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Story Hour
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #135 Sorry For The (Attempted) Genocide.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8551227" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #080: Dancing to the Moon Pool.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</strong></p><p><strong>Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>NPCs</strong></p><p><strong>Inverna Nightbreeze (played by Goonalan) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick)</strong></p><p><strong><s>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </s>RIP*</strong></p><p><strong><s>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard </s>RETIRED</strong></p><p><strong>Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 </strong></p><p><strong>*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Servants/Familiars</strong></p><p><strong>Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks</strong></p><p><strong>Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar</strong></p><p></p><p>This is session 80, and another cracker, although to begin with...</p><p></p><p>The last time the Dark Squad was at the Wayside Inn it was being attacked by undead (zombies and a wraith), Vinnie (or Newt) tried to burn the building down, and... they first met Tarbin Tul, the bard.</p><p></p><p>This time the Dark Squad are on their way to the Moon Pool, this then is just a stop-over.</p><p></p><p>So, here they are again, and you'd have thought- a quiet night at the Inn, but oh no...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152135[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Wayside Inn (again).</strong></p><p></p><p>And so Newt decides to entertain the various merchants and customers (and staff) of the Wayside Inn, with a little number which goes a like this- “The Inn, the Inn, the Inn is on fire”, the wonderful Bear (playing Newt) even sings along for a while.</p><p></p><p>The words of his latest tune go on to make clear that Vinnie set the Inn on fire during the Dark Squad's last stay here, and well... it doesn't go down too well, particularly with Matisha the owner of the fine establishment.</p><p></p><p>We get to arguing, or else Vinnie is mad at Newt, Matisha is mad (again) at Vinnie (and Newt), and Newt is just mad. The result of the contretemps is that Vinnie and Newt are informed that alas there is no room in the Wayside Inn for them.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the Dark Squad- Daktari, Ram & Inverna snigger into their hands as they enjoy a fine repast, a few drinks, a warm bed in a comfortable room, and then a hearty breakfast in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Newt puts up his Leomund's Tiny Hut and spends the night there- just ten yards across the road from the Inn. Although its a frugal repast this evening as the tabaxi discovers that he doesn't have any rations/food in his backpack. Vinnie meantime camps out, but he's a druid and it's a warm summer's night, he also has plenty of rations, so... no bother.</p><p></p><p>The night passes.</p><p></p><p>And so, after breakfast (for some- although Ram buys food for Newt and delivers it later on to the tabaxi) the Dark Squad chat a while and then decide to march up to the top of Silverhill to see what's up there.</p><p></p><p>This after Ram (eventually) learns from Matisha that- “there are a bunch of standing stones up there”, and also- a warning, “don't go in the Silverstand woods, it's full of elves- they're very protective of the place. Nobody goes in there...”</p><p></p><p>Which is a shame because the Dark Squad are planning to head into the Silverstand woods in search of the Moon Pool, ah well... nothing worth doing is ever easy.</p><p></p><p>And if it is then the Dark Squad find a way to make it more difficult.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152136[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It takes the Dark Squad just over three hours to tramp to the summit of Silverhill, here it is... what a sight! There's cartography in my blood, and now you know it too.</strong></p><p></p><p>And sure enough, at the top...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152137[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Atop the verdant hill is a circle of massive and ancient standing stones, and with a great tree within the compass.</strong></p><p></p><p>Vinnie is persuaded to enter the area, this after nobody enters the sacred place, repeatedly, and for a while. Eventually, when nothing much happens to the druid, his colleagues join in the investigation.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad collectively discern that this place is some ancient ritual site, elven- most likely, or else fey- but little else can be discovered, well... discounting the voice that talks to Ram.