Setting#
The party remains in the refugee camp outside the ruined dwarven city of High Forge. After a restful night, a new supernatural mystery involving a comatose child draws the party eastward into the woods and deeper into the realms of fae influence.
Party Members Present#
- Helisanna – Human Bard/Warlock
- Elspeth Cooper – Dwarf Battlesmith Artificer/Paladin
- Felonias “Bru” Bru – Goblin Artillerist Artificer
- Retired Detective Olivia Cooper – Dwarf Devotion Paladin
- Red – Absent PC played by another player (healer)
- Silas – Remains asleep, not part of the night’s excursion
Plot Events#
A Midnight Emergency#
- Fred the gopher (from previous sessions) bursts into camp seeking Red’s healing help. A child in the camp, Bori, has mysteriously fallen into a coma the same night his mother, Sela, awakened from her months-long coma.
- Olivia, Elspeth, and Red respond, leaving the rest asleep.
- Grogi, a friend of Bori’s, recounts that the boys met a “weird man in a white suit and top hat” in the woods the day before, who offered to “help” Bori’s mother in exchange for a trade.
- Olivia uses Divine Sense and detects a faint trace of evil on Bori but not on his mother.
Gathering the Team#
- Olivia wakes Helisanna and Bru without alerting Silas.
- Silas remains asleep in the van.
- The group agrees to investigate the mysterious encounter from the day before. Red’s medical check confirms that healing won’t help Bori—his state is magical in nature.
Into the Woods#
The Crossroads Encounter#
- Following Grogi’s directions, the party ventures into the eerie eastern woods under moonlight, accompanied by Red.
- At a crossroads, they hear humming—“Pop Goes the Weasel”—followed by the poem “The Tyger” by William Blake.
- A fae named Mr. Crowley appears: white suit, opera mask, pointy teeth, charming yet disturbing. He confirms he struck a deal with Bori, who gave up his own consciousness to save his mother’s life.
- Crowley offers a new deal: retrieve a fox-shaped fae totem from an ancient shrine in exchange for restoring Bori’s consciousness without reverting Sela back into her coma.
Journey to the Shrine#
The Midnight Pool#
- Guided by a magical mote of light Crowley provides, the party finds a hidden shrine in the heart of the woods.
- They uncover a dry celestial pool surrounded by old mirrors. When moonlight is properly reflected using the mirrors, a hidden staircase opens beneath the pool.
Guardian of the Shrine#
- Within the shrine, they find the totem on a fallen pedestal. As Helisanna approaches, a skeletal bear with ram’s horns and green fire eyes emerges.
- A battle ensues:
- Bru and Red’s fire spells are particularly effective.
- Olivia and Boxbox (Elspeth’s steel defender) make a strong defensive duo, using reactions to deflect attacks.
- Elspeth and Helisanna contribute with ranged and melee attacks.
- The bear is destroyed after Olivia lands a devastating smite attack.
The Decision#
- Helisanna picks up the totem. Elspeth uses Identify and confirms it’s a powerful conjuration-linked item: a Fae anchor for the spirit known as Tunlak.
- A ritual could potentially summon Tunlak, but the components are unknown.
- The group debates whether to give the totem to Crowley, fearing long-term consequences.
- Ultimately, they choose to honor the deal.
Return to Crowley#
- Crowley appears at the crossroads, genuinely pleased. He accepts the totem and assures them Bori will awaken and he will leave the area in peace.
- Helisanna shakes his hand, sealing the deal.
- Crowley vanishes into the earth, leaving only his smile lingering in the air.
Epilogue#
- Back at the refugee camp, the party sees the family joyfully reunited: Bori, Sela, and Turek are all awake and well.
- Olivia warns Hoboken (the monk of Steyr) to spread word about Crowley and to warn others against making fae bargains.
- The party ends the night wary but victorious—having saved a child’s life, made a deal with a devilish fae, and unleashed possible consequences for the future.
Notable Roleplay Moments#
- Crowley’s eerie charm and poetic cadence adds gravitas to the fae bargain.
- Helisanna’s playful yet bold nature shines during her interactions with Crowley and her curiosity around the totem.
- Olivia’s legalistic, justice-focused objection to fae deals adds moral weight.
- Elspeth’s utility and coordination with Boxbox make her a tactical powerhouse.
- Bru’s love of fire causes a few forest fires, humorously downplayed.
- Red’s support spells and pacifist nature play a quiet but critical role.
Themes#
- Moral ambiguity: Should a deal with a fae be upheld for a good outcome?
- Innocence and cost: A child’s sacrifice underscores the theme of exploitation.
- Choices and consequences: The long-term effect of giving Crowley what he wants remains unclear.
Session MVP#
Crowley – For stealing every scene he was in and ratcheting up the creep factor in the best way possible.