WitW - Session 27

The party did some inventory management to start their day, noting a ruby ring they had been given the day prior as a reward.

Jeatz took a walk, taking in the world around him, and to check in with Pascal after yesterday. He fed Pascal a dragonfly, and as he sat, communing with the world around, he strengthened his bond with a wild, gaining proficiency in Nature checks (finally).

Jahir came to Almyre saying the cleric he spoke with was able to cast Gentle repose on Lord Anar, so in the event that they are able to return in time with his heart, perhaps they can revive him.

Wanting to discover the true nature of the ruby ring without using Almyre's magic, they made their way to a local enchantment seller- Dingle. Dingle said the ring was completely mundane. While Dingle sold enchantments, his brother next door, Dan, could help in that department, but it only works 5% of the time when done quickly like this.

Jeatz cut a deal, he would pay 500 favor to try to try, and 250 to try a second time. Across both chances, the attempt at making a ring of evasion failed. The party became highly suspect of Dan and Dingle, and ultimately uncovered they were the same person by threating Dingle-Dan with a nat 20. The arranged a deal where Dingle-Dan would get them the ring with the evasion enchantment as soon as he could, wherever they were.

Glitter stole a +2 whip from Dan's stall, which they used to bargain with a smith specializing in pixie armor. The smith was otherwise unwavering in his price, even for the princess, parting with armor and a needle sword. Glitter couldn't wield it, but Horace would train her.

They made their way to the seal shack to meet Annette, the sassy trainer. She gave them a precious stone which is a physical map of the desert and it's dunes. They would need to return this artifact. They set out- Jeatz and Horace on a light, more maneuverable, sled and Almyre took a heavy, more durable sled.

The first day was smooth sailing; however, Almyre, despite her best efforts, succumbed to a level of exhaustion. On the third day. Horace trained Glitter at night in her new armor. Day 2 was a little sketchy considering Almyre's exhaustion, but no eel encounters. Day 3 started well, but a failed Survival check from Jeatz resulted in a failed Nature check form everyone, taking them over eel grounds.

With an electric eel in pursuit, the party was shocked repeatedly by its lightning attacks. Jeatz managed to escape immediately, and did not come back to help. With just Almyre and Horace left, they just could not roll well enough to escape. This resulted in Horace's sled getting obliterated by the eel. Sledless, the eel crashed into Horace, dealing a number on him. Thankfully, Almyre came to pick him up. With the pair on one sled, Horace and Almyre were able to escape the eel, but Almyre's sled scrapped by with only a few hit points remaining. That night, zonked by running from the eel, Jeatz and Almyre failed their constitution save, gaining more exhaustion. The 4th day resulted in a perfect run across the desert.

They let the seals go, walking up the short hill to the overlook to the caldera of the Dark Place. The soil was scorched even after all this time. Horace looked to the forest of the spring court in the distance, seeing the shadows move. The place was dotted we a few ruined structures, but one of them was a house that look in shockingly good shape.

Curious, the party went invisible, and snuck in finding a single little girl humming to herself. The party scared her as she yelled at them  that the darkness was supposed to leave her alone. They were able to calm her, but she clearly still didn't trust them, despite saying they can clear the darkness. In a quiet moment, they heard the flapping of giant wings overhead outside.