</p><p></p><p>The rogue in a moment of levity looks at the tree and asks “Are you alive?”</p><p></p><p>The reply, a whispered- perhaps coquettish (female) 'yes' (telepathically delivered), comes as a surprise to the rogue, who nevertheless shares his concerns with his friends.</p><p></p><p>The tree however is reluctant to engage in protracted conversation- it has a few more whispered questions for the adventurers, for example- “Who are you?”, and, “What business do you have here?”, that kind of thing. But once the Dark Squad have made their answers/explanation the voice stops talking.</p><p></p><p>A short while later, about 20-30 minutes, Daktari is turned into a cow (by the tree?).</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152138[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The coquettish female voice breaks silence, its susurrus laughter is delightful.</strong></p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad unbeknownst to them (maybe) have been the subject of many spells, and the players can see various dice rolling in the chat window on FGU, but alas not what these rolls are for, or even the results.</p><p></p><p>But Vinnie is on to it, so while Newt rages and threatens the druid let's his comrades know-</p><p></p><p>“Zis is zer fay, zer Fuur-ee. Zay ar play-ing wiz uz, mez amis.”</p><p></p><p>Which only makes Newt's blood boil all the more, until...</p><p></p><p>“Zut alors! We muz entertain zem!”</p><p></p><p>At which point the apoplectic Newt settles instantly, grabs out his axe (lute) and starts up with one of his terrible tunes, more remarkably his performance check is very high. Over the course of their time within the circle here, the Dark Squad suffer a few more japes and plays, but they get it now and so when required they entertain the fey some more.</p><p></p><p>Note, the Dark Squad have to be within the circle here from before midnight to dawn's first light- so, time passes, but slowly- they snooze a bit, entertain the fey a bit, and generally wait to see what happens next.</p><p></p><p>Further note, Daktari, an hour or so after his bovine transformation, suddenly finds himself on all fours chewing a clump of succulent grass, and back to being Daktari-shaped..</p><p></p><p>“I am sad now. Cow is good life. I relaxing good. I like fighting but also like good cow-time. It was good... I miss it.”</p><p></p><p>Remember cod-Russian and with the delivery pattern of a moron, that's Daktari!</p><p></p><p>The less said about Ram's attempts to milk Daktari (while he was in cow form, phew) the better.</p><p></p><p>But then...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152139[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Dawn's first light hits the circle.</strong></p><p></p><p>The flowers bloom- instantly, and the air is suddenly alive with the buzz and whir or insects, and the call of birds. The land is transformed, resplendent, and more importantly (perhaps) there's a corridor of effervescent light extending from between two of the standing stones- aiming directly for the heart of the Silverstand wood.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad know where the Moon Pool is, they had worried earlier that finding the place may be the issue, but nature provides.</p><p></p><p>Note as the adventurers progress the sun slowly rises and the corridor of light seems to move with the Dark Squad, as if they were in a train on a track- with the Dark Squad moving in sink with it. If you'll forgive the intrusion of the present.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152140[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Into Silverstand, and it's a beautiful forest.</strong></p><p></p><p>But here's a thing, soon after we have a moment- Vinnie has prepared some emollient for this journey, the Dark Squad have been warned that they must not slay or harm any creature of the forest on their journey to the Moon Pool. The druid has therefore prepared a pungent poultice to keep creatures away (he calls the substance beast bane).</p><p></p><p>Ram objects, clever lad- he has this to say- “I believe in you Vinnie. The question is, why don't you?”</p><p></p><p>And so the beast bane is forgotten and the forest folds its arms around the Dark Squad, it sings to them, sends scents to entice and... watches over them.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152141[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>By a stream and in an idyll, a fifteen foot tall (to the shoulder) elk stands, its wrack of antlers easily twenty-five feet wide. With a tongue longer than Vinnie's arm it licks a Goodberry from the druid's palm.</strong></p><p></p><p>All is well with the world, but that doesn't mean that Newt's not poised to deliver fiery death to the giant, as he calls it, “anterloop”.