Guardians of the Grove 8/04/22

 Guardians of the Grove

Darkpoole Arc

Who knows where in Darkpoole!?

Session 8/04/22 

After infiltrating the Villa and following Fennic downstairs, the group arrives at an engraving of a quarter moon; Corvus quickly deduces that the symbol and its purpose have been desecrated. Along with Diego’s study of celestial language, the duo can deduce that this may be related to Iya and Oya. Inscribed on the floor were the words reaping, sowing, and balance. Taking this too literally, the group wastes some time standing on the platform in a “balanced” formation. Quickly moving forward, Diego, Corvus, and Atheya are struck by a lightning stream that continues to strike throughout the hallway. After deciding on the order, the group decides to rush through the lightning to reach several gem-like devices. Once the group touches the three devices, the path is cleared enough for everyone to quickly rush to a lift that takes them lower into the Villa.

After the shocking experience, the group arrives at another device and four altars.

The warning on the device roughly reads, “all things in balance, equally, if not, you will suffer the wrath of the elements.” The group successfully applies the correct elements and spell levels to the altars and powers up the device. At the same time, four elementals pour out from the altars. Their presence alone is intimidating and concerning for the guardians, but before any aggressive move is made, they acknowledge the four altar's success and leave. At first, the device presents no purpose as Wulf touches it, and nothing happens. Then Blood touches it and is switched with Wulf. After several attempts to reclaim their original bodies, they are able to proceed as themselves. The group can move on. However, the Guardians will always wonder what life would be like with the two permanently switched.  

The group moves to another room where a spherical crystal object stands above a floor that visually shows a constellation. The Guardians being who they are and following the logic of “touch everything” are quickly stunned when Corvus touches the Sphere and disappears. The Guardians follow his example and arrive at a dangerous confrontation with a powerful construct. 

The battle with the Construct drains the Guardians further as it was capable of taking down several members with the assistance of several wraiths/spirits of the dead. While the Guardians strategically take down ghosts and construct alike. The combined efforts of arrows, a hammer, and a thrown sword brought the goliath-like construct down. Severely worn, the group moves forward to the next room. Not expecting much resistance, they have a moment to cool down after stumbling upon documents, books, a mask, and bracers. Again adopting the group motto “touch everything” Wulf touches the bracers and is immediately both charmed and empowered to attack the group. Luckily the encounter was not too severe as the group was able to wrestle him to the ground and dispel the bracers. Resources drained and the group looking worse for wear, continue to push on.

The group stumbles upon a tree in the middle of this unknown location. Blood casts speak with plants, and with Atheya asks the tree several intriguing questions. Though tensions run high, we learn the tree has been down here for a while, there are two caretakers, trees can't see, and it hasn’t been cared for in days. As a kindness, Blood takes a pinecone from the tree to bring to the outside world to grow. Corvus also breaks out a waterskin and pours some water before moving on. Most importantly, the tree reveals that one of the caretakers has passed by recently. The Guardians, beaten, bruised, and drained, move towards the next set of stairs downwards, still on the Fennic’s tail. 

*Throwing a sword works*