Fenna's Knowledge – An Uneasy Alliance
With the battle behind them, the group moved forward through the dim corridors of the ruins, but the tension remained. Mellali, despite Hadjer's assurances, kept his distance from Fenna. His eyes were sharp, constantly watching her movements, as if waiting for the slightest hint of betrayal. He couldn't shake his distrust, especially given the circumstances of their meeting.
Fenna, on the other hand, walked quietly beside Hadjer, clearly sensing Mellali's wariness but saying nothing about it. She seemed resigned to her role in the group, knowing that she had to prove her worth if she was to remain. Her soft footsteps echoed through the corridor, her staff tapping gently against the stone as they ventured deeper into the dungeon's labyrinth.
As they walked, it became increasingly clear that Fenna had valuable knowledge about the ruins. She occasionally pointed out traps hidden in the walls or on the floor, her eyes catching subtle clues that Mellali or Korrak might have missed. She was quiet and unassuming, offering her guidance only when necessary, never trying to draw attention to herself.
Korrak, still somewhat indifferent to the newcomer, had his own reservations. But for now, he was focused on what lay ahead, his mind more on the next challenge than on Fenna's presence.
---
A Dangerous Trap – Fenna's First Test
After hours of walking through the winding tunnels, they came to a large, open chamber, the air inside thick with the weight of ancient magic. At the center of the room, there was a strange glowing pedestal, its surface etched with arcane symbols that pulsed faintly. Something about it felt off, and Mellali's instincts told him this wasn't just an ordinary part of the ruins.
"Looks like a trap," Korrak muttered, gripping his greataxe tightly.
Hadjer, standing beside Mellali, nodded. "It's definitely something dangerous."
Fenna, standing slightly behind the group, stepped forward cautiously, her eyes fixed on the glowing symbols. She knelt down, examining the stone floor near the pedestal, her fingers brushing against the edges of a faint rune hidden in the dust.
"This is old magic," Fenna said softly, more to herself than anyone else. "A magical trap, designed to lure adventurers in. If you step too close, it'll trigger and release whatever it's been storing."
Mellali watched her carefully, his arms crossed. "How do you know that?"
Fenna didn't meet his eyes, but her voice was calm. "I've studied these ruins for a long time. I know the signs."
Hadjer glanced over at Mellali, sensing the tension between him and Fenna. "We need to trust her on this, Mellali. If it's a trap, we can't just rush in."
Mellali frowned, his skepticism clear, but he couldn't argue with her logic. "Fine," he said, his voice stiff. "But if she's wrong, we'll be the ones paying for it."
---
Fenna's Knowledge Saves the Group
Fenna carefully approached the pedestal, her staff tapping the ground as she moved. She knelt down again, studying the intricate symbols on the pedestal. "The runes here are designed to respond to movement. If you step into the circle, it activates the spell."
Korrak, ever impatient, grunted. "So how do we disable it?"
Fenna's brow furrowed in concentration. "We can't. Not entirely. But we can bypass it if we disrupt the flow of magic around it."
She pulled a small pouch from her belt, scattering a handful of herbs and powder onto the floor around the pedestal. As she chanted softly under her breath, the runes on the pedestal flickered and dimmed slightly, as though the magic within had been muted.
"There," Fenna said, standing up and stepping back. "The trap is weakened. We can move through safely, but don't get too close to the pedestal."
Korrak was the first to step forward, carefully following the path Fenna had laid out. He moved past the pedestal without issue, and when it was Mellali's turn, he couldn't help but feel a grudging sense of respect for Fenna's knowledge. Still, the doubt lingered.
Hadjer, moving gracefully behind Mellali, glanced back at Fenna with a small, grateful smile. "You saved us from that trap," she said softly. "Thank you."
Fenna nodded, her expression calm but tired. "It's what I'm here for."
---
Mellali's Distrust Remains
Even after successfully bypassing the trap, Mellali's unease remained. Though Fenna had proven useful, his distrust of her hadn't faded. He knew better than to let his guard down around someone who had once been traveling with plunderers. In his mind, there were still too many unanswered questions about her true intentions.
As they continued through the ruins, Hadjer walked beside Fenna, offering quiet words of thanks and reassurance. Mellali noticed the way Hadjer interacted with her—soft-spoken, friendly, but not overly familiar. Hadjer didn't trust easily either, but she was willing to give Fenna a chance. That was something Mellali couldn't understand.
"You still don't trust her," Hadjer said later, once they were alone, her tone matter-of-fact.
Mellali shrugged, his expression neutral. "Should I? She helped us, sure, but that doesn't mean she's on our side."
Hadjer sighed softly. "You don't trust anyone, Mellali. Not after everything that happened."
Mellali's jaw clenched slightly, memories of the past flickering through his mind. "Maybe that's for the best. Trusting people too easily gets you killed."
