The Lonely Coast Campaign – Brea’s Garden (Session 4)

When we last left our heroes, they had barely survived a near mutiny by the crew of the Nydam and an attack by a ghost ship. The heroes plus two of the sailors and a prisoner, Wineric, who was being transported to Wolverton had launched a landing boat and piled in before the Nydam and the Sea Maiden, both hopelessly entangled, were sucked down into some whirlpool vortex. The sea was calm, a cool breeze was blowing, and the sun was shining…all very pleasant except they were probably days from land and had no water and little food in an overloaded boat taking on water. That’s where we pick up after the break.

Thomas had to miss this session and so Muse played Thalimor in his absence. Spoiler Alert: This session was inspired and partially taken from both the original classic UK1 Beyond the Crystal Cave and the more recent 4e version plus, of course, my modifications and additions. It was also Valentine’s Day and so it seemed appropriate to have a bit of a love story element as well.

Adrift at sea, the situation was looking quite bleak. Bay and the other sailors both estimated that they were at least a few days from shore via rowing. Unfortunately, matters were made even worse by the current that was pushing them away from the direction of the shore despite the attempts at rowing. One of the sailors raised the question of who would have to take on the burden. The burden of killing the others to spare them death by dehydration and die by such themselves. He suggested drawing lots of some sort but Magnus volunteered to do it.

Night fell with no sign of another ship or shore. The following morning, little had changed. The mood of the two sailors was despondent and very negative. Later in the day, a storm could be seen brewing on the horizon and the sea became choppier. While a storm would bring much needed water, it would also likely capsize the boat. The sailors even suggested throwing Wineric overboard given that they were overcrowded but Bay and the others put an end to that talk.

As the storm approached, the current pushing the boat farther out to sea became stronger and everyone became more despondent. The storm came close but not enough for any rain to reach the boat. The boat was almost capsized by the rising waves but just made it through. Bay figured that death would come for them by the end of the day or the following.

A death that no sailor ever wanted to face. Perhaps, somehow, he would get out of this one like he had before. Bay was left adrift at sea once before and had survived by forming a pact with the Fey Lady, Danu. He had gotten her attention while the Nydam was becalmed and, unfortunately, his Lady had made it quite clear that he was on his own…at least at that time. So he tried again but there was no response from Danu.

Later on the 2nd day, Isenthorne was leaning over the railing of the boat and spied a woman floating in the water. Her dress was a brilliant blue while her long green hair wafted in the currents and eddies of the water. She was incredibly beautiful. When Isenthorne turned and called for the others to come look, they saw nothing and neither did Isenthorne when she looked again. Her vision was chalked up to hallucinations brought on by dehydration.

That evening or maybe it was the next, the “crew” of the longboat had been drifting in and out of consciousness, the sailors deemed it was time. A quick death would be better than what was coming. Magnus drew his knife and approached the first sailor. As he placed the blade across the man’s throat, Isenthorne noticed the woman she had previously seen in the water was now sitting on the prow of the boat. The others saw her as well this time. Bay’s heart sank as he saw Danu, the fey Queen of Waters, and his patron.

It was almost too late for the sailor but Magnus stayed his hand. Danu spoke with the party and they asked if she could save them. And, of course, she could. She would require, however, a gift in return…one worthy both of a Fey Queen and of their lives. If they could give that, she would be happy to save them. Bay, for his part, could only shake his head in disbelief that he would be part of another deal with this fey bitch. All, however, agreed. What choice did they really have? [Pretty much the same thing that Bay had thought the first time around and then a ship showed up an hour later and saved him. Danu, of course, took credit but was she really responsible or had she played him for the fool? I think he thinks more the latter.]

The Lady told them to simply turn around. Doing so, they spotted an island perhaps a hundred yards away…an island that hadn’t been there before. It was largely wooded but a small beach was directly ahead complete with a dock. Some structure with spires could been seen rising above the trees deeper on the island. The boat was turned and they headed for the dock.

