Tales from the Emerald Pentacle Issue 2

Welcome all, to Issue two of the Tales from the Emerald Pentacle, chronicling the adventures of the junior section of Halesowen Boardgamers in Talislanta

14th Ardan 620
Stoopod and Grave were off on the Eastern border for a time so K’kree was left to his own devices. Having had his cloak made, he joined up with a group of new adventurers; A Thrall named Throtal (Matthew, new to role-playing), a Sarista gypsy named Jenny (Charlotte) and a mysterious Zandir swordsmage calling himself Mr. Quiz (James). They were planning an expedition to the False Forest, having heard that Smokk had been sighted there (a Smokk is a valuable creature with an innate ability to locate treasure). Having bought equipment they set off for the forest, reaching it two days later on the 16th. Entering into the misty woodlands, they encountered a tattered figure with whitish skin begging for alms. Some confusion here (“arms? What’s he want our arms for?”), until Jenny suggested giving him some money. She and Ben did so and he thanked them; saying he used to serve the wizard Fabian. Fabian gave him a scroll which, when deciphered, would lead to a great treasure. He also gave K’kree a fist sized polished stone; then disappeared into the mists. They had a good look at the scroll, which contained an epic poem, but couldn’t figure it out.

Poking about inside the hollow of a lightning-blasted tree revealed nothing so they headed towards the sound of running water; across a ford they saw a willowood tree with a sleeping man and a sleeping catdrac; the catdrac had its jaws open. K’kree went forward to the man and promptly fell asleep; Throtal followed him; resisted for a moment but then too succumbed. Jenny and Mr Quiz debated for a moment; Jenny could detect a magical aura coming from the tree. Mr Quiz cast Dispel Magic on the tree and successfully removed the curse. Everyone woke up; the catdrac immediately leapt upon K’kree (he is part-bird after all!) Mr Quiz took it out with a well-placed arrow. Throtal reasoned that the catdrac must have been creeping up on the sleeping man when it too fell asleep (well done Matthew, spot on!)

After this, they spent some time panning (dredging) for gold in the stream (?) Not surprisingly, they didn’t find any. Moving onwards, they entered a grove of Withergall trees surrounded by dense thornwood. Roosting in the branches were about a dozen Morde; skull-headed avian scavengers. It was obvious that the Morde did not want them to pass to the Southeast, of course they pressed the issue and the Morde attacked. After a fierce melee the surviving creatures retreated back to the trees: K’kree threw his crescent-knife at one and started the fight again! Eventually the Morde were killed or driven off, K’kree was badly clawed and Mr. Quiz had broken his weapon (it was thought that Throtal had broken his Greatsword, but this turned out to be untrue). K’kree paid Jenny 20 silver for a Healing Spell, they then decided to return to Cymril to heal and re-equip. The journey back was uneventful and they reached Cymril on the 18th.

Shortly afterwards, Jenny and Mr. Quiz departed for a journey back to Silvanus, via Zandir, leaving K’kree and Throtal to puzzle over the scroll and wait for Stoopod and Grave to return.

So ended the second adventure.