</p><p></p><p>At which one of the trees starts speaking to the Dark Squad, seconds later the adventurers discern that there's a young elf sitting in the tree, and it's he that is doing the talking.</p><p></p><p>“I am Happenstance Lightfoot, the Lord of the Dance, or so some call me. Pray tell ye gentle fiends, friends and/or folk- what business do you have under the silver sway and in the eyes of the people?”</p><p></p><p>And so we go Q&A again for a while, but we're quickly through it because the Dark Squad, as pretty much always, tell no lies.</p><p></p><p>Let me just take a moment, when it gets down to it, when some being(s) on the side of either good or bad (it don't matter which) asks the Dark Squad a question, they very rarely lie, or even dissemble- they trot out the truth, as they understand it. It's quite refreshing, obviously Newt sometimes bigs up his own part in proceedings, but... what can you really expect from a seven foot tall megalomaniac cat that spends half his day talking to his demonic masters (or similar).</p><p></p><p>So, Happenstance is polite and happy to point the way- although the strange effervescent light is still tracking the Dark Squad, but... do the Dark Squad perhaps have time for a Dance Off, the elf politely enquires?</p><p></p><p>The rules are explained, the players will be given ten minutes to hunt down the ultimo dance video which his PC then will recreate/demonstrate.</p><p></p><p>And there are prizes for anyone that can best Happenstance.</p><p></p><p>So, then we hunted the internet for a while, and then watched a variety of 'dance' videos while the player/PC doing the dancing added a few asides, for instance (from Jim/Daktari)-</p><p></p><p>“I am dancing part of lead priestess. But nuddy. If you skip to one minute twenty eight seconds you can plainly see that I am full wood from this point on... It iz good? I am art?”</p><p></p><p>Here's the dance card-</p><p></p><p>Ramshambow starts up with his evolution of dance routine-</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]dMH0bHeiRNg[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>Daktari strips nude and delivers his homage to the Sky Pony, if I was the Sky Pony I'd be underwhelmed-</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]HuN6TQnUH3g[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>Vinnie does Disney-</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]fsDzmVA-cY0[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>Newt goes all primal rage with fire, natch-</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]run6Z6kjF4Q[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>And Happenstance, he rocks the Dark Squad's world-</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]TcWPiHjIExA[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>Then, after laughter, there's the voting- and you can't vote for yourself but a 1-2-3-4 for everyone else, one being best.</p><p></p><p>Here's the thing, the Dark Squad vote Happenstance into first place by a mile, he scores 1-1-2-1, and now the elf is a little embarrassed, particularly as the PCs also managed to trash each others scores.</p><p></p><p>Happenstance wins the Dance Off by a country mile, and so he distributes his prizes anyway.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152142[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>A bag of tricks for the druid, a helm of underwater action for Newt (because the tabaxi so loves water), a nice necklace for Daktari (you'll see) and bracers of archery for Ram.</strong></p><p></p><p>Some of these items require attunement, Daktari has only got two magic items, and so he attunes the beautiful (hair/head-enhancing) magical necklace. Ram and Newt however have already got three attuned magic items each, and so they have a decision to make.</p><p></p><p>The gifts, Happenstance advises, if not attuned or else used within twenty four hours will disappear. So, use/attune it or lose it.</p><p></p><p>But back to Daktari, he has this to say soon after.</p><p></p><p>“I have become suddenly aware of the flora and fauna of this region, I find it to be both decorous and mellifluous. The sensual nature of the vista has calmed the troubled beast that dwells at the heart of my being. I feel congruent, I resonate with well-being, I feel... trepidatious, as new horizons dawn, and yet at the same time calm, full of reason and knowing. I have been, in a moment's passing, enlightened. It is good.”</p><p></p><p>There follows a series of WTFs, I may not have got the above speech entirely right, but you get me, and Daktari.</p><p></p><p>The barbarian has just attuned a headband of intellect. The barbarian is a genius.</p><p></p><p>Newt is the most affected by this transformation, enquiring (repeatedly, and with added swear words) about Daktari's well-being and mental state, he's such a caring individual.