An Errand for Amalthea - Group 3, Part 1
General Summary
As the party relaxed in the Bugbear's Head Inn after returning from the Jennings Farm and the "big chicken / leprechaun / gremlin" adventure, Branwyne Pinnman, Theodric's wife returned from the hunting trip that she had been on since the group arrived many days ago. After ensuring the venison steaks for tonight's common room meal were being handled, she was quickly brought up to speed about the various goings on around the Inn during her absence. She was introduced to the party who was responsible for dealing with the adventures that had arisen while she was gone.
Branwyne wasted no time in asking the group for their assistance in what she suggested was a very important mission. She explained that Amalthea the Druid, the unofficial head of the Fey Council of the Feywood, was in need of a party for a "messenger run". There were terrible goings on at the northern edges of the Feywood - lesser fey were disappearing in alarming numbers - and the Lizardfolk chieftain living in the Lizard Fens at the heart of the Feywood apparently had information that would shed light on the problem. Unfortunately, the Lizardfolk chief could not deliver the information himself, nor could he send couriers - and the Fey could not enter the Fens because of the heavy influence of Gremlins within the marshes.
The party agreed to travel to the Lizardfolk village and retrieve the message. They left the next morning, following Daphinia's Stream north and west into the Fens. For the first several days, they were accompanied by Daphinia the Naiad herself, who kept watch over the party, and answered many of their questions. But she could go no farther than the edge of the Fens.
Once inside the Fens and on their own, the party managed to keep to dry ground and still within sight of the river they were following - until they reached a brackish channel of water that was too wide and deep for the three more diminutive members of the party. Dhraangg managed to leap the channel to tie off a rope which the others would use to aid their crossing. Tom crossed easily enough, but when Kleone was halfway, he slipped off the rope momentarily. This turned out to be fortuitous, since it made the Marsh Alligator that had been lining up the halfling morsel miss in its initial attack.
Battle ensued. Kleone scrambled to the shore. Gambit successfully struck the giant creature with a Tanglefoot Bag, momentarily sealing its jaws shut. But the 'gator's jaws were strong enough to snap the sticky bonds quickly. Dhraangg, in the meantime readied his greatsword and stood his ground. The creature decided Dhraanngg would make a tasty meal - and started with a healthy bite of half-orc leg. Dhraangg managed to pull the leg free of the jaw, only to have the creature take a second bite. Again, the half-orc pulled free. Tom, in the meantime, attempted a fire attack, which fizzled in the brackish water, and then, after maneuvering, missed with a frost bolt. But at this point, Dhraangg, summoning all his strength and the might of his god, drove his greatsword through the spine of the creature just behind its skull - pinning it to the ground and killing it instantly.
The party immediately skinned the creature. Dhraangg prepared the head for trophy purposes and hung it in a tree for retrieval on the way home. Gambit harvested enough meat for several meals that the party could enjoy along the rest of the way.
Not long after, though, the party encountered a patrol of Scout Boggards. The frogfolk were looking for a "Traitor", and suspected the party of being in league with them. Silver-tongued Tom, however, talked the party out of a combat encounter. He was aided by Kleone, who had noticed the alligator armor the frogfolk were wearing, and suggested the party offer the skin they had just harvested in trade for their passage through the Boggard lands. The scouts were reluctant at first, but agreed.
A few hours later, as the party was attempting to traverse Malyra's Stream which intersected the river they were following, they were surprised by another Boggard. This one was not hostile - in fact it was somewhat sarcastic and then friendly - and it was indeed the "traitor" that the others had been looking for. This one offered to lead the party to the Lizardfolk village as it was his own destination as well.
The party and their newfound guide reached the village an hour later. After a brief interaction with the wary guards at the village gate, they were admitted to await the Village Chieftain.
The session ended at this point.
Branwyne wasted no time in asking the group for their assistance in what she suggested was a very important mission. She explained that Amalthea the Druid, the unofficial head of the Fey Council of the Feywood, was in need of a party for a "messenger run". There were terrible goings on at the northern edges of the Feywood - lesser fey were disappearing in alarming numbers - and the Lizardfolk chieftain living in the Lizard Fens at the heart of the Feywood apparently had information that would shed light on the problem. Unfortunately, the Lizardfolk chief could not deliver the information himself, nor could he send couriers - and the Fey could not enter the Fens because of the heavy influence of Gremlins within the marshes.
