The twig blights pressed their assault. Twig Blight 1 dashed through the tangled underbrush toward Durgran, branches snapping underfoot as it closed the distance. Nearby, Twig Blight 4 swung its gnarled claws at Korrim but missed widely, its attack thrown off by the uneven ground.
Thalrik took a deep breath and whispered an incantation, his fingers tracing a quick pattern in the air. Casting True Strike, he locked onto Twig Blight 4. Raising his light crossbow, he fired a bolt infused with radiant energy. The projectile struck true, piercing the blight and causing it to explode into a shower of splinters.
Durgran faced off against Twig Blight 5. He hefted his greataxe and swung with all his might, but the nimble creature twisted away at the last moment, and his blade bit only into empty air. "Blast it!" he snarled.
Seeing an opening, Korrim sprinted toward Twig Blight 6. His first scimitar sliced through the creature with deadly precision, reducing it to a heap of broken twigs. Spinning on his heel, he lunged at Twig Blight 1 with his second scimitar. The blade struck hard, and the blight shattered under the force, its form collapsing.
Amid the chaos, Twig Blight 5 seized the opportunity to attack Durgran. It lashed out with sharp claws, scraping across his arm and finding a gap in his armor. Durgran gritted his teeth as he felt the sting, taking 4 points of damage.
The brothers exchanged quick glances, determination steeling their gazes. With several of the blights defeated, they braced themselves for the next wave.
TB1 dash TB4 miss with 5 T casts True Strike with their light crossbow, hits TB4 with 17 for 6 radiant damage. D attacks TB5 with their Greataxe, misses with 12 K attacks TB6 with both scimitars, first hits with 17 for 8 damage, then attacks TB1 and hits with 21 for 8 damage TB5 attacks D and hits with 19 for 4 damage
Round 3:
The battlefield fell into tense silence, broken only by the crackle of twig blights shifting through the underbrush. Twig Blight 5, the last of its kind, squared off against Durgran, its hollow eyes glowing faintly with malevolent energy.
Thalrik stepped forward, his crossbow already raised. Muttering the words to True Strike, he focused his arcane energy, a soft glow illuminating his hands and the weapon. With precision and calm, he pulled the trigger. The bolt shot forth, radiant light trailing in its wake. It struck the twig blight dead center, and the creature erupted into splinters, the magic-infused attack obliterating its unnatural form.
As the splinters settled on the forest floor, the Ironhearth brothers took a moment to catch their breath. The stillness returned, but the faint, sour tang of the corrupted forest lingered in the air.
T casts True Strike with their light crossbow, hits TB5 with 16 for 11 radiant damage.
Durgran lowered his greataxe and wiped the sweat from his brow. “That’s the last of them,” he grunted, his voice heavy with relief. “Let’s search the area before moving on. Something’s bound to be hiding in this mess.”
Korrim, always quick to scavenge, began poking through the underbrush with his daggers. “It’s not like these things were guarding nothing,” he quipped, kicking aside some broken branches. His sharp eyes caught a faint gleam beneath a cluster of roots near the cave entrance. “Found something!” he called out, crouching to pry it loose.
Beneath the roots was a small, rusted tin box, its lid bent and covered in moss. Inside, the brothers discovered a modest stash of coins—37 gold pieces and 5 silver. Korrim tossed a coin in the air and caught it with a grin. “Not bad for a bunch of walking firewood.”
Thalrik examined the box carefully. “Strange to find something like this out here. Could be someone left it to keep safe—or the corruption drove them away before they could return.”
Durgran pocketed the coins and adjusted his shield. “Whoever it belonged to, they’re not here to claim it. Let’s press on. We’ve still got work to do.”
The brothers regrouped and turned their attention to the cave, its dark mouth waiting to swallow them whole. Whatever lay ahead, they were ready to face it together.
As the brothers moved deeper into the forest, the oppressive air seemed to close in tighter around them. Korrim, walking slightly ahead, flipped a coin idly between his fingers. “Thirty-seven gold,” he muttered, shaking his head. “That’s not even enough to buy a proper pint for the three of us back in Stonegrasp.”
“Maybe if you stopped trying to sneak off with half the stash, we’d have more,” Durgran grunted, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. His axe at the ready.
Korrim turned, his grin sharp. “You wound me, brother. What would I even spend it on? More daggers? A fancier cloak?”
“You’d spend it on getting yourself into trouble,” Thalrik chimed in, adjusting his crossbow strap as he walked in the middle. “Let’s not forget who had to cover for you when you ‘borrowed’ old Aldred’s mule.”
“That was years ago!” Korrim protested, laughing. “Besides, I returned it... eventually.”
Durgran rolled his eyes. “Keep it down, you two. This place doesn’t feel right.”
The squabble faded into silence as the terrain shifted. The air grew damp and foul, the thick smell of mildew mingling with the stench of rot. The forest opened up to reveal the mouth of a cave, dark and foreboding. Faintly, the sound of trickling water echoed from within, a sickly green slime coating the streambed. Strange glowing fungi clung to the walls, casting unsettling blue and green light that flickered like dying embers.
As they stepped inside, Korrim let out a low whistle. “Well, this is charming. Who’s ready for more fun?”
The brothers hadn’t gone more than thirty feet into the cave when a large mushroom on the wall suddenly trembled. Before anyone could react, it emitted a deafening, piercing shriek. The sound reverberated through the cavern, making Durgran wince and Thalrik clamp his hands over his ears.
“Well, so much for stealth!” Korrim shouted over the din, his blades already in hand and cutting the shriek short.
The shriek echoed deeper into the cavern, and from the shadows ahead, guttural croaks answered. The sound of webbed feet slapping against stone grew louder. From roughly 90 to 120 feet away, the dim light revealed four squat, amphibian figures advancing toward the brothers. Bullywugs, armed with crude spears and shields, approached cautiously but with clear aggression. They spread out in a loose formation, two coming from the center while the others flanked wide to the left and right.
The first two bullywugs were 90 feet away, moving straight toward the brothers. Another emerged from the right, about 100 feet out, while the last came from the left, about 120 feet away. Their webbed feet splashed noisily in shallow puddles as they closed the distance.
Durgran raised his axe, his voice steady despite the chaos. “Hold your ground! Thalrik, take a step back and prepare your magic. Korrim, you know what to do.”
Korrim grinned. “Oh, I’ve got this.”
Initiative: BWa, BWb, K, T, BWc, D, BWd
Round 1:
The shrieker’s ear-piercing wail continued to echo through the cavern even after Korrim silenced the fungus, masking the sounds of the bullywugs’ guttural croaks. The amphibian warriors advanced, their crude weapons gleaming faintly in the eerie fungal glow.
Bullywug Warrior A moved cautiously, stepping 20 feet closer before raising its spear and hurling it toward Korrim. The missile sailed through the air, but Korrim’s quick reflexes allowed him to duck just in time, the spear clattering harmlessly against the stone wall behind him.
Bullywug Warrior B dashed forward, closing 40 feet toward the brothers. Its beady eyes locked on Korrim, it moved with single-minded determination, spear gripped tightly in its webbed hand.
Korrim, ever the opportunist, darted behind the now-silent remains of the shrieker. Using the dim light and cavern shadows to his advantage, he blended into the terrain, slipping into the bullywugs’ blind spot. His stealthy movements went unnoticed as he circled wide toward the left flank, aiming to intercept Bullywug Warrior C, who was charging forward without a clue of his approach.
Thalrik took aim at Bullywug Warrior B, now the closest threat, weaving a quick spell to enhance his precision. As he loosed his crossbow bolt, it struck the bullywug’s shield with a resounding thunk, leaving the creature unharmed but visibly irritated.
Meanwhile, Bullywug Warrior C dashed 40 feet toward the brothers, blissfully unaware of Korrim stalking it from the shadows.
Durgran stepped forward boldly, moving 30 feet closer to the enemy while raising his shield and assuming a defensive stance. His watchful eyes tracked the approaching bullywugs, his muscles coiled, ready to strike.
Finally, Bullywug Warrior D advanced cautiously, moving 20 feet closer before hurling its spear at Durgran. However, the combination of distance and Durgran’s defensive posture caused the throw to go wide, the spear clattering harmlessly to the ground.
The brothers held their ground, each playing their part in the unfolding battle. The cavern echoed with the sounds of conflict as the bullywugs closed in, their movements deliberate and menacing. The stage was set for the fight to escalate.
BWa moves 20 feet towards the brothers and hurls a spear at K at disadvantage due to distance, miss 14 (K avoids the missile by reflex) BWb dashes 40 feet towards K K steps behind the dispatched shrieker and tries to hide, Stealth 18, and moves towards the left flank, trying to intercept BWc T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWb who is nearest, miss 14 (hits shield) BWc dashes 40 ft towards the brothers blissfully unaware of K D moves 30 feet towards the BW and dodges BWd moves 20 feet towards D and hurls a spear at disadvantage due to distance and dodge, miss with 7
Round 2:
The air in the cavern was thick with tension as the bullywugs pressed their attack, but the Ironhearth brothers stood firm, each prepared to strike with precision.
Bullywug Warrior A advanced another 20 feet, its eyes flicking to Durgran, evaluating whether to throw its spear again. Deciding against it, the creature dashed the remaining distance, closing in on the eldest brother with menace in its movements.
Bullywug Warrior B, now closer, moved 20 feet and hurled its spear at Durgran. The dwarf’s defensive stance proved too strong, and the spear clattered harmlessly off the stone floor, missing wide due to his dodging tactics.
Korrim, lurking in the shadows, shifted to intercept Bullywug Warrior D as it approached. He tightened his grip on his blades, muscles tensed, and readied himself to strike as soon as the creature moved within range.
Thalrik, holding the center of the formation, turned his attention to the left flank where Bullywug Warrior C charged. Whispering the words of True Strike, he loosed another crossbow bolt, but the shot went wide, striking the stone wall with a dull thunk. The left flank remained unchecked.
Bullywug Warrior C surged forward, dashing the remaining 30 feet to reach Durgran, snarling as it closed in with its crude weapon raised.
Durgran seized the opportunity. With a powerful swing of his greataxe, he struck Bullywug Warrior C, cleaving through its leathery hide. The momentum of his strike carried into Bullywug Warrior A, his axe biting into the second creature’s side. Both bullywugs reeled under the force of the attack, but neither fell.
Bullywug Warrior D dashed forward, eyes fixed on Durgran, but as it entered Korrim’s range, the rogue sprung from the shadows. His scimitar flashed as he struck with deadly precision, the hidden attack catching the creature unaware. The blade hit true with a devastating slash, and Bullywug Warrior D collapsed in a heap of broken limbs and twitching flesh.
BWa moves 20 feet at first and evaluates to throw a second spear but then opt to dash to D BWb moves 20 feet and hurls their spear at disadvantage due to the dodge and miss with a 9 K moves to intercept BWd and readies a strike for when the BW comes close T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWc to clear the left flank, miss 8 BWc dashes the remaining 30 ft towards D D attacks BWc with his great axe, hits with 17 for 7 damage then cleaves into BWa and hits with 15 for 9 damage BWd dashes 40 feet towards D but triggers K's readied attack, that is with advantage due to hidden and hits with 18 for 12 damage, killing BWd
Round 3:
The cavern echoed with the clash of weapons and guttural croaks as the bullywugs pressed their attack. Despite their crude weapons, they moved with surprising coordination, surrounding Durgran in an effort to overwhelm him.
