Into the Valley of Roses: Difference between revisions

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While that was going on, Sir Wojer had got through the thorn wall and was advancing on the stone circle. As he did so, the three trees surrounded it advanced towards him. Pierre managed to set one on fire and I used my last 'whirlwind battery' to set another on fire with a lightning strike. I was then attempting to take off to help deal to the third tree but was smacked by a tree and flung into the rose bushes. So, down went the second healing potion of the day. But, whatever I was doing must have pleased whatever had cursed me as I started to feel a bit more confident and powerful.
While that was going on, Sir Wojer had got through the thorn wall and was advancing on the stone circle. As he did so, the three trees surrounded it advanced towards him. Pierre managed to set one on fire and I used my last 'whirlwind battery' to set another on fire with a lightning strike. I was then attempting to take off to help deal to the third tree but was smacked by a tree and flung into the rose bushes. So, down went the second healing potion of the day. But, whatever I was doing must have pleased whatever had cursed me as I started to feel a bit more confident and powerful.


Finally we had dealt with all three trees, mainly by using fire and waiting for them to burn out, and now we had to deal with whatever was inside the stone circle. Whatever it was, it was cloaked in an illusion which I couldn't see through. The area looked like mown grass. So I tossed a rock into the middle of it which disappeared. 'Careful' probing later resulted in Sir Wojer falling down the hole while Amira and Mungo found the stairs. Mungo soon looked like he had grown shorter. He was standing on a spiral staircase which led down into a 20ft by 20ft room.  
Finally we had dealt with all three trees, mainly by using fire and waiting for them to burn out, and now we had to deal with whatever was inside the stone circle. Whatever it was, it was cloaked in an illusion which I couldn't see through. The area looked like mowen grass. So I tossed a rock into the middle of it which disappeared. 'Careful' probing later resulted in Sir Wojer falling down the hole while Amira and Mungo found the stairs. Mungo soon looked like he had grown shorter. He was standing on a spiral staircase which led down into a 20ft by 20ft room.  


