Tales from the Feralwood

Game Master Kobash

Correct, without direction Myhm attacks the nearest pillar, same one as before.

Teena lets loose a bolt of lightning that rips through the tree and the Prince within. He cries out in anger and pain. "Argh! Savages!"

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Myhm chops through the trunk of one pillar - it pulls free from the ceiling and falls over to smash against the floor.

INITIATIVE
Effects active: haste, bless, fly on Myhm, fly on Xerexis
Prince Rowan, Topiary Gargoyles (deferring)
⇒UP Tenzekil, Troxell (casting call lightning), Shane (casting acute senses), Xerexis, Stroud, Teena, Myhm

Whenever Troxell gets a chance, he'll reduce the size of the pillars with Diminish Plants from the Gardener's Staff.

Troxell's spell shrinks the pillars, and the Prince finds his hiding spot suddenly a very tight fit.

Shane casts a spell that enhances Troxell's senses. +20 to perception

⇒UP Tenzekil, Xerexis, Stroud, Teena, Myhm

If Teena can get another shot off at the Prince, she follows up with yet another Lightning Bolt. "Keep up the pressure! Let's finish this now!"

Damage 8d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 3, 1, 5, 5, 1) + 8 = 32

Reflex 21 for half.

Stroud, imbued by the magic gifted him by the power of his allies and inspired by the potential demise of this vile Prince, swings his Scimitar with great skill and intent!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 37, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Threat: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 23, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 27, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 28, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Teena: I forgot that you need to roll vs SR, but his Reflex is high enough to avoid the blast this round regardless.

Teena's lightning thunders through the room again, splintering the tree-like pillar, but not enough to completely destroy the protection it provides the Prince.

Stroud, however, cuts through an opening and slashes the fey lord twice, and Xerexis cuts into him as well, both giving him wounds that bleed green blood.

Xerexis vs Prince: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Xerexis vs Prince: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Tenzekil continues to hold the door.

Myhm is up!

Seeing the prince emerge, Myhm steps over the fallen trunk and lays into the pillar.

Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 34>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 33>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35

HASTE ATTK, Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28

Myhm completely hacks apart the tree containing the Prince. Without the pillar to stride through Rowan steps away from the splintered mess.

"You." He points at Myhm and utters the arcane words of a spell, then gestures to Stroud. "Take his sword and throw it from the parapets."

Myhm - DC 20 will save vs Suggestion.

INITIATIVE
Effects active: haste, bless, fly on Myhm, fly on Xerexis
Prince Rowan, Topiary Gargoyles (deferring)
⇒UP Tenzekil, Troxell, Shane, Xerexis, Stroud, Teena, Myhm

Teena tries to snatch the very sight from the Prince's eyes, making it easier for the boys to soften him up a bit.

Blindness/Deafness (Fort DC 18)

SR check 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Stroud advances on the Prince!

"Never fear the weapon, fear the wielder!"

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 29, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 22, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 14, Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Troxell tries to hit the Prince with a lightning bolt.

SR check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Lightning Damage in case that makes the SR: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 7

DC 17 Reflex.

Shanee begins to sing a song to inspire courage in his friends.

+2att and damage and saves vs fear and charm

Myhm barely notices a slight tingling sensation as the prince looks at him in the eyes and commands. He corners the fey and hacks at him.

Will, Raging, Bless, Inspired, Auspicious Mark: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 2 + (4) = 20

He continues chopping with Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 33
Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 21>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (10) + 24 = 34
Greataxe +1, Rage, Power Attack, Powerful Build, Haste, Bless: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 22>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
>>damage: 1d12 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35

One part of Myhm wants to listen to the strange man's orders, and he almost does, but something else takes over and his conscious mind shuts down...

Meanwhile, Troxell drops a bolt of lightning upon him, though Rowan seems to resist it completley. Stround fares better, adding another bloody gash in the Prince's skin.

Shane urges his companions on with inspiring words.

Xerexis vs Rowan: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Xerexis vs Rowan: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Xerexis swings his sword, but even with Shane's moral support his strikes do not penetrate deeply.

Will vs Blindness: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Teena casts a spell, but the Prince shields his eyes and withstands the magic.

