Safely back in the Shrine of the Everbloom the party settled in to examine the magic items and other goods they had recovered from Logrivich's Clocktower. They did find it difficult to sell any more items in the city as there was unrest and fighting all over the streets. Casia was lucky to find some additional potions of fire breathing but the group decided longer exposure on the streets was not the best option.
Fanara had a proposal for the next day. She would attempt Automatic Writing to try and glean some additional information about their upcoming quest into the Market Square and Baba Yaga's hut. The party agreed to this as it was deemed advisable to know or at least try to know, some hints about what to prepare for.
The next morning after the group had satisfied their morning ablations, Fanara sat in a trance with her hand on the pencil of her writing planchette she scribbled away for one hour posing questions.
"Will there be large monsters? Will the creature we fight cause cold damage? What channeled spirit would be the best for adventuring in the Market Square? Other questions followed."
Then Fanara tried to interpret the response scribbled on the planchette. She was able to read the answers but some gave no real helpful response while others gave no response. The choice of spirit was indeterminate, there would be large creatures but no real cold damage was foreseen. Given this Fanara made sure to carry Enlarge Person to enhance the party's damage. They would not need any protection from cold or at least not a large amount.
After spending another night the group set about to enter the Market Square. Fanara channeled the Champion was again with her straight hair in a pony tail. The hair was light red with darker highlights. The party received its seance boon and the group headed out for another day.
The streets around the square were a wreckage of stumps and fallen trees, and many of the traders residing in the Merchants' Quarter had been evacuated. The Market Square itself had almost entirely vanished save for a few buildings that were are now completely out of place in this sylvan landscape. The shops and homes of the Merchants' Quarter stopped abruptly at a towering wall of evergreens that had burst through the snow-covered cobblestones of the city's streets. The party walked around the whole overgrown area and only on the very south did the trees part to form a path winding into the dark forest that had replaced all sights and senses of the city around it.
Amadeo commanded his new serpentine owl figurine of power to transform into a horned owl and fly over the enclosure. The owl reported that the trees canopies had grown together to form a living dome over the whole woods blocking flight and sight into the area. Amadeo directed the owl to fly down to the canopy where it reported sharp thorns as long as a human's fingers. It tried to push into the canopy but took minimal damage as it was not even able to move the branches out of its way slightly. Amadeo called the owl back ordering it to not get hurt.
Jorgen looked around and found that the shrubs, trees and greenery on the ground also had the long needle sharp thorns. He did not want to get anywhere near them. At this point with nowhere else to go the party pushed forward into the grove. Light was lacking under the green dome so Fanara cast a light spell. Jorgen and Amadeo led the party into the opening. As the party pushed forward in the narrow path three Ice Trolls appeared in the shadowy light. Immediately a battle began with Jorgen, Amadeo and Casia leading the charge. Milos moved up to get into position. Then the party was stunned as Fanara transformed from the red haired Champion into a nearly bald, shocking white headed crone or hag. Her skin became stretched tight over the bones and was almost transparent. She was stooped and her voice quivered as she looked in shock at her new body. Nevertheless she moved behind Casia and cast Enlarge Person on her. Jorgen had thrown Alchemist's Fire on one troll which began burning as it attacked. Another attacked Amadeo while the third eschewed its BattleAxe and tried to bite and claw Amadeo unsuccessfully.
Casia and Fanara followed with Alchemist's Fire on the other two trolls and Santrel cast Burning Arc to hit two of the enemy. The three trolls did little damage to the party and soon found themselves taking additional fire damage. Then they began to fall as the party had the upper hand.
As the battle ended the whole group was concerned for Fanara. Was she still Fanara? Did she feel well? What Happened? Fanara had no answer for the last question, she had no idea why this transformation had occurred, possibly it is a rogue spirit of some kind.
"I seem to have the powers of a witch!" she exclaimed. "I feel fine, just a little tired and older."
