Guardians of the Grove - Recap 04/6/23

 Oh Bugbear, Oh Bugbear, Wherefore Art Thou

The group tired, exhausted, and grieving push on below the manor still in search of Mira, who has escaped further down. Eltuire is able to find a small alcove to rest safely. El then convinces Wulf to use a spell to help the group recover from their wounds; at that same moment, a light shines down at the group's center and washes over them with familiar warmth. Corvus reappears rejuvenated and with a mission to save Mira. Corvus relays the message of Iya and Oya and his choice to save Mira instead of simply destroying her. With that said, the group decides to push deeper into the lair and find Mira, not sure what saving her entails.

                                               

Triple Teamed!     

  Pressing further, the group approaches a staircase that leads down; from the bottom, they see an eerie green light. Weary, they proceed and enter a large room with a pungent smell, and the light appears to emanate from these pustules along the wall. They appear to be filled with an ominous substance. The group is faced with the challenge of descending deeper. Using Ropes and just “expert” jumping skills, most of them can descend. However, several Earth Elementals ambush the group. Blood quickly discovers that they can see invisible things through some strange sense. Corvus and Wulf fend off one, while Atheya and Eltuire deal with another. When two appear to gang up on the ladies, Blood is able to provide enough support to help knock one off the ledge and finish off the other. Surprisingly the group is able to learn that these elementals are druids. Unfortunately, one can escape due to a well-placed fog cloud.   

 Atheya discloses to the group that the Druid was concerned that 

the Guardians were thwarting some sort of plan. To find some 

answers, El goes through the corpse of a single druid and is instantly struck

with pain. She slices the druid sash off to reveal an abomination 

familiar to most of the group: a mouth with the same qualities 

as the fallen god Kovish, Corvus's old Master. With the unsettling news, the 

Guardians find themselves again in a god's possible crosshairs. 

        

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 03/16/23

A Path Lies Ahead of You

The Guardians take on the Yeth hounds and come out on top with careful teamwork and precision. Amidst the chaos, they lose track of Corvus, who appears as an intangible object in front of the main hall. Unable to touch or communicate, they watch as Corvus attempts to pry one of his divine blades from his hand and watch as he slowly appears drained of life and submerged in a pool of blood. As the group panics and struggles to devise a way to save him, they watch as he is submerged to the point where no person can survive for the length he has been under. His body fades, and Wulf angrily insists the group moves forward to finish this fight. With no time to grieve, they move forward.

                            Reap/Sow 

Corvus wakes up floating above the Astral Sea and hears familiar voices; they discuss his actions since Banishing Kovish and the choices he has made thus far. Does Corvus seek redemption, something sinister, or maybe nothing at all? He is presented with a clear path for a TRUE champion of the goddesses, save Mira, whose soul still resides in him, and right a wrong committed long ago. In doing so, he faces the past he has been running from and become free of the shackles that bind him to it.

Elsewhere but Somewhere The surviving Guardians head towards the town hall, entering what appears to be nothing as it once was in the eyes of Wulf. Blood can sense that Mira is indeed close but underground. The group travels deeper into the hall and is ambushed by giant spiders capable of phase shift into another plane upon every attack. Through careful tactics and happy accidents, the group is able to make quick work of the enemy and start feeling the effects of fatigue and guilt. Not knowing what lies ahead, they continue to march forward but for what? Vengeance, guilt, sadness, or anger?

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 03/09/23

 Bugbear Found Six Feet Under! Angry Screams were Heard!

*Boom* *Crash* *Pow* *Explosions*       The Guardians continue their encounter with Mira; backs against the wall, they pull out every possible move to tip the scales. Mira, also a competent enemy, taps into her inner power and continuously transforms into her elemental forms and frankly tears through the Guardians. Blood is almost burned to death, Eltuire is almost cut to pieces, and Wulf is literally buried alive! Not knowing how to quit, the Guardians twist every possible resource to change fate (12 cards🃏 ), even summoning a friendly elephant who tramples the enemy before fleeing the battle. Just as the battle reaches its climax, Mira escapes in her elemental form, El runs out of steam before being able to chase her, and Wulf furiously decapitates the remaining enemies.

                                                        Why Can’t We Just Get Along!

Blood insists that the group falls back and tactically retreats from the situation. However, whether it be their impulsive behavior, some unknown corruption, or the need to “end this.” The group pursues Mira to the town of Fallenton. The town appears frozen and deserted; the group approach Mira’s shop but cannot enter it through familiar means. As they inspect the town further, the group suffers from some serious effects unknown to each other. Wulf appears MORE aggressive, Blood chases ghosts, Corvus turns to booze, and El helps herself to what's hers. At the same time, Atheya watches them in confusion. Wulf frantically searches for Mira, Corvus’ sudden craving leaves him incapacitated, and Blood sees Fennec and gives chase. The group is able to approach the main hall while Blood shoots at nothing. The Guardians begin to argue with each other about where to go and what to do next.

