The Society has been preparing for an expedition for at least the past month. You might have heard about it early and asked to help, been specifically invited for your talents or skills, or might have been in the right lodge at the right time to get swept into it, but no matter why, you’ve found yourselves in the middle of the Mwangi expanse readying to trek to the Door of Seasons, a portal that rumor says is the very reason the Pact of the Open Road and thus the Pathfinder Society itself exists. Other chatter has been mentioning that a certain powerful evil fey, the Thorned Monarch Qxal, has been trying to keep the Society from accessing this portal.
Part of a delayed ship of pathfinders, you wade through the last few feet of water to a Pathfinders hurrying around a makeshift camp, packing and unpacking supplies, making repairs, and scribing scrolls. The atmosphere is excited but tinged with some trepidation. Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal from Nirmatha, who you’ve been told is the lead for this expedition, moves about ensuring everyone has an assignment and is working on it. A religious symbol of Alseta—goddess of doorways, portals, thresholds, and transitions—hangs from her neck, showing two faces in profile.
She spots your group of six, recognizing that you’ve just got here yourselves. “Ah, there you are. We were expecting you a day or so ago. Well, nevermind. There’s a rest spot over there, with some trail rations and fresh drinking water. After you’re ready, we could use all the help we can get.” She pauses for a moment before starting to point out some likely familiar faces. “Over there Venture-Captain Bjersig is working on getting maps together. Then there’s Valias Durant researching about the Expanse and what we are likely to run into. Urwal is trying to ensure we have enough supplies and inventory, while Venture-Captain, Khoumrock is trying to finish up last minute repairs. Fola Braun is working on making sure our magical supplies are in order. Finally Venture-Captain Benarry is trying to make sure spirits are high near the rest area. I’m sure any one of them would appreciate the help.”
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A handsome and brash halfling fellow comes rushing up, huffing and puffing. "Sorry to be late - I had some, uh, difficulties back in Absalom that needed... resolving." He glances over his shoulder as he says this, then hurriedly slings his lute on his back, checks his purse to see if it's still empty - it is - and grins at the others. "Oskar I am, and it won't be long before all Golarion is humming one of my ditties. Just gotta write it first. Hope this adventure provides some inspiration, otherwise what's it good for? Less'n ye got rent t' pay, which I does, in which case I'll take inspiration, or at least a nice pay day, mehopes. I don't suppose there's any possibility of getting paid in advance...?" he trails off not very hopefully.
Hearing Captain Tolal's explanation of the task at hand he shivers. Aye, I ain't too eager t' reckon with that Thorned Monarch again, I'll tell ye that much. But then, I s'pose me opera about 'im ain't done yet, 'n if a fella gotta write a third act, then a fella gotta write a third act!" He sighs and mutters to no one in particular, "the troubles we artists know, nobody knows..."
He brightens considerably when he hears that Captain Benarry is looking for entertainers and he heads right off in that direction to work on some new jokes for his stand-up routine that he developed on the ship ride over.
He clearly needs to keep practicing - stand-up is a demanding discipline - so he slinks off, a bit embarrassed, and goes to see how he can help Fola Braun.
... but if anything he is even more useless there, nearly spilling the healing elixirs everywhere. He hurries away with some murmured apologies.
Perhaps Captain Blackthane needs some help - the Mwangi does have a way of wearing down equipment!
That's more like it! The small halfling soon demonstrates that the brawn of so many pathfinders is quite overrated and that a nimble and artistic fellow such as himself can make quick work of needed repairs, if only the food supplies are sufficient!
After sometime he wanders off to see what this lizard Urwal is up to...
But inventory is far from the work of an artist and Oskar quickly calls upon his expert hireling to do his share of the work so that he can take a well deserved nap artistic interlude.
With his 'artistic interlude' completed, Oskar checks in on the mapping work of Captain Bjersig and his pup Mahki. Or is it the other way around? Oskar always struggles to keep such details straight.
He straightens out a few errors on their maps and then hurries off to see what Valais Durant is up to. When he discovers that she is working on research he yawns and directs his hireling to be useful once again while he heads to the kitchen to see what sorts of material compensation may be available for all this hard work.
