[Q2] fruit from the poisoned tree
1
Regrouping found home acting as lookout topside as Elyon and Ronan ventured down below. Well, he would like to think that. That he was being useful in a tense situation. In truth he was working on the most basic of first aid on his arm to control the bleeding that came from. The blade that had once been. Faelyn was going to fuss over this scarring. Rolling and tucking the bandages in place. Checking the status on the prisoner set away from the chasm he circled back. Eyeing the vine.

Ooc: Cian is tending to the stab wound he gained and check up on the dude he carried over when rejoining the group. Is currently standing on the edge looking down.
Coco's eyes riveted on Jareth as he beckoned forth a Spirit's Wisp. A flicker of astonishment graced her features, for she had never before borne witness to the ethereal glow of a wisp. The revelation did not incite fear; rather, a quiet understanding blossomed within her. She knew that Jareth's intentions were rooted in aid, a truth affirmed as she nodded appreciatively before returning her gaze downward. Thanks, Jareth. I'm genuinely relieved you're part of this team, she spoke sincerely, her words an offering of gratitude. Moments passed, and Elyon made a sudden approach, tracing a path down the winding vine. Coco's voice carried concern, halted mid-sentence as she observed the unexpected descent. Elyon! What are you-

There was no time for Bethany's response before Elyon embarked on his descent. The peril of the situation weighed heavily upon them all. Guys, maybe we should think about this before just heading down- Next, Ronan was descending the vine as well.

Yet, fortune favored their collective endeavor, for it was not long before Bethany's voice permeated the air, a comforting balm to their apprehension. A sigh of relief escaped Coco, her voice imbued with reassurance as she relayed Bethany's words. Don't worry, everyone. I've secured the vine. But the rest of you must remain above, lest this wretched thing snaps. Closing her eyes, Coco immersed herself in the earth, channeling her focus to reinforce the vine's structure, imbuing it with resilience and intricacy, rendering it easier to grip.

TLDR

- Thanks Jareth for his kind words and encouragement
- Shocked that Elyon and Ronan are going down the vine without planning first
- Relieved that Bethany is alright and focuses on strengthening the vine to aid the three of them.
The dire situation hung over the team like a heavy shroud, but their unity and determination prevailed despite the adversity they faced. The air was thick with tension as the mage tried to make sense of the chaotic events that had transpired. Jareth, found himself caught in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
 
As he contemplated the series of events, Jareth's confusion deepened. It wasn't the potential dangers lurking in the depths below that bothered him most; it was the unsettling notion that something ominous might still be lurking above, hidden in the shadows of uncertainty. The once unbreakable telepathic link that had bound the team together now lay severed, leaving them disconnected and vulnerable. And Bethany, their dear comrade, had been swallowed by the earth's gaping maw.
 
This feels like the handiwork of a mage, Jareth pondered.
 
[color=#ffdc00]"Perhaps it was the mage girl who made an unfortunate misstep?"[/color] Hope's voice, a reassuring presence inside him, offered a speculative perspective.
 
Right, Jareth retorted with a hint of sarcasm, because taking a plunge into the abyss was probably on her to-do list.
 
[color=#ffdc00]"Exactly,"[/color] Hope replied with childlike agreement, a hint of levity amidst the gravity of the situation.
 
But, seriously, Jareth couldn't shake his lingering concerns, what if the person responsible for this is still out there, lurking in the shadows?
 
[color=#ffdc00]"Everything will be fine,"[/color] Hope tried to comfort Jareth, exuding a warm sense of assurance. [color=#ffdc00]"You need to concentrate on helping Bethany. Besides, if you're so apprehensive, why not reach out to a few trusted friends to assist in scouting the area?" [/color]
 
Jareth's internal turmoil continued to churn, his thoughts a turbulent sea of uncertainty. The team's fate and the mystery of what had transpired weighed heavily on his mind, but Hope was right, nothing good could come out of worrying. So he gathered his strength and focused on finding a way forward through the enigmatic challenges that lay ahead.

TLDR:
  • Jareth gets worried about the idea that someone dangerous might still be above.
  • Jareth has a conversation with the spirit of Hope.
  • Jareth decides to push his worries aside and just focus on the now.
PER KERMIT'S REQUEST WE HAVE SKIPPED ELYON. I will be writing him into this post.

To recap the last few posts:
- Ronan rolled an 18 and was able to ignore his grief.
- Bethany rolled two 20s and healed her knee and wrist!
- Cian was above them, peering into the hole.
- Coco's vines are used so that Ronan, Jareth and Elyon can go down into the hole to retrieve Bethany.

Elyon is able to bring the tunnel entrance down, smack on top of the rancor. It struggles for a few moments, before going still.

Ronan and Jareth will be able to help Bethany up the vine, and out to safety. Once everyone is out of the hole, they'd witness the ground seal itself with new earth. As if the sinkhole had never existed.

A person heavily cloaked in shadow slipped up behind of the party. And with a wave of the stave in their hand, the entire party would find themselves unconcious.

This is the end, folx! Thanks for running quest 2, I see ways to better improve, and I can't wait for our next round of quests! Y'all have been great putting up with changes, and fun disorder.

Next Steps:
This quest will be retconned as completed by a second separate party that rode with the group (meaning, if you know anyone who needs a connection ICly, this quest could be their connection)! This second party gets our current party home safely and solves the issue at hand.

There's no need for more posts from you guys. :) I'll start listing your rewards. :D Pop these rewards in your codexes, my loves. c:

I recommend setting your codex up for quests like this:
Code:
<a href="https://valiant-hearts.net/showthread.php?tid=1000&pid=5769#pid5769">[Q2] Fruit From the Poisoned Tree - completed 9/26/2023</a><br>
- + 1 mastery point<br>
- +5 to rolls for luck/chaos. <br>
- Other reward here.

All Party Members: +5 to rolls for chaos/luck. For when you REALLY gotta hit a 20, but you roll a 15. :P Ensure this is recorded in your codex!!

All Party Members: You receive +1 mastery upgrade for a foci of your choosing! Simply update your foci and let me know in the chat when it's been done. :P Make a note in your codex.

Bethany Hawke: You found a large gemstone, and when you touched the gemstone, it seemed to embed itself into your palm. Should you do magic with that hand, you'll find that you can produce electricity magic without combining elements. Eventually, the gem falls out of your hand and you can choose to wield it as a weapon in and of itself. The wound heals over easily.

Ronan Sterling: You found a dagger made of pure magic on this outing. There's something sinister attached to it... and the more you use it, the more you'll learn about the creature attached to it. You'll feel compelled to keep the dagger on you at all times. "My Preciousssss..."

Cian Korath: You'll find, by the time you go home, that a strange little skeleton cat has followed you home. It will inform you that it's name is "GiGi", and will not leave. If you set it outside, it will find its way to you once more.

Coco Fessehaye: While you were busy crafting vines strong enough to hold the weight of multiple party-members, you'd hear a voice in your mind whisper to you. It tells you where to find glass monocle, that will allow you to see invisible things...

Jareth: You get home to find that you can speak to animals. No matter whether they're common, rare, or legendary. You can understand them and they can understand you. It's a seamless process and uses very little energy. Be careful though, you can't turn this off and who knows what the rats are talking about in the walls...

Elyon Andras: You discovered a phial of blood. Whose? We'll have to find out. Now, as a Blood Mage of competent level, you recognize that this could bode well for you... If you've got the blood of a particularly powerful person or creature... They'd be at your bidding.