# Summary ## [[Journey to Vevososova]] [[Amalie Adin|Amalie]], [[Ag|Ag]], [[Dalas Greybark|Dalas]], [[Prynazalya|Pryn]], [[Asher Yurei|Asher]], [[Big Inky]], and [[Yeepo]] along with [[Rilker Gelesar|Rilker]], [[Pauma]], [[Tanuryn]], and a small scouting party of [[The Havlov Mercenary Group|Havlov Mercenaries]]: [[John Dungeon]], [[John Dragon]], [[LeBron James]], and [[Brian Thacker]] depart from [[Haven's Breach]] to render aid to [[Prince Levi Ovlorn|Prince Ovlorn]] of [[Vela|The Vela]] in [[Vevososova]]. The group travels along [[River West]] for a few days, passing by packs of [[Dinosaur|Dinosaurs]] without incident, before eventually breaking north into the [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West|Jungle]]. Within the jungle, they eventually come across an [[Ruins of a Sylvan Outpost|Ancient Ruin]], once an outpost, dating back to [[The Age of Elves]]. Most of the group opts to investigate, though Big Inky, Rilker and Pauma stay behind. Inside, the group finds mainly moss, rotted wood, and ancient rusted metal that once held together crates and barrels, all accompanied by scattered bones and an intact metal chest. Amalie determines that some of the bones belonged to some form of [[Elf]] while the rest belonged to some kind of [[Sylvan Experiment Demons|winged creature with talons]]. Pryn eats one of the bones, believing bones to be rocks, causing the bones of the winged creatures to begin to stir and reassemble themselves. As the bones stir, Amalie takes out [[Amalie's Lighter|Her Lighter]] and uses it to [[Speak with Dead|Speak]] with [[Sylvan Outpost Skeleton|One of the Elven Skeletons]], asking them what happened here. The skeleton indicates that the elves created the creatures, who in turn killed them, and that the creatures cannot be fully killed, only temporarily banished to a [[Sylvan Experiment Plane|Plane]] that was created to contain them. Before the conversation can continue, combat begins as the creatures fully reassemble! The group initially has little success with water magic and slashing based attacks before Tanuryn defeats one of the skeletons with his [[Songmace]] and Amalie defeats another two with her [[Soulknife#Level 3 Psychic Blades|Psychic Blades]]. With the room returned to peace, Amalie picks the ancient locked chest, discovering [[Gold]], [[Gem|Gems]], a [[Spell Scroll of Magic Missile]], a [[Spell Scroll of Detect Magic]] and a [[Potion of Healing]]. Further within the ruins, the group finds a room where the [[Sylvan Demonic Experiments|Experiments]] to create these creatures were performed, including a [[Rotten Book on Sylvan Demonic Experiments|Rotten Book]] seeming to detail the process in ancient [[Sylvan]]. Finally, the group discovers an [[Abyssal]] shrine containing inscriptions written by the [[Demon|Demons]] taking glee in destroying their creators. Dalas reacts in fear, insisting they must leave this evil place, and the group departs without exploring further. Dalas later burns the rotten book in spite of his love for [[History]], insisting that the experiments should never be repeated. The group travels northwest for several more days towards the [[Middle Pass|Pass]] between the [[Northern Valendare Range|Northern]] and [[Southern Valendare Range]]. As they travel, the Havlov Mercenaries begin to whisper of [[The Murmur|"The Murmur"]], a beast, or many beasts, that is said to stalk the lands they travel through. Sure enough, "The Murmur" proves itself to be real, as it descends upon the group killing the mercenaries LeBron James, John Dragon, and Brian Thacker nearly instantly before the beast, barely seen, disappears again into the forest. The surviving group prepares for the next attack and are suddenly swarmed by not one, but over a dozen, aggressive, birdlike creatures that tear violently through the group as the adventurers in turn release a barrage of spells and attacks against the beasts! Before the group can retaliate further, the beasts retreat into the forest, combining together, congealing into one massive murmuration. The group continues their assault, Dalas, Yeepo, and Tanuryn bravely or foolishly rushing into melee range with the enormous beast, as it unleashes a wave of necrotic energy upon the