</p><p></p><p>Actually, what he said was something like-</p><p></p><p>“What the EXPLETIVE heck are you prattling on about Daktari, you EXPLETIVE loony. Have you lost you EXPLETIVE mind? Vinnie- do something about this, the EXPLETIVE barbarian is broken.”</p><p></p><p>“Are yew well, Daktari?” the druid asks.</p><p></p><p>“Indubitably.” The barbarian responds, while whistling a happy tune and still marvelling at the wonders of this brave new world.</p><p></p><p>Eventually the Dark Squad say goodbye to Happenstance and head on- deeper into Silverstand, all the way in fact to the Moon Pool.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152143[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>At which point, of course, the trees start asking the Dark Squad questions.</strong></p><p></p><p>But again, the Dark Squad tell no lies, and so we make our way quickly to a bit of backstory, the trees whisper about times long past, about the coming of the people (the elves), their mutual regard for dragonkind, and the inevitable sundering of this accord.</p><p></p><p>A history of the people's war against the dragons, and in particular the great red fire breathing dragons that curtailed the lives of many of their kind.</p><p></p><p>The Pact of the Wild Flame is born in millennia past, a way to fight against the dragon fire.</p><p></p><p>The Pact's function, beyond the continued fight against the evil wyrms, is to prepare for the coming of a great dragon- Ashardalon, and the time of Ash.</p><p></p><p>Although, the whispering woods make clear, there was one born during the time when the two races saw Faerun as one mind- the creation of the/a dragonkin, also named by the woods as – Ashardalon.</p><p></p><p>Just to make clear, because the whispering trees do not, there is either a great dragon and a dragonkin (a mixture of elf and dragon) both called Ashardalon, or else (and this is Newt's version). The two creatures are one and the same.</p><p></p><p>Who can say?</p><p></p><p>Note, the above information only becomes known after the Dark Squad have answered lots of questions (they had to supply written answers in game, the communication employed here is telepathic). They had to prove who they were and what they had done, and what they know about the story (plot) so far.</p><p></p><p>Also so the DM could harvest some of their written answers for later use, did you get that- Newt?</p><p></p><p>So...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]152144[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Then Wildroot shows up, and the history lesson is over.</strong></p><p></p><p>Wildroot is the last of the Pact, although not a true member, more a guardian of the way.</p><p></p><p>Remember Wildroot has been in Vinnie's bag for a year, and prior to that captured within the Sunless Citadel- that's where the Dark Squad found him.</p><p></p><p>But we move on...</p><p></p><p>Wildroot needs the Moon Pool fixing, over the centuries and in his absence the magical site has ceased to function, he therefore sets the PCs to their task (as prophesied by Belphegor all the way back in session 19).</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad need to visit a place called the Old Wood (it's not far from here) and find a shrine there dedicated to Savras, the place must be cleansed of any foul taint. Wildroot further advises that there is a bell at the shrine, if it is rung (and it must be rung- just once) then it will protect/aid those that serve its need (during the cleansing).</p><p></p><p>Then, when the Moon Pool is up and running again, well... Wildroot would be happy to allow the Dark Squad to use it to glimpse a little into their future.</p><p></p><p>Also, if they complete the three follow up tasks then Wildroot would be happy to for the Dark Squad (some or all) to become the first non-elves to join the Pact of the Wild Flame. The three tasks are-</p><p></p><p>1) Find the hidden weapons set aside in ancient time by the Pact to aid in the fight against the coming of Ashardalon, and the time of Ash.</p><p></p><p>2) To prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall.</p><p></p><p>3) To track down the last member of the Pact of the Wild Flame, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and recover her maze button.</p><p></p><p>Ain't it funny how a lot of the stuff above seems to chime in with other stuff that the Dark Squad have going on. Just, odd.</p><p></p><p>They're looking for the Witch's Tor, it was in a prophecy-</p><p></p><p>Ancestor #3-</p><p>“<strong>I am Kolven, and I am forever.</strong></p><p><strong>Seek the witch’s tor,</strong></p><p><strong>In the lair of the drowned ones,</strong></p><p><strong>But beware the demon’s spore.</strong></p><p><strong>Find the time.</strong></p><p><strong>Return again with the star fall,</strong></p><p><strong>To reclaim the power.”