After destroying the Cloakwood Mines, the Troupe have put a thorn in the Iron Throne’s operations. They now make their way back through the Cloakwood, hoping for a safe return to civilisation. They leave the domain of the Shadow Druids and now must fight their way through spider territory.
3 Eleint 1368
After nearly a day’s travel we find ourselves close to the spider’s lair. The forest isn’t kind to us and we are beset by giant spiders on this new day. Thankfully they have no web traps to slow us down.
For some reason they are drawn to Kieria, but we are able to cut through them cleanly without any harm coming to ourselves.
We think we are clear, but as we move past the spider’s lair another group spots us.
Though they are just as easy to kill, the Cloakwood refuses to stop sending spiders our way.
When we are in the clear, Aura tells us that she is learning a lot fighting her way through all these spiders.
Gameplay Note
Her Death and Wand Saving Throws improve by 1. Her THAC0 is reduced by 1. Her Backstab Multiplier is increased by 2. She gains 20 Skill Points and I put 10 into Open Locks and 10 into Find Traps. She gains 3 Hit Points and 3 points of Lore.
After this we have some luck on our way to the stream. Crossing it we are no longer in spider territory, and are safe from their webs once again. The sun sets as we travel east toward the edge of the Cloakwood.
4 Eleint 1368
Every time we rest I notice Aura tinkering with the Berserking Sword. She’s been doing this for almost the whole expedition. But on this small rest she is finally excited to show her work.
Aura: Eureka! I think I’ve done it! Hey, hey, Aegon! I’ve finished with that commission you had me work on. Take a look!
She hands me the sword and I take a look, being careful not to grab the hilt.
Aura: Working with cursed items is always a challenge, and a huge risk at that, but… well, I think I’ve managed to restrain it a little.
Remember – if you’re going to use it, try to stay healthy in battle, or else it’ll put you in even greater danger than before. Unless you really know what you’re doing, of course.
It is still cursed, but it is more manageable even with the curse. A strong warrior may enjoy this sword, but for now it stays in the Bag of Holding.
When we get moving again, Kivan approaches me. We begin to talk about sunsets.
Kivan: I wanted to ask you, Aegon… What are you thinking of, when you are watching sunsets? There was an emotion written on your face I did not quite understand.
Aegon: I forget for a moment the trials we face, and I enjoy the warmth of colors. It is a bittersweet feeling.
Kivan: You are luckier than I am, then. I see the sky smeared with blood… Deheriana’s blood.
I stop walking and place my hand on his shoulder.
Aegon: We shall avenge Gorion’s and your Deheriana’s death. Maybe then the sunset will not be an ominous sight for you.
He grips my wrist.
Kivan: Aegon, I hope that such a day will come. Maybe we will stand together then, watching the sun set while dreaming of the dawn… as befits a happy person.
We keep moving, but Aura is curious after hearing our conversation. She approaches Kivan with questions.
Aura: You’re hunting someone, Kivan?
Kivan: Tazok. A monstrous fiend who leads the bandits plaguing this land. He murdered my Deheriana.
Aura: Do you plan on killing him? For revenge?
Kivan: That is my sole reason for remaining in this land.
Aura: I… see. I guess that means we’re alike… but different, too.
Kivan: What do you mean, Aura?
Aura: I am after somebody who has killed one close to me as well… but even now, I’m not sure what I’ll do when I find him. Maybe I don’t have your conviction.
Kivan: No. It is because you are kinder and more innocent than I. Take pride in that… for you should never be forced onto the path I must walk.
Kinder. Innocent. Am I not these things any more? I have been on this quest for vengeance ever since I lost my father. But now I wonder if I have lost more than just his life.
We push on through the night and hear a haunting howl, and some loud growls. The rotting corpses of undead wolves charge at us, undeterred by the flurry of arrows we send their way.
One burns to death thanks to Branwen’s Fire Bullets, but another ignores me and goes straight for Kieria. She seems to be a monster magnet lately.
With Kivan on our side the wolves stand no chance. Their remains soon lay in the dirt with arrows through their skulls.
