The Faeriefall woods were blanketed in the hushed stillness of dawn as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy. Dragbaki and Lyria, having risen early to embrace the challenges of the day, found themselves by the remnants of the campfire from the night before. The embers still glowed, offering a quiet warmth against the crisp morning air.
As the heroes-in-training prepared for the day ahead, they noticed Sir Reynard Blackthorn and Lady Brielle Frostshield approaching, their armor reflecting the soft morning light. The two knights had just finished their night watch.
"Good morning," Sir Reynard greeted with a nod. "We'll brief you on any developments from the night. The Faeriefall woods can be unpredictable after dark."
Dragbaki and Lyria exchanged determined glances, the remnants of the previous evening's battle still fresh in their minds. "Absolutely," Dragbaki replied, tightening the grip on his dual short swords.
After a brief exchange of information, the knights bid the two heroes farewell, heading to their tents for some well-deserved rest. Meanwhile, Dragbaki and Lyria took up their positions, ready to take on the responsibility of guarding the camp during the early morning hours.
As the sun ascended, casting a golden hue upon the Faeriefall woods, the heroes-in-training completed their guard duties and joined the two knights for preparing breakfast.
"Alright, make sure you two brought everything you'll need, we'll get deeper in the middle zone"Sir Reynard explains, as he also added "Don't bring any unnecessary things, so we won't be slowed down. we'll mainly just observe, though we would help if it comes to it."
" Yes, sir!” Dragbaki and Lyria reply, as they then put the things they need in a separate bag.
Dragbaki brought his weapons, spell scrolls, map, healing potions, alchemist pack which have 5 alchemist fires, 5 water bottles, 5 vials of acids, and 5 grease bottles, along with tools for alchemy so dragbaki can synthesize potions on the move. While Lyria brought her wand, healing potions, map, thieves tools.
After the two finish their preparation the group then leaves the camp and heads deeper into the woods. The Faeriefall woods is quite large as the group crossed several creeks and even a river just in the middle zone. The zones are in the shape of a ring that are inside of one another.
The group then head east as the two knights look at the map and say to the duo that they would be circling the middle zone to look for enemies. The group continues their search when suddenly, Sir Reynard signals that there's two bugbears ahead of them.
"Alright you two, there's two bugbears ahead of us, now remember the monsters here are much stronger because of the Fae energy of the forest." Lady Brielle explains to the duo.
After hearing what Lady brielle said the two immediately briefly thought of a plan. And after a moment, both of them went ahead to execute their plan. Lyria went up a tree to set herself up for a surprise a attack while Dragbaki remains on the ground and hid in the bushes. Beginning their ambush, Dragbaki first pour grease on the ground which made it slippery, after he finishes Dragbaki signals to Lyria to begin.
After Lyria sees Dragbaki's signal, she launches two beams of eldritch blasts aimed at the two bugbears. The beams hit their target which causes them to be pushed back a couple of feet and writhes in agonizing pain. After the pain subsides they looked back and saw Dragbaki ahead of them. Getting enrage by the sight of Dragbaki and the last attack they lunges towards Dragbaki. But not seeing the grease on the floor both bugbears slipped and fell to which Dragbaki then casts Fireball which exploded upon contact on the bugbears and also set the grease aflame.
The attack killed the already injured bugbears and after the fires settled the charred bodies of the bugbears laid in front of the duo.
The acrid scent of burnt fur and smoldering embers filled the air as the heroes surveyed the aftermath of their successful ambush. Sir Reynard and Lady Brielle emerged from the shadows, impressed by the coordinated effort.
"Well done, both of you," Sir Reynard commended, his gauntleted hand patting Dragbaki on the shoulder. "Quick thinking with the grease and fire combination."
"Your teamwork shows promise. But remember, challenges in the Faeriefall woods can escalate quickly. Stay vigilant." Lady Brielle nodded in agreement.
