the cornfield with Mitch at their side. Ilbryen cast shield of faith upon Mitch, who was then worried that it was because he was expected to charge into battle, but Ilbryen reassured him that it was not expected and they were only looking to further protect him.   The tall rows of corn on the field made it difficult for anyone to see what was happening on the other side of it as the battle continued.