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Teja tags along with Oskar. The scholar does what she can as she works her way around the camp, making sure that when she is near the rations she tops up her own pack first!
While Oskar works on his jokes, she quietly does her best to assure some of the local helpers that there are no known criminals within the ranks of the pathfinder society. Nope, upstanding citizens all of us. Many are even crusaders!
With the worried locals hopefully reassured she follows Oskar to the Envoy's alliance leader. "I've noticed odd currents in the ether in the area." she says. "I hope they won't cause problems. Have you noticed them? What might cause such a fluctuation do you think? I'm sure I could write a paper on this.."
Then, as Oskar takes off she catches up to him. "I'm getting exhausted just trying to stay up with you! I'd heard halflings are helpful, and I can see that for myself now."
Taking up some damaged clothing, the scholar then unpacks her own needle and thread before sitting down to stitch as the halfling gets busy moving crates around.
She is halfway through a second shirt when Oskar finishes his task, and she tags along with him to see Urwal. "Why did you join the society?" she asks.
Speaking of the society, she provides some assistance to Urwal in sorting out the difference between a Tandor baronets and an Andoran Eagle knight in terms of precedence. "Sometimes you have to go back a few generations to sort these out. My father wrote on book on the subject I believe.."
However Oskar's 'artistic interlude' seems to send slumbering thoughts through the young scholar, and she muddles up the explanation a little. After Oskar recovers his energy she joins him in the mapping tent. After a look at the maps, she peers outside, squinting though the hot haze, and then goes back inside.
"I think this map is round the wrong way. That mountain over there can be clearly seen to the east."
Lastly she tags along as the ever-helpful halfling goes to join the research team. "Finally something I am good at." she sighs as the calm presence of Valais Durant fills her vision.
"Let me know how I can help... Oh, history of the local peoples? Well, where to start..."
As Oskar gets closer to the small impromptu stage that Horizon Hunters faction leader Calisro Benarry has set up she him and anyone following him over. “Some of the newer Pathfinders seem a little nervous about this mission. Can you cheer them up a bit? This is exciting, after all!”
She gives the halfling's routine a hearty laugh, some of the neophyte pathfinders joining in as well. Though Teja combing through the crowds with some soothing words here and there seems to put nerves at ease more and get more of the group laughing at the comedy on stage. Benarry gives the two a rough handshake, commenting, "That one about sliding around on deck was pure gold. Also Teja, I don't know what honey you poured into everyone's ears but you certainly put them at ease!"
Envoy’s Alliance faction leader Fola Barun is directing a group of Pathfinders who are carefully blending magic and ingredients inside glass vials. She spots Oskar and Teja. “Come help us ensure that everyone is well supplied for this journey.” She sets Oskar to making up a few potions of healing while asking Teja if she's seen anything that might be hampering their activities with making potions as they don't seem to be progressing correctly. She gives a snap of her fingers at the mention of ether fluctuations. "Dangit I should have known. Hold on we have some ether dampeners around here somewhere..." Sadly Oskar's attempts run foul of the ether fluctuations and fail, dramatically.
Barun and her team make an abundance of materials. Everyone receives a lesser healing potion.
Standing near a set of makeshift forges, Venture-Captain Khoumrock Blackthane ensures that groups of smiths and carpenters accompanying the Pathfinders have everything they need. “A lot of this gear got damaged on the voyage over. We need to make sure that everything is in tip-top shape. If you have any skill with repairing things let me know. If not you're on carrying duty!”
He hands Teja a stack of sails that need to be repurposed into sacks for carrying, and points Oskar at a huge stack of crates that need to be sorted for damaged supplies and okay ones.
Whatever Oskar did make when helping Fola certainly seems to ahve boosted his ability to move and sort large crates of goods. Blackthane gives the halfling an incredulous look when Oskar reports back he's done. "I've never seen someone as lithe as you move so much so quickly. Good job though, seems like less of the metal gear was damaged than we thought!" He digs into one of the crates and pulls out some ammo and weapons.
