Mapping the Forest
The day passed uneventfully. On returning to near where the gnomes were fixing their wagon, the party made camp. The gnomes were civil toward the party, though K’rek and his minions were shunned.
The night passed uneventfully into a crisp, spring day. The gnomes had made a lot of progress on their repairs. The party continued and their exploration of the forested area by the end of the day. When they returned to their campsite, the gnomes had gone.
The Old Woman
The following day was cold, foggy, and overcast, with a steady and unpleasant drizzle. The proceeded to explore the region to the southwest along the shore of Tuskwater Lake. The terrain was soft and marshy, with bog holes and hollows.
After spending most of the day slogging through the fetid marsh and avoiding the mosquitoes, most of whom were smaller than the dragon, the party came upon a small hovel on a hummock in the midst of the mire. A small path led through the mire and the fence to the hut.
The hummock was surrounded by a small fence covered with fetishes. A pumpkin-headed scarecrow stood halfway between the fence and the structure. Blue smoke rose from the chimney. Stormbolt flew around the area looking for trouble, but there was nothing untoward.
Lucee approached the fence. There was a bell at the gate. She rang it. An old woman poked her head out of a window of the hut. She looked human, but with mildly-pointed ears. She was not pleased to be disturbed. Lucee asked if the party could approach. The woman allowed it begrudgingly.
Stormbolt landed by the door. The kobolds followed. As Lucee stepped up the path, the scarecrow’s head turned to watch her. Lucee told the woman that they were exploring the area. Froing examined the things scattered around the grounds, but nothing caught his attention.
K’rek recognized the woman who was known as Old Beldame, the Swamp Witch. It was generally believed that she sold her soul for vast magical powers. She was a subject of stories used to keep the children in line.
Froing offered to assist the woman, and she tasked the party with collecting some mushrooms with which to make tea. The mushrooms were found on the other side of the lake. She provided an example mushroom and said she would give them 100 gp for as many they could get. Lucee identified the mushroom as a Black Rattlecap, which the kobolds knew were very rare.
As it was getting late, Froing asked the woman if they could camp out on the hummock, and she agreed as they had pledged to get the mushrooms. Stormbolt offered to make her breakfast.
Oostend mentioned that they had been tasked with establishing a settlement and asked about establishing trade with the woman. He was very charming and she suggested that she might brew some potions or cast some minor spells on commission in the future.
Seeking Mushrooms
In the morning, Stormbolt made a fine, tasty breakfast from the fish that the kobolds caught in the night.
They travelled for the day around the shore of Tuskwater Lake to find the described area, which was swampy near the lake, but rose into hills. They explored the region for two days, while following B’Kun into the hills, where he found a narrow defile. The boar led the party to a pool of bubbling mud that gave off foul-smelling vapor. There was a boulder leaning against the far side of the pool. Large mushrooms and other fungi were growing all around the perimeter of the pool, some of it was quite tall.
Stormbolt flew ahead but saw nothing of note, though the mushrooms were tall enough to shelter what was beneath. B’kun was overcome by the fumes and nauseated. Froing summoned a dog to skirt the pond to see if anything happened to it. As it approached, the boulder rose into a giant mushroom that grabbed the dog with a pair of tentacles and engulfed it.
Stormbolt breathed lightning on the mushroom and singed it. Froing joined Lucee and K’rek, and summoned another dog to skirt the pond in the other direction. K’rek readied his sword and shield and approached with a potion of Enlarge Person in his hand. Oostend advanced to the edge of the pool. The kobolds followed Stormbolt.
The fungus monster lashed out with two tentacles and grabbed Oostend. Lucee shot her bow and hit the creature, and then advanced. Stormbolt charged in and bit it. Froing’s dog arrived and ran off around the pool to the monster. Froing shot his crossbow and hit it with a bolt. K’rek drank his potion and then attacked the tentacles. But his strikes did had no effect. Oostend tore at the tentacles savagely. The kobolds advanced and hit with their slings. Oostend noticed that the tentacles were regenerating.
The beast pulled Oostend into itself. Lucee shot it with another arrow. Stormbolt clawed and gored it. Froing channeled and healed Oostend. K’rek advanced around the other side of the pool. Oostend attacked the tentacles again ineffectually. The kobolds shot their slings again.
The fungus swallowed Oostend and began to digest him. Lucee activated the Helm of Stag Lord and attacked, but missed. Stormbolt shredded the fungus, which collapsed and ejected Oostend, who was still paralyzed. Froing healed Oostend. K’rek sliced the body. The other kobolds advanced.
The mushroom started to regenerate. Lucee lit a torch. Stormbolt shredded the fungus some more. Froing dragged Oostend out of the combat zone and started to clean off the acid. K’rek attacked again and further damaged it. The kobolds cheered Stormbolt.
The fungus continued to regenerate. Lucee lit the mushroom on fire. Stormbolt tore up the beast. Froing scanned the area for threats. K’rek backed off.
The mushroom regenerated some more. Lucee burned the mushroom. Stormbolt scattered the remains.
The party was able to collect 14 Black Rattlecaps.