Campaign 2, Episode 3: Three Sisters

Episode 3: Plant Three Sisters (2x03) is the third episode of the first chapter of the second campaign for the Venture Maidens. Our crew has stumbled into a fey creature's lair, but will trading blows be enough to bring their friend back from the brink? = Synopsis = This time our heroes must fight

The fey creature behind all this fright

But is it too late for their half-elven friend?

Or will something wyrd save her in the end?

Fresh Meat
The group have arrived at the bottom of the den they find themselves in. Aoife, Lu, and Charlie have entered from one tunnel, and Toni and Rook have exited through another, just opposite, into a cavern containing a freakishly tall creature standing on a wooden platform.

Resting beside the creature is the chitinous beast that Aoife and Lu had chased and seems unbothered by its master's threat that still hangs in the air, beckoning for fresh meat.

The vines along the ground writhe as she points her finger, resembling a leaf yet to bud, towards Aoife, Lu, and Charlie. With a bat-like shriek, the crab-like creature scuttles forward, spraying a stream of spikes from its mouth. Charlie changes positioning and deflects one of the spikes off his peck, but one spine catches Aoife between the thick layers of her clothing.

Toni drops from the tunnel opening, landing with a dramatic knee to the ground. She stands, throwing her cape back and drawing her greatsword before heading for the tall creature. It turns its compound eyes towards the half-orc as her sword comes down in a controlled swing. A green sappy fluid oozes from the creatures fresh wound.

Rook, still upon the ledge, crouches as she brings her crossbow to bear, but misjudges the trajectory and misses, quickly placing blame on Toni being in the way.

Charlie jumps down and rushes the chitinous beast, smashing his mace across its side. The roots and vines writhe and twist, grasping at the group's feet, but they all manage to avoid being ensnared.

The tall creature spins its head to face Toni, much like an owl would. Her arm morphs into a vine that lashes at the fighter, striking her across the face.

Lu, sensing Aoife's fear, steps in front of her and chucks a knife at the chitinous monster. The blade finds purchase between its armored plating and stays.

Aoife crafts a lasso from her yarn and tosses it over the surrounding area, casting Faerie Fire, but doesn't catch anyone within the light. She tosses Toni one of her charms, granting the half-orc Bardic Inspiration.

Friendly Fey
The chitinous creature brings up two of its pointed legs and shoves them into Charlie's armor, spraying the man's blood across the ground.

Toni's sword comes in for a second strike, but it is repelled by the fibrous material of the plant creature's body. Rook uses the opportunity to land a metal-tipped bolt into the creature's body, which lets out a disgusted shriek as the silvered material of the bolt blows a hole through part of its abdomen.

Charlie brings his mace around, thudding into its jaw. The plant creature turns its gaze onto Toni, glittering hypnotically. A cloying sickly sweet scent reaches Toni, catching the fighter's attention and Charming her. She wonders why everyone is fighting this creature. She doesn't seem like the worst person. The creature gently pats Toni on the cheek, whispering reassurances.

Lu draws a chef's knife and boning knife, jumping down from her perch near the tunnel entrance. She falls heavily, focusing in on the creature that has her brother impaled upon the wall, gaining purchase with the thin blade of the boning knife; slicing through and cracking the remainder of its armor, like cutting through the shell of a lobster. She catches Charlie, before he can fall, and turns her attention back to the scene unfolding atop the platform.

Aoife hops from the tunnel entrance and summons forth a comically large pure white needle and thread that emit an inner glow of golden radiance. She directs her ''[https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/cure-wounds#:~:text=A%20creature%20you%20touch%20regains,effect%20on%20undead%20or%20constructs. Cure Wounds]'' to sew Charlie's wounds shut. She uses her Bardic Inspiration to warm the felted heart charm nestled between Lu's bosom.

Toni attempts to talk sense into the creature before her. The creature explains that it is a new mother and would love to talk, if not for the weapons pointed at her. Toni congratulates the creature on the birth of her children, asking if one is named Winnie. The creature says that none of them have sprouted, so none of her children have names, and she would appreciate it if Toni could convince her friends to stop attacking her.

Toni tries to talk to Lu and Aoife, wanting them to lay down their weapons and talk to the creature. Lu brings up the fact that the creature's pet stabbed her brother and does not care. Rook yells out that Toni is under an enchantment and wishes to resume shooting.