Bullywug Warrior A, wounded but undeterred, lunged at Durgran with its jagged teeth and spear. Its bite snapped just short of his arm, and its spear scraped harmlessly against his splint armor. Both attacks missed, leaving the warrior snarling in frustration.
Bullywug Warrior B closed the gap, flanking Durgran to strike with its own bite and spear. The elder Ironhearth expertly dodged the creature’s clumsy assaults, the spear glancing off his armor harmlessly.
Korrim darted in from the side, scimitars flashing in the faint fungal light. He aimed both strikes at Bullywug Warrior C, but the nimble creature twisted away at the last moment. Both blades missed their mark, clattering against the rocky floor. “Hold still, you slippery toad!” he growled, retreating a step to regroup.
Thalrik, standing at range, raised his crossbow once more, whispering the words of True Strike to guide his aim. As the magic infused his shot, he pulled the trigger, but his focus faltered at the last second. The bolt sailed wide, splintering uselessly against a stalagmite. “Blasted spores,” he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping in.
Bullywug Warrior C, now fully engaged with Durgran, saw its opening. It lunged forward, its bite sinking into the dwarf’s arm. Before Durgran could react, its spear jabbed into his side. The eldest Ironhearth gritted his teeth, blood trickling down his armor.
Reeling from the hits, Durgran turned his focus to Bullywug Warrior A, swinging his greataxe in a wide arc. The attack missed, the blade striking the ground as the bullywug hopped back out of range. Breathing heavily, Durgran took a moment to center himself, drawing on his resolve. With a deep inhale, he drew in a Second Wind.
BWa attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 15 and 15, respectively BWb closes the gap to D and attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 15 and 7, respectively K joins D in melee and attacks BWc with both scimitars, misses with 10 and 9 T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWc just before they strike, critical miss 6 BWc attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 19 and 17, respectively, for 4 and 4 damage D attacks BWa with his great axe, misses with 11, takes a deep breath and rejuvenates with a second wind for 5 HP
Round 4:
The cavern echoed with the clash of steel and the guttural croaks of the bullywugs, their crude weapons glinting faintly in the eerie fungal glow. Durgran held his ground at the center of the melee, his axe raised against the relentless assault.
Bullywug Warrior A lunged at Durgran, snapping with its jagged teeth before thrusting its spear. The attacks were clumsy and poorly timed, both missing their mark. Durgran stood firm, swatting the spear aside with his armored arm.
Bullywug Warrior B joined the fray, rushing in to flank Durgran. Its bite found purchase, sinking into his arm, but its spear thrust glanced harmlessly off his armor. Durgran gritted his teeth, holding the line against the amphibian onslaught.
Korrim, seeing an opening, darted around the melee to strike Bullywug Warrior C. His scimitars flashed as he attacked. The first strike connected devastatingly, slicing through the bullywug's leathery hide, enough to fell the creature in a heap of twitching limbs. “One more down!” Korrim called out as he repositioned.
Thalrik, maintaining his distance, raised his crossbow and channeled True Strike, focusing his energy on Bullywug Warrior A. He loosed a bolt that struck true, piercing the creature and bringing it down.
Summoning his strength, Durgran retaliated with a powerful swing of his greataxe. The blade connected with Bullywug Warrior B and leaving the creature barely standing. Breathing heavily, Durgran drew on his inner reserves, calling on a Second Wind. “You’ll need more than that to take me down,”he growled, standing tall against his foes.
BWa attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 6 and 13, respectively BWb attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 19 and miss with 6, respectively, for 3 damage K attacks BWc with both scimitars, one hits with 16 and the other misses with 14, for 13 damage which fells BWc T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWa just before they strike, hit with 23 for 5 damage D attacks BWb with his great axe, hit with 23 for 6 damage, takes a deep breath and rejuvenates with a second wind for 9 HP
Round 5:
The cavern’s oppressive air grew heavier with each clash of weapons and croaking war cries. Durgran, bloodied but resolute, stood his ground as Bullywug Warrior B pressed its assault. The creature lunged forward with its jagged teeth and spear, striking true both times. Its bite tore into Durgran’s shoulder, and its spear found a weak spot in his armor. Durgran staggered but remained upright.
Korrim circled behind the melee, twin scimitars gleaming in the dim fungal light. He lunged at Bullywug Warrior B, but the slippery creature hopped sideways, avoiding both strikes. "Stop wriggling, you slimy toad!" Korrim growled, frustration evident in his voice.
Thalrik, calm amidst the chaos, narrowed his eyes and focused on the gravely wounded Bullywug Warrior B. Whispering the familiar incantation of True Strike, he loosed a radiant bolt from his crossbow. The bolt struck the creature squarely, piercing its chest with a burst of light. The bullywug let out a gurgling croak before collapsing, its unnatural movements finally stilled.
The cavern fell silent once more, save for the brothers’ ragged breathing and the faint trickle of the polluted stream.
BWb attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 21 and 21, respectively, for 3 and 6 damage K attacks BWc with both scimitars, both miss with 6 and 7 T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWa just before they strike, hit with 18 for 10 damage, which kills the last one
The Aftermath
Durgran leaned against his shield, blood dripping from his wounds. “That was tougher than it should’ve been,” he muttered, wincing as he adjusted his armor.
Thalrik stepped forward, carefully inspecting the fallen bullywugs. “They were organized, which means someone—or something—is driving them,” he said, his voice low with concern. “We’ll need to stay sharp.”
Korrim, ever the opportunist, began rifling through the corpses and the area around the cave. “Let’s see if these amphibians had anything worth taking,” he said, brushing aside muck and debris.
After a few moments of searching, Korrim uncovered a hidden stash buried beneath a pile of damp leaves and stones. Inside, they found 52 gold pieces and 5 silver, wrapped in a slimy piece of leather. “Not bad,” Korrim said with a grin, tossing a coin in the air. “This’ll buy us a decent round back in Stonegrasp.”
Durgran chuckled, shaking his head. “If we make it back,” he said, hefting his greataxe onto his shoulder. “Let’s press on. Whatever corrupted this stream is still out there.”
With the bullywugs defeated and their treasure secured, the brothers regrouped and turned their attention deeper into the cavern. The faint, eerie glow of the fungi beckoned them forward, hinting at greater dangers yet to come.
The brothers trudged through the damp, winding tunnel, the glow of the fungi casting faint, eerie shadows on the rough stone walls. Durgran, still nursing wounds from the bullywug battle, grumbled. "Why is it always me on the front lines? I take the hits, swing the axe, and what do I get? A spear to the arm and another fight waiting around the corner."
Korrim smirked from behind, tossing a coin in the air. "Well, someone’s got to be the hero, big brother. Besides, you’re the one with all the armor."
Durgran shot him a glare. "And you’re the one with all the clever dodging. Maybe next time, you can trade places with me."
Thalrik sighed, his voice cutting through the sibling banter. "Enough, both of you. Save your energy. Something’s not right ahead—I can feel it."
The air grew heavier as the tunnel widened into a small chamber, the stench of rot intensifying. The brothers stopped in their tracks as a deep, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows.
The source of the growl emerged from the dim light—a massive brown bear, its fur tangled and matted with streaks of mold. The creature paced near a shallow pool fed by the corrupted stream, its wild, bloodshot eyes scanning the room erratically. Sickly green drool dripped from its mouth, and its heavy, unsteady movements betrayed both pain and rage.
The bear turned toward the brothers, letting out a low, threatening growl that reverberated off the stone walls. It stood about 40 feet away, blocking their path deeper into the cavern. The pool of poisoned water glistened faintly behind it, reflecting the unnatural light of the fungi.
Thalrik squinted at the bear (Nature 18), then glanced at the pool. "It’s poisoned,"he said sharply, gesturing to the sickly hue of the drool and the patches of mold clinging to the creature’s fur. "The water—it’s done this to it."
Korrim nodded (Medicine 16), his eyes narrowing as he took a cautious step closer. "Poor thing. It’s not acting naturally—this isn’t just anger. It’s suffering."
Durgran tightened his grip on his axe, ready to fight if needed, but hesitated. "If it’s the water, maybe we don’t have to hurt it," he said, his tone softening. He reached into his pouch and pulled out the glowing acorn gifted by Borogrove. "Let me try something."
Moving slowly, Durgran stepped forward, his voice calm and steady. "Easy now, big fella. We’re not here to hurt you." The bear growled but didn’t advance, its erratic pacing slowing slightly. Durgran held out the acorn, its faint light catching the bear’s attention.
The bear hesitated, its bloodshot eyes locked on the dwarf. With careful precision, Durgran tossed the acorn onto the ground in front of the creature. The bear sniffed it warily before devouring it in a single gulp. Moments later, its growls softened, and its unsteady swaying stopped. The mold on its fur began to fade, and the sickly green drool disappeared.
The brothers watched in silence as the bear turned and lumbered away, its massive form disappearing into the darkness of the cavern.
Once the bear was gone, the brothers moved cautiously toward the pool. Korrim crouched near the edge, sifting through the muddy floor. "There’s got to be something here. Bears don’t hang around for nothing," he muttered.
Thalrik, more observant, noticed a small cache tucked under a cluster of rocks. "Here," he said, pulling it free. Inside was a bundle of damp cloth, and within it, they found 50 gold pieces. Korrim let out a low whistle as he pocketed the stash.
Durgran, still watching the path where the bear had disappeared, nodded. "At least we didn’t have to fight it. Let’s keep moving—whatever’s behind this corruption is still ahead."
With the treasure secured and the way clear, the brothers pressed onward, their bond strengthened by the encounter and their resolve unshaken.
The brothers continued deeper into the cavern, their footsteps echoing softly on the damp stone floor. The air grew colder, the faint light of the glowing fungi casting long shadows. Durgran adjusted his grip on his axe, his usual gruff demeanor slightly softened.
“Helping that bear felt good,” he admitted, breaking the silence. “Not everything down here has to end in bloodshed. Maybe this trip won’t be a complete waste after all.”
Korrim smirked, lagging a step behind. “Good sign, eh? Tell that to my scimitars—they’ve barely tasted anything but air so far.”
Thalrik chuckled, his voice dry. “That’s because you swing them like you’re trying to impress a crowd instead of hit something.”
“Oh, and your magic’s been so flawless?” Korrim shot back. “Half your bolts have been decorating the walls.”
“Enough,” Durgran growled, though his tone was lighter than before. “Let’s just focus. If there’s anything worse than bullywugs and a sick bear in this place, I’d rather not be surprised by it.”
The brothers rounded a corner, the faint trickle of the corrupted stream growing louder. The air felt heavier, thick with a foul, cloying stench that seemed to cling to their skin. Durgran wrinkled his nose. “This is worse than the bear.”
The tunnel opened into a wide cavern, the source of the corruption finally coming into view. At the north end of the stream, a shallow pool glistened with an iridescent, oily sheen. A grotesque fungus, resembling a giant brain, pulsed and twitched near the water’s edge, oozing fluid into the pool. A strange rock lay before it, its surface slick and glistening unnaturally.