As they rowed, Danu said that she had one more requirement and she turned her attention to her “petulant and disobedient” servant. Bay’s heart sunk deeper than the ship they had escaped. Her request was simple…Bay was, in absolutely no way, to interfere in whatever fate awaited Wineric. He was to swear to this upon his Oath to Danu. Bay reluctantly, very reluctantly, agreed as Wineric helplessly looked on. Breaking this oath could be catastrophic for Bay.

Suddenly, all felt refreshed as though all the trials and tribulations of the last few days had never happened.

As the boat approached the dock, Danu offered some additional advice. Something had disturbed the idyllic land of Jólét and all was not as it seemed. It would also be wise not to mention her as she and Jólét had never been on the best of terms. She even offered to protect and watch over Wineric and the sailors as the heroes explored the island and the heroes graciously accepted.

The boat gently came up to the dock under its own power. As the party disembarked, Danu also suggested something about diamonds being a girl’s best friend and then, as the last of the heroes stepped off, the boat simply sank beneath the waves. The heroes expressed some concern but Bay allayed their fears by sharing that Danu would keep to her word. She simply could not not fulfill the agreement.

This was about the time that Thalimor remembered a Cesvani legend and story about Jólét, a Fey Lord. In short, this Lord fell in love with a human woman named Breá. Although she loved Jólét as well, she could not bring herself to leave Domáci [the name that the Cesvani use for the world they live on.] They were wed and Jólét created a magical island on one of the seas of Domáci, that came to be known as Breá’s Garden, for the pair to live on and they did so happily for many, many years.

Breá, however, eventually succumbed to old age and passed away. Jólét kept her soul from passing on and, no longer bound by his oath to his love, took their island to the Feywild. With the blessing of his King, he placed himself in a magical sleep so that he and Breá could remain quietly devoted for eternity.

Legends hold that Cesvani lovers, fated to be kept separate through no fault of their own, would often find a cave lined with beautiful crystals. Passing through the cave’s crystal lined passage, they would find themselves in Breá’s Garden where they could live out their lives together.

It was concluded that this island must be Breá’s Garden.

The dock house held nothing of real interest…just a cot and some fishing gear. Osric started to take a fishing pole and tackle but Bay cautioned against doing so. Osric saw no harm in borrowing it for a bit but Bay indicated that they Fey typically expect a gift in exchange for any gift given or, in this case, taken. It was also pretty apparent to Bay that they were, in fact, in the Feywild. Colors were just a little bit more vibrant than normal. Osric left the gear behind.

Heading down the dock towards the beach, the party could see that there were mud flats off to one side, a path leading into the woods from the beach, and a small shelter at the beach end of the dock. As they approached, a small “man” with purple hair and rather brash and garish clothing stepped out from the structure. He bowed and recited the following.

It is greetings to you travelers that I must bid
And apologies on the mudmen who are hid.

I welcome you to the idylls of Breá’s Garden
Although a favor I must ask with your pardon.

Our land with evil has been encumbered
While the good Lord Jólét remains a slumbered.

As you appear to be a band of heroes bold,
Will you not break this foul evil’s hold.

Please Lord Jólét’s sleep you must end
So he can once more rise and defend.

And then with a smile on his face,
He can seek again his sweet Breá’s embrace.

In the Palace of Spires, namesake most high,
Does the Garden’s mighty Lord lie.

None can enter with but a simple knock;
Enter with rose, oak, mistletoe, and shamrock.

With my duty dutifully discharged to you,
I must bid you a fond and fondest adieu.

The curious little man then stepped back into the shelter. When the party looked within, the shelter was empty.

As they started to step off of the dock and onto the beach, Osric heard a strange sucking and plopping sound coming from the mud flats to their right. Looking, he saw three winged creatures climbing out of the mud and taking to the air. The creatures were small, some three feet tall, and thin with long noses. They were either completed covered in or composed of mud and they quickly flew forward to attack. Each vomited forth a stream of mud but only Thalimor was caught within it. It quickly hardened and made it impossible for him to move from the spot.

