The Grove: Part Two

This past session began with the battle against Hongya and the porcupine worms.

The worms proved to be the most difficult part of the battle due to their throwing quills. I believe Lex was the only character not hit by a quill by the time the battle was over, and that was largely because she fought from the parameter to move the enemies around. The team took a real beating with many coming down to saving throws and 5 or less health.

Lex used magical intuition to determine killing Hongya would eliminate the worms, so the team focused efforts on removing her. Her special ability was to remove a character from the game for a turn, which she used on Eglan.

It came down to the wire, and it was ultimately Corax who dealt the killing blow to Hongya, who throughout the battled repeated, "Please, kill me," and, as a servant to the Raven Queen, Corax was prepared to comply out of mercy and reverence for death. He formed a second scythe made of souls and cut her in half, freeing her soul as she whispered, "Thank you."

"Another for the Raven Queen, she has been blessed with a soul, rest in peace, Hongya," said Corax.

Eglan was moved to grief and tears, having known Hongya and recommended her for the job of guarding the grove. The worm monsters had become regular porcupines again, and Eglan threw a spear into one of them as they ran. Quickroot shoved him aside angrily to kneel before the porcupine body.

The team discovered a crown of leaves which adds a +2 insight to Nature, one Endless Provisions, and One Endless Canteen. 2100 Experience was earned, leading to a level up which will be added to everyone next game.

Crag sensed that the god Khyrad was responsible for the events in the grove, but he also detected an unidentifiable second signature. Corax offered compliments and advice on the battle techniques of Lex and Jamlamin as the newest members of the team, and the least experienced in battle (resulting in a future use of a +2 to any roll for both).

Quickroot cried over the death of the porcupine, and buried something in the ground before leaving. Corax asked what it was, and Quickroot revealed it was a fungal pod from his homelands. Corax offered to help him plant more along the journey, and Quickroot's spirits lifted somewhat.

Lex approached Jamlamin privately to suggest they train together, as the two exclusive magic practitioners with opposite powers (Control and Chaos). Jamlamin agreed (future quests will involve training for Lex and Jamlamin to improve combos and tactics using their opposite and complimentary abilities).

Upon return to the Selderine the team was rewarded 1000 gold coins. A message had arrived from Blood Spot. It was from Alexander Grey, informing the team that our actions in Blood Spot freed the city, and things had been going fairly well in our absence. The team had become famous in the area, and Grey suggested we attend the annual Dash of the Missive race in Otminster, which could lead to a carrier job from one of the local lords.

Play Notes: In general, the team is working well together, but we are going to try to coordinate complimentary moves and abilities with this new upgrade. I'm starting to think of more flavor to add to moves and Lex's personality is becoming more clear, I believe, as she starts to reveal herself as more than just a no-nonsense, calculating woman on a revenge quest. She's beginning to commit more to the team, and may even be growing to like them as people. We shall see what the team decides to do about this race, as Lex will be seeing it as an opportunity to look for information about Lord Aminafus, the man who has her sister, Mei.