Above, the faint rustling of wings broke the oppressive silence. Durgran looked up, his eyes narrowing as he spotted movement among the jagged ceiling. “We’ve got company,” he said grimly.
From the shadows, two stirges swooped down, their leathery wings flapping noisily as they closed the 30-foot gap toward the brothers. Another pair of stirges, perched about 60 feet away, began to stir, readying to join the fray. Further back, nearly 90 feet from the entrance, two more stirges shifted in their nests, alerted by the commotion.
Unbeknownst to the brothers, the strange rock near the brain fungus was no rock at all—it was a psychic gray ooze, lying in wait, its slimy form blending seamlessly with the environment. Hidden by its False Appearance, it remained still, ready to strike once the stirges engaged its would-be intruders.
Durgran hefted his shield, positioning himself at the forefront. “Thalrik, take the ones in the air. Korrim, keep an eye on that pool—I don’t trust it.”
Korrim’s grin was sharp as he drew his scimitars. “Finally, something to hit.”
Thalrik stepped back, already muttering an incantation. “Let’s deal with this quickly. The longer we stay, the worse this stench gets.”
As the stirges dove toward them, the brothers readied themselves for battle, unaware of the lurking ooze that would soon join the fray.
Initiative: Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, K, T, P, Se, D, Sf
Round 1:
The cavern erupted into chaos as the stirges descended, their leathery wings flapping noisily and their needle-like proboscises glinting in the dim fungal light.
Stirge A let out a shrill screech and dashed across the cavern, flying 80 feet to close the distance between itself and the brothers. Its erratic movements made it a hard target to follow.
Stirge B moved directly toward Korrim, diving in with precision. Its sharp proboscis pierced his shoulder with a sickening squelch, dealing 5 damage before it latched onto him. Korrim grimaced, his grin fading as the creature drained his blood.
Stirge C dashed toward Thalrik, closing 60 feet and stopping just within 5 feet of him. The wizard instinctively stepped back, clutching his crossbow.
Stirge D followed Stirge A’s path, darting across the cavern in a blur, dashing 80 feet toward the group.
Stirge E surged forward from its nest, flying 65 feet to land near Thalrik, its wings beating noisily as it prepared to strike.
Korrim, anger flashing in his eyes, shook off the pain and darted toward Stirge A and Stirge D. His first swing with his scimitar missed, but the second found its mark, slashing through Stirge D with a clean stroke. The creature let out a shriek before collapsing into a heap on the stone floor. “One down,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
Thalrik, seeing the stirges swarming around them, raised his hand and muttered the incantation for Magic Missile. Three glowing darts of energy streaked through the air, each finding its mark with unerring precision. Stirge B exploded off Korrim’s shoulder in a spray of ichor. Stirge C and Stirge F, still in mid-flight, were struck down as well, their lifeless bodies plummeting to the ground. “Clean up your mess, Korrim,” Thalrik quipped, his crossbow at the ready.
Durgran charged forward, his shield raised to protect his brother. Spotting Stirge A, he swung his greataxe in a wide arc. The blade struck true, cleaving through the creature with a sickening crunch and dealing a massive 12 damage. The stirge dropped instantly, leaving only its lifeless remains.
The cavern fell into a brief lull as the brothers regrouped. The brain-like fungus pulsed ominously in the background, its fluid continuing to drip into the poisoned pool. With most of the stirges dealt with, the brothers remained unaware of the lurking threat near the strange rock—an enemy waiting to reveal itself in the chaos to come.
Sa dashes 80 feet towards the brothers Sb moves to K and attacks, hits with 21 for 5 damage and it attaches itself to K Sc dashes 60 feet towards T (within 5 feet) Sd dashes 80 feet towards the brothers K moves to Sa and Sd and attacks with his scimitars, the first misses with 8 but the second hits for 6 damage, killing Sd T casts magic missile killing Sb, Sf and Sc Se dashes 65 feet towards T (within 5 feet) D aids K against Sa, hits with 14 for 12 damage, killing it
Round 2:
The cavern erupted in a new wave of action as the brothers dealt with the remaining stirges, unaware of the hidden danger lurking nearby. The air felt thick with tension, the pulsing glow of the brain fungus casting shifting shadows across the room.
Korrim darted toward Stirge E, his movements fluid and precise. With a single, devastating swing of his scimitar, he struck the creature with a critical blow, slicing it cleanly in two. Ichor sprayed across the stone floor as the stirge fell lifeless to the ground. Korrim flicked his blade clean, a grin briefly flashing across his face. “That’s how you deal with pests,” he quipped.
Thalrik, seeing the battle momentarily lull, rushed to Korrim’s side. He inspected the wound left by the stirge’s proboscis, muttering something about infection. Durgran’s voice cut through sharply. “Oh sure, check on him. Don’t mind me, standing here taking all the hits!”
Thalrik glanced at his elder brother but didn’t have time to retort.
Suddenly, a wet, gurgling noise emerged from the strange, glistening rock near the pulsing fungus. The psychic gray oozerevealed its true form, surging forward with dreadful intent. Its slimy pseudopod lashed out at Durgran, who had been unaware of its presence. The attack struck with a sickening splat, catching him squarely in the chest.
The blow dealt bludgeoning damage, and the corrosive acid burned through Durgran’s armor, leaving it pitted and weakened. The acid seared through his flesh, the pain too much for him to endure. Durgran fell to the ground with a heavy thud, unconscious and bleeding out.
“Durgran!” Korrim shouted, his voice echoing through the cavern as his brother collapsed. Thalrik turned in horror, his attention snapping away from Korrim’s wound.
On the ground, Durgran’s breaths were shallow, but his will remained strong. His body fought against the darkness. Despite his dire condition, there was still hope for the eldest Ironhearth brother.
The cavern grew eerily quiet for a moment, the brain fungus pulsing ominously as the ooze loomed over Durgran’s fallen form. Korrim and Thalrik locked eyes, their determination solidifying. The fight wasn’t over, and neither brother would let Durgran’s sacrifice be in vain.
K moves to Se and attacks with his scimitar, critical hit for 11 damage, killing Se T checks K's wound by the stirge about which D complains as barely anyone ever checks him P attacks Durgran with its pseudopod with advantage for being unseen, hits with 20 for 5 bludgeoning and 6 acid damage, the hit corrodes D's armor and reduces AC by 1, also it reduces D to 0 HP D death saving throw 18
Round 3:
The tension in the cavern reached a breaking point as the ooze pulsed and shifted, looming over Durgran's unconscious form. Korrim and Thalrik sprang into action, determined to save their fallen brother from the relentless, acidic threat.
Korrim dashed to Durgran’s side, his scimitars gleaming in the eerie light of the pulsing brain fungus. “You’re not taking him!” he snarled, his blades flashing in a whirlwind of strikes. The first scimitar carved into the ooze’s slimy mass with a solid hit, followed by another precise slash that sliced through its gelatinous body. The ooze quivered and recoiled but held its form, continuing its assault.
Thalrik stood a few paces back, his hands trembling as he raised his crossbow. Whispering the words of True Strike, he steadied his aim and fired. The bolt struck true, embedding itself deep within the ooze and dealing 8 damage. Without pausing, Thalrik gestured toward Durgran, his voice resonating with magic as he cast Healing Word. A soft glow enveloped Durgran, and the wounds on his body began to close. The eldest brother stirred.
Durgran gasped as he came to, blinking up at his brothers. "What... what happened?"
“You got slimed, that’s what!”Korrim barked, never taking his eyes off the ooze.
The ooze, undeterred by Durgran’s revival, lashed out again with its pseudopod. The slimy appendage slammed into Durgran with a sickening squelch. The corrosive strike reopened his wounds, and Durgran’s vision darkened once more as he fell unconscious for a second time.
Despite the dire situation, Durgran’s body clung to life. The battle wasn’t over, but the brothers had bought precious time to turn the tide.
The cavern was a chaotic mix of glowing spores, flickering light, and the grotesque form of the ooze looming over Durgran’s fallen body. Korrim and Thalrik stood shoulder to shoulder, determination etched on their faces. The ooze was weakening, but so were they. With each passing moment, the stakes grew higher, and the brothers knew they had to finish this fight quickly—or risk losing everything.
K move quickly to his fallen brother's and hews with his scimitars at the ooze, hits with 19 and 20 for 6 and 5 damage T casts True strike with the crossbow and hits with 15 for 8 damage, then he utters a healing word to his brother, for 7 HP P attacks D with Pseudopod, hits with 22 for 5 and 5 damage D death saving throw 12
Round 4:
The ooze trembled, its form losing cohesion as Korrim stepped forward, his scimitars glinting in the dim light. With a determined snarl, he swung his first blade, but the creature rippled unnaturally, causing his strike to miss. Gritting his teeth, he adjusted his footing and brought his second scimitar down with a sharp slash. The blade sank into the ooze, dealing the final damage needed to end its grotesque existence.
With a sickly gurgle, the ooze collapsed into a formless puddle, its acidic slime seeping harmlessly into the stone. Korrim stepped back, breathing heavily, and turned to see Thalrik kneeling beside Durgran.
Thalrik muttered a few soft words, and his magic enveloped Durgran once more. The eldest Ironhearth gasped as life returned to his body, and his wounds began to close. “That’s twice I’ve had to pull you back from the brink,”Thalrik said with a smirk.
Durgran coughed weakly but managed a grin. “Maybe if you two killed things faster, I wouldn’t end up on the floor.”
K attacks with his scimitars, misses with 7 and hits with 11 for 3 damage, which fells the ooze T casts another healing word to his brother, for 10 HP
Purifying the Stream
With the immediate danger gone, the brothers turned their attention to the brain-like fungus pulsating at the edge of the corrupted pool. Its grotesque form seemed to twitch weakly, as if aware of its imminent destruction. It took only a few swings of Korrim’s scimitars and Durgran’s greataxe to utterly destroy it. As the fungus dissolved into a mushy heap, the oily sheen in the pool began to dissipate, and the fetid stench of corruption faded.
The brothers watched as the water began to run clear, a sign that the source of the stream’s corruption had been eradicated. “That’s it, then,”Thalrik said, brushing dirt from his hands. “The stream’s clean, and this place can finally heal.”
Journey Home
The brothers retraced their steps through the cavern, weary but victorious. When they emerged into the forest, Borogrove was waiting, his massive form blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees.
“You have done well, Ironhearth brothers,” the treant rumbled, his voice resonating like distant thunder. “The corruption is gone, and the stream will flow pure once more. You have restored balance to this forest.”
Borogrove reached out, presenting them with a new acorn to replace the one they had used. “Take this, and with it, my gratitude. And for your deeds, I gift you this.” From his branches, he plucked a slender Staff of Flowers, its surface etched with delicate patterns. “May it remind you of the beauty that can grow even after great trials.”
The Ironhearth Legacy
As they journeyed home, Durgran leaned heavily on his brothers, his steps slow but steady. “You two saved me back there,” he said, his voice gruff but sincere. “I owe you.”
Korrim grinned. “Well, someone had to keep you alive. Can’t let the big brother hog all the glory.”
