Too quiet at the Stagford Northwest Moonwell

 

Objective

Durella has informed me that the animals around the northern Moonwell have said it's been strangely quiet in the area. Given our strained relationship, we'll avoid the Moonwell itself, but we'd like to make our way out there and check out the surrounding area, and investigate if there is anything to be concerned about. There are several different areas of concern that we can investigate, and deal with any issues that have arisen: On the coast a Monument (?) was seen with a number of individuals were actively attempting some sort of ritual; to the south of the Moonwell we could scout if there are any indications that Holyhead is making or planning an attack; in the area around the Moonwell we know there are Ffolk present -- we could ask if they are having any issues, and require assistance.    

Observations

We saw a small humanoid in the woods north of the outpost dragging a large maul

Once you hit a certain point in the forest between the outpost and the moonwell it becomes unnaturally and completely quiet. The forest itself is dead quiet, and all the animals seems to have left. Fenster and the Ffolk are referring this as "The Migration", as it's become too dangerous in the forest for them, and they are moving north.

The Ffolk people are frightened of us by our reputation alone. Seems our relationship with Horsa, and other deads of the camp, have caused the ffolk to become afraid and distrustful of us.

The Ffolk in the are around the Moonwell are a little more comfortable with magic (the druid's magic), than we've seen before, BUT DO NOT CAST around them.

The Ffolk has seen countless miracles by Fenster:

- Crops growing overnight   - Turning parishioners into bears to fight the invaders   - Fenster becoming "pure fire"  

The Master (Archdruid) wishes to now be called by his real name "Fenster"

The Moonwell are attacked daily by Holyhead, and Fenster is able to repel them. He is incredibly powerful, when he is within the grove

Put us, and the king's words, to the test by having us attempt to deal with the Holyhead attack that was coming within the hour

- 100s of Sahaguin troops destroyed before we even started fighting by the power Fenster's been granted   - A gigantean turtle like creature, a storm mage, and 6 Sahaguin troops   - We barely survived... Ayula died and was revived... HALe and Aceso were close to death   - Fenster stepped in to assist and turned 4 people into elephants to assist  

Doesn't know how to stop the lightning surrounding the Willow (light-tree) east of the Fort

    According to Fenster:   - support the kingdom that has been here for a millennium   - the king's blood holds power... even if he doesn't realize it   - if you wish to truly help... help the people regain their faith ( in the craft - druid/divine magic and the deities) ...   - sway the minds of the people   - he's not the only one who's been slighted by members of your camp... and think poorly of you all for it   - while the Moonwell is a beacon of hope, if too many refugees go to the moonwell, he will not have the power to protect them.   - implied we not bring/tell people to go there on mass.  

Follow up

Find ways to help the Ffolk and the capital to regain it's strength and power.

- Find ways to gain the trust of the Ffolk and rebuild the reputation of the camp.   - Find ways to help the Ffolk regain their faith in the gods, and the druid divine magic.  

Preparation Details

Latest Holyhead and area Information:      

Big Mike claims that area is more hostile since last group came by

Algae & stuff on the trees

    Before Crossroads  

undead elf-like creatures in the areas approach Holyhead

    Aithelar and Holyhead crossroads:  

A large creature, 20 feet tale with a dorsal fin

    Holyhead:  

heavy fog emerged suddenly as we went towards Holyhead

Shell creatures emerge from rocks near the docks of Holyhead

Ships are coming into the docks – small, launches

30-40 bodies floating in the bay; probably moon elves

   

According to Prior:

- "Aithelar was perverting the Wavemother by not bringing back the dead"       Aithelar:   "After Voice from the attack forces in ocean warned"   - Requesting the city to surrender to Holyhead. “Or Bring them (us) to bear for what they have done to us.”   - not sure who "us" is           Durella:  

creatures are moving further and further north

        Ayula's Report:   We continued down the coast, finding little in the forest. On our way down the coastline, we happened upon two Holyhead guards, drow, who seemed to be going somewhere. We found where they were going at the far north by the ocean. They were attempting some sort of ritual with several other Holyhead guards. There was chanting and a large stone structure and a boat.       It was getting late and a storm was rolling in, so we headed back           Plan:   ---------------  

From the outpost take the north-east path we took with the Ambassador toward the Moonwell

Once we start getting to the area where it starts converting from forest to fields of the moonwell residents

We'll cut west on any trail we find, and head west until we get to the coast

- look for any indication of anything out of the ordinary in the area... that might indicate Holyhead is making a move  

Investigate the coast, and investigate the monument/ritual place that Ayula saw on a previous mission

- can we figure out why the coast is acting odd for Aithelar? Or what they are trying to do?  

push further south; see at what point we find the influence of Holyhead

   

Our group would likely not be all that pleasant for the Ffolk people, so we'll need to be careful.

