Crossroads Episode 7: The Poisoned Fruit

## Synopsis

14 Highsun 1258

Tasya discovers the arrow that struck her was tipped with poison.

Beatrix looking around at the scene in front of her realises she has seen this before, she turns to the party and tells them she will be back before her form takes on the appearance of pure knowledge, much like what the party saw in the House of Oddities and Curiosities, then dissipating into dust in front of them.

Stünislav pulls the arrows from Tasya, Xaby recognises the poison and knows how to create the antidote from a local fruit. With the party currently in the east of Armanesti, Stünislav remembers a small friendly village nearby where this fruit can be found. The party load Tasya into the cart to get her there.

Before they leave Stünislav deals with the single remaining Maristevian soldier, shackles him and loads him into the wagon, the soldier seems disorientated. Although in he is in Maristevian armor he is not of Maristev and has been forced into the service of House Maristev. Stünislav knows of this practice and spares the soldier's life planning to release him at the village.

After some more travelling the party arrive at the village to find it abandoned, some bodies lie strewn around the place. The party concluded this is more handiwork of House Maristev and continue through the village to a local graveyard believing this is where the plant will be found.

The party leave the cart behind and head into the graveyard cautiously and find the fruit they have been looking for. They all begin to harvest, making sure to take extra in case they have to deal with this poison again in the future.

As the party turn to leave when snarls and growls can be heard all around them as Vrykolakas claw their way out of the ground. Now surrounded the party have no choice but to fight.

Combat ensues, these enemies are fast, vicious and strong. Despite the party's best efforts they cannot hold the Vrykolakas back and take injuries. One manages to get close to Kreel, driving a clawed hand into Kreel's abdomen, disemboweling them and feasting on the organ. Kreel collapses to the ground in a dying state.

Tasya drags Kreel away in an attempt to stabalise while the party carry on the fight. Tasya fails and seeing the rest of the party struggling, rejoins the fight.

Eventually the party defeat the Vrykolakas, exhausted Xaby burst heals the party but they realise for Kreel they are too late. The battle took so long and without being able to stabalise sooner Kreel now lies dead in front of them. Ruby crawling around the body attempting to wake Kreel.

Azra picks up Kreel's body and Stünislav casts a spell to cause the spirits around them to solidify, many spirits appear and in the distance they see the spirit of Kreel.

The party see Ruby begin to float as if caught by the wind and drifts away, and in Kreel's the abdominal cavity the party notice an egg, Kreel had been pregnant the entire time.

Azra retrieves the egg knowing they need to keep it safe. The party can already see Kreel's body succumbing to the effects of Mütvia and know what must be done. Azra passes the body to Stünislav and draws her short sword, swinging it down and removing Kreel's head.

Laying the body down the party see vines and grass engulf the body as it is claimed back into the earth as if by Nor'dahga themselves.
Stünislav manages to grab a few tail feathers before the body dissapears entirely. A memento of another fallen commrade.

*Synopsis written by Caffinated Viking.*

## The Party

* Azra - Lvl 8 Eldrich Archer
* Beatrix Qiroris - Lvl 8 Half-Elf Wizard
* Kreel - Lvl 8 Tengu Witch
* Stünislav Marekoi - Lvl 8 Tiefling Redeemer
* Tasya Marinov - Lvl 8 Human Fighter
* Wyrm - Lvl 8 Goblin Rogue
* Xaby - Lvl 8 Half-Elf Druid