{"id":731,"date":"2022-05-26T08:29:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T15:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/?p=731"},"modified":"2022-08-11T16:42:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T23:42:08","slug":"castle-amber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/castle-amber\/","title":{"rendered":"Castle Amber"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Previously On Castle Amber<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our last session saw our intrepid explorers using magic books to leave the cursed mansion of furniture horrors, and emerge into a pleasant meadow in a wider forest. Near them was a fountain with coins laying inside and a locked chest attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the party can investigate, Bean\u2019s backpack tears open, revealing a demonic being in the exact shape of the figurine that had been held there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dispatching the quarrelsome demon, bean examined the fountain, causing a huge, gelatinous creature to emerge. It slammed Bean a few times, but the party was, in the end, victorious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After getting directions from a bird, the group saw a bridge and noticed a humanoid creature with hooves and horns approaching it. It seemed to request passage over the bridge, promising that its fatter, juicier brothers would be along soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From under the bridge came a rumbling, annoyed voice, \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 5 (I think?) \u2013 The Night of Fours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(It\u2019s the night of fours because I think all of us started out by rolling 4s)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After cursing the faun for selling out his brothers, Diomedes climbed a tree to see if he can get a better view of what\u2019s under the bridge. He can see the entire bridge, and a path on the other side that goes to the right and out of sight. He also gets a great view \u2026 some other foliage (there a was a great detailed description, but I couldn\u2019t keep up). Also, there was a wall that went up to the dome that surrounds the forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes came back down and told the group what he saw. Bean went up to the bridge and said \u201cHellooooo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello.\u201d Replied an annoyed grumbly voiced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe heard you were hungry and brought you a snack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large, greenish, leathery-skinned, foul-smelling, dumb-looking, creature emerged from under the bridge. You could tell it was the type that that liked to start arguments on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat food do you have?\u201d It asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have apples!\u201d Bean replied helpfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want MEAT!\u201d the Troll growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUm, I have some \u2026rations.\u201d And tosses over some jerky from his rations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The troll gobbled it down and complained about the small portion size and said it should eat our heroes instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou do not want to eat us. We are very dry and stringy.\u201d Diomedes said helpfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHmmm\u2026 Give me bite, and if you dry and stringy, I let you pass. If you nice and juicy like you look, I eat you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should not eat us. You should eat at restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is restaurant? Does it taste good? Is it juicy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group tried to convince the troll that the now-dead gelatinous creature by the fountain is \u201crestaurant\u201d and is, indeed, very juicy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The troll is not convinced and charged Diomedes. Diomedes tried to fire off an arrow, but misses as the Troll thunders toward him. Bean blocked a claw as it nearly took off Diomedes head and then it missed with a vicious bite in front of Diomedes nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes responded with a slash to the Troll\u2019s belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everard shot his crossbow, the bolt lodging in the creature\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zaya threw a dart, hitting the face!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinitsa\u2019s eyes glowed red and a flame shot from her fingers to the troll!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean poked with his rapier but couldn\u2019t get a good angle. Miss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beset on all sides, the confused troll missed and missed again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brave explorers hit a few more times and the troll turned and sprinted back to the bridge, disappearing underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes looked under the bridge, and found it clinging to the underside. He shot an arrow and scratched it. Everard took shot and narrowly missed. Zaya solidly embeds a dart in the trolls arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The troll dropped down and ran back to the group, so Bean ran at it, anime style, giving it jab in the cheek! The troll responded by scratching Bean with a claw and then biting down hard with its wide, ugly mouth. With the air pushed out of him, Bean bravely passed out. With meal in mouth, the troll turned and once again tried to get away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes slashed at it as it retreated, leaving a gash on it\u2019s back. It growled in pain, muffled by the sound of Bean limply held in its mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everard fired another bolt but missed, while Zaya ran forward stabbing with her javelin and also unleashed a flurry of hand and foot strikes, driving it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinitsa produced a flame in her hand and tried to throw it at the beast, but majestically misfired, and slipped, knocking her head into a tree and falling unconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean breaths in a deep breath and wakes up, in the troll\u2019s mouth!
