The air was thick with tension as Lady Antkeep delved into her research on Phazon, with Matthew Gondor confirming its potential for crafting permanent items or consumables. Meanwhile, Marin mingled with locals in a Wode Elf village, uncovering chilling tales of a storm and sightings of creatures with elongated legs and a moving hut. Specter identified the threat as a Wode Hag, notorious for summoning a hut and targeting those with low agility. Villagers spoke of mysterious disappearances at night, even among those keeping watch.
With determination, the party set out into The Wodes. Lady Antkeep, in her smaller form, discovered animal-like tracks leading into the thick mists. Gorda skillfully guided the group along the trail, noting the tracks indicated skilled climbers. As they advanced, Matthew narrowly avoided a concealed spear trap. They soon found a freshly killed animal, and Matthew surmised that hyena-like humanoids were responsible. As the mist thickened, Marin unexpectedly sprouted gills, enabling him to breathe underwater. The party then spotted hyena-like humanoids, who called out in Ilric, prompting Marin to respond. Specter stepped forward, revealing his fearsome visage, causing the creatures to flee. Lady Antkeep seized the opportunity to open portals, allowing the party to intercept the retreating foes.
In the ensuing skirmish, Matthew cursed the Gnoll Leader, inflicting harm with each movement. Lady Antkeep unleashed a powerful blast, taking down several lesser foes. The battle was briefly interrupted by a foe’s unsettling laughter, which ceased upon their demise. Gnoll Leader howled for reinforcements, and more hyenas emerged from the mist. Gorda transformed into a sheep, charging into battle and redirecting an enemy’s bite. Matthew engaged in close combat, dispatching a hyena that had grappled him. Marin marked an enemy and coordinated with Lady Antkeep, who eliminated the marked foe. Specter broke free from his captors and engaged Gnoll Leader, sustaining a bite wound.
As the melee intensified, Matthew teleported to strike Gnoll Leader, dazing him. Despite suffering a wound from Gnoll Leader, Specter continued his assault while allies provided healing. Marin rallied the group, taking down another marked foe and cutting down multiple remaining minions. As the last of the minions fell, mist seeped from their bodies, revealing they did not match the description of the missing wife.
The party debated whether to bury the dead or pursue the hag, ultimately deciding to hunt the hag first and return later for the bodies. Earlier, Gorda had begun studying alchemy, while Marin reinforced his research into the mysterious disappearances of wode elves at night. With their resolve strengthened, the group pressed onward, determined to confront the Wode Hag and uncover the truth behind the unsettling events plaguing their land.
Threads to Watch:
- The identity and whereabouts of the missing wife.
- The nature and origin of the Wode Hag’s powers.
- The implications of the mysterious disappearances of wode elves at night.