group, nearly killing Ag and Tanuryn and completing draining the local flora of life before once again splitting apart and swarming the group again Ultimately, the group is able to pick off the swarming beasts one by one, with the sole remaining Havlov Mercenary, John Dungeon striking the final blow. From the corpse of the beast the group scavenges 16 [[Murmur Talon|Talons]] and a flask of [[Great Beast Blood|Blood]], which seems to have a corrupting influence, turning everything it touches sharper and more deadly. Yeepo explains the beast's resemblance to [[The Great Beasts]] that stalk the land, though this is the first of this kind he has seen. The group continues traveling northwest through the [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]], avoiding a vicious [[Lizardfolk Colony]] on the horizon and getting caught in a stampede of [[Goat-Like Creature|Goat-Like Creatures]] before eventually descending into the [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl|A Jungle]]. After a few more days of travel the group emerges on the eastern shore of the [[Brusevan River]] where they find a [[Balevon River Harbor|Vela Harbor]]. The group secures passage to [[Vevososova]] aboard a ferry that will depart the next day and camps under the protection of the [[Vevososova Guards]]. As they rest the group has a fishing competition. Pryn wins, with Big Inky coming in second and Dalas in third place, earning them a nice meal and some reputation amongst the Vela. After nearly a month of travel, the next morning the group departs aboard the ferry and arrives in Vevososova. # Adventure Log ## [[12 Hammer 1489]], [[Haven's Breach]] [[Amalie Adin|Amalie]], [[Ag|Ag]], [[Dalas Greybark|Dalas]], [[Prynazalya|Pryn]], [[Asher Yurei|Asher]], [[Big Inky]], and [[Yeepo]] unite at [[North Harbor]] along with [[Rilker Gelesar|Rilker]], [[Pauma]], [[Tanuryn]], and a small scouting party of [[The Havlov Mercenary Group|Havlov Mercenaries]]: [[John Dungeon]], [[John Dragon]], [[LeBron James]], and [[Brian Thacker]] meet at dawn And set out to meet [[Prince Levi Ovlorn|Prince Ovlorn]] in [[Vevososova]]. The group departs aboard the [[North Harbor Ferry]], sailing across the way and landing near the mouth of [[River West]]. Needing to travel north-west, the group opts to travel west towards the [[Southern Valendare Range]] along the river for the time being, giving them the most access to fresh water. ## [[13 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[14 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[15 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[16 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. The group comes across a herd of [[Brontosaurus]] and some [[Stegosaurus]] drinking from the river. Pryn mimics the calls of the brontosaurus with her [[Songsword]], beckoning them towards her. ## [[17 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[18 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[19 Hammer 1489]], [[River West]] Travel along the river westward continues. The group comes across a set of bipedal [[Dinosaur]] tracks and a corpse of a dinosaur that has been picked clean. ([[Survival]]) Dalas determines that the pack of bipeds are heading north-west. He surmises that the bipeds stalk their prey in tall grass before surrounding them and swarming them. The group decides to head directly north into [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West|The Jungle]] to avoid running into the pack hunters. ## [[20 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] Travel north into the jungle continues. The group discovers a broken down, abandoned trade cart. Ag and some [[The Havlov Mercenary Group|Havlov Mercenaries]] scout the area to make sure it is not a trap and find no danger, so the group loots the cart. They discover: - 15 [[Gold]] - 3 [[Gem|Gems]] worth 50 Gold each The group splits the gold evenly amongst themselves: 2 Gold to each member. They play a game of [[Dice Set|Dice]] to determine who should get the last piece, Ag wins. Pryn takes the gems. Dalas asks if she eats gems. Pryn says that gems are usually saved for special occasions, or ground into dust and used as a seasoning, like Pepper or Salt. Ag points out