Deeper Into the Ruins – Searching for a Safe Zone
With the Guardian defeated and the treasure claimed, Mellali, Hadjer, Korrak, and Fenna pressed on. Despite the victory, they all knew that the ruins were far from conquered. The encounter with the Guardian had been taxing, and though they had earned valuable rewards, their real objective remained: finding the next Boss. Only by defeating it could they unlock the path to the next Safe Zone, where they could rest and recuperate without fear of the dungeon's relentless monsters.
Korrak, his greataxe resting casually over his shoulder, voiced what they were all thinking. "We need to find that Boss. The mobs will come back soon, and we won't get lucky with another Safe Zone unless we take one by force."
Hadjer, her face thoughtful, nodded. "We've been in the ruins long enough to know the dungeon's patterns. It won't let us rest for long. We need that Safe Zone."
Mellali, always alert, scanned their surroundings. "Agreed. But for now, we push forward. The dungeon will reveal the Boss when it's ready. Until then, we've got another problem—the Grove Seed."
---
The Grove Seed – A Hidden Power
The Grove Seed, recovered from the Guardian, pulsed faintly in Mellali's hands. It was a small, round object, roughly the size of a coin, but its surface glowed with a deep, verdant light. Even just holding it, Mellali could feel the raw natural energy within, but its purpose remained unclear.
Fenna, walking quietly beside Hadjer, seemed transfixed by the seed. Her eyes lingered on it with a mixture of curiosity and reverence. "The Grove Seed," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a remnant of the Forgotten Grove, an ancient druidic power that's been sealed away for centuries."
Mellali raised an eyebrow, turning to face her. "And what exactly does it do?"
Fenna hesitated for a moment, as if weighing how much she should reveal. Finally, she sighed. "The Grove Seed can be used to restore natural magic. It holds the power to revive a lost druidic sanctuary—a place of immense power, hidden deep within the ruins. But it's dangerous. The dungeon feeds on it, corrupts it. If we're not careful, the dungeon will twist that power and use it against us."
Korrak grunted, his gaze shifting between Mellali and Fenna. "So, what? We plant it somewhere and hope it doesn't turn us into trees?"
Fenna shook her head, her expression serious. "No. The Grove Seed must be taken to a specific place—the Grove of the Forgotten. It's hidden somewhere in these ruins. If we can find it, we can restore the sanctuary's magic. It could grant us protection, even a temporary Safe Zone, but we'll face resistance. The dungeon won't let us succeed without a fight."
Mellali exchanged a glance with Hadjer, who nodded in silent agreement. "Then we find this Grove," Mellali said. "We don't stop until we see it for ourselves."
---
The Journey to the Grove of the Forgotten
Guided by Fenna's knowledge of druidic lore, the group made their way deeper into the ruins, their goal now clear. The Grove of the Forgotten, a place lost to time and corrupted by the dungeon's dark influence, awaited them. If they could reach it, the power of the Grove Seed might provide them with an advantage in their ongoing quest for survival.
The path ahead wasn't easy. The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls of the ruins seemed to close in, and the faint whispers of ancient magic filled the air, making the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. Every step felt heavier, as though the dungeon itself was watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Mellali's untrusting nature kept him vigilant, his eyes constantly scanning the darkened halls for any sign of danger. The feeling of being hunted grew stronger with each passing hour, but they pressed on, determined to reach the Grove before the dungeon's mobs could catch up to them.
---
The Grove of the Forgotten – A Corrupted Sanctuary
After hours of navigating the twisting corridors and avoiding traps that would have easily claimed their lives, the group finally reached the entrance to the Grove of the Forgotten. It was an ancient, hidden sanctuary deep within the ruins, long abandoned by its original creators.
The entrance was marked by a pair of towering, crumbling stone pillars, covered in vines and glowing with faint green runes. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decay, and the soft hum of magic radiated from the grove beyond.
"This is it," Fenna whispered, her voice filled with awe. "The Grove of the Forgotten."
The group stepped forward cautiously, entering the grove. It was a wide, open chamber filled with ancient trees and overgrown vegetation. But something was wrong—the once-vibrant flora had been twisted and corrupted. The trees' bark was blackened, their branches twisted into unnatural shapes, and the ground was littered with the decaying remains of creatures that had long since perished in the dungeon's grip.
