Hunting Party Missing

   

Unrefined Quest Log

   

Lost Hunters

  You have been assembled by a local wife and mother of the town. She explains that her husband and his friends went to the western woods to go on a hunting expedition. They were only supposed to be gone a day or two and haven't returned yet.   "I am not sure what I can offer you in reward, but something must have happened to them. Please you must leave at once."   Ijuzh, one of the local areas most exotic members, was known for his baked goods and knack for fixing, and modifying, things. When he had heard that some of his community members had disappeared during their hunting expedition, Ijuzh was the first to gather his things and heed the woman's call. “We will seek them out. How long has it been since they began their hunt?”   Moradin, a traveling dwarven smith, had recently arrived, but managed to make a name for himself for his quality repairs. “...and do they have a lodge where they meet?”   Woman "Its been 3 days.. Lodge? What do you mean.. Oh, no, its just a group of them that go.."   “Some hunters will build a lodge out in the midst of hunting grounds. Were that the case, it would give us a place to start.”   The other dwarf (with the braided beard) emits a low grumble at hearing the hunters are missing. He listens intently, stroking his beard.   Woman "I'm sorry I don't have more information... please be careful and find them."   “Hum...” The massive creature says with a contemplative sigh. “And, what did they set out to hunt? Has your husband spoke of any...trophy creatures or fabled creatures?”   Woman "Oh, heavens no, they hunt for food for our families. Extra gets taken to the orphanage, they are good people. Thank you for helping. I just can't imagine life without my husband..."   “Very well. No more time to lose, then.” He looks down on the others. “Shall we?”   The team sets out to the forest pointed out by the woman from the village. As the team moves into the woods, it gets a bit thicker and deeper, but following a game trail seems like about the best plan, thinking the hunters would go that way.   Moradin takes up a middle position, just in front of the loxodon, who takes the rear. Golin travels in the middle of the group as well, roughly keeping pace with the other dwarf and allowing the fighter to go ahead.   As the team continues, a few pick up on something approaching fast Golin tells the team that something is approaching fast. Ijuzh, using his keen sense of smell informs his comrades, it feels as though its a single creature, smells humanoid. Suddenly a terrifying scream comes from whatever is approaching, it sounds like... a child's voice maybe? The team readies their weapons and spreads out a bit into some type of fighting formation, when finally emerging from the deep woods is looks like an elven boy... As he breaks into sight, he yells "Demons!!”  

The Rescuing of Elven Children

  Moradin moves forward to stand between the running boy and the forest, hammer held aloft to meet whatever comes. ”Hrmm!” Golin's eyes widen. He makes a sacred sign in the air and for a moment he is wrapped in a cloak of shimmering stars.   The young elven boy (Onver) runs right up to the party, he is obviously flustered and is looking for help. “I need help, my friend is fighting off the demons down the path. Please hurry we were picnicking when they attacked. She is trying to fend them off, but she needs help!”   “Can you lead us there, boy?" Snaps the forgepriest. "You can hold back once we're close enough to hear it.” The loxodon lumbers behind, touching stones in his sling pouch, imbuing them with magical power.   As you are talking with the young boy, 4 tree blights from either side of the path choose to use this distraction and appear as if they are ready to attack!   The party leaps into action and protects the boy, and themselves against the cursed wooded vermin. Quickly entangling 2 of them on the side of the path, the team defeats 3 of them. The fourth one made off deeper into the woods, and is unable to be seen as it blends in too perfectly into the forest.   Young Elven Boy - "We must go help my friend, she is north, lets go!"   “Lead the way, little one.” speaks the elephantine. With that, the boy starts running up the path to the north. They run up on a terrifying scene of the young elvish girl (Shalana) being carted off by twig and needle blights. Both needle blights approach the group and fire small, razor sharp needles at the team.   After rescuing the elven children they ask to be taken back to Lamaltee. However, they beg the heroes not to tell their parents about this because they weren’t supposed to have left the village.   “We can return you to the village, but we were tasked with locating a group of hunters who went missing out this way three days' past. Have you seen or heard any sign of them?” speaks the forgepriest once more.   Boy - "Sorry, no, havent seen a hunting party. Just these stupid cursed roots attacking us all the time now. Its never been like this."   Girl (seemingly either shy or still scared, stays close and huddled by the boy) "I was so scared, thank you for your help in saving me from those... things..." She is/was scared and now seemingly nervous about her parents finding out she left the village. But, best you can tell, she isn't some shapeshifting demon luring you into a trap.   “Perhaps the parents of these younglings know more about our lost hunters, hmm? Best be on our way. And younglings--” The loxodon pats the boy on his head with his trunk. “Listening to your parents is wise, hmm?”   Boy - "We were just out having fun, didnt realize the woods have become so dangerous. We wont make that mistake again!" I will assume you guys are headed to Lamaltee, your best guess is its probably 30 min walk from here.   The human, mostly quiet during their journeyings thus far, spoke up. "Well, Lamaltee gives a direction at least, perhaps we’ll pick up a clue along the way."   The team works their way as the path widens a bit. The heroes keep their eyes on the youngsters but make it to town with no other incident.  