that salt is a rock, and Dalas relents that humans *do* eat rocks. Pryn points out that there is no other way for their bones to get strong, and the group argues about whether or not bones are rocks for a while. Dalas admits that he has seen a dragon bone before, and it was crystalline, so at least some bones are rocks. Amalie determines that Ag is greasy. Ag says it is because he doesn't shower often, despite knowing [[Drizzle]]. ## [[21 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels north east into a grassy clearing for better visibility. They catch glimpses of a [[Ruins of a Sylvan Outpost|ruined structure]] to the north and decide to investigate. ## [[22 Hammer 1489]], [[Ruins of a Sylvan Outpost]] The group arrives at the ruined structure, discovering it to be a dilapidated outpost of some kind. The group, aside from Big Inky, Pauma, and Rilker, decides to investigate and heads inside. In looking around, it is clear that the bottom floor was used largely as storage, so the group descends down into the lower level of the building, hoping to find something of interest. Ag finds some writing on the wall, though nobody present can read it. By the look of it, it is an ancient [[Sylvan]] text, a precursor to [[Elvish]], which would date this outpost to [[The Age of Elves]]. At the bottom of the stairs, the group are faced with two doors, and choose the left one. Inside, they find a room full of scattered bones, long since rotten wood, and rusted iron banding left behind from ancient kegs and spears. At the far end of the room, a treasure chest, and another door to the left and right. Amalie [[Investigation|investigates]] the bones, finding some sets of bones belonging to shorter [[Humanoid|Humanoids]], probably [[Elf|Elves]], and some bones belonging to [[Sylvan Experiment Demons|winged, quadrupedal monsters with sharp talons and vicious teeth]], monsters that seemed clearly unlike the dinosaurs in the jungle. Amalie determines that the two groups were engaged in a conflict and throws Pryn a bone to eat, after all, bones are rocks. Pryn eats the bone to try and determine what type of rocks the creature ate in it's life several centuries prior and determines they would have been flaky, brittle rocks (like Ag). As she ponders, bones begin to rattle and spring to life nearby. Dalas draws his sword and Ag casts [[Mage Armor]]. Meanwhile, Amalie pulls out [[Amalie's Lighter|Her Lighter]] and lights a cigarette, takes two puffs and exhales. The smoke seems to, in a way, fill the lungs of a nearby skeleton. It floats into the air and it's eyes begin to glow a spectral green color. Amalie asks: 1. "What happened in this room?" [[Sylvan Outpost Skeleton|The Skeleton]] responds: "We didn't practice humility. We thought we could create like [[The Pantheon|The Gods]]. We were fools. We created [[Sylvan Demonic Experiments|Something]] that could destroy us, and so they did." 2. "How can we kill them?" When they are [[The Material Plane of Caledon|here]] with us they cannot be killed. And so we created [[Sylvan Experiment Plane|a realm]] and we trapped them. They always fight to escape. We try to keep them down, or at least we did." 3. "Do you see what's happening here?" (In reference to the rattling bones) "It's not in it's living form, this one can be defeated. If you find one that is living flesh, it will only come back from down below again and again. It can only be banished, not slain." Amalie takes note of this in her [[Amalie's Notebook|Very Small Notebook]]. Before the conversation can continue, the bones of three [[Undead]] [[Sylvan Experiment Demons|Fiends]] begin to spring to life and combat begins! - Amalie draws her [[Scimitar]] and attacks the closest skeleton twice before disengaging and backing up. She notices that the undead is resistant to slashing attacks. - Pryn grabs and bites the skull of one of the bones rattling to life. Nothing happens. She attacks it with her [[Ovranzo's Modified Songsword|Songsword]] instead. - The skeleton bites Pryn back as it fully assembles. - Dalas rushes forward, [[Longsword]] drawn, to defend Pryn. He attacks the skeleton that had just attacked Pryn, placing a [[Cavalier#Unwavering Mark|Unwavering Mark]] on it before [[Fighter#Level 