Chapter 18 - Mugging An Old Lady for Turnips
Days 39-40
As Neela moved to untie the knot holding a bag of turnips closed, the old woman's complaints grew louder, until she tried to push back Neela forcibly. She was unsuccessful in her attempt, but Jrak chose to step in and grab hold of her until Neela could finish. As the half-ogre struggled, the woman fought like a hellcat, squirming madly in his grasp while yelling at the half-orc to leave her turnips alone. Jrak tried to pin her in place, but she repeatedly squirmed from his grasp, eventually freeing herself and running several feet before muttering an incantation that turned her invisible.
Not being able to see to follow her, the party turned their attentions to the turnips. Careful examination revealed nothing out of the ordinary, but the party decided to keep them, freeing the donkey to follow his mistress.
Resuming their journey, the party stopped for the night at the ogre camp, where the remaining ogre still lay bound and unconscious. As some light was left in the sky, some As they bedded in for the night, a flash of red was seen in the woods. Other flashes of movement, and the sound of movement alerted those standing guard to the presence of... something... in the woods around them. Nothing could be found when they ventured forth, and the guards relaxed, keeping an alert eye on the woods. When the silence was shattered, it was by a number of small fey creatures jumping forth from concealment in all directions, wearing red hats and with oversized scythes strapped across their backs. Whirling slings above their heads, they let loose with a volley of slingstones that glowed with an eldritch fire as they streaked towards the defenders. Another volley followed, and they were soon closing, their wicked scythes flashing in the firelight. Neela was overwhelmed and felled by the attack, saved only by the timely intervention of the brave Leandrie. Trykaar and Aldur mounted brave defences, but it was the mighty Jrak who save the day, his maul flashing about him in a halo of death, pulverizing the fey creatures. Having gained the initiative, the party managed to repulse their attackers. As the last one fell, the disembodied voice of the old lady could be heard in the distance, yelling, "Give me my turnips!" All that was left of each foe was a single large, vicious-looking tooth, the rest of the creatures and their items having disappeared at the moment of their deaths. Knowing that these teeth were a mark of prestige amongst his kindred, Aldur gather up those of the creatures he had killed and recommended the others do the same.
Much battered by the attack, the party returned to their rest, but the night would not pass without further incident. As dawn approached, a skittering was heard from the other side of the highway. Mounting the embankment, swarms of rats could be seen bearing down upon them. Jrak stepped forward and used his maul like a broom, his blows crushing or sweeping away the heart of each swarm as it approached. He took only a small number of bites from the first of the swarm, but the wounds were red and inflamed, appearing to be infected by some disease carried by the rats.
The start of the next day's travels was delayed by the necessity of healing the night's injuries. When the party finally did resume their travels, they traveled several hours without incident. As late afternoon approached, a group of human-sized figures was seen approaching the highway some distance ahead, by means of a perpendicular road. The figures appeared to take no notice of the party, turning to walk away from the party, in the same direction that they traveled along the highway.
Curious as to the identity of these travellers, the party resumed their pace, finding that they could easily overtake them. As they approached, the strangers turned to greet them and it could be seen that this other party was as diverse a group as theirs. A pair of hulking lizardmen flanked two elves and a pair of humans. The elves word the signet rings of Tarminastir while at least one human, in the attire of an Empire ranger, appeared to be Genasi. The second human wore the symbol of Miriel Tarminastir, ancient ancestor-goddess of that house. The strangers were a pleasant lot, curious as to the purpose of the party in these lands but also quite open in their explanation that they were headed through the Dryad Wood to the Tarminastir homeland beyond. The elves explained that they were mentoring the Genasi, teaching them the knowledge and ways of the elves. Asked if they knew of the old lady and her turnips, they did not know of her. However, they did take a look at the turnips and one of the elves was able to identify that they were affected by some sort of illusion, though he could not discern its nature.
The party of humans, elves, and lizardmen was slower-moving than the adventurers, so they soon left them behind as they continued westward.
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