Guardians of the Grove - Recap 06/15

 

Familial Troubles

The Guardians find themselves in a new and unique situation as an old acquaintance Nirru the sister of Nirruk, is captured inside the mysterious cage. She quips about the group being responsible for the death of Nirruk. After some coaxing, Nirru reluctantly revealed that an Illithid creature captured her. Within minutes the creature appeared as an Elder Brain and Dragon fused. The creature is also known to some Guardians as the brain released from the Master’s control less than two years ago. The Master has regained control over the brain and resides in another plane. The Brain reveals that Nirru is the token for which The Brain would trade for his freedom and control over the Hive. The Guardians quickly point out the folly of a trade with the Master as he would more likely kill anyone who would strip any form of power from him.  After some discussion, the group agreed 72 hours to devise a plan to stop the Master or Anthama once and for all or the brain would trade Niru instead. But first, the kitty problem.

Cleaning up the Past or Preventing a Disaster

The group returns to the playground to discuss the next steps. They agreed to help the brain but had another debt to pay. Edson Duvall would not simply leave the group alone, and having Atheya constantly hunted is no bueno. They decide to contact the Fiend the next morning to meet at a clearing and confront him. Now well-rested and mentally prepared, they arrive at the meeting and deliver a fake vial to the Merchant. However, Duvall perceives some deceitful behavior from the group and investigates the Vial. Disappointed, he launches an attack from his angelic-like bodyguards to “teach a lesson” to the Guardians. This time they were ready and used their tools, wits, and luck to stand up against the fiend capable of showering the group in a meteor storm at the beginning of the fight. Edson Duvall would represent himself as a high threat that the Guardian would have to put down now or face heavier consequences later.

The Sound of Bugbear
Wulf has been quiet through this venture and consistently complies with teaming up with Eltuire, but something is coming. A change and the true Wulf may suddenly reappear!! (Welcome Back, Anthony if you read this, haha)

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 06/01

 

Knife for Your Troubles 🗡️

Eltuire and Atheya find themselves trapped in a room with an Illthid Oival. They quickly eliminated him after he tried to take over their minds. Afterward, several more Illthid appears and engage the duo. Fighting them off the best they can until Corvus finally perceives a disturbance on the other side. He quickly grabs Wulf and Dimension Doors to the other side.  The fight is fair with 4v4, and the Guardians come out on top as the battle continues. Corvus and the others remember that the Master was on a completely different level with a sigh of relief. After further investigation, El is able to open a pathway to Blood, and the team regroups.  The group proceeds further into the Museum, realizing that something is truly amiss and there is more to this than they originally thought.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

Eltuire marches ahead into the next room and is immediately set ablaze, but to everyone else is simply screaming in pain. After amateurishly falling into a trap, El pushes forward with the group. Blood snickers to himself quietly.  But Eltuire quickly shows him up by making quick work of every locked door in the dungeons below before he can even find his pick set.  As the group explores further, they discover pools of blood, bones, and instruments of torture below. Disgusted, they press further to a back room and discover several weapons and books of possible magical origin. But there’s no time to sit and identify magic as El opens the door to several abominations. Unable to shut the door quickly, the group confronts the new foes. Afterward, they continue to push the Museum of Horrors and encounter more victims of the Illithid's mind control, leaving El feeling disturbed. Another Illthid reveals himself with a motley crew of abominations and mind-controlled soldiers. With Murderous intent Atheya and Eltuire do quick work of the Illtihid and, unfortunately, several innocent people.

Here We Go Again

Once the Illthid is defeated, the mind control wears off the remaining soldiers and civilians. Covered in blood, Corvus does his best to convince them we are the good guys, which they believe with some reluctance.  Determined to push on, the group rounds up the remaining survivors, brings them to the entrance, pushes further into the main corridor, and encounters an odd cage-like contraption suspended in the ceiling. Before the Guardians could plan or move, they noticed an eerie light from the cage and an unknown shape forming.

