The storm waited for them like a living thing.

It rose from the flat badlands in a towering wall of darkness, a churning mass of black grit that scraped the horizon raw. At first glance it resembled a sandstorm, but the longer they watched, the more wrong it felt. It did not flow with the wind. It lurched. It staggered. It advanced in uneven pulses, as though something vast and patient were walking just beneath its surface.

Thorn took to the air to study it, skimming closer while the others held their ground. From above, the truth became clearer—and far more unsettling. The particles within the storm moved in defiance of nature, streaking past one another in conflicting currents, converging and separating without reason. It was not merely weather. It was will. When Thorn passed overhead, part of the storm rippled, subtly, as if it had noticed him.

They needed black salt from within that roiling mass, and there would be no waiting for it to pass. Nothing remained in its wake but scoured earth, stripped clean as bone. If they wanted the salt, they would have to take it from the heart of the thing itself.

Plans formed quickly, then fell apart just as fast. Walls of magic would not hold what could not be trusted to behave like wind. Clever tools and delicate spells seemed laughably insufficient. In the end, the solution was brutally simple.

Maledurk stepped forward.

A rope was tied around him—more for comfort than confidence—and he grinned as though walking into oblivion were merely another test of endurance. The others watched, tense and silent, as he approached the storm’s shifting edge. There was no warning gust, no rising howl. One moment he stood before them, the next the blackness swallowed him whole.

The rope went slack.

When they hauled it back, its end was frayed and burned away, as if gnawed by countless invisible teeth.

Inside the storm, Maledurk found chaos. Darkness crushed in on him, grit and salt blasting his scales from every direction. The pain was immediate and vicious—thousands of tiny cuts searing as the salt worked its way into them, stinging like fire. The storm battered him, trying to tear him from his footing, but he planted himself and refused to fall.

With no clear sense of direction and no way to see, instinct took over. He unleashed his fire, roaring defiance into the dark. Flame carved a pocket of light and heat, and for a brief, precious moment the storm recoiled. The salt thinned, retreating from the fire’s wake, leaving behind a hollow where the air was almost calm.

He realized then that the storm could be pushed back, if only temporarily.

Carefully, deliberately, Maledurk advanced, blasting fire again and again to carve a path through the living darkness. Each breath bought him a little more space, a little more clarity. Salt clung to his armor, his scales, his very skin—black and fine as powdered ash. He tasted it on his tongue, sharp and unmistakable. Salt. Powerful, unnatural salt.

At last, light broke through ahead of him. He surged forward, one final burst of flame tearing open the edge of the storm, and stumbled free into the sun.

The others barely had time to cheer before realizing the problem: the salt would not stay put. Brushing it from Maledurk’s scales sent it billowing into the air, dispersing like smoke. It refused to be gathered easily, as if it resented being taken.

Necessity bred inspiration.

They shrank Maledurk down and sealed him inside a sturdy pot, turning him—briefly and ignominiously—into a living salt shaker. The pot rattled and clanged as he endured the indignity, but when they finally opened it, success glittered at the bottom: a dark measure of black salt, enough to satisfy whatever strange bargain demanded it.

They returned to the grove and laid the salt beside the other offerings. Whatever force guided them seemed content, for the forest welcomed their rest, and they slept deeply, wounds mended and strength restored.

Morning brought a new task.

They were sent into a forest that felt sick at its roots. The trees stood twisted and joyless, their leaves dull, the air heavy with decay. Beneath it all lingered another scent—rich, savory, unsettlingly appetizing. Bone marrow honey, they realized. Whatever produced it was close.

Buzzing guided them to a clearing dominated by the carcass of a colossal beast, long dead and half-consumed. Around it swarmed creatures that looked like bees only in the loosest sense: each the size of a cat, their bodies thick and heavy, their heads skull-like and alien. They crawled in and out of the carcass, vanishing into its hollowed ribs and returning again, tireless and focused.

Smoke seemed the safest approach. They lit a fire near the clearing, coaxing thick, choking plumes into the air. The bees slowed, their movements growing sluggish, dulled by the haze. It worked—at least a little.

