The gauntlet
Jhanna is well known for many things, but her willingness to share her past is not among her many trademarks. So when a group of our adventurers were invinted to hone their skills, and prove their worth in a challenge set up by the Druid herself, they jumped at the chance.
The first occurrence was pleasant enough, a teaparty where she explained the premise of what was to come, a gauntlet through her past, what she overcame had to be overcome by her future pupils and allies.
Most all of the adventurers’ equipment was taken by the woman, and off they went to a strange realm. A valley of bounty, yet one that seemed as far removed from being alive as one could be. The animals were weird, and the plants twisted. The beauty was striking, but the dread heartwrenching…
The first task was at hand, ostensibly simple. Choose the right path forward, with this fact of the mind shielded only by a thinly veiled riddle. With luck and wits, the adventurers pressed on not to some horrific death, but to the maze- where they fought plant-demons, spirits and learned that Jhanna had not always been a vampiress, and that she as a matter of fact despised the Demon who’d granted her her powers.
With strength did they press on, to a ghostly lake surrounded by forest haunting beings. Go through the wicked hedges, or over the accursed water. The latter was chosen, and a host of long departed beings discovered. A veritable pirate playground, where the second of Jhanna’s memories was relived: the struggle against ”C.A.D.D.Y.” Caddy was a huge corrupted clockwork, that eons ago threatened the very existence of other mortal races. Only together with the Acidum Family, the powers of Janus, the blessings of the forge and the pure time-breaking charisma of Thýr did the mechanoid fall a second time…
Finally there was the Auntie.. a sickly blue hag, which held before the heroes three wicked riddles. Once again cunning was applied, and barely did they escape to their final battle..
It was over in a flash, Acidum died, but his ancestors brought him back just barely. Daivika was slain likewise, and lost life’s luster. The earth was scorched by Thýr, and no Crab was taken by Tobi. The escape was complete along with vicious wounds.. We are ready to restore peace…