Myhm steps forward, his footstep almost shaking the ground as he seems suddenly even taller than usual. It may be a trick of the light, but there seems to be an odd grey cast to his skin. Bringing his axe down, he buries it into the Prince with a blow that splits the evil fey's head almost in half. Kicking him free, Myhm hacks his dead body twice more before stumbling back and regaining his senses.

From the doors the gargoyle's screech and mill about beyond Tenzekil, who looks on with shock that turns to joy. "You did it! You killed him!! Quick, grab his staff and look for the signs of the ritual he used to open the portal to our world!"

Combat Over, but your mission is not yet complete.

Teena waits for Troxell to take the staff as she suspected his particular brand of magic had more in common with the Prince than she did. She does scan the room for anything that might reveal his ritual.

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 11

With a satisfied nod to his compatriots, Troxell picks up the staff and examines it with Detect Magic.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Myhm drops his axe with a clang and blinks away the red few times to prevent butchering anyone else standing nearby. "Is a trick?, he asks Teena inspecting the carcass, peering around warily, "He's still here?" Huffing long powerful breaths, he finally succumbs to the fatigue.

"Don't assume it's over, Myhm. Let's see what we can find in here first. Tenzekil, do you know exactly what we are looking for and where it might be located? We might never get as good an opportunity to take our time I here again."

"I have never been beyond this chamber." Tenzekil says as he steps back just far enough to close the doors, then calls for help to barricade them. "Someone find something big and heavy to block these doors. This spell won't hold them forever!"

Meanwhile, Troxell takes up Rowan's staff and examines it. His magical senses discover a few qualities it possesses.

Along with the staff next to the remains of Prince Rowan are found a magic ring and circlet.

Up the stairs from the main chamber you find what can only be the Prince's bedchamber.

Tree-sized columns support this open chamber with translucent draperies hung between them, stirred by a soft breeze from narrow windows in the tower’s outer walls. The center of the room lies two feet below the outer walkway and contains a pile of sleeping cushions, cages filled with songbirds, several large vases of flowers, a table set with four bottles of wine, and a small jewelry box. Overhead, a ceiling of rose-colored crystal mirrors the recessed floor, allowing starlight to filter through.

"Teena, this staff is infused with arcane magic, it's better suited for your hands. From what I can tell, it's infused with shadow magic and illusion. You may be able to deduce more about than I can." Troxell explains, and attempts to hand it back to the sorceress. He then turns his attention to identifying the magic ring and circlet with the help of Detect Magic.

Spellcraft: identifying ring: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Spellcraft: identifying circlet: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Knowledge arcana 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Teena took the staff and cast Detect Magic. She unconsciously squinted her eyes as the raw power of the staff lit her enhanced vision up. "Whoa! This is powerful magic, Troxell. Well beyond my normal abilities.". She tries to figure out more about the staff.

Myhm gravitates to the caged birds, peering through the wooden tendrils like a giant at specimen, wondering for a moment that such delicate creatures can be held from freedom even by such a delicate cage. With a twist of his finger, Myhm snaps one of the cage sprigs making a hole large enough for escape then steps back.

Stroud gathers up anything he can find that seems worth something!

Teena determines that the staff has a powerful connection to the Plane of Shadow, and with the right spells, could be used to create a permanent portal to the Prime Material Plane from another coterminous plane, such as the First World. It would require a ritual and a fixed arcane circle.

Meanwhile, Myhm begins freeing some of the birds from their cages and Stroud frees the palace of its valuables, looting fine art, gems, and jewelry from the Prince's private bedroom.

Loot:
4 bottles of very old feywine worth up to 400gp each to the right buyer
3 necklaces hung with a topaz worth 500 gp each
an emerald worth 750 gp
a sapphire worth 900 gp
3 Matching rings worth 300gp each

Troxell identifies the ring as a ring of protection +2, but does not recognize the magic of the circlet.

Reminder of the knowledge spoiler above if you look around the bedroom.

"I think we should look around up there" Shanee says pointing at the disc in the ceiling while trying to figure out how to get it to come down.

know arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
use magic device: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Noticing the magical nature of the disc, Shanee points at it and firmly calls out the sylvan word for descend. The disc lowers to the floor, revealing a circular opening to rooftop above.