Elora, wearing the shape of a bear, lumbered into the clearing with careful, deliberate calm. The bees noticed her but did not attack. They hovered, curious, uncertain. Encouraged, the others followed her lead.

That was the mistake.

The moment the group emerged together, the tone shifted. The bees’ buzzing deepened into an angry roar, and the swarm surged as one, abandoning the carcass in a furious wave. They ignored the bear and descended on Maledurk instead, stingers gleaming, intent unmistakable.

The clearing filled with wings and wrath.

And there, in the sudden chaos, the moment hung—frozen on the brink of violence—leaving the fate of bone marrow honey, and perhaps much more, to be decided in the storm of beating wings.

Session Notes
  • Recap and starting situation
    • The party reviews the previous session’s outcome with the cursed crown:
      • Thorn put on the crown and experienced visions.
      • The crown was difficult to remove until Elora cast Remove Curse, freeing Thorn from it.
    • After returning to the grove and speaking with the treant named Jareth, the party chose their next target ingredient: black salt.
    • Jareth teleported the party again, depositing them in a vast open landscape (described like plains, desert, or badlands).
    • On the horizon, the party saw a huge dark “cloud” reaching from the sky to the ground—revealed to be a roiling storm of jet-black particles (suspected to be the black salt).

  • Assessing the black salt storm

    • The group discusses what they know:

      • They do not know exactly where they are, only that they seem far east of the Sword Coast in a sparsely settled interior region.
      • Black salt storms are unusual and not well-known, and the party suspects they may be unnatural.
      • The storm does not leave black salt behind on the ground; collecting residue after it passes does not seem possible.

    • The group debates ways to safely collect black salt:

      • Ideas include creating a barrier (Wall of Stone, Wall of Force, or Wind Wall) and then using Mage Hand or a container to capture the particles.
      • They confirm Mage Hand can only reach its normal range and cannot be extended by having mage hands “hold hands” to increase distance.
      • The party realizes they need some sort of container (they discuss using cookware like a pot).

  • Closer observation: the storm behaves strangely

    • Thorn flies closer to scout the storm.

    • The party learns several key properties:

      • From the outside, the storm looks like a sandstorm, but the particles move in multiple impossible directions—not consistent with normal wind behavior.
      • When Thorn watches its movement carefully (via a Perception/Investigation check), it begins to look like the storm is “walking”—lurching forward in a gait-like rhythm.
      • There is no predictable, consistent “front,” though there is generally a direction of forward movement and it does not seem to retreat much.

  • Decision: Maledurk goes in

    • The group decides to test the storm directly by sending Maledurk into it.

    • Preparations:

      • They tie a rope around Maledurk (with over 100 feet available), intending to hold the other end and pull him back if needed.
      • The terrain is very open (no trees nearby to anchor to), so the others simply hold the rope.
      • Thorn considers flying down to help.

    • As Maledurk approaches the storm’s edge:

      • He notices something counterintuitive: despite the violent motion inside, there is no wind blowing outward from the storm.
      • Before Maledurk can precisely time his entry, the storm lurches forward and engulfs him, making him vanish into the darkness.

  • The rope fails

    • The party checks the rope:

      • There is no tension when they pull.
      • When they pull further, they retrieve a frayed, destroyed end, indicating the storm has destroyed the rope.

  • Inside the storm: Maledurk’s experience

    • Maledurk is immediately overwhelmed by conditions inside:

      • The interior is dark, with fierce buffeting and blasting particulate (like sand).
      • Visibility is near zero, and movement is difficult.

    • Maledurk makes a Strength saving throw:

      • He succeeds well enough to stay upright; the DM notes most others would likely be knocked down quickly.

    • Maledurk takes 20 damage from the abrasive particles (the storm “sandblasts” him), creating stinging cuts like salt poured into wounds.

    • Maledurk considers his options:

      • He worries he may not be able to find the way out due to disorientation.

      • He tests whether the material is truly salt:

        • He tastes it and confirms it is intensely salty.