2 Action Surge|Action Surging]] and attacking another nearby skeleton, missing. - Ag trips over himself as he casts [[Torrential Burst]], dealing a little bit of damage to the skeleton Amalie had been attacking. - John Dungeon, John Dragon, LeBron James and Brian Thacker rush into the room and begin attacking the skeletons - The Skeleton near Amalie and Ag rushes Ag, who shrieks like a little girl. The skeleton's attack gets caught up on Ag's [[The Shark of Luma's Big Cool Stick|Staff]]. - Amalie draws her [[Soulknife#Level 3 Psychic Blades|Psychic Blades]] and throws them at the skeleton that just attacking Ag, dealing a critical hit the second time and rendering it lifeless again. - Pryn lets out a [[Kobold#Draconic Cry|Draconic Cry]] bolstering her allies and casts [[Starry Wisp]] at the nearest skeleton. It's radiant damage is super effective! - Tanuryn joins the battle, letting out his own draconic taunt ability, which fails to intimidate the skeletons. He attacks the skeleton in front of Pryn with his [[Songmace]] and crushes it, sending it's lifeless bones scattering back across the floor. - Ag casts [[Water Whip]] on the one remaining Skeleton near Dalas, dealing only minimal damage. He then tries to hide behind Amalie, who finds him gross. - Dalas swings his Longsword at the remaining Skeleton and hits, marking it. - The Skeleton attacks Dalas in turn, but he brings up [[Damnstein's Old Wooden Shield|His Shield]] to block it. - The mercenaries crowd around the final skeleton and attack it, they all hit. - Amalie throws another psychic blade at the remaining skeleton, killing it and ending the combat. With the danger clear, Amalie inspects the treasure chest at the end of the room. She determines it is not trapped, and attempts to pick the lock with her [[Thieves' Tools]], wiping the lock clean with a handkerchief and putting on her glasses before she attempts to unlock it. Amalie fails the first time but tries again and succeeds. Inside they find: - 75 [[Gold]], which is split between the party 7 ways, with 10 Gold going to everyone except Amalie, who, after a game of dice, gains 15 Gold. - 2 [[Gemstone|Gems]] worth 25 Gold each, which Amalie takes. - A [[Spell Scroll of Magic Missile]], which Ag takes. - A [[Spell Scroll of Detect Magic]], which Ag takes. - A [[Potion of Healing]] which Dalas takes. When Pryn isn't looking, Amalie sneaks some more bone chunks into her pocket. The group heads left again, entering into an elongated room with two large shattered pods at the back, the bottom of each is filled with a strange green goo. Along the walls several more fiendish skeletons are chained up. At the end of the room, there is a desk which the group looks through, finding - A [[Rotten Book on Sylvan Demonic Experiments|Rotten Book]] written in [[Sylvan]], but containing some surviving diagrams illustrating the process of creating these fiends. - A [[Spell Scroll of Shield]], which Ag takes. Dalas asserts that this is not a good place, and Ag points out that this is in line with what the group was told by the skeleton in the prior room. Dalas asks Amalie what the hells is up with her ability to speak to the dead, but she insists that it's normal where she comes from. Dalas can tell she's not quite telling the truth, but says nothing about it. The group returns to the prior chamber and proceeds through the right door, entering into a small room, clearly constructed after the previous rooms, containing a mural and an obsidian shrine, with text written in the [[Abyssal]] language. Ag reads the inscription aloud: > _"With hubris comes damnation and we are sent to deliver it. Our creators have forged us in their own sin. We were birthed as weapons and tools; let us sharpen our fangs and talons, and wrought upon them which they sought upon the world."