Thalrik chuckled. “And now you can’t complain about us not taking care of your wounds. Twice in one fight, mind you.”
Durgran smirked despite himself. “Fine. I’ll give you that. But next time, maybe I don’t take all the hits?”
The brothers laughed, the tension of their adventure easing with every step. By the time they reached home, they had already begun recounting their story, embellishing details for the sake of drama.
“This will be one to tell our children and grandchildren,” Korrim declared with a grin.
“Once we have any, of course,” Thalrik added with a wry smile.
Durgran clapped both of them on the back. “We’ve got time. For now, let’s just enjoy a good meal and some rest. We’ve earned it.”
Together, they stepped into the warmth of their home, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced. The Ironhearth brothers knew this was only the beginning of their tales, but for now, their hearts were light, and their spirits unbroken.
The 'Triple trouble' is traveling through a stretch of wilderness, in the general direction of the Free City of Grayhawk.
Khessa, the tall and imposing female human in chainmail who farstrides ahead of everyone, as if she doesn't even feel the weight of the metal armor and the large weapons that, secured to scabbards on her back, protrude here and there from under the cascade of her long, wavy blond hair, suddenly points a finger: "Look! A stream!" she rises, full of her usual enthusiasm, her voice "We could take a break and freshen up for a moment! I'm sweaty, I could really use a nice full bath..." she turns back to scrutinize the others with her blue eyes full of expectation.
'A child...' thinks Diabolical, the female tiefling with short, fiery red hair and exotic, irresistible succubus-like features, who in her black leather armor is walking a little further behind 'Khessa has lived experiences no less terrible than mine, she even returned from a desperate escape from the Underdark... and yet it takes little for her to let the carefree nature of the child she was resurface. And yet, she should have learned by now that this is a world in which it is not wise to be too carefree... In fact...'
"...it would probably be wiser to decide after having ascertained what the creature that is running towards us wants" Diabolical switches from thought to word, fixing her scleraless, solid-black eyes on someone who is rapidly approaching.
Rapha'ellya, who had already spread her angelic Aasimar features in a smile of assent, left fully visible by the ponytail that gathers behind her long straight black hair, jumps at Diabolical's dry comment, turns her green eyes on her, follows her gaze and... "Diabolical is right, Khessa! Someone is approaching! And... from the way she's fidgeting... I don't think she has bad intentions! She looks like a poor scared girl..."
"Hey, we're not becoming four, are we?" Diabolical sighs.
"She has neither armor nor weapons!" Khessa replies, finally spotting the newcomer, now close, a young elf woman, her face etched with worry and urgency "She certainly didn't come to become a 'trouble seeker' like us... she'll need help instead!"
"Oh, so not a 'trouble seeker'... but a 'trouble source'!" Diabolical can't hold back yet another comment "Now we are talking..."
The newcomer approaches the party, pleading for help: "I beg you" she says, her voice trembling. "My name is Lyrelle, please follow me upstream. The water is poisoned, and the corruption is spreading. My patron, Borogrove, watches over this forest. He will tell you more". With a grace that hints at both strength and wisdom, she gestures for the trio to follow her into the woods, upstream, where a greater mystery awaits...
"It is in the nature of corruption, to spread" Rapha'ellya seems to stare into the distance, as if having a vision. "Corruption never stops on its own. It always takes someone to stop it. And, if not stoped, it never does any good".
"Indeed!" Khessa agrees "First of all, it keeps us from bathing... But if it worries Lyrelle's patron that much, it can probably have much worse consequences. Let's go see if we can do something!"
The forest grows denser as the 'Triple troubole' follow the elf deeper into the woods. Sunlight filters through the branches above, dappling the ground in patterns of gold and green. The air is thick with the earthy scent of moss and pine, though a faint, sour tang lingers beneath it—a reminder of the foulness that has taken hold of the stream.
Ahead, the party sees a huge figure blending into the trees themselves. As the group approaches, the three adventures realize it is no ordinary tree, but a Treant, ancient and wise. His bark-covered face slowly animates, eyes like pools of deep amber opening to study the party with a kindness and strength that feels as old as the forest itself.
"Welcome, travelers" Borogrove's voice rumbles, low and resonant, like distant thunder. "I am Borogrove, guardian of these woods. Long have I watched over these lands, but now a dark sickness has taken root, poisoning my beloved forest and fouling the waters that flow through the nearby village."
The Treant lifts a massive, branch -like arm and gently drops a small, glistening acorn into the elf's hands, who then offers it to the party. "This acorn holds healing and restorative magic," he says. "You may need it on your journey. Find the source of the corruption, and bring balance back to these woods".
Khessa seems truly in awe at the sight of the animated plant, so much so that she is not even looking at the magical gift: "You... In Twardens we had two large sequoia trees... The we considered the guardians of the village... But they were unable to come to life, when the Drow came to destroy everything... If only you had been there, instead..." her blue eyes are slowly becoming moist with tears .
Rapha'ellya steps forward and bows respectfully, accepting the gift from Lyrelle's hands - before quickly passing it to Diabolical: "Keep this in your custody... in case you need it while I or Khessa are not close enough to defend you."
The dark-haired Aasimar then gently wipes away Khessa's tears, murmuring: "It is certainly not often that one encounters creatures like Borogrove... It would have been surprising if there was one near your village, not that there were none. Come on, by helping Borogrove today, maybe tomorrow Borogrove can help us."
"...Or maybe he could pay us, after we've done the service..." Diabolical suggests.
"Rapha'ellya is right" Khessa quickly recovers. "Mutual aid is already a reward not to be underestimated. You still look over your shoulder every now and then in fear of seeing the shadow of an assassin, Diabolical... Don't you think that knowing that you can retreat to the woods of Borogrove, at the occurrence, could be a welcome option? Do you know many assassins who would take on a bodyguard like him?"
"You have a point... But that leads me to think..." Diabolical grows suspicious, turning to the Treant "Borogrove, if you are so tough and strong, why do you send us to deal with this matter? Wouldn't it be child's play for you to do it all by yourself?"
Borogrove leans forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and sorrow. "I fear what lies ahead, but the forest has faith in you, as I do. Go now, and tread carefully."
"Perhaps he draws nourishment from the soil, with his roots..." Khessa speculates "and thus would be more susceptible to the corruption we must seek out if he came too close! No one is omnipotent, Diabolical - that is why the aid mutual is so important."
And so the 'Triple trouble' ventures into the unknown. Diabolical scouts ahead, in stealth (after Rapha'ellya has blessed her efforts), hoping to spot any threats first – so the party can get an idea of what awaits them and prepare.
As the party approaches the mouth of a cave, the trees and undergrowth grow thicker and more twisted, their bark tainted with patches of fungus and unnatural growth. The once-vibrant forest floor is littered with dead leaves and broken branches, giving the area an eerie stillness. Suddenly, Diabolical, who is scouting ahead, notices the branches themselves seem to move, shifting subtly as if alive. She pauses and waits a moment to check better, but observation clears her of any doubt: those... things, are no ordinary bushes.
The sneaky tiefling quickly backtracks, stopping her two companions and informing them of what lies ahead.
"Six, did you count?" Khessa assesses. "That's quite a number... If they are some sort of animated bushes, though, they shouldn't be able to attack from range... If we start hitting them as soon as we see them, we can perhaps decimate or weaken them."
"They could be friendly... We really want to just strike first?" Rapha'ellya points out "What if they were just friends of Borogrove's?"
"They were lurking, waiting" Diabolical shakes his head. "More of a predator than a defenseless plant. And I think Borogrove would have warned us if he had friends up here."
The 'Triple trouble' then approach, already knowing what awaits them, and when from 60' away Diabolical points out the 'lurking bushes' finally in sight, Khessa and Rapha'ellya begin to invoke their respective magical and holy powers, while the tiefling aims her lightning-fast hand crossbow. Meanwhile, realizing they have been discovered, the twisted forms of the bushes stand upright, forming rough, humanoid shapes with gnarled limbs and hollow eyes that gleam faintly with an unnatural light. They begin to advance, their movements slow but filled with a dreadful purpose.
The plant creature is hit full on and instantly catches fire, falling to the ground!
"One down, five to go!" the blonde arcane warrior exults - then, seeing how slow the survivors are in advancing, advises "Back off, after attacking, my friends... Maybe we can fire more volleys at them!"
The tall adventuress instead stands her ground, so that, when the monsters come in close combat, she, who is the most prepared for defense, will be the first to meet them.
Three Twig Blights (Twig Blight 2, wig Blight 3 and Twig Blight 6) advance as fast as they can (Dash - 20' x 2 = 40', so now 20' from Khessa) and are greeted by a quick prayer and a curt gesture by Rapha'ellya, in response to which a eerie sound hits one of the monsters that has approached... (let's say Twig Blight 2). The Aasimar cleric then falls back as advised (Movement 30' - so she is now 50' from the Twib Blights).
The plant creature reacts to the sound by instantly withering. The last two plant monsters (Twig Blight 4, Twig Blight 5) advance undaunted (Dash - all surviving Twib Blight are now 20' from Khessa, 50' from Rapha'ellya).
"Welcome!" Diabolical sarcastically greets them, aiming with her hand crossbow and pulling the trigger. She then steps back, joining her Aasimar friend.
Khessa tries to fix things and targets the same enemy (Twig Blight 3) with her magic fire. She then falls back, just like her friends did before (now all party member at 50' from the Twig Blights)
The agile bush-monster also avoids the deadly magic fire and the monsters advance once again (they all Dash, some before Rapha'ellya's Turn, some after - it doesn't matter because for now they don't reach the party, stopping 10' from Khessa). In the meantime Rapha'ellya and Diabolical renew their attacks to decimate them, then retreating (at the end of the round, the monsters are 10' from Khessa, 40' from the other two).
Another Twig Blight falls to the double assault by the Aasimar and the Tiefling.
'We barely have time for one last volley...'Khessa assesses, unleashing magical fire against yet another monster (Twig Blight 6) before retreating... but she stops a bit ahead of her friends (Khessa moves 20' back - she is now 35' from the enemies)
Round 2:
The twig blights pressed their assault. Twig Blight 1 dashed through the tangled underbrush toward Durgran, branches snapping underfoot as it closed the distance. Nearby, Twig Blight 4 swung its gnarled claws at Korrim but missed widely, its attack thrown off by the uneven ground.
Thalrik took a deep breath and whispered an incantation, his fingers tracing a quick pattern in the air. Casting True Strike, he locked onto Twig Blight 4. Raising his light crossbow, he fired a bolt infused with radiant energy. The projectile struck true, piercing the blight and causing it to explode into a shower of splinters.
Durgran faced off against Twig Blight 5. He hefted his greataxe and swung with all his might, but the nimble creature twisted away at the last moment, and his blade bit only into empty air. "Blast it!" he snarled.
Seeing an opening, Korrim sprinted toward Twig Blight 6. His first scimitar sliced through the creature with deadly precision, reducing it to a heap of broken twigs. Spinning on his heel, he lunged at Twig Blight 1 with his second scimitar. The blade struck hard, and the blight shattered under the force, its form collapsing.
Amid the chaos, Twig Blight 5 seized the opportunity to attack Durgran. It lashed out with sharp claws, scraping across his arm and finding a gap in his armor. Durgran gritted his teeth as he felt the sting, taking 4 points of damage.