At the center of the grove stood a massive, gnarled tree—its trunk thick with dark, pulsating veins of corruption. It was clear that the tree had once been the heart of the sanctuary, but now it was the source of the corruption that had spread through the grove. The Grove Seed pulsed more brightly in Mellali's hand, reacting to the presence of the corrupted tree.
"We have to purify it," Fenna said, her voice steady. "The Grove Seed can restore the sanctuary, but the corruption has taken root. We'll need to destroy whatever's feeding it."
---
The Corrupted Guardian – A Final Trial
As if on cue, the ground began to tremble, and from the base of the corrupted tree, a Corrupted Guardian emerged. It was larger than the previous guardian they had faced, its body twisted with the same dark veins that had infected the grove. Its eyes glowed with malevolent energy, and its very presence seemed to drain the life from the grove around it.
Corrupted Guardian's AC: 20
HP: 250
"This is what's feeding the corruption," Mellali said, narrowing his eyes. "We need to take it down."
Hadjer nodded, her grip tightening on her rapier. "Let's finish this."
The Corrupted Guardian let out a roar, shaking the walls of the grove as it charged forward. Its massive arms swung with deadly force, aiming to crush anything in its path.
Mellali reacted first, casting Greater Invisibility on himself, disappearing from sight and gaining a tactical advantage.
(Mellali casts Greater Invisibility: Now invisible, advantage on all attacks)
Korrak, never one to shy away from a fight, let out a battle cry and charged forward, his greataxe swinging with reckless fury.
(Damage: 20 slashing)
The blade bit deep into the corrupted wood of the Guardian's body, sending splinters flying, but the creature barely seemed fazed. It roared again, swinging its massive arms toward Korrak in retaliation.
( Damage: 30 bludgeoning)
Korrak was knocked back by the force of the blow, but his rage kept him standing. "I've had worse!" he shouted defiantly, readying his next attack.
Hadjer moved next, her Bladesong activated as she danced around the Guardian's attacks, her rapier flashing in the dim light of the grove.
(Damage: 18 piercing)
Her blade sliced through the corrupted bark, cutting deep into the Guardian's side, but like Korrak's attack, it wasn't enough to bring the creature down.
Fenna, standing back, summoned the power of the Grove Seed, channeling its energy into a purifying spell. Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Guardian and holding it in place.
(Corrupted Guardian is restrained for 1 turn)
"The corruption is weakening," Fenna called out. "Keep attacking!"
---
The Final Blow – Purifying the Grove
With the Corrupted Guardian restrained, Mellali saw his opportunity. Still invisible, he channeled his psionic power into a devastating Mind Spike, targeting the creature's corrupted consciousness.
(Damage: 28 psychic damage)
The Guardian let out a tortured roar as Mellali's spell tore through its mind. It staggered, its movements slowing as the corruption within it began to unravel. With one final strike from Korrak, the Guardian fell, collapsing into a heap of twisted wood and dark energy.
(Damage: 25 slashing)
As the Corrupted Guardian staggered back from the impact of Mellali's Mind Spike, its twisted form writhed in agony. But it wasn't done yet. With a furious roar, the Guardian slammed its fists into the ground, causing the earth to quake violently beneath the group's feet.
The grove trembled as roots and vines erupted from the ground, moving with unnatural speed to entangle the group. Each root seemed to pulse with the same dark energy that infected the Guardian, and it quickly became clear that the battle wasn't just about overpowering the creature—it was about survival.
Current Status: Restrained by Fenna's spell (1 turn left)
---
The Fight Continues – A Tactical Battle
Korrak barely had time to recover from the Guardian's earlier blow as the roots shot toward him. He swung his greataxe to fend them off, grunting with the effort.
"These things won't quit!" Korrak growled, slashing at the roots attempting to ensnare his legs.
(Damage: 15 slashing)
The roots snapped under Korrak's blade, but more quickly replaced them. Mellali, still invisible from Greater Invisibility, took a moment to assess the situation. The Guardian was restrained, but the battlefield was becoming more dangerous with every second.
"We need to stop those roots from spreading!" Mellali shouted, his voice echoing from somewhere unseen. "They're feeding the corruption!"
Fenna nodded, already working on a plan. She raised her staff, summoning her connection to the natural forces of the grove, and cast Dispel Magic on the corrupted roots. The magical energy swirled around her, and the dark influence of the dungeon began to fade from a section of the roots.
(Dispel Magic: Corruption in a 20-foot radius of roots neutralized)
"That should slow them down!" Fenna called out. "But I can't hold them all back alone!"