(nat 20 on death save, heck yeah!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes, Zaya and Everard each hit the troll and it runs off again to hide under the bridge where it can eat its delicious meal of Bean-meat while holding on to the underside of the bridge. (crunchy on the outside, squishy in the middle!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everard shot a crossbow bolt into the leg! Diomedes shot another arrow, and Zaya threw another dart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean shakes himself awake and braces his legs against the bridge and pushes hard, cause both him and the troll to fall to the ground separately. The troll, without even a pause, runs off to the forest, disappearing to the foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The party regrouped around Sinitsa and carried her to a spot in the underbrush that Diomedes found. While the others rested, Diomedes attached a note to his bird-friends leg, saying \u201cdo you need help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes then wandered the area, declaring it to be safe. Everard, however, noticed a giant snake sneaking up on Diomedes and alerted everybody. Diomedes managed to talk to the snake and diplomatically convince it to go back into the forest. Watching it leave, the group also noticed a huge shadow pass above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking up, every sees a huge hawk fly over, seemingly looking for something. Not wanting to get caught by the hawk, the group scooted through the underbrush to get more cover. After a time, Diomede\u2019s bird came back with a response of \u201cYes. ~Kavitha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This got everybody\u2019s attention, as that was the name in Bean\u2019s book!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group continues to scoot through the underbrush, dragging Sinitsa\u2019s unconscious body with them. After a time, they see it open up to a path perpendicular to them, and off in the distance there\u2019s a horse and a human figure standing next to a tree. Getting closer, they see the figure is wearing a daffodil dress, is blonde, young and happens to be leaning against a deep black unicorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zaya emerged from the forest, saying \u201cHello! We mean you no harm. Can we talk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, of course!\u201d the lady said, \u201cAre you the one that sent the note with the bird?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know who sent the note. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am Kavitha.\u201d The lady says politely, \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy name is Zaya Nasherria. It\u2019s a pleasure to meet you!\u201d Zaya said as she approached. \u201cAre you in Danger?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are not from here. The danger is not immediate, but it is dire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan you tell me what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d She walked closer, at which point the group also noticed a chest near the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean, impatient, burst from the brush and declared, \u201cI got your note!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lady looked at Bean, his body covered in wounds and brambles and twigs and gasped. \u201cYou\u2019re hurt! Come over here where it\u2019s safe!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The others carry out Sinitsa and join the gathering at the tree, while Bean shows her the note that had been in his book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh,\u201d She said with a glance at the disheveled halfling, \u201cThis wasn\u2019t meant for you. Who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m Bean!\u201d Bean said proudly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ll have to do. Come this way to rest.\u201d She patted the unicorn fondly and said, \u201cThis is Midnight, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group follows Kavitha to a set of doors, where she says \u201cYou can rest here. How did you get hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe fought a troll!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFoul creature. How did you even get here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bean looked thoughtful, said \u201cThere was a house \u2026 and some books \u2026 and some chairs that tried to kill us \u2026\u201d then shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI see. You look like you need rest. On the other side of these doors you\u2019ll be safe for as long as you need. It\u2019s the entry way to the castle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre there other people in the castle?\u201d Everard asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, quite a few. Except, I can\u2019t find my friend Janeth. I was visiting her and now don\u2019t know where she is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that why you\u2019re out here? To look for your friend?\u201d Zaya asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I was trapped here. I don\u2019t know why or how, but I have some ideas. Here, you\u2019ll be safe.\u201d She opened the doors and revealed a set of yellowish stone steps leading off to \u2026 nothingness. A deep, black, void surrounded the steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUm, what\u2019s that?