Continuing their journey through the middle zone of the Faeriefall woods, the group encountered a dense thicket. Sir Reynard and Lady Brielle consulted the map, realizing they were nearing a known hotspot for goblin activity.
"We've got reports of goblin sightings in this area," Sir Reynard warned. "Stay vigilant, and be prepared for anything."
As the group cautiously made their way through the thicket, the unmistakable sounds of goblin chatter reached their ears. Lyria and Dragbaki exchanged knowing glances, readying themselves for the next challenge.
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The goblins, hidden among the foliage, launched a surprise attack. Arrows whizzed through the air, narrowly missing the group. Sir Reynard and Lady Brielle took defensive positions, shields raised, while Lyria and Dragbaki sprang into action.
Lyria unleashed her eldritch blasts, targeting the goblins in the trees while dashing for cover as she conjured a pact weapon in the shape of a rapier, causing chaos among their ranks. Meanwhile, Dragbaki cast the spell, magic missile, in which three missiles appeared around his short sword and targeted the goblins on the tree branches in front of him.
As the goblins fell dragbaki then casts haste on himself allowing for a nimble movement that allowed him to move past the whizzing arrows to close in on the goblin on the ground, while rushing Dragbaki readies his two short sword and slashes at the three goblins killing them immediately.
The battle unfolded with intense exchanges between the heroes and the goblins. After a fierce confrontation, the goblins were defeated as goblins lay scattered on the ground and the tree branches, the group emerged victorious.
As the echoes of battle subsided, Sir Reynard nodded approvingly. "Well done, both of you. You handled that skirmish admirably."
" Although the two of you might want to clean first... " Lady Brielle teased the duo, who were covered in blood and body parts of the goblins.
While cleaning themselves, the two knights praise the duo for handling the situation well. The group pressed on, navigating the winding paths of the Faeriefall woods. The atmosphere remained tense as the possibility of encountering more formidable foes loomed.
After some time, the group stumbled upon a clearing, and the air was filled with the haunting howls of wolves. Lady Brielle surveyed the area, confirming their presence.
"Wolves," she stated grimly. "Keep your guard up. They hunt in packs."
"Looks like they smelled the goblins' blood on you two. Be very careful, it looks like you two would be their priority." Sir Reynard Stated.
The wolves emerged from the shadows, circling the group. Sensing the impending danger, Lyria and Dragbaki readied themselves for the impending onslaught.
After a while of the wolves circling the group. The oldest members of the pack lunges in towards the duo as the other younger and stronger wolves follow.
Seeing the wolves finally launches their assault.. Dragbaki waited for the wolves in front of him to get a little closer as he then casts a spell, Thunderwave, which unleashes a shockwave away from Dragbaki, knocking the wolves 15 meters. Lyria on the other hand decided to cast the spell, Wall of fire, which then immediately set ablaze all the wolves lunging for her.
Though the duo dealt considerable damage to the wolves, the fae energy infused wolves are still standing though injured. The duo readied themselves knowing the fight still wasn't over, the wolves then began their assault again. This time however the duo immediately rushes forward seizing the opportunity to attack first. Determined to finish this fight, Dragbaki uses his Metamagic, Twinned spell, to cast two , Wall of fire, spells to further burn the wolves, as she then again casts the same spell one last time through his Fighter Class, ability, Action Surge. while Lyria then cast the spell, Cloud of daggers, on where the wolves are to finish them off. And to make sure that all their enemies are successfully dead, she then also used her Action Surge, to again cast the spell, cloud of daggers, again.
Seeing that the strong attackers of the pack are dead, the heads of the pack decided to retreat not wanting to put their female wolves and children in danger. Seeing the wolves flee from the area, the two then slumped down on the ground tired of the fight that happened. The two knights immediately head towards the duo, to make sure they’re fine, the knights immediately tend to the minor wounds the duo sustained in the fight as they have no grave injuries.
