He smiled as he spoke the words, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
"But I can always find you by the sound of your name,
REDACTED."
Soon after, Tealight fled.
She wandered for years without a name, never speaking of her past and never allowing anyone close enough to ask. At last, her travels carried her to the Material Plane, where anonymity proved far less practical than it had in the Feywild.
An innkeeper, quill poised above a weathered ledger, asked for a name.
Tealight hesitated.
Then her eyes drifted toward a nearby lantern. Nestled within it, a single tealight candle burned softly, surrounded by moths dancing endlessly through its glow.
She smiled.
"Tealight."
From that moment onward, it became the only name she would answer to.
For a time, simply being free was enough. She wandered without destination, savoring the quiet joy of living a life that belonged to no one else.
But freedom is fragile when someone powerful knows how to find you.
Rumors of the Guild eventually reached her ears—a place filled with capable adventurers, forgotten knowledge, and impossible feats. If anyone could help her uncover a way to sever an Archfey's hold forever, perhaps it would be there.
So Tealight set her course toward the Guild.
Not in search of wealth or glory.
But in search of a freedom that could never again be taken from her.
Tealight is, above all else, curious.
She possesses the sort of curiosity that compels her to peek behind locked doors simply because they're locked, to ask questions others wouldn't think to ask, and to pocket strange little trinkets because they might be interesting later. More often than not, the value of an object means far less to her than the story attached to it.
Despite her mischievous tendencies, she isn't cruel. Tealight rarely steals out of greed, and if she does "borrow" something, there's every chance it will mysteriously find its way back once she's satisfied her curiosity. Sometimes she'll even leave behind a different trinket in exchange, convinced she's made the better trade.
Years spent beneath the influence of an Archfey have left their mark. She is slow to place her trust in others, especially those who are charismatic, eloquent, or eager to make promises. Flattery tends to make her suspicious rather than flustered, and she has developed a habit of listening far more than she speaks. Silence reveals things that conversation often hides.
Though cautious, she is not withdrawn. Tealight enjoys company, stories shared around campfires, and the simple comfort of being near others. She simply prefers to understand people before allowing them to understand her.
Freedom is something she values above almost everything else. She dislikes feeling cornered, indebted, or beholden to anyone, and she'll often go to great lengths to repay favors before they become obligations. The idea of someone owning even a small piece of her life unsettles her more than she'd care to admit.
Like many faeries, Tealight views names as deeply personal things. She freely introduces herself as Tealight, but questions about her past are usually met with a gentle smile and an effortless change of subject. If someone presses too hard, she'll simply disappear with little more than the flutter of pale wings.
For all her caution, however, she hasn't lost her sense of wonder. Lanterns glowing in the distance, strange ruins hidden beneath overgrown vines, peculiar insects resting on a windowsill—these are the things that still make her stop in her tracks. There is far too much beauty left in the world to let fear steal it from her.
as written by Tealight on 28th Flamerule 1502 DR
When I first joined the Syndicate, I had hoped simply to prove myself useful. Looking back over the past month, I believe I have done just that.
Most of my assignments have involved investigating strange occurrences throughout the surrounding forests. Giant burrowing creatures, fungal infestations, mysterious plagues, and even the occasional beach party gone terribly wrong. I have fought bulettes, monstrous insects, undead, hags, dragonspawn, and creatures far stranger than I care to list. Thankfully, I have survived them all.
One thread has continued to stand out to me. Illness seems to be spreading throughout the region in many different forms. Parasitic mushrooms consuming entire forests, mysterious plagues afflicting nomadic tribes, and strange corruption affecting wildlife. Whether these incidents are connected or merely unfortunate coincidence, I cannot yet say. It is something I intend to keep watching.
Among the more memorable assignments was assisting the dryads Maple and Shiitake. Maple sought our help after a fungal infestation returned to her grove, while Shiitake had chosen to live alongside the very mushrooms that consumed her. Their knowledge has already proven invaluable, and I hope their research leads us closer to discovering whoever is responsible for creating these unnatural fungal amalgamations.