The party agreed to travel to the Lizardfolk village and retrieve the message. They left the next morning, following Daphinia's Stream north and west into the Fens. For the first several days, they were accompanied by Daphinia the Naiad herself, who kept watch over the party, and answered many of their questions. But she could go no farther than the edge of the Fens.
Once inside the Fens and on their own, the party managed to keep to dry ground and still within sight of the river they were following - until they reached a brackish channel of water that was too wide and deep for the three more diminutive members of the party. Dhraangg managed to leap the channel to tie off a rope which the others would use to aid their crossing. Tom crossed easily enough, but when Kleone was halfway, he slipped off the rope momentarily. This turned out to be fortuitous, since it made the Marsh Alligator that had been lining up the halfling morsel miss in its initial attack.
Battle ensued. Kleone scrambled to the shore. Gambit successfully struck the giant creature with a Tanglefoot Bag, momentarily sealing its jaws shut. But the 'gator's jaws were strong enough to snap the sticky bonds quickly. Dhraangg, in the meantime readied his greatsword and stood his ground. The creature decided Dhraanngg would make a tasty meal - and started with a healthy bite of half-orc leg. Dhraangg managed to pull the leg free of the jaw, only to have the creature take a second bite. Again, the half-orc pulled free. Tom, in the meantime, attempted a fire attack, which fizzled in the brackish water, and then, after maneuvering, missed with a frost bolt. But at this point, Dhraangg, summoning all his strength and the might of his god, drove his greatsword through the spine of the creature just behind its skull - pinning it to the ground and killing it instantly.
The party immediately skinned the creature. Dhraangg prepared the head for trophy purposes and hung it in a tree for retrieval on the way home. Gambit harvested enough meat for several meals that the party could enjoy along the rest of the way.
Not long after, though, the party encountered a patrol of Scout Boggards. The frogfolk were looking for a "Traitor", and suspected the party of being in league with them. Silver-tongued Tom, however, talked the party out of a combat encounter. He was aided by Kleone, who had noticed the alligator armor the frogfolk were wearing, and suggested the party offer the skin they had just harvested in trade for their passage through the Boggard lands. The scouts were reluctant at first, but agreed.
A few hours later, as the party was attempting to traverse Malyra's Stream which intersected the river they were following, they were surprised by another Boggard. This one was not hostile - in fact it was somewhat sarcastic and then friendly - and it was indeed the "traitor" that the others had been looking for. This one offered to lead the party to the Lizardfolk village as it was his own destination as well.
The party and their newfound guide reached the village an hour later. After a brief interaction with the wary guards at the village gate, they were admitted to await the Village Chieftain.
The session ended at this point.
Rewards Granted
No treasure. The party had harvested an alligator skin, but traded it to avoid a combat. An alligator head trophy may or may not be available on the party's return journey.
Experience was awarded for defeating the Marsh Alligator, and for getting past the Boggard Scouts. Bonus XP awarded for dealing with the Scouts without conflict.
A Hero Point was awarded to Kleone, with the statement that it could be carried over to next session as it was unlikely further combat would be occurring during the current session.
Experience was awarded for defeating the Marsh Alligator, and for getting past the Boggard Scouts. Bonus XP awarded for dealing with the Scouts without conflict.
A Hero Point was awarded to Kleone, with the statement that it could be carried over to next session as it was unlikely further combat would be occurring during the current session.
Missions/Quests Completed
The party has reached the Lizardfolk Village. They have yet to meet the Chieftain and obtain the message they are tasked with returning to the Inn.
Character(s) interacted with
Marsh Alligator - defeated in combat
Boggard Scouting Party - negotiated passage through Boggard lands
Boggard Swampseer - the "traitor", and the party's guide for the last leg of their journey.
Lizardfolk Gate Guards - gained entry to the village to await the chieftain.
Boggard Scouting Party - negotiated passage through Boggard lands
Boggard Swampseer - the "traitor", and the party's guide for the last leg of their journey.
Lizardfolk Gate Guards - gained entry to the village to await the chieftain.
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