Trailing Swamp Tulips

Trailing Swamp Tulips

Jordero, Spring Festival

The party returns to the fairgrounds of the Spring festival of Chauntea. Agnes greets the party but spots several commoners being escorted to the triage tent of the spring festival. Merrill joins Druid Waite as the two reports of the events of the previous day. Uncertain in what to say

Agnes expresses concern to the party-goers. “I am sorry the Cockatrice acted strangely but ` you must have stumbled across its lair. I am sorry we had three commoners injured by the attack. But in Chauntea faith we have received swamp-moss to provide protection against further events involving petrification.”

“However, I understand you wish to return to the swamp to retrieve the Swamp Lilly which helps in other matters from closing wounds to open doors to the outer elements. But if I too

understand wish just the outriders and a few druids to capture the Swamp Lilly.”

“That is correct High Druid Agnes, my friends and I will rest the night but we will head back to the Mystery Swamp in the morning.”

“I accept your offer, Justicar; and I will have Druid Waite explain to your party how to capture the elusive Swamp Lilly. Bordo, a moment o your time.”

A small Halfing female joins Agnes and the others. “Bordo, please have a pair of rain

slicker boots prepared for the morning since the Swamp Lilly is in deeper regions of Mystery Swamp.It only appears every 25 years, Justicar.”

“Thank you for that information so if we don't get it by the end of the spring festival

we will not be able to get it for another 25 years where I will be an old man.”

“That is correct. More information on it can be found with Druid Waite and our Lilly expert Mager, though he is odd at times.”

“I will keep that in mind as well, High Druid Agnes.” Agnes returns to her duties back at her stand and acknowledges Merrill and the others for their service with the church of Chauntea.

“Alright, Jerrin and Bruenor get the needed supplies we will need. Girls, you will join me and Druid Waite and speak with Mager who will show us how to use the druid tools needed to capture the elusive Swamp Lilly.”

“Oh Jerrin, make sure Bruenor does not fill his stomach on dwarf ale and mead while you get our supplies. We don't need a drunk falling in the Mystery Swamp.”

“Trust me, Merrill his drinking will be watched by my eyes.”

“You lads never give me any fun while I'm at the festival,” comments Bruenor who holds an ale mug in his hands.

Library of Mager

Merrill and the others walk into a large arboretum of flowers and books and spot a small gnome jotting down notes in his journal. Waite greets the Gnome followed by Merrill and the others.”Good Mager, a pleasure to see you again.”

Mager adjusts his ben franklin glasses and looks up at Waite and the others. “I told Agnes I would pay my tithe next week. Leave me, Gerald.”

“We need your assistance, Druid Master Mager concerning the Swamp Lilly,” comments Merrill

“A flower hunt for the Justicar, my I must be in paradise. The last time I saw the Lilly was Oh

what is it now 25 years.”

“I'm afraid you are correct Druid Master, it has been 25 years since she last returned.” remarks

Kayla.

“Agnes must be desperate to hire a half-elf woman on her yearly flower hunt. What is she paying you half-elf?”

“Just a boon, Druid Master.”

“She was always cheap on our adventures.”

Mager closes his journal and looks the others over about their request. “ So besides the basics of the Swamp Lilly what else do you know Justicar?”

“That's why we are here Druid Master, we need to know what you can share with us about the flower.”

“Hmmm...Mager reaches for a reed-weed and lights it up and looks at the adventurers. Where to begin...Hmmm....” comments the Gnome Druid Master

“The Swamp Lilly is much like a Venus Fly-trap but twice the size of it. The Lilly though communicates like other flowers is very much like her younger cousin.”

“There are tales that claim even the Myconid people fear her because it is much like a man-eater but her petals have a unique quality that benefits all herbs in both cooking and healing

powers.”

“When I first saw it as a young Gnome, I said to myself that I would study her as my inspiration to be a Druid Flower Master. I have collected a number of reports over the years concerning this unique flower but it would take a long time which you do not have.”

But here is a short summary for your upcoming expedition.”