The brothers exchanged quick glances, determination steeling their gazes. With several of the blights defeated, they braced themselves for the next wave.
TB1 dash
TB4 miss with 5
T casts True Strike with their light crossbow, hits TB4 with 17 for 6 radiant damage.
D attacks TB5 with their Greataxe, misses with 12
K attacks TB6 with both scimitars, first hits with 17 for 8 damage, then attacks TB1 and hits with 21 for 8 damage
TB5 attacks D and hits with 19 for 4 damage
Round 3:
The battlefield fell into tense silence, broken only by the crackle of twig blights shifting through the underbrush. Twig Blight 5, the last of its kind, squared off against Durgran, its hollow eyes glowing faintly with malevolent energy.
Thalrik stepped forward, his crossbow already raised. Muttering the words to True Strike, he focused his arcane energy, a soft glow illuminating his hands and the weapon. With precision and calm, he pulled the trigger. The bolt shot forth, radiant light trailing in its wake. It struck the twig blight dead center, and the creature erupted into splinters, the magic-infused attack obliterating its unnatural form.
As the splinters settled on the forest floor, the Ironhearth brothers took a moment to catch their breath. The stillness returned, but the faint, sour tang of the corrupted forest lingered in the air.
T casts True Strike with their light crossbow, hits TB5 with 16 for 11 radiant damage.
Durgran lowered his greataxe and wiped the sweat from his brow. “That’s the last of them,” he grunted, his voice heavy with relief. “Let’s search the area before moving on. Something’s bound to be hiding in this mess.”
Korrim, always quick to scavenge, began poking through the underbrush with his daggers. “It’s not like these things were guarding nothing,” he quipped, kicking aside some broken branches. His sharp eyes caught a faint gleam beneath a cluster of roots near the cave entrance. “Found something!” he called out, crouching to pry it loose.
Beneath the roots was a small, rusted tin box, its lid bent and covered in moss. Inside, the brothers discovered a modest stash of coins—37 gold pieces and 5 silver. Korrim tossed a coin in the air and caught it with a grin. “Not bad for a bunch of walking firewood.”
Thalrik examined the box carefully. “Strange to find something like this out here. Could be someone left it to keep safe—or the corruption drove them away before they could return.”
Durgran pocketed the coins and adjusted his shield. “Whoever it belonged to, they’re not here to claim it. Let’s press on. We’ve still got work to do.”
The brothers regrouped and turned their attention to the cave, its dark mouth waiting to swallow them whole. Whatever lay ahead, they were ready to face it together.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
As the brothers moved deeper into the forest, the oppressive air seemed to close in tighter around them. Korrim, walking slightly ahead, flipped a coin idly between his fingers. “Thirty-seven gold,” he muttered, shaking his head. “That’s not even enough to buy a proper pint for the three of us back in Stonegrasp.”
“Maybe if you stopped trying to sneak off with half the stash, we’d have more,” Durgran grunted, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. His axe at the ready.
Korrim turned, his grin sharp. “You wound me, brother. What would I even spend it on? More daggers? A fancier cloak?”
“You’d spend it on getting yourself into trouble,” Thalrik chimed in, adjusting his crossbow strap as he walked in the middle. “Let’s not forget who had to cover for you when you ‘borrowed’ old Aldred’s mule.”
“That was years ago!” Korrim protested, laughing. “Besides, I returned it... eventually.”
Durgran rolled his eyes. “Keep it down, you two. This place doesn’t feel right.”
The squabble faded into silence as the terrain shifted. The air grew damp and foul, the thick smell of mildew mingling with the stench of rot. The forest opened up to reveal the mouth of a cave, dark and foreboding. Faintly, the sound of trickling water echoed from within, a sickly green slime coating the streambed. Strange glowing fungi clung to the walls, casting unsettling blue and green light that flickered like dying embers.
As they stepped inside, Korrim let out a low whistle. “Well, this is charming. Who’s ready for more fun?”
The brothers hadn’t gone more than thirty feet into the cave when a large mushroom on the wall suddenly trembled. Before anyone could react, it emitted a deafening, piercing shriek. The sound reverberated through the cavern, making Durgran wince and Thalrik clamp his hands over his ears.
“Well, so much for stealth!” Korrim shouted over the din, his blades already in hand and cutting the shriek short.
The shriek echoed deeper into the cavern, and from the shadows ahead, guttural croaks answered. The sound of webbed feet slapping against stone grew louder. From roughly 90 to 120 feet away, the dim light revealed four squat, amphibian figures advancing toward the brothers. Bullywugs, armed with crude spears and shields, approached cautiously but with clear aggression. They spread out in a loose formation, two coming from the center while the others flanked wide to the left and right.
The first two bullywugs were 90 feet away, moving straight toward the brothers. Another emerged from the right, about 100 feet out, while the last came from the left, about 120 feet away. Their webbed feet splashed noisily in shallow puddles as they closed the distance.
Durgran raised his axe, his voice steady despite the chaos. “Hold your ground! Thalrik, take a step back and prepare your magic. Korrim, you know what to do.”
Korrim grinned. “Oh, I’ve got this.”
Initiative: BWa, BWb, K, T, BWc, D, BWd
Round 1:
The shrieker’s ear-piercing wail continued to echo through the cavern even after Korrim silenced the fungus, masking the sounds of the bullywugs’ guttural croaks. The amphibian warriors advanced, their crude weapons gleaming faintly in the eerie fungal glow.
Bullywug Warrior A moved cautiously, stepping 20 feet closer before raising its spear and hurling it toward Korrim. The missile sailed through the air, but Korrim’s quick reflexes allowed him to duck just in time, the spear clattering harmlessly against the stone wall behind him.
Bullywug Warrior B dashed forward, closing 40 feet toward the brothers. Its beady eyes locked on Korrim, it moved with single-minded determination, spear gripped tightly in its webbed hand.
Korrim, ever the opportunist, darted behind the now-silent remains of the shrieker. Using the dim light and cavern shadows to his advantage, he blended into the terrain, slipping into the bullywugs’ blind spot. His stealthy movements went unnoticed as he circled wide toward the left flank, aiming to intercept Bullywug Warrior C, who was charging forward without a clue of his approach.
Thalrik took aim at Bullywug Warrior B, now the closest threat, weaving a quick spell to enhance his precision. As he loosed his crossbow bolt, it struck the bullywug’s shield with a resounding thunk, leaving the creature unharmed but visibly irritated.
Meanwhile, Bullywug Warrior C dashed 40 feet toward the brothers, blissfully unaware of Korrim stalking it from the shadows.
Durgran stepped forward boldly, moving 30 feet closer to the enemy while raising his shield and assuming a defensive stance. His watchful eyes tracked the approaching bullywugs, his muscles coiled, ready to strike.
Finally, Bullywug Warrior D advanced cautiously, moving 20 feet closer before hurling its spear at Durgran. However, the combination of distance and Durgran’s defensive posture caused the throw to go wide, the spear clattering harmlessly to the ground.
The brothers held their ground, each playing their part in the unfolding battle. The cavern echoed with the sounds of conflict as the bullywugs closed in, their movements deliberate and menacing. The stage was set for the fight to escalate.
BWa moves 20 feet towards the brothers and hurls a spear at K at disadvantage due to distance, miss 14 (K avoids the missile by reflex)
BWb dashes 40 feet towards K
K steps behind the dispatched shrieker and tries to hide, Stealth 18, and moves towards the left flank, trying to intercept BWc
T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWb who is nearest, miss 14 (hits shield)
BWc dashes 40 ft towards the brothers blissfully unaware of K
D moves 30 feet towards the BW and dodges
BWd moves 20 feet towards D and hurls a spear at disadvantage due to distance and dodge, miss with 7
Round 2:
The air in the cavern was thick with tension as the bullywugs pressed their attack, but the Ironhearth brothers stood firm, each prepared to strike with precision.
Bullywug Warrior A advanced another 20 feet, its eyes flicking to Durgran, evaluating whether to throw its spear again. Deciding against it, the creature dashed the remaining distance, closing in on the eldest brother with menace in its movements.
Bullywug Warrior B, now closer, moved 20 feet and hurled its spear at Durgran. The dwarf’s defensive stance proved too strong, and the spear clattered harmlessly off the stone floor, missing wide due to his dodging tactics.
Korrim, lurking in the shadows, shifted to intercept Bullywug Warrior D as it approached. He tightened his grip on his blades, muscles tensed, and readied himself to strike as soon as the creature moved within range.
Thalrik, holding the center of the formation, turned his attention to the left flank where Bullywug Warrior C charged. Whispering the words of True Strike, he loosed another crossbow bolt, but the shot went wide, striking the stone wall with a dull thunk. The left flank remained unchecked.
Bullywug Warrior C surged forward, dashing the remaining 30 feet to reach Durgran, snarling as it closed in with its crude weapon raised.
Durgran seized the opportunity. With a powerful swing of his greataxe, he struck Bullywug Warrior C, cleaving through its leathery hide. The momentum of his strike carried into Bullywug Warrior A, his axe biting into the second creature’s side. Both bullywugs reeled under the force of the attack, but neither fell.
Bullywug Warrior D dashed forward, eyes fixed on Durgran, but as it entered Korrim’s range, the rogue sprung from the shadows. His scimitar flashed as he struck with deadly precision, the hidden attack catching the creature unaware. The blade hit true with a devastating slash, and Bullywug Warrior D collapsed in a heap of broken limbs and twitching flesh.
BWa moves 20 feet at first and evaluates to throw a second spear but then opt to dash to D
BWb moves 20 feet and hurls their spear at disadvantage due to the dodge and miss with a 9
K moves to intercept BWd and readies a strike for when the BW comes close
T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWc to clear the left flank, miss 8
BWc dashes the remaining 30 ft towards D
D attacks BWc with his great axe, hits with 17 for 7 damage then cleaves into BWa and hits with 15 for 9 damage
BWd dashes 40 feet towards D but triggers K's readied attack, that is with advantage due to hidden and hits with 18 for 12 damage, killing BWd
Round 3:
The cavern echoed with the clash of weapons and guttural croaks as the bullywugs pressed their attack. Despite their crude weapons, they moved with surprising coordination, surrounding Durgran in an effort to overwhelm him.
Bullywug Warrior A, wounded but undeterred, lunged at Durgran with its jagged teeth and spear. Its bite snapped just short of his arm, and its spear scraped harmlessly against his splint armor. Both attacks missed, leaving the warrior snarling in frustration.
Bullywug Warrior B closed the gap, flanking Durgran to strike with its own bite and spear. The elder Ironhearth expertly dodged the creature’s clumsy assaults, the spear glancing off his armor harmlessly.
Korrim darted in from the side, scimitars flashing in the faint fungal light. He aimed both strikes at Bullywug Warrior C, but the nimble creature twisted away at the last moment. Both blades missed their mark, clattering against the rocky floor. “Hold still, you slippery toad!” he growled, retreating a step to regroup.
Thalrik, standing at range, raised his crossbow once more, whispering the words of True Strike to guide his aim. As the magic infused his shot, he pulled the trigger, but his focus faltered at the last second. The bolt sailed wide, splintering uselessly against a stalagmite. “Blasted spores,” he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping in.
