Great-grandchild of the sister's gibbon's friend of the nephew of the Campaign that Would Not Die, now in 3.25e Møøse Trained By: Hugh Foster

A Message for You, Rhudien

Holy Isle, Denric Forest, 23rd October 2100

Chambu recalls that Bulette head plates can be made into magic shields, and harvests them.

Once the party get back to the Holy Isle, Dandelion strides forth, unslings his lute, leaps atop the stacked Bulette plates and proceeds to produce a stirring ad hoc sung account of the battle of the Bulettes. He lauds each of the combatants in turn, but lavishes most praise on their savious – perhaps just a soupcon extra for Chambu’s healing magic. All the survivors gather around and applaud enthusiastically; the song wasn't actually all that bad. He doesn’t use any Bard abilities on it, just performs.

Thenian

Once that’s done the villagers gather around the PCs; every one of them seems to want to thank them at the same time. Finally, Thenian calls for order and more formally thanks them in the name of her temple and the village community; “You are ever welcome among us, and if you are in need any of us will aid if we can”. She speaks to the villagers, telling them that this is the moment to put the sadness behind them and begin to rebuild. With a smile, she appoints Dandelion village Mayor pro tem. This causes gasps, then applause. He’s a human, but the villagers seem to feel he has earned his position.

“If you head eastwards through the forest,” says Thenian, “you will encounter our neighbors, a community of centaurs and satyrs. This,” she offers a stick to the party in general, “is a token of safe-conduct.” On accepting it, a PC can see that it’s intricately carved around and around in a spiral pattern. “They will guide you to the eastern edge of the forest, from which you can reach the Road in twenty miles.”

• Dandelion sorts out horses of various sizes - not Baggy!
• Hospitality, supplies, Freemen of Nerion, overnight

Denric Forest, 24th October 2100

• Next day into the forest, gradually gets less autumnal
• Meet 5 centaurs led by Rhudien, token, invited into the Heart of the Forest

Heart of the Forest, Denric Forest, 24th October 2100

Finally, the party emerges into a wide clearing, glowing in the late afternoon sunshine. Dozens of centaurs, most less martial than their companions, and a scatter of satyrs – most hefting leather wine bottles. In the centre of the clearing is possibly the most beautiful creature any of them have ever seen – a snowy-white, elegant unicorn with golden hooves, mane and horn. It is immediately apparent that all the other creatures defer to her, and Rhudien bows before introducing the PCs to the Forestmaster, and shows her their token if he has it.

The unicorn’s voice is soft and thrilling as she welcomes them to the Heart of the Forest. Their safe-conduct from Thenian is a strong recommendation – and their actual quest even more so, if they reveal it – and she asks them how she may help. If they mention travelling east or ask for one, she offers a guide; “The tracts east of my domain are plagued by the Curst,” she says. “Rhudien can guide you through the safer ways, though it will remain dangerous.”

• Accept the guide but decline the party, Satyrs look a bit disappointed
• Head straight off

Owlbear

Eastern Edge of Denric Forest, 26th October 2100

• After 2 days' travel, encounter Curst Owlbears.
• Talian and Baylock vanish into cover and rake them with missiles
• Rhudien wounded to -9
• Baggy charges on Binky to great effect, then lets Binky kick the wounded OB to death and charges another on foot back the way she came, runs up the back of one and splits its head
• Chambu saves Rhudien, summons Bison and Bears; Holy Cow throws a double natural and one-shots an OB!
• Just when it looks all over, another lumbers out of the trees, and a pack of Slitheren ratmen appear on a different crag
• Baylock, readied, shoots one just as they shoot at the Owlbear
• Slitheren fade back into the trees
• Dr Who Ending

Session Date: 2nd March 2021; in Cyberspace!