Not every mission has involved saving forests or delving into forgotten ruins. There was also the peculiar beach festival where Sunbeam kindly lent me his shirt after I discovered I had packed rather impractical clothing. The day somehow involved wild magic, enchanted dancers, an argumentative fish-man, and a monkey stealing an important package. Looking back... it was strangely enjoyable.
Perhaps the greatest surprise has not been the adventures themselves, but the company.
Lady Death has become a reliable companion, calm even when situations become dire. Sunbeam continues to prove that kindness and unwavering optimism can survive even the most dangerous battles. Azure Eyes somehow manages to remain cheerful regardless of how often magic decides to inconvenience him—though I suspect he will never entirely forgive me for making him even larger than he already was. Pink Lady has been pleasant company whenever our paths have crossed, and Lucinda...
The Syndicate itself has impressed me more than I expected. During the recent assault on our headquarters, adventurers and staff alike stood together to defend it. Kobolds manned ballistas without hesitation, companions rushed to one another's aid, and everyone fought as though protecting something they genuinely cared about.
I think... I understand why.
When I first arrived, I was simply looking for work.
Now, I find myself looking forward to seeing familiar faces whenever a new request is posted.
Overall, I am pleased with my time here. There is still much to learn, many places to explore, and more than a few mysteries left unresolved.
For the first time in quite a while, I find myself genuinely excited to see what comes next.
GM: 𝔍𝔞𝔡𝔢|Vincel¹⁷|Bisky⁸|Lief¹⁰30th Flamerule. 1502 DR
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Report 12
This assignment began with a journey through a teleportation circle to Waterdeep. Upon arriving, I was struck by a peculiar sense of familiarity. I cannot say that I have visited Waterdeep before, but something about it, the crowds, the markets, perhaps simply the atmosphere, felt reminiscent of somewhere I have been. We made our way through a rather busy market district, where I discovered a merchant selling trinkets. Their name contained far too many Q's for me to bother remembering, though their wares were considerably more interesting. I made a small purchase. Sunbeam, meanwhile, discovered a bucket filled with cooked poultry. He seemed very pleased with it.
Eventually, our wandering brought us to the villa of a prominent local family. I am uncertain whether they were technically nobility, but they certainly behaved as though they understood the game of court. To my surprise, I found myself enjoying it. Our hosts required assistance arranging a marriage proposal with another influential family. It was all very familiar: carefully chosen words, proper introductions, navigating expectations, and ensuring everyone involved believed they had gained something from the arrangement. I have done such things before, during my time among the Seelie Court. It was... pleasant to discover that I could still enjoy the game when playing it by choice. There was, however, a secondary objective. Another family possessed a compass our hosts wished to acquire. That immediately sounded far more interesting. After some discussion, the party elected to divide our efforts. I was quite prepared to retrieve the compass alone. Entering places unnoticed is hardly unfamiliar territory for me. One of my companions apparently disagreed with the wisdom of sending me alone and accompanied me instead, along with their drake, Glitrand.
Upon reaching the estate, we discovered its defenses consisted primarily of a rather substantial wall. I have wings. This presented very little difficulty. I separated from my companion and entered the grounds from above. After some investigation, I located a window I could open and slipped inside. As it turns out, the manor was haunted. Lady Death will need to hear about that later. Two spirits inhabited the house, sisters, from what I gathered. Rather than attacking me, they offered a bargain. If I entertained them, they would show me the way to the compass. This seemed perfectly reasonable. With a little fey magic, I provided the requested entertainment. I confess, I found the entire exchange rather endearing. They kept their word and showed me where I needed to go. By this point, Glitrand had somehow managed to find his way inside and joined me. Together, we descended into the basement and eventually located our prize. We also located mimics. Many mimics. Far too many mimics. I briefly considered our options and determined that fighting an entire basement of hungry furniture with only a drake for company was perhaps not my finest idea. So I retrieved Glitrand, secured our escape, and flew away from the estate.
Unfortunately, the evening had become considerably more complicated elsewhere. Two members of our party had been apprehended during the night's activities. On the brighter side, those responsible for arranging the marriage proposal appeared to have successfully secured the meeting they needed. So... mixed results. Still, I find myself strangely pleased with this assignment. I navigated courtly politics, slipped unseen into a guarded estate, bargained with ghosts, stole a compass, rescued a drake from a basement filled with mimics, and escaped through the night on my own wings. It reminded me of things I used to do.