\u201d Everard asked skeptically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the problem. We\u2019re trapped here by nothingness. I believe it\u2019s a curse that transported the whole castle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill the void get closer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. It doesn\u2019t change, it just stops anybody from getting in, or out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The party went out the impressive entryway, over the side of the steps and set up camp on the small grassy area not yet taken by the void. After a Looong rest, everybody emerges feeling better \u2026 except, Sinitsa, who hasn\u2019t awoken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kavitha rose and dusted off her dress. She examined the group and said \u201cWell, that was<\/em> a while. You all look much better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid anything happen out here while we were gone?\u201d Zaya asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, nothing to be concerned about. So, you came far with that note.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we were searching for you to make sure you were okay. Can we help you find your friend, Janeth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, that would be wonderful. If you could break this damn curse, it would be even better. That\u2019s what I was seeking help with. Well, it can\u2019t be helped. Yes, please go find Janeth. She should be in the West Wing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr, there is one of the \u2026 occupants here who might know more. Her name is Madame Camilla d\u2019Amberville and she should be in the East Wing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes perked up and said, \u201cOh, d\u2019Amberville! Like Isadore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, you know of the others here?\u201d She said \u201cI have seen Isadora, but not Isabella. Not for some time. If you go find Janeth, her chambers are in the West Wing, third door on the right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you a d\u2019Amberville?\u201d Zaya asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, no. I\u2019m just a guest, a visitor. I was visiting Janeth and now no one can leave, as you can see.\u201d She looks around, and continues. \u201cThe d\u2019Ambervilles are great mages, so this must have been an even greater magic. Where they come from, magic is outlawed, so they are very cautious. This means you should be, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo they practice black magic<\/em>?\u201d Zaya asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are many of them, so I wouldn\u2019t be surprised. Janeth will know more. It is the second door on the left\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Okay, did I get that wrong in my notes? First I typed 3rd<\/sup> on the right, and then 2nd<\/sup> on the left, so either I got it wrong in my haste, or she\u2019s confused \u2026 ?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(I think the 2nd door on the left was PART OF the instructions to find Madam Camilla Amber)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere even is<\/em> the castle?\u201d Bean asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are in it. This forest is part of the castle. It\u2019s their creation. The d\u2019Ambervilles, they like to experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh \u2026\u201d Bean said, \u201cHow do we get to the East or West wings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust follow the path through the forest. The East Wing is to the right, the West Wing is to the left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes looked astonished. \u201cThey made this whole forest? They must be like gods, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, they are very powerful and resourceful. There is more I need to tell you. If you go to the East Wing, there is some kind of … evil that lurks in the throne room. If you want to go there, I can protect one of you from it. Just stay away from the throne. And also, be kind to the animals of the forest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looks down at Sinitsa, \u201cYour friend can stay with us. She\u2019ll be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We look skeptical and then Diomedes hears a voice in his head that says \u201cShe will be safe, you can trust us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unicorn, Midnight, gives Diomedes a significant look. Zaya examines Sinitsa and thinks she has a head injury and might be unconscious for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diomedes leaves a note and the party decides to go to the West Wing with no trouble, since they would only be checking on Janeth. (hahaha! \u201cNo trouble\u201d<\/em>) They head down the path toward the West Wing and after a few minutes Everard notices a rustling in the trees. He stopped and looked into the forest and recognized a tree, kind of. It\u2019s like the ones in the arboretum, except much larger. Tentacles flew out to grab our heroes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some difficulty, including Diomedes almost getting eaten by the tree, everybody ran down the road dodging tentacles. Unfortunately, further down the road Everard saw another tree start to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, our heroes are still in front of tree one with tentacle-vines lashing out at them, trying to decide how they can fight a tree with all their stabby weapons that don\u2019t do much damage. Rapiers, crossbow bolts, arrows, darts and javelin don\u2019t do much to tree bark. If only someone could set fire to these evil trees\u2026 \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Previously On Castle Amber Our last session saw our intrepid explorers using magic books to leave the cursed mansion of furniture horrors, and emerge into a pleasant meadow in a wider forest. Near them was a fountain with coins laying … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,40,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure-log","category-castle-amber","category-dd-5e"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2UFIe-bN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=731"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":755,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731\/revisions\/755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aneeria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}