Lamaltee

  “We're here. Now run along home, little ones.” The loxodon will then try to identify an adult that could help in providing some information.   As the team decides to release the children, they both seem very relieved at not being in trouble and run off back into the village. Its early afternoon, so the team decides to find a tavern/inn and take a load off and grab a hot meal, maybe gather some intel on their primary task of finding the hunters.   You guys have asked around about the hunting party, but nobody has any real information about it. However, you do get information that the forest has become more dangerous the past weeks, and if people are missing, its most probably they are in the forest, probably already dead. As you are finishing up your late lunch, you see the 2 kids that you saved coming in with, what you can assume, are their parents. The children slowly raise their hands and point to your table. Seems you are going to have company in about 5 seconds.   The loxodon turns to look at the kids and offers a wide smile and wave to the parents. “I'm glad to see the younglings found their parents.”   Parents "The children finally broke down to explain all the cuts and bruises and dirty clothes." (Looking at their children in the typical parent look of 'You are in trouble, but glad you are safe' fashion. "We wanted to thank each of you for the safe return of our children. These are difficult and dangerous times. Please, take these (1 healing potion each) and you each have a 100gp credit at my store (common items). We dont have any gold to spare.   However, you may get more information from Aelrindell Waterjump at Aubron Keep. Its about 3 miles from here in the SouthWest direction. The keep is in the woods and many hunting parties seem to navigate that way. They may have information about your missing friends and should have a better handle on what is happening in the forest around us. Thank you again for your help and sacrifice to ensure our children are safe."   “Well, that is very generous! Thank you, sweet elves. And thank you for the information; I'm glad we were able to stumble across your children when we did! You... don't have horses, perchance?” hummed Ijuzh.   Parents "I have 2 riding horses available, that you could use your credit to purchase."   “Excellent! I would like to take one. Do you have a saddle, cart, or saddlebags available?”   Moradin expressed similar interests. “I would be interested in the other horse and the same equipment.”   Parents "Yes of course, I have 2 saddles for sure and 4 saddle bags."   Golin nods to the parents, pausing for a moment to emphasize his gratitude. ”Antivenom? Or...” he counts on his stubby fingers while enumerating the components of an Herbalism Kit and Thieves' Tools.  

