To Seal The Rift!

Game Played: February 22, 2024
GM: ThomJTK
==Synopsis:==
Within the depths of the Sorrowood, a rift fluctuates on the hour between the fey realms and the shadowlands, two planes of which either could pose a threat to the mortal realm. You are of The Vanguard, a division known as the Righteous Wreckers, sent to cleanse such incursions and re-seal the binds that secure the planar borders.
==Vanguard:==
* Argon, Dragonborn Barbarian 
* Bucket, Shifter Monk 
* Donut, Half-Orc Bardbarian, Reliquary
* Elro, Harengon Cleric 
* Rarkus, Bugbear Druid, Meat Shield 
* Tyber Zahn, Fire Gensai Ranger 
* Ulfgar Fireforge, Dwarven Cleric, Reliquary
==Sitrep:==
The Righteous Wreckers Vanguard Faction received a Sending from a Veiled Arbiter that a Thinning was found in the Sorrowood, and to report to the Horizon’s sponsored Overlook Fortress for an escort.
==Debriefing:==
Hellion El Cangrejo greeted his Vanguard peers to the Overlook Fortress in the Sorrowoods. While unable to participate in the mission himself, he bid them well and assured them that the dwarven cleric Ulfgar would be an excellent Striker. Ulfgar welcomed his fellow Reliquary Donut. Rarkus had been sent by the Meat Shields. The Righteous Wreckers Argon, Bucket, Elro, and Tyber would fill out the crew. Mission prep involved purchasing healer's kits and salves from the merchant Ogri. Discusion about how best to proceed northwest to the Thinning concluded on taking the shortest route, possibly through wraith-infested ruins, to reduce travel time from five days to four.
On the first day of travel the party encountered what appeared to be an alce (moose) but instead of antlers, it had a singular horn. The hill upon which it stood was covered in a plethora of vibrant flowers. Rarkus cast Speak with Animals and slowly approached while attemping to talk to it. The one-horned "alce" lowered it's head defensively. Rarkus slowed and bowed to appear unthreatening. He then cast Speak with Plants instead. The sound of so many flowers "speaking" at once was at first discordant. Rarkus asked the plants about the "alce;" they warned to not approach or it would gore him. Tyber noticed that many of the flowers could be very useful for making elixirs. Elro pointed to a specific one that could be used for levitation potions. Rarkus warned both to leave the flowers alone if they wanted to keep their insides, inside.
The Vanguard Squad reached the ruins at the end of the second day. Drifting amongst the fallen stones were four restless spirits. One appeared slightly more corporeal as over the long years of undeath it had siphoned enough life essence from living creatures to become an Elder Wraith. The party bolstered it's defense with Aid and Longstrider blessings.
Rarkus cast Moonbeam where the more corporeal Elder Wraith floated. Donut played his Ukelele and attempted to Viciously Mock a spirit, a mere 'Ghost of Lesser Men,' then moved into melee. Elro advanced while blasting another spirit with radiant energy. The Elder Wraith
was burned by the Moonbeam's ghostly radiant light at it could moved towards the Vanguards; then unleashed a Sorrowful Wail frightening half the group. Donut was afflicted with chill to his very soul that momentarily paralyzed him as it passed. Argon annihilated a spirit with divinely-fuelled rage; but his follow-up throw veered and hit Rarkus. The Elder Wraith's corporeal form was wounded further by a Hail of Thorns raining down on it from Tyber's arrow. Ulfgar side stepped and brandished his holy symbol to Turn Undead, but the Elder Wraith resisted. Bucket dispersed a spirit with ki-powered strikes.
Rarkus moved the Moonbeam to again envelop the Elder Wraith and taunted it. The Elder Wraith responded by gripping Rarkus' essence with Fear akin to a Hold Person spell. Donut encourages Bucket with a tap on the shoulder; then turned and swuing his warhammer at the Elder Wraith while also taunting it. Elro summoned his Spirit Guardians to surround him. The Elder Wraith suffered damage from overlapping area effects, Moonbeam and Spirit Guardians, distracting it's concentration on Holding Rarkus in place. It then sapped more vitality from Donut. Argon picked up his hand axe and threw it and a javelin at the Elder Wraith; and almost hit Donut accidentally. Tyber quickly healed Donut with Cure Wounds. Ulfgar having had enough upcasts a Guiding Bolt into the Elder Wraith disincorporating it forever. Bucket roundhoused a spirit into Elro's Spirit Guardian aura.
Rarkus repositioned his Moonbeam over a spirit. Donut drew his Burial Dagger and repeatedly stabbed a spirit into oblivion. Elro spoke a Mass Healing Word, "Hop," returning strength to his colleages. Argon destroyed the final fleeing spirit with a recklessly but expertly thrown javelin.
Within the ruins the Vanguards found a partially opened sarcophagus. Inside was a polished greataxe bearing a forge along the blades face. Argon accepted the axe. 
Reaching the grove where the Thinning was reported, Ulfgar saw only Teneboris sitting with the grem, Pomberro, and the treant, Leaf Erickseed. Teneboris had been holding the Thinning closed for the past nine days by recasting a temporary seal daily. The Thinning interval swaps had increased to every other minute and it would be dangerous to leave either exposed for long.
Ulfgar listed the steps necessary to build a Gate to seal the Thinning. A Secret, A Promise, and Blood must be spilled. Considering at first making a large sacrifice, of possibly even one of their own as Rarkus offered to "be a shield forever," the group realized they could fish the nearby river instead. A bass was caught first, and while probably suitable, they made another attempt. A monsterous catfish was hooked on the line. After blows from a Guiding Bolt and an axe, Donut magically put the catfish to Sleep; then place an Immovable Rock on it. 
While Ulfgar performed a ritual to convert the materials he had brought into the shape of a Gate, the party discussed what might be appropriate for a Secret and Promise. Bucket offered the Secret of his name and youth. The Vanguards Promised to keep Bucket's Secret known only to them. They then sacrificed the catfish, while speaking the Secret and Promise. The runes of the Gate glowed, a purplish hue was briefly visible behind the Gate but vanished. The Seal was complete, another Gate added to the Righteous Wreckers registry to be periodically checked. The Vanguards returned to the Overlook Fortress for libations before returning to their respective duties.
==Conclusion:==
Gate officially created and sealed. Vanguards to report to their individual Factions for further orders.
==Rewards:==
* Holy Enforcer greataxe, Argon
Category:Adventures