You have no idea what magic could cause this condition.
Are we in combat with this troll, can it see us?
"what we do?" He looks to Bulgard.
You are moving towards the troll at 10 ft per round. It is looking at you and raises its arms in the air in a menacing fashion.
"Why is it holding its hands up?" Rhen shouts about the troll
Bulgard scans the troll for wounds.
We seem to be floating aimlessly. Let’s think about this. Why are we out here? We are looking for a man and a halfling that are related to the disappearance of another man and the glowing lights that are enticing children into the woods at night. I say we pull over and rest for the night, maybe we will get a chance to witness the nocturnal lights ourselves?
Grokar pushes the pole deep into the river and pushes them to the edge of the river.
I say follow the fey's trail. If it is their bewitching that has destroyed my mind, perhaps they can fix it. Stay here if you must ferrymen.
Zevon steps off the raft and begins following the glowing trail.
Is this the same troll we saw before?
This troll is not bloody.
As Grokar beaches the raft, we end initiative.
As Rhen's hearing turns from a Loud ringing to a dull hum, he rubs at his temples in exhaustion. "Was I shoutin'? I couldn't hear a thing.
"Let's go kill that troll" Grokar suggests hefting Becky on his shoulder.
Zevon looks back to the ferrymen.
I have not desire to engage a creature. If what you say is true about our past, you must understand my desire to make contact with the creatures that have bewitched me. Try as I might during the float down river, I was unable to recall a single detail of my life beyond my name. If this 'emissary' has answers, I want them.
He nods to the group and continues deeper into the woods, following the glowing path one more.
Zevon disappears into the woods.
Bulgard follows along with Zevon, looking for a trail or tracks to follow.
Rhen sighs and moves along with the rest.
Reluctantly Grokar follows the group but continues to glance back in the direction of the troll making sure that it doesn't sneak up on them. He cares little that trolls are not known to be sneaky.
You follow the trail of dust for several hours and at the edge of a clearing it disappears into the canopy. What little light makes it through the canopy is dimming. Nightfall will be coming soon. A large pond occupies the center of this clearing. Lilly pads ten feet in diameter drift on the quiet water, and ferns and other flowing plants rustle in the breeze. Puffs of dandelion seeds and other pollens permeate the air. Large filaments of silken thread are attached to some of the lilly pads, forming a rough bridge that leads to a small island in the center of the pond. Rising from the summit of a small hill in the center of the lake grows a massive plant, its leaves arching more than fifty feet above the pool. A single stalk grows from the center of the enormous plant, rising over a hundred feet into the sky to unfurl a huge white flower. A faint red light softly emanates from the center of the plant, revealing hundreds of tiny fey that flutter around it. In the pond with his head propped up on the shore is a large man. He is snoring loudly. Zevon, Bulgard and Rhen recognize him as Milon Rodham.
Zevon stares in awe at the sight before him. He tries to get a grasp of what he is looking at.
Rhen draws out his sword, "More big plants, think we found the centre o' all this fey issues?"
You met Milon for the first time in Hollow's Last Hope. He was the woodsman that gave you the map of the forest that would get you to the crucible. In Crown of the Kobold King, he tracked you to the crucible for Lady Cirthana and immediately went back to town. In this campaign the sheriff mentioned that he had gone missing.
Nightfall is coming soon. I for One can’t see in the dark. I say we hole up for the night and go in there tomorrow.
Were we not invited? I say we see about this Emissary. The area seems safe enough, see how a man takes rest and refreshment here even now!
Bulgard sneaks ahead to scout the way.
As Bulgard makes his way across the makeshift bridge small swarms of sprites prance about the lily pads, casting pale multicolored light. They do not attack, but a few get close to him, where they shout obscenities and display rude gestures
It takes a DC 8 acrobatics check to traverse the bridge without falling into the water.
acrobatics check, please, Bulgard.
About half way to the island, you can make out a white oval stone about as tall as Rhen and a satyr standing next to it. He appears to be drinking from a large leaf.
Milon's snoring is interrupted by a loud snort. As he awakes, he is startled. He quickly stands and looks in all directions. When he sees you, he reaches for his greataxe but then recognizes everyone but Grokar. He gets a confused look. "What in this world are you fellers doing this far into fey country? Did the invisible creatures with arrows of sleep bring you here as well?"
Grokar looks at the man quizzically and stows his bec but fingers the ax at his hip. He turns to Rhen and asks "Friend?"
I haven't the foggiest.
Zevon makes his way over the bridge.
About half way to the island, you can make out a white oval stone about as tall as Rhen and a satyr standing next to it. He appears to be drinking from a large leaf.
Bulgard crosses to thour island and approaches Milon.
We were sent here to find you, and to find out what has been enticing children into the forest. We’ve been set upon by invisible archers and barely escaped their trickery. What in the nine hells is going on?
"Well, those would be normal fey activities. I was attending a wild party in the forest. Wild....is an understatement. I woke up the next morning and everyone was gone. When I found my clo... Well, my wedding band went missing. I looked everywhere. Couldn't find it. My wife is gonna kill me for not coming home, but she will kill me again if I lost that ring. I tracked that satyr they call Banba hoping he picked it up. He seemed to be running the show that night. Then those sleep arrows came from nowhere. I woke up here. I gotta find that ring."