  • Support from Elora

    • Elora uses her Bear Spirit Totem to help Maledurk recover, granting him 5 hit points.

  • Maledurk’s key tactic: fire breath creates a pocket

    • Maledurk uses his fire breath:

      • The fire briefly illuminates the storm’s interior.
      • The blast dissipates the particles in the area it strikes, creating a relatively clearer “pocket.”
      • The pocket is not a permanent tunnel, but it is an area with much less particulate where Maledurk is no longer being pelted and taking damage.

    • Maledurk learns:

      • He can use his breath weapon up to five times per day.
      • The storm’s chaotic internal motion makes navigation difficult, but the cleared area lets him better perceive the storm’s broader movement and infer a likely direction toward the outside.

  • Attempting to escape

    • Maledurk decides to get out quickly while he can.

    • He notes black salt clinging to him:

      • It sticks in folds and surfaces (clothes/pack areas), though it is not obviously piling up in large drifts.
      • As he moves, some of it falls off.

    • Maledurk uses repeated fire breaths to push toward the edge:

      • After multiple attempts (described as several bursts), he finally sees sunlight and an opening ahead.
      • He exits the storm, emerging behind a visible burst of fire.

  • Regrouping outside

    • The rest of the party, still near the storm front, sees Maledurk return after about a minute.
    • Maledurk observes that the “hole” he created inside the storm is not permanent—the storm begins to close back in and reclaim the cleared space.
    • The party repositions slightly away from the storm’s edge (described as roughly 75 feet away).

  • Collecting the black salt: initial failure

    • The party tries to collect black salt off Maledurk into a container (a pot is discussed/used).

    • They discover a major problem:

      • The material is extremely fine, like powdered sugar or flour.
      • Brushing it off causes it to puff into the air and dissipate, making collection inefficient (only a small fraction falls into the container).

  • Collection strategy brainstorming

    • The party proposes multiple ways to prevent the powder from dispersing:

      • Wrapping Maledurk in fabric (like a sheet, tarp, or tent canvas) and shaking him inside it.
      • Making a smoke/air-capture idea like trapping the cloud and funneling it down.
      • Using water to dissolve it (noting that normal salt would dissolve), then drying it later to re-crystallize.
      • A comedic and practical idea emerges: shrink Maledurk and shake him like a salt shaker into the pot.

  • Executing the “salt shaker” plan

    • The party uses Reduce on Maledurk (the DM allows it to make him small enough to fit into the pot for the gag and practicality of the method).

    • They put reduced Maledurk into the pot and shake him around so the black salt dislodges and settles inside.

    • Consequences:

      • Maledurk takes 4 damage from being battered inside the pot.
      • Accounting for Elora’s earlier healing, his hit point total is adjusted accordingly (the table talk indicates he ends up 1 higher than before the pot damage was applied, due to the +5 healing).

    • Result:

      • The black salt settles, and the party obtains a visible amount—approximately a quarter cup—in the bottom of the pot.
      • The party agrees this should be more than enough for magical purposes (they expect only a pinch is needed).

  • Return to Jareth’s grove

    • The party teleports back to the grove to report success.

    • As they enter the glade:

      • Elora again feels her backpack resist crossing into the area (a tugging sensation), consistent with what happened previously.
      • The discussion suggests the resistance is likely related to transporting collected/cursed items (the crown is explicitly mentioned; lich moss is also discussed as possibly being in the pack).

    • Jareth clarifies:

      • The party can leave retrieved items at the grove for safekeeping as they continue gathering ingredients.
      • The party leaves the pot of black salt there.

  • Resting

    • The party decides it has been a long day and chooses to long rest in the grove, with Jareth indicating it is safe.
    • Everyone restores resources (hit points and spell slots) via the long rest.

  • Choosing the next ingredient

    • The next morning, Jareth asks what they will collect next.
    • Remaining targets are listed (among them): bone marrow honey, ember fungus, and blood gourd.
    • The party chooses bone marrow honey.

  • Teleport to the sickly forest

    • Jareth teleports them to a forest where the bees reside but cannot provide an exact location; the party must search.

