Recollections by Ford
Recollections by Jeroy
Pearl, Kaylorr, Ford, Telula, and I gathered in the magistry to investigate the mysterious "Portals" of one known as "Hune" (Pronounced Hun, Hue-n, or https://youtu.be/iG940q9Jva0?t=87). After much debate of the proper pronunciation Ford relayed to us the fruits of his research on these portals.
"I was not able to find out much but it appears that some are working with portals as other members of the party have discovered. The portals may be made by a wild mage approximately 20 miles east of town."
We rented 5 horses for 3 days with plenty of rations to keep them well fed. I was warned against malnourishing a horse by Kaylorr and the repercussions from the stable owners. We rode east led be Telula and approximately 8 miles till we found a farm with an old woman knitting on the porch. We approached and asked if she had seen anything strange lately, such as portals or strangers (that looked like us but meaner). She said no - I doubted this at first but was convinced she was telling the truth after a "perception check" (I don't know what that is or why I heard it in my head, but sometimes I feel as though my actions are not my own. That they are controlled by another and the whims of chance). The old woman did remember that a person who seemed filthy all over his skin came by about a week ago and asked for food, she said no keeping him outside and he left. She recounted he spoke with a funny accent that used more K's than needed for normal pronunciation. Telula recognized this as possibly the language under-common. The woman added that he came from the east and headed west. We thanked the woman for her time and headed back to the road.
We decided to head east from where the individual came from rather than where it was going by Telula tracking his path. As we begin again, Pearl, noticed a figure that matched the creature's description approximately 1000 feet away along the path east of where we stood. We decide to approach with caution. As he approached we saw he had his short sword drawn, we continued to approach. When he was 30-ft away we noticed that he has mushrooms on his face. Pearl, Telula, Ford, and I describe the mushroom affliction we had seen in the training dungeon perimeter defense when a band of garden gnomes/goblin/elves (just filthy creatures really) attacked our base to Kaylorr and how this is a hive mind affliction where they are controlled by another and if the spores or smoke from them touches you.....well we don't know really. None of were afflicted but I imaged it would be terrible. Kaylorr stated he knew of this affliction because it had affected (or effected? I need to research the difference) him in the past. He stated that he felt like something was burrowing into his brain and feeding him new thoughts. I thought to myself "that sounds terrible, we should avoid it." When we was very close to us Kaylorr tried to speak with it saying "Ahoy traveler!" But he ignored us, slapped himself across the face spraying his spores/smoke across the party. I inhaled it while other avoided, but it affect (effected?) two of our horses ("those poor horses!" I thought, or maybe someone else did for I felt something taking over my mind). Ford and Kaylorr were bucked off of their now affected (effected?) horses to the ground. I manage to shake off the affliction, draw my shield and battle axe (I have named her "Soulmate") entering a barbarian rage, I leap from my horse with Soulmate held high above my head such that I may swing down on this fiend slicing it in twain. But I missed, so that sucked. Pearl drew her long-bow, knocked an arrow, drew back, and with great aim let fly a mighty arrow straight into chest of the creature killing it. Kaylorr sliced off part of the face of the creature to take back the fungus for later study which I found to be gross.
We searched for the horses for a few hours and healed them of their affliction (effliction?). Feeling badly for putting them through this, I feed the horses some hay and pet them to re-assure them. I get the feeling they almost bite me.
We continued on the path, soon finding another creature approaching. We let it approach to within 30-ft where Kaylorr attempts to heal it of its condition but with no effect (affect?). Telula quickly draws her bow and lets an arrow fly but misses. Ford draws a throwing dagger, takes aim and misses. Kaylorr attacks with sacred flame and misses. We are not good at this suddenly. Pearl shakes her head and I think I hear her mumble "fine, I got this" and transforms into an elk, charging the creature and knocking him to ground. I draw a javelin and throw it into the creature killing it. After retrieving my javelin and cleaning it we burn the body like a Jawa on Tatooine. We continued on to find a third approach. Telula quickly dispatches it with an arrow, I ride over to it and thrust a Javelin into its body to be sure (its not a dead horse so it isn't cliche) We burn the body.
We quickly realize there is one seen almost every mile and this is taking too long. Pearl casts a spell to make us all stealthy ninjas so that we can pass them more quickly and reach what we believe is the source of the creatures. A large willow tree with thick, thick, brambled sides that requires the creatures to crawl and struggle through them. This tree seemed to be no normal tree and Pearl's first thought is to burn it which is a odd thought from a druid but who am I to judge?
More to come, my brain hurts from so much thinking.