The Taboo

"The Taboo" is the 102nd episode of the Materia D&D Crass Menagerie campaign. The Menagerie are accused of bringing a forbidden taboo and setting off some curious events.

## Synopsis

### Recap

The Menagerie is currently seeking out a way to expunge the curse inflicted on Dregnar by Zarya. Working with the Tribes of the Kraulweyr, they successfully hunted down a "cloud-touched" basilisk. Then rather than return with their guides, they chose to push onward to The Choke, a land that is taboo to the tribes. Upon entering the lands surrounding the Choke, they were hunted by numerous hell hounds. Through some cunning use of fortifications and traps, the Menagerie were able to pick off a hell hound and harvest its head. However, while fortified the surrounding hell hounds conjured a storm of ash that surrounded them and only once there was a break in this storm were the Menagerie able to flee. With the decapitated hell hound head in tow, they returned to the tribal settlement of the Huln.

### Part 1

Having just arrived at the Huln settlement, the Menagerie show of the results of their successful hunt: the decapitated hell hound head. They were informed that things from the taboo lands of the **cannot** be allowed in their village, and must leave as they could bring "chaos and calamity" upon them. They offer lodgings at an encampment on the outskirts that the Menagerie can use instead, which the party accepts. Shortly after, Gauvek visits the group and apologizes for not forewarning them of the rules and wishes the group good night.

In the morning, the group feasts from the Great Gutpot's Ladle and gain the benefits of *Food for Thought* (advantage on all Intelligence checks). In the morning, Kianna arrives with Gauvek and Vairma escorting her. She begins preparations for the arduous "cleansing" of Dregnar's curse. Shortly thereafter, a small group of angered tribesfolk approach and detail some recent troubles at the waterfront with Kianna, saying that people have gone missing. They are quick to point the blame at the Menagerie for bringing "taboo", and Sej offers to seek out the missing folks to help make amends for the perceived slight. Dregnar is convinced to stay behind in his condition.

They are led by the tribesfolk down to the waterfront where it is eerily calm and free of all signs of wildlife. Roque summons Pebble and takes a look around through her eyes and confirms that even in the river itself there are no fish, no life at all. She also sees a fish-catcher along the riverside with drag-marks leading into the water. They follow the path of the stream and they find a small cascading waterfall that collects into a pool. Roque notices that the water is uncharacteristically brackish and plunges his face into the water to have a look, seeing a number of dead sea creatures that reacted poorly to the salty water. Roque wades out into the water but wants to go look at the bottom of the pool so he comes ashore, casts *Telepathic Bond*  on the group, has the group tie him off with a rope, and then heads back out into the pool and dives in. He discovers what appears to be a boot and tells the group to tie him off and follow the rope down. Roque finds a path into an underwater cave that opens up above him and follows it in, telling the group behind to follow him in as he waits. The party catches up and, communicating telepathically, cautiously discuss the way forward. Davis and Allegretto swim ashore as they can see quite well in spite of the low light levels. The rest of the group follows the sounds of where they are and get to the edge of the pool. Davis and Al reach out to assist their friends out of the water, but are suddenly assaulted by javelins that have been launched toward them.

Now that they have been spotted, Roque grabs a small nearby rock, casts *Light* on it and tosses it onto the ground ahead of the group. Those remaining in the water are quickly assaulted from below by some fishlike *Sahuagin* reavers, though Roque uses his Barrier spell to mitigate some of the damage. Davis yanks Sej up onto dry land and then pursues the source of the javelins, finding some foes hiding behind a natural pillar. Al lashes and restrains one of the reavers and heads ashore. Khaaros grabs his would-be attacker and drags him ashore, pummeling as he does so. Roque moves ahead and casts *Web* behind the pillar where Davis was headed, restraining both of them. Several Sahuagin ravagers close in from all sides. The reavers continue their assault, laying into Sej heavily. Sej partially dismembers the reaver Khaaros was engaged in with a *Guiding Bolt*, and Khaaros finishes him off, snapping his neck and turning his attention to the ravager approaching from the water, Roque casts *Phantasmal Force* on the ravager that approached him and implants the idea of a flaming starfish falling onto his face, dropping his *Web* in the process. Footsteps and snarls echo from the path ahead as reinforcements arrive.

## Featured Characters

### Adventuring Party

* Allegretto
* Davis Cantrell
* Khaaros
* Roque
* Sej Ivesaach
* Dregnar Bearkin (partial, first part only)

### Returning

* Gauvek
* Vairma
* Kianna

## Trivia

This Maw of Daggers, from session ???, was referenced in this episode