Amidst the chaos, the Guardians find themselves surrounded by hounds with humanoid-like faces. The Hounds howl, and the group find themselves in another threatening situation; with Corvus unconscious, Blood distracted, and resources low, their chances of survival look dim. But, they’ve seen worse, right?

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 03/02/23

 👑The Red Queen👑

After traveling in the woods for a while and suffering from some unknown effects of the forest that seems to affect the party’s abilities unbeknownst to them. The group approaches several trees with shining red eyes emitting evocation energy. After several debates to go around or through, El decides to jump into the light “fearlessly,” and nothing happens. The group continues to press on until they find what appears to be the center of the forest, a dead forest pulsating with red vines. The red forest vines, however, attempt to capture the group, but they are able to free themselves. They are then visited by the Red Queen herself and in her new look to boot. The group reminds Mira of who they are, but she appears uninterested and directs them to leave her domain unharmed while she allows it. As they do so, Corvus apologizes for his past errors, trying to make right what went wrong so long ago. Mira approaches Corvus and tells him to come with her.

                                                  Escalation

Mira successfully pulls Corvus under her command to accompany her to an unknown location; as they walk away, Eltuire stops them. This upsets Mira as she engages the group in combat, demonstrating how powerful she has become, causing earthquakes, fire storms, and the ability to summon abominations from the woods to attack the Guardians. Despite the party starting to feel the noticeable effects of the fey corruption on their bodies, they pool together to free Corvus and “stop” Mira, but not without a painful cost.

No “Blood” Left        Mira, feeling attacked in her domain, decides to approach Blood, who has been taking shots from a distance. She immediately crushes him and leaves him unconscious and dying. Able to see him go down, Eltuire flies over to help and lets the others know the situation. Corvus instantly arrives to save Blood and engages with Mira once more. However, Atheya is also endangered while being absorbed by one of the abominations summoned by Mira. As the situation worsens by the second, every choice becomes critical to decide the fate of the Guardians.

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?

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 01/19/23

 Impersonator Found and Dealt With

The Guardians and Eltuire continue to deal with several aggressors and dispatch them one by one with the help of Eltuire, the group is mostly unharmed before continuing. With the help of El and Wulf, the group is able to learn that their leader Xoren was responsible for impersonating the group after they left and was a big fan of fire. Not done with their investigation, the group marches on. Corvus, despite his amazing devil sight, falls into a trapped floor. At the same time, Atheya and Blood walk into another area, where more impersonators ambush them. In addition, a magical hidden door opens from the opposite direction, and appear several more impersonators along with “Xoren the Guardian,” armed with a particularly deadly weapon and an eye on the smallest (but deadly) creature in the room, Eltuire.

                                                  The Mystery Gang!

Engaged in an epic battle occurring in several areas, the group somehow overcomes the impersonators. Atheya and Blood wreck the large room from shadows and with beastly attacks. Corvus and Wulf engage several enemies at once, cleaving and smashing their way through the odds. While El barely survives her onslaught by Xoren. Through amazing teamwork and coordination, Wulf and Atheya are able to rescue El and get her back into the fight. With the tides of battle changing in the true Guardian's favor, Xoren makes his escape, and the other stragglers retreat in the opposite direction. Through combined efforts, the group is able to dispatch Xoren before he makes his escape.

Remembering a Friend     Eltuire is quick to retrieve the scimitar covered in mostly, feeling overprotective of her own blood since the last time it was used to summon a fiend of sorts. While she cleans it with a spell, Corvus can’t help but be reminded of Diego and his fascination with magical weapons, particularly bladed ones. For a minute, he wonders what the Guardian's next steps are.

Guardians of the Grove January 12th 2023

 High High Tea Sales Through the Roof

The Guardians are visited by Argyle in the late evening, seemingly beaten and injured by some unknown assailants. Argyle informs the group that the Priestess Kieva has been taken, and a tribute was claimed by a group posing as the “Guardians of the Grove.” The group decides this is worth looking into, and to repay the kindness of Kieva’s guidance; the group returns to the church and, coincidently, to Arglye's nearby home. Several members enter the home and assist Argyle by brewing some high tea and ensuring his safety. Confused and bewildered (obviously) by Eltuire’s presence, he sees his deceased wife, Barbara, and listens to El’s instructions to go to bed and rest. El puts out the fire, and the group heads to regroup with Wulf.     While inside the house, Wulf was elsewhere, finding tracks that led outside the church and to an apparent burial ground. Wulf relays the news, and the group pursues the tracks further in search of Kieva.

                                                  The Mystery Gang!

Wulf and the gang follow the tracks to several altars in what looks like a place where bodies are brought, similar to a burial site. The group spends several minutes searching their surroundings and making a suspicious amount of noise, discovering that there may be more to the place than meets the eye. Atheya discovers a hidden wall and, with the expert timing of Corvus and Wulf. Through the door, the group heads down twin spiraling stairs and arrives at a floor with booby traps and a chair that screams, “give me your soul.” On the other side of a pair of doors, the gang hears many voices lying in wait. A battle ensues when El opens the door and reveals the presence of an unnerving amount of possible enemy combatants. Only finding more questions in this fight, the group fights for their survival once more.