Aubron Keep

    The team decides to follow the parents suggestion and cry for help, hoping that they can find some clues to the hunting party at the keep. The path is plain enough, and aside from rustling of leaves and trees, the party doesn't encounter anything aggressive in the short journey. As the path begins to widen, they begin to see the outline of the keep. It is well maintained and the gate is currently open. There are some guards walking the top of the keep armed with bows. You see 3-5 of them, and imagine there are others you don't see. The guards take a look at the party from atop the wall and yell something down to front gate. You couldn't make out what was said, but it didn't seem like "We are under attack."   The team continues approaching the keep as a couple of the guards walk out to meet them about 20 yards short of the gate. After a short conversation, he lets you pass, and asks that you keep weapons sheathed. You are led to an elven woman named Aelrindell Waterjump. She invites you into the small housing inn located in the center of the keep. After she invites you to sit and have a warm meal, she informs the party that its getting late and they should sleep in the inn for the night. Its 2 per room, but each have their own bed. The accommodations are decent enough, even allowing for a semi-warm bath and food.   You may each take a long rest here and level up to level 2 (325 XP)!   Aelrindell "Ah, good morning, I trust you found your accommodations suitable. My guards are spread too thin, but these cursed plants must be investigated. I have issues on all fronts and no people left to check into the changes in the forest. Perhaps you and your friends here can kill 2 birds with one stone. Check out the woods, maybe some clues in the missing hunting party and the forest changes. What do you say? I will make it worth your while."   “Of course, we would love to help. Is there any additional information you can provide? The woods aren't necessarily a small place...” The loxodon hums. Golin nods and grunts in agreement.   Arelrindell "Aye, that it is... Well, I can tell you what I do know. Southwest is a kobold camp, though a pain, I doubt they have anything to do with the darkness the forest is seeing lately. North we have met up with several goblins, so there is no doubt a tribe or goblin town, again doubtful they are the cause of this. West has been infested with spiders ever since I have been here at the keep, for many years. So I think I would stay clear there. Northeast is the direction you came from elven village, so unless you saw something on your way in?? Southeast is Wildcross Harbor about 2 hours walk."   Moradin turns to the rest of the party. “Though our host would advise caution, they also claim the goblins and kobolds would have nothing to do with the hunters' disappearance. I think it best we investigate the spider infested keep first.”   The team goes through the woods, in search of the hunting party, and now also to help determine the nature of the darkness in the forest. For the past 15 mins or so, the team has heard howling in the woods and can hear rustling of forest leaves. Keeping on guard and they progress, they finally see the cause of the howling. You see 3 wolves ahead on the path, they are looking at you, about 40ft away. 2 are on the actual path and 1 kinda off the path sorta in the woods, but easy enough to see. Some sort of dead game is close by evidently, because their mouths are slightly red with blood from the animal.   The team dispatches the wolves and collects anything of value and continues on their search. They move through the woods, mostly along game trails to find information on the missing hunting party or why the woods have turned evil. As they travel, begin to hear someone... signing an old song of woe. "No body knows, the trouble I've seen, Nobody knows my sorrow, Nobody has seen my Vufu, Nobody even you...."  

The Drunken Satyr

  Moradin approaches the source of the song, not really bothering to try and keep quiet. “Hum. I hear a song. It doesn't seem to threatening... Maybe they know something of our lost hunters.” He'll then lumber along, following the rest. The group follows along the path and comes to a smaller, but nice clearing. They have found the source of the singing. It looks to be a satyr, and by the sound and looks of him, his wine skin must be close by. Almost all his lyrics are jumbled and obviously he is under the influence of wine. He seems a bit startled when he see's you break the tree line and stops singing for a moment to determine if you are friend or foe.   Cautiously Moradin approaches, holding up an empty hand. “We did not mean to disrupt your lament. Please do not stop on our account. We are but humble travelers searching for some lost woodsmen. Perchance, are you aware of any humans which passed this way from the nearby village?”   Satyr in slurring words “Welcome, come sit..” (he tries to stand but can’t really. So sits back down) “Seems I am out of spirits... don’t happen to have any on you??? Have you by chance seen my Vufu?” (Hiccup) “Regrettably, I have only water with me for our journey. We have not seen anyone since the village. What does 'Vufu' look like? We can keep an eye out?” speaks Moradin.   Satyr "She is a beautiful satyr, you will know when you see her. I am sure it has to do with this blasted blighted forest. And if I had a gold coin I would bet it starts with that cursed tree. No wine eh... ale?"   “Ahhh....” The loxodon sighs heavily. “The heart is pained, I can see. Alcohol provides brief respite from such wounds, alas, we do not carry any of that with us. Would you join us? Perhaps giving your mind direction, your heart purpose, will lift you out of the fog of hurt you feel. Perhaps you could help us find your Vufu and right the wrongs of this tree.”   Satyr "She was taken, I know she was. I am sorry, I am in no condition to travel. But if you follow that game path (points over yonder) it will lead you to the forest blight, where the darkness started and where my sweet vufu must be... Please bring her back! The cursed tree is along there as well, past the ravine."   Ijuzh “I am sorry to hear, friend. We encountered some of these blights in the healthy parts of the forest. I express fear for you should any of these find you helpless in your current state.”   Satyr (Shouting) "I dare you to come for me! C'mon, I'll break all these cursed sticks!" (and with that he passes out)  

