Our fearless band of do gooders set off to explore and uncover as much as they possibly could, mainly due to the fighter being absent.

An old burial cairn was found. Judging that it was only a, rudimentary, copy of a giant-down it was searched. The party found a body, loosely , covered in cloth. A ring was found on the body of magical properties (ring of swimming) with an inscription that reads “Blood of my Blood”

A field of bear traps were found and destroyed, so they can no longer harm another.

A hot springs were skirted around due to rumors of giant frogs. This area shall have to be purged at a later time..once again, no fighters… The springs could be a magical source.

Ran past a marsh riddled with boggards, once again to be purged at a later time.

Finally something worth note: We ran into a magical shrine to Erik. Not sure of the actual properties but it sure feels good to be in its presence.

A proper cairn..perhaps with a Rjurik king within its walls. We hope to return to this and inspect it further.

Bad news, horrible omen was found. A dead unicorn! It’s horn as already been removed…Damned shadow creatures!

A washed out crossing with some dead bodies. Finally something we can look into by ourselves. This is a long abandoned town…the town of Midjarna.

A rare find indeed! In a pit we’ve found a thylacine. The poor creature is starving and in rough shape. We managed to calm him down and get him out of the pit..now he wishes to follow us. Perhaps I’ll keep him around for a personal pet.

Back at Oleg’s fort we are greeted by our halfling friend. We have been charged with civilizing the Giant-downs. Apparently there will be little to no help given in this quest as the other groups, we were told were sent to do the same, have all perished. The fighters have returned, from whatever they’ve been up to. Now we find out that they’re old employer has taken over the fort at Lemnjohen. This is important because its one of the first things that all the new settlers will see and or pass through on the way into this savage land. After some inquires I found out that there are secret ways into the fort, only the fort will be difficult to get to unnoticed.

A plan is made to travel to the fort through the shadow relm. I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. We begin our travel by entering through what I can only describe as “parting the threads of reality and breaking into the darkness”. After some time of travel we all hear an odd sound. Apparently the sound was shadow speak…we know this because the Elf knows the language. Great, just another reason to not trust. Very shortly after we’re attacked by shadow elementals and a VERY large Troll. We’ve decided to leave the shadow realm now…

The fort looms close now..apparently the shadow travel worked well enough. I believe we’ve made it hear a bit too quickly…no strategy has been made just yet.

In an attempt to get more information from about the layout and numbers of the Stag Lord the fearless bard entered the keep, alone, under disguise. After some attempts at fooling the guards he was found out and fired upon. In his haste to remove himself from fire he released and Owlbear upon the keep, as a distraction. Moving on, after this masterful move, he then found an unlikely ally in the Watch ranger known as Akiros. Akiros had, apparently, infiltrated his way into the service of the Stag Lord waiting for this opportunity. The rest of the group reached the gates just as it was opened, by our two unheralded heroes. The owlbear had to be slain, as it was about to destroy the rest of the group upon its exit. This was done with haste as the others moved quickly into the keep. The Stag Lord’s best man was felled with one mighty blow from the fighter, no doubt sending waves of panic to the other bandits. The Stag Lord was surrounded, burying arrows deep in the barbarian only to have the pain returned. Akiros and his ever faithful bow put an end to the Stag Lord and his rein of terror. Another two days were spent recovering our health and exploring every inch of the keep. A vast treasure trove was unveiled…we have to hold this keep and make it ours. After the two days the party ventured to the great tree to make sure it was still clean. Then to Nettle’s crossing to dump the Stag Lord body into the river. As it sunk, Davik’s ghost finally laid to rest, they were rewarded with a magical Ranseur. At last the party made their way back to the outpost to find it smoldering.