Mistakes Were Made
Toni pulls her shield but drops her sword as she walks between the creature and her friends. Rook fires her crossbow, but Toni manages to intercede with her shield, fully aware that Rook would shoot her if necessary. Charlie runs forward, forcing Toni's shield low as he brings his mace around to slam into the creature.

The tall fey twitches her hand and the vines shoot at all but Toni. Charlie and Toni dodge, but the vines wrap and twist around Lu and restrain her. She turns to Charlie and lashes out with her vine, whipping across his chest and throat.

Lu tries to use her free hand to whip her dagger at the creature but it falls short and thunks into the platform. Aoife deftly inserts herself and draws her rapier up to impale the creature, but is batted away by Toni's shield. She underestimates the fighter's speed and is surprised when the half-orc manages to block the dagger in her other hand.

Toni admits to the creature that her friends are being unreasonable, but still wishes to come to an understanding. The fey assures Toni that if she is given a few days to finish spawning her children, she would be more than happy to move along to somewhere else. Toni agrees that it is a reasonable request and approaches Lu to talk the situation out.

Rook levels another shot at the fey but misses again, furthering her tantrum. Lu can see that the creature is beginning to grey and wilt as Charlie brings his mace down, sending bits of the creature to fall to the floor.

The fey lashes out at Charlie and Aoife. Charlie manages to duck the blow, but Aoife takes a vine across the side of her body. The vines around Lu whither and fall and she apologizes to Toni as she runs past the half-orc and attacks the fey. The creature blocks it, but doesn't see the second knife coming towards her eye.

Dust erupts from the fey as she begins to wither and crumble into a pile of plant matter. Toni comes to her senses, noting the chaos around her and her hand in causing it. She asks if everyone is okay.

Rook chastises her for getting charmed by a fey on one of her first missions. Toni checks in with the others, seeing Lu's relief that Toni is no longer charmed. Lu suggests that they cut the rest of the pods to check if anyone else is alive but her attention is drawn by a sound beneath the platform. She and Aoife approach the edge of the platform and see a humanoid creature that resembles what Winnie once looked like, beneath the latticework of vines.

I'm Scared
The creature shakily calls out to Lu, her voice trembling with fear. Lu tears at the vines in a frenzy, ripping Winnie free from her prison. The girl looks around at the group, terrified of them. Lu asks what's happening to her and Winnie explains that she doesn't think the process is done and she doesn't understand why. The drow assures the girl that she will be fine and they will work it out, hugging her close and comforting her.

Rook tells them that Winnie was changed by fairy magic, and only fairy magic will bring her back. She doesn't think the girl can ever return to normal, unless the others want to do something desperate. She loads another bolt into her crossbow and Lu coldly commands her to put it down. The child lowers the crossbow towards her side.

She and Toni explain to Lu what Winnie is turning into and what she will be capable of and how she is going to have to do to survive. Rook asks Aoife her opinion, but the seamstress admits she doesn't really know anything about what is going on, and that she doesn't think Winnie will be able to come back.

Rook thrusts a finger into Lu's face, telling her that if she wants to save Winnie, she will need to pay a price. She has a way of helping Winnie, but she doesn't recommend it. She questions if the girl's life is worth the payment.

Faerie Ring
Lu, being of drow heritage, has lived much longer than Winnie and is willing to sacrifice her remaining years if it meant Winnie got to live hers. Rook pulls a woven twig ring, the size of a circlet, and hands it to Lu, instructing her to break it so that they may travel to someone that can help them, but warns the someone will have to pay the price.

Lu tells Charlie that he isn't coming and shuts down any objection on his part. Rook tells her that she is obviously coming along so that they don't die. She tells Aoife that she should come if she wished to know the ways of this strange world she calls home. Finally she turns her attention to Toni, goading her to accept the invitation by calling her an embarrassment.

Toni admits her failure and apologizes to the team and wishes to make it up by going with them. Lu tells Charlie not to worry their mother if she doesn't come back, but to continue to write to her like she asked. Charlie fights back a flood of emotion and agrees.

Lu pulls a felted horseshoe and gives it to Charlie as a way to remember her in case she didn't come back. They all circle and entwine hands. Rook tosses the faerie ring on the ground between them and steps on it.