The party pushed further into the sylvan landscape. The non wooded area opened up and paths led west, east and a larger path led to the north. Jorgen followed the northward passage which narrowed slightly before opening into a large clearing. The way to the north was blocked by a rippling hemisphere of churning darkness and twisted shadows. The surrounding trees seemed to lean toward the area, as swirls of nearby snow and forest debris were sucked into the vortex, accompanied by a distant roar of wind. Another pathway led to the east.
Santrel noted that the winter portal they stepped through also appeared to be a vortex of some kind. This one though, was sucking snow and debris into it rather than expelling cold. He studied the magic of the phenomenon and determined it was of the type Abjuration. There appeared to be no way around the vortex as it fit like a plug into the trees standing next to it. Fanara and Santrel attempted to learn more information about the vortex with their arcane knowledge.
They learned that the vortex was some sort of extra planar portal or gateway that seems to be siphoning away reality itself. As such, it could not be passed through or bypassed. The vortex was not a spell effect, but rather a form of ritual magic. It was unlikely that the Dancing Hut created it-something else surely did.
The vortex will take sometime before it completely drains reality away from this area, taking everything
nearby with it, but no more than a week at most.
Determining that they did not need to attempt passing the darkness and shadows as there seemed to be more to explore. Jorgen led the party to the east. A large chunk of stone jutted from the ground like a natural stage. Six boulders floated in the air and slowly orbited the raised platform. The rich scent of loamy earth hung heavy in the air. The stone platform was roughly 20 feet square and 10 feet high. The rotating boulders were around 10 feet off the ground. Squatting on top of the bounder was a humanoid figure with strangely colored hair crowning his head like a torch, and gleaming white teeth shined from his grin. The creature cradled a flute in his long, graceful fingers. Seeing Jorgen approaching he turned and said "Turn back, mortals, you cannot pass. We have come to claim this reality, and we'll take the Crone's hovel with us. Turn away and live your lives in peace and safety, unburdened by the heavy weight of relevance."
"Who is we?" Amadeo inquired.
"Why myself and my two companions. We are taking that hovel away to our home." the man responded.
Santrel identified the creature as a Dawn Piper, a fey, who had spell resistance and some ability called dissonance, which used his flute.
Fanara asked regarding whether they would take the whole city, to which the piper responded "Of course not, just this immediate area." Fanara thought that was not good since the group needed Baba Yaga's hut. While this was happening Jorgen and Amadeo began to move their way around the circling stones to the north and south where there appeared more area to explore. As Amadeo began to near the boulder, the Piper cast Grease on a portion of the large rock and crooned "So be it" to the tune of the flute.
The battle began with Jorgen firing a crossbow, Casia her musket and Amadeo drinking a potion of fly. Milos moved forward to cast another bless later and Santrel began to change a spell to fly. Fanara used her evil eye and began to Cackle. A large pit opened under Casia but she managed to jump out of danger. Milos saw the pit was 50 feet deep and filled with sharp spikes as he managed to avoid slipping in from the sloped edge.
Fanara began a second evil eye while continuing to Cackle as Amadeo flew up to the rock and Casia moved up and jumped up to the top of the rock to attack. The Piper slid away and then his aura of Terrible Beauty blinded Casia, Amadeo and Jorgen. Then a sonic sound from the flute did damage to Casia and Amadeo.
"Tell us where he goes," Casia yelled to the party.
Milos cast his Bless as Fanara again availed herself of the evil eye while continuing to Cackle. Even with three blind party members the group managed to continue to damage the Piper and as he fought back with a rapier he was not long for this new world. As he fell the circling boulders shuddered and crashed to the ground. Santrel detected a slight reduction in the roar of the votex as a small implosion was heard from that clearing.
"We need to find his companions. They are probably also contributing to the strength of the vortex," he intoned.