The small band of heroes slowly crawled out of the area with the mites. With the promise of reward the heroes pressed on to one of the area kobold tribes. The kobold lead them in many directions almost seeming that he had no idea where he was going. Part of the way there they ran into a creature known as a basilisk. The legends say that a steely look from such a beast turns its victims to stone before it consumes you as food. The druid talked with the spirits of the forest and a large field of thorns and brambles encompassed the beast and slowed it down. Most of the party tried to keep it at a distance, but the one known as Porkchop fired once then decided to engage it. As he approached the basilisk Porkchop in its gaze and turned him to stone. The constant barrage of magic and arrow was finally enough to fell the beast. The elf, who knew of this creature, had heard it said that if you bath victim in the blood of the basilisk that turned it, the victim will turn back. They hastily applied the blood of the basilisk to Porkchop and soon his skin of stone finally turned back to normal.

After the fight they finally found their way to the kobold warrens where they were greeted with many words of a dialect that nobody understood. There was much chattering of many kobolds and they group was taken to the chief. The chief had offered them treasures if they would dispatch the tribal shaman and return thing to normal. They were lead to through a series of tunnels where they saw the shaman, of a purple color, standing over his cauldron stirring the vile brew inside. Some tried to attack him, but were unsuccessful as their hits never seemed to touch the shaman. Then it was found out that the clever shaman had created an illusion that seemed was stirring the cauldron. The thralls of the shaman attacked and they shaman was found out. The wizard tried to cast a spell and was unable to effect the shaman. Then, in a clear human tongue, the shaman spoke to the elf about knowing what he was doing and he should be helping him and not trying to attack him. Eventually the party proved too much for the “kobold” that wasn’t and he was felled. The chief had given the party treasure for its services and the elf had made a diplomatic tie to the tribe of kobolds for services, at a later date, with compensation.

As it happnes, not too much to cleansing the Great tree. We had to enter through a muddy, low, knot in the tree. Once in it wasn’t too bad, had to duck a bit but otherwise it was large enough. Turns out the place was filled with Mites. Easy enough to push through, with a small hickup of a large centipede. Turns out they are feeding mashed up Kobalds to the centipedes as food, which would be ok if we didnt have to destroy them as well. Oh, we found a Kobald that was being tortured. Now its our turn to “convince” him to show us his stronghold. Once we purge the forest of them, its a small return trip to the tree to rid it of any returned Mites and perhaps the Druid can cleanse the tree.

After defeating an owlbear in the forest, the party made it back to Oleg’s. They notified Jhod Kavken about finding the secret temple to Erik. He was elated, and asked for them to take him there the next time they headed in that direction. He also said that his healing abilities were available to use at any time, for no fee. The party also turned in Tuskgutter’s head, and received a high-quality longbow with 6 magical arrows, which were given to Gar. Oleg mentioned how the large number of people camping outside his trading post was beginning to wear upon him.

The party returned to Bokken and traded the fangberries, along with some gold, for the aquamarine they had originally traded for Gar’s healing potion. Bokken also mentioned he would give the party a 25% discount on any potions they purchased from him for the next month. The party then proceeded to explore the countryside near Bokken’s hut. They discovered a patch of fernflowers, which have healing qualities, and avoided a mother mammoth with her calf. The party then traveled east towards the area where the kobold camp was thought to be. They discovered a small river, and found a broken bridge with a ruined fort next to it. The former keeper of the crossing, Davik Nettles, had been turned into some kind of undead. After dispatching it, a booming disembodied voice spoke of how the Staglord had viciously murdered Davik. It requested that the party kill the Staglord and throw his body into the river, or the undead creature would keep returning. After crossing the river, the party found a 100-foot tall, sickly sycamore tree. Gar and Leif hypothesized that the tree had grown to such proportions because of a magical symbiosis, but had become sickly after fey had infested it. After some searching, the party found an entrance into the base of the tree. There had clearly been a lot of foot traffic through the entrance, and there were more than a few signs of struggle. The party cautiously went inside…

Our noble hero’s returned to the original site where they had dispatched the leader of the bandits only to find another group. The party stood off at a distance and observed the for a bit of time. Shaemus decided that he would try and minor trick and try and whisper into the ears of a couple of the bandits.
The hope was to draw them off of the main group make the assault easier. Fuckin’ humans…
The bandits didn’t have the reaction that the party had hoped for. The bandits, now alerted, turned and looked trying to find the source. Our noble heroes attempted to hide from the scrutiny of the search, but were unsuccessful. With targets in sight the bandits attacked. With a wave of the sword and power of arcane & divine spell our heroes laid waste to the bandits and killed the priestess of winter. Though the battle was tough,and D’mitri almost perished, the healer that was sent to accompany our heroes saved his life.