Operation Details

---------------  

Aceso has a bandage on his hand... due to Papavi

               

warn everyone... given our group... the Ffolk might be quite cautious to say the least.

So, let's make sure that we prove that we are there to help, and don't do anything to sore relations further.      

not planning to go the Moonwell, but we want to check the area between the Moonwell and Holyhead, and the coast.

Ayula's groups saw a ritual there in the past... so I'd like to see if we can learn anything. It's a stretch but maybe it's related to the problems that Aithelar is having with their ships?

        As we kept watch:   - soldiers to Caer Capital   - made their sweep, and have since passed   - a little more dangerous than the last day or two       Aceso noticed:   - faint scent in the air; chemical in the air   - goes as quick as it came       Tel:   - actually; the capital is not as cooperative as hoped   - struggle with messages and means   - asked we deliver a letter for the Arch Druid       - keep in mind that this is tenuous situation   - we NEED their help       Teleport Bands for Outpost:   - Cpt Tel gets the bands      

Eyes drawn to the south

- screech of the monkey   - Rudy pushes monkey to me   - gives Aceso a dagger   - Rudy: must assert dominance – exposes the monkey neck   - Aceso refuses to hurt him.   - Rudy pulls him away   - As they left… Rudy throws a knife and misses           Tel brings us the teleport bands       Tel gives us a fancy Scroll Case   Fine leather:  

House Kendrick colors and symbol; beside it is the lord's alliance symbol

a bit heavy for a scroll case (11 pounds)

    Deliver this scroll as is to either the master or his assistants.       We teleport to the outpost…       Aceso's in this pitch-black darkness   - teleported into the roof of the cave... blasted out       Big Mike and Carl   - something has been stalking around outside... kind of big... can't get in the door   - kind of looks like Tavvok           Creature  

laying close to the ground

long body and tail

long toothy mouth

red back with spikes

        Cries out, and rushes toward us.  

Tavvok charges toward it.

Tavvok hits it hard several times

HALe finishes it off

        See just through trees a small humanoid creature in the woods... dragging a large maul  

we keep moving

        It's not the forest is quiet, but all the sound of the forest is from the north closer to the Moonwell   - almost hit a hard line where all the sounds come from the north.   - all the animals have moved north towards the Moonwell   - forest is unnaturally quiet in this area           Ayula casts mage hand in the area of the Ffolk on a sheep... it freaks out and runs  

draws attention of all the Ffolk in the area

    Says "nice to meet new practitioners"  

realization on his face as he looks us over

fear... takes a few steps back; hand on the stone fence he had jumped over to come to us

    Xion convinces them we aren't dangerous       Jeremy   - offers to lead us to the Moonwell   - say's we are learned fellows   - Aceso says he has the skills of a doctor   - Xion is a teller of tales       - "the migration"   - the area to the south has become dangerous to the wildlife   - Master says it's safe; and he's ready   - he's seen things... true miracles since being here   - crops grew overnight   - Master - turned 4 parishioners into bears that waged   - Master - turned to pure fire       - wasn't religious before   - found happiness for the first time in this area       Jeremy opens the door to the Monastery for us   - procession is in progress   - we make our way in   - A few people sit, and a few stand at the back           SERMON   this is why we thank the supreme ranger, our lady, as this darkness comes. All thee together, through use of many gifts the circle has bestowed on us, will hold strong.       He who resides in the grove, guides us as we move through the forest   the quiet one stirs…       soon our home will be as it was   or what it was meant to be       go forth enjoy your day, and prepare for what will happen   - we will not lose no person, animal, crop       Hope in their eyes, we've not seen from the Ffolk or area so far...       hum of chatter comes over the room as people talk and leave       The Master hits the staff against the ground twice, and people leave.              