A set of double door led off from the wall ahead while the wall to the right had a plainer door to the right. We decided to go straight and discovered a banquet hall containing a large table with meats and turnips on it. Beyond that was a rose vine curtain that had regenerative magic on it. Four rose sprites were feasting from the food. They refused to talk to us and I noticed one had a cut ear while another had human shaped ears. Decidingly odd. Amira had to shoot one with a cold iron arrow in order to get their attention. All that they would tell us was "The King does not see those that that do not have the blessing of the Mother". Trying to find out what we needed to do, just led to us being ignored.
A set of double door led off from the wall ahead while the wall to the right had a plainer door to the right. We decided to go straight and discovered a banquet hall containing a large table with meats and turnips on it. Beyond that was a rose vine curtain that had regenerative magic on it. Four rose sprites were feasting from the food. They refused to talk to us and I noticed one had a cut ear while another had human shaped ears. Decidingly odd. Amira had to shoot one with a cold iron arrow in order to get their attention. All that they would tell us was "The King does not see those that that do not have the blessing of the Mother". Trying to find out what we needed to do, just led to us being ignored.
There were other doors heading off to the left and the right, so we went left. This was a room containing rose bushes as well as a pool, and a door, on the far side. Amira stepped in the room and a rose version of a Hand of Earth appeared which she deftly dodged. More uncooperative rose sprites appeared and refused to let us pass, shooting at us when we attempted to do so.
Backing out, we crossed the banquet room and went through the other door. This led us into a room containing tree roots, and another door to the right. An attempt to go through there led to us encountering three giant bees – even bigger than the ones Grizelda has – and, during the fight, I got stung but fortunately the poison didn't take.
Two of the bees were killed and the other backed off. In this room was a lot of honeycombs and a door to the right – which we soon found led back to the first room.
The only place we could go was back to the rose bush room and the only way we could progress was to kill off the rose sprites that were in there. Once the smoke of battle cleared we headed into the room where we discovered that there was a lot of coinage and other valuata in the water. Many of the coins dated back to before the birth of the Western Kingdom which would make them even more valuable.
Finally we went through the door and discovered a circular room. Inside was a very large rosebush illuminated by a shaft of light from a hole in the ceiling. Amira stepped forward to pick a blossom, got pricked by a thorn and started scratching. I decided to be a little bit more respectful to the Mother Rosebush and got my rose flower with no difficulty.
Now we had them, we managed to get through the rose curtain and saw the Rose King. Unfortunately he was less than co-operative and I was getting rather annoyed, even trying to intimidate him with my own faeness. I did get the impression though that there was more going on than met the eye and he may be being coerced, but by whom, he wouldn't, or couldn't, say.
So we left, rather frustrated and annoyed. All I could do, when we got back to the fort, was to tell the Captain what we had found and recommend that he kept his work teams well away from that area in future, even though we had no idea how far they ranged.
The rest of my party were convinced we had completed our assignment and that we should leave and get paid. We had gathered up all the coins and other stuff as well as quite a bit of beeswax from that hive of giant bees – also worth quite a bit. I wasn't so sure that we had finished, in fact, I wanted to keep a watch on that rose sprite lair and see what was going on as I wasn't quite sure the forest had been rendered completely safe.
However, I was having difficulty convincing the others about ny doubts but, since it was getting late, I managed to convince them to stay the night before we flew off in the morning.
=== 7th Thaw ===
I'm glad we did, as the next piece in the puzzle attacked us early in the morning. I was on watch when I saw something against the sun coming at us. I managed to alert the two facing watch towers and was on my way to tell the rest of my party, when we were strafed by four fire drakes.  By now the main alarm bell was tolling and the others were getting themselves ready. The fire drakes flew over the fort, setting roofs on fire and dropping something near the well. Men were busy putting out fires and Sir Wojer and I helped by conjuring up winds (Sir Wojer) and dropping mists (me). I then went to investigate the rock that had been dropped. It had illusionary magic and Quentin expelled it.
We flew back to Silverstream to report to the Baron. Once there, we let him know exactly what had happened. He confirmed my suspicion that the rose fae were unseelie and requested that we go back to the fort and find out where the fire drakes came from and who sent them. Quentin had also established that the magic on the rock had been a programmed illusion – presumably some sort of message. So, while the others went back to the fort, Quentin and I flew back to Seagate to ask the Guild Bard to find out what we could about the message. I had the suspicion it was some sort of warning.
The Guild Bard must have done rather well with his Ritual of Rescitation as we got the following “Taken from a river, taken within, the dark elf glowers. In anger he sits. He prepares his gift, a message of woe. Begone he says this vale is mine. To his servants, the stone he gives – to the skies they take in the predawn light. Fire they bring and the stone falls.”
I thanked him for confirming my suspicions and, after pausing for a cup of herbal tea at the Guild bar, Quentin and I flew straight back to the fort at full speed. Once there, I spoke to the fort Captain and told him my suspicion that the drakes may be back the next morning. I also suggested he have several buckets of water strategically placed around the fort – just in case.
=== 8th Thaw ===
Sure enough, the next morning they were back – but this time we were ready for them. This time they were shot at, thunderclapped and wind stormed. Two of them crashed in the courtyard while the other two fled as fast as they could. Fortunately a second message stone was found with one of the crashed drakes. For some strange reason, I was expecting a message skull. But it didn't matter, now we could find out exactly what the message was. I like it when a plan comes together.


== Footer ==
== Footer ==

Revision as of 02:50, 12 November 2015

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Header

Summary

Adventure: Into the Valley of Roses
GM: Jacqui Smith
Session: Spring 815
Night: Thursdays
Location The house of Smith
Level: Low to Medium
Rules: ?

Mission

Finding out why people who enter an ancient forest, don't come out.

The Party

Scribe Notes

I've finally done it. Got myself on an adventure. Took a bit of prodding from Starflower and the Sorceress in Silver but I did it. After the last fiasco where I royally messed up and nearly got myself killed by self-induced suicide - or something - I still don't know what the heck I was thinking at the time - I'm back in the field and hoping I still have the Right Stuff.

