Map

BG: Fletchwind

As you step into the Phleghmbog Thickets, you’re immediately enveloped by the dense, muggy air of this swampy wilderness. It’s strangely cold as you continue forward.

Cleaned up space

Switching more to 2e, so adding backgrounds to each character.

The ground squelches beneath your feet, a thick layer of muck and rotting vegetation that seems to cling to your boots with every step.

Added players handbook - for quick references (19mb via box)

Towering, gnarled trees draped in hanging moss create a canopy that barely lets in any light, casting eerie shadows on the murky waters that snake through the undergrowth.

Upon arriving at the campsite, you notice the crispness in the air, a sign that the temperature in the forest has dropped. The site has an odd atmosphere; you all notice that the color has been drained from the surroundings. A dead campfire sits in the middle, surrounded by piles of dark grey bedding. Overgrown flora dominates the area, though some of the plants have managed to retain their vibrant colors.

How do you all proceed?

Rem searches for a bottle, possibly with water, in their rations.

🎲 Roll me a 1d6

“If anyone is afraid of spiders now would be a good time to get over it. There was a huge spider here that could have been able to hunt a bear!”

There is only one Wood. It is not one forest, but all forests. It is neither Good nor Evil but simply wishes to grow, to be free, and to protect itself.

If possible, Síofra would lift parts of the webs with her axe to examine them further

🎲 Roll me a 1d20, compare it to your STR with card --->>

Can I try to extract the silk?

Given the circumstances. I would consider this a roll for the climbing action. As there is a risk here; due to environment and the biome

Sure, roll a 1d6 for me, and how would you do it?

do i add the flowers to rem’s inventory? is this a petty item?

An injured spider? Strange... especially such a large one based on the footprints... And what if it needs help? No creature should go through the pain of suffering and possibly dying alone!

Roll a d20 and compare the results to the your STR attribute. If equal to or under that attribute, success. Otherwise, failure. 1 is always a success and a 20 is always a failure. This is called a Saving throw btw. Usually a roll occurs when there is a risk to the character.

The black web silk

If should have been 10 by the looks of it - not sure why you were 5 down; but I’ve bumped it all back up - Though you still fail the saving throw😂

“Sorry, I was mistaken, it seems like the spider was the one hunted and eventually injured. What if it needs help?”

Action: Climb with your roll, or do something else?

Sorry - I got to ahead of myself for this your one haha. Your response did say consider. so you don’t have to do a saving throw as I was suppose to confirm if you were climbing the tree. Due to the roll though, it will incur a STR loss of injury. But we can rewind time if you choose not to climb or Reroll the saving throw. (My bad)

also can we talk to spiders in this world?

[Lore added: The black web silk]

Yes, if you’ll need to be - for example: trained / gifted / blessed / or through magic. No one here much experience the vast forest/woods/regions yet to encounter such abilities. But it is possible :)

What else is everyone doing?

Rem’s hair stands straight up at the thought of a giant spider.

Alrighty - So you have two paths currently.

A) Proceed north to follow the spider tracks.

B) East has human footprints with a mix of toad/frog footprints.

(Noting: Malachi is collecting webs - if anyone wants to try as well?)

I’d really like to avoid meeting such a big spider, if possible, even the little ones give me the creeps.

I’d like to follow the human’s track, they might be the one we are looking for.

As the group discusses their options, Malachi carefully pulls down the last of the webs he was collecting, calling over from his perch. The decision is made, and the eastern path, marked by human and frog-like footprints, stretches out before you.

As you follow the human footprints east, the landscape subtly shifts. The familiar greenery gives way to an unusual grove of vermilion trees, their trunks twisting upward like veins of blood. The footprints wind through the grove, leading you deeper into this strange area. The air grows heavier, thick with the cloying, sweet-sharp scent of sap that trickles from the base of each tree.

The sap collects into a wide, bubbling pool at the center, stretching 12 feet across. Its surface gleams with a thick, amber sheen, sticky and clinging to anything it touches. In the middle of this treacherous pool, a sharp, crystalline green object glints in the light, half-submerged in the viscous sap.

The change in the air hits you all first

—dense and sweet with the overpowering scent of sap, almost suffocating as it clings to your lungs. The gleam of the crystalline object immediately catches your eye, drawing your attention like a beacon in the otherwise dark grove. As you examine the tracks more closely, it becomes clear that someone has attempted to reach the object before. The disturbed footprints tell a story—there were multiple efforts to retrieve it, but judging by the chaotic structure of the prints, another fight broke out here.

How will you proceed?

Nope, perfectly fine - you play as you want; some folks want to survive, others risk it all (with a cost at times)

No, but I do, its shiny.

Rem pulls out a 10 feet pole they’ve been carrying around. (somehow without anyone noticing before).

As the dagger pierces the surface of the bubbling sap, it sticks immediately, as though caught in thick glue. The depth is still unknown and won’t be easy to navigate by foot.

the prints become irregular here, you can see attempts and slips at the edge of the sap. The prints continue into another opening (east) and there is one without prints leading to an area to the north.