The party members then moved on to find the fey. They required direction from the fey in order to find the druid shrine. They offered the fey the berries they had picked and they appeared. With a guide by their side they made way to the druid’s shrine. The fey had warned of an angry old bear that lived there. The party discussed on how to kill the bear and the fey had desired a way to placate it.

When the party reached the shrine they heard a mighty roar come from within the building. Without thought or preparations the humans decided a reckless frontal approach would be best. Fuckin’ humans…The large ancient bear attacked without mercy and our heroes were forced to dispatch it. The toll was heavy and Porkchop and D’mitri were almost laid low. Fortunately, the healer was there and was able to mend the parties wounds while dispatching the large ancient bear. When the final blow was struck the bear reverted back to its human form before turning to dust. The heroes surveyed the area and found the fountain had healing properties. The heroes took survey of themselves and left to their next destination. Our heroes will almost certainly find themselves in another bind mostly because of fuckin’ humans…

Arriving at Olegs, the adventurers discover that the new encampment outside the trading post’s walls is occupied by Kesten Garress, an Anuirean knight, and his men. Kesten is on a quest to find one Falgrim Sneeg, presumably someone wanted for crimes in Dhoesone, though he seems less than enthusiastic about discharging his duties and has agreed to stay behind to defend Oleg’s from the Stag Lord’s reprisal.

Another new arrival was Jhod Kavken, an old druid of the Emerald Spiral, who claims to have had visions of a long-lost Temple of Erik, hidden in the Greenbelt (the old growth forests in the far south of Midjarna, along the Rhuide River).

After a quick stop to resupply, and drop off several hundred pounds of elk meat which Svetlana has no idea what to do with, the adventurers departed in search for the elusive Bokken to try to cure Gar of his infestation. Not having the appropriate cash, Bokken agrees to take the small, shiny, magical gem as collateral, given that they return with payment within one month (32 days).

Something large goes stomping past them in the night, but Gar and Leif are quick enough to douse the fire and silence the camp so that it just stomped on by. Unfortunately, it was heading in the same direction, and the following day the adventurers were confronted by a cyclops. Though it nearly brought the party low, they persevered in the end.

While traversing a small glade, strewn with the bones of animals and men alike, the party was attacked by a trap door spider, which was made short work of. Inside his nest was the remains of a man, nearly the only thing left undissolved by spider venom was his map to a hidden cache. The map leads the adventurers to an old tree atop another small hill, about a day’s travel from the spider’s lair, which contained several valuable treasures, including a (mostly) intact spellbook.

Finally, the party found they had to cross a river on what looked like a very…structurally compromised bridge. When testing its strength, Shaemes discovered a sleeping troll underneath. I guess it’s true what the children’s stories say about trolls and bridges…

After a brief interrogation, Oesgir happily tells the party everything he knows about the elusive Stag Lord. “He’s not a man, but a monster! He has the head of a stag and a mean temper. He’s a deadeye with a bow, and I saw him crush a man’s hand to mush with his fist! He’s no one I’d want to be messing with.” More importantly, he reveals that “the Stag Lord’s fortress is on the Western shore of the Tuskwater, but I’ve only been there but twice m’self. Truth is there’s so many in his employ that it’s easy to lose track. ‘S why we use a passphrase of sorts. Last time I was there it was ’ By the bloody bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know , and no, I have no idea who ’St. Gilmorg’ is.”

Oesgir also reveals that the Stag Lord has a penchant for whisky, and in fact the cart in their camp, aside from being used to lure in travelers, is packed full of the stuff to be delivered to the fort.

That night the party slept restlessly, being continually awoken by a pair of forest creatures playing cruel (but ultimately harmless) pranks, which continued sporadically into the following several days.