_ Alarmed, Dalas suggests the group leaves immediately, insisting this is a cursed and evil place. The group agrees and departs immediately. As they depart, Yeepo notices a red glow from down the hallway. He follows it for a moment as the group leads him behind, but Dalas stays behind and urges him to leave, which he eventually does without investigating further. Outside, Big Inky silently judges the group for wasting their time in the depths. Yeepo asks Dalas what "Hubris" means, and Dalas tries to explain but Yeepo doesn't get it. Dalas uses his [[Woodcarver's Tools]] to inscribe a warning into a piece of wood stating that demonic forces lie inside, and not to disturb the bones interred in the building. The group departs and eventually makes camp. ## [[23 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels north through a section of grassland in the jungle. Travel proceeds uneventfully. At night, Dalas contemplates the [[Rotten Book on Sylvan Demonic Experiments]] they had found the previous day. He hoped at first that the book would reveal some secrets of the ancient path in the hands of someone like [[The Archaeology Guild]], but determined he knew all he needed to about Demons and that knowledge of creating Demons was better lost. He burns the book in the campfire. Meanwhile, Big Inky overhears the Havlov Mercenaries telling scary stories about something called [[The Murmur]], an [[Aberration]] that supposedly lives close to [[Middle Pass]]. The Murmur appears at times as one large creature, and at other times as several smaller creatures. The junior mercenaries seem not to be taking it seriously, but the veteran mercenary, [[John Dungeon]] is genuinely terrified of the creature. The description of the creature reminds Big Inky of [[The Great Beasts]] that roam throughout Xoctl, though he was not familiar with this exact one. Big Inky listens closely, but keeps this information to himself. ## [[24 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels north through a section of grassland in the jungle. Travel proceeds uneventfully. ## [[25 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels north-west through the jungle, now only a few days from [[Middle Pass]]. Big Inky asks the more junior mercenaries, [[John Dragon]], [[LeBron James]], and [[Brian Thacker]] to scout ahead. The mercenaries, knowing they are in the territory of [[The Murmur]] are terrified, but Big Inky reminds them that they were not so scared the other night. Big Inky and Yeepo strike such an [[Intimidation|Intimidating]] presence that they agree to go ahead. The group travels for a while, until eventually the junior mercenaries hear something. Spooked, they draw their swords. Big Inky warns Yeepo in [[Gripptronik]] that danger is coming as they begin to hear rustling in the trees all around them. Big Inky attempts to hide in the foliage nearby. Yeepo signals back to Ag and Asher to stop and listen. Moments later, a shadow washes over the scouts. When it leaves, [[LeBron James]] is gone, with the other two covered in blood, terrified. Combat begins! - Ag casts [[Mage Armor]] to protect himself. - Yeepo yells out to the scouts ahead "Don't run! You'll die tired!" and readies a [[Sling]] attack for when the creature enters his field of vision - John Dragon ignores Yeepo's advice and rushes back towards the group. - Pauma hides in the trees and prepares a [[Shortbow]] attack for when a target appears. - Big Inky also readies attack and drinks a Mutagen that enhances his strength. - Pryn, towards the back of the group, notices Ag cast Mage Armor and goes to speak with him about what's happening. Ag explains what he knows of the situation to Pryn. - Tanuryn readies an attack with his [[Songmace]] for when something approaches. - Dalas draws his sword and equips [[Damnstein's Old Wooden Shield|His Shield]], joining the rest of the group. - John Dungeon does the same, whispering "...The Murmur..." in terror. - Brian Thacker also runs back to join the group. - Rilker casts [[Sanctuary]] on himself. - Asher is generally oblivious to the situation, but after being informed that something is nearby, prepares an [[Eldritch Blast]]. - Suddenly, 15 small [[The Murmur|Murmurs]], hive minded clumps of bird-like creatures acting in perfect tandem, rush out of the jungle in tandem, attacking the group! Dalas, Pryn, Tanuryn, Rilker, Yeepo, and John Dungeon are hit, John Dragon and Brian Thacker are killed outright as the beasts tear through the group with claws and beaks. Simultaneously, the group lets off their prepared attacks. Pauma, Big Inky, and Asher let loose their attacks, killing three of the small