Month: November 2021

After a bit of dragon tomb raiding, Faris heads towards West Haven via Mirinvern. (In case you’re wondering about all the recent Quest calendar posts, I’m trying to catch up as we approach the end of the year/story. Next year’s calendar is available for purchase here.)

As I emerged from the mausoleum, a trio of gargoyles screeched and descended to attack me. My arrows whooshed through the air before they even got close, and they all thumped to the ground.

The return trip was a bit slow with all the dragon bones weighing me down. I had to revert to rations instead of hunting or foraging. My route to Mirinvern led me through a swamp, where I got stuck in a couple feet of mud and water. As I pulled myself out, a swamp creature attacked. It hit me once before I killed it, then a crowd of them rose from the mud behind me. I evaded all but one of them, and killed the others with help from Luc and Eggwin, only to see more rising. I fled. As I passed an enormous bat, I grabbed it, throwing it at a crocodile that was poised to strike at me. I glanced behind me once I reached a safe spot and saw the crocodile fighting the swamp creatures.

As I approached Mirinvern, I purchased a cart from a farmer and rested at his home for the night. He warned me of monsters destroying his crops and stealing from his herd. Sure enough, as I left the next morning, a giant worm erupted from the ground. It was a brief, yet desperate fight as I shifted into wolf form, and Richard swooped down to help at one point as the worm grabbed me in its mouth.

I moved up to examine the corpse and the ground collapsed beneath me. I managed to grab the edge, reducing the impact of my fall. The dust settled and I explored, hoping for an easy way out. I ran into another worm in the first cavern, fleeing to a second area where I found some jewelry and coins among scattered bones. The next cavernous area appeared ominous as I watched tentacles snake out of a hole and seize a mouse. I snuck quietly past. That, of course, led me to an area with another huge worm where a massive combat ensued between the beast, myself, and my animal companions.

With all the beast dead, I found a climbable tunnel where one of them had presumably surfaced. It was an easier climb that I expected. Later that day, I stopped at a tavern, resting for the night. Eggwin went search for food, and I did not see him again. Baby dragons, it turns out, and constantly hungry.

After being abandoned by her bodyguard, Faris continues on her search for the dragon skeleton in Mirinvern Forest.

We parted ways in the morning. Upon reaching the edge of Mirinvern Forest, I spotted the most beautiful deer I had ever seen. I cautiously approached. It seemed friendly enough, but stayed a little ahead of me, walking a bit, the pausing to see if I followed. It led me carefully through the forest, eventually leading me to a path.

Suddenly a branch swung out in front of me! I was being attacked by a living tree! I fought it off with some help from Richard, who swooped down and clawed at a branch.

There were more wondrous flowers here, some more dangerous than others, like the Dionea Fungus, a large carnivorous mushroom. While the leaves may be useful, I decided avoidance was a better approach. That wasn’t the only strange thing in the forest: I killed a giant spider that tried to eat me, then stumbled through thorny overgrowth and found a stone well with fresh water. There was even a clearing filled with gravestones dating back centuries. And then more living trees attacked me. I almost felt bad for killing them, what with being an invader on their land, but I’m also fond of living.

The next oddity was an iron gate in the middle of the forest. I considered picking the lock, but it was rusted over and wouldn’t budge. I looked for another way through, then climbed over the gate, cutting myself on some thorns in the process.

As I moved past the gate, I was astounded by the number of statues approaching a gargoyle-topped mausoleum. Then I noticed that my own feet felt heavier, turning to stone as I walked. I struggled to remain calm, then realized there was magic attacking my mind rather than my body. I regained control and the stone slowly dissolved.

Upon reaching the mausoleum, I realized the lock was an elaborate puzzle, well beyond my ability to repair and decode. Surprisingly, I was able to pick it. Inside, I descended into darkness along a set of stairs, then lit a lamp, revealing the bones of the ancient dragon, Frothaetinvid, and an altar dedicated to that dragon. Under the altar, I found a treasure chest which I bashed open, releasing a cloud of green gas to access some gold and treasure within. A fabulous dragon-shaped collar lay on the altar, so I placed it around my neck for safekeeping.

The adventure continues as Faris and her bodyguard set off for the Mirinvern Forest, encountering perils en route.

As we made our way through the mountain, a snow-covered beast attacked us. Kevin held it off while I peppered the monster with arrows.

It grew colder as we traversed the mountains. We came to a frozen lake and decided it was worth the extra time to circumvent rather than cross it, particularly as I recalled rumors of a monster under the ice. Those rumors were true, the monster burst out of the lake and attacked us. With Kevin running defense again, I attacked swiftly, destroying it with only one chunk of ice bouncing off Kevin’s armor.

We had finally reached a warmer area when a net dropped on me from a tree. I eventually cut the net away and stumbled to my feet as a giant insect erupted from the forest. I tripped as my foot caught in the net, shooting into the trees as Kevin valiantly defended me. The beast ran off.

Leaving the forest, we found a decrepit tower. It even had a warning: “Danger: Do Not Enter.” Failing to pick the lock or find another way in, I had Kevin smash down the door. I immediately headed to the top of the tower, planning to work my way down. As I ascended, a gargoyle head statue spit flames at me on the second floor. I actually stopped to rest for a bit after that, calling down to Kevin that we should stay here for a short while.

After a brief respite, I found an old book on the third floor, then proceeded to the top of the tower where I found a strange gelatinous blog. It was transparent, so I could see items, including bones, inside it as it oozed towards me. I shouted for Kevin as I fired arrows at it, then retreated down the stairs. As I fled the tower, I was puzzled by Kevin’s absence until I encountered a merchant who had seen him on the road a while before, remembering his purchase of several health potions. I suppose this task was too much for him.

Approaching nightfall, I chanced upon a caravan of travelers and made camp with them. They shared some delightful mead and raised my spirits after Kevin’s sudden departure. I told of my adventures, joined in the dancing, and even played some music for the group. Then I fed Eggwin, my baby dragon, and settled in for the night.