The adventure I managed to get on looked simple enough, go to Ranke and find out why people who enter a forest don't come out of it. Seemed simple enough - I mean how hard can it be? Even for someone of my limited capabilities ... sorry ... not allowed to use the word limited in relation to myself. Also not allowed to say handicapped, cursed or .. anything else that will bring down my already damaged self-worth. *sigh* Already having to take St John's Wort on a daily basis.

Anyway, enough about me, although I should point out, that, after missing out at the main Guild meeting - again - I was feeling a bit lackluster, especially after the news that the Spring Rites hadn't been enough to rejuvenate the Elven Race and we would have to closely ally ourselves with the Evil Drow, and I mean really closely, when I was told that a late employer had arrived and was looking for volunteers. So I went (read was guided .. erm ... pushed by Cousin Starflower - that woman can be so persuasive sometimes) and signed up.

There were two other people in there. One I recognised instantly being Sir Wojer, a fellow member of the Air College. The other, I didn't know but I soon found out was Amira, a dancer from Adjepbar. When I mentioned that I knew dances as well, she asked me if I had ever danced around a pole. I replied that I had flown around them but never danced around one before. I quickly got the impression that she thought I should.

Our party employer was an emissary from Baron Helmut, located in the Silverstream Barony in South Ranke. I had a fair idea where that was and was confident I could find it from the air. He told us that we were required to check out an old forest in the Thorny Valley, located to the west of the Bluewater River. Unfortunately there had been stories of people going in there and disappearing so the Baron wanted us to find out what was going on. With all the refugees that were still coming into Silverstream, work parties from nearby Fort Rodan were supposed to be in there cutting down trees to make buildings to accomodate them all, and one of the work parties were already among the missing. Makes sense. I just hope that the three of us are up to the task.

After the emissary had left, we sorted out what resources we had and who was doing what. It soon became apparent that these two knew about my affliction (not surprisingly, it was all around the Guild - so much for discretion) and were making plans to help me deal with it. Fortunately, one of those plans was not making me the Party Leader as well as the Scribe. Amira became our leader. Guild Security was also successful in vetoing their other plan to sell me to a brothel in Sanctuary and wait for me to escape. I would have just flown out the nearest window anyway - naked if I had to.

Next thing we did was to check our resources then go off to make preparations. We were just pooling our resources when three more adventurers turned up, being Quentin, Pierre, and Mungo. So, we revoted who was doing what, and the rotten sods decided to make me the party leader after all. Plus, Sir Wojer said I was supposed to be tough and decisive. I'm fairly sure Mungo, or was it Amira, was made the Military Scientist and Quentin the Scribe but I'm not too sure as I was still recovering from the shock.

We got Restoratives at cost, Rank 10s so I went for half a dozen. Meanwhile Amira had arranged for Lucius to put Greaters on us all. I went for all four areas at a total cost of 16K and also arranged to pay for Quentin's, at the same price, since he was relatively new and couldn't afford the total package. Besides, I wanted to ensure everyone survived this trip and could operate at their maximum potential.

Mungo insisted on organising a feast before we left, apparently it's traditional, but Sir Wojer wanted to get away as soon as we could. Mungo had a boat so it would be decided we would go on that. An argument developed between the two of them which I listened to, and was about to hand down my decision when Sir Wojer beat me to it. We would have the feat on the boat after we left on the early morning tide. *sigh* I should have been more assertive and spoke up earlier.

2nd Thaw

Finally set sail on the 2nd of Thaw and the feast was had, washed down with copious quantities of beer (mead in my case) and I was finally eating meat again as some of the healers thought that might have had something to do with my ennui. The bacon was actually delicious. The only interparty dispute I had to deal with was when Mungo believed his magical crown should be ensuring that we respected him for his leadership. So I threatened to get my fairy crown which probably had more power than Mungos. That lead Sir Wojer to say "We don't want two Queens on this boat".

4th Thaw

Arrived in Silverstream on the fourth. We could have gone directly to the danger zone but I insisted we divert to Silversteam to at least pay our respects to the Baron. It's only polite after all. However, the Baron wasn't available for an audience until tomorrow morning. We were told he had invited us for brunch at the castle.