---
Mellali's Strategic Move
Mellali, seeing an opening, made his move. Still cloaked in invisibility, he quietly moved closer to the Corrupted Guardian. The massive creature, now breaking free of Fenna's vines, let out another monstrous roar, thrashing wildly. Mellali knew that a direct attack wouldn't be enough to take it down. Instead, he decided to target the creature's very mind again, hoping to weaken it further.
(Damage: 22 force damage, Guardian is pushed back and stunned for 1 turn)
The invisible blast of psionic energy hit the Guardian square in the chest, pushing it back several feet and stunning it. The roots around the Guardian recoiled momentarily, giving Mellali and the others precious time to regroup.
"This thing's mind is weak," Mellali called out. "We can hit it hard while it's down!"
---
Hadjer's Tactical Flanking
While Mellali distracted the Guardian, Hadjer, her Bladesong still active, made her move. She darted around the battlefield, using her speed and agility to position herself behind the Guardian. With the creature stunned, she took advantage of the opportunity and struck with a precise series of attacks, aiming for the weaker points of its twisted body.
(Damage: 19 piercing)
(Damage: 16 piercing)
Her rapier sliced through the thick vines and bark that covered the Guardian's back, causing it to howl in pain. The combination of her flanking maneuver and Mellali's psionic assault left the creature reeling, its movements sluggish and erratic.
---
The Guardian Strikes Back
But the Corrupted Guardian, despite the damage it had taken, wasn't defeated yet. Breaking free from the effects of Mellali's Psionic Blast, the Guardian let out a terrifying roar and slammed its fists into the ground once again. This time, the entire grove seemed to respond, with more corrupted roots surging toward the group.
The Guardian raised its massive arms and brought them down with immense force, targeting Korrak and Hadjer, both of whom had dealt the most damage.
(Damage: 32 bludgeoning)
(Damage: 24 bludgeoning)
Korrak was knocked to the ground, his greataxe skidding across the dirt as the blow connected. He grunted in pain but refused to stay down, his rage fueling his determination to keep fighting. "That all you got?" he growled, wiping blood from his mouth.
Hadjer, though swift, was also hit by the Guardian's massive arm. She staggered back but quickly regained her footing, the magical energy of her Bladesong keeping her balanced. "We're still in this!" she shouted, determined not to let the Guardian's strength intimidate them.
---
Fenna's Gambit – Purifying the Heart
Seeing the group struggling against the Guardian's relentless attacks, Fenna knew that they needed more than brute strength to win this fight. The Grove Seed was their only chance to purify the corruption fully, but using it in the midst of battle was risky. Still, there was no other choice.
Fenna gripped the Grove Seed tightly and began to channel its energy. The seed glowed brighter and brighter, filling the grove with a soft, green light. "I'll need time to purify the Guardian!" Fenna called out, her voice strained from the effort. "Keep it off me while I do this!"
The Guardian, sensing the threat, turned its attention to Fenna, its eyes glowing with a sinister light as it roared and charged toward her.
---
Mellali's Psionic Shield
Mellali, quick on his feet, saw the danger and acted swiftly. He raised his hand and cast Shield, creating an invisible barrier of force between the Guardian and Fenna. The Guardian's massive fist collided with the barrier, but Mellali's spell held firm, giving Fenna the precious moments she needed.
( blocked by Shield)
"Keep going, Fenna!" Mellali shouted. "We'll hold it off!"
---
Korrak's Final Charge
Korrak, fueled by rage and determination, grabbed his greataxe and charged toward the Guardian, aiming for its exposed flank. His weapon gleamed as he brought it down with all his strength.
(Damage: 30 slashing)
The blow was devastating, cutting deep into the Guardian's side and causing the creature to stagger. It let out a furious roar, but Korrak didn't let up. He followed up with another powerful strike, determined to finish the fight.
(Damage: 28 slashing)
The Guardian was weakening, its movements slowing as the corruption within it began to unravel.
---
The Purification – Final Strike
Fenna, her face pale with concentration, completed the ritual. The Grove Seed released a burst of pure, natural energy, spreading through the grove and enveloping the Corrupted Guardian. The twisted roots and vines that had corrupted the Guardian began to wither and die, turning to ash as the power of the grove was restored.
With the Guardian now vulnerable, Mellali, still invisible, saw his chance to strike the final blow. He cast Mind Spike once more, sending a searing psychic attack directly into the creature's mind.