    • The forest is described as:

      • Dense enough to limit visibility, though still passable.
      • Dark and sickly, not lush or welcoming like the earlier grove.
      • Not dead, but unhealthy—yet still full of life sounds (birds and animals).

  • Initial search for the hive

    • The party discusses locating bee activity by sound (buzzing) and scent.

    • Elora turns into a bear to enhance scent tracking.

    • Perception checks identify an unusual “buzzing”:

      • Thorn (and also Maledurk) hear a low rumbling, not a normal bee buzz.

    • Bear-Elora’s scent findings:

      • A strong odor of decay.
      • Alongside it, a savory smell described like meaty gravy, consistent with the “bone marrow” theme.

    • The party determines the scent and rumble seem to be coming from the north and begins moving that way.

  • Approaching the source

    • As they travel north through the dense forest, the rumble grows louder.

    • Another round of Perception checks reveals:

      • Something flying through the trees—seen only briefly at the edge of sight.
      • It seems much larger than a normal bee, suggesting either a swarm of large creatures or individually large insects.

  • Stealthy approach to a clearing

    • The party decides to sneak closer to look.
    • Those who sneak (notably Elora and Maledurk) make Stealth checks and succeed in getting a view into a clearing.

  • Discovery: a massive carcass and “bees” the size of cats

    • In the clearing, they find:

      • The carcass of an enormous beast (described as dinosaur-sized), dead for a long time and difficult to identify due to decay.
      • This carcass is the source of the intense decay smell and the savory “gravy” scent.

    • Swarming around and within the carcass are bee-like creatures:

      • Each individual is about the size of a cat.
      • They behave like bees—flying in and out, landing on the carcass, climbing inside, then leaving again.
      • They have unsettling features: skull-like heads and visible stingers (and also teeth).

    • The party discusses implications:

      • Bone marrow suggests bones must be accessed; the group wonders how these creatures crack into such large bones.
      • Elora notes that in real bee colonies, different roles exist, and they may be seeing only certain types (drones/workers), not necessarily the ones adapted for heavy work.

  • Where is the “hive”?

    • The party initially considers following the bees to a separate nest.

    • Elora makes a Nature check while observing behavior and concludes:

      • The nest might actually be inside the carcass itself.

    • The party looks for evidence of “honey” being carried (dripping, coating, etc.) but does not see obvious residue on the bees.

  • Planning an approach

    • The party brainstorms multiple tactics:

      • Smoke to calm them (based on normal beekeeping behavior).
      • Fireball to destroy them outright (debated; not chosen immediately).
      • Telekinesis to move bees or tear into the carcass (but the full carcass is too massive, and unseen objects inside can’t be targeted).
      • Insect Plague as a possible counter-swarm.
      • Leomund’s Tiny Hut as a potential safe zone (also debated, since it could trap them inside with angry bees outside).

    • They decide to try smoke first and prepare a backup plan if the bees react aggressively.

  • Starting the smoke plan

    • The party lights a fire near the carcass using wet fuel to produce heavy smoke, while staying in cover near the treeline.

    • Elora observes with another Nature check:

      • Smoke appears to affect the bees in the open area; they become somewhat less active near the smoke.
      • However, the smoke may not be penetrating deep inside the carcass, limiting its effectiveness where the hive/honey might be.

  • Elora (bear form) tests the bees’ reaction

    • Elora, as a bear, steps into the clearing in a calm, steady manner.

    • The bees notice her:

      • At least one approaches and buzzes around her, but does not attack at first.

    • Elora continues walking quietly, noting the bees remain near her but are not immediately aggressive, likely influenced by the smoke.

  • The party joins—and triggers a behavioral shift

    • Elora calls back for the others to come support her as she approaches the carcass.

    • When additional party members step out of cover into the clearing:

      • Elora immediately notices the bees’ behavior changes.
      • The bees swarm en masse toward the newcomers.
      • Maledurk becomes a primary target as the bees begin to sting him.

    • The session ends at the moment