Session 2x5

Session 2x5 took place on 23 Feb 2021. The players were Arkanjil, Cbum, jschlies8, LannGeal, and SaintEsteban. Their goal was to find the lair of the wendigo slain during Session 1x4.

## Summary

Participants: Aldieth, Aravor Enfiel, Ayute, Esroh, and Tolgyrd.

After slaying the wendigo, Aldieth, Ayute, Esroh, and Tolgyrd were eager to explore its lair. Recruiting Aravor to help lead their way through the wilderness, the party set out from Dryvault, heading into the mountains to the southeast. The Blood Mist forced the group back to Dryvault for the night.

The following morning, the group set out again, intending to make their way through the valley. They were blocked by the river, which had risen overnight. The party set off back into the hills. They found the corpse of a man killed by the Blood Mist, with growths resembling coral upon him, as well as on the rocks in the area. The night passed uneventfully.

The group gathered a small amount of wood which Tolgyrd used to craft torches, then set out further into the mountains. In the night, all the torches were burnt in order to stave off the cold. The next day, Tolgyrd harvested some more wood. While chopping down the trees, the entrance to the wendigo's cave became clearly visible. While climbing to the cave, Aravor slipped and became dangerously cold. He and Aldieth struggled to set up a camp while the other three explored the cave.

Inside, Ayute, Esroh, and Tolgyrd found the lair abandoned. It seemed to be naturally formed and contained several light violet mineral deposits. Within were a few notable items (a bloody carpet, a broken shortsword, and some other trinkets), a worn statue seemingly carved from a stalagmite and a frozen pool preventing further exploration of the cave. Tolgyrd attempted to venture across. Unfortunately he fell through the ice, and also became cold.

The group struggled to keep Aravor and Tolgyrd alive, with both passing out from the cold several times. Fortunately, all recovered. The adventurers cut down the carpet into cloth, and Tolgyrd expressed interest in fixing up the shortsword, while the other treasures were sold to the traveling peddler currently in Dryvault.

## In-character tales

### Aldieth's tale

My dearest Eilenora;

The wood dreaming ever calls, and while my new friends here in Dryvault keep my spirit from wandering, the harsh burden of austerity that we struggle under crushes my spirit; I suffer to see their suffering, and I feel far better prepared to survive on my own than for sharing with so many in the lack.  But still- the sharing also grounds me, so I yet remain here and now.

I miss you so.

After some time recuperating and preparing, we set out to find the lair of the Wendigo that we’d dispatched.  We were this time joined by a half elven druid named Arovar in the stead of our goblin friend, who had other commitments. Together we set off due southeast under a cloudy sky,  aiming to avoid the increasingly ensorcelling cries of the nearby hydra. We found little to forage for these new lands, but then a sudden coppery taste forewarned us about the imminent arrival of the dread blood mist. We beat a hasty retreat back to Dryvault, and I am very grateful for the  aid my companions gave in the rush through the dar; we made it back safe and sound.

We spent the night recuperating and crafting, and set out again into a clear and cool day. Heading more easterly, we found  a wild river blocking our path, so we turned again towards the mountains we’d so hastily vacated the previous night.  There we found that the mist had left its bloody mark painting the landscape, and unholy alien plant growth pushing up- one poor corpse we found was sprouting fungoid and stranger things. But even as we watched, this all was drying up and crumbling away to dust  and less- its affects rarely linger, thanks tot he gods. cautiously,  we set up camp in that demon haunted land as we could go no further, but thankfully came to no trouble through the night.

The third morning was cloudy though dry,  and so we progressed on towards where the lair was thought to be. We were unable to camp properly, and so the cold chilled one of my friends, but we scrounged enough  to let them recover enough; and so we pressed on.

By the fourth day the lair had been sighted in a high place; I opted to remain with our chilled compatriot as the others explored. they found a few treasures,  and some strangeness- ancient worn idols and mysterious crystals. But the cold dogged us still.

That forth night was utterly miserable as we struggled and fought to chase the chill away; it seemed as if some evil tinge  of the Wendigo remained, as all our efforts nearly came to naught. I was befuddled and faltered, but in the end managed to  rally enough to work with the druid in preventing any of our friends from passing on to the Shadowed Shores. As on our first foray, there were some harrowingly close calls.

After we finally got some rest, we sped straight back to Dyvault as best we could. I was exhausted and disgruntled by near failure, but my cohorts lifted my spirits, and pointed out what we managed despite adversity: scouting the lair, finding valuables to aid in our fellowship’s endeavors, but most dearly, we all came home  safe and intact. In that, there was a great success indeed.

Daughter, I hope you are well, wherever you may be.  When  the dark takes me, I fear that this is but a figment, this link between you and I.  And just possibly, it is so, tho my heartstone holds otherwise.  You live, and that gives me hope, and so I go on.

