Entry 4 - CoS: The Beast (Whisper)

IV.  The Beast (DDAL04-02)

4/17/2016  Get Your Game On, Ann Arbor,  DM: Aaron  4511659554

Whisper – human paladin (John), Dale – drow fighter (Kirk), Aelos – half elven paladin/warlock (Dan), Zebulon – wood elf cleric (Zach), Ahnfred – human druid (Chris), Copperbeard – dwarven cleric (Michael)

What news beyond the mists today storyteller?

Actually this day I spent recuperating in town studying the new rituals you gifted me as well as preparing as you instructed for adding another spell I found into the tome. While resting I had a most peculiar dream. I was a paladin named Whisper. I was with a group that included Copperbeard who I met earlier and we were sent off to find Laslo and Elain just as before. The events that happened along the way were similar some of the time and totally different at others. It seemed so real, other than the fact I was someone else.

That is indeed curios. Thus far the land of mists seems more interesting than I had hoped. I hope you are not attempting to trick me with a simple retelling of the same story?

Umm, no, Patron. It seems that I, as this paladin, and the others not only encountered similar events but things were left in a far different state than they were when I did them... As, well, myself.

Tale relays the story as told by the group who adventured with Whisper (my other character) through the events of The Beast. Upon finding the wagon there was an injured and stripped tattooed man tied up nearby. Upon investigation a trap was triggered killing the man and injuring a party member somewhat. The wagon itself was booby trapped with crossbows as well. While traveling the path, mysteriously cleared of snow, some of the group were struck with acute homesickness, a likely magical effect. The path itself seemed to be hedged in by magic of some sort. While on the path, no wildlife was visible in the woods. While off the path, not only was no visible cleared path present but wolves could be seen nearby watching the party. As they continued forward the group attempted to scout off the path as well by using a rope between those on the path and off it to signal each other.

Further up the road the party finds a tattooed woman over a huge bear corpse bristling with arrows. When hailed in order to question her she first claims the kill is hers but then flees from the path vanishing. Some of the party give chase. They see her transform into a werewolf and stop a short ways away taunting them to cross some magical line they detect.

At the same time the remaining party on the path and the other side of the path unaware of what is happening with the woman/werewolf approach the bear corpse. It erupts and a serpentine humanoid crawls out of it. Eventually it threatens to eat the party and they attack and slay the creature.

Just then the werewolf is dragged across the line and onto the path by the druid in wolf form. He is bit for his trouble but fights off infection / the change. Eventually the party agrees to allow the werewolf to leave after it knocks one party member unconscious.

From here the party finds the hunting camp and Laslo’s body and meet the elves just as Tale did with his group. Leaving the elves behind they track a werewolf to the cave. Rather than killing her as Tale’s party did, this group is able to convince her to return with them to the camp, hoping to ease her into realizing she is a lycanthrope and is responsible for Laslo’s death. Ahnfred breaks the news on the way refusing to deceive Elania. She rushes off losing the party.

The party finds only a single elf woman of the group left at the camp. She said Laslo’s corps got up, attacked her companions, slew them and they rose and all walked away. The party and the lone elf survivor return to town to let Gregory know the fate of his hunters.

Upon reaching town they find Elania has been burned. Apparently captured and recognized as a werewolf.

So not only is the mist bringing outsiders to this land but apparently it, or some force residing here can control life, death and time itself. Take care storyteller, I’d hate to have wasted my efforts with you thus far.