</strong></p><p></p><p>Also, well the Dark Squad are already in search of Giggles (member of the Eyes in the Night) and her maze button/symbol of Ub.</p><p></p><p>Note, Wildroot will give a little more direction with the above tasks, as and when the Dark Squad get the Moon Pool functioning again.</p><p></p><p>But that's all we had time for this week.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad’s to-do list-</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clear and/or reconsecrate the Shrine of Savras in the Old Wood, then return to the Moon Pool to glimpse the future.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Remember, we've got to find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Return to Fallowstone Holy, church of Oghma, pick up info (Witch's Tor & Pact of the Flame, although the Dark Squad probably know all about this stuff already). What else do you need to find out about? See above, and below.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Warn Ashby- the Soggy's (Sahuagin) are coming!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Vinnie needs to be back for the next Saltmarsh Council meeting on the 1st Kythorn (June).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Nightshade in the Dreadwood?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To join the Pact of the Wild Flame you need to find the hidden weapons to fight Ashardalon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. SEE ABOVE.</li> </ol><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8551227, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #080: Dancing to the Moon Pool. Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here). Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8 New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8 Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1 Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8 NPCs Inverna Nightbreeze (played by Goonalan) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick) [S]Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 [/S]RIP* [S]Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard [/S]RETIRED Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 *Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors. Servants/Familiars Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar[/B] This is session 80, and another cracker, although to begin with... The last time the Dark Squad was at the Wayside Inn it was being attacked by undead (zombies and a wraith), Vinnie (or Newt) tried to burn the building down, and... they first met Tarbin Tul, the bard. This time the Dark Squad are on their way to the Moon Pool, this then is just a stop-over. So, here they are again, and you'd have thought- a quiet night at the Inn, but oh no... [ATTACH type="full"]152135[/ATTACH] [B]The Wayside Inn (again).[/B] And so Newt decides to entertain the various merchants and customers (and staff) of the Wayside Inn, with a little number which goes a like this- “The Inn, the Inn, the Inn is on fire”, the wonderful Bear (playing Newt) even sings along for a while. The words of his latest tune go on to make clear that Vinnie set the Inn on fire during the Dark Squad's last stay here, and well... it doesn't go down too well, particularly with Matisha the owner of the fine establishment. We get to arguing, or else Vinnie is mad at Newt, Matisha is mad (again) at Vinnie (and Newt), and Newt is just mad. The result of the contretemps is that Vinnie and Newt are informed that alas there is no room in the Wayside Inn for them. The rest of the Dark Squad- Daktari, Ram & Inverna snigger into their hands as they enjoy a fine repast, a few drinks, a warm bed in a comfortable room, and then a hearty breakfast in the morning. Newt puts up his Leomund's Tiny Hut and spends the night there- just ten yards across the road from the Inn. Although its a frugal repast this evening as the tabaxi discovers that he doesn't have any rations/food in his backpack. Vinnie meantime camps out, but he's a druid and it's a warm summer's night, he also has plenty of rations, so... no bother. The night passes. And so, after breakfast (for some- although Ram buys food for Newt and delivers it later on to the tabaxi) the Dark Squad chat a while and then decide to march up to the top of Silverhill to see what's up there. This after Ram (eventually) learns from Matisha that- “there are a bunch of standing stones up there”, and also- a warning, “don't go in the Silverstand woods, it's full of elves- they're very protective of the place. Nobody goes in there...” Which is a shame because the Dark Squad are planning to head into the Silverstand woods in search of the Moon Pool, ah well... nothing worth doing is ever easy. And if it is then the Dark Squad find a way to make it more difficult. [ATTACH type="full"]152136[/ATTACH] [B]It takes the Dark Squad just over three hours to tramp to the summit of Silverhill, here it is... what a sight! There's cartography in my blood, and now you know it too.