2021/05/13 - Nirruk's Journal - Things that go "Squish" in the night

We took a few days off to recover from the visit of the Master the Illithid.  Wulf looks like he has physically recovered other then his new hairdo, but emotionally I think he is still dealing with what happened.

After our trip to the library, I came up with this plan to try and poison the Illithid next time we fight it.  So I found someone who would train me on how to make and handle poisons and got some information about a cave where we might find some Carrion Crawlers to extract their venom.  The group seemed to like this idea.

While we were sitting there discussing it, a strange girl Atheya walked into Wild Works saying she got a tip from a bartender that should could find an adventuring group to join us.  We all looked at each other strangely trying to find out who would have done that, eventually it came out that it was Wulf's mom trying to find someone to heal her boy.

Image by York

She seems nice, but I have some concerns about the sanity of a perfect stranger wanting to join our little group in the upcoming fight against the Master the Illithid.

The group said their goodbyes to Wulf's mom and headed out on the road.  It was largely uneventful except for when we met this strange man on his way to Glade's Edge with a variety of potions.  He passed them off as healing potions but seemed a little disreputable about it.  We decided to buy them anyway, and they are awesome!  (but I will elaborate more on that later!)

That night we slept in front of the Cave, the others heard some squishy noises coming from the cave but they never seemed to come near us.

The next day we entered the cave and it was immaculate inside, like someone just swept and mopped the place.  We were exploring when all of a sudden I was ambushed and paralyzed by a Carrion Crawler.  Several more Carrion Crawlers joined in and the group fought them off.  I was impressed at how everyone has improved on their fighting skills; Wulf didn't get knocked unconscious and wielded his hammer like a frenzied...well bugbear, York didn't break a sword and sliced up the Crawlers with impressive sword strokes, Corvus ...well is Corvus and sent out a lot of flashy green bolts, and the new girl Atheya was a huge help healing us.  Normally I need to save them but this time I barely helped being paralyzed and all.

I was able to put my new training to work and extracted 2 intact Venom Sacks.  They will need some processing to make them into poison, but I am happy I got all 3 out and never paralyzed myself!

Image by York

While I was extracting the venom sacks, Corvus found a stone hallway off of the cave that led to a room with columns leading toward a big chest.  I hid behind a column while the rest of them checked for traps, picked the lock on the chest, and then opened it.  Once it was opened, a wired noise sounded and the columns sent lightning in the area shocking us all.  

I was hurt pretty bad at that point, so pulled out the best healing potion ever.  It was the one I got off of the strange man on his way to Glade's Edge.  Now most healing potions try and heal your body, this one was different, it really healed my mind!  It let me forget about all my problems, I was still wounded pretty bad but I felt GREAT!  There has never been a time I can recall where I was not worried about something.  I am going to need to track down that man and get more of these special healing potions.

Anyway, the Sasquatch then bumbled around the place looking for iconography and stepped on a trap making some new friends.  At first glance they appeared stoned.  

Gotta run, I will write more about them soon.

Wulf's Journal Entry 1 5/13/21

Dad, 

From now on my journal will be letters to you to keep you updated on my journey. First and foremost, thank you. You haven’t been gone long, but knowing that I won’t hear or see you again hurts so much. You and Mom have literally given everything for me. You took in this little monster when no one else wanted him. You kept my busy hands and mind occupied and imparted skill and knowledge unto me. You held back the beast in me and taught me to use my mind instead. You showed me that anyone can be anything if they work for it. You instilled a sense of standing up for those that can’t do for themselves. You taught me the value of loyalty and respect. But above all, you loved me. So much so that after yet another mistake I made, you stood up for me and gave me another chance. This was the hardest and most painful lesson I’ll ever have, but it is one I will never forget. 

After things calmed down a bit, we held a memorial for you. We had planned on it just being an intimate affair with my new companions, Silt, Amber, maybe Miriam, and Mom of course, but the whole town showed up! It was amazing to see how many lives you have touched and how respected you were in the Glade. I know it made Mom’s heart swell as well. Corvus carved some beautiful statuettes of you and our other companions that fell due to the creature. He truly captured your essence in the carving. I will do better. Not only will I honor your memory, I will avenge you. That, Thing, that caused all of this will be ended. It will know your name. I vow this to you.

Backing up a bit, when we brought you back to the house, Mom formed you into a fire-colored gem and gave it to me. As it was when you were here, so it shall be now that you help me focus my magic. Even from beyond you are there for me… Mom also had some words for me, you know how she is. But her counsel was what you’ve both told me all of my life. I will use my mind and all of my abilities to figure out a solution to this problem. We will protect Nirruk and free and whomever else has been subjected to this madness from this monster’s malevolent control.  

We’ve done some research into his kind, Illithid or Mindflayer, and found a few vulnerabilities. One of which, according to Nirruk, is the blood or saliva or something of a creature called a Carrion Crawler. I think that will be our first step. We also just need to be physically stronger and more adept with our skills and specialties, but I think this will come with time. How much we have though is not known, but I won’t rest until this monster is dead. 

After seeing how the town guard fared in our battle with the Mindflayer, York spoke with the Captain and helped train up the force. Now that this threat is known, it’s important that we protect as many as we can from it. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. 

I’ve also done some research into the thing I was hoping you would be here to see. I need more time and experimentation, but the goal is to develop a handheld projectile launching device. I want it to be more powerful than a crossbow. I’m thinking explosive pressure in a contained tube or something could launch a projectile in a path with devastating effects. I just need to find a material durable enough to withstand such forces or a catalyst that won’t destroy the container. I’m looking into Exaltium as it is useful in many ways. My recent attempt didn’t fare too well, but given the recent events I don’t think my mind is fully into it.

Oh! I did manage to make another version of EDWarD to help mom around the shop. And to protect her. I like Alita for a name, but I’ll let Mom name it. Speaking of Mom, the guys told me about this person with whom you had made the trade with. The Withered One? How did you two know of them? Who are they? I wanted to talk to Mom about it, but there are bigger fish to fry at the moment. My biggest concern is your soul. Does he have it or are you free in the afterlife? 

I also went to the forest around my cave to see if I could get a better understanding of the magical connection between the Grove and the Feywild. Something happened. I’m not sure what, but I feel different and I feel like the Beast within me is stirring. Like something awoke it and changed it somehow. I now feel a connection between it, your gem, and the inherent magic of the forest. Whatever is happening, I feel stronger. I will keep you posted on any developments. My handwriting is different now too! 

Aside from looking into the connection, I was also hoping to see Miriam. Of course I didn’t find her, but I know how much she adores you and Mom and I’m certain she’ll be upset to know what happened and that she missed your service. I hope she is ok though. I know she had her path to take, but she’s been gone for a while now… 

Sorry for rambling on, but this helps. I know I’m just writing letters in my journal to you that I’m not certain you could even be aware of, but it truly does feel like I’m talking to you. Thank you again Dad. I will take it from here. My companions, no, my friends and I will eventually get to Woodberry and end this. Mom will be safe. We will get better. I will honor your memory. You WILL be avenged!

 … I love you and I will be looking for your red star Nebin Rivenstone...