Bullywug Warrior C, now fully engaged with Durgran, saw its opening. It lunged forward, its bite sinking into the dwarf’s arm. Before Durgran could react, its spear jabbed into his side. The eldest Ironhearth gritted his teeth, blood trickling down his armor.
Reeling from the hits, Durgran turned his focus to Bullywug Warrior A, swinging his greataxe in a wide arc. The attack missed, the blade striking the ground as the bullywug hopped back out of range. Breathing heavily, Durgran took a moment to center himself, drawing on his resolve. With a deep inhale, he drew in a Second Wind.
BWa attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 15 and 15, respectively
BWb closes the gap to D and attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 15 and 7, respectively
K joins D in melee and attacks BWc with both scimitars, misses with 10 and 9
T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWc just before they strike, critical miss 6
BWc attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 19 and 17, respectively, for 4 and 4 damage
D attacks BWa with his great axe, misses with 11, takes a deep breath and rejuvenates with a second wind for 5 HP
Round 4:
The cavern echoed with the clash of steel and the guttural croaks of the bullywugs, their crude weapons glinting faintly in the eerie fungal glow. Durgran held his ground at the center of the melee, his axe raised against the relentless assault.
Bullywug Warrior A lunged at Durgran, snapping with its jagged teeth before thrusting its spear. The attacks were clumsy and poorly timed, both missing their mark. Durgran stood firm, swatting the spear aside with his armored arm.
Bullywug Warrior B joined the fray, rushing in to flank Durgran. Its bite found purchase, sinking into his arm, but its spear thrust glanced harmlessly off his armor. Durgran gritted his teeth, holding the line against the amphibian onslaught.
Korrim, seeing an opening, darted around the melee to strike Bullywug Warrior C. His scimitars flashed as he attacked. The first strike connected devastatingly, slicing through the bullywug's leathery hide, enough to fell the creature in a heap of twitching limbs. “One more down!” Korrim called out as he repositioned.
Thalrik, maintaining his distance, raised his crossbow and channeled True Strike, focusing his energy on Bullywug Warrior A. He loosed a bolt that struck true, piercing the creature and bringing it down.
Summoning his strength, Durgran retaliated with a powerful swing of his greataxe. The blade connected with Bullywug Warrior B and leaving the creature barely standing. Breathing heavily, Durgran drew on his inner reserves, calling on a Second Wind. “You’ll need more than that to take me down,” he growled, standing tall against his foes.
BWa attacks D with their bite and spear, miss with 6 and 13, respectively
BWb attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 19 and miss with 6, respectively, for 3 damage
K attacks BWc with both scimitars, one hits with 16 and the other misses with 14, for 13 damage which fells BWc
T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWa just before they strike, hit with 23 for 5 damage
D attacks BWb with his great axe, hit with 23 for 6 damage, takes a deep breath and rejuvenates with a second wind for 9 HP
Round 5:
The cavern’s oppressive air grew heavier with each clash of weapons and croaking war cries. Durgran, bloodied but resolute, stood his ground as Bullywug Warrior B pressed its assault. The creature lunged forward with its jagged teeth and spear, striking true both times. Its bite tore into Durgran’s shoulder, and its spear found a weak spot in his armor. Durgran staggered but remained upright.
Korrim circled behind the melee, twin scimitars gleaming in the dim fungal light. He lunged at Bullywug Warrior B, but the slippery creature hopped sideways, avoiding both strikes. "Stop wriggling, you slimy toad!" Korrim growled, frustration evident in his voice.
Thalrik, calm amidst the chaos, narrowed his eyes and focused on the gravely wounded Bullywug Warrior B. Whispering the familiar incantation of True Strike, he loosed a radiant bolt from his crossbow. The bolt struck the creature squarely, piercing its chest with a burst of light. The bullywug let out a gurgling croak before collapsing, its unnatural movements finally stilled.
The cavern fell silent once more, save for the brothers’ ragged breathing and the faint trickle of the polluted stream.
BWb attacks D with their bite and spear, hit with 21 and 21, respectively, for 3 and 6 damage
K attacks BWc with both scimitars, both miss with 6 and 7
T casts True Strike and shoots with their crossbow at BWa just before they strike, hit with 18 for 10 damage, which kills the last one
The Aftermath
Durgran leaned against his shield, blood dripping from his wounds. “That was tougher than it should’ve been,” he muttered, wincing as he adjusted his armor.
Thalrik stepped forward, carefully inspecting the fallen bullywugs. “They were organized, which means someone—or something—is driving them,” he said, his voice low with concern. “We’ll need to stay sharp.”
Korrim, ever the opportunist, began rifling through the corpses and the area around the cave. “Let’s see if these amphibians had anything worth taking,” he said, brushing aside muck and debris.
After a few moments of searching, Korrim uncovered a hidden stash buried beneath a pile of damp leaves and stones. Inside, they found 52 gold pieces and 5 silver, wrapped in a slimy piece of leather. “Not bad,” Korrim said with a grin, tossing a coin in the air. “This’ll buy us a decent round back in Stonegrasp.”
Durgran chuckled, shaking his head. “If we make it back,” he said, hefting his greataxe onto his shoulder. “Let’s press on. Whatever corrupted this stream is still out there.”
With the bullywugs defeated and their treasure secured, the brothers regrouped and turned their attention deeper into the cavern. The faint, eerie glow of the fungi beckoned them forward, hinting at greater dangers yet to come.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The brothers trudged through the damp, winding tunnel, the glow of the fungi casting faint, eerie shadows on the rough stone walls. Durgran, still nursing wounds from the bullywug battle, grumbled. "Why is it always me on the front lines? I take the hits, swing the axe, and what do I get? A spear to the arm and another fight waiting around the corner."
Korrim smirked from behind, tossing a coin in the air. "Well, someone’s got to be the hero, big brother. Besides, you’re the one with all the armor."
Durgran shot him a glare. "And you’re the one with all the clever dodging. Maybe next time, you can trade places with me."
Thalrik sighed, his voice cutting through the sibling banter. "Enough, both of you. Save your energy. Something’s not right ahead—I can feel it."
The air grew heavier as the tunnel widened into a small chamber, the stench of rot intensifying. The brothers stopped in their tracks as a deep, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows.
The source of the growl emerged from the dim light—a massive brown bear, its fur tangled and matted with streaks of mold. The creature paced near a shallow pool fed by the corrupted stream, its wild, bloodshot eyes scanning the room erratically. Sickly green drool dripped from its mouth, and its heavy, unsteady movements betrayed both pain and rage.
The bear turned toward the brothers, letting out a low, threatening growl that reverberated off the stone walls. It stood about 40 feet away, blocking their path deeper into the cavern. The pool of poisoned water glistened faintly behind it, reflecting the unnatural light of the fungi.
Thalrik squinted at the bear (Nature 18), then glanced at the pool. "It’s poisoned," he said sharply, gesturing to the sickly hue of the drool and the patches of mold clinging to the creature’s fur. "The water—it’s done this to it."
Korrim nodded (Medicine 16), his eyes narrowing as he took a cautious step closer. "Poor thing. It’s not acting naturally—this isn’t just anger. It’s suffering."
Durgran tightened his grip on his axe, ready to fight if needed, but hesitated. "If it’s the water, maybe we don’t have to hurt it," he said, his tone softening. He reached into his pouch and pulled out the glowing acorn gifted by Borogrove. "Let me try something."
Moving slowly, Durgran stepped forward, his voice calm and steady. "Easy now, big fella. We’re not here to hurt you." The bear growled but didn’t advance, its erratic pacing slowing slightly. Durgran held out the acorn, its faint light catching the bear’s attention.
The bear hesitated, its bloodshot eyes locked on the dwarf. With careful precision, Durgran tossed the acorn onto the ground in front of the creature. The bear sniffed it warily before devouring it in a single gulp. Moments later, its growls softened, and its unsteady swaying stopped. The mold on its fur began to fade, and the sickly green drool disappeared.
The brothers watched in silence as the bear turned and lumbered away, its massive form disappearing into the darkness of the cavern.
Once the bear was gone, the brothers moved cautiously toward the pool. Korrim crouched near the edge, sifting through the muddy floor. "There’s got to be something here. Bears don’t hang around for nothing," he muttered.
Thalrik, more observant, noticed a small cache tucked under a cluster of rocks. "Here," he said, pulling it free. Inside was a bundle of damp cloth, and within it, they found 50 gold pieces. Korrim let out a low whistle as he pocketed the stash.
Durgran, still watching the path where the bear had disappeared, nodded. "At least we didn’t have to fight it. Let’s keep moving—whatever’s behind this corruption is still ahead."
With the treasure secured and the way clear, the brothers pressed onward, their bond strengthened by the encounter and their resolve unshaken.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The brothers continued deeper into the cavern, their footsteps echoing softly on the damp stone floor. The air grew colder, the faint light of the glowing fungi casting long shadows. Durgran adjusted his grip on his axe, his usual gruff demeanor slightly softened.
“Helping that bear felt good,” he admitted, breaking the silence. “Not everything down here has to end in bloodshed. Maybe this trip won’t be a complete waste after all.”
Korrim smirked, lagging a step behind. “Good sign, eh? Tell that to my scimitars—they’ve barely tasted anything but air so far.”
Thalrik chuckled, his voice dry. “That’s because you swing them like you’re trying to impress a crowd instead of hit something.”
“Oh, and your magic’s been so flawless?” Korrim shot back. “Half your bolts have been decorating the walls.”
“Enough,” Durgran growled, though his tone was lighter than before. “Let’s just focus. If there’s anything worse than bullywugs and a sick bear in this place, I’d rather not be surprised by it.”
The brothers rounded a corner, the faint trickle of the corrupted stream growing louder. The air felt heavier, thick with a foul, cloying stench that seemed to cling to their skin. Durgran wrinkled his nose. “This is worse than the bear.”
The tunnel opened into a wide cavern, the source of the corruption finally coming into view. At the north end of the stream, a shallow pool glistened with an iridescent, oily sheen. A grotesque fungus, resembling a giant brain, pulsed and twitched near the water’s edge, oozing fluid into the pool. A strange rock lay before it, its surface slick and glistening unnaturally.
Above, the faint rustling of wings broke the oppressive silence. Durgran looked up, his eyes narrowing as he spotted movement among the jagged ceiling. “We’ve got company,” he said grimly.
From the shadows, two stirges swooped down, their leathery wings flapping noisily as they closed the 30-foot gap toward the brothers. Another pair of stirges, perched about 60 feet away, began to stir, readying to join the fray. Further back, nearly 90 feet from the entrance, two more stirges shifted in their nests, alerted by the commotion.
Unbeknownst to the brothers, the strange rock near the brain fungus was no rock at all—it was a psychic gray ooze, lying in wait, its slimy form blending seamlessly with the environment. Hidden by its False Appearance, it remained still, ready to strike once the stirges engaged its would-be intruders.
Durgran hefted his shield, positioning himself at the forefront. “Thalrik, take the ones in the air. Korrim, keep an eye on that pool—I don’t trust it.”
Korrim’s grin was sharp as he drew his scimitars. “Finally, something to hit.”