5th Thaw

So, next morning, in our finest, we headed up to the palace. The rules said that no heavy weapons were to be taken into the Baron's presence but Mungo, Quentin, and Sir Wojer insisted on not being parted from their weapons, even after assurances were given that they would be well looked after. Since they were so adament, I just shrugged and left them to it, which resulted on them staying in the outer atrium with the guards. I did managed to ensure that they were able to get some of the decent food we were enjoying.

We were told by the Baron that our contact at the Fort was Sir Gunter Talon and the work party had vanished seven days ago. He had not heard of any others disappearing but it was not inconceivable. Since it was an ancient forest I was wondering if dryads were involved. The Bluewater was only navigatable up as far as Avonhilthe so we would need horses.

After the meal we managed to get a guide, a ranger type called Brian Haverland. Pierre then went provision shopping for the trip. While he did, Amira and I tagged along, just in case something bad happened to him. We then went to see the three local witches to see what they knew and also what we could obtain. I went for a six pack of Rank 10 restoratives which they were offering at cost. Mungo also got a reading "Fate whispers to the warrior 'You cannot withstand the storm', The warrior replies 'I am the storm".

We set off on our trip towards the Thorny Valley. By evening we had reached Avonhilthe. According to Brian, it would take us another three days to reach our destination. Even though we were staying at an inn, watches were set up.

6th Thaw

Next day, we continued up alongside the Bluewater River. Once we were out of sight from any one and into uncultivated area, Pierre used his landspeed spell so we would reach the fort that afternoon. We did, however, had to slow down to a normal speed when we reached the village of Castleford. The inhabitants told us that the place had been taken over by undead, which made Mungo rather excited at the thought of hordes of them still out there but, when he realised that had been over a year ago and none had been sighted since then, he clearly looked disappointed. He brightened up though when the goblin hordes, ogres, wolves and the occasional wild bear were mentioned. Here, we crossed the river and followed a tributary going west where Brian told us that the logs were floated down. He also told us that the Thorny Valley got it's name because the place was full of wild thorn bushes. Now that was interesting. There were a mixture of trees in the forest as well.

By about lunchtime, we finally came across evidence of logging and soon saw the fort ahead. Before entering, we spoke to a few of the woodsmen who told us that who told us that it was still only the first team of eight and their two soldier escort that were missing. Since then, they had been ordered to work closer to the fort, however, that work team had been working on some really good, solid, pine trees, that had been ideal for making planks with, not like the trees here. There were rumours of ogres up in the mountains and there had been no reports of strange lights or the tinkling of tiny bells. The roses were located further in, starting near where the forest work team had vanished and most of those roses were red.

Once in the fort, we met up with Gunter. For some reason Amira introduced herself as "Amira, the Often Over-Spoken." Gunter told us that the workteam had vanished about six miles off the finished part of the trail into the woods and they weren't clearfelling, just taking the trees that were the most suitable. Besides, the soil here was wrong for farming. Finally, after getting the names and descriptions of the missing, we headed off to see what evidence we could find.

We certainly found a lot when we got there. Two tents were still standing and there was signs of a fight. Dried blood was on the ground and Mungo found a faint trail of a small creature, humanoid and unshod. Goblins perhaps? Meanwhile Brian found an arrow which had rose petal fletching and a rose thorn for the tip. Gideon confirmed that the shaft was made of rosewood as well. There was no magic on it but beeswax from giant bees had been used in it's construction. I might have to try making arrows like these.

We then followed the faint trail and came across a clearing surrounded by two concentric rings of rose bushes forming a wall. Inside the clearing was a stone circle and the tracks led straight through the gaps in the rose rings and straight towards the interior of the stone circle.

Sir Wojer decided to get a Fly spell up and discovered that this was a low mana for Air. All the other Colleges were unaffected so I came to the conclusion that this was an Earth Place of Power. Amira and Pierre went invisible and bravely strode into the gap, and were promptly grasped by Hands of Thorns. So Sir Wojer charged in and was promptly shot at. Mungo then pushed through the thorny Hands and discovered there were Rose Fae in the bushes. So Mungo charged at them, gridiron style, using Pierre as the ball.