As the battle progressed, one of the mud things was damaged pretty badly. The mud began to slough off to reveal what looked like a young girl with butterfly wings. She looked utterly confused and terrified. Although Isenthorne and Osric spoke with her in a friendly manner, she quickly zipped off towards the forest. A similar thing happened with each of the other two. This left the party more than a little confused as they stepped onto the beach.

With little information about their surroundings, they set off for the path through the woods in the hopes that it would lead to the structure they spied from the ocean. The woods were fairly open and almost manicured, as though they were well-tended. A short distance along the path, Magnus noticed a glint of metal a few feet of the path. There was a small charm on a necklace hanging from a bush. Bay fetched it with his fey given powers [mage hand].

It had a rose etched on the front and writing on the back. The language was not familiar to any but Thalimor. It was in Reči [the language of the Cesvani] and simply said, “Julianna, All of my love for Eternity. – R” It didn’t mean much to the party and Osric [I believe] took the necklace and the heroes continued on their way.

Not much farther ahead, the path forked. Before the party could decide on which route to take, the sound of soft sobbing could be heard coming from straight ahead in the woods. A small curve of bushes blocked sight of whoever was sobbing. As they listened, voices could also be heard but the language was not understood. While they discussed backing away and spending some time to do a magical ritual so Thalimor could comprehend the language, Isenthorne took matters into her own hands. She called out, “Hello!”

Moving forward and around the bushes, there was a small clearing. A woman was sitting on a stone bench. She looked Cesvani with dark hair but had a blond streak down one side. One of her eyes was blue and the other was green. Three short and stocky creatures were standing in front of her, looking as though they were trying to console her. The subsequent conversation showed that the poor woman was quite confused. At first, she spoke in Reči and didn’t even seem to know where she was but then she would switch to Sylvan and speak with the three creatures and then to Elvish to speak with the party [although Magnus could not understand her]. One of the triggers for this switch appeared to be any mention of Breá.

The woman, who introduced herself as Julianna and Breá at different times, said that the last thing she remembered [as Julianna] was she and Romano, her love, finding a cave to take shelter in. It was lined with the most beautiful crystals. She then awoke in a forest clearing and saw Romano walking away with the most beautiful woman that she had ever seen. She asked if Romano had forsaken her and began to cry. The party offered to take her to find Romano and that seemed to cheer her a bit.

The three creatures, however, were not pleased with the party’s interference. They told them to “Shoo!” repeatedly and, in Elvish, encouraged them to leave and stop talking. Osric’s asking about Jólét and waking the island’s Lord seemed to upset the creatures the most. They even threatened to go and tell “Grandfather” but the identity of Grandfather was never established. One even began to press Bay on who he served, perhaps sensing his connection to Danu, but Bay cleverly avoided providing a straight answer.

Another woman soon stepped into the clearing. Half of her face was that of an ugly crone with greasy, scraggly, dark hair. The other half was that of a beautiful woman with blond hair and a blue eye. The three creatures were terrified by her arrival. Before anyone could react, she said that Julianna couldn’t escape her and that they needed to go and complete their task. Looking at the three fey, she called for her dark little soldiers and they began to convulse and transform.

As the party moved to attack, the newcomer spun in a circle flying apart into strands of dark mist. These mists circled around Julianna/Breá and then disappeared, along with the young woman. The three twisted creatures attacked. Similar to the mud creatures, after being badly injured, they changed again, reverting back to their prior form. Unfortunately for one of the creatures, Bay’s attack actually killed the thing. The other two, already back in their original form, screeched, “Murderer!” and simply disappeared.

Even more confused than they were before, the heroes headed down one of the path’s forks. Picking the one to their left, it wasn’t long before the manicured nature of the woods began to change. The woods became thicker and more wild. This change concerned the party and so they decided to head back and travel down the other fork.