Hadjer didn't argue with him, but she gave him a look that spoke volumes. She understood where his mistrust came from, but she also knew it would hold him back if he never let anyone in.
"Just… keep an open mind," Hadjer said quietly. "Not everyone is out to hurt us."
Mellali didn't respond. He wasn't sure he could.
Fenna's Knowledge Leads to Treasure – A Dangerous Path Ahead
The deeper Mellali, Hadjer, Korrak, and Fenna ventured into the ruins, the more treacherous the path became. The air grew thicker, laden with the weight of ancient magic, and the walls seemed to hum with a faint, distant energy. The ruins, as always, held secrets—both the kind that could lead to fortune and the kind that could lead to their deaths. Despite Mellali's constant suspicion of Fenna, she had proven useful in more ways than one, and today would be no different.
As they navigated through the crumbling hallways, Fenna stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she studied the intricate patterns carved into the stone walls. She traced a faint symbol with her fingertips, her expression shifting from curiosity to realization.
"There's something here," Fenna said softly, glancing back at the group.
Korrak, always eager for action, grinned. "Something worth fighting for?"
Fenna nodded, though her expression remained serious. "A treasure. Something hidden. The markings on the walls are old druidic symbols—protection wards. I've seen these before. They're guarding something valuable, but there will be danger."
Mellali, standing back with his arms crossed, watched her carefully. "And how exactly do you know this?"
Fenna turned to face him, her voice calm. "I told you. I've studied these ruins for a long time. This isn't the first hidden vault I've come across. If we follow these markings, they should lead us to an ancient druidic treasure, but it's protected. There will be a guardian."
Hadjer, always more willing to give Fenna the benefit of the doubt, nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like it's worth a look. We need to be careful, though. If it's that well-guarded, it won't be easy to take."
Korrak hefted his greataxe, grinning with anticipation. "The harder the fight, the better the treasure."
Mellali remained quiet, still not fully trusting Fenna, but if there was treasure to be found, he couldn't deny the potential value it might hold. He glanced at Hadjer, who gave him a small, reassuring nod. "Alright," Mellali said finally. "Lead the way, but we stay cautious. No unnecessary risks."
---
The Vault of the Forgotten Grove – A Hidden Treasure
Following Fenna's guidance, the group made their way through a series of narrow passageways, deeper into the heart of the ruins. The air grew colder, and the sound of their footsteps echoed in the stillness. Eventually, they reached a wide, circular chamber, its walls covered in ancient carvings depicting wild forests and powerful druidic magic.
In the center of the room stood a large stone altar, covered in vines and moss, as if nature itself had reclaimed it over the centuries. Atop the altar sat a gleaming chest, its surface adorned with shimmering, intricate runes.
Korrak's eyes lit up with excitement as he eyed the chest. "There it is."
But Mellali's gaze was fixed on the floor. The area around the altar was marked with faint, glowing symbols—runes that pulsed softly, a sign of powerful magic. "It's not that simple," Mellali muttered, scanning the room.
Fenna stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she studied the runes. "The guardian is near. These markings are part of the ward, keeping it bound. Once we try to take the treasure, the guardian will be released."
Hadjer's hand rested lightly on her rapier, her stance calm but ready. "Then we need to be prepared."
---
The Guardian Awakes
As Korrak moved toward the chest, eager to claim the prize, Fenna raised her hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Wait. Once the chest is touched, the magic will trigger."
Korrak grunted in frustration but stepped back, giving Fenna space to work. She moved carefully, chanting softly in druidic as she traced the air with her fingers, manipulating the magic around the altar. The glowing runes flickered and pulsed more rapidly as she worked.
Then, with a loud crack, the ground beneath the altar began to tremble. The air grew heavy, thick with magic, and from the shadows of the chamber, a massive figure emerged. It was the Guardian of the Forgotten Grove, a towering creature made of twisted roots, moss, and ancient stone. Its eyes glowed with the same faint light as the runes on the floor, and its form radiated primal energy.
Guardian's AC: 18
HP: 200
The Guardian let out a deep, rumbling growl, its massive hands clenched into fists as it prepared to defend the treasure it had guarded for centuries.
---
The Battle – A Test of Strength and Wit
Mellali wasted no time, his hand crackling with arcane energy as he cast Tasha's Mind Whip (3rd-level spell), sending a wave of psychic energy toward the Guardian.
(Damage: 18 psychic damage, Guardian's actions limited next turn)
The Guardian staggered slightly as Mellali's spell struck its mind, but it was far from defeated.
Hadjer darted forward, her Bladesong igniting as she moved with lightning speed toward the massive creature. She struck with her rapier, aiming for the weak points in its vine-covered form.