murmurs. Tanuryn swings his mace at another of the small murmurs, wounding it. The murmurs rush back into the jungle before the group has an opportunity to retaliate, recombining into a huge warbling and rearranging mass of birds. - Ag shits his pants and summons a [[Tidal Puppeteer#Level 3 - Tidal Puppets|Water Crab]] to defend him. He casts [[Water Bullet]] on the giant Murmur, hitting and wounding it. - Yeepo fires his sling at the Murmur and misses as the beast rearranges itself to avoid the shot. He rushes forward to get closer to melee range. - Pauma hides and readies another Shortbow shot for when the beast splits apart again. - Big Inky shoots at the creature with his [[Big Inky's Hand Ballista|Hand Ballista]] and misses. - Pryn casts [[Cloud of Daggers]] on the creature, mimicking it's murmuration with the spell's floating spectral blades. - Tanuryn rushes into melee combat with the huge creature, swinging his mace twice at the creature and hitting it once. He let's out a defiant taunting cry, but the creature is unphased. - Dalas, terrified, reminds himself of the words of [[Grub|"Grub"]], that he's running out of chances to do good in the world. He says this might be his last chance, giving himself a [[Fighter#Level 1 Second Wind|Second Wind]], he charges into melee range and attacks the creature, hitting it. He [[Fighter#Level 2 Action Surge|Action Surges]] and hits the creature again. - John Dungeon fires his [[Crossbow]] at the creature and misses. He tries to hide behind Big Inky. - Rilker casts [[Bless]] on Big Inky, Pauma, and Yeepo. - Asher observes that The Murmur is [[Bloodied]]. He summons [[Magician's Crescent Blade (Spell)|Magician's Crescent Blade]] using his new [[Duel Disk]], the [[Magician's Crescent Blade|Blade]] swings at the creature, hitting it while Asher casts [[Eldritch Blast]] from afar and hits. - The beast compresses in on itself, building up energy before unleashing a beam of darkness on the group. Pauma, Yeepo, Rilker, and Ag manage to avoid the worst of it, but Tanuryn is hit at point blank range. The flora in the line of fire wilts and dies instantly and is blown away from the sheer output of necrotic power. The beast splits apart again, flitting about the group. Pauma fires her shot, hitting and killing the smaller murmur next to Tanuryn. - Ag casts [[Water Whip]] at a nearby murmur and mises. He [[Shifter|Shifts]] into a more sharklike form, bolstering his defenses. - Yeepo runs up to a nearby murmur, punching it in the face twice and killing it. he continues running, approaching the murmur near Ag and hitting that one as well. - Pauma draws a [[Dagger]] and attacks the murmur near her, hitting it. - Big Inky shoots his Ballista at the murmur nearest to Pryn, killing it. - Pryn causes her Cloud of Daggers to sweep across the battlefield, killing the murmur near Ag. She gives Tanuryn a [[Bardic Inspiration]] playing [[Tanuryn's Favorite Song]]. She lashes out at a nearby murmur with an unarmed strike, but misses. - Tanuryn runs up to the nearest Murmur, hitting it twice and killing it. - Dalas swings his sword at the second to last Murmur, killing it. - John Dungeon charges the final murmur, piercing through it and into the tree behind it, killing it. Combat ends. The Murmur re-congeals into a single form, dead on the ground. This region of [[Xoctl]] is now free of the Great Beast tormenting it. The group inspects the dead beast. Yeepo explains that it is one of [[The Great Beasts]], which a [[The Last Precursor|Talking Head]] had once told him about. Yeepo knows about [[Yeepo Prologue Great Beast|One Other]]. The group takes 16 [[Murmur Talon|Murmur Talons]] from the corpse as they discuss how bizarre the creature is. As the beast's blood pours out of it, it corrupts the earth beneath. The grass near where the corpse lays begins to grow sharp, as if becoming more violent just by contact with the beast's blood. Asher rubs some of the blood between his fingers. It is a vibrant purple color. His fingernails grow longer, sharper, more claw like as a result. Big Inky takes Lebron's waterskin collects a flask of [[Great Beast Blood]]. The group buries John Dragon, Brian Thacker and LeBron James, and Dalas asks Rilker to say some