Zoks' Journal

Endday 8th Tsubadish, Autumnal Hunt & Equinox Festival

Woke to lively village. A meet of recent travelers was called by Elder Etetsuyern, the children aiding at her behest. Last party was gathered, along with three whom arrived with Tomb; a Firbolg, Gnome, and Kobold of strange manner. We were to be part of a village ceremony, and hunt between us two beasts. By straws we were split into groups of four, acquainted with either Zewlin the weathered huntress, or again with Retja the stubborn proud fisherman from yesterday; neither shared village’s cheer. Lilly, Anna, the Gnome – Oswlen – and I joined Zewlin.

Enroute were provided fragrant cloaks the colour of underbrush (tore mine and shared with similarly short Oswlin; remember to offer to Mend), whilst learning of Giant Elk. Told to expect a beast some three times my span in height, and that its like had killed on previous hunts. Lovely. We’d have pleasure of killing a doe and fawn to force direct challenge, or risk herd & it fleeing. Can report Zewlin the Huntress not fond of humour, nor of the vertically challenged.

Led to clearing with view of herd. More than dozen of the beasts, all tall, powerfully built, and quiet despite size. All watched (and towered) over by even bigger alpha. Hmm. Planning was long, confusing, and detrimental to Zewlin’s patience. Eventually came up with plan involving Sorcerer Oswlin’s forming a pit hidden by some mild illusion, Lilly embedding arrows in its base, a length of rope, lots of arrows, as well as my volunteering of grease formula #53. And live bait, namely the light sensitive Kobold with little use over range at midday; me.

Zewlin recommends to separate around pit and vanishes into the brush like stern mannered forest ghost, Anna climbs into a tree some 100ft away, and Lilly takes up spot nearby. Oswlen takes a spot next to pit and climbs his tree twice. When all ready, I enter the field and head between pit and herd with readied vial of #53, under covering volley of fire. Doe and Fawn brought down in first round, Alpha first to respond, charges in our direction. Author’s note: Giant Elk move at a good clip over flat, unimpeded ground, and not suggested to be in path, for you are likely small and squishy. Still, all going to plan, vial #53 then thrown before the pit, and now as the unenviable bait I ready to practice honoured Kobold tradition of not being in that place anymore…

…Except for having forgotten to drink personal ‘Longstrider’ concoction #17, meaning wasting time with stopper. Anna’s next shot gives reprieve enough to manage drinkng #17 (requires further mint) and make it just before area slickened by #53’s effect, which itself was in front of illusion-hidden pit. The Elk screamed. I screamed. I dodged and somehow didn’t kriffing die. Elk caught in grease field, tumbles into rope suspended by Lilly and Oswlen between their trees at ‘neck’ height prior, falls into pit. Follow-up barrage led by Lilly’s thrown dagger and Oswlen with some flashy, lightnining flavoured Chromatic Evocation, was joined soon by another round of arrows from Zewlin and Anna, making quick work of the rest. Final shot claimed by Anna, who left her perch and fired through the canopy, yet still managing to hit its barrel.

Master said plans with too many parts liable to fail, but Master’s problems never included Giant Elk.

Zewlin makes sudden reappearance with new appreciation for traps. Party claims small trophies where desired, then begin to butcher Alpha to prepare to carry to village (an exhausting exercise when three of party are barely half the height of other two).

…The Doe and Fawn were left in the field.

Arrived back to village. Zewlin and (the rather encumbering) evidence of our success earned plenty of cheer; maybe we did, too. Success soon echoed by return of other party and their kill, though were waterlogged and had their Furbolg – Norlen – looking worse for wear, and Tomb maybe giving Retja less than pleased glance. All meet again with Elder Etetsuyern, get thanks for efforts and praise for success. Through conversation, the group asks more of the village, the land, and goings on.

Equinox festival and hunts apparently tradition performed since time out of mind, long exceeding age of Etetsuyern; original reason lost to time and over many moves of village. She believes now that a story is told through the festival rituals. Still not sure I get it all, but can’t help think of own tribe’s rites. Talk continues, mentioning a Hill Giant and to speak with Otzi (why can’t problems be smaller!), and also something of those who hide their “true form” are suggested each as a topic.

As is the worrying silence of village Fuall, some 14 days travel North. May be worth a check to see if those of a trade in Darétik learned of talk from traveling merchants of late, or other rumours from village’s own hunters and foragers.

Lastly mentioned was some abandoned ship, wrecked somewhere out in the Ban Zapadi island collection, otherwise called ‘the Dulldrums’, and to speak with Retja so he may tell us how he probably needs no help whilst he carries the whole ship on his back to village. Still, a ship worth note might be big, old, or big and old, and THAT could be interesting. Maybe Imham and Bukan think so as well.

Talk wrapped up, and Elder Etetsuyern cast bones into the fire, began next part of festival, and instructed the other group - now slightly drier – to fashion guises fitting of Hags, and to go out and do mischief. Team Elk were to be Heroes and make appropriate our appearances to suit. Between whatever pigment, quickly fashioned mask, and even dirt (as well no small amount of magic), everyone was deemed ready in short order. Before being loosed on village, Elder Etetsuyern spoke that it would be prophecy for the Hags to fall before the Heroes.

After hours of spooking and performing for Darétik in good mix, with the other Kobold – Keth’nell – making good of her Trickery roots and Bard Gideon acting the villain as good as any traveling Troupe I’ve seen, festivities began to wane. Yet, while evening fell to night, an inexplicable drive of conflict came upon on our two groups. Light handed and good cheer, we struck out at each other. Altogether, those onlookers saw as sleep was cast, the ground shook, and a large man, scaling to a roof’s apex, would bellow into the night before being ‘thrown’ to the ground by a halfling not even half his size.

True to Elder Etetsuyern’s prediction, ‘Heroes’ would come out victorious, though I certainly won’t feel so until I can find a nice patch of ground to collapse on and find sleep. Maybe I’ll figure out what that was all in aid of, but it certainly won’t be this day.

One final note: concoction #17 ‘Longstrider’ in need of further work; feet left smoking and tingly long after effect end.