Into the Gray

Session Summary

We immediately jump back into combat, having defeated the owlbear group closest to us, but there are more alive. Once we handle the immediate danger, we notice that the remaining owlbears are in two groups - one group heads eastward while the others continue north. We rest for a few hours, and during the second watch, we spot eight metal-muncher creatures sniffing around. In the morning, we move the owlbear corpses to the side and collect pelts. We discover that all the owlbears have a familiar symbol on their tongues, but we find nothing magical about it. About half an hour out, I leave a note about the owlbear attack and continue the journey. Arachne warns April that some of the owlbears that may be headed to New Flavem.

Log

Immediately back into initiative. We have killed the owlbear group closest to us.

Arachne Dashes towards Owlbears headed towards Trin Spirit Guardians → ROUND 7 Spiritual Weapon → Dismissed BLINK → FAIL → ROUND 9

Elzara Moves forward → Dodge

Wash Runs forward → Yells at the bears

Star Moves up Bow → 14+13 damage

Pharèl Dash foward “Come back and fight us!”

Owlbears Continue moving towards Trin

Arachne Dashes towards Owlbears Spirit Guardians → ROUND 8 BLINK → SUCCESS → ROUND 10

Elzira Fireball →26 AOE fire damage

Elzara Moves forward → Dodge

Wash Baja Blast → 5+7+4

Elzira Fireball → 30 AOE fire damage

Birds Kill two Owlbears

Pharèl Run → Fey Step → 4 fire damage Green Flame Blade → 5+8 first target, 7 fire damage second target

Owlbears Pile up on me Beaks and Claws

Arachne Moves towards Owlbears Spirit Guardians → ROUND 9 → Kills owlbear Blink → Ended

Elzara Moves, Dodges

Wash Baja Blast → Kills Owlbear

INITIATIVE OVER

I climb up more trees on the South side to see if there are more owlbears. We can hear these ones, they’ve backed off and are moving eastwards. In the opposite direction, the rest are continuing north.

Wash examines the bear bodies to see if there is anything strange or different about them. He…. does not notice anything. He can tell something is off but there’s nothing specific to understand what exactly.

We attempt to rest again.

Elzira and I take first watch (2hr, 4hr respectively). Star takes second half watch (4hr). Arachne takes last two hours to help.

I gently wake up Twinkletoes to recast the hut so that we’re still protected in the morning. She grumpily wakes up and remakes it, then plops back asleep.

I am not super watchful but Elzira is.

Towards the end of his shift, he hears a group of something walking off in the distance outside of the trees, a few hundred feet north.

I climb up another tree to look out. It appears to be a group of 8 creatures sniffing around. It’s the metal-muncher creatures.

I continue to be distracted and wait in the hut. Nothing happens that I can tell in the next 2 hours. I relay to Star what we saw and heard before we swap shifts.

Star watches and Arachne joins soon after.

For the first two hours, nothing happens. The rest of the night passes peacefully.

It is morning! 5am

Arachne grabs my arm. “When does April wake up?” “Not till like noon.”

We decide to move the owlbears off to the side.

First, Wash skins the owlbears. We all decide to help out. He and Star take the lead and the rest of us assist.

We all make a perception check.

For my Nat20 → I notice familiar symbols on the tongue of the owlbear that Star is skinning.

I suggest it’s a summoning.

Star points out the symbols. Arachne goes to check more tongues. All of the owlbears appear to have this on their tongues.

Wash gets 11 perfect pelts. Star gets 10 fine pelts.

I collect claws and use scraps from the process to make a carrying bag. I use my 10ft of string to wrap it up and attach these to my pack.

Arachne casts Detect Magic to see whether the marks on the tongue have any. There is not.

After several hours of Pelt Collecting we’re ready to move the corpses to the side. I use Polymorph into a Giant Ape.

I am able to push the owlbears away much more quickly than anyone else. It takes me about 10 minutes to get the job fully done.

At the end of all of this it’s about 11am. We all eat rations and move on. By 11:30am we’re on the move.

After half an hour of travel, I’m back to my normal self. It’s noon.

I write a note about the owlbears breaking through and tack it up on a tree.

Half hour that way (arrow) - Owlbears broke through trees to pass North. ϕ found on tongues

Arachne uses Sending to contact April:

watch road into town for danger, owl bears came through trees onto path. symbol carved onto tongues. seen symbol before. don't know what it means.

April’s like, “Wait, so owlbears are coming on the path to invade New Flavem, also what symbol is it? Where have you seen it before? I’m very curious, it’s interesting-”

Arachne uses Sending once more:

not sure of intent, some crossed path, others went down path in either direction. seen symbol carved onto trees on different path. talk more later.

April says, “Holy cow, oh my gosh, I’m gonna run and let the town know they need to defend Trin and New Flavem”

Arachne uses her last Level 3 slot to follow up:

we took down the ones we saw, but not sure if more broke through. put up defenses, not sure if path is safe

April replies, “Okay… I’ll let them know that owlbears broke through and that we’re not sure if there are more on the path, thanks for the heads-”