Forest Blight

    The diseased, blighted part of the forest is very dark. Corrupted trees and undergrowth are all about. Thick vines cover much of the ground. Moradin proceeds forward, shield raised and hammer drawn. The forest is full of movement, twigs swirling like snakes, tree's seemingly phasing in and out. The party is on edge and moves at a good pace to avoid standing still. The path curves and bends and has a very slight descent. As they come around a bend, they are met with parts of the forest attacking them. Ijuzh holds out a stone with his trunk; the stone is embedded with light. Rubert draws his longsword and shield. He jams a torch between his shield and forearm to hold it securely and lights it. He then proceeds cautiously.   The forest floor comes alive with twigs and vines next to the path and attack our heroes.   The path is now littered with tiny sticks and vines as the group takes care of the wandering cursed plants. All the forest moves around them and they know at any given time they can be attacked from the darkness. (I will assume all are good here to continue, if you want to potion or cast heals or whatever, you may do so as you continue down the path) The team finally comes to a ravine. Its about 30ft deep if you had to guess. However as you scope it out, you notice some dead bodies in it. Seems to be the remains of 3 goblins and 1 hobgoblin. The forest continues to swirl and shuffle around you.   “Do not stray too close to the edge. I fear the moving of this forest has something to do with the bodies at the bottom of that ravine...” Ijuzh speaks the truth, the wounds of the corpses are very much in line with the wounds you have received from the blights in the forest. After that last encounter, Golin is extra cautious. He speaks a magic word and a cloak of stars shimmers over him for a moment, leaving the faintest sheen of celestial glitter on his clothes. Then he raises his lantern and emits a low, throaty hum as he wards the area at the top of the pathway into the ravine. As Golin sets up some safety measures the team presses forward to check the corpses more closely.   Inspection of the corpses results in: Goblin Loot. Scimitar x3, leather armor x3, shield x3 (all weapons and armor poor quality)   Hobgoblin Loot. Chainmail, shield, longsword, longbow, 20 arrows (all good quality in good repair)   Monetary Loot. The creatures have a total of 1500 cp, 750 sp, and 10 gp on them. ”Well. I hate to say it. But the items these dastardly dead creatures possess on their corpses could come in handy. Could I get anyone's help in loading up Elliot?” The large loxodon asks as he clambers off his horse and works on prepping her to haul the newfound gear.   "You think anyone will be interested in the Goblin trash? Might be more hassle than it's worth. Course the stuff on that Hobgoblin should fetch a decent price." Rubert joins in collecting the equipment and loading it in the saddle bags.   Moradin “I can make use of the goblins' weapons and shields in my religious duties. I can carry them in Dugmaren's bags, if need be.”   Ijuzh puzzles for a long moment at Rubert's question. Humming and hawing. When the forgepriest pipes up, the loxodon smiles delightedly. ”Ahhh, yes. Yes, Rubert, looks like someone will be interested! Nevermind, dwarf-friend. Elliot can handle the current load. I will walk and lead her.” The loxodon says contemplatively, signifying that he won't slow the party down.   Rubert "Well, Moradin, if you have use of them, sure." He eyes the low-grade equipment skeptically, then shrugs his shoulders and finishes helping the loxodon load up the saddlebags.   As you gather some of the gear, down the ways a bit in the ravine looks to be a huge tree, I’d doesn’t look healthy. Perhaps your drunken satyr buddy was helpful after all. The elephant leads Elliot over to the huge tree and inspects it, sniffing at it with his trunk, trying to determine a source of mold, sickness, disease, magical taint, or whatever might be causing the tree issues. He also checks the surrounding area for signs of tampering. The ravine widens and in the center of the area is a massive, diseased tree covered in rotted vines and red, bulbous blisters. Six cloaked humanoids with sickly gray skin and sunken, dark eyes stand about the clearing. They carry swords and shields, and wear chain shirts.   A significant battle ensues between the corrupted elves and the party. They must have seen the loxodon as a threat, for the rushed Ijuzh with their might; he barely managed to avoid falling to their blows and slipping away. He attempted to coat the elves in glowing light, but managed to effect only two. Moradin and Rubert held their blows at bay while Golin and Ijuzh attempted to use magic to hit them from afar. The elves were spry, though, and expertly evaded many blades, stones, and bolts of powerful magic.   Two of the elves were slain before the corrupt tree they had been guarding began to shake violently and visibly lend part of its essence to the remaining two elves. They fought with renewed vigor, and the adventurers began to fear.   Whilst his companions fought with the two expert bladesmen, Ijuzh limped over to inspect the tree and quickkly noticed strange, black roots. To be as helpful as he might be, Ijuzh took out one of his magical rocks and slammed it onto the exposed roots. The tree began to shriek, eerily human-like. After Ijuzh slammed his stone into four different roots, the other roots seemed to change from their wicked black color to its natural swatch of browns and the shrieking ceased. WIthout the strength of the tree to bolster the elf fighters, they finally fell to Moradin's hammer and Rubert's blade...  