Only this time, they were done because I chose to do them.
I think that made all the difference.
GM: Sludger21st Flamerule, 1502 DR
Party: Azrael, Rokka, Sunbeam, Azure Eyes, & Myself
Our latest assignment brought us to the city of Phlan, where we met with one of the city's lords regarding a rather unusual theft.
Two men had stolen a collection of valuable books with the intention of producing and selling convincing forgeries. Our objective was to recover the originals and, if possible, apprehend the thieves without resorting to lethal force.
Our investigation took an unexpected turn almost immediately.
One of the thieves had already been arrested... and subsequently murdered before anyone could question him. While searching for further leads, we uncovered evidence linking the operation to the Cult of the Dragon. That trail led us to a set of ancient ruins hidden outside the city.
The entrance was guarded by kobolds.
After a brief skirmish, we pressed deeper into the ruins, where we encountered a seemingly endless procession of unpleasant things. Ghouls wandered the corridors, oozes lurked in forgotten chambers, zombies shambled through the halls, and more than a few dead kobolds served as grim reminders that we were not the first to venture inside.
By the time we had cleared those passages, we were battered, exhausted, and in desperate need of rest.
Curiously, that rest felt... unusual.
Though we only stopped for a short while, it somehow felt as though days had passed before we continued onward. I have no explanation for this sensation. Perhaps the ruins were touched by strange magic, or perhaps fatigue simply distorted my sense of time.
Either way, we continued.
The deeper chambers proved no less hazardous. Nearly every room concealed another trap, another puzzle, or another monster waiting to test us.
Eventually, we found the surviving thief.
Fortunately, one of our companions happened to be a kobold. Through remarkably persuasive conversation, they convinced most of the kobolds guarding the thief to abandon the fight altogether. While their attention was elsewhere, I quietly summoned my mage hand and relieved the culprit of one of the stolen books before he had the opportunity to realize it was gone.
The distraction quickly gave way to combat.
Thankfully, the confrontation was brief. We subdued the thief without killing him, bound him securely, and prepared him for transport back to the authorities.
Our exploration of the ruins was not yet complete.
Several sealed chambers surrounded what appeared to be a final vault. Each chamber was intended to contain a key necessary to open the central door. However, only two of the rooms still held their keys. The remaining two had evidently been looted long before our arrival.
I asked Sunbeam to ensure our captive was carrying nothing concealed.
Watching him lift the unfortunate man upside down by his ankles and gently shake every hidden possession free was... unexpectedly effective.
As it turned out, the missing keys had been hidden on his person all along.
With all four keys assembled, we unlocked the final chamber.
Inside waited an undead figure accompanied by two lesser undead servants. Rather than immediately resorting to violence, we spoke.
After a brief conversation, we agreed it would be wiser to leave the creature undisturbed. Azure Eyes expressed an interest in returning at a later date to learn more, and none of us found reason to object.
Whatever rested within that chamber seemed better protected than disturbed.
To that end, we divided the four keys among ourselves before sealing the vault once more. If anyone wished to enter again, they would first need to gather every key.
With both stolen books recovered and our captive delivered for justice, we returned to Phlan to collect our payment.
Overall, I believe the assignment was a success.
Though I do wonder whether recovering the books was the most interesting thing we found beneath those ruins.
GM: Cleb|Surx¹⁵24th Flamerule, 1502 DR
Party: Azure Eyes (Cyrus), Rokka & Wilson, Sunbeam (Orri), Azrael, & Myself
Our latest assignment brought us to Silverymoon, where we met a drow waiting inside the Unicorn's Horn.
His request seemed simple enough. He asked us to deliver a package to his grandmother, a human woman living outside the city. Ordinarily he would have done so himself, but a local festival had left him occupied with his duties as a city guard.
Simple assignments have a curious habit of refusing to remain simple.
As we passed through the festival grounds, several spellcasters were demonstrating what appeared to be a communal cleaning spell. Unfortunately, something went catastrophically wrong. Wild magic erupted across the square, and every few moments reality seemed determined to invent a new inconvenience.
