Post by Andy D on Oct 8, 2022 0:06:52 GMT
On Magical Botany
I was invited to Mr. Root Penrosea’s home in Port Ffirst by his partner, and my senior Wizard acquaintance, Master Glint; a Fire-Genasi illusion wizard. The wonderfully cheerful Lolli, fellow wizard (Conjuror) was also invited. In addition, two other adventurers arrived, Miss Raine; Half-Elf Bard, and Miss Vox; Tiefling, whom I detected a magical origin of sorts about her, but what? I wasn’t sure…
Mr. Penrosea was researching fire resistant plants. He had heard of an example in the Angelbark Forest. This plant seemed to be irretrievable. People had attempted to do so before, but found themselves unable to approach.
Whatever magical means protected the plant, would have to be discovered. Additionally, if such a plant existed with magically transmuted qualities that made matter resistant to flame, perhaps I could discover a flower that transmutes anti-necrotic qualities?
On Gardens in Forests
I came across a lovely, well maintained herb garden in the middle of the Angelbark. Thyme, rosemary, sage - all sorts were growing there, it smelt lovely. My team noticed footprints going down an eastward path. Glint used the Speak with Animals spell to inquire with a local, little mouse, who it was that looked after the garden. We had two owl familiars with us at the time - their presence scared our little friend a bit, but the little fellow did confirm there was a humanoid-like individual who took care of the garden.
A blind Sending spell was attempted. Communication was achieved. Later it was confirmed that communication did not reach the intended recipient.
At first we chose not to investigate in depth, for it was taking us away from our objective. Dear Lolli swore she heard voices, so in her adorable fashion she left some candies near the herb garden before we carried on north.
After our success at finding the flower we sought, we came back to the herb garden. I was quite pleased with my orientation skills. My familiar-owl, Barnaby, had travelled through the small tunnel that opened up to a new path. Having witnessed Barnaby’s travel through the familiar-connection, I successfully managed to navigate overground to where my smaller companions had arrived, and bring my larger party-members along.
We came across a rather hermetic tabaxi living in a tiny hut - the owner of the herb garden. The tabaxi was ‘friendly enough’. Perhaps their manner could be excused on the self appointed isolation.
Galdur’s Tower - Version 2
Another missed opportunity to see how Lolli was getting on with the spell - she did not have it prepared that day. So it fell on me to treat everyone to a more glamorous form of camping. Unlike last time though, we were not on an open plain. Finding the space for a 10ft x 10ft surface area amongst all the trees took some time.
This time we had a 2:3, boys to girls ratio. I made the same two twin bed bedrooms as before, boys on bottom, girls on top. But this time, boys got more space by virtue of being in the minority group. If I could upcast the spell and provide everyone with an individual room I would have. But, this requires greater magical power, which will require greater practice. By a certain point in my hopeful progression, I will learn how to cast Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion. By that point, the Galdur’s Tower spell may be redundant.
On Party Composition
We reached the spot Mr. Penrosea had indicated to us, where we would find the flower he was after - five fallen trees arranged in a pentagon. Lolli was the first to spot a glimmer of bright orange in the treeline. As we approached the glimmer of orange, Master Glint was looking among us for the protective member of the group - sadly there was no obvious fulfiller of the role. Kavel once asked me how it is that we magic-users end up with a familiar-user on every adventuring team. Maybe I should not have dismissed his ignorance with the rhetorical question, “how do you ensure there’s always a ‘thicc-boi’ in every party?” The truth was, as I exchanged looks with Master Glint - we would have both appreciated the reassurance of a thicc-boi in the unknown. Or, less diplomatically put, a ‘meat-shield’.
On Spell Choices for a Day
Within the ribcage of the long dead, ancient dragon was a bush of orange flowers. As we approached, we all lost sight of each other in a suddenly appearing surrounding of mist. The remnants of the ancient dragon had vanished.
Clearly magic was afoot. I would have attempted a casting of the Dispel Magic spell… had I only chosen to prepare that spell that morning!
Spell selection, for a wizard, is a process that can lead to disastrous regret in the field if one isn’t careful. One must attempt to foresee which of one's spells would be best suited for the day ahead. With a limitation on how much can be prepared for a day, trade-offs must be made intelligently. The choice to favour luxury in the form of Galdur’s Tower over the security of Dispel Magic was perhaps the wrong trade-off that day - especially if one knows the ritual spell, Leomund’s Tiny Hut, a suitable, and even greater protective encampment spell than Galdur’s Tower (minus the interior charm, of course).
I casted Detect Magic to see what was going on. Sometimes discovering the school of magic at play can be insightful. The brightness of magical light that appeared from all around me as I finished casting the ritual was blinding. Perhaps a slightly steep price to pay to discover I and my party were surrounded by illusion magic.
On Magical Tests
“What are your flaws? What is the intent of your heart? Don’t tell me, words can be so dreadfully deceiving. Show me truly.”
We later learned the voice of the above words came from the spirit protecting the flowers in the ancient dragon’s bones. The spirit belonged to an elf that died alongside the dragon.
Later, as the party discussed things, it was clear we all complied with the request. None of us were hostile about it. I did my best to depict to the stranger that I felt my flaws included being easily distracted away from my desire to discover the secrets to human longevity. Using my telekinesis, I displayed the many spells I had frivolously spent time and money learning here in the Dawnlands. But to what end did I learn them? Could I justify the learning as bringing me closer towards learning the Clone, True Polymorph or Wish spells? Saving my gold for those spells, would arguably have been a better use of the spent gold.
The elf spirit led me to a bonfire. Inside the bonfire - the flower. I reached for it with my telekinesis, and suddenly I was back with the others.
The elf spirit was standing next to the ribcage where the flowers were, and felt we had passed the test, and announced we were welcome to take some flowers. The flowers, as the spirit described them, were a product of the hearts that rested there. Somehow, the dragon’s fire resistance had embedded itself into the flowers. Glint extracted a flower and some soil into one of our pots and diplomatically offered the spirit our secrecy on the matter of this location. To aid in the matter, I have left out any directions in this journal.
One Dragon Heart flower, successfully obtained.
On Botanical Updates
We each earned 120gp for our expedition. The iron golem butler, Ted, made us these lovely willow woven baskets, too matching the larger one Glint received the day before. And I understand Master Glint has gained an enhancement to his Summon Draconic Spirit spell derived from the Dragon heart flower.
On Alternative Applications of Spells
I ventured to the harbour of Port Ffirst from Mr. Penrosea’s house, before returning to the city. I had an experiment I wanted to run, and the sea was a good spot for it.
When learning the Magic Missile spell from Master Amble, a gnome enchantment specialist, he informed me of an intentional use of the Feather Fall spell, as opposed to its usual emergency use. Master Amble has taken a liking to throwing himself off of high platforms and then casting Feather Fall for the benefit of his continued existence, of course, but also; for the fun of it! I gave it a go jumping off of a tall ship’s bow into the ocean - I was not as daring as Master Amble with the height of my starting point. But, it was fun. I can see the appeal of using the spell for a thrill. However, I am just pleased to know that it works. Experiment; success!