The master raises both hands, and the light grows through the stain glass in front of him

old man is aware of us, but not turning around

        Xion says he wants to play a song for Chauntea   - Sora threw a pebble at the old man   - "YOU SAID IF A BARD CAME, WE COULD HAVE A SONG"       - old man begrudgingly agrees   - both the old man and women struggle to not nod along as Xion plays       - warm breeze flows through the temple as he finishes       The Master   - Aceso brings him scroll   - he breaks the seal, and he begins reading   - a heavy thud of a satchel hits the ground   - letter from the king directly addressed to Fencer   - a lot of information about the ambassador is a decent man       - House Kendrick is wanting to make a deal with this Moonwell to face against the darkness       After a brief conversation about the Ambassador and his goat… and confusing Aceso with him for a second, he said:   - get the Dwarf a goat       Aceso   - asks about Holyhead... sound like there is an attack pending   - offered to help if need be   - Master: would you just be in my way?   - we could be a distraction or do something that you don't have the attention or time for...           - always something, but if we can bring Kendrick back to what it is... would bring Fenster joy   - that family is above the rest... but even those destined for greatness may not achieve it       Tavvok   - said a motto of the Emerald Enclave   - served with Uweya Starbright   - showed something from his time there       Ayula:   - here as a healer to help those who       Xion:   - sword is from Chauntea       The Master:   - if done right there should be no need for healing           When you expect this attack:   - a mere inconvenience   - should be here in an hour or so time   - not the first time   - not the last time   - this place has given gifts... can use as long as he’s in the grove       Let’s put the kings’ words to the test:   - perhaps deal with my early afternoon chores for me.   - sit and have some lunch.   - aware of when they approach   - I'll ensure the garden deals with the bottom feeders       Talking about the beauty of the grove:   The fey came... then the foreigners...   - it looked much like the rest of this world before.       Sora brought a goat to Aceso  

seemed like they expected a "show"

but it took to Aceso immediately

Sora and the Master seemed surprised

name is Shithead... but we'll see if that sticks. But he definitely recognizes the name shithead.

    Master and Sora:  

As soon as the Master enters. the grows grow and blooms...

Told to eat as we do

rich taste; euphoric feeling -- nothing like we ever tasted before

- wisdom save advantage (24 hours)   - immune to poison and being frightened   - temp hit points       Hour passes peacefully   - call me "Fenster"; prevented one of my people from returning (his child)…   - The Master... was a jest... felt slighted...           Fenster:   - knows of the Willow you speak       - mortals without the "one" would die if they went there...   - even if you were to stop the lightning, Tempest started long ago       - hear the sound of a faint waterfall   - no one hears it... but me   - there are other ways to go there besides the Willow...   - doesn't know how to dispel the "Will of a God"       - song of the storm tree   - have you ever heard it   - Sora teaching it to Xion           Faint rumble in the ground  

bell rung out

"Its Time..."

Fenster touches the ground... channels quite the spell...

        We charge south...  

see a gigantean turtle like creature coming through the forest

a wall of sahuagin corpses

a storm raging

6 surviving sahuagin

rider on the turtle

    100s of sahuagin soldiers dead… he killed the first wave       Fenster is opaque      

turtle hits HARD

Tavvok jumps on the turtle

kills rider

seems to settle the storm

   

Aceso and HALe go down after the turtle does a BLAST

Ayula died

Fenster join the battle

- is disappointed in us...   - turned 3 parishioners and Xion into elephants  

elephants charge it

Tavvok kills it

   

HALe revives Ayula

- she is panicked and freaking out       Aceso asks if this kind of attack is a daily occurrence?   - not of this scale... but attacks happen on a daily basis   - but attacks of this scale have happened in the past       I have considered sealing this place away in the past   - but it's become a bastion of hope in this war   - to seal it from these creatures.... could also hide that hope.       Aceso ask Fenster:   - did the letter mention what is happening in the future?   - what was said in the letter must stay between the sender and receiver...   - your lot faired a lot better than I expected... I expected I would need to step in earlier.       Best thing you can do:   - support the kingdom that has been here for a millennium   - the king's blood holds power... even if he doesn't realize it   - if the people could gain faith again... it would help...   - when those who cast spells come up against those who cannot... it's not pretty           Fenster:   Come back to the Monastery... so he can cleanse the corruption  

used powerful magic over and over to burn any corruption left behind away

        Please excuse me, things I must do now... missives of the lord's alliance... potential future allies...  

sway the minds of the people

that's how you can help

I'm not the only one who's been slighted by members of your camp... and think poorly of you all.

    If too many people go to the Moonwell... he will not have the power to protect them.       Aceso mentioned about trying to help the Capital, and people within it  

Fenster was mentioning something about avoiding helping certain people. Not sure if this was relation to Horsa, or parties within the capital?

    Fenster taps the staff... roots erupt, and the tree part to reveal a portal  

stepping through the portal; we end up at the memorial tree with the carved names