A monkey seized the opportunity to steal our package amidst the confusion.
Recovering it proved more difficult than expected.
Sunbeam was transformed into a monkey for a time. Others suffered comparatively minor magical mishaps. Azure Eyes, however, bore the brunt of the surge. His skin turned an unmistakable shade of blue, bubbles escaped his mouth whenever he attempted to speak, and he abruptly grew much larger than before.
The entire affair reminded me rather strongly of the sorts of pranks the fey delight in inflicting upon one another.
That thought inspired me.
I may have cast Enlarge upon Azure Eyes, making him larger still.
I regret nothing.
Eventually, we subdued the monkey and recovered our package before continuing toward our destination.
The directions led us to a forest clearing where a number of people danced in perfect rhythm around a small stage. They appeared utterly entranced by the performance. Our kobold companion immediately joined them. Whether they too had fallen under the enchantment or simply wished to participate, I cannot say.
Either way, it was rather adorable.
The enchantment ended abruptly when the drum driving the performance was destroyed. As its rhythm ceased, so too did the magic holding the dancers captive. Many collapsed from exhaustion before tearfully thanking us, while others quietly gathered themselves and hurried home.
It was certainly one of the stranger festivals I have attended.
After considerably more walking than I had anticipated, we finally reached the home of the drow's grandmother.
Having successfully delivered the package without opening it, we discovered its contents were simply food.
I confess I had expected something more mysterious.
The kindly woman invited us inside to wait until the festival had concluded before beginning our journey back to the Syndicate. We accepted her hospitality without hesitation.
It was, all things considered, a pleasantly uneventful ending to a decidedly peculiar day.
GM: Lyss23rd Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Forvist, Azrael, Pink Lady (Dahlia), Wuyon'e, & Myself
A letter arrived at the Syndicate requesting assistance from an orcish tribe that had become afflicted by a mysterious plague.
Upon arriving, we found the camp in a state of cautious isolation. Several members of the tribe had fallen ill after one family returned from their travels carrying an unknown sickness. The clan's leader explained that they were a nomadic people, and the illness had forced them to halt their migration until its source could be found.
Side note: I have begun noticing a troubling pattern. More and more of our recent assignments have involved sickness, parasites, or corruption spreading through the surrounding forests. I do not know if these incidents are connected, but I believe the matter warrants further research.
Following the clan leader's directions, we traveled to an abandoned cottage some distance from the camp.
Inside, we discovered three pixies hiding among the ruins. They were initially reluctant to speak with us, though after some... persuasion... they became considerably more cooperative. They admitted they knew the source of the plague and agreed to guide us.
I confess I was rather surprised when our guide led us directly back toward the orc encampment.
Fortunately, the orcs themselves were not responsible.
Hidden away inside one of the tents was an unusually large frog that appeared to be the source of the spreading illness. As soon as we moved to eliminate it, a hag emerged to defend the creature. Whether the frog was a servant, companion, or merely another tool in her designs remains uncertain, but it quickly became apparent that the two were working together.
After a difficult fight, we managed to defeat both the hag and her amphibious accomplice.
With their deaths, we were informed that the afflicted family would gradually recover, and the tribe could at last continue its journey.
Overall, the assignment was refreshingly straightforward.
We received a request for aid, gathered the necessary information, located the source of the problem, and eliminated it.
The tribe was safe.
We were paid.
I only hope the pattern I have begun to notice proves to be coincidence rather than something larger lurking beneath the surface.
GM: Cleb|Surx¹⁵22 Flamerule 1502 DR
Party: Azure Eyes (Cyrus), Azrael, Wuyon'e, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
We were summoned once again by the dryad known as Maple.
I had assisted Maple previously, along side Lady Death, in removing a parasitic mushroom infestation from her forest. Unfortunately, it appears our earlier efforts were only a temporary solution. The mushrooms had returned, and with them came renewed concern for the surrounding woodland.
Maple believed another dryad, Shiitake, might possess the knowledge necessary to understand what we were facing. Unlike Maple, Shiitake had chosen not to resist the parasitic fungi that had infected her own grove. Instead, she allowed them to consume and bond with her.