I’ll await others reply as this seems like a question to the group

Don’t burn it, that might ruin the shiny!! I have this big pole that we could use.

Rem steps closer to the sap to see how far in is the green object.

Hmm, it does look like this can reach it. We could try to poke it out, or do something smarter if anyone has any ideas

Awaiting one more reply - but we can progress slightly.

Sofira glances at Rem, her eyes silently agreeing with their choice. She gives a small nod, ready to follow their lead.

Sofira lingers just behind Rem. Her usually quiet demeanor is more intense here, as though something about the object speaks to her in ways it doesn’t to the others. She watches intently as Rem use the 10-foot pole to poke the object, her voice soft but audible,

“It feels...alive, doesn’t it? Like it’s waiting for something... or someone.”

If i look at the object more closely, do I notice anything? Can I also feel that the object is alive?

@Kid Dynamite: As you cautiously advance along the narrow path, your blades catch glints of filtered sunlight breaking through the canopy above. The disturbed vegetation tells a story - broken twigs at shoulder height, occasional scuffs in the soil, signs of a careful passage made. The air grows thick with tension as you proceed deeper into the woods. You continue forward, the canopy begins to open. You see in distance, atop a small hill is a wooden cabin. Roll me a D6 please.

Roll me a d6 please

@Rem As you try to look closely ... the details remain frustratingly elusive. The viscous fluid distorts your vision, and the crystal’s glow seems to pulse irregularly, making it difficult to focus. The dim light of the sap doesn’t help matters. When you gave the object the initial prod. you faintly felt a some sort of connection or presence within the crystal, and with Sofira comment, it is indeed not a regular crystal.

“Perhaps... perhaps we should consider bringing it closer.... I can try help with a long branch? ”

Walks around the area to find something that could assist.

@Kid Dynamite - As you approach the small cabin atop the hill, you notice several crude traps scattered around the perimeter, already triggered—snares with snapped cords, and pits covered in disturbed leaves. Rows of stacked logs catch your eye on the western side, while animal skins stretch tightly across a tall rack to the east, drying in the breeze. Do you continue towards the cabin? or something else?

We need to get this thingy out, it has to be something special. I think if you two (Rem points at Síofra and Malachi) help me push it as far as we can, we can go to the side and then get it out with this pole i have.

@Kid Dynamite Stretched taut across makeshift frames are various animal skins of different sizes and textures. The air is thick with the pungent smell of tanning agents and preserved hide. Laying upon a log, there is a hand-made piece of Leather armour and quite thick. Thicker than the usual ones you’ve come across. (2Armor) Crafted with skill, you can assume it’s make is for protection against piercing attacks.

Sofira nods and smoothly ducks under the low-hanging branches, following Malachi’s lead. Together, they sift through the decaying leaves and scattered twigs. After a few moments, they return to the edge of the sap pool.

Rem, you notice the two of them carefully nudging the crystal closer. It glides easily through the sticky sap.

Signals to **Rem**

“I think this is enough??” (signs/gestures)

@Rem Now within the poles reach, ready for you to act, what are we doing?

I want to use the side of the pole to push it to the nearest edge of the pool.

@Rem The crystal is at the edge the pool now. It green crystal reflects the light coming from the canopy. Malachi and Sofira are heading towards you.

“What do we do with it?”

I think we should follow the vampire, i dont know where he’s gone but its been a while since he left. Let’s take the crystal with us and then find out what it does later. It has to do something, right?

Rem Taking the green crystal you feel a mild energtic charge run through your body, you have a sense of relief, but it is not yours. Then it fades. You all continue to the path where Kid Dynamite ventured. Going into the narrow path way he went into. Making your way towards Kid Dynamite as you see him handling some sort of amour.

@VD: Before you do that, you see Rem, Malachi and Síofra walk up.

Did you find anything interesting?

Why would anyone put traps in their house?

Maybe this spider slayer could help us find the people who sent us the letter!

Touches one of the skins

This one is fresh, no more than an hour.

Walks carefully and inquisitively towards the cabin.

Gestures to everyone Pointing down at the cabin’s door.

What Síofra sees is a ring of white dust sprinkled across the doorway

A ring sprinkled in a line?

Ya, kind of like a ritual circle or warding circle at the foot of the door. You see say the first half, assuming the 2nd half of the ring is inside.

What knowledge does rem have on warding circles?

Like in this situation based on their background Rem would have some knowledge on them but I personally as the player know nothing

u can add knowledge here

So i need your help

INSIDE THE CABIN Very austere, with only a simple cot and small dining table.

Ah yes, if your background/character has exposure to it - you can ask as you did, and also what you did on your space is perfect.

Rem kneels down and looks at the white powder.

What is this? Could it be salt?

Síofra also kneels

“I think so... looks like it was placed here on purpose... keeping something in.. or out?”

⚠️

Roll me 🎲 d20 - twice

Your roll please

@

Rem is sooo bond 3

Add this to your Character sheet and the new petty item: This forms part of your backstory. Bond 14 = You promised a childhood friend that you’d bring them back a rare gift, something unique in all the world. Take a Bracelet (petty) woven from twine and wildflowers.