Amidst the victorious silence, Sir Reynard acknowledged, "You've proved your mettle once more. But the Faeriefall woods are full of challenges. Stay here for now, me and lady Brielle will set up a temporary camp so you two can rest, and after you two are back to journey condition we’ll proceed. Great job you two."
“Yeah, amazing fight from the two of you, we’re worried that their numbers would overwhelm you two and were prepared to rush in.” Lady Brielle remarks as she then continues. " But to our surprise you two handled those wolves amazing for what you two are currently capable of.
The two took the time to take a quick nap to recover their strength and mentality. After the two were back in shape the group continued their journey of going around the middle zone.
With each encounter, Dragbaki and Lyria grew more confident in their abilities. One such encounters the group found a cave and decided to explore it. Doing so , the group encountered a camp of kobolds
Entering the cave, the group's senses were assaulted by the musty scent of earth and the faint echoes of distant skittering. The cave walls seemed to close in as they navigated its twists and turns.
"Stay sharp," Sir Reynard cautioned, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Caves are notorious for housing all manner of creatures."
As they ventured deeper, they stumbled upon a camp of kobolds, their reptilian eyes widening at the intrusion.
"Intruders! Protect the hoard!" Kobold Leader shouts at his troops
Lyria: "I've got a plan. Dragbaki, create a distraction with your Dancing Lights, and I'll pick them off from the shadows."
The duo executed their plan flawlessly, using Dragbaki's magical lights to draw the attention of the kobolds while Lyria positioned herself strategically. As the kobolds swarmed towards the lights, Lyria unleashed her eldritch blasts and incapacitated several of them. Dragbaki, seizing the opportunity, cast Sleep, sending the remaining kobolds into a magical slumber.
With the kobold threat neutralized, the group pressed on through the cave, emerging into a moonlit clearing. However, their respite was short-lived as the shadows revealed two formidable bugbears leading a band of goblins.
Bugbear Leader: "Fresh meat, boys! Let's show them what happens when you trespass in our territory!"
Lyria: "We can't let them surround us. Dragbaki, create a barrier with your Wall of Fire while I target the goblins. Then focus on one of the bugbears"
The battle unfolded with a strategic dance of fire and steel. Dragbaki's Wall of Fire separated the goblins from the bugbears, creating chaos among their ranks. Lyria, with her eldritch blasts, targeted the goblins from a safe distance. While Dragbaki focused on the two bugbears.
In a coordinated effort, Dragbaki and Lyria concentrated their magical onslaught on the group. Dragbaki unleashed his Metamagic, Quickened Spell, allowing him to cast Fireball twice in quick succession targeting the bugbears. While Lyria, with her eldritch blasts, picked the goblins by two as she reduced their numbers further. The knights, seeing the coordinations of the two records on how their coordination improved further and is able to focus on their own fight while covering for each other.
"Retreat, goblins! We're outnumbered!" The second bugbear commanded the goblin as his partner fell, when suddenly the bugbear's got stuck by two red rays through his chest. Looking at his attacker the bugbear sees Lyria behind him looking smug as the bugbear then fell on the ground. The remaining goblins ran deeper into the cave in hopes of escaping seeing their two powerful leaders and brothers fell to the humans.
The duo, deciding not to chase the goblins deeper, returned to the knights. Sir Reynard said that they should return back to the camp as night began to fall, which is dangerous for them.
Back at camp, Sir Reynard surveyed the map as the group settled around the campfire.
Sir Reynard: "We've covered a significant portion of the middle zone. Tomorrow, we head deeper. Rest well, heroes. The challenges ahead will only grow more formidable."
As the group settled in for the night, the embers of the campfire cast flickering shadows on their faces, and the distant howls of wolves echoed through the Faeriefall woods. The heroes-in-training, tired but determined, embraced the solace of the night, knowing that the dawn would bring new challenges in the mysterious woods.
"Hmm, those playthings look pretty interesting, I wanna play with them" ??? Said.