The decision came at a terrible cost.
Many of her followers had succumbed to the infection over time, while Shiitake herself remained alive—changed, certainly, but alive nonetheless.
Our journey to find her was anything but peaceful.
The forest had become home to numerous creatures overtaken by the same spores. We were forced to fight through creeping vines animated by the infestation, an elephant consumed by fungal growth, and finally a bear whose body had become little more than a host for the spreading colony.
Curiously, many of these creatures appeared resistant, if not entirely immune, to the enchantments of my fey magic. I found myself relying upon my whip far more than my spells, which is not a complaint, merely an observation. Adaptation is often more useful than stubbornness.
After clearing the infected beasts, we eventually located Shiitake.
She spoke calmly, almost serenely, despite the fungi that had rooted themselves throughout her body. Whether this acceptance was born from wisdom or simply the influence of the mushrooms themselves, I cannot say.
After examining samples from Maple's grove, Shiitake reached an unsettling conclusion.
The infestation was not the work of a single species of mushroom, but rather an amalgamation of many. She believes someone intentionally combined them.
According to Shiitake, a drow had once devastated his own forest through similar experimentation. She suspects he continues those experiments even now, and that the corruption spreading through Maple's woodland is a consequence of his work.
Rather than offering an immediate solution, Shiitake requested several weeks to study the specimen further. She believes understanding the fungal amalgamation is necessary before attempting to remove it safely.
With little else to accomplish, we returned to the city, where one of Maple's associates kindly arranged our journey home through teleportation.
For now, the matter remains unresolved.
I find that... unsettling.
It is one thing to defeat a beast.
It is another entirely to know the true enemy is still somewhere in the forest, continuing their work unseen.
GM: Torgnarly17 Flamerule 1502
The Syndicate
The reprieve between assaults was disappointingly brief.
A second wave descended upon the Syndicate before many of us had properly recovered from the first. The enemy forces were larger than before and showed no signs of hesitation.
A fellow fey asked for my assistance in dealing with a bearded devil that had broken through our lines. Together we focused our efforts upon it, and after a difficult struggle, we succeeded in bringing the fiend down.
Side note: I should ask them if they would be willing to help train me sometime. They fought with remarkable confidence, and I suspect there is much I could learn.
There was little time to dwell on the thought.
A drake covered in jagged spines managed to slip past our front line and take to the air. With relatively few combatants capable of meeting it above the battlefield, I diverted my attention to intercepting it. After a brief chase through the skies, we managed to bring the creature down before it could cause further damage.
While airborne, I also assisted in clearing several imps that had perched atop one of the defensive towers, harassing those attempting to hold the walls.
The battle was long, exhausting, and far bloodier than the first assault.
Yet, despite the overwhelming numbers, the Syndicate held.
When the last of the enemy finally fell, an uneasy silence settled over the battlefield. Our walls still stood. Many were wounded. Some would require much time to recover.
But we had endured.
I cannot help but admire how readily the Syndicate's members stood beside one another. Adventurers, staff, kobolds, strangers—when the attack came, distinctions mattered very little.
For today, at least, we all fought as one.
GM: 𝔍𝔞𝔡𝔢|Vincel¹⁷|Bisky⁸|Lief¹⁰Date: 15th of Flamerule 1502 DR
Party: Kyani, Azrael, Wuyone, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
Hunt Master Kalenbore requested assistance investigating another series of enormous holes that had recently appeared in the surrounding wilderness.
Curiously, both Sunbeam and I had been requested by name for the assignment. It would seem our previous experience dealing with burrowing creatures had earned us a certain reputation. I cannot decide whether I should feel honored or concerned.
The initial assumption was that the surviving bulette from our previous hunt had returned. Given the size of the holes, it seemed a reasonable conclusion.
Upon closer inspection, however, the burrows were markedly different. The earth had been clawed rather than displaced, and deep scratch marks lined the entrance to the largest tunnel. Whatever had created these passages was no bulette.
Naturally, we climbed inside.