Thalrik stepped back, already muttering an incantation. “Let’s deal with this quickly. The longer we stay, the worse this stench gets.”
As the stirges dove toward them, the brothers readied themselves for battle, unaware of the lurking ooze that would soon join the fray.
Initiative: Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, K, T, P, Se, D, Sf
Round 1:
The cavern erupted into chaos as the stirges descended, their leathery wings flapping noisily and their needle-like proboscises glinting in the dim fungal light.
Stirge A let out a shrill screech and dashed across the cavern, flying 80 feet to close the distance between itself and the brothers. Its erratic movements made it a hard target to follow.
Stirge B moved directly toward Korrim, diving in with precision. Its sharp proboscis pierced his shoulder with a sickening squelch, dealing 5 damage before it latched onto him. Korrim grimaced, his grin fading as the creature drained his blood.
Stirge C dashed toward Thalrik, closing 60 feet and stopping just within 5 feet of him. The wizard instinctively stepped back, clutching his crossbow.
Stirge D followed Stirge A’s path, darting across the cavern in a blur, dashing 80 feet toward the group.
Stirge E surged forward from its nest, flying 65 feet to land near Thalrik, its wings beating noisily as it prepared to strike.
Korrim, anger flashing in his eyes, shook off the pain and darted toward Stirge A and Stirge D. His first swing with his scimitar missed, but the second found its mark, slashing through Stirge D with a clean stroke. The creature let out a shriek before collapsing into a heap on the stone floor. “One down,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
Thalrik, seeing the stirges swarming around them, raised his hand and muttered the incantation for Magic Missile. Three glowing darts of energy streaked through the air, each finding its mark with unerring precision. Stirge B exploded off Korrim’s shoulder in a spray of ichor. Stirge C and Stirge F, still in mid-flight, were struck down as well, their lifeless bodies plummeting to the ground. “Clean up your mess, Korrim,” Thalrik quipped, his crossbow at the ready.
Durgran charged forward, his shield raised to protect his brother. Spotting Stirge A, he swung his greataxe in a wide arc. The blade struck true, cleaving through the creature with a sickening crunch and dealing a massive 12 damage. The stirge dropped instantly, leaving only its lifeless remains.
The cavern fell into a brief lull as the brothers regrouped. The brain-like fungus pulsed ominously in the background, its fluid continuing to drip into the poisoned pool. With most of the stirges dealt with, the brothers remained unaware of the lurking threat near the strange rock—an enemy waiting to reveal itself in the chaos to come.
Sa dashes 80 feet towards the brothers
Sb moves to K and attacks, hits with 21 for 5 damage and it attaches itself to K
Sc dashes 60 feet towards T (within 5 feet)
Sd dashes 80 feet towards the brothers
K moves to Sa and Sd and attacks with his scimitars, the first misses with 8 but the second hits for 6 damage, killing Sd
T casts magic missile killing Sb, Sf and Sc
Se dashes 65 feet towards T (within 5 feet)
D aids K against Sa, hits with 14 for 12 damage, killing it
Round 2:
The cavern erupted in a new wave of action as the brothers dealt with the remaining stirges, unaware of the hidden danger lurking nearby. The air felt thick with tension, the pulsing glow of the brain fungus casting shifting shadows across the room.
Korrim darted toward Stirge E, his movements fluid and precise. With a single, devastating swing of his scimitar, he struck the creature with a critical blow, slicing it cleanly in two. Ichor sprayed across the stone floor as the stirge fell lifeless to the ground. Korrim flicked his blade clean, a grin briefly flashing across his face. “That’s how you deal with pests,” he quipped.
Thalrik, seeing the battle momentarily lull, rushed to Korrim’s side. He inspected the wound left by the stirge’s proboscis, muttering something about infection. Durgran’s voice cut through sharply. “Oh sure, check on him. Don’t mind me, standing here taking all the hits!”
Thalrik glanced at his elder brother but didn’t have time to retort.
Suddenly, a wet, gurgling noise emerged from the strange, glistening rock near the pulsing fungus. The psychic gray oozerevealed its true form, surging forward with dreadful intent. Its slimy pseudopod lashed out at Durgran, who had been unaware of its presence. The attack struck with a sickening splat, catching him squarely in the chest.
The blow dealt bludgeoning damage, and the corrosive acid burned through Durgran’s armor, leaving it pitted and weakened. The acid seared through his flesh, the pain too much for him to endure. Durgran fell to the ground with a heavy thud, unconscious and bleeding out.
“Durgran!” Korrim shouted, his voice echoing through the cavern as his brother collapsed. Thalrik turned in horror, his attention snapping away from Korrim’s wound.
On the ground, Durgran’s breaths were shallow, but his will remained strong. His body fought against the darkness. Despite his dire condition, there was still hope for the eldest Ironhearth brother.
The cavern grew eerily quiet for a moment, the brain fungus pulsing ominously as the ooze loomed over Durgran’s fallen form. Korrim and Thalrik locked eyes, their determination solidifying. The fight wasn’t over, and neither brother would let Durgran’s sacrifice be in vain.
K moves to Se and attacks with his scimitar, critical hit for 11 damage, killing Se
T checks K's wound by the stirge about which D complains as barely anyone ever checks him
P attacks Durgran with its pseudopod with advantage for being unseen, hits with 20 for 5 bludgeoning and 6 acid damage, the hit corrodes D's armor and reduces AC by 1, also it reduces D to 0 HP
D death saving throw 18
Round 3:
The tension in the cavern reached a breaking point as the ooze pulsed and shifted, looming over Durgran's unconscious form. Korrim and Thalrik sprang into action, determined to save their fallen brother from the relentless, acidic threat.
Korrim dashed to Durgran’s side, his scimitars gleaming in the eerie light of the pulsing brain fungus. “You’re not taking him!” he snarled, his blades flashing in a whirlwind of strikes. The first scimitar carved into the ooze’s slimy mass with a solid hit, followed by another precise slash that sliced through its gelatinous body. The ooze quivered and recoiled but held its form, continuing its assault.
Thalrik stood a few paces back, his hands trembling as he raised his crossbow. Whispering the words of True Strike, he steadied his aim and fired. The bolt struck true, embedding itself deep within the ooze and dealing 8 damage. Without pausing, Thalrik gestured toward Durgran, his voice resonating with magic as he cast Healing Word. A soft glow enveloped Durgran, and the wounds on his body began to close. The eldest brother stirred.
Durgran gasped as he came to, blinking up at his brothers. "What... what happened?"
“You got slimed, that’s what!” Korrim barked, never taking his eyes off the ooze.
The ooze, undeterred by Durgran’s revival, lashed out again with its pseudopod. The slimy appendage slammed into Durgran with a sickening squelch. The corrosive strike reopened his wounds, and Durgran’s vision darkened once more as he fell unconscious for a second time.
Despite the dire situation, Durgran’s body clung to life. The battle wasn’t over, but the brothers had bought precious time to turn the tide.
The cavern was a chaotic mix of glowing spores, flickering light, and the grotesque form of the ooze looming over Durgran’s fallen body. Korrim and Thalrik stood shoulder to shoulder, determination etched on their faces. The ooze was weakening, but so were they. With each passing moment, the stakes grew higher, and the brothers knew they had to finish this fight quickly—or risk losing everything.
K move quickly to his fallen brother's and hews with his scimitars at the ooze, hits with 19 and 20 for 6 and 5 damage
T casts True strike with the crossbow and hits with 15 for 8 damage, then he utters a healing word to his brother, for 7 HP
P attacks D with Pseudopod, hits with 22 for 5 and 5 damage
D death saving throw 12
Round 4:
The ooze trembled, its form losing cohesion as Korrim stepped forward, his scimitars glinting in the dim light. With a determined snarl, he swung his first blade, but the creature rippled unnaturally, causing his strike to miss. Gritting his teeth, he adjusted his footing and brought his second scimitar down with a sharp slash. The blade sank into the ooze, dealing the final damage needed to end its grotesque existence.
With a sickly gurgle, the ooze collapsed into a formless puddle, its acidic slime seeping harmlessly into the stone. Korrim stepped back, breathing heavily, and turned to see Thalrik kneeling beside Durgran.
Thalrik muttered a few soft words, and his magic enveloped Durgran once more. The eldest Ironhearth gasped as life returned to his body, and his wounds began to close. “That’s twice I’ve had to pull you back from the brink,” Thalrik said with a smirk.
Durgran coughed weakly but managed a grin. “Maybe if you two killed things faster, I wouldn’t end up on the floor.”
K attacks with his scimitars, misses with 7 and hits with 11 for 3 damage, which fells the ooze
T casts another healing word to his brother, for 10 HP
Purifying the Stream
With the immediate danger gone, the brothers turned their attention to the brain-like fungus pulsating at the edge of the corrupted pool. Its grotesque form seemed to twitch weakly, as if aware of its imminent destruction. It took only a few swings of Korrim’s scimitars and Durgran’s greataxe to utterly destroy it. As the fungus dissolved into a mushy heap, the oily sheen in the pool began to dissipate, and the fetid stench of corruption faded.
The brothers watched as the water began to run clear, a sign that the source of the stream’s corruption had been eradicated. “That’s it, then,” Thalrik said, brushing dirt from his hands. “The stream’s clean, and this place can finally heal.”
Journey Home
The brothers retraced their steps through the cavern, weary but victorious. When they emerged into the forest, Borogrove was waiting, his massive form blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees.
“You have done well, Ironhearth brothers,” the treant rumbled, his voice resonating like distant thunder. “The corruption is gone, and the stream will flow pure once more. You have restored balance to this forest.”
Borogrove reached out, presenting them with a new acorn to replace the one they had used. “Take this, and with it, my gratitude. And for your deeds, I gift you this.” From his branches, he plucked a slender Staff of Flowers, its surface etched with delicate patterns. “May it remind you of the beauty that can grow even after great trials.”
The Ironhearth Legacy
As they journeyed home, Durgran leaned heavily on his brothers, his steps slow but steady. “You two saved me back there,” he said, his voice gruff but sincere. “I owe you.”
Korrim grinned. “Well, someone had to keep you alive. Can’t let the big brother hog all the glory.”
Thalrik chuckled. “And now you can’t complain about us not taking care of your wounds. Twice in one fight, mind you.”
Durgran smirked despite himself. “Fine. I’ll give you that. But next time, maybe I don’t take all the hits?”
The brothers laughed, the tension of their adventure easing with every step. By the time they reached home, they had already begun recounting their story, embellishing details for the sake of drama.
“This will be one to tell our children and grandchildren,” Korrim declared with a grin.
“Once we have any, of course,” Thalrik added with a wry smile.
Durgran clapped both of them on the back. “We’ve got time. For now, let’s just enjoy a good meal and some rest. We’ve earned it.”
Together, they stepped into the warmth of their home, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced. The Ironhearth brothers knew this was only the beginning of their tales, but for now, their hearts were light, and their spirits unbroken.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The Fouled Stream - Introduction
The 'Triple trouble' is traveling through a stretch of wilderness, in the general direction of the Free City of Grayhawk.