This wasn’t the whole pack, however. More dread wolves leap out from the undergrowth at us, but we prove to be more than a match for them.
Once they are dead we keep moving. We find the cabin in the woods here, with Seniyad still waiting outside. He doesn’t care about talking, instead insisting we find his lost druids.
Seniyad: I urge you to look for Beador and Maretha, if you are friends to the druids of Cloakwood.
We didn’t find them in the mines, and if they were still there they would already be dead. Perhaps they were taken somewhere else, somewhere outside the Cloakwood.
We are nearing the edge of the forest now, but it still won’t let us leave in peace. On our way back to civilisation we are ambushed by a small group of tasloi. They don’t realise how outmatched they are after all we have been through.
After they are dead we step over their corpses and continue to the east. The trees leave us behind and the sun rises once more. This dawn seems brighter than in recent days.
We are grateful to be travelling under the sun again, but after a few hours we find that we aren’t out of the woods yet. As we pass by some trees a small group of ettercaps leaps out and gives chase to us.
I turn to face them, Bashrik’s Hammer in hand, but the others rush right into their trap. Webs spring from the ground latching onto them and slowing their movement. Only Kieria is fast enough to avoid the silken strands.
As the others struggle to escape the webs, I am surrounded by ettercaps. Claws and mandibles deflect off shield and hammer as I desperately defend myself.
I call upon one of the abilities granted to me in dreams, and Horror fills the minds of two of the ettercaps. They immediately retreat from the fight.
Kivan escapes from their webs and notches an arrow into his bow. It flies straight through the skull of one of the ettercaps.
A second arrow sends the other ettercap reeling, and I smash its face with my Hammer.
We chase down the ettercaps that are afeared, and Kivan gets another kill to his name.
By the time we find the final ettercap my spell has worn off, but after Kieria and Kivan pin it down with arrows I am able to finish the beast off easily.
We keep travelling to the east and when the sun is at its highest we find a road. Following it north we see a familiar site as the Friendly Arm’s keep rises above the horizon. Being so tired and weary it is a sight to behold after so much time in the dark forest.
As we approach the gates seeking bed and board, we are approached by a well armed half-elf. She seems to be seeking our help.
Jet’laya: Aye, what is it ye want? I mean…eh…sorry. I didna mean to be so abrubt I have just been under a lot of stress an me family is worse for tha wear. Oh, where’s me manners? My name is Jet’laya from Cormanthor.
Aegon: Well met, my name is Aegon and these are my traveling companions. Can you tell us more about your need.
Jet’laya: Well, ye see…I’m lookin’ fer iny sister who’s been missing now fer near half a year, an I mean tae find her. I fear for what might have happen’d tae her. Ye see she went mad after her lover left her for another lass. She was in a frightful state and ran deep into the forest between here and Cormanthor tae the east. I’ve tracked her tae a forested area tae the east of Peldvale. I would be ever so grateful fer any assistance you could give me.
Perhaps this would be the right time for a detour. A quest to save someone rather than a quest for vengeance may help cleanse our souls.
Aegon: It sounds to be an honorable quest and we would be glad to help you in your time of need.
Jet ‘laya: Very well then, our destination lies tae the east. My uncle is waiting at the Jovial Juggler in Beregost., Once we find my sister, Ferium, we should go to him there.
Kieria doesn’t wish to join us in the quest, but says that she will remain at the Friendly Arm if we ever need her again.
Keiria Silverstring: I guess this is the end of our partnership?
Aegon: I have no need for your assistance at this time, though I may call upon you in the future.
Keiria Silverstring: Very well. I shall hang around here for a little while and start writing about our adventures.
I ask Jet’Laya to tell us more about herself.
She says that she is a Priest of Lathander, the Morninglord.
She wears a suit of chainmail crafted for her by her brother Rennar.
She wields a mace and a small shield that protects her from the undead.
She also shows me her ring, enchanted to protect her from succumbing to the will of others.
We walk through the gates of the Friendly Arm Inn once again. It feels good to be back, and we look forward to a bath and a good night’s rest in an actual bed.
And tomorrow we have a new quest to complete.