The tunnels stretched deep beneath the surface, eventually opening into a network inhabited by enormous insect-like creatures. They proved considerably more dangerous than their appearance first suggested. Their numbers, resilience, and unsettling speed made each encounter a challenge.
Fortunately, there was little mystery beyond that.
Our task became a straightforward extermination. We encountered two separate groups within the nest, dispatching each after a difficult but ultimately successful fight. Once the creatures had been dealt with, we searched the remaining tunnels to ensure none remained before reporting back to Hunt Master Kalenbore.
For our efforts, we received the promised payment and returned without any casualties.
Overall, the assignment was uneventful by adventuring standards.
Though I do find myself wondering...
What is it with this region and creatures that insist on living underground?
I would not object if the next assignment involved something considerably less fond of digging.
GM: Torgnarly17 Flamerule 1502 DR
The Syndicate
The Syndicate came under a coordinated assault by a sizeable force of goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, and various other creatures. The attack appeared organized rather than opportunistic, with the enemy deploying siege towers and catapults against our defenses.
Fortunately, the Syndicate had prepared its own fortifications. Several ballistas had been constructed along the walls and were quickly manned by our kobold staff. I must admit, watching them scramble into position with such determination was rather impressive.
Sunbeam and I were assigned to reinforce the eastern defenses.
Rather than splitting our efforts immediately, Sunbeam mounted one of the ballistas while I called upon my mage hand to assist him. The mechanism required more hands than either of us possessed alone, and together we were able to load, steady, and guide each shot toward the advancing enemy siege engines.
The arrangement proved surprisingly effective.
Once the enemy tower had closed the distance, I left the ballista to engage it directly.
Another member of the Syndicate—whom I know only as Angry Woman—had already begun attacking the structure largely by herself. While I still do not know her name, I felt assisting her was considerably wiser than asking for introductions in the middle of a battlefield.
Together we managed to bring the siege tower crashing down before it could reach our walls.
With the eastern advance halted and the enemy's first assault broken, the fighting briefly subsided.
Unfortunately, it did not remain quiet for long.
GM: 𝔍𝔞𝔡𝔢|Vincel¹⁷|Bisky⁸|Lief¹⁰Date: 14th of Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Snap, Dahlia, Alvis, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
Our assignment began in Shining Falls, where we were informed we would be overseeing a "beach party." Everyone present seemed remarkably enthusiastic about the prospect. I confess I did not fully understand why.
The weather was cold, rainy, and thoroughly unpleasant. It hardly seemed suitable for gathering outdoors, much less swimming.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately, depending on one's perspective—an elf accompanying the festivities simply... changed the weather. Within moments the rain had vanished, replaced by bright sunshine and clear skies. Ephemerals continue to surprise me with what they consider ordinary.
Our duty was simple enough: keep watch over the beach, ensure the attendees remained safe, and prevent anyone from drowning or otherwise coming to harm.
I quickly discovered I had not packed clothing appropriate for such an occasion.
Sunbeam, with little hesitation, removed his shirt and insisted I wear it instead. It was several sizes too large, though surprisingly comfortable. It also drew considerably less attention than if I had attempted to enjoy the beach in my usual attire.
The festivities began shortly thereafter.
One blond gentleman dedicated what appeared to be the entirety of his day to swimming laps. So many, in fact, that I briefly wondered if he intended to create a whirlpool through determination alone.
I, meanwhile, was approached by two human children requesting that I judge a race between them. Believing fairness was the objective, I suggested they give the younger of the two a headstart. This was apparently not the answer they had hoped for. The young girl became rather upset with me, while her brother apologized on her behalf.
Children are... perplexing.
Our peaceful afternoon came to an abrupt end when creatures emerged from the depths of the lake.
Several halflings who had been swimming were caught before we could intervene. By the time we reached them, there was little that could be done. We engaged the creatures immediately and, after a brief but difficult fight, managed to eliminate them before returning the remaining beachgoers safely to shore.
The organizer of the festivities, an exceedingly peculiar man named Chad, insisted the celebration continue despite what had just occurred. Fortunately, the rest of us were able to convince the attendees to leave the beach for their own safety.
That decision proved wise.