The Blessings of Clay be upon us all.

### Aravor's tale

Aravor stretches out by the fire and tells his tale to any willing to listen.

“As you may know, I only recently arrived in Dryvault. I now count myself fortunate to be in the company of such fine folks.” He raises his stein for a toast. “I would not be sitting here before you if it were not for the efforts of each and every man I set out with.” Leaning forward, he lowers his voice dramatically. “No, the trials we faced on our journey would have been the deaths of several of our number, if not for our quick thinking and teamwork."

“I encountered my four companions - Aldieth, Ayute, Esroh, and Tolgyrd - shortly after returning from a brief trip fishing and foraging in the area. I offered to help them reach their destination, as Clay himself guides my feet through these wild lands. I had little knowledge of what was in store for us, however.” He shivers involuntarily and takes a sip of his drink. “The first night out, we had just set up camp when our watchman, Ayute, roused us. The Blood Mist was coming. Clay guided our steps from that mountain, and we returned to Dryvault briefly.”

“The next morning, we set out through the valley, but our progress was blocked by the river, grown swollen and swift. Reluctantly, we headed back up into the mountains. Some poor soul had met his end there, and had coral-like growths upon him. We burned the corpse and camped for the night.”

“The next day, we began to run into serious trouble. To my eternal shame, I failed to keep our fire going. While most of us were able to endure the bitter cold, Esroh was the worse off. We had felled a tree and made torches to aid our exploration of the cave - regrettably, we had to burn them all to keep him warm. Clay provided for us, and tested our resolve. We chose our friend, damn the consequences. That is the way of things.”

“Several hours’ hiking later, we found the telltale signs of a foul beast’s lair. I’d seen Tolgyrd’s scars from my companions’ last encounter with this type of foul creature, and would not have liked to tangle with one myself. The grisly remains of a deer showed we were close, and while obtaining more wood to create torches, the others found the entrance to the creature’s lair atop a steep ledge. We all went forth to reach the cave, but in the freezing rain which pelted us constantly, I slipped and was drenched. A shivering mess, I feared I’d be little use to my companions, but these men - near strangers to me - ensured I safely reached the entrance to the cave. Clay provides to those in need.”

“Aldieth helped me set up a camp at the mouth of the cave while the others explored inside the entrance. My hands were shaking so badly I had to push myself to finish the task, even with Aldieth’s help. Without him, I would not have managed. Finally having a fire, I settled in, but could get little rest. We heard shouting and cursing from within the cave. It seems, while exploring, Tolgyrd had fallen through the ice and was drenched to the bone. My companions returned, and Tolgyrd and I shivered together, cursing every chill breeze that swept by. At times, Clay tests us. That is the way of things.”

“This night was a particularly difficult test for the both of us. I succumbed to the cold first, passing out. The others, I am told, all worked tirelessly to warm me and restore me to health. Without all of their efforts, I’d have met my end in those mountains, a sad, cold, meaningless end. Thankfully, Clay had other plans, and the others rallied in my time of need. Soon, I would repay the favour.”

“On the road back to Dryvault, the cold continued to take its toll on both Tolgyrd and I. I could not shake the awful chill, despite the fine garments I had purchased from Glain, which saved my life many times over. Tolgyrd was even worse off, passing out and losing his wits from the severe cold. If not for Aldieth’s magic and the two of us keeping his strength up, I have no doubt the dwarf would have met his end there. Even come morning, we weren’t certain he’d survive another day; the cold has a way of eating to the very bone, and neither of us had been able to shake it. In what I view as nothing less than a miracle, Tolgyrd rallied, and returned to his hale self while we marched. I, too, finally overcame the chill that had haunted me. I shan’t be taking this wilderness lightly, for I know what a fearsome foe she can be. The land itself can be as dangerous as any blade, and only a fool would forget this.”

“We returned with treasures that seemed meagre for all that we went through, but returning alive was enough for us all. Any of you gathered here should count yourselves lucky to count Aldieth, Ayute, Esroh, or Tolgyrd among your companions. They are surely favoured by Clay. In the most trying times do we find the truest of folk. That is the way of things.”

Voarni looks up with a bored expression. “So… you nearly froze to death, returned largely empty handed, and consider that a success?”

Aravor offers a weak shrug, too exhausted to argue the point. “Yes. That is the way of things. I count myself very lucky today.”