The woods soon began to thin and eventually transitioned to a meadow with wildflowers. The path led up a hill, topped with what looked to be an oak tree. Two unicorns were frolicking in the meadow. They spotted the party and ran up the hill and disappeared down the other side. Isenthorne, given the rhyme the purple-haired man had told them, began to look around to see if she could find some clover.

Before they could look around much, glittering forms flew towards them from the hill. Three small fey came right up, shouting “Guests!” Introductions were made and the fey asked if their guests knew any games. Osric explained the game of hide and seek and suggested that they play. Magnus elected to not join in on the game but the fey did with relish. As Osric counted and Thalimor played a cheery tune, the others hid. Bay simply lay down in the grasses nearby while Isenthorne went and hid behind a nearby tree. One of the fey joined Bay, bluntly stating that it was a stupid hiding place while another followed Isenthorne, complimenting her on her choice of hiding place.

Osric found Bay quickly and then Isenthorne but no sign of the fey. One was flying directly behind his head and kept adjusting her position so he couldn’t see her, silently giggling. The others were nowhere to be seen either. When Osric gave up, all three came flying out, shouting “We won!” The other two had been hiding in Bay’s and Isenthorne’s packs. The fey wanted to play more games and Isenthorne asked if they knew any games. One answered that they knew how to play tag and shouted “Tag!” and touched Isenthorne before flying off.

Before the game could get in full swing, Isenthorne blushes were saved [how is one going to catch a zipping and flying fey] by a woman approaching from the direction of the oak tree.

She was quite beautiful and dressed in an autumn red dress. Introducing herself as Kalindria, she asked about how the party came here. She seemed quite surprised as Osric explained that they had arrived by boat. No mortals, she explained, had come to the island in that manner in a very long time. The party asked what was going on and Kalindria offered to explain in exchange for a favor. Magnus wasn’t interested in bargaining without more explicit knowledge of this “favor” but Kalindria took offense at that and departed. [She is fey after all.]

Osric caught up with Kalindria and said that they agreed to the favor for the story. Kalindria shared much of the same information that Thalimor had shared of the Cesvani tale but added more. The island did, in fact, reach out and rescue “doomed” lovers from their fates but only one couple at a time. The couple would take on the mantle of Jólét and Breá and be the wards of the island as long as they remained true to each other. Julianna and Romano were the most recent arrivals.

However, the Dream Queen…some sort of a crone or hag…had also managed to come to the island. She had interposed herself and her lover, a fiend named Kalban, in the transfer of power from Jólét and Breá to Julianna and Romano. Before the hag’s evil ritual could be completed, Kalindria’s lady Uma and another of the island’s lords, Ragnar, interrupted it. The interruption left Julianna and Romano both confused and shifting back and forth between thinking they were Julianna and Breá and Jólét and Romano. The Dream Queen, for her part, had seized enough of Breá’s power to be quite a threat. She had been both transforming some of the inhabitants of the island and had bound most, if not all, to limited areas of the island.

Ragnar was largely to blame. His brashness led them to attack before Uma could unravel the magics that the Dream Queen had woven. If he and his forces had only waited a little longer, Uma could have undone what the hag had accomplished and all would be well now.

Kalindria was disturbed to hear that the Dream Queen had captured Julianna. If she captured both mortal lovers, the hag would be able to complete her ritual and fully steal the power of the island’s true rulers. Ragnar, however, was now looking to find the mortal male and kill him to prevent the hag’s consort from gaining the mantle of Jólét but Uma was uncertain what impact that might have. The last Kalindria had seen of the mortal male, he was in the company of her Lady, Uma.

Julianna had probably been taken to the Palace of Spires where the Dream Queen was now residing. To enter the palace, the heroes would have to find the sundial at the center of the Maze. Four keys would need to be placed on the sundial, rose, oak, mistletoe, and shamrock.