Disclaimer  Guardians of the Grove do not endorse the unsafe consumption of weed and other weed products. Please be safe with your Tea. Don't tea and saddle. ~High High Tea Founder Atheya Willowcrown

Guardians of the Grove January 5th, 2023

 

The pen is mightier than the sword

~Guardian Watch~

5 Copper  Piece

Campaign One

Guardians of the Grove

January 5th, 2023

Heroes but not Heroes

The Guardians successfully retrieve Diego’s body, head, and Fennec’s staff, but with a great price. Nirruk, one of the original members, sacrificed himself to finish Fennec off and give the Guardians a chance to save Diego, whose soul is currently trapped in Limbo.  The Guardians return to Mattias in Darkpoole to relay the news of their trip. The Keepers tend to the bodies and prepare them for travel.      The Guardians teleport home to Gladesedge using the services of the Arcane Eye’s Tianna, a former contact of Nirruk. Upon returning to Gladesedge, they meet with Wulf’s mom and let her know about the loss of Diego and Nirruk and the sacrifices made. Wulf looking to learn more about reviving decides to urge the group to the Divine Philsopical; Nathee offers them a warm meal once they return from their business in town.

                                                      What is an Argyle?

The group arrives at the church and is greeted by an odd fellow; reluctant at first, he excitedly offers to help revive Diego. The group offers 3000 gold, a suspiciously low amount. Half expectedly, once the transaction was complete, the stranger proved unable to revive Diego. Kieva, an actual disciple of the church, arrives. She reluctantly shares that the only to “restore a soul” may only be possible with some divine intervention. Corvus and Atheya commune with the Goddess Iya and Oya and discover that a method to restore Diego’s soul may be beyond the Divine Gate at Valoria. A vision of a lake of crystal and people resting in clear white water remains burned in their eyes as a possible location to restore Diego and rescue him from Limbo.

Upon returning to Nathee’s workshop and resting. The group pries further into Eltuire’s past. Prompting her to reveal that she is indeed an Aasimar by showing the markings on parts of her body. This also reveals why Eltuire has been chasing and traveling with the Guardian, the supposed “heroes” of Woodberry. Eltuire confronts the group and Corvus, as a follower of Iya and Oya, unable to stop the Master and the sacrifice of thousands of lives. Corvus responds by taking responsibility for the actions of that event and offers Eltuire his blade, and accepts any punishment she would deliver. Eltuire, not willing to bring harm to the group, storms off. However, as soon as she opens the door, she sees Argyle, who quickly asks for “Barbara?”

~ Diego ~ Corvus ~ Wulf ~ Nirruk ~ Atheya ~ Blood ~ Reaper ~ Eltuire~

Guardians of the Grove 11/3/22

 Guardians of the Grove

Stop Being So Negative

Hunt for Fennic Arc

Session 11/3/22

Wulf and Nirruk have a heart-to-heart about the payment for Lexa. Wulf argues that she did prove useful and made good on her promise to help. Nirruk argues about the principle of the matter and that her taking Diego's equipment could have affected his combat proficiency during the Fennic encounter. 

After butting heads, the two Guardians decide to be better for the future and move forward. At this time, Nirruk sends a message to Eltuire to learn their whereabouts. Eltuire reveals their mission to save Mert “right a wrong” and that they are currently leaving the fort. 

Eltuire, Atheya, Corvus, and Blood recuperate from the onslaught of zombie-like creatures and decide to move away from the fort before another group appears. Seeing that the zombie-like creatures were somewhat organized and possibly sent, the group wanted to leave the area as soon as possible. After leaving the fort's proximity, they are able to revive Mert. Mert is a little traumatized by his death; knowing that Blood caused it doesn't help. He avoids a line of sight from Blood while moving back to Darkpoole. 

The Guardians reunite with Wulf and Nirruk and share what had happened with Mert and the fort. Together they begin to head back toward Darkpoole while having some small discussions. Blood tries to offer the Unicorn book to Eltuire, giving a narrative of the group's journey. Eltuire is unable to read it and turns the book away. Corvus comments on Blood and Eltuire. Blood responds about how Eltuire is the aggressor in their “relationship,” and he only reacts. The group laughs at Blood's defensive behavior as they arrive at Darkpoole. 

When the Guardians finally arrive at Darkpoole, they share some of their research into finding Fennic and entering the Underdark. Eltuire reveals that she has been studying Fennec’s diary and has made an interesting discovery. Before they can make their way to a safe location, they are confronted by an elderly gentleman seeking Eltuire. Confidently, the Gentleman throws an empty vial toward El and asks for her blood introducing himself as Barrett only. The group questions Barrett with little to no success as he is unwilling to express his motives or employer. Eltuire adamantly refusing to give Barrett any blood causes Barret to signal an attack on the group. The Guardians, currently surrounded and sandwiched between unknown forces, are faced with a new and unknown threat. Who is Barret? Why El’s blood? Can we bring Diego back safely?