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 05/18

Always on Your Mind 🧠🍽️

After coming to a decision, the group decides to seek help from the Brokers instead of making a powerful enemy. Corvus, Atheya, and Wulf meet with the elderly lady to discuss the truth about their visit to Warcester and the ordeal Edson Duvall laid out in front of them. Corvus tells them about the silver vial and Edson Duvall’s plot to rob them of it. The Broker seems unphased and unconcerned with the “threat” of Edson Duvall, as they know of him already but have not considered him an enemy yet. Corvus purchases some information about Mr. Duvall and learns that he is a Rakshasa, a powerful creature with amazing abilities such as being immune to 6th level and lower magic and the ability to return to life after death; the only way to kill him would be to visit the Nine Hells and destroy him there. With no other choice, the group agrees to do just that.

                                                                                Let’s go Shopping!                           

Reunited once more, the group plans their next steps with the illusion of “shit being done” They plan to visit the museum and end the atrocities there.  Meanwhile, the guards would cause a distraction elsewhere. Hoping this would be enough to confuse Duvall into thinking they pulled off the heist when presenting him with a fake silver vial. While there is much time to prepare, the Guardians quickly return home, retrieve items, and go on a full shopping spree. With the plan for Duvall in place, they make their way to the museum to reach the higher floors and discover a way to free the creatures inside.

                                                  Doors are Always Open

The Guardians stake out the museum at night, prepare to enter unseen and move quickly. Immediately they waste precious time and resources on a door that is unlocked. Returning to the top floor, the group finds themselves at a dead end. Eltuire cleverly uses her detect thoughts to read the dragon’s thoughts to see a path behind one of the walls. Wulf deduces that it is a stone shape spell that created the path. Without hesitation, Atheya grabs Eltuire and teleports directly in front of a door. Eltuire is relieved she doesn’t have a foot sticking into a wall. The duo finds a book with a list of creatures and one empty slot for the next creature to be added. After doing so, the curator of the Museum, an Illitihid, appears and attempts to detain the pair. After a brief encounter, Eltuire dispatches the threat, but before she can enjoy taking out a Master look alike, several more appear. Being called rude and intrusive is the least of their concerns, as they are separated from the group and with no immediate means of escape.

 

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 05/04-5/11

 Are There Any Rumors Around Town

The group investigates the town of Warcestor; they split into groups to navigate the town—team A, Atheya, Wulf, and Corvus, and Team B, Blood, and Eltuire. Wulf runs into an old friend who gives them some insight into the town and Captain Dixson. Blood and El discover the museum run by an out-of-shape Illithid with live creatures inside as the exhibits. Disturbed, the group leaves and regroups. The Guardians discuss the plan to retrieve the Vial and split up to enact the first stages of the plan.

Persons of Interest Drunk Guy Captain Dixson Broker of Secrets B. Reynolds Edson Duvall Illithid Bronze Dragon

                                                                            Corvus the Rich                             

The group initially plans a heist to rob the Broker of secrets but to do so; they need a plan and a distraction. Team A goes to see the situation at the Broker's vault using Nirruks body as a negotiating factor. The team learns that any magic that deals with teleportation or moving to another plane is impossible. Magic is virtually muted in this space. Corvus tests the theory by trying to misty steps but is met with immediate pain as it fails. Wulf concludes that this would make the heist almost impossible.

                                                                                  

                                                                              

 Plan C

Team B heads to the Captain of the guards to negotiate a distraction for the following night. Blood initially fumbles the conversation a reverts back to his old ways of intimidation. El saves the deal with her boundless charm. Together the mix-matched pair are able to eventually strike a deal. This costs Blood a small fortune in the end.  The Guardians regroup and after a brief discussion decide that the Vault would be a suicide mission and would ultimately lead them to becoming an enemy of a secret society. El suggests they seek help from the Brokers instead of dealing with Edson Duvall.

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 04/20/23

 A Soul Saved

The battle resumes with one Druid left standing between the Guardians and Mira. After a few close calls, the group is able to dispatch the druid and end her before things got any worse…things got worse. The underground cave begins to shake, unclear if the shakes are from their earlier explosions to enter or dismantling Mira’s magical orbs. With no way to run, climb, and escape while carrying Mira, Eltuire recalls purchasing a scroll of teleportation to the town of Worchester, she quickly pulls out the scroll and begins casting. With a casting time of a minute, every second feels like hours as the earth crumbles around the Guardians and they do their best to shelter themselves and each other from the falling debris. With enough concentration and motivation from the group El is able to finish the circle and just as the largest boulder caress Wulf’s luxurious hair, the group blinks out of existence and reappears at a magic circle safely in Worchester.