Next Morning

The party of heroes is once again joined by Druid Waite and two of his colleagues Druid Judith and Druid Enzio traveling once again into the Mysterious Swamp. The party goes deeper in the swamps now wearing rubber fish boots the party parks their wagons a short distance from the location of the mysterious Swamp-Lilly. Using a spyglass Druid Waite centers on a large plum-swamp green Lilly standing about eight feet tall and has several vampire-like vines as it grabs and engulfs a small swamp creature.

Waite looks over to the others as he watches the swamp-Lilly enjoys its meal. “It would appear our target has an appetite for goat right now.” whispers mockingly Druid Waite. “Do you have a plan ranger or cleric?”

Merrill looks over to Kayla who is talking something out by Jerrin. Asa and Bruenor join the other druids as they unload the cargo cases for the Lilly flowers of the swamp-Lilly. “I think Kayla has something of a plan.”

Kayla looks at the others and mentions her plan for the flower. “ I was just talking with Jerrin and what we learned from Mager. Is that the swamp-Lilly is in its habitat as of now. What we need to do is brighten it up with some dancing lights from Asa and sound disruption from your mace. What we could do is distract and keep it preoccupied and then Bruenor and Druid Enzio can sneak up on the flower and trim off just enough flower petals for the necessary healing properties. If you like the plan of course.”

“It's a good idea since we know it is sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds. I like it but how do we get Bruenor and Enzio close enough to trim it,” comments Asa as she flutters her strawberry fire red hair.

Kayla points to Judith and Waite. “All three of us can cast passing with no trace and be able to sneak up on the plant and trim the petals that way.”

“Jerrin will be our archer and if things go sour he can take nip shots at the plant. Druid Waite do you have a remedy to pull the plant asleep for a little while?”

“I don't normally use the remedy you are talking about but I can give the paralysis tip on Jerrin's arrows.”

“Then it's settled Asa and I will distract the swamp-Lilly and the rest of you will use your druidic talents to contain the flower.” agrees Merrill to Kayla and Waite.

“When do we hit it, boss?” tarts in Bruenor.

“After the fellow is finished with his swamp goat meal.”

Twenty minutes later.

The plant gets rid of its meal as it looks for another meal. Spitting the bones of the goat back into the swampy moss waters. It then pans around for any other meals. Merrill signals

Asa and the couple release a series of dancing light and loud pounding that distracts the plant.

Swirling its vampire-like vines it starts to snatch at anything in the 60-foot radius. Bruenor and Enzio sneak up on the plant not being noticed by the mystical spells passed down by the Druids of the party.

Moving quickly the rogues begin to take off the petals as the plant swells loudly of being struck from behind. The rogues continue to get the necessary petals as Jerrin takes aim at the plant releasing a flurry of arrows. The plant prone by both sides starts to swing its vines frantically defending itself from the attackers.

The rogues back off quickly as the plant starts to swirl its vampire-like vines at the escaping rogues only narrowly touching Enzio who quickly cuts the vine with his hand-held sickle weapon. Bruenor helps the druid by using his hand ax to help his team-mate.

Asa soon releases a cloud-burst of bright lights and rainfall that covers the escape from

the rogues on the swamp-Lilly. Jerin fires another flurry of arrows that stops the plant

from its panicked state.

Moments later

The party rejoins one another as Merrill mends up some scratches from the vampire-like vines on Enzio and Bruenor. Waite steps closer and places the mystical petals in the

specially designed crates. Waite smiles but looks back at the sleeping swamp-Lilly and shows a look of concern at it. “Though we achieved some petals from the swamp-Lilly I hope we did not cause a lot of damage to the flower.”

“I would not worry Druid Waite,” comments the quiet Judith “For Chauntea has allowed us to share in its blessed petals to help our people from pain and misery.”

“I hope you are correct Sister Judith.”

“Justicar and your friends once again we thank you for your services and can we now leave this aberrant swamp.”

Merrill reaches over and touches the older druid on his shoulders. 'A fine decision, Druid Waite. Bruenor you carry first rounds once we get back to the festival.”

“Well, there goes my latest acquisition gold from the Church of Chauntea.”

The heroes and druid circle of Chauntea laugh in accomplishment.

The End?