What was I doing at the time? I had taken off on my own wings and took off on a parabolic arc over the hedge. On the apex of my arc, I blasted the fae on the other side, from Mungo and Pierre, with a Thunderclap, powered by one of my two remaining 'whirlwind batteries'. A Wall of Thorns had appeared beyond the Hands but either Quentin had Dispelled it, or Mungo had knocked it over, but it was definitely gone. Another Wall appeared at the end of the gap in the hedge.

This was then, to my annoyance and frustration, Amira and Mungo started fighting each other. Mungo claimed that Amira had insulted his god, Odin, and was demanding an apology. Mungo ended up throwing Amira into the thorn bushes. As the fae retreated, an old man with a beard suddenly appeared, who Mungo recognised as Odin, and 'suggested' that Mungo learn wisdom and humility. He then vanished. [ taking Odins advice I shall henceforth be known as "Mungo the Humble" - Mungo ].

While that was going on, Sir Wojer had got through the thorn wall and was advancing on the stone circle. As he did so, the three trees surrounded it advanced towards him. Pierre managed to set one on fire and I used my last 'whirlwind battery' to set another on fire with a lightning strike. I was then attempting to take off to help deal to the third tree but was smacked by a tree and flung into the rose bushes. So, down went the second healing potion of the day. But, whatever I was doing must have pleased whatever had cursed me as I started to feel a bit more confident and powerful.

Finally we had dealt with all three trees, mainly by using fire and waiting for them to burn out, and now we had to deal with whatever was inside the stone circle. Whatever it was, it was cloaked in an illusion which I couldn't see through. The area looked like mowen grass. So I tossed a rock into the middle of it which disappeared. 'Careful' probing later resulted in Sir Wojer falling down the hole while Amira and Mungo found the stairs. Mungo soon looked like he had grown shorter. He was standing on a spiral staircase which led down into a 20ft by 20ft room.

A set of double door led off from the wall ahead while the wall to the right had a plainer door to the right. We decided to go straight and discovered a banquet hall containing a large table with meats and turnips on it. Beyond that was a rose vine curtain that had regenerative magic on it. Four rose sprites were feasting from the food. They refused to talk to us and I noticed one had a cut ear while another had human shaped ears. Decidingly odd. Amira had to shoot one with a cold iron arrow in order to get their attention. All that they would tell us was "The King does not see those that that do not have the blessing of the Mother". Trying to find out what we needed to do, just led to us being ignored.

There were other doors heading off to the left and the right, so we went left. This was a room containing rose bushes as well as a pool, and a door, on the far side. Amira stepped in the room and a rose version of a Hand of Earth appeared which she deftly dodged. More uncooperative rose sprites appeared and refused to let us pass, shooting at us when we attempted to do so.

Backing out, we crossed the banquet room and went through the other door. This led us into a room containing tree roots, and another door to the right. An attempt to go through there led to us encountering three giant bees – even bigger than the ones Grizelda has – and, during the fight, I got stung but fortunately the poison didn't take.

Two of the bees were killed and the other backed off. In this room was a lot of honeycombs and a door to the right – which we soon found led back to the first room.

The only place we could go was back to the rose bush room and the only way we could progress was to kill off the rose sprites that were in there. Once the smoke of battle cleared we headed into the room where we discovered that there was a lot of coinage and other valuata in the water. Many of the coins dated back to before the birth of the Western Kingdom which would make them even more valuable.

Finally we went through the door and discovered a circular room. Inside was a very large rosebush illuminated by a shaft of light from a hole in the ceiling. Amira stepped forward to pick a blossom, got pricked by a thorn and started scratching. I decided to be a little bit more respectful to the Mother Rosebush and got my rose flower with no difficulty.

Now we had them, we managed to get through the rose curtain and saw the Rose King. Unfortunately he was less than co-operative and I was getting rather annoyed, even trying to intimidate him with my own faeness. I did get the impression though that there was more going on than met the eye and he may be being coerced, but by whom, he wouldn't, or couldn't, say.

So we left, rather frustrated and annoyed. All I could do, when we got back to the fort, was to tell the Captain what we had found and recommend that he kept his work teams well away from that area in future, even though we had no idea how far they ranged.