[/B] And sure enough, at the top... [ATTACH type="full"]152137[/ATTACH] [B]Atop the verdant hill is a circle of massive and ancient standing stones, and with a great tree within the compass.[/B] Vinnie is persuaded to enter the area, this after nobody enters the sacred place, repeatedly, and for a while. Eventually, when nothing much happens to the druid, his colleagues join in the investigation. The Dark Squad collectively discern that this place is some ancient ritual site, elven- most likely, or else fey- but little else can be discovered, well... discounting the voice that talks to Ram. The rogue in a moment of levity looks at the tree and asks “Are you alive?” The reply, a whispered- perhaps coquettish (female) 'yes' (telepathically delivered), comes as a surprise to the rogue, who nevertheless shares his concerns with his friends. The tree however is reluctant to engage in protracted conversation- it has a few more whispered questions for the adventurers, for example- “Who are you?”, and, “What business do you have here?”, that kind of thing. But once the Dark Squad have made their answers/explanation the voice stops talking. A short while later, about 20-30 minutes, Daktari is turned into a cow (by the tree?). [ATTACH type="full"]152138[/ATTACH] [B]The coquettish female voice breaks silence, its susurrus laughter is delightful.[/B] The Dark Squad unbeknownst to them (maybe) have been the subject of many spells, and the players can see various dice rolling in the chat window on FGU, but alas not what these rolls are for, or even the results. But Vinnie is on to it, so while Newt rages and threatens the druid let's his comrades know- “Zis is zer fay, zer Fuur-ee. Zay ar play-ing wiz uz, mez amis.” Which only makes Newt's blood boil all the more, until... “Zut alors! We muz entertain zem!” At which point the apoplectic Newt settles instantly, grabs out his axe (lute) and starts up with one of his terrible tunes, more remarkably his performance check is very high. Over the course of their time within the circle here, the Dark Squad suffer a few more japes and plays, but they get it now and so when required they entertain the fey some more. Note, the Dark Squad have to be within the circle here from before midnight to dawn's first light- so, time passes, but slowly- they snooze a bit, entertain the fey a bit, and generally wait to see what happens next. Further note, Daktari, an hour or so after his bovine transformation, suddenly finds himself on all fours chewing a clump of succulent grass, and back to being Daktari-shaped.. “I am sad now. Cow is good life. I relaxing good. I like fighting but also like good cow-time. It was good... I miss it.” Remember cod-Russian and with the delivery pattern of a moron, that's Daktari! The less said about Ram's attempts to milk Daktari (while he was in cow form, phew) the better. But then... [ATTACH type="full"]152139[/ATTACH] [B]Dawn's first light hits the circle.[/B] The flowers bloom- instantly, and the air is suddenly alive with the buzz and whir or insects, and the call of birds. The land is transformed, resplendent, and more importantly (perhaps) there's a corridor of effervescent light extending from between two of the standing stones- aiming directly for the heart of the Silverstand wood. The Dark Squad know where the Moon Pool is, they had worried earlier that finding the place may be the issue, but nature provides. Note as the adventurers progress the sun slowly rises and the corridor of light seems to move with the Dark Squad, as if they were in a train on a track- with the Dark Squad moving in sink with it. If you'll forgive the intrusion of the present. [ATTACH type="full"]152140[/ATTACH] [B]Into Silverstand, and it's a beautiful forest.[/B] But here's a thing, soon after we have a moment- Vinnie has prepared some emollient for this journey, the Dark Squad have been warned that they must not slay or harm any creature of the forest on their journey to the Moon Pool. The druid has therefore prepared a pungent poultice to keep creatures away (he calls the substance beast bane). Ram objects, clever lad- he has this to say- “I believe in you Vinnie. The question is, why don't you?” And so the beast bane is forgotten and the forest folds its arms around the Dark Squad, it sings to them, sends scents to entice and... watches over them. [ATTACH type="full"]152141[/ATTACH] [B]By a stream and in an idyll, a fifteen foot tall (to the shoulder) elk stands, its wrack of antlers easily twenty-five feet wide. With a tongue longer than Vinnie's arm it licks a Goodberry from the druid's palm.