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, about which she denied knowing anything.

First foray 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, including a strange man dressed in green.

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. Makoto secretly confided to Bramus regarding the odd scent, speculating that it might be a werewolf. Solidus suggested that he attempt to learn the history of the building.

Planning commences

When Gilbert failed to learn anything about the wristband, Siege suggested waiting for Lt. Barberry's arrival before proceeding further. Alvin suggested bringing more powerful magic to bear, and Sinjimin agreed to inquire about AutumnRose's availability. Meanwhile, as Shale was patrolling the marketplace, Rakeor told her that Embrodak, the head of the Dwarven crew building the road south of town, would come later that evening to examine the hole in the floor of the temple of Perasin.

Nyla came down for lunch, and Gilbert warned her of the impending arrival of Tara Goldmoon, who believed Nyla was dead and might notify her former lord, Turgan Khan. The warrior brushed off concerns. Duper, the Orcish bard, also came downstairs to ask Gilbert and Lily if they would aid in her planned repair in the basement of the temple of Gruumsh that evening. She expressed concern that demon roaches might interfere, causing Fern some consternation.

When Bramus and his team returned, Ishmakha went to check Tammra's cart, only to find that everything had been taken from it. The Karis informed Shale, then checked with Oashelf, the Gnomish trinket seller. Learning nothing, he proceeded to the RDI and informed Toshiro, who immediately questioned the two likeliest suspects: Makoto and Lily, who both denied involvement. Solidus mentioned that he might be able to find something from the cart, and the Gnomish tumbler quietly slipped out. Makoto spotted her and tried to convince her to put the stuff back, but the Gnome refused, choosing instead to hide her booty behind the shops.

Duper went to visit Stom, who convinced her to use her special skill to build an arena like the Ring of Brute Force. After Sato described it, she was convinced by the half-Orc's charms, and decided she would put off both High Priest Shazbot of Gruumsh and Mukmuk the kobold, with both of whom she'd already contracted for the following day. She then talked to Shale, asking her to have tools available to aid in the magic.

Back at the Red Dragon, Makoto sought out Dax regarding her feelings as a priestess of Sedric about the putative local thieves' guild. Bardo took note of Rin talking to Levi and accepting a pouch from him. At the temple of Perasin, Shale purchased cement from Embrodak, and arranged to use the Dwarves' forge to create tools.

Duper went to inform Shazbot of her new itinerary, angering the priest. After first requesting she build the arena next to his temple, he misunderstood something the bard said, thinking she would tell a story about Perasin being a weak female god that night, and agreed to postpone the repairs to his temple if she did so. Duper then went to find Mukmuk, but the kobold's chief, Jikjik, said there was no one by that name in their settlement. From there, she went to the RDI to fill in her support team of the change in plans, and let slip that she wanted to create a statue of Klaven to place at the arena. Toshiro agreed to make the attempt using stone shape, while Rin would paint it. She later played at the Blood, Bone and Brew, where she attempted to correct the earlier misunderstanding, but that only raised Shazbot's ire again. The High Priest insisted that she perform the repairs the following week, or she would not live to make any other repairs, and that in the meantime she was barred from performing at the BBB.

While Gilbert, Makoto and Lily performed at the RDI, Emi returned with Lt. Barberry. She filled the assembled staff in on Ocsiban's history along with a bit of background on Imor and the Barrens Reclamation Project. After confirming what had happened, she sent to Imor for Phaedra, a priestess of Hecate who had some familiarity with the magics involved. She was brought to examine the weasel while Barberry was escorted to the Arable farm to remove the wristband from Fern's arm. The priestess suggested it would be best to put the weasel down, but that would have to wait.

Scouting the structure

The next morning, after a visit from Blui at his campsite, Toshiro returned to the RDI to finalize plans to scout the fortress. He met Barberry and Phaedra, who considered that the man in green might have been Ocsiban, wearing the color of Demeter. The Elven priest then went into the forest, accompanied by Quellit, to set up a warning alarm should anyone leave the fortress. Quellit then returned to the road to watch for the other scouts.

Back at the Inn, Emi, considering herself responsible for Tammra's death, arranged to go with Isu to Sigil to have her raised. The dimensionalist suggested she should bring some muscle, so she asked Shale if she could spare Stom and Pete. The priestess allowed only the latter to go, and Shale also asked that they inquire after Stan, since she hadn't seen them recently. They agreed, then the three left along with Rin.

Soon afterward, Al'Hana arrived at the inn, informing her superior Solidus that the banner announcing the future temple of Varice had been vandalized. He wanted to check on its condition after checking the building's history, but Bramus told him he needed to locate Tammra's inventory first. He then went out along with Siege to join Toshiro. Not wanting to wait for Makoto to stir, Bramus went upstairs to fetch her so that she could also join them and escort Phaedra. Klaven, not sneaky enough to scout, went out sparring with Fluggs, a mercenary from Sandpit, with the secondary purpose of evaluating him for the town guard.

Out in the woods, Toshiro was harassed by what looked like a stirge, but was oddly colored and out of season. When Solidus and Siege arrived, the priest of Gaiya camouflaged the priest of Varice, meaning it would take some time to get to and from the site of the building. During that time, Makoto arrived, unhappy at being left behind at the inn. Solidus returned with the results of his divination, having learned that the building had been visited by Zathmore, Tazhbalakh, and Rejek during the Wars of Arin, before Fhegdh fell to the White Alliance. The first two names were familiar to some of those present, but nobody knew who or what Rejek was.

That sorted, Makoto shape-shifted into fox form to investigate the building. She found open windows on the second floor, and many instances of the wolf-like scent from her previous visit. This led to a discussion of how to get into the building. Several options, mundane and magical, were discussed without a resolution.

Back at the RDI, Tara and Rodney arrived from Eskalikor. Bramus escorted the druid out to examine the weasel while Rodney chatted with Klaven. The guard captain then went out to check on the scouts' progress. They soon started on their way back to the inn, and Phaedra expressed disappointment at not meeting the frost. Toshiro invited her to stay at his camp that night, which she eventually accepted. On the way, Solidus examined his tarnished banner, and cast about for an idea to keep it from happening again.

Upon their arrival, Barberry asked Siege for information about the building. Since all had been quiet, she suggested that perhaps someone should observe the structure at night before attempting to enter. Siege sat next to Rodney and Klaven, and they were soon joined by Nyla. The barbarian warrior made a few pointed remarks regarding Tara and her friendship with Turgan, but the druid ignored her. Rodney and Klaven made haste to depart, with Makoto following them to ask Rodney about the scents she'd detected. The ranger ruled out werewolves and asked about the worgs that the local goblins kept, but Makoto knew their scent. Rodney then mentioned winter wolves as a possible answer, and talk turned to the other odd creatures in the area.

Back inside Siege tried to engage Nyla on the subject of her beef with Tara. This only served to anger her further, and she stormed out spoiling for a fight. Coming across Klaven, she asked if he'd spar with her to work out her aggression...

Cast of characters

This adventure is being run by Shelley Proulx. Characters involved are still to be determined. Below is a list of characters who have been involved at one point or another:

• Makoto - run by Lou McLeary
• Phaedra - run by John Proulx
• Siege - run by Phil Vlasak
• Solidus - run by Phil Vlasak
• Toshiro - run by Syd Howard

Adventure timeline

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