Battle With Frog People and Discovery of Transformation Pool

Quick Recap

The party engaged in battle with frog people, defeated a frog shaman, and discovered a magical transformation pool in a temple complex. They rescued a captive human named Ellian who had been imprisoned and tortured for about a month while searching for the Heartwater of Desire. The group explored the temple, investigated the pool’s mysterious transformative properties, and made plans to escort Ellian to a nearby town on their journey toward the North Coast and Starlight Keep.

Next Steps

Frankie to investigate the Shadow Gate with the group to see if they can access the Shadow Realm.
The group to escort Ellian to a nearby town on their way to their destination.
Vyth to redistribute some of her wealth onto the Axe Beak for safekeeping.
The group to show Ellian the temple complex and the Shadow Gate.
Rock to keep the bottle of water collected from the magical pool for potential future use.
The group to continue their journey toward the North Coast/Starlight Keep after resolving current matters.
The group to maintain watches over the Axe Beaks while resting.

Summary

Battle Aftermath and Looting

The group discussed their recent battle with frog people, including the death of a priest and the discovery of a cage containing a body. They found 6 gold pieces and a peculiar brown fizzy liquid in a bottle labeled with a winking humanoid on the priest’s body. The group looted the bodies of their fallen enemies, discovering 24 gold pieces in total, and planned to investigate the cage’s contents.

Dividing Treasure and Rescuing a Captive

The group divided up their treasure, with each member receiving 383 gold, 13 platinum, and 1,333 silver. They discussed carrying and storing the coins, with some members leaving silver behind due to weight concerns. The party encountered a locked door in a temple complex and Splinter successfully picked the lock. They found a dehydrated and tortured human inside, and Halvor used a healing word to help stabilize him. The group set up a minor illusion to watch for potential ambushes while examining the captive.

Long Rest and Watch Duty

The party decided to take a long rest in the basement of the tower after finding a captive human named Ellian who had been imprisoned by the frog people for about a month. They agreed to take shifts watching the Axe Beaks, with Rock, Halvor, Frankie, and Gore each taking one-third of the night’s watch. During the watches, no enemies were encountered, and Ellian was given rations but remained weak. After the long rest, the party’s hit points were restored, and Ellian appeared more alert but still weak.

The Search for Heartwater of Desire

The group discussed their encounters with Ellian, who claimed to have been searching for the Heartwater of Desire, a legendary pool said to empower or transform someone. He had been searching for this pool in the swamp for years, using an ivory flute to find its location. The group fixed the flute, which had a crack, and Ellian expressed interest in investigating an old temple to the east, though he appeared confused about some details of their recent experiences.

Temple Exploration

The group cleared out a nest and addressed hazards in a cave system. They considered the safety of some axe beaks and debated whether to lock them in a basement or leave them guarded. The team found a partially chiseled column and a bronze-bound door, suggesting the area was once part of a tower’s dungeon. They discovered a key and a piece of vellum with unknown writing in a damp room with bedding.

The Poisonous Transformation Pool

The group encountered a dangerous pool of glowing water, which poisoned Gore when he stepped in. Halvor used a Lesser Restoration spell to cure Gore, while Frankie warned them about staying out of the water. Rock, attempting to collect some of the water, accidentally poisoned himself but was able to recover after drinking whiskey and corking the bottle. The group noted that the water was dangerous and should be avoided.

Investigating the Magical Pool

The group discovered a magical pool with an iridescent glow and transformative aura. Halvor had inadvertently poisoned himself by touching it. Frankie confirmed the magic was indeed transformation magic and planned to cast an identify spell to learn more about it, despite the risks. The team discussed the possibility of an underwater entity or civilization being interested in the pool. Halvor and Frankie debated the merits of ritual magic versus practical spells, while Rock and Gore considered the implications of their discovery on an ongoing quest.

Understanding the Pool’s Nature

Frankie identified the pool as a naturally occurring, chaotic outflow of transformational energy likely related to ley lines or a nearby lava pool. The pool caused random effects like force damage and physical transformations. The DM planned to gather more information and potentially develop new spells or potions. The group considered the connection between this pool and the temple’s iconography, with Vyth noting similarities to the Stella’s depiction of a reflective pool.

Experimentation and Planning

The group experimented with the pool by testing various objects including a stick, a turtle, and a kobold, which resulted in different effects. They decided to investigate the temple complex further and suggested taking Ellian to a library or the coast, but he was advised to be cautious due to potential dangers. The group considered Ellian’s recovery from exhaustion and torture, suggesting fresh air and time for recovery rather than immediate magical healing.

Future Plans

The group discussed their recent exploration of the temple complex and pool area, where Ellian provided insights about the Scattarelli people and their transformation efforts. They decided to leave Ellian at the site while the rest of the group planned to return to the Shadow Gate, with Frankie expressing reluctance to return to Messori Harbor due to previous complications. The group also discussed the need to find additional eggs, with Vyth mentioning a manufacturing facility nearby that might be worth investigating.