With the crack of a twig they find themselves in another realm. Misty woodlands surround them as they stand in a dewy meadow. Gently wrought tables delicately dot the meadow, set for a party. Fairy lights cascade from the trees like lace and the sky is painted the deep purples and pinks of sunrise.

Rook's guard is up, telling them not to get comfortable here. She warns them not to eat or drink anything and not to give their names to anybody. She asks that they be polite as they make their way towards a glass gazebo in the center of the meadow. She stops before entering and gives a final warning not to call the people inside hags.

That's Suspicious...That's Wyrd
The gazebo contains three gorgeously feminine creatures draped across luxurious divans. Their skin is the color of a dusty rose and their hair shines with starlight. They turn their attention to the group that has entered.

One coos at them as she bounces up and bounds over to lean against the column of the entrance. She looks at them fondly, asking if they used the faerie ring to get there as she boops Toni on the nose.

Toni steps back cautiously as the fey slides seductively down the column. Another fey greets Rook by name and Rook explains that they have come for help. Lu blushes at prominent display of the female body. She shyly proposes a deal in exchange for their aid. The fey clarifies the deal and asks her sister's what they think. The sister closest to Toni stops undulating on the column and confidently proclaims that she already knows her price. The other two agree to the deal and ask their sister, Selene, what is to be her price.

Selene sets the price at a kiss from a brave warrior. Toni turns to Lu, who steps forward, saying that she killed their enemies and it the warrior. Selene smolders at Toni, saying that she wants the fighter to pay the price. Toni, in an effort to make up for not protecting them, steps to the fey and embraces her in a passionate kiss. They break apart for air and she blushes the orange of the first dawn. She guarantees that the group will come back. The third sister stands and congratulates the group on gaining the favor of the Wyrd Sisters before taunting Rook, asking how her own deal is working out for her. All three fey laugh cruelly at the stone faced child before shooing the group back onto the Material Plane.

They reappear beside a now healed Winnie, returned to her halfling form, and this is where our journey comes to an end, until next time...Venture Away!

A Letter from Toni
Hey Lil’ Gio,

''Thanks for taking such great care of my plants this long. You’ve managed to keep most of them alive, so maybe there’s a position for you in my future plant shop if you keep it up.''

''How is Storm’s pony doing? I can’t believe she’s a mama now! And you got to be there when it happened. She looks so beautiful, please keep sending your drawings over of her. You’re getting really good.''

''It’s about the only entertainment I get out here. Not sure why they needed so many of us at the settlement. Anyway, we’ve barely seen any action beyond a couple of cases of poison oak, which were deserved if you call yourself a soldier but can’t identify a safe plant to wipe your ass with.''

''But there’s a girl here who seems like she came across something fae or more deadly than the others. There are hairs- like plant hairs- coming out of her skin. Have mom and dad ever heard of anything like that before? Anyway, a few of us are going scouting soon to try and retrace her steps and figure out what's wrong with her. Apparently, I’m taking orders from a child now, so chances are we won’t find anything; at least, not with this crackpot team they’ve assembled me to go with. But I’ll let you know if we end up finding anything cool out there when I get back.''

''Give the runts some love from me, tell dad Clyde is looking and swinging as sharp as ever, and yes, you can go ahead and repot the ficus serrata, she grows fast. I miss you guys loads, I’ll send some clippings if I can manage to keep some intact next time. Now, go hug everyone for me.''

Love, Toni.

Player Characters

 * Aoife Flannery
 * Lluvyras 'Lu' Ssath
 * Fittonia 'Toni' Silvertail

Non-Player Characters

 * Charlie
 * Rook
 * Winnie
 * Wyrd Sisters

Mentioned

 * Gio
 * Storm

Locations

 * Feywalk Jungles
 * Tachinid Den
 * The Wildes
 * Glass Garden

Inventory
Lu gained the Flower Ring

Quotes
"Hello Nurse!" -Katie

"Catch yourself on!" -Aoife

"You're under an enchantment, you stupid bitch! Wake up!" -Rook

"Well...its for the best..." -Toni

"I know my price." -Selene, Wyrd Sister

Trivia
We learned that Toni's sword is named Clyde

The chitinous creature is a Kruthik

Toni subtly revealed that her family raises horses.

Current FECK count: 9