Khessa, the tall and imposing female human in chainmail who farstrides ahead of everyone, as if she doesn't even feel the weight of the metal armor and the large weapons that, secured to scabbards on her back, protrude here and there from under the cascade of her long, wavy blond hair, suddenly points a finger: "Look! A stream!" she rises, full of her usual enthusiasm, her voice "We could take a break and freshen up for a moment! I'm sweaty, I could really use a nice full bath..." she turns back to scrutinize the others with her blue eyes full of expectation.
'A child...' thinks Diabolical, the female tiefling with short, fiery red hair and exotic, irresistible succubus-like features, who in her black leather armor is walking a little further behind 'Khessa has lived experiences no less terrible than mine, she even returned from a desperate escape from the Underdark... and yet it takes little for her to let the carefree nature of the child she was resurface. And yet, she should have learned by now that this is a world in which it is not wise to be too carefree... In fact...'
"...it would probably be wiser to decide after having ascertained what the creature that is running towards us wants" Diabolical switches from thought to word, fixing her scleraless, solid-black eyes on someone who is rapidly approaching.
Rapha'ellya, who had already spread her angelic Aasimar features in a smile of assent, left fully visible by the ponytail that gathers behind her long straight black hair, jumps at Diabolical's dry comment, turns her green eyes on her, follows her gaze and... "Diabolical is right, Khessa! Someone is approaching! And... from the way she's fidgeting... I don't think she has bad intentions! She looks like a poor scared girl..."
"Hey, we're not becoming four, are we?" Diabolical sighs.
"She has neither armor nor weapons!" Khessa replies, finally spotting the newcomer, now close, a young elf woman, her face etched with worry and urgency "She certainly didn't come to become a 'trouble seeker' like us... she'll need help instead!"
"Oh, so not a 'trouble seeker'... but a 'trouble source'!" Diabolical can't hold back yet another comment "Now we are talking..."
The newcomer approaches the party, pleading for help: "I beg you" she says, her voice trembling. "My name is Lyrelle, please follow me upstream. The water is poisoned, and the corruption is spreading. My patron, Borogrove, watches over this forest. He will tell you more". With a grace that hints at both strength and wisdom, she gestures for the trio to follow her into the woods, upstream, where a greater mystery awaits...
"It is in the nature of corruption, to spread" Rapha'ellya seems to stare into the distance, as if having a vision. "Corruption never stops on its own. It always takes someone to stop it. And, if not stoped, it never does any good".
"Indeed!" Khessa agrees "First of all, it keeps us from bathing... But if it worries Lyrelle's patron that much, it can probably have much worse consequences. Let's go see if we can do something!"
"...Maybe for a fee..." Diabolical adds.
And so the 'Triple trouble' follows Lyrelle...
The Fouled Stream - Meeting the Treant
The forest grows denser as the 'Triple troubole' follow the elf deeper into the woods. Sunlight filters through the branches above, dappling the ground in patterns of gold and green. The air is thick with the earthy scent of moss and pine, though a faint, sour tang lingers beneath it—a reminder of the foulness that has taken hold of the stream.
Ahead, the party sees a huge figure blending into the trees themselves. As the group approaches, the three adventures realize it is no ordinary tree, but a Treant, ancient and wise. His bark-covered face slowly animates, eyes like pools of deep amber opening to study the party with a kindness and strength that feels as old as the forest itself.
"Welcome, travelers" Borogrove's voice rumbles, low and resonant, like distant thunder. "I am Borogrove, guardian of these woods. Long have I watched over these lands, but now a dark sickness has taken root, poisoning my beloved forest and fouling the waters that flow through the nearby village."
The Treant lifts a massive, branch -like arm and gently drops a small, glistening acorn into the elf's hands, who then offers it to the party. "This acorn holds healing and restorative magic," he says. "You may need it on your journey. Find the source of the corruption, and bring balance back to these woods".
Khessa seems truly in awe at the sight of the animated plant, so much so that she is not even looking at the magical gift: "You... In Twardens we had two large sequoia trees... The we considered the guardians of the village... But they were unable to come to life, when the Drow came to destroy everything... If only you had been there, instead..." her blue eyes are slowly becoming moist with tears .
Rapha'ellya steps forward and bows respectfully, accepting the gift from Lyrelle's hands - before quickly passing it to Diabolical: "Keep this in your custody... in case you need it while I or Khessa are not close enough to defend you."
The dark-haired Aasimar then gently wipes away Khessa's tears, murmuring: "It is certainly not often that one encounters creatures like Borogrove... It would have been surprising if there was one near your village, not that there were none. Come on, by helping Borogrove today, maybe tomorrow Borogrove can help us."
"...Or maybe he could pay us, after we've done the service..." Diabolical suggests.
"Rapha'ellya is right" Khessa quickly recovers. "Mutual aid is already a reward not to be underestimated. You still look over your shoulder every now and then in fear of seeing the shadow of an assassin, Diabolical... Don't you think that knowing that you can retreat to the woods of Borogrove, at the occurrence, could be a welcome option? Do you know many assassins who would take on a bodyguard like him?"
"You have a point... But that leads me to think..." Diabolical grows suspicious, turning to the Treant "Borogrove, if you are so tough and strong, why do you send us to deal with this matter? Wouldn't it be child's play for you to do it all by yourself?"
Borogrove leans forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and sorrow. "I fear what lies ahead, but the forest has faith in you, as I do. Go now, and tread carefully."
"Perhaps he draws nourishment from the soil, with his roots..." Khessa speculates "and thus would be more susceptible to the corruption we must seek out if he came too close! No one is omnipotent, Diabolical - that is why the aid mutual is so important."
And so the 'Triple trouble' ventures into the unknown. Diabolical scouts ahead, in stealth (after Rapha'ellya has blessed her efforts), hoping to spot any threats first – so the party can get an idea of what awaits them and prepare.
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Stealth Approach (slightly modified: if Diabolical is successful she just comes back and warns the others, so they can prepare):
Diabolical's Stealth, with the help of Rapha'ellya's Guidance: 24
Monsters' Perception:
Twig Blight 1: 10
Twig Blight 2: 2
Twig Blight 3: 10
Twig Blight 4: 2
Twig Blight 5: 0
Twig Blight 6: 4
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
As the party approaches the mouth of a cave, the trees and undergrowth grow thicker and more twisted, their bark tainted with patches of fungus and unnatural growth. The once-vibrant forest floor is littered with dead leaves and broken branches, giving the area an eerie stillness. Suddenly, Diabolical, who is scouting ahead, notices the branches themselves seem to move, shifting subtly as if alive. She pauses and waits a moment to check better, but observation clears her of any doubt: those... things, are no ordinary bushes.
The sneaky tiefling quickly backtracks, stopping her two companions and informing them of what lies ahead.
"Six, did you count?" Khessa assesses. "That's quite a number... If they are some sort of animated bushes, though, they shouldn't be able to attack from range... If we start hitting them as soon as we see them, we can perhaps decimate or weaken them."
"They could be friendly... We really want to just strike first?" Rapha'ellya points out "What if they were just friends of Borogrove's?"
"They were lurking, waiting" Diabolical shakes his head. "More of a predator than a defenseless plant. And I think Borogrove would have warned us if he had friends up here."
The 'Triple trouble' then approach, already knowing what awaits them, and when from 60' away Diabolical points out the 'lurking bushes' finally in sight, Khessa and Rapha'ellya begin to invoke their respective magical and holy powers, while the tiefling aims her lightning-fast hand crossbow. Meanwhile, realizing they have been discovered, the twisted forms of the bushes stand upright, forming rough, humanoid shapes with gnarled limbs and hollow eyes that gleam faintly with an unnatural light. They begin to advance, their movements slow but filled with a dreadful purpose.
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Initiative:
Khessa: 1
Rapha'ellya: 11
Diabolical: 22
Twig Blight 1: 17
Twig Blight 2: 20
Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Twig Blight 6: 17
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order (Diabolical switches her initiative with Khessa, thanks to Alert feat):
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20
Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 1: 17
Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 1
Khessa intones a quick esoteric formula and with an elegant gesture hurls a mote of fire at the nearest Twig Blight.
(Assuming is Twig Blight 1).
Khessa's Fire Bolt Attack: 22 Damage: 7 (fire)
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order:
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20
Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 1: 17Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 1
The plant creature is hit full on and instantly catches fire, falling to the ground!
"One down, five to go!" the blonde arcane warrior exults - then, seeing how slow the survivors are in advancing, advises "Back off, after attacking, my friends... Maybe we can fire more volleys at them!"
The tall adventuress instead stands her ground, so that, when the monsters come in close combat, she, who is the most prepared for defense, will be the first to meet them.
Three Twig Blights (Twig Blight 2, wig Blight 3 and Twig Blight 6) advance as fast as they can (Dash - 20' x 2 = 40', so now 20' from Khessa) and are greeted by a quick prayer and a curt gesture by Rapha'ellya, in response to which a eerie sound hits one of the monsters that has approached... (let's say Twig Blight 2). The Aasimar cleric then falls back as advised (Movement 30' - so she is now 50' from the Twib Blights).
Twig Blight 2 DC 15 Wis save: 6 if failed, 8 Necrotic damage.
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order:
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 1: 17Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 1
The plant creature reacts to the sound by instantly withering. The last two plant monsters (Twig Blight 4, Twig Blight 5) advance undaunted (Dash - all surviving Twib Blight are now 20' from Khessa, 50' from Rapha'ellya).
"Welcome!" Diabolical sarcastically greets them, aiming with her hand crossbow and pulling the trigger. She then steps back, joining her Aasimar friend.
(Targeting Twig Blight 3)
Diabolical's Attack: 6 Damage: 9 (piercing)
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order:
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 1: 17Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 1
Diabolical curses, as the bolt misses.
Round 2
Khessa tries to fix things and targets the same enemy (Twig Blight 3) with her magic fire. She then falls back, just like her friends did before (now all party member at 50' from the Twig Blights)
Khessa's Fire Bolt Attack: 23 Damage: 4 (fire)
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order:
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20Twig Blight 3: 19
Twig Blight 1: 17Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 2
The agile bush-monster also avoids the deadly magic fire and the monsters advance once again (they all Dash, some before Rapha'ellya's Turn, some after - it doesn't matter because for now they don't reach the party, stopping 10' from Khessa). In the meantime Rapha'ellya and Diabolical renew their attacks to decimate them, then retreating (at the end of the round, the monsters are 10' from Khessa, 40' from the other two).
Twig Blight 3 DC 15 Wis save: 11 if failed, 4 Necrotic damage.
Diabolical's Attack: 14 Damage: 8 (piercing) (vs Twig Blight 3 - or Twig Blight 4 is 3 is dead already).
The Fouled Stream - Twig Blights (Encounter 1)
Order:
Khessa: 22
Twig Blight 2: 20Twig Blight 3: 19Twig Blight 1: 17Twig Blight 6: 17
Rapha'ellya: 11
Twig Blight 4: 5
Twig Blight 5: 5
Diabolical: 1
Round 3
Another Twig Blight falls to the double assault by the Aasimar and the Tiefling.
'We barely have time for one last volley...' Khessa assesses, unleashing magical fire against yet another monster (Twig Blight 6) before retreating... but she stops a bit ahead of her friends (Khessa moves 20' back - she is now 35' from the enemies)