6 - Rage Unleashed in the Swamp

From The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Session 1Session 5Session 6
◀◀▶▶
Ashira
Brolin
Frostbite
Ashira
Brolin
Frostbite
Brolin
Frostbite

An axe unused

Played on 22-12-2024
Day 10
by Frostbite

As Frostbite and his companions trudged through the fetid swamp, the air was thick with the smell of rotting vegetation and the constant gurgle of gas bubbles breaking the water's surface. Maeve, usually a pillar of calm and control, seemed particularly disturbed by the environment. Her eyes flicked nervously from shadow to shadow, and her normally steady demeanor showed signs of cracking under the oppressive atmosphere.

The Fountain of Curiosities

Their objective was clear: find the patchwork balloon that had presumably gone down in the mist. The sound of gushing water soon drew them to a curved wall, which upon closer inspection, was more of a fountain than a barrier. Brolin, ever the curious one, bunny-hopped onto the structure. From his elevated position, he could see four strange items floating within the spouting water: a stuffed animal, a thimble, a bottle, and a pinwheel. His attempt to retrieve them was met with failure as the powerful water thrust him back into the swamp.

Frostbite, always the dependable anchor of the group, pulled Brolin from the sludge with a firm grip. Four glowing orbs descended from the sky, surrounding them with an eerie light. Recognizing them as Will o’ Wisps, spirits of the deceased, Frostbite shared his knowledge with the group. Brolin speculated that these might be the lost children from the carnival, suggesting they attempt a rescue.

One wisp, introducing herself as Agatha, revealed their grim fate: imprisoned by Bavlorna, a malevolent witch. They pleaded for vengeance, promising to aid the group in return. This aligned perfectly with Frostbite’s own quest to reclaim his lost artistic talent. He vowed to exact revenge on Bavlorna, and as a token of their new alliance, Agatha bestowed upon him a warm, glowing power he could call upon in times of need.

Maeve, still visibly shaken, asked the wisps about Agdon Longscarf, a brigand prince punished by the archfey Zybilna. According to the wisps, Bavlorna had freed him to wreak havoc once more. They also provided a crucial clue: Bavlorna resided in a village called Downfall, though its exact location remained a mystery.

The Leaning Tower

With Brolin and Dhanell’s navigational instincts leading the way, the group continued their journey. They soon arrived at a precariously leaning tower, entangled in black brambles. The remnants of the balloon were attached to the tower’s top, its basket hanging below. From above, a voice whispered for help, warning them of nearby giant snakes.

Dhanell’s firebolt scorched the brambles, creating a clearing. Brolin, now sporting newfound wings, soared to the basket’s occupant. His actions, however, alerted the snakes. As the battle erupted, Frostbite’s ice magic clashed with snake scales. Brolin’s aerial strikes, Ashira’s arrows, Dhanell’s flames, and Maeve’s taunts combined to combat the serpentine foes.

But when one snake nearly crushed Frostbite, his long-suppressed rage erupted. He tore the creature apart with primal fury, a spectacle of raw power that left him panting and bloodied. Maeve’s concern and unfamiliar kindness towards Frostbite made him grumble dismissively, yet inwardly, he was affected by her empathy.

From the basket, they rescued Sir Talavar, a faery dragon and servant of the Summer Queen. He revealed his mission: to inform his queen of Bavlorna’s deeds. His magical cage could only be unlocked by Miss Jingle Jangle, a key collector living in Telemyhill.

Rest and Reflection

As the group rested, Dhanell’s question about Frostbite’s unutilized axe fell on deaf ears. The bond Frostbite shared with his axe was sacred, reserved for moments of true necessity and should not be wasted on it just being a weapon of death.

Rejuvenated, the group prepared to move on, but a huge shadow loomed in the distance, signaling yet another challenge. This swamp, once a mere obstacle, had become a battleground for their resolve and a stage for Frostbite’s untamed rage. The journey ahead promised more trials, but with their newfound alliances and the bond of their shared experiences, they felt ready to face whatever came next.

Session 1Session 5Session 6
◀◀▶▶
Ashira
Brolin
Frostbite
Ashira
Brolin
Frostbite
Brolin
Frostbite

Updated on: 16:59