(Damage: 35 psychic damage)
The Guardian let out one final, agonized roar as the psychic energy tore through its mind. Its body crumbled, the dark magic that had sustained it dissipating into the air. The corrupted bark fell away, leaving nothing but a pile of decayed wood and stone.
The Grove of the Forgotten was purified.
Aftermath – A Moment of Calm
As the Corrupted Guardian crumbled to the ground, its final roar fading into the quiet of the grove, the twisted roots and vines began to shrivel and die. The oppressive atmosphere that had weighed on them throughout the battle lifted, and the grove, once again, felt alive with natural magic. The Grove Seed in Fenna's hands pulsed faintly, its power having completed the task of purifying the corrupted sanctuary.
Korrak wiped the sweat from his brow, leaning heavily on his greataxe as he caught his breath. "That thing took more hits than a stone wall," he muttered, his grin wide despite his exhaustion. "But it's down, and we're still standing."
Hadjer, her Bladesong finally fading, sheathed her rapier and exhaled slowly. "It took everything we had," she agreed, scanning the newly purified grove. The trees had begun to regain their natural color, their bark turning from blackened and twisted to a vibrant brown. The vines, once corrupted, now bloomed with soft, green leaves.
Mellali, still somewhat cautious, glanced at Fenna. She stood in the center of the grove, the Grove Seed resting gently in her hands. The power radiating from it was far more peaceful now, its chaotic energy subdued. He gave her a nod, a rare moment of acknowledgment. "You did well," he said, his tone calm but respectful. "You've proven yourself again."
Fenna smiled softly, her relief evident. "It was the Grove Seed that did most of the work, but I'm glad we made it through."
---
The Purified Grove – A Temporary Safe Haven
The group took a moment to assess the situation. The Grove of the Forgotten, now restored to its former glory, felt like a different place. The air was fresher, and the once-darkened sanctuary now pulsed with a serene, natural light. It was far from the chaotic, corrupted ruin they had first entered.
"This place… it's almost like a Safe Zone," Hadjer said quietly. "We could rest here for a while."
Mellali nodded in agreement. "But only for a short time. The dungeon won't let us linger for long."
Fenna, still holding the Grove Seed, spoke up. "The sanctuary's magic will keep the dungeon's influence at bay for now, but it's not permanent. We need to keep moving. The dungeon will react eventually, and when it does, the next mobs will be stronger than before."
Korrak grunted in frustration. "So, no long break, huh? Figures."
Still, for now, they had a moment of calm—a chance to catch their breath before the next challenge. Mellali took this brief respite to check the loot left behind by the Corrupted Guardian.
---
Loot and XP Gained
The battle had been hard-fought, and the rewards reflected their efforts.
Loot:
Amulet of Wild Shape: This magical amulet allows the wearer to cast Wild Shape as if they were a druid of equal level, usable once per day.
Seed of Corruption: A mysterious seed taken from the Guardian's core. It holds dark energy but could be used in crafting or magical research.
Potion of Superior Healing: Restores 8d4 + 8 hit points.
XP Gained:
Each member of the group gained 4,500 XP for defeating the Corrupted Guardian and purifying the Grove.
Mellali Mohamed (Aberrant Mind Sorcerer – Aasimar – Level 7)
Current XP: 32,500 XP (3,500 XP away from Level 8)
Hadjer (Eladrin Wizard – Bladesinger – Level 7)
Current XP: 32,500 XP (3,500 XP away from Level 8)
Korrak (Barbarian – Level 7)
Current XP: 33,000 XP (closer to Level 8)
---
Resting in the Grove
The group sat down amidst the newly restored vegetation, finally able to relax, even if only for a moment. Korrak leaned back against a tree, inspecting his greataxe with pride. "It's been a long time since I've had a fight like that. Felt good to be tested."
Hadjer sat quietly beside Mellali, her hand resting lightly on her rapier. She didn't speak much to Korrak or Fenna, but her expression was content, her usual calm presence a comfort to Mellali.
Mellali, always thinking ahead, couldn't help but look around at the restored grove. "We'll have to move soon," he said softly, more to himself than to anyone else. "The dungeon won't let us stay here for long."
Fenna, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "This place is special, but it's not a true Safe Zone. The dungeon's influence will return in time."
Mellali glanced at her, still cautious but slowly warming to her presence. "You've proven useful, Fenna," he admitted. "But don't think that means I trust you completely."
Fenna smiled faintly, understanding his reluctance. "I wouldn't expect you to."