After some healing the party headed south. Perched precariously in the branches of the trees above was a small house, apparently lifted into the air from its foundations. The branches creaked as the house teetered and swayed with the wind. As Jorgen came closer he heard two children's voices from above.
"Help us. Our father is hurt and the Winter Guard has just ignored us!" they two voices intertwined.
"Who are you?" Amadeo asked floating in the air as his fly was still active.
"I am Trevis and my sister is Crina. Please our father cannot climb down and we are scared to try. The house is so shaky."
Amadeo flew up to a window and peered inside to see a young boy and girl looking very scared. Fanara who had become large as Casia reverted to her normal size, moved up and tried to stabilize the house with a brace of her hammer.
"Can your father speak with us?" Amadeo inquired.
"Yes, let me go ask him." Trevis replied.
The boy moved to an interior door and opened it. Inside appeared to be a bedroom and soon a weak voice was heard.
"I am Karend Angetti, a foreign merchant here in Whitethrone. I think I have broken my leg. Please help us." came a voice from inside.
"How did your house get here?" Fanara yelled up.
"The trees suddenly started growing and swiftly lifted the house from the ground. I fell out of bed and broke my leg, I believe."
"Lets get the kids down first," Fanara suggested.
"That should help you move. Hopefully you children can brace you for walking." Milos intoned.
Turning to Amadeo, Karend said. "Our gratitude is great, I would like you to have this Amulet of Natural Armor. I gave it to my late wife years ago to keep her safe. You saved her children today. She would want you to have it."
Amadeo accepted the Amulet and the party explored the area a bit more, finding that the main path returned to the entrance.
"I am sure we will be fine. I have legitimate foreign merchant credentials and some political contacts. I am confident the Winter Guard will allow us to evacuate the market, so long as I don't try to return."
With that the party headed back north, passed the boulders and entered into a new larger meadow like area. Far to the north Jorgen came upon a solitary building that sat partially surrounded by trees. A few patches of cobblestone still covered the ground outside, while a wooden street sign lay facedown in the snow. Just as Jorgen turned to leave the door opened and a Winter Wolf came marching out with authority.
"I am Bragda leader of a Winter Guard patrol. We were attacked by the marauding fey. I led the group here to await reinforcements -- who haven't come. The others of my patrol have succumbed to their injuries and I am not about to fight my way out by myself."
"That has nothing to do with us," Jorgen said as he turned away.
"You will join me and escort me out of the forest. I am the authority here."
"Good luck with your mission." Fanara responded.
The addition of the large Fanara helped Milos as he seemed to be the target of on flying creature. The monsters were identified as Perytons who had protection from non magic attacks. Santrel tried to hide behind the large Fanara but the second Peryton did a fly by attack on her and then fled away again. Santrel then fled in fear. The rest of the party was trying arrange themselves to best fire ranged weapons at them. The monster attacking Milos was the first to fall. The second attacked Amadeo on its way toward Santrel. Santrel tried to move into the wall of thorns but was not strong enough to push his way in. He found himself bleeding profusely from the long thorns. Jorgen and Fanara intercepted the Peryton and downed it before any additional damage was inflicted.
After the party was healed, Jorgen searched in the house where three dead humans were splayed on the floor just as Bragda had said. There was a magic bow, quiver, cold iron arrows (ten) and three potions of Lesser Restoration. Again Fanara was anxious to continue while her enlargement held and the party headed further west.
Leading the pack Fanara began to hear voices quietly discussing the state of Whitethone, slurring their word slightly.
"Maybe the Queen has been overthrown." one voice suggested.
"I think that a catastrophe has come upon Whitethrone." said another.
"Maybe it is the end of the world?" one of the women pondered.
Seeing the party one of the women stood and moved toward Fanara.
"Join us in sharing the fire, the wine, and the company. We have found this oasis away from the forest's monsters and are passing the time until order is restored." she relayed.
"We are on another mission and must be pressing on," Fanara replied.