                                                                  What is a Name?                             

With no rest for the weary, the group is immediately thrown into another predicament, surrounded by Worchester guards the group does their best to disguise who they are exactly and provide fake names, unsure if this ploy was successful, the group proceeds further, but not without Atheya catching the attention of a guard who writes something down. While attempting to find their way to the Inn, Corvus feels uneasy and detects the presence of a fiend, simultaneously Edson DuVall arrives in the carriage. Expressing his disappointment in the manner in which they arrived, but also eager for them to honor their request and provide a certain document or documents to him to repay Atheya’s debt. Edson departs and guarantees that he will be in contact with them soon and to be ready. After wandering some more, the group is unable to find an Inn. Blood takes one for the team and lures an innocent drunk into leading the party to a luxurious hostel where discretion #1. At the entrance, Wulf pays for everything with large amounts of platinum and gold. Food, Wulf. Rest, Wulf, Potions, Wulf. Who knew he was Mr. Moneybags. Unfortunately, the drunk is literally turned away at the door anD killed by the fiend guards. Eltuire will remember this…

                                                                                  

                                                                               Exalted

After reaching their room and being fascinated by the built in features such as having their appearances automatically change to protect their identities, unseen servants cleaning up after them, and impeccable service, the group finally rests. They finally lay Mira to rest, who appears restored but in a deep coma of recovery. Not all is what it seems though as unseen forces move in the shadows or in the sky. A possible Elder Brain Dragon, a possible fiend employer, and other forces make their moves. However, the urgency to repay a debt stands above all and the Guardians strive to protect their own always and are ready to accept the job to protect Atheya.

Guardians of the Grove - Recap 04/13/23

 Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire!

As the Guardians regroup after the druid ambush, Corvus walks towards the mark of Kovish presented on the corpse of one druid. Without notice, Corvus’ blade stabs thze mouth of Kovish, and in its place is left a gaping hole with no sign of Kovish remains. The group, at least confident in one means to erase Kovish pushes forward and decides to rappel further down the cave but is almost immediately impeded by the gas-filled chasm. Wulf and Atheya attempt to descend but immediately fall back due to the acidic toxins in the air. Wulf coming through like a true badass artificer, comes up with a soundproof plan to create a chemical component to bond with the gad below and use Eltuire’s Fire Magic to ignite the gas; what could go wrong?

                                                

                                      BOOM!                              

Almost instantaneously, the fire from Eltuires magic explodes the gas and shakes the entire cavern causing the plateau that Wulf and Eltuire are standing on to implode. Wulf and El begin to fall, unable to save themselves; Atheya and Corvus descend through magical means to rescue the duo. Atheya is able to hook El in her talons and bring her down to safety. However, Corvus is unable to grab Wulf in time. Wulf crashes downwards from rock to rock (almost comically) and lands below. Wulf brushing off the debris and aching body, quickly notices that next to him lies an incinerated corpse of the druid who fled during the previous battle.

                                                                                            Peace Talks Breakdown?

After a quick regroup and stretch, the Guardian moves into Mira’s chamber, where she is recuperating from the previous encounter. Corvus, moved by the gods themselves, begins to speak with Mira and convince her that he wants to help; he wants to right the wrongs committed long ago and save Mira. While they talk, Atheya relays to the group that there is another creature near Mira. As Corvus begins to get through to Mira, communications break down when Mira pleads for the Guardians to help her before the creature bonds with Mira and she enters an empowered state. The room ignites with powerful orbs emanating powerful magical energy matching the elemental forms Mira had taken. The Guardians enter a battle to save and not kill for the first time in a long while. They attack the orbs strategically while battling the lair's many elements and Mira's onslaught. While the Guardians focus on the task of destroying the orbs that seem to cut off Mira’s powerful druidic connections, Blood attempts to take on Mira and almost bites the dust, but thanks to ♥️ ELTUIRE♥️ can survive another chain of attacks. Ultimately the group is able to cut off Mira’s power source, and she returns to her original shape. The creature previously bonded ejects from her and return to its true form, Kestra, a druid and possible ally to Kovish. With the rescue of Mira still underway, only one more obstacle stands. Resources drained and heroes exhausted, one more battle remains.

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?