The Troupe makes their way through the Cloakwood led by Jaheira. Seeking out the Shadow Druid’s grove, they face the many perils the wood decides to throw at them. Eventually they find a cave that may be the lair of a wyvern, or worse…
7 Eleasias 1368
While we ponder whether or not to go hunting wyverns in the cave, we don’t notice the druid that approaches us. He calls out, recognising the druid among our party.
He makes good points, but wouldn’t society itself be a part of Nature? Where do they draw the line? Would they consider themselves a part of Nature, or merely protectors of it?
Jaheira: Or is it because of your extremist doctrine, more atrocities against nature are performed, as an act of revenge and retaliation to your cruel misdeeds? You and your blasted kin harm the Great Mother more than the civilisation that you seek to oppose; you have done this by antagonising Nature with one of its most wondrous creations, the humankind. You shall be dealt with swiftly, as will be the animal enslaver. Unlike you, we have the strength and will to oppose him.
I see wisdom in her words, but is it just because the beliefs of the Shadow Druids oppose our very existence? Still, if they position themselves as protectors of Nature, they are as egotistical as the rest of us.
Izefia: You will find no slaves here, Jaheira. Only willing warriors, both humans and beasts. But I can see that it is true – you are among those who lie willingly about us. You want to kill me and prove yourself the stronger? Do it, then, but know that by your hand a true defender of nature shall be slain.
The Shadow Druid charges straight toward us, completely ignoring the arrows that strike him in the shoulders.
Jaheira attempts to engage him up close, but he runs straight past her. He’s looking at me. He’s coming for me.
He gets close enough to almost touch me but Eldoth sends an arrow right through him. Blood pours from the wound as he lets out a gasp and collapses with his arm stretched out toward me.
With the Shadow Druid dead, we take some time to see if he carries anything useful. His armour looks to be leather, but it has a green hue that makes us unsure if it is true leather armour. Jaheira tries it on and says it feels a lot nicer than her full plate.
His is a spear with a head that is permanently on fire. The tip is white-hot, yet still remains as solid as cold iron.
He also wears a charm from the druids of the north, engraved with runes of protection.
He also carried on him a Potion of Extra Healing. Knowing she will be leading the charge from this day forth, Jaheira holds on to the potion.
Almost as soon as we have finished looting the corpse, we are charged by another of his kin. He must have heard the fighting and come to help.
Jaheira: But do you have the strength to carry out this penalty, you wicked fanatic? Does a handful of Shadow Druids have the strength to oppose civilisation and shatter it, sending the remains of humankind back in descent to the barbaric state akin to orcs? No, neither you nor your vile comrades have the strength to do so, and this is a lesson you are about to learn.
Takiyah: Then I shall die, defending my faith, and return when the Great Mother needs me again.
After one strike from my Hammer, he gets scared and tries to run away. White doesn’t let him. He died running away for his faith.
The noise must have disturbed the trees, as a large winged lizard emerges from the nearby cave. We quickly ready ourselves for a fight against the beast.
Helga invokes Haela to Doom the wyvern, while I prepare a volley of Magic Missiles.
Jaheira draws her club and charges the beast. It manages to resist Haela’s Doom, but my Missiles strike true, burning through its scales.
The wyvern slashes at Jaheira, its claws tearing into her skin. As she bleeds out she reaches for the Potion of Extra Healing.
She’s not going to survive long. We have to kill the wyvern quickly. I hit it with a second volley of Magic Missiles.
We start to beat the creature down until it is barely able to stand. Yet it keeps up the fight. Helga Hurls a Stone at it and it stumbles back.
Helga takes careful aim with her sling, targeting its neck. The bullet flies out with such speed that it goes straight into the wyverns throat and we can see it is struggling to breath. As its feet collapse from under it, its barbed tail flicks forward and strikes Jaheira…
A spine breaks off, embedded in the druid’s chest. I rush over to her. She’s dead. Damn it I let her die. I’m sorry Khalid. I broke my promise…
I sit down at the ground and stare at the corpse not knowing what to do. We can’t continue through the Cloakwood now. We have to get her to a priest. Helga walks over and places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright,” she says, “we can make it to the temple in the Friendly Arm.”
I pull myself back to my feet. I ask Coran to take the wyvern’s head while we search the body of the second Shadow Druid.
The second Shadow Druid wears armour that looks similar to his friend’s. We still don’t know how this armour is enchanted. He also carries a Spear of Fire. I wonder if these are the standard weapons for Shadow Druids.
His boots carry an enchantment as well. They are designed for this forest, allowing free movement through webs and improved stealth. It must be how he managed to surprise us.