"Surely you can take some time to join us and enjoy good company," she responded looking directly at Fanara who felt a slight compulsion to accede to the request, but she shook it off.
As the group tried to move beyond the peaceful setting, the woman backed toward the fire and said, "Sisters join me. Do not let them pass."
The battle was short and sweet for the heroes as the creatures only attacked with bite and claw and were swiftly put down by Jorgen's flanking and charging heroics. The rest of the party contributed and all three were soon dead.
Fanara led on but Casia and Amadeo stayed long enough to search the bodies and the house. No items or magic was found and the merchants soon were falling off the logs, asleep or drunk.
An enormous dead beech tree towered over the next clearing, standing apart from the evergreen trees around it. Dead, dry leaves lifted from piles around the tree to rustle and dance amid whorls of fine powdery snow. A dawn piper stood on a branch about ten feet above the ground.
"Go now. This forest and the Dancing Hut are ours, and I will not yield." she commanded.
In response Fanara threw Alchemist's Fire at the woman but missed and set the tree on fire. The Piper flew out of the burning branches and Fanara engaged her in battle while the rest of the party tried to catch up with Fanara. A small twigjack threw a spear at Jorgen and then stepped through the bushes and trees. The party began to battle both creatures with ranged weapons. Santrel used burning arc to great advantage on the twigjack but it had enough left to Splinterspray Amadeo, Casia and Santrel.
Meanwhile the Piper used a shocking grasp to injure Fanara who returned attack and called for healing. Milos said after we get her on the ground but he did cast a healing spell. The arrows and bolts continued and the Twigjack was dead quickly. Just as the party thought it might get the better of the battle Casia and Amadeo succumbed to the Piper's Aura and were blinded. The a gust of wind came flowing out at Fanara and Milos.
Fanara attacked once again and took another Shock but eventually even without Casia and Amadeo the party wore down the Piper and she fell to earth. The tree broke apart and fell to the ground in a fiery heap. There was again a muffled boom from the direction of the vortex. More healing was done and a search for magic came up empty. The party explored the minor paths leading away from the grove but they all ended in a wall of thorns. Making their way back to the vortex they noted it was reduced in noise but still potent as they could not see through it. Finally they made their way to the entrance and a pathway to the west.
A pool of strange silvery water stood in the clearing ahead. On the pool's surface, ripples begin at its outermost edges and rush inward to a single point, where drops of water fall up toward the sky. The entire pool rains skyward while snowflakes float down between the droplets. A brisk wind rustles through the trees. A dawn piper stood in the center of the ankle- deep water with one shoulder hunched and his head cocked at a crooked angle. He does not appear to notice or regard Fanara or any of the party as they crept into the clearing.
Fanara fired an bolt at the Piper which then took notice and a battle was begun. An aqueous Orb rolled out from the Piper and attempted to absorb Casia and Amadeo. Jorgen was attacked by a large creature who came into the clearing from the woods. Flecks of saliva dripped from the corners of the filthy and ill-smelling humanoid's mouth, and his large pointed ears twitched at every sound.
Santrel cast fly on Fanara while the remainder of the party tried to stay away from the Piper hoping not to be blinded. Jorgen was having a tough time with the large monster and the Orb kept rolling around and over the heroes. The Piper again played it's flute and cause dissonance after it's aura did not blind anyone this encounter. Long range weapons did damage and eventually the Piper moved within melee range to fight. The heroes put down both the Piper and the Spriggan without too much more effort.
As the Piper expired the waters of the pool rushed inward and fell upward in a sudden, violent rush, leaving behind an expanse of muddy earth. An implosion was heard from the direction of the vortex and the rushing sound was suddenly silenced.
The party headed north into a new area before heading back to the vortex. As Santrel and Milos moved forward suddenly two trees fell onto them as they tripped a wire.
"You need to let me lead the way," Jorgen piped up.
"You weren't moving fast enough," Santrel retorted.
"Just let me go first," Jorgen pleaded.