Finding what was Sought

  After the defeat of the elves and redemption of the tree, the party quickly found an opening on the side of the ravine that had quite a bit of wear; the trail ran to the west.   ”Hum...” The loxodon drops to his rump. ”I am not feeling so well... I think I might need to take a moment before we continue on...”   But rest wasn't in the gods plans. Shortly after their discovery of the trail and talks of rest, yelling and commotion echoed up their path. Golin stroked his long, white man and grumbled. "Something foul about the tree..." He glanced towards the west and the noise. "I want to come backk and a have a closer lookk at this old friend."   Rubert offered his aid to help bandage up some of the wounds the loxodon was suffering from. Ijuzh promised he was fine and expressed his concern for the missing hunters. It seemed they were on the right track, and he didn't want his ailments to keep them from being saved, so they headed down the westward path... this led to a cavern carved into the side of the ravine walls. As the followed the source of the yelling, they found three human prisoners and a satyr (whom appeared to be Vufu, the drunken satyr's love) , trapped by big, thick roots that were akin to jailor's bars.   The cavern opened up further down the natural corridor, revealing a cauldron upon an open fire. Golin held up his lantern as they approached the captives. "Hunting part?"   "...and Miss Vufu, I presume." came Moradin, the other dwarf.   Golin continued and nodded. "Shout if you need me." before he returned to the tree in the ravine, examining it for signs of disease.   Meanwhile, Moradin took out a battleaxe. "Stand back a bit from the bars." He said to the prisoners. Once they were pressed against the far wall of their earthen cell, the dwarf began to hack at the roots. They were joyous to see rescuers; they quickly confirmed that they were indeed the missing hunting party and the drunk satyr's kidnapped Vufu.   When they were safely broken out of their imprisonment, they spoke of Avandith Stargazer, a fierce and harsh elven woman who capture and imprisoned them. They claimed the elf was calling this The Wood of Sharp Teeth.  

Avandith Stargazer the Corrupt

  As if speaking her name was a summons, Avandith appeared with several massive spiders that were under her control. She called down the powers of the moon, whose rays of silvery light burned the adventurers. Moradin, Golin, and Ijuzh fell; the prisoners, realizing that Avandith's victory would result in their reimprisonment, jumped to Rubert's aid. Avandith created a thunderous wave after her spiders fell, the impact throwing Vufu onto her back and slamming a prisoner into a tree, who then slumped the ground where blood began to pool.   By some miraculous strength of will, both Ijuzh and Moradin stood. Ijuzh rushed to the prisoner and staunched the bleeding, while Avandith's soul was struck with the toll of death, summoned by Moradin's magics. The gods accepted Moradin's judgement, and the elf's spirit was torn from her mortal frame. Golin's wounds were bound and his condition stabilized.   After a brief rest and recovery, the team ventured through the cavern complex. Its inhabitants seem to have been cleared out, the corruption eliminated with the breaking of the Gulthias Tree. In what appeared to be Avandith's quarters was a chest, containing items of various sorts that she likely snagged from previous victims. She even had a signficant stash of coin...   Golin's investigation of the Gulthias Tree and the bubbling cauldron resulted in the following discovery: the tree's corruption was spread to any living thing that drank from a drink Avandith had prepared from the sap in the blisters of the tree.   Vufu was returned to her husband and the hunting party back to the village.   Aelrindell and Nasair, once informed at Keep Aubron, compensated the party for their successful venture and curing of the woods. The small, weary group of adventurers returned to Wildcross to rest, recovery, and spend some of their newfound wealth.