Guardians of the Grove - Recap 02/16/23

 The Trees!! They’re alive!!

On their way to Falanton to possibly secure some info on Atheya’s debt and a plan to infiltrate Worschester, the Guardians decide to rest. While resting, Atheya and El are visited by a dog-like creature, a blink dog. Unusually the dog can speak with Atheya in a language they both share. After bonding for a while, the dog is able to warn the others of incoming danger. Walking trees that trample the group and attempt to separate them. With some difficulty after being caught off guard, the group dispatches the living trees and tends to any wounds before quickly moving on along with their new companion. While on their way, El and Blood discover two bodies, one already deceased, while the other is slowly dying and put out of their misery by Blood. Atheya quickly revives the fellow, who quickly warns us that we are approaching the Red Queen’s domain.

                                                  Mira, the Red Queen

The now revived Merchant, warns the group about a powerful figure that has changed Falantan; this figure is confirmed to be Mira, the Blink dog’s former owner and an old comrade to the Guardians. The Blink dog confirms that something has changed in Mira but is unsure how or why. At first reluctant to charge right in, the Guardians decide to press forward into the woods. Wulf tells the merchant to warn the council of the present danger. As they enter deeper into the woods, the light disappears and is replaced with the terrifying presence of several red lights from monstrous-looking trees.

Not Your Type       While investigating the woods, El suspected that they were being followed and checked out the area nearby with Wulf. This leads Wulf to misunderstand El’s intentions and let her know that she just is not his type, El, confused by this sudden humble nature of Wulf, walks back to the group with Wulf. Meanwhile, Blood and El discover more tracks and decide to follow them. Not knowing what they will face or their goal, they may very well be heading closer and closer to the Red Queen herself and an unfortunate fate.

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 02/09/23

 Following His Own Path

After gathering their bearings and searching beneath the burial grounds once more; the group is able to discover the stolen coin taken from the town under the fake Guardians. The group informs Kieva of the gold and asks for it to be returned to the town, having a certain magical phylactery destroyed and the protection of Diego’s body. The group heads back to the Guardian's household and rest for the evening. After a few light-hearted pranks, the group rests. The next morning the group splits to perform different tasks. Wulf heads to his mother to check in and ensure she is doing ok. Unfortunately, she doesn’t look well. Wulf leaves EDward to help run the shop and enlists Sigurd as well to check in on Nathee from time to time. The Guardians then discuss the next steps in dealing with Atheyas debt. First, heading to Falanton on horseback, then Worchester to acquire an item worth roughly 75k from or for the Broker of Secrets.

                                                 

Let Me Show You Something

Before leaving, Corvus asks Eltuire out…sorry he wanted to show her something… no, wait, not like that…he wanted to bring her into the woods…alone. In seriousness, Corvus wanted to show El a project he had been working on. A tribute and acknowledgment to fallen warriors and the people lost during their battle with Kovish and more. The sentiment incredibly moved El, but even more so were his blades touched by Fate. Through Corvus’ journies, growth, and actions to make things right, he comes closer to achieving a new power.

On the Road, Again   The group heads out to Falantan and decides to camp out for the evening. Blood and Wulf taking the first watch, talk about the Journey ahead and Blood’s unbearable relationship with Eltuire; Corvus follows in an uneventful second watch. Eltuire and Atheya take the final watch as El tries her best to bond with Atheya, but Atheya still isn’t sure about El and her behavior with the group.  As the last watch ends and morning approaches, the group moves closer to their next destination.

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 02/02/23

 Don’t Touch That! You Could Lose a Hand!

The Guardians and Eltuire explore further into the cavern, hoping to discover Kieva and get the hell out. They come across a hidden door, a collapsed staircase, a table with several magical items, and a gong nearby. Before doing anything silly, the groups explore the room. Wulf is able to identify an amulet that prevents detection by magical means, but mistakenly touches a dagger that provokes Wulf into a violent rage caused by images of his worse enemies and nightmares. With a combined effort, the group can subdue him temporarily. In an attempt to remove the dagger from his hand, Blood breaks his hand. El, not taking a chance that the Dagger can mess with Wulf’s mind, cuts his hand off entirely. Not providing immediate results, Wulf is awakened and attacks again until El and Blood destroy Wulf’s hand, severing the connection between the item and Wulf.

                                                  Deus Ex - Oh shit! Oh shit!

Whilst Wulf returns to his senses, the group is eager to find Kieva and leave, seeing no other options currently available, El’s intuition to hit the gong leads the group in the right direction but into a greater threat. Barris the Lich demands a vessel to walk the planes of Ios once more. The group, not eager to sacrifice themselves or Kieva, is left with no choice but to defend themselves when Blood attacks Barris. However, despite providing an adequate challenge even in an exhausted state, the group is trapped in a magical force cage with no means to escape. Every second, the situation grows dire until Wulf pulls out a unique card….

A Familiar Face     Time stops for all except Wulf, and a familiar figure appears, the Withered One.  The Withered One reveals Barris as a warrior of no real merit and fully aware of Wulf’s current predicament and Wulf’s quest to reach the Divine Gate. The Withered One offers Wulf some comfort about his adoptive father, Nebin Rivenstone, and that he may even be found at the Divine Gate guiding souls. The Withered One quickly removes Barris and disappears into a pool of darkness. Offering some concerning advice about Nathee and a helping hand towards Wulf whenever he is ready, but at what cost?