It becomes obvious that Gar’s distended abdomen is beginning to affect his abilities as a scout and he reluctantly agrees to return to Oleg’s to inquire of the whereabouts of the local apothecary, of whom he has but passing knowledge. Cian escorts him back, with Etto and Oesgir captive and in tow.

The remaining adventurers decide to begin fulfilling their charter to explore, and spend three full days exploring the woods between Oleg’s and the Thorn River, in the hopes of finding the Moon Radishes that Svetlana asked them to procure. The first day of exploration saw the party’s first encounter with the local giants, specifically a Thawn, some sort of disgusting, mutant, hunchback giants. Quick work was made of it, the underbrush on the party’s side keeping it at bay. Just when it seemed it was going to escape the entangling weeds, Shaemes plugged it right in the eye with his shortbow, killing it instantly. Its only belongings were a tattered sack, made of some sort of (un-tanned) animal flesh and holding scraps of various body parts and a single gleaming gemstone. Although it escaped their immediate attention, upon re-examination it detected as magic.

During the third day of exploration, the party finally came upon a small vale in which the promised Moon Radishes were growing abundantly. Unfortunately they were guarded by four kobolds. Fortunately, those kobolds had clearly gorged themselves on said radishes and were unable to adequately protect themselves, and they soon met their (rather gruesome) demise.

The party decided to attempt to track the kobolds back to their lair, knowing that kobold trouble was one of the things they were tasked with. As they were leaving the forest to track the kobolds, the party was approached by the male faerie dragon Perlivash and the female grig Tyg-Titter-Tut, who apologized for their pranks and pledged their help to the adventurers, granted that they were truly there to “kick out the mean biggenses”. After one day of tracking to the North and East a brutal rainstorm washed any visible tracks away, so the party set their sights back towards Oleg’s and, hopefully, a warm bed.

About a day out from the trading post, the party set their eyes on an enormous elk. They decided they were up to the challenge of slaying this beast. Dmitri let loose an arrow that narrowly missed, but Shaemes was more fortunate and he feathered the beast once in the haunch before ducking behind the bigger target of Chibenhar. The now enraged male elk, in the heightened aggression of his mating season, charged Chi and skewered him, which by all accounting should have killed him instantly (multiple action points used). The sight of his kin lying bleeding on the ground, gored through the face hole, sent Dmitri into a rage and he immediately charged and NEARLY slew the beast in a single blow. Nearly. The elk managed to land two clean hits on Dmitri, whose defenses were compromised by his rage. With his intestines beginning to slowly plop out a newly-created hole in its flank, the Megaloceros was not long for this world, and a final chop of Dmitri’s blade ended it.

They limped the remainder of the day back into the trading post only to be greeted by a small camp of strangers pitching tents outside its palisades…

The adventurers are joined by the last of their company, Leif Njallson, a druid of the Oaken Grove of Erik, and they set out to put an end to the banditry arising from the bandit camp on the Thorn River. The weather is warm and auspicious.

At the edge of the forest to the Southeast, they encounter what seems to be some sort of giant, otherworldly moth, whose hypnotic wings drive Chibenhar momentarily mad. After a grueling combat, as much against the beast as against their own instincts to run, it is finally defeated. Not, however, before implanting its seed within the chest cavity of the ranger Gar.

The adventurers press on, through hill and dale and the heavy forests of southern Midjarna. Gar recalls that Happs Bydon, before being unceremoniously executed by the Vos warrior Chibenhar, spoke of a camp on the Thorn River, so after reaching that landmark follows it south to root out the bandits. Creeping as stealthily as he can, Gar scouts the camp and does a headcount: 4 warriors and 2 more—probably archers—keeping watch from tree stands. Little did he know that he was spotted and the bandits were lying in wait when the party returned in full force.

Luckily for them, Leif’s harmony with the plants of the area allowed him to coax them into entangling most of their foes, preventing them from fleeing and severely hampering their ability to fire their crossbows.

After a pitch battle, in which more than one of the companions falls, their leader Kressle falls to a crossbow bolt and the bandits who are able to flee into the undergrowth. The archer Oesgir and the mute warrior Etto fall in line and grudgingly pledge to help the adventurers in return for protection from the Stag Lord.