Verdant Wheel faction leader Urwal lays on the ground, making marks on a scroll that stretches over 10 feet long. “This is our supplies list. Everything from rations to ammunition to the mounts needed to transport it all with us. We need to ensure that we know where everything is. I’m not letting anyone try to forage while we’re traveling. We don't have the time!” He gives Oskar's hireling and Teja a 1 foot section of the list and sends them off to verify the supplies.
The hireling proves in short order that most of the supplies where there where they needed to be and Teja is able to keep the halfling from completely shirking his duties for an 'artistic interlude.' Urwal gives the three a nod. [b]"Seems we packed too much. You should take some of these antiplagues or toxins.
Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen scrutinizes a map as his loyal dog, Mahki, lies by his feet. Mahki barks and then nuzzles the half-orc to alert Torrsen to approaching Pathfinders. He says while signing, “I’m verifying all of our maps against what we can see from here. Landmarks can easily change. Why don’t you see if you can find any discrepancies?”
Oskar and Teja are both able to point out that the one map he was looking at was completely orientated the wrong way. He gives his head a slap and quickly reorients the map. "That makes more sense! Here I'll make you a quick copy." As he makes a copy, Mahki tries to draw the rest of the pathfinders into a game of tug-of-war.
Radiant Oath faction leader Valais Durant oversees a small army of Pathfinders poring over books and scrolls. A few use magical methods to absorb information even faster. She glances up from her book and blinks at the group for a few seconds before realizing that they're here to help. She pops up from her seat with a happy clap of her hands and points to her massive collection of materials. “Oh good, you’re here to help. I was able to get these reference materials from local institutions. There’s information on local plants, animals, and fey that I couldn’t get at home. We’re about to face a lot of dangers. Choose your favorite topic and start reading.”
Oskar's hireling and Teja both find intriguing and absorbing information that will likely prove to be useful during the trip.
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"I apologize for the late arrival - the ship has encountered some unusual... lodestone veins in the Mwangi waters, and veered off-course a bit."
The unshaved half-elf wearing a strange combination of hunting clothes and military epaulets ventures to assist Khoumrock Blackthane with the repair works:
Oskar's rousing tunes inspire him to really lean into it. After a job well done, he goes to Urwal's domain to help gather the local fruit and maybe help himself to a few choice morsels:
With the provisions sorted for himself and others, he goes to help Fola Barun gather some naturally occurring spell components.
Rather pleased with himself, he doesn't actively intervene in other activities but stands by if someone needs a helping hand or a sounding board for ideas.
Roumatha gets handed a stack of crates similar to what Oskar got, and finishes them up in a near record time himself. Blackthane gives him a look and then shrugs. "Clearly I've either been working with the wrong people before or your group are experts at handling crates!"
Roumatha is also able to scrounge up some extra food supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables which many a pathfinder will appreciate, but it sadly only adds to Urwal's already long list and not detracts from it.
Fola takes the materials Roumatha digs up with a smile, "These will be helpful for later, but we could really use another hand a mixing these up."
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Horatio first gives the Venture Captain's dog a quick brush. A proper butler knows the benefits of grooming, and a hound like this deserves a beautiful proper coat. He then confers with nature with his druidic training, and after sometime, shares what he knows with the Bjersig.
After sometime, he then goes to help Ms. Durant with her research. Phillipton knows quite a bit about the various cultivars and best practices of Mwangi fruit-growers (specifically their vinters, but the Mwangi have made wines of other fruits as well!), and can pass on some knowledge, hopefully some of it of use.
"Oh, what's this, you want to know about the various fey lords? Well, I'm not an expert, of course, but I know a thing or two about demigods" Phillipton explains to Ms. Barun.
His druidic training is quite in demand today, but that's okay because a proper butler knows his work is never-ending. Urwal, an iruxi, was quite the change for his last charge, Lady Alexyn, but it was his honor to be of service.
