Into the Woods

This adventure followed the retreat of the group led by Shale, Head Priestess of Perasin, and Solidus Proudfoot, Chief Priest of Varice from the area below Promise Junction following their defeat at the hands of the Dark Elven forces of Kiaransalee.

Troubles afoot

Just before dawn, Klaven and Siege, two members of the village guard, were out on patrol when they heard a disturbance in the woods north of the compound. Klaven went to chase whatever it was out, but it took to the air, and Siege saw that it appeared to be a flying pig-cat -- except it had two heads, one porcine and one feline. They attempted to follow it, but it attacked and killed a kobold before flying off into the hill country south of the village. Despite the efforts of the patrol, the village's head of security Quaithan and his blink dog companions, the creature could not be located. After reporting to Bramus at the Red Dragon Inn, the guard captain suggested Tula, who was in the village to have a look a giant green weasel captured by the village, ask Rodney, the local ranger, to accompany the druid Tara Goldmoon into town to further examine the giant weasel.

After breakfast, Bramus and his lieutenant Toshiro were headed out on morning patrol when they spotted two of the village adolescents, Lenin and Fern, running toward them from the farms. It seemed that they had found a wristband in the eastern forest that had been the source of several of the unusual creatures in the village, and Fern had put it on and could not get it off. Bardo attempted to read the writing without success, although Alvin detected strong magic emanating from it. Emi fetched Gilbert, who recognizes the writing, and Bardo then attempted to read it. She read out "Ocsiban, Temple of Demeter".

The town's librarian, Shirella, arrived and attempted to dispel the band's magic, but was unsuccessful. Having Isu reduce or enlarge either Fern's hand or the wristband was considered too dangerous. While Emi, the village messenger, prepared to go to Imor to report the finding of an item related to Ocsiban as requested by Lt. Barberry during her previous visit, Bardo went to inform Fern's mother of her situation. She was accompanied by Emwun, a mercenary who happened to be in the common room. While examining Fern, Toshiro discovered an oddly-shaped mole on her throat, which Rin identified as being similar to the symbol of Raskill.

While Gilbert prepared to attempt to identify the purpose of the wristband, Solidus and Rin conferred over how to proceed with questioning the hedge witch Tammra, who had been killed in the tunnels by a Drow's fireball. Learning that she desired revenge on her murderer, and that she had only what was on her person and her peddler's cart to use in aiding her raising, Solidus asked what might have happened to her dog, which she denied knowing.

Out to the castle

After lunch, Bramus asked Lenin to show him where he found the wristband. Accompanied by Toshiro, Solidus, Ishmakha and Makoto -- who, as a kitsune, had some tracking ability -- they proceeded into the woods east of town. Makoto detected a number of scents, mostly humanoid but one that was wolf-like which seemed to disturb her. Just then, Bramus spotted a small blue creature, which Toshiro recognized as a frost. First hiding from Solidus threatening her with a sling, she then came to Toshiro and introduced herself as Blui. The fairy warned them of the evil in the building ahead, and that she had seen and heard activity there.

The explorers soon came upon the building in question, which appeared to be a small castle or perhaps a large fort, complete with parapets and a moat. Lenin pointed out where he'd found the wristband, and they set out to return to the RDI...

Cast of characters

This adventure is being run by Shelley Proulx. Characters involved are still to be determined.

Adventure timeline

Previous adventure	Current adventure	Following adventure
What Lies Beneath	Into the Woods	TBA