Humblewood Recap #11

Humblewood Recap #11 Sunday June 21, 2026 @ 12:30- 3:00 P.M.

 

<<WARNING SPOILERS FOR THE HUMBLEWOOD CAMPAIGN: AN URGENT SUMMONS! >>

PART 3: AN URGENT SUMMONS

     After healing themselves and Quilliam collecting ten Emberbat wings, the party continued deeper into the burning grove on the edge of the Humblewood.  

     The party found a Birdfolk spirit wreathed in fire. The specter appeared to be on its knees trying to grasp something on the ground. The brush that was touched was set on fire. The ghost put its beak into its talons. Quilliam cast Druidcraft to put out the fire. Quilliam found a bluebell flower in the brush that he picked just before the fire specter set it ablaze. Zivvy cast Detect Thoughts and learned that the spirit needed the bluebell to place on a grave. Quilliam found some reeds and Lucius brushed them away to reveal the grave. Quilliam placed the bluebell on the grave and the spirit disappeared, its last act finally performed.

     The party moved to the edge of the burning grove in the Humblewood. The land changed from sparse forest to an ashen plain. The wind picked up, making ashen clouds and burning embers. The party reached the Scorched Grove.

     As the party moved onto the ashen plains, Quilliam and Lucius found something moving in the ash below. Cinders, embers, and ashen dust rose from the ashen plains in the wake of the creature. An ashen snake rose up and attempted to use its breath weapon, but was pushed back by Quilliam’s cast of Thunderwave and then shot by an arrow from Lucius’s shortbow before it burrowed out of range. Zivvy dropped prone and kicked up ash and cinders into the air. Galadriel charged the ash cloud where the snake burrowed and slashed down into it, hitting a glancing blow on the creature.

      Galadriel went into a frenzy and slashed at the burrowed snake, kicking up ash first, then hitting once for good damage. When the ashen snake came up to attack Zivvy, attracted by her thrashing, Quilliam cast Infestation on the creature and moved it away from Zivvy but towards Lucius. Lucius fired his bow at the creature and hit it point blank, but was then bit, grappled, and constricted by the ashen snake. Lucius fell unconscious as the snake poised to crush him. Zivvy got up and attempted to use Mage Hand to poke the snake in the eye, but missed.

      Galadriel ran and slashed the snake’s head clean off with a critical hit. Lucius fell to the ashen sand below next to remnants of the snake. Quilliam cast Healing Spirit to heal Lucius. Zivvy cast Cure Wounds on Lucius.

     But then there was an earthquake. Stirred up by the tremors, four ashen wakes surged toward the party. A second earthquake followed by a massive roar seemed to spook the ashen snakes and they fled away from the party to the southeast.

     A massive creature erupted from the ashen plains, a mountain that seemed to move with a flow of magma for legs. The gigantic creatures chased the party, throwing massive balls of magma at them. The party tried to flee. Zivvy and Galadriel easily escaped. The wounded Lucius and exhausted Galadriel fell behind. Lucius nimbly avoided a fireball and then pushed himself to get away. Galadriel was hit with a fireball and willed herself forward despite her half movement speed to the relative safety of the Burning Grove.

    Lucius used his Nest Charm in the Burning Grove. The party had a Long Rest but the Nest Charm was smoldering when it returned to its normal form. Lucius felt his connection to it end.

[Attunement Lost due to the item being damaged.]

    The party traveled back through the Humblewood for two days and returned to Alderheart. They camped at the base of the city. Quilliam gave Lucius his ten Emberbat wings to sell. Lucius sold ten Emberbats to Susan the Seer for 12 gold pieces. He kept 2 and gave 10 to Quilliam. Lucius stole 7 gold in the market with a pick pocket attempt.

[He rolled a 20 on Sleight of Hand, and I rolled 4d6 for a 7 result, which was rather low with two 1s.]

    At Alderheart, they met with the Birdfolk Council and discussed the two creatures that they had seen, the ashen snake, and the magma mountain. A council member shaking with fear said, “It could not be the legendary Aspect of Fire, could it?!” Bita, the Council Speaker, gave the group a letter of introduction to be given to Dean Gabe Windsworth of the Avium as well as a 500 gold pieces worth letter of requisition. Tevor thanked the party for helping The Tenders learn more about the Scorched Grove by giving a Feathered Helm with one of his Gallus feathers to Galadriel the Outlander.  

    The party prepared to go to the Avium, a two-to-three-day journey to the east of Alderheart. Quilliam bought three Potions of Resistance [Fire] from Eliza for 300 gold pieces off of the letter of requisition. Eliza had a new item, a Staff of the Python, but Quilliam had nightmares about the ashen snake and declined. Quilliam sold Susan the Seer some old Shifting Slime residue from their first adventure for 25 gold pieces.

    For completing the third adventure, the characters gained an Inspiration.

[I had already leveled them to 4 in the last session; Inspiration is all I had to give. End of session.]