Kalindria’s favor was for the heroes to go and destroy Ragnar’s mead. The heroes, except Bay who was a little more familiar with the fey, couldn’t see how this would help at all. Kalindria and the little fey explained that this would be a blow to his pride and put Uma in the advantage. It might even sway some of Ragnar’s followers to Uma’s side. The mead was in Ragnar’s camp.

A bunch of fey were flying forward carrying pots of honey for the heroes to take. This also confused the party but the little fey, rather enthusiastically and excitedly, explained that the honey could lead bears into Ragnar’s camp and they would break the casks to drink the mead. “Bears! Bears!” was what the little ones kept shouting in glee.

The three fey the party first encountered were quite keen on joining and leading them to Ragnar’s camp and the bears’ cave. Of course, in their excitement, they had forgotten being bound to their location by the Dream Queen. They were quickly reminded as they seemingly hit a solid wall trying to fly out of the meadow. So the heroes were left on their own to find the camp and cave. The camp, the fey explained, should be easy enough to find. It was just at the end of the other fork in the path. The bear cave wasn’t all that far from the camp.

Off the party set and had no problems heading down the path. As before, the woods down the fork became more wild and natural. After traveling a bit farther than they had before, they could hear the sound of a flute or the like coming from up ahead. Isenthorne set off to scout ahead on her own through the woods. As she crept up, she spotted a lone satyr setting on a rock next to the path playing the music.

The ranger sneaked past what she assumed an advance guard or scout and continued on in the woods in the hopes of finding Ragnar’s camp undetected. As she moved through the thick woods, something caught her attention off to the side. Just a slight movement caught her attention but that was enough to alert her to danger. A gnarled and blackened tree a short distance away whipped out a vine of some sort towards her, narrowly missing entangling her. The tree then began to uproot itself and slowly lumbered towards her. Isenthorne threw all stealth to the wind and quickly ran from this menacing danger, making all due haste back to her companions.

Doing so attracted the attention of the Satyr and he stepped to block Isenthorne’s path. Spying that a woman was approaching, however, immediately changed his demeanor. Robin was his name and he was quite persistent in his attempts to woo and seduce Isenthorne despite the possible approach of a walking tree that seemed to have murder in its branches. [The wooing was amusing and lead to laughter, groans, and much gagging and rolling of eyes at the table.]

Isenthorne and Robin met up with the rest of the ranger’s companions and in between his wooing attempts, Robin shared some additional information. He served Ragnar, a veerbeg. Ragnar was lord of some of the wood’s fey and had, indeed, attacked the Dream Queen and interrupted her ritual [not that the party shared that they had meet with Kalindria]. Unfortunately, Uma and her dryads had not committed to the attack like they should have and things went awry.

When the heroes expressed an interest in meeting Ragnar, Robin was keen on that as well. He, of course, would be more than happy to take them but Ragnar was a mighty warrior. As such, he would not want to meet with those that hadn’t yet proven their worth. And, of course, Robin had a perfect idea for how the heroes could show their worth. If they could go and “rustle” the unicorns from Uma’s meadow and bring them to Ragnar’s camp, that would definitely prove their worth the mighty Ragnar. Plus, he admitted, it might get some of the dryads to come and visit to see what happened to the unicorns. [Apparently, Robin wasn’t keeping in mind that most of the fey were seemingly bound to certain parts of the island…or perhaps he was just hopeful that some of the dryads were not.]

Or, if Isenthorne would be willing to spend some “quality” time with him, he’d be more than than happy to vouch for their worth in front of his Lord.

[And that is pretty much where we ended with words that I never expected to hear come out of Rachel’s mouth, “So how many experience points would I get for sleeping with a Satyr?”

So a bit of a quandry…do they try and play both sides of this little fey spat or just pick one side and go with it?

All in all, an entertaining session. I almost always enjoy roleplaying the fey and I think most of the players enjoy it too…for the most part.

Although, given how long these logs are starting to get, I might need a couple of sessions of pure hack-n’-slash to give my typing fingers a break. 😉 ]