"Very well, let's examine the rooftop. First, one of you may want to thoroughly cut up the prince in case he regenerates."

Teena turned up her nose at that suggestion. She'd blast the heck out of him, but actually cutting him up? That was for Myhm or one of the others. She followed the group, as all of them climbed onto the strange disc.

Myhm looks the halved fey prince, then points at it looking to Troxell for the nod to quarter the rest, ”-more?”.

Troxell considers Myhm's question for a moment before walking over to the halved prince and examining the body for signs of regeneration.

Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

If the body does not appear to be regenerating, he shrugs and says to Mhym, "Well, maybe just remove the head."

Before anyone else utters a word - :: CHOP!:: Myhm then wraps the delicatessen in one of the blankets and stows it away then nods ready to move on.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Taking no chances, Myhm collects Rowan's head. Having discerned the way to the roof, the party then steps atop the magic disc and rises up the the top of the Prince's fairy palace. There you find a magic circle that Teena recognizes as the focus needed for the crook of Cildhureen to open, or close, the portal to your world. Reversing the ritual takes about a quarter of an hour, and though you spot the occasional plant-like gargoyle flying in the distance they seem unwilling to challenge those who defeated their master.

Upon completion of the closing ritual a mass of dark shadows rise from the forest in the direction from where you know the portal to be. The shadows spiral into the sky and twist through the trees, spreading out in all directions. Most vanish into the distance, but a few descend within sight of the palace, coalescing into the shape of spriggans that look about in confusion.

"I'm not sure how I know this, but we have closed the portal. We have succeeded. This staff will allow me to cast magic that should get us home. I've never used a spell like this before. It could be risky, but that is our only option, I think."

His hands, pockets and clothes stuffed with stuff, Stroud says, "Home would be good!"

"Yes, let's exit this nightmarish world, but first I believe it would be prudent to leave the Prince's head behind, so when he resurrects it won't be able to serve as some beacon back to our world."

Mhym pulls out the grisly parcel and punts it off the rooftop, "Done", he says without any emotion to the act.

At Troxell's suggestion, Myhm drops the head. Gathering around, Teena begins channeling the powers of the crook. Shadows form into a twisting doorway before you and the magic of the crook tugs Teena toward it. Stepping through you find yourself on a strange reflection of the rooftop of Rowan's Palace. Here, color seems bleached away from not only the land around, but from you and your possessions too. Sounds are muffled, and the air tastes stale. Guided by the crook, Teena leads you down through the castle. Walls shift with every step you take, and shapes rise and fall like shadow puppets in a play. Leaving the castle you enter a forest of trees. Around you the silhouette of creatures come and go, passing just beyond sight like the shadow of actors cast upon stage curtains.

Eventually you notice a flickering light ahead, dancing like a candle in a soft breeze. Approaching source of the light, you climb a hill and find another wavering doorway suspended in the air before you like a mirage. Stepping through the doorway, you suddenly find the living sounds of the Feralwood around you and a warmth upon your skin, cast by the sun breaking through clouds above.

Sitting on a rock nearby is the Fire Tender. Pulling the hood back from over his fire-red hair, a smile spreads upon his scarlet face. "You have done it! Congratulations! The mists have dispersed, and the Army of the Fellnight has gone with it. I see you have captured Tenzekil, and recovered the crook. Very good. And this is..?" He pauses upon consideration of Stroud.

"I am Stroud Zayiin of Marascar! You are?" Stroud holds out his hand in friendshp.

"He seems to be the classic 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' type, Fire Tender. We have beaten back the Prince however. I expect his reign of terror is now over."

"Oh come now did you ever have any doubt. Bards will tell stories about our epic tale... Well it will be an epic tale once SOMEONE puts some finishing touches on it."

With that Shanee begins recounting their time in the first world to the Firetender .......with some embelishments of course but very few in his own favor for a change.

preform oratory: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
bluff: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

"I really should write this one down I think"

Troxell appears to be relieved that the task is done and the group has been returned to their world, "It is mostly as Shane described it. Tenezekil was quite helpful in our task. I now assume he will submit himself to the town's justice or leave and never return. Those appear to be the only suitable alternatives."