[/B] All is well with the world, but that doesn't mean that Newt's not poised to deliver fiery death to the giant, as he calls it, “anterloop”. At which one of the trees starts speaking to the Dark Squad, seconds later the adventurers discern that there's a young elf sitting in the tree, and it's he that is doing the talking. “I am Happenstance Lightfoot, the Lord of the Dance, or so some call me. Pray tell ye gentle fiends, friends and/or folk- what business do you have under the silver sway and in the eyes of the people?” And so we go Q&A again for a while, but we're quickly through it because the Dark Squad, as pretty much always, tell no lies. Let me just take a moment, when it gets down to it, when some being(s) on the side of either good or bad (it don't matter which) asks the Dark Squad a question, they very rarely lie, or even dissemble- they trot out the truth, as they understand it. It's quite refreshing, obviously Newt sometimes bigs up his own part in proceedings, but... what can you really expect from a seven foot tall megalomaniac cat that spends half his day talking to his demonic masters (or similar). So, Happenstance is polite and happy to point the way- although the strange effervescent light is still tracking the Dark Squad, but... do the Dark Squad perhaps have time for a Dance Off, the elf politely enquires? The rules are explained, the players will be given ten minutes to hunt down the ultimo dance video which his PC then will recreate/demonstrate. And there are prizes for anyone that can best Happenstance. So, then we hunted the internet for a while, and then watched a variety of 'dance' videos while the player/PC doing the dancing added a few asides, for instance (from Jim/Daktari)- “I am dancing part of lead priestess. But nuddy. If you skip to one minute twenty eight seconds you can plainly see that I am full wood from this point on... It iz good? I am art?” Here's the dance card- Ramshambow starts up with his evolution of dance routine- [MEDIA=youtube]dMH0bHeiRNg[/MEDIA] Daktari strips nude and delivers his homage to the Sky Pony, if I was the Sky Pony I'd be underwhelmed- [MEDIA=youtube]HuN6TQnUH3g[/MEDIA] Vinnie does Disney- [MEDIA=youtube]fsDzmVA-cY0[/MEDIA] Newt goes all primal rage with fire, natch- [MEDIA=youtube]run6Z6kjF4Q[/MEDIA] And Happenstance, he rocks the Dark Squad's world- [MEDIA=youtube]TcWPiHjIExA[/MEDIA] Then, after laughter, there's the voting- and you can't vote for yourself but a 1-2-3-4 for everyone else, one being best. Here's the thing, the Dark Squad vote Happenstance into first place by a mile, he scores 1-1-2-1, and now the elf is a little embarrassed, particularly as the PCs also managed to trash each others scores. Happenstance wins the Dance Off by a country mile, and so he distributes his prizes anyway. [ATTACH type="full"]152142[/ATTACH] [B]A bag of tricks for the druid, a helm of underwater action for Newt (because the tabaxi so loves water), a nice necklace for Daktari (you'll see) and bracers of archery for Ram.[/B] Some of these items require attunement, Daktari has only got two magic items, and so he attunes the beautiful (hair/head-enhancing) magical necklace. Ram and Newt however have already got three attuned magic items each, and so they have a decision to make. The gifts, Happenstance advises, if not attuned or else used within twenty four hours will disappear. So, use/attune it or lose it. But back to Daktari, he has this to say soon after. “I have become suddenly aware of the flora and fauna of this region, I find it to be both decorous and mellifluous. The sensual nature of the vista has calmed the troubled beast that dwells at the heart of my being. I feel congruent, I resonate with well-being, I feel... trepidatious, as new horizons dawn, and yet at the same time calm, full of reason and knowing. I have been, in a moment's passing, enlightened. It is good.” There follows a series of WTFs, I may not have got the above speech entirely right, but you get me, and Daktari. The barbarian has just attuned a headband of intellect. The barbarian is a genius. Newt is the most affected by this transformation, enquiring (repeatedly, and with added swear words) about Daktari's well-being and mental state, he's such a caring individual. Actually, what he said was something like- “What the EXPLETIVE heck are you prattling on about Daktari, you EXPLETIVE loony. Have you lost you EXPLETIVE mind? Vinnie- do something about this, the EXPLETIVE barbarian is broken.” “Are yew well, Daktari?” the druid asks. “Indubitably.” The barbarian responds, while whistling a happy tune and still marvelling at the wonders of this brave new world. Eventually the Dark Squad say goodbye to Happenstance and head on- deeper into Silverstand, all the way in fact to the Moon Pool. [ATTACH type="full"]152143[/ATTACH] [B]At which point, of course, the trees start asking the Dark Squad questions.