Not long afterward, a fish-like humanoid emerged from the water, furious over the gathering and, more specifically, furious with Chad. Whether the anger stemmed from trespassing, disrespect, or some prior grievance, I cannot say. The creature offered little explanation before violence became unavoidable.
It summoned additional creatures from the depths that harried us relentlessly with thrown harpoons. They proved frustratingly elusive, disappearing beneath the water whenever an opportunity to retaliate presented itself.
The battle was long and painful, though we ultimately prevailed.
Sunbeam's shirt did not fare nearly as well.
By the battle's end it had accumulated more tears than intact fabric, courtesy of the many harpoons aimed in our direction. Curiously, he never asked for it back. I suspect repairing it may be beyond my abilities.
We were compensated for our efforts, as expected.
Still, I cannot say this assignment leaves me with much satisfaction.
The fish-man's anger appeared genuine. Chad, while enthusiastic, was... difficult to understand, and I cannot help but wonder if whatever offense had been committed against the lake's inhabitants had merit. We protected innocent people, and I believe that was the correct decision.
Even so, I cannot shake the feeling that we may have ended a conflict rather than resolved it.
Perhaps there was another answer hidden somewhere beneath the waves.
GM: TorgnarlyDate: 12th of Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Mila, Lady Valentina, Sir Sunbeam (Orri), Lady Death (Maze), Myself
Today's assignment seemed simple enough. We gathered at a farm located at 123 Goat Lane. A name that, after some discussion, we learned was inspired by the owner's prized goat. Ephemerals have rather curious naming conventions at times.
Our task was straightforward: determine what had been killing the livestock and eliminate the threat. The halfling farmer informed us the culprits were land sharks. Sunbeam appeared particularly troubled by the notion of sharks swimming through the earth, though whether he eventually understood or simply accepted the explanation remains uncertain. Regardless, we set off to investigate.
It did not take long to find the burrows scattered throughout the fields. After a brief moment to prepare ourselves, several young bulettes burst from beneath the ground. They emerged with startling speed, leaping directly at different members of our party and dealing considerable harm before disappearing beneath the earth once more.
I remained aloft and concealed for much of the engagement, offering support where opportunities presented themselves. Still, I could not help but feel rather ineffective. Their tactic of striking before retreating underground was frustratingly familiar. I employ much the same strategy, only my escape lies in the sky rather than beneath the soil.
After a prolonged struggle, we managed to dispatch the young bulettes. In the distance, however, we noticed an enormous burrow. Considerably larger than the others. None of us felt particularly eager to discover its owner while already exhausted, so we agreed to return to the farmhouse and recover our strength.
The halfling family had prepared tea and lunch while we rested. Given the size of the home, most of my companions found themselves stooping beneath the beams or squeezing into chairs built for smaller folk. I, on the other hand, found it quite comfortable. There are advantages to being small.
Our respite was brief.
A tremendous impact shook the house as the carcass of a cow slammed into the exterior wall.
The others took precious moments to stand, duck beneath the doorway, and squeeze outside. I required no such effort. Being small has many advantages.
The owner of the enormous burrow had found us.
Whether driven by hunger or anger over the deaths of the younger bulettes, the creature attacked with startling ferocity.
The battle that followed was far more dangerous than the first. Sunbeam and Lady Death each suffered devastating blows, collapsing motionless onto the ground. Seeing them fall filled me with a concern I had not expected. My attention shifted from defeating the creature to ensuring my companions survived it.
Calling upon the magic of my fey heritage, I bound the beast within fits of uncontrollable laughter. While it writhed helplessly, I hurried between my companions, administering the healing potions I had carried for just such an occasion.
Victory did not come easily. The fight became a careful rhythm: keep the beast distracted, restore those who had fallen, and allow the others to capitalize whenever the creature collapsed under the enchantment. Eventually, through persistence more than elegance, we brought it down.
When the dust settled, we were all left exhausted, shaken, and, thankfully, alive.
The halfling family was every bit as relieved as we were once we confirmed there would be no more "land sharks" threatening their farm. They thanked us warmly, rewarding us with what coin and provisions they could spare.
Another task completed.
Another step toward proving that I belong among adventurers.