Zevon walks towards the satyr.
Ho there! May I assume you are the emissary of who these creatures speak? I am Zevon Vierding, but beyond that I know little. I have been told it is due to some fey magiks. Is this true? Why would I be cursed so?
As you arrive at the island, a tangle of intertwined vines creates a firm, nearly smooth surface surrounding the base of the stalk in the center of the plant. Standing next to the stalk is a large, oval stone, as tall as a dwarf, covered with vines and moss. The light from above casts a pale red glow on the entire area. Standing on the platform is a grinning satyr. He smells of goats and offal and sips honey wine from a large leaf. One of his horns has been carved with mirthful decorations while the other has been broken off completely. Lurking in the shadow cast from the stone is a slim, gray-skinned humanoid, his face covered with a number of tattoos and piercings. He is dressed in severe robes made of stiff, angular material.
"Zevon Vierding, I am Banba the emissary of the Gossamer Court. This is my fellow emissary, the shadar-kai Ivicerus. No memory, you would have encountered pixies while trespassing in their territory. A battle wages here. They merely protect us from those who would murder us. Your condition is easily remedied and as I have questions for you, I must do so." The satyr casts a spell and your memory is restored. "There, that should do it. Why do you trespass these parts? This is known fey territory and we do have an agreement. You have crossed a known boundary. Your kind is waging war against us as we speak. When you answer, may I suggest honesty?"
Grokar follows them over the log.
The man seems friendly enough but Grokar is still weary of these strange fey.
Are you on the island with Zevon, Grokar? The others are on the shore at this time.
DC 8 to cross the makeshift web bridge without falling in. It is only 2 ft deep.
Zevon blinks a few times and rubs his temples as his mind is restored.
Well that was unpleasant.
He takes a moment to compose himself before speaking. He is speaking to a member of a fey court and wants to ensure he follows protocol.
Rhen follows the other across, keeping his blade and dagger at the ready if needs be.
As you arrive at the island, a tangle of intertwined vines creates a firm, nearly smooth surface surrounding the base of the stalk in the center of the plant. Standing next to the stalk is a large, oval stone, as tall as a dwarf, covered with vines and moss. The light from above casts a pale red glow on the entire area. Standing on the platform is a grinning satyr. He smells of goats and offal and sips honey wine from a large leaf. One of his horns has been carved with mirthful decorations while the other has been broken off completely. Lurking in the shadow cast from the stone is a slim, gray-skinned humanoid, his face covered with a number of tattoos and piercings. He is dressed in severe robes made of stiff, angular material.
You assume respect and cordiality would be appropriate for an emissary, especially because you are breaking an existing agreement by crossing the river.
Milon attempts to cross the bridge and join you.
"Banba! I have been tracking you all day. My wedding ring went missing at the bacchanal. Did you happen to pick it up?"
Banba appears surprised at Milon's question. He rummages through his bags, and eventually finds it stuck to some rotten grapes. He wipes it off and freely offers it to Milon.
"Is this it? My apologies. I have no idea how it got there."
"That's it! Thank you, Banba. I must be on my way. My wife is surely concerned about me after all this time."
Milan carefully crosses the bridge and heads to his house.
Safe travels Milon. Now Banba, let me first offer our sincerest apologies for trespassing, our party was not aware of any standing agreement or treaty. We were in search of missing villagers, one being Master Rodham there. In our search we were set upon by fierce splinterwaifs. Fearing for the safety of those we sought, we were left with little option but to press on. Let me assure you that I am unaware of any war. Further, I would offer our assistance if that would protect the citizens of Falcon's Hollow.
"The river has been our border for quite some time. It surprises me you are unaware of that. Regarding the war, an evil ranger named Wingclipper has been hunting fey to the north and has killed a startling number over the last few months. Wingclipper’s presence is the reason why the fey have been moving steadily south. If the fey were rid of the evil ranger, they could safely return to the northern forest, leaving the village of Falcon's Hollow. If you can be of assistance in this matter, I am certain the court would certainly be gracious."
"Point us towards this evil ranger and we will be takin' care o' him and ye can take yer people back north."
Banba nods to Ivicerus who hands over 4 potions of cure moderate wounds. Banba offers an illusory map, which details the northern forest as well as the swamps around Wingclipper’s lair. "Reaching the lair without the map is difficult, as there are no trails, and you will not have safe passage from even the neutral and good-aligned fey. Ivicerus has been making deals with the evil fey that inhabit the northern areas, hoping that Wingclipper might be killed by creatures more malicious than himself. They patrol the northern lands, and are very dangerous. Good luck and thank you for your help. It is almost dark. If you wish to camp here, you should be safe for the night. Ivicerus and I have matters we must attend to."
Bulgard (on the island) lays out his bedroll, eats his meal and lays down for a night of much needed rest. He bids his fix to keep guard all night.
Rhen paces around for a bit before bedding down as well.
Zevon hands the map to Bulgard. He attempts to make small talk with any of the fey around to find out any additional information.
Barring anything major he will also take rest.