words. Rilker, secretly only passing himself off as a true holy man, is uncertain but gives it his best shot, commending the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers. The group is tearful as they say goodbye to their lost companions. At night, Dalas cooks some fish for the group. Pryn uses a rock from [[Pryn's Favorite Rock Spot]] turned into a fish hook to make the dish a [[Lazy Hunter|Lazy Fisherman]] for Tanuryn, who is appreciative, but rattled, having lost confidence following his near death experience. The group rests. ## [[26 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels uneventfully northwest towards [[Middle Pass]] at a good pace. ## [[27 Hammer 1489]], [[Jungle Near Middle Pass And River West]] The group travels uneventfully northwest towards Middle Pass. ## [[28 Hammer 1489]], [[Middle Pass]] The group travels uneventfully northwest, arriving at [[Middle Pass]], which separates the [[Northern Valendare Range]] from the [[Southern Valendare Range]]. ## [[29 Hammer 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group heads north into the [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]], hoping for a better vantage point. ## [[30 Hammer 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues traveling north. ## [[Midwinter 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues traveling north. ## [[1 Alturiak 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues traveling north. ## [[2 Alturiak 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group travels northwest through the foothills at a good pace. In the [[South Central Xoctl Grasslands]], the group sees a large [[Lizardfolk Colony]] centered around some [[Grasslands Ruins|Ruins]]. Asher wonders if they are friendly, but Big Inky insists they are not and the group moves to avoid a confrontation. ## [[3 Alturiak 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues north through the foothills. As they travel the ground begins to shake and the group finds themselves in the middle of a stampede of [[Goat-Like Creature|Goat-Like Creatures]] with large curving horns! The group escapes with mostly minor injuries as Pryn cleverly flies above the stampede. Yeepo takes the worst of the damage, as he notices and saves a [[Yeepo's Baby Lion|Baby Lion]] from the stampede. Ag uses his [[Periapt of Health]] to heal afterwards. ## [[4 Alturiak 1489]], [[Southern Foothills of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues north. The smell of meat wafts up from the faraway [[Lizardfolk Colony]]. Asher regrets not going to make friends with the lizardfolk, saying they could be nice people. Big Inky says "Lizardfolk aren't people". ## [[5 Alturiak 1489]], [[Western Highland Forest of Northern Valendare Range]] The group travels north into a [[Western Highland Forest of Northern Valendare Range|Highland Forest]]. ## [[6 Alturiak 1489]], [[Western Highland Forest of Northern Valendare Range]] The group continues traveling north through the forest. ## [[7 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest, descending into a [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl|Jungle]]. They catch another glimpse of the [[Lizardfolk Colony]]. It sprawls out over miles and miles. They also observe [[South Central Xoctl Jungle Ruins|Ruins]] to the north, but decided not to investigate, fearing another confrontation with [[Demon|Demons]]. ## [[8 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels north, staying away from the lizardfolk colony and hoping to avoid their patrols. ## [[9 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. ## [[10 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. ## [[11 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. ## [[12 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. ## [[13 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. ## [[14 Alturiak 1489]], [[Eastern Jungle of South Central Xoctl]] The group travels northwest uneventfully. From their vantage point they can see [[Balevon River]] and the [[Balevon River Harbor|Harbor]] that will give them passage to [[Vevososova]]. ## [[15 Alturiak 1489]], [[Balevon River Harbor]] The group arrives at the harbor. They find it, and the ships there incredibly well made: [[Vela|The Sea People]] take their travel of the water very seriously. Amongst the docks are [[Sea Elf|Sea Elves]], [[Triton]], and other water-folk with a variety of blue-ish skin tones and with many variations of fins on their bodies. Their hair is tied into knots and their clothes and armor all well suited for underwater traversal. Everything about this culture seems to have to do with the water. Across the miles-wide river the spires of [[Vevososova]] are barely visible. Big Inky seeks passage across the river, explaining the group is answering [[Prince Levi Ovlorn|Prince Ovlorn]]'s call for aid. A [[Vela Shipwright]] explains that they are repairing the ferry and it will be prepared for travel in the morning. The group is welcome to rest under the protection of the [[Vevososova Guards]]. The group has a fishing contest to pass the time! Fishing begins! - Ag forgoes traditional fishing to swim the river and catch a fish himself (12). - Big Inky casts a line and tries to muscle his fish in with excellent technique (13) - Dalas casts a line, fishing in a standard way and doing nothing fancy (14) - Tanuryn goes spearfishing (18) - Yeepo does the same (18) - Asher casts a line and gives it a soft touch with little success (8) - Pryn tries to telepathically communicate with a fish and fails. She flies above the water and dives down, grappling a huge fish as it tries to flop away (19) - Ag continues to swim the river and try to catch a fish with his hands (20) - Big Inky leans back with all his impressive weight, trying to pull the fish in (26) - Dalas continues to reel his fish in, doing nothing really fancy, as he advises Asher (15) - Tanuryn keeps trying to spearfish (9) - Yeepo traverses the waves to go pick up the fish he speared (13) - Asher under Dalas tutelage hooks a fish and begins to reel it in (15) - Pryn establishes dominance over the remaining fish, having caught the biggest one, hoping to intimidate them into being caught by her. - Ag swims back to shore with his fish (11) - Big Inky gives up on trying to muscle his fish to shore and cannonballs into the water to grab it himself (16) - Dalas' fish is caught in Big Inky's massive cannonball wave, and Dalas has to use his full strength to reel the fish in (24) - Tanuryn is washed ashore while spearfishing by the wave (16) - Yeepo uses the wave to his advantage to grab his fish (16) - Asher tries to pull his fish in as Dalas did, but his fishing rod breaks (1) - Pryn casts [[Summon Vehicle]] to create a sort of makeshift raft to hold her catch and drives it back to shore. The Vela Shipwright sets up a podium for the group. - In Third Place, Dalas Greybark with a 53" fish! - In Second Place, Big Inky with a 55" Fish! Big Inky takes a bite out of his fish. - In First Place, Pryn, with a fish nearly twice her size at 56"! Dalas cooks up seared Tuna for the group and the nearby Vela peoples. Pryn picks out 5 [[Shiny Fish Scale|Shiny Fish Scales]] worth 10 [[Gold]] each from her fish. The group gains +1 Reputation with the Vela. Pryn gains an additional +1. The group rests in the safety of the harbor. At night, Dalas asks Pryn about [[The Crystal Shield, Heart of Stone]], and if it was still working, if it had said it's name. Pryn says it has, and that she incorporated it into her nest. Pryn's dreams have been affected by the shield, with [[Galad Steelsworn]] appearing in them, his own past intermingled with hers, though she does not make the connection that the shield is responsible. Dalas tries to recall how the shield should work based on his knowledge of [[The Order of the Green Blades|The Green Blades]]' history. Crystal Blades often grow in power based on the memories and actions of their wielders, often exhibiting abilities similar to a [[Divine Smite]] or [[Dragon's Breath]] but he is unfamiliar with the shield's capabilities and didn't even know it existed before they met Galad. Dalas suggests Pryn have Ag [[Identify]] it to see how it worked, though Dalas suspects Ag is too inexperienced to repair it fully. The group sleeps peacefully under the watch of the [[Vevososova Guards]]. ## [[16 Alturiak 1489]], [[Balevon River Harbor]] The group crosses the river to [[Vevososova]]. [[Laverasala Mission]] begins.