### Ayute's tale

Once more as I prepare to set out from Dryvault my mind returns to my last departure. There are those who tell you to fear the beasts of this land, or recite with horror the unnatural powers of the red mists which still haunt the valley, but for myself it is the cold night I fear. I think of the frozen corpse we came across alone and exposed with no dignity to be found. To often I have seen brave and powerful folk laid low by careless steps and fickle winds. Each day I learn the value of community, and I see the hubris of my lonesome days upon the land. Were it not for the efforts of my travelling companions on the bitter mountain good men would have fallen not to battle but blunder. So I brush Valda and prepare my packs heartened knowing that I have found people worth fighting for.

### Esroh's tale

Before our adventure we made a stop at the market to purchase some goods for our adventure. I purchased nothing but some of my companions felt compelled to do so. We eventually set off due southeast from Dryvault, dreary grey skies and all, across the river and into the mountains. We made camp easily enough, however, Ayute returning from his hunting trip noticed a distinct taste of copper in the air. Soon we realized the blood mist was descending upon us. We abandoned our camp and hustled back to Dryvault.

A new sunny morning dawned on us and we once again set out from Dryvault, this time northeast into the valley. The river proved to be impassable and we turned back south into the mountain again. Still covered in remnants of the blood mist accompanied by alien-like fungus sprouting out of the ground. We found a clean patch to make camp for the night. Traveling further southeast towards the wendigo lair without problem. We tried to make camp but failed and the cold had set in but I seemed to be the only one to suffer from it. We did sacrifice our torches to start a fire, alas saving me from the bitter cold.

Morning sprung, Ayute had located the wendigo lair on a hunting expedition. We ventured that way, all making it up the steep cliff except for Aravor who slipped in the rain and became drenched and freezing. Once up top he managed to make a fire with Aldieth’s aid. Meanwhile Tolgyrd, Ayute, and myself ventured into the dark, but thankfully abandoned, wendigo lair. Some treasures abound including a expensive but old and bloodied rug. We pressed on deeper until we reached some ice. Tolgyrd keen to explore further ventured onto the ice which immediately gave way. Chest deep in icy water he was. With the help of Ayute he managed to pull himself out. We rendezvoused back at the camp, both Tolgyrd and Aravor shaking with extreme cold. Aldieth and Ayute aiding their best.

I decided there was nothing I could do to help as it seemed to be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen, and I have no knowledge of healing so I went to sleep for the night, confident my companions would be able to beat out and overcome the cold. It wasn’t until the next morning when I realized the severity of their condition as they were both still suffering from the cold and apparently had passed out and become delusional on more than one occasion between the both of them. Just when I thought all hope was lost, the sun came through the clouds and was the kick they both needed to shake this seemingly unbeatable freeze. We made our way back to Dryvault all in one piece, barely. Some spoils on hand, but even more stories to tell. Surely this is only the beginning of our adventures through the forbidden lands.

### Tolgyrd's tale

Springrise 20th

We spent the mornin slummin' around Dryvault before headin into the mountains in the afternoon. Crossing the river straight from Dryvault wasn't much of a problem. We decided to set up camp right away, and explore the mountain. I was helpin' set up the camp with Aravor while Esroh and Aldieth were choppin' wood for torches. Ere long Ayute comes ridin in screamin' about the taste of copper and the Bloodmist headin' yonder from the mountaintop. We fled as quickly as we could, and I'm now writin' back in the Flaming Spike before bed, after checkin' on Aldieth's cooking, of course. I'm scared this is going to happen again, so maybe we should take the valley on 'morrow.

Springrise 21

Aldieth got some resting in, and I made a bundle of torches, so we headed out yet again. This time, the river is impassible into the valley proper. We decide to head back to the mountain due South. The land was covered in a disgustingly alien vegetation, and we came across a corpse covered in the same type of plant. The plants seemed to dry up and fade away over time. Thank goodness too, because the sights frankly gave me a fair bit of apprehension, and I considered a forced march SouthEast. We decided not to risk it and set up camp yet again. Esroh's got the night watch, and I'll write again tomorrow.

Springrise 22

We made some progress into the mountains. Not much to say other than that we're fighting the cold, and we foraged for more torches. We got a lot more wood this time, but I've only got so much time to work.

Springrise 23

*Scribbled in a wobbling, shaky hand.*

Entered wendigo lair while Aravor tried to get fire going in the rain. Found some loot. Explored deeper. Found a glowing crystal. Further. Ice broke beneath me. Submerged neck deep. Pulled myself out. Damned Bloodmist. Poor Hugi. Poor Ulfgar. I'm not even allowed an honorable death like you. I'm trying to help Aravor when I can, but I can feel myself slipping.

Springrise 24

Huge truly has his eyes on me. I somehow managed to pull through at the last moment. I was at my body and wits' ends. All I can recall from last night is Aldieth tending to me. I heard he had an emotional breakdown, but you didn't hear it from me. Anyway, we got back to Dryvault and split up our earnings.