I may have failed Khalid, but every failure is a lesson. I know now I need to be more careful protecting those who fight the tougher enemies. I won’t let anything like this happen again.
His Death Saving Throw gets a +1 bonus, he gets 1 more Level 3 Spell Slot, and he gets 2 more Hit Points.
We pick up Jaheira’s body, and carefully place her into the Bag of Holding. It feels strange to do this to her. But if it means she will live again, it will be worth it. We turn around to walk back the way we came. If I’m right, we can avoid taking a path through the spider-infested woods this time. We are not the Heroes of the Cloakwood on this day.
9 Eleasias 1368
It takes us 2 days to travel back through the Cloakwood and find our way back to the Friendly Arm. This is perhaps the most relieved I’ve ever been to see the fort rise over the horizon. We greet the guards on the way in, and Coran asks about the empty house near the entrance. Joia’s home, who sought her flamedance ring. It seems so long ago now.
We go inside and find it still empty. Coran takes out his tools and picks the locked chest near the bed. Inside we find an andar gem.
When we open the Gem Bag, Coran notices that we have rogue stone. We were surprised he knew what it was, as we didn’t know anything of its value.
Coran says he is adept at appraising gems and asks to take a look at any other gems we haven’t identified. The first one he picks out is a star sapphire, often used to indicate magical protections.
He then picks out a necklace and tells us that it is adorned with Laeral’s tears.
Next he tells us that we have some King’s tears as well. Not as valuable as the rogue stone, but more valuable than most.
We are impressed by his knowledge, but we don’t have time to continue looking at gems. We have to get Jaheira to the temple before it’s too late. We leave for the Temple of Wisdom, and Coran laments during the walk.
Aegon: In this case, Coran, your only hope is to turn your searching gaze elsewhere. But I think that you would find males no less flawed than females.
Coran laughs.
Coran: Indeed.
We make it to the temple and say hello to Recorder, who is still resting here. Gellana asks us for 600 gold to Raise Jaheira. I am nervous as she performs the ritual. It has been over 2 days since she died, will that be too long for the gods to return her to us?
Thankfully, Gellana is successful in her prayers, and Jaheira opens her eyes once more. At least Khalid will see his wife again. As soon as she is alive again, Jaheira asks Nature to Regenerate her wounds, and her body starts to look less like that of a corpse once more.
It is good to see her alive again. Though I hope Khalid isn’t too disappointed when we return her to him. While she regenerates, I ask Ratava if she can help us identify some of the items we have found in our travels.
She takes a look and asks for 100 gold for each item identified. We are happy with the price, so let her do her work. She tells me that the scroll I have been carrying around is cursed, making the reader so ugly they could literally die.
The witch-druid’s scimitar is powerfully enchanted and will electrocute those who are struck by the weapon. We have no use for this right now, but we will hold onto it.
Jaheira’s armour is also weaved from vines and thorns, but it offers more protection than the armour that the witch-druid wore.
Finally she takes a look at a flail once weilded by Taurgosz of the Bandit Camp. It is an old duergar weapon, known as the Chaos Rage. It’s name is appropriate for a barbarian, and White accepts it with glee.
We are tired after our long journey and, given where we are, it makes sense to take some rest. We make our way to the keep and find Bentley to ask about a room.
Eldoth: Now, now, good sir. No need to upset your house on my account.
Bentley Mirrorshade: It is not a ‘need’. It is my very great pleasure!
Aegon: Uh… anyone want to tell me what all the shouting’s about?
Bentley Mirrorshade: This… vagabond! …offered to “sing for his supper.” We get little entertainment here, so I thought it worth the chance. HA! Within two insulting songs, he had the whole place in a riot! Took me a fortnight to repair all the damage.
Eldoth: You should not have provided so much… or such excellent… wine with the meal, then, good sir.
Bentley Mirrorshade: Including the three bottles you made off with, when the trouble started.
Eldoth: But that was then, this is now. I am… alas… perfectly sober and shall remain so whilst under your roof, I daresay. You will also note that I enjoy the estimable… and capable… company of Aegon in this visti. So might we partake of your offerings, if you please?
Bentley Mirrorshade: Hmph!
He doesn’t offer us much, preferring to keep his valuable wares away from the gallant. It’s almost insulting what he has for sale, telling us exactly what he thinks of Eldoth.
He tells us that he is fully booked except for one of the worst rooms. I don’t believe him, but I don’t think we can argue with him.
Begrudgingly, I lead the troupe to our room. Jaheira leaves us to find Khalid. I should say something to Eldoth. He should have warned us before we came in here. We may not be welcome here again after that display.
But alas, I am too weary. The Cloakwood was a long, exhausting journey. It’s time to rest. I close my eyes…