Mahki proves to be a little bit of a nuisance about being brushed when there are hundreds of interesting people rushing about and Bjersig seems to be deeply entrenched in something. She shifts about, occasionally biting the brush and trying to wrest it out of Horatio's hands. It takes a while, but she finally gets brushed. But the experience overall makes Bjersig doubt the veracity of the butler's training.
Philipton's advice about the various wines and fermented beverages of the expanse gets Valias's mouth watering. "I'll have to see if I can't buy one of those vintages while we are here. I'm glad for the knowledge, hopefully it will have some benefit this journey."
Fola sets the butler to preparring potions as she sits down near him and chats about the various demigods and fey lords of the planes. After an hour or so she gives a stretch and yawns. "Thank-you for your assistance. You must be getting tired, why don't you go and help someone else for a change of pace?"
Urwal seems to be grateful for the trained butler's help, though it can be hard to tell on his iruxi face. Having experience running a household, going through crates of supplies and foodstuffs proves to be a simple task for the man. Though the sheer volume of them all makes it seem like there is no end in sight.
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It was an odd sight, a dashing, well dressed Taldan man wading through the last bit of water with a fiery leopard on his back. Once he reaches dry land the fiery leopard jumps off and the man straightens his clothes before looking at his companion.
"Well Ruby, it looks like this time its the jungle for us eh?" Maximilian and Ruby join the others Oraiah approaches but does not get to introduce himself before she moves on and the others disperse. Standing there alone except for his companion the rogue meets the leopards eyes before shrugging. "Let's make ourselves useful."
Deciding to check in first with his faction leader Maximilian tries to use his limited magical knowledge to see if he can help.
He then proceeds to Urwal and tries to help us in arranging the inventory to make sure the most needed things are the most accessible.
Once done with the inventory Maximilian approaches the deaf venture captain and looks over the maps trying to make sense of where they were going.
Visiting the leader of the Radiant Oath Maximilian follows Valais' instructions in order to help her conduct her research.
All the while Ruby follows along watching her human try to help.
Maximilian proves he is no slouch at helping to prepare for the expedition ahead, helping everyone except for his own faction leader to finish up their preparations.
A particularly gruff and boisterous gnome greets the group only giving his name as Zabu.
He tries to help with the mapping.
He next tries getting into Urwal's supplies.
The gnome next bumps into Fola and her supplies.
Before finally looking over the books that Valias has gathered.
Zabu proves to be a competent hand at everything he tries.
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Everyone gathers around a makeshift stage as the sun starts to slip below the horizon. Pathfinders whisper to each other in anticipation.
Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal addresses the group. “Pathfinders, our expedition begins tomorrow. We have a day’s travel to reach the site where we will find the Door of Seasons. The founders of our Society may have been unable to reach the realm that lies beyond this magical gateway, but we have something they lacked.” The Venture-Captain holds a verdant crown aloft. “This is the Perennial Crown, an artifact that will serve as the key to opening the door. I hope that Alseta will bless us as we find this doorway to a new place. From what we’ve been able to gather, there’s a demiplane on the other side. The demiplane and the crown alike are closely tied to the Thorned Monarch, Qxal, an evil fey who once terrorized this region. The Pathfinders who recovered this crown faced steep opposition from the Monarch, and I have no doubt they will defend the Door of Seasons even more fiercely. Be wary any fey you see along the way; they are likely to be working for Qxal. Stay in groups of four or more for safety and help each other. Make any final preparations that you require and get a good night’s sleep; your next few nights will be on the trail. We leave an hour after dawn.”
Day breaks, and the excitement around the camp is too high to allow any Pathfinder to oversleep. Agents perform morning rituals, eat breakfast, and take a final look through maps and plans. Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal gathers everyone together one last time. “I know that we’ve prepared well. We’re going to stop this Thorned Monarch. I have a small gift for each of you: a signal whistle with an engraving of the Perennial Crown. Use it to signal your fellow Pathfinders if you need help. And now, into the wilderness!”
With the rousing speech finished, a few runners quickly spread out among the gathered crowds handing out whistles to everyone while venture-captains and faction heads organize pathfinders into general groupings. Venture Captain Bjersig and Fola Barun gather the most experienced and senior pathfinders into a vanguard and quickly get headed out.