Ahead was a wagon pulled to the side of the cleared path. As Jorgen and Fanara approached they felt their metal armor and weapons begin to become warmer. Jorgen spotted a small creature hiding behind the wagon. The hideous, hunchbacked creature had three glowing blue eyes. Oily hair grew from its head and back, covering it like a cloak. As he moved up behind the wagon he noted another one of the same hiding there.
After some healing the party headed back to the opening before the vortex. As they arrived they could see that the vortex as gone and there was an opening in the tree line. A two-story wooden hut dominated the clearing beyond. The hovel stood on enormous chicken legs that restlessly scratched at the ground, but a gigantic manacle of iron, attached to a huge chain bolted to a spike in the earth, shackled the hut almost in place. An osseous fence surrounded the structure, and two corpses were impaled upon the sharpened bone pickets. A few ravens hopped and fluttered over the bodies, picking at the choicest bits of flesh.
"I suppose I should thank you for ridding me of this fey incursion," she said coldly, "but we both know what you've cost me already."
Everyone wasted little time starting the combat as the party recognized the witch as Nazhena Vasilliovna. She began to cast a spell and Fanara flew at her to attack. Jorgen and Amadeo began with the icy creature, a golem, as someone soon determined. Santrel was out of spells at this point and hung back at least for the moment.
Attacks were flying left and right but none put down any of the enemies. Milos joined Fanara on Nazhena as the others were bottled up with the ice golem and mephit. Santrel drew two dogs from his robe and send them against the mephit. Nazhena again cast a spell and Fanara's mind was affected as she rashly attacked and didn't cast any spells. The rest of the party and the enemy then traded misses for some time. Quickly following the ice golem shattered into shards of ice which damaged Amadeo and Jorgen. Then the mephit was killed by Jorgen and Casia and Amadeo moved up to help against the witch. Nazhena performed a hex that tumbled Amadeo and Milos to sleep. But she was bottled in as more heroes and the dogs hounded her. After a hit by Fanara, Santrel awakened Milos who channeled healing, badly needed by the party.
Nazhena then cast Ice Storm and dropped it on everyone but Jorgen. This woke up Amadeo, killed the dogs and just about undid the healing from Milos. Then the party attacked together and after Nazhena's final attack with her sickle, she died.
Fanara clambered to the porch and knocked on the door. There was no response. She looked in a window and saw a simple and cozy
room that strangely appears to be a bit bigger than the hut itself. The rest of the party was ferried over the fence by Fanara who then lost her fly and enlargement. She tried to gather psychic significance from the whole area.
Her vision was of a white haired witch, looking like the Elvanna statue the group had viewed in the pale tower, standing before a cowed hut. She attached the shackle and made sure that it was securely tied to the post in the ground. Then she cast a spell of some kind, Fanara thought it was akin to Dimensional Anchor, but the shackles were magic themselves. There also appeared some type of forbiddance within the whole. Then she saw what seemed to be the White Rider on her white destrier being attacked in the morning by a conglomeration of witches and winter wolves. The stallion was soon brought down and the white rider killed and dragged to the hut to be impaled on the bone fence. The vision then changed to the Red Rider on his mount of reddish-gold. This time just before dusk, he was attacked by a similar if not the same group, killed and brought to the hut for the same purpose as the White Rider. Then the vision vanished.
"We need to remove the shackle," Fanara said. "I'm not sure we can do it by magic, maybe Jorgen can use his skills to disable or remove the device."
"I will try," Jorgen said moving to the leg which was proffered by the hut.
Jorgen was confronted by a very large chicken leg and claw. The shackle was almost glowing as he leaned into to find a place to possibly unlock or remove the device. As he touched the shackle it shattered along with the chain and bolt. The hut then set down as close to the ground as possible and seemed to be inviting the party in.
DM's Notes: We are nearly finished with Book 2, "The Shackled Hut". The group is close to 7th level.
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