Pathfinders of the New World- Knights of the Cross(roads): Book One, Chapter Three, Condensed

The Haunted Woods

Dramatis Personae:
Kelani, the Kitsune Druid who doesn't understand civilization

Arden, Kelani's velociraptor animal companion

Kibbik, the Kobold Paladin of Apsu who is too trusting

Gabtar, Kibbik's Goblin follower

Ralliakkan, the Drow Rogue who causes more trouble than anyone knows

Maggie, the Gnome Magus who never stops talking

NOTE: Anything in italics is from Kelani's point of view- anytime she refers to "Mother" she means Mother Nature

***** The Island

       The Knights got a ferry to drop them at the island in the middle of the lake- it was believed to be as haunted as the woods on the other side. The ferryman was reluctant to bring them out there, and hurried back to town as soon as the group had left his boat. 

       I spoke with the elemental who resides in this part of the country, and was told of an infestation of bugs that were destroying the trees on the island. Mother also told me of a crawdad infestation near the shore of the haunted woods; my friends were willing to help with that, it meant a crawdad fest for all of us. When we arrived at the island, I immediately inspected the trees to see what I was dealing with. It turned out to be a simple issue, and I summoned birds and bats to come feast on the smorgasbord of insects waiting for them. 

       After the druid did her duty to nature, the group began to inspect the island, and found the source of the trouble quickly. They discovered that three hags had taken up residence on the island, and they were not pleased by the Knights appearance. A grueling battle ensued, and one of the hags turned Kibbik into a frog; though the witches did not realize that even as a frog, a paladin can still smite evil- it was hilarious to watch this little frog hop up to a hag, bite her, and succeed in smiting her. Once the party finished off the hags, they found the rest of the island to be quite peaceful. They decided to head to the forest.

***** The Haunted Woods

       When the group reached the shore of the woods, Kelani called a nature spirit- or as she calls them, Mother's Voice- to inquire about their surroundings. The druid was unable to get much useful information from the spirit, just the basics of what local flora and fauna inhabited the area. She wanted to find out if there was anything unusual in the woods, but the spirit misunderstood the question. The group wandered through the woods, and eventually decided to make camp for the night.

       That night, while most of the group was sleeping, they were attacked by werewolves. After a difficult battle they finally beat the beasts, and decided to head back to Crossroads to stock up on silver sheen. Two days later the group re-entered the woods, much more prepared for what they were about to face.

       Kelani was able to get better information from Mother this time around, since she knew exactly what to ask for, and the spirit led them to the largest den. After spending the day traveling toward the werewolf den, night finally came and the wolves were up. The group met the leader, and the majority of his pack, just minutes away from their den. While everyone prepared for a difficult battle, Kibbik marched up to the leader and laid his hands on him. Using the gifts granted to him by Apsu, Kibbik removed the curse on the werewolf- making him human again; this also turned the entire pack human again, since taking out the maker reverses the curse on all he created. They sent the people down to the lake to wait for them while they investigated the rest of these woods.

       While traveling to the other two dens, the group was assaulted by will-o-wisps. That battle was one of the biggest challenges the Knights had faced yet. They discovered in the largest den a line of gold, which prompted them to start a gold mine. Most of the former wolves were hired on as miners, and the group spent the next couple of weeks setting up their new business venture.