240930

Back to the Wyllowwood to Rescue Wyllow

Locations	Associations
Yinark's Tower 5th Level	Wyllow Yinark Chrissann Waterdeep Conspiracy Rescue Wyllow Question Wyllow Free the Gnomes Crystal Throne Druid's Amulet +2 Shield

OPEN QUESTIONS

Can Mira Locate Object for the missing Boots of Elvenkind?
Do we need healing or a short rest?
Is Yinark alive, or is his corpse just missing?
Was it Valdemar the green dragon who is responsible?
Do we have to worry about either of them right now?
Can/Should we destroy the Crystal_Throne
Did we see anything in Drow Town that might link to this portal in Yinark's tower? 240305 spider mirror in prieststess' quarters and vein of turquoise, but portal likely in the Fortress.

FOR THIS GAME

PRE-GAME
- All PCs: Update characters to Level 9
GAME START
- 4TH LEVEL
  - Review the OPEN QUESTIONS
  - Mira Locate Object for the 2nd Boots of Elvenkind
  - Nature check for harvestable monster bits (aboleth & chuul)
- 5TH LEVEL
  - Return and Rescue Wyllow from the Crystal Throne
  - Discuss Ceol's Plan

GAME NOTES

Mira casts Locate Object but we do not Find the Missing Boot. We pile in our boat and sail south from the Lake of Madness towards the 5th Level.

We find the Wyllowwood locked deep in winter, and with the trees seeming wild, ferocious and unruly. We spot a flock of ravens and they attack, but Jitters freezes them immediately.

Moments later, wolves come come and attack us too. They get a few licks in on Ceol and Mira but go down quickly. We advance towards Yinark's Tower when two bears run, panicked out of the woods from the south with something large behind.

The displacer beast guarding Yinark's Tower notices us, and for the 2nd time we fight it. The bears attack too, and then a T-Rex!

This fight is deadly. Real damage is done to the party.

When the T-Rex is about to die, it turns into Yinark. We fight the ancient villain and he turns back into a T-Rex. We defeat him again and finally enter the tower.

Wyllow is still there and the key unlocks the Crystal Throne and frees her.

Wyllow is thankful and heals Ceol who is dangerously battered. Wyllow mentions the Waterdeep Conspiracy, how Halaster Blackcloak intends to invade Undermountain & Waterdeep using the Fire Cultists to burn Undermountain.

We ask if we should destroy the Crystal Throne? Wyllow says it is evil, crafted by Illuun, so we destroy it. Immediately the magic of the Wyllowwood begins to fade.

Wyllow tells us of Chrissann

CHRISSANN'S STORY

Chrissann, was indeed killed by Wyllow, but only because Chrissann had fallen under the control of Illuun.

Years ago, Chrissann was a ranger who specialized in hunting dragons. After killing a matriarch above, Chrissann followed her young green spawn down into Undermountain.

In the battle that ensued, Chrissann's Sword became lodged in young Valdemar's head, which leads to his erratic behavior today when the sentient sword asserts control.

Weaponless, Chrissann was forced to retreat. On the 4th Level she was met and enslaved by Illuun.

Thereafter, Chrissann was forced to do the evil bidding of Illuun and Yinark, returning periodically to the Yawning Portal Inn to lure a fresh druid down into the dark.

These druids, Wyllow among them, were used to free Yinark from his centuries-long imprisonment on the Crystal Throne and power the magick of the Wyllowwood in his stead.

When Wyllow accompanied Chrissann into Undermountain, she discovered her treachery. They fought, and Chrissann was killed, but Wyllow was still still taken by Yinark and set on the Crystal_Throne.

We discuss Merlwood and other Circle_of_the_Moon business

We also learn that Drow are enslaving gnomes on the 3rd Level & 10th Level. We vow to Free the Gnomes if we can while we are trying to Destroy House Auvryndar.

Wyllow also gives us the Druid's Amulet which opens the way to the 6th Level via the caves.