Calsiro Benarry and Venture-Captain Blackthane quickly gather you and other pathfinders of similar ability into the main central force of the expedition. As you wait for the vanguard to gather and get moving, the dwarf finishes getting his armor on as Clasiro, a half-orc woman in a tricorne hat, lends a hand. She looks over the suit that for all purposes resembles a metal diving suit and hands him his helmet, pondering, “I like your style, Blackthane, but isn’t this a little more suited to underwater?”
Khoumrock Blackthane plops his helmet on, his voice taking a metallic ring to it as he counters, “It’s good armor still, and I’ve made a few adjustments so it works better on land. I’ve come out of retirement for the bloody sixth time, and I’m going to be comfortable!”
Calisro Benarry gives a shrug and responds, “Can’t argue with that. I’m always comfortable.” She turns to address the gathered Pathfinders as Khoumrock finishes fiddling with the last few latches. “Pathfinders, we’re setting out. Our goal is a horizon that no one of this world’s ever seen. But Qxal is aiming to make sure we don’t get there. Everyone, stay sharp and work together. Make sure to stay behind the vanguard, but we’re likely to see more than a few spouts of combat ourselves!”
Blackthane adds, “And mind your dang equipment!”
They lead the central force of the expedition out, leaving behind the newest and least experienced pathfinders in the care of Urwal and Valias Durant, the force clearly on rear guard duty.
Not an hour from the camp, the front of the expedition calls out a warning and comes to a stop. Calisro Benarry hops up onto a tall rock and looks through a spyglass. She curses slightly and then comments “Fey. Lots of them. Seems the front ranks are handling them fine, but they’ve got to be coming through some kind of portal from the First World.” She puts away her spyglass while gesturing for your group to come closer ”I’ll go to the front and help them take care of that lot while you go look for the source, probably some kind of mushroom ring or portal. Watch for more coming through!”
It takes next to no time for Oskar and Teja to spot what looks to be a ring of mushrooms in the middle of a small shallow pond. The ring of large toadstools glows with a slight magical energy. Inside it the ground wobbles, appearing almost translucent, as if it were possible to step right through it.
As the group approaches the ring gives a small flare of light and a small 3-foot tall creature covered head to toe in dark blue hair steps out of the mushroom ring. It grins maliciously at the group.
Everyone gets the jump on the little creature but Horatio, who in proper butler etiquette waits for the people he is serving to take the first move.
The ring starts to shimmer some as it seems to start powering up again.
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Oskar
Zabu
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja
The ring and the fey
Philipton
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Current map
Teja is quickly able to grasp one of the mushroom formations that act like a natural conduit for the conjuration magic. With the formation disrupted, the portal gives a slight sputter, but still stays strong.
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Oskar
Zabu
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja
The ring and the fey
Philipton
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Current map
Oskar causes a rock to rise up off the ground near the 3 foot fey but it sadly only skims near the head of the creature taking a few long hairs off but missing the body.
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Oskar
Zabu
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja
The ring and the fey
Philipton
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Current map
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Oskar
Zabu
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja
The ring
Fey
Philipton
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Current map
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"Looks like we're going after mushrooms. Think they're edible?" Maximilian says to Ruby as a ring of mushrooms come to view.
The appearance of the blue creature intrigues Maximilian enough that he takes a moment to try and recognize the creature.
"That smile does not look good for us. Ruby go and attack!" Maximilian commands as he draws his shortbow and lets an arrow loose.
Upon hearing his command Ruby stares at Maximilian, to her fiery paws then at the pond before meeting Maximilian's eyes with a look that said You. Want me. A creature of fire. To cross water?
Seeing the rogue let loose his arrow the fiery leopard decides to at least get a little closer.
Maximilian takes a look at the creature and gives it a squint for a moment before realizing he really doesn't know what the thing is. Distracted by thoughts of a nice mushroom sauté, he misses his bow shot as well.
Ruby slides in a bit closer but pussy foots it around the water not wanting to get her paws wet.