(Damage: 14 piercing)
Her blade sliced through the thick roots, but the Guardian barely seemed to notice, its massive form still towering over them.
Korrak, grinning with excitement, charged in next, his greataxe swinging with brutal force.
(Damage: 16 slashing)
The blade cut deep into the Guardian's side, sending splinters of wood and stone flying, but the creature roared in response, its primal power surging.
The Guardian retaliated, swinging its massive arm toward Korrak with devastating force.
(Damage: 25 bludgeoning)
Korrak grunted in pain as the blow landed, but he stayed on his feet, his rage fueling him as he prepared for another strike.
---
Fenna's Intervention – Nature vs. Nature
Fenna, standing behind the group, closed her eyes and began to chant in a low, melodic tone. Her hands glowed with green energy as she called upon her connection to nature. The Guardian was powerful, but she understood its magic. She raised her staff and cast Entangle, causing thick vines to erupt from the ground, wrapping around the Guardian's legs and slowing its movements.
(Guardian is restrained for 1 turn)
The vines tightened around the Guardian's body, holding it in place just long enough for the group to press their attack.
Mellali saw the opportunity and quickly cast Mind Spike (3rd-level spell), targeting the creature's mind once again.
(Damage: 22 psychic damage)
The Guardian let out a deep, guttural roar as the psychic energy tore through its mind. Its massive body swayed, weakened but still dangerous.
Hadjer moved in for another strike, her Bladesong enhancing her agility as she danced around the creature, her rapier flashing in the dim light.
(Damage: 17 piercing)
With a final, precise strike, Hadjer drove her rapier deep into the Guardian's chest, piercing its core of twisted roots. The creature let out one last, echoing roar before it collapsed into a heap of vines and stone, its glowing eyes dimming as its magic faded.
Victory and the Treasure Unlocked – Corrected
The fight with the Guardian of the Forgotten Grove had been intense, but in the end, Mellali, Hadjer, Korrak, and Fenna emerged victorious. The Guardian's defeat left the ancient chamber eerily silent, and the air felt lighter without the oppressive magic that had protected the treasure for centuries.
Korrak, eager as always, moved to the chest and opened it with a creak, revealing the long-awaited rewards.
---
The Treasure
Ring of Barkskin: Grants the wearer an AC of 16, regardless of armor worn. This magical ring provides a reliable defense, especially for those without heavy armor.
Druidic Staff of the Grove: A staff that boosts nature-based magic, granting +1 to attack and damage rolls on spells. Ideal for a druid or nature caster like Fenna.
Potion of Greater Healing: A potent healing potion that restores 4d4 + 4 hit points.
Korrak grabbed the Potion of Greater Healing and stuffed it into his pack, while Hadjer examined the Ring of Barkskin thoughtfully. It could prove useful, especially in situations where her defensive spells were not active.
Fenna, who had helped so much in the battle, stood silently to the side, her eyes cast downward. Mellali, while still wary of her, couldn't deny her usefulness. She had saved them from the Guardian's relentless attacks more than once.
---
Experience Points and Drops
XP Gained: 3,000 XP each for Mellali, Hadjer, and Korrak, further boosting their progress toward Level 8.
Current XP: Mellali and Hadjer now have 28,000 XP (halfway toward Level 8).
The Guardian's defeat also left behind:
Twisted Root Fragment: A rare crafting material, useful for creating magical items with a nature theme.
Grove Seed: A mysterious seed from the Guardian's core, imbued with powerful natural energy. Its potential remains unknown, but it radiates faint magical power.
---
Mellali and Hadjer (Corrected Levels)
Mellali Mohamed (Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, Aasimar – Level 7)
HP: 50
New Sorcery Points: 7 (allows him to convert spells to sorcery points and vice versa)
New Spells: Greater Invisibility, Counterspell (3rd level)
New Feature: Psionic Sorcery – Mellali can cast certain spells using sorcery points instead of spell slots.
Hadjer (Eladrin Wizard – Bladesinger – Level 7)
HP: 48
New Spells: Greater Invisibility, Dimension Door (4th level)
New Feature: Extra Attack (Hadjer can now attack twice when using her rapier while her Bladesong is active, greatly enhancing her combat abilities.)
---
A Growing Respect
Mellali, though ever cautious, couldn't deny the effectiveness of Fenna's guidance and spells in the fight. She had shown she wasn't just a burden, and despite his deep distrust, Mellali's respect for her abilities grew. He glanced over at Hadjer, who smiled at him knowingly.
"She's proven herself," Hadjer said softly, her voice carrying only to Mellali. "You don't have to trust her, but she's earned her place here."
Mellali sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I see that. She's useful, I'll admit. But that doesn't mean I'll let my guard down."
Hadjer nodded, understanding his reservations. "Just give it time. Not everyone is an enemy."