"If he wishes to return to town I would be willing to speak on his behalf. I believe he has come a long way in a very short time and his knowledge of nature could benefit the town if they would give him a chance. Though some sort of penance is warranted."

Do we have any idea of the number of people hurt or killed by Tenzekil's attack on the wedding?

To Stroud, the red-haired man smiles and grips his hand with his own. It radiates warmth unnatural for a human. "Well met Stroud. I am called the Fire Tender."

"The people of Cairllen's Crossing would not treat Tenzekil well, despite his change of heart. He has talents, and the forest speaks to him, so I will take him on as an apprentice for the time being. I will inform the elders of the town of it."

No one was killed in the attack on the town.

As you relate your adventure in the Fellnight Realm, a lengthy task when performed by Shane, he leads you down the hill to where a few fey and unicorns lie waiting in the grass. Among them you recognize the the unicorn Palombier, the pixie Lielaera, the satyr Maligorn and his nymph consort Aripha, and Vinroot the treant.

"You have our gratitude, mortals." The unicorn Palombier says as he approaches and bows his horn low. "As a boon we offer one more ride." Reaching back with their teeth, each unicorn pulls a long silky hair from their tail, handing one to each of you. "Our magic only exists within the boundaries of the Feralwood, but at your call, one of us will seek you out to repay the debt."

Unicorn Hair: (1 use) summons a Unicorn that will take you anywhere within the Feralwood.

"I must say, I didn't think expect you to succeed." Aripha comments, eyeing you like an upstart rival, and perhaps with a little respect. Maligorn chuckles, though the sound is not quite friendly. "Let them have their victory, love. Rowan could not have arranged this invasion without help in the mortal realm. When it comes time to pay the piper, I will be happy to stand to account after them."

"Well, let's give them a fighting chance, hmm?" Lielaera chimes in as she flies around you. Swooping over to Stroud, she holds out a small pouch. "This contains magical dust that can confuse your enemies. Apply it to an arrow, or simply blow a pinch in someone's face."

Pixie Dust (5 doses): Apply to arrow or blow it directly upon someone with a ranged touch attack within 10'. Will save vs DC 20 or be confused as the spell for 8 rounds.

"I... Am... Sorry...." Vinroot says. "I... Am... Grateful... But... I... Have.... Nothing... To... Offer... You... Except... For... My... Friendship." He pauses, and you think he might be done, but then continues. "Perhaps... My... Name... Will... Earn... You... Respect... From... Others... Of... My... Kind."

"Thank you all for the gifts. That's so nice of you. Remember, though, the main thing I'm looking for is directions to _________________. Without my memories, I'm not ready to go home just yet. Could you tell me how to get there?"

Apologies. Always forget the name to that town. It begins with a D, I'm pretty sure. Dansmere, maybe?

I think you mean Marascar. I forget it myself, but the regional map linked at the top has notes and city names. :)

"I can get you there." The Fire Tender replies to Teena. "But we should discuss the crook first, in a place more suitable for private conversations."

Marascar! Yeah!

"That's fine. I'll be happy to speak with you whenever," she whispered to the Fire Tender. She didn't want to give too much away, as she still wasn't 100% sure that Maligorn and the others were actually on their side.

Next time Troxell is in a boss fight, I need to remember he has a free reroll from the first time we were in the First World.

Troxell merely shrugs as Fire Tender offers to take Tenzekil as student, clearly he still doesn't think much of the boy.

"Thank you for your gifts, forest friends. It's been an honor to meet each of you and you have our gratitude for your help." Troxell says, bowing deeply to the assembled group. "We may be calling upon our unicorn friends in the near future to speed our journey to Marascar."

He then turns to Fire Tender and Teena, "Perhaps we could have that conversation about the crook soon, if I have to visit a city I would like to get the trip over with as soon as possible."

Stroud chimes in saying, "Marascar is my home my friends! Come with me! I will show you the way!"

"Maybe you can help me with a certain deadbeat when we get there...," Stroud's mood darkens as he contemplates payback.