Omen of your past

I’ve added the results.

Rem stands up, and steps away from the salt that’s around the house.

I don’t think this is a good idea, this looks like an alarm circle, whoever laid it wants us or something else to go in there for that meal.

One more d20 - for Omen

@

Could you also pick a backgound from the players handbook that aligns to your character.

I think it’s better not to enter, and even if we get in, the meat might just be poisoned.

Haha, Yes - if you are able to enter without disturbing the circle - it won’t trigger since the object (Pole) is inanimate.

To clarify, you would be poking the food like a shishkebab to bring it out?

Can do, if you can find a way in - go for it.

Síofra takes out her notebook, and jots down some notes with her golden pen.

“I’m going to look around the cabin, there might be another way in?”

1 hour has ticked over.

Weather: Sun begins to leak light from the clouds above

Event roll: 🎲1

This is part of the game system, if players are in a location for too long

- Spends more than one dungeon cycle in a single room or location.
- Moves quickly or haphazardly through a room.
- Moves into a new area, level, or zone.
- Creates a loud disturbance.

🎲D12 = 11

No one notices this (Too far for you to notice + preoccupied)

As the adventurers plan,

Síofra carefully walks around the cabin - running her fingers on a wooden panels

“Ouch”

Does she find anything? Die of fate = 🎲 3 - Uh oh.

Rem uses their sword to sharpen the 10ft pole.

If i can reach the window, I want to get my pole in through there and skewer up the food the best i can.

The window is a little stuck, but with a little elbow grease,

Walks back to the group and rubbing her finger Shy, notices you guys are making progress and keeps to herself for the moment.

Sure, mark one ration off your sheet. Optional: you can describe in-game what you eat

3.30pm

Sure can, no risk as Siofra will aid you.

Síofra Nods Gives you a boost on to the roof

Where and what happened?

It does look delicious, but ... I think I’ll eat from my rations. You should ask the others if they want any.

Archiving this bit as well, to opt or the mini map

Síofra

Rem

I might begin using boxes to track time + context titles

Kid Dynamite

Síofra shakes her head

“Umm... I’m good - I’ll eat my orange...”

Malachi

Partial reveal of what was inside when

Archiving this, as time will be recorded with boxes

Late Watch

Its just a background (like a class), not a faction

Rem’s also a fletchwind

It makes a piercing whistle to grab the parties attention

“The next one will not miss”

“State your business on my roof, eating my food!”

I need his bow lol

(Okay, the food is not poisoned.)

We are trying to find some guy from the Order of nine, so he’s up there to look around.

I think he already saw

He eased his draw, lowering the bow and smoothly flipping it over his shoulder, the arrow still held firmly in his other hand and uses it to point at

Back to quick links

“Order of the nine?”

“Peace?”

This is more of a high level map - abstracted to know your position

Event log

He approaches the cabin’s doorstep, you watch him drop a large, black spider leg beside the door. He raises his hands over the warding circle, murmuring an incantation under his breath, then breaks the ward. Opening the door and walks in. There is few moments of silence before it breaks.

“Well, are you coming in?”

Invite to meet RK somewhere here...

A cabin with a warding circle

There is toad statue outside of the edge of the woods

Síofra jaw drops, and drops the left over orange she was eating

“Woah. What do you guys wanna do?”

Cabin

Rem put the green crystal in bag

Black webs on the cabin.

There is a roast duck in the cabin

If he has more I’m going in too

Stepping into the cabin, the air is rich with the scent of aged wood, pine, and a hint of lavender. A dusty shelf sags under the weight of forgotten books, jars of strange herbs, and a few small statues of toads. To the right, a well-worn table sits cluttered with scattered parchment and a plate with leftover vegetables and a missing main meal..

Watches

The left side of the room is a workshop dedicated to crafting bows, swords, and leather gear. half-finished bows and half-forged blades hang along the wall, while strips of leather and tools for armor-making are neatly arranged on a sturdy workbench. A leather apron is draped over a worn chair, and a dummy stands nearby, displaying a partially finished cuirass—evidence of a skilled hand at multiple trades.

If this person is willing to help us, rem could make a bow for themselves here.

Amber sap pool

By the empty fireplace, you notice rows of plants, their colors eerily drained, leaving them pallid and lifeless. These plants resemble the same strange flora you encountered upon entering the woods.

“So, what brings you into the woods?”

Síofra recognises the marks She whispers to the group.

“The same carvings that depicts a scene of toads among a bountiful harvest...”

We got sent a letter that told us to comme here, we got some nice ponchos from the oxen rider

“Oh.”

Then with earthenware cloche lid in the other hand, places it on top. Hovering his hands above - capturing a quiet anticipation, and then, a sharp clap reverberates through the air.

A few seconds later, the rich aroma of roast wafts toward you. As he lifts the lid, a mouthwatering display of roasted pork and duck, golden potatoes, and fresh leafy greens is revealed. He repeats this ritual with each plate around the table, bringing each one to life with a feast.

“First - you eat, then tell me your story”

Thank you.

This is really good

(this is an old space, we are at part 5 now)