The rest of my party were convinced we had completed our assignment and that we should leave and get paid. We had gathered up all the coins and other stuff as well as quite a bit of beeswax from that hive of giant bees – also worth quite a bit. I wasn't so sure that we had finished, in fact, I wanted to keep a watch on that rose sprite lair and see what was going on as I wasn't quite sure the forest had been rendered completely safe.

However, I was having difficulty convincing the others about ny doubts but, since it was getting late, I managed to convince them to stay the night before we flew off in the morning.

7th Thaw

I'm glad we did, as the next piece in the puzzle attacked us early in the morning. I was on watch when I saw something against the sun coming at us. I managed to alert the two facing watch towers and was on my way to tell the rest of my party, when we were strafed by four fire drakes. By now the main alarm bell was tolling and the others were getting themselves ready. The fire drakes flew over the fort, setting roofs on fire and dropping something near the well. Men were busy putting out fires and Sir Wojer and I helped by conjuring up winds (Sir Wojer) and dropping mists (me). I then went to investigate the rock that had been dropped. It had illusionary magic and Quentin expelled it.

We flew back to Silverstream to report to the Baron. Once there, we let him know exactly what had happened. He confirmed my suspicion that the rose fae were unseelie and requested that we go back to the fort and find out where the fire drakes came from and who sent them. Quentin had also established that the magic on the rock had been a programmed illusion – presumably some sort of message. So, while the others went back to the fort, Quentin and I flew back to Seagate to ask the Guild Bard to find out what we could about the message. I had the suspicion it was some sort of warning.

The Guild Bard must have done rather well with his Ritual of Rescitation as we got the following “Taken from a river, taken within, the dark elf glowers. In anger he sits. He prepares his gift, a message of woe. Begone he says this vale is mine. To his servants, the stone he gives – to the skies they take in the predawn light. Fire they bring and the stone falls.”

I thanked him for confirming my suspicions and, after pausing for a cup of herbal tea at the Guild bar, Quentin and I flew straight back to the fort at full speed. Once there, I spoke to the fort Captain and told him my suspicion that the drakes may be back the next morning. I also suggested he have several buckets of water strategically placed around the fort – just in case.

8th Thaw

Sure enough, the next morning they were back – but this time we were ready for them. This time they were shot at, thunderclapped and wind stormed. Two of them crashed in the courtyard while the other two fled as fast as they could. Fortunately a second message stone was found with one of the crashed drakes. For some strange reason, I was expecting a message skull. But it didn't matter, now we could find out exactly what the message was. I like it when a plan comes together.

Footer

Buffs

Buffs listed in the table don't need to be detailed, other buffs not on the table must be mentioned at the time they are cast.
Y means always on, N/- means never on, 'Sit.' means when the party has time for buffs before a fight.
Weapon Spells which weapon/s it is going on normally should be noted also.


Long Duration Buffs

Magic Rk Effects Dur Am Au Mg Pe Qt Wj
Greater Enchantment (Lucius) 20 +21 3 months - All 4 areas - - - -
Flying (Aurora) 20 50mph (525 miles max) 10.5 hours - Sit. - - - -
Vapour Breathing (Aurora) 6 3.5 hours - Sit. - - - -
Resist Cold (Aurora) 6 7 hours - Y - - - -
xxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x hrs x min - - - - - -

Short Duration Buffs

Magic Rk Effects Dur Am Au Mg Pe Qt Wj
Inspiring Poem xx +8 Strike Chance x hrs x min - - - - - -
Strength of Darkness +7 Physical Strength 1 hour 50 mins - - - - - -
Greater Heroism +3 DEF, +1 Dam, +7MR v Fear x hrs x min - - - - - -
Enchant Armour 10 +22 Defense 5 hours 30 mins - - - - - -

Watch/Marching Order

Loot

Stuff for the Times

Quotes

What's Hot/Not

Calendar

Spring: Thaw (10) 815wk
Moonday Duesday W'ansday Th'rsday Frysday Reapsday Sunday
Candlemansa 1 Guild Meeting 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Spring: Seedtime (11)
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 Rites of Thunor 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 Equinox 16 17 Eostre 18 Seagate Spring Ball
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
Spring: Blossom (12)
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 Floralia 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Walpurgisnacht