Zabu gives a very mechanical sounding growl as a set of bear teeth and claws grow out of his face and hands. He then rushes forward in jerking motions before arriving next to the fey and taking a bite at it.
In the mean time, Roumatha takes up his longsword, marks the fey creature as his prey, trying to recall something about it in the process.
He then strides twice to get adjacent to the small fey.
Zabu misses with his bite, as Roumatha closes the distance.
As they do the ring gives a small glimmer again before another nuglub comes through, this one's teeth stained a pink color.
It lashes out at Zabu, thinking the similarly sized gnome to be easier prey, the first one goes for Roumatha instead.
The pink nuglub bites into Zabu's arm and then chomps down further, grabbing the gnome. The fey then tries ineffectively to claw him.
The first one with near midnight black hair misses completely.
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Philipton
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Oskar
Zabu -8 grappled
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja
The ring
Pink Fey
Black Fey
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Current map
Teja disables a few more mushrooms dimming the odd field in them some.
The first nuglub takes full brunt of the lightening arc but the second one sees it coming and dodges a good portion of the energy.
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Oskar
Zabu -8 grabbed
Roumatha
Maximilian
Teja 1 or 2 actions left.
The ring
Pink Fey -3
Black Fey -6
Philipton
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Current map
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Teja continues to rearrange the mushrooms.
"I remember watching a street magician performing a thing called the shell game.. this is very much like that."
Teja draws her cold iron rapier. So as to threaten one of the creatures and provide flanking against it.
Teja moves, causing the jealous nuglub to try chittering something around Zabu's arm as it clings onto the gnome as a base board and lashes a kick out at Teja's knees.
The rogue goes down face first as the little thing gives a joyous sounding gurgle around a gnome bicep.
Roumatha proves his strength with a massive swing that digs in deep to the fey's side. He then tries to rearrange the mushrooms as well failing to get the right order.
As he moves to get a better angle the nuglub next to him gives a screech and caps his knees knocking the man prone. He then gives a small happy dance and screeches something out in a different language.
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Oskar
Zabu -8 grabbed
Roumatha - prone?
Maximilian
Teja - prone?
The ring
Pink Fey
Black Fey -17
Philipton
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Current map
How very considerate! Now I won't need to get my paws wet! Ruby thinks as the pink fey gets within her reach. I wonder what fey tastes like. Come here and give me a taste! She slashes at the pink fey with her fiery claws.
Zabu mechanically lifts his arm with the fey creature on it up to his mouth that hinges open and tries to take a deep bite of the nubglub hanging on him.
The nuglub proves heavier than the shoulder of the gnome can lift and the jaws clamp down around empty air.
The raging gnome then takes a swipe with his free arm's claws.
His claw misses.
He takes a second swing
Oskar causes the arrow that Max fired before that missed and fires it at the fey with the pink stained teeth.
The arrow buries itself into the back of the fey and it drops from Zabu dead.
The bard then casts a small cantrip as he starts singing a song in a very mechanical voice. Something about Teja and moving mushrooms.
Teja stands back up from getting tripped by the short fey, as Maximilian proves he can be a good shot with the bow, easily hitting the first shot. He then shots wide with his second as it clatters against the mushrooms at the other edge of the shallow water.
Ruby jumps over the river and leaves deep scoring marks across the body of the fey.
From the Mushroom Ring a third fey creature pops out, a sickly blue color oozing along it's hair.
The black original fey gives a gleeful chittering noise and then hops at the prone Roumatha.
It bites deep into the ranger's leg, Roumatha's compromising position making it easy for the thing to do extra damage. It then digs a claw into the man as well. But by the third claw, Roumatha has reacted enough to boot away the creature some.
The new fey arrives facing Teja instead of Roumatha, and not knowing the appealing target behind it, attacks the rogue instead.
The fey must still be summoning sick as it bites and claws at empty air where there is no one standing.
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Philipton
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Oskar
Zabu -8
Roumatha -24 Prone
Maximilian
Teja +1 to next disable check
The ring
Pink Fey Arrow to the back of the head
Black Fey -24
Blue Fey
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Current map