[/B] But again, the Dark Squad tell no lies, and so we make our way quickly to a bit of backstory, the trees whisper about times long past, about the coming of the people (the elves), their mutual regard for dragonkind, and the inevitable sundering of this accord. A history of the people's war against the dragons, and in particular the great red fire breathing dragons that curtailed the lives of many of their kind. The Pact of the Wild Flame is born in millennia past, a way to fight against the dragon fire. The Pact's function, beyond the continued fight against the evil wyrms, is to prepare for the coming of a great dragon- Ashardalon, and the time of Ash. Although, the whispering woods make clear, there was one born during the time when the two races saw Faerun as one mind- the creation of the/a dragonkin, also named by the woods as – Ashardalon. Just to make clear, because the whispering trees do not, there is either a great dragon and a dragonkin (a mixture of elf and dragon) both called Ashardalon, or else (and this is Newt's version). The two creatures are one and the same. Who can say? Note, the above information only becomes known after the Dark Squad have answered lots of questions (they had to supply written answers in game, the communication employed here is telepathic). They had to prove who they were and what they had done, and what they know about the story (plot) so far. Also so the DM could harvest some of their written answers for later use, did you get that- Newt? So... [ATTACH type="full"]152144[/ATTACH] [B]Then Wildroot shows up, and the history lesson is over.[/B] Wildroot is the last of the Pact, although not a true member, more a guardian of the way. Remember Wildroot has been in Vinnie's bag for a year, and prior to that captured within the Sunless Citadel- that's where the Dark Squad found him. But we move on... Wildroot needs the Moon Pool fixing, over the centuries and in his absence the magical site has ceased to function, he therefore sets the PCs to their task (as prophesied by Belphegor all the way back in session 19). The Dark Squad need to visit a place called the Old Wood (it's not far from here) and find a shrine there dedicated to Savras, the place must be cleansed of any foul taint. Wildroot further advises that there is a bell at the shrine, if it is rung (and it must be rung- just once) then it will protect/aid those that serve its need (during the cleansing). Then, when the Moon Pool is up and running again, well... Wildroot would be happy to allow the Dark Squad to use it to glimpse a little into their future. Also, if they complete the three follow up tasks then Wildroot would be happy to for the Dark Squad (some or all) to become the first non-elves to join the Pact of the Wild Flame. The three tasks are- 1) Find the hidden weapons set aside in ancient time by the Pact to aid in the fight against the coming of Ashardalon, and the time of Ash. 2) To prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall. 3) To track down the last member of the Pact of the Wild Flame, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and recover her maze button. Ain't it funny how a lot of the stuff above seems to chime in with other stuff that the Dark Squad have going on. Just, odd. They're looking for the Witch's Tor, it was in a prophecy- Ancestor #3- “[B]I am Kolven, and I am forever. Seek the witch’s tor, In the lair of the drowned ones, But beware the demon’s spore. Find the time. Return again with the star fall, To reclaim the power.”[/B] Also, well the Dark Squad are already in search of Giggles (member of the Eyes in the Night) and her maze button/symbol of Ub. Note, Wildroot will give a little more direction with the above tasks, as and when the Dark Squad get the Moon Pool functioning again. But that's all we had time for this week. The Dark Squad’s to-do list- [LIST=1] [*]Clear and/or reconsecrate the Shrine of Savras in the Old Wood, then return to the Moon Pool to glimpse the future. [*]Remember, we've got to find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary). [*]Return to Fallowstone Holy, church of Oghma, pick up info (Witch's Tor & Pact of the Flame, although the Dark Squad probably know all about this stuff already). What else do you need to find out about? See above, and below. [*]Warn Ashby- the Soggy's (Sahuagin) are coming! [*]Vinnie needs to be back for the next Saltmarsh Council meeting on the 1st Kythorn (June). [*]Nightshade in the Dreadwood? [*]Blackedge and the Goblin Stair? [*]To join the Pact of the Wild Flame you need to find the hidden weapons to fight Ashardalon. [*]To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall. [*]To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. SEE ABOVE. [/LIST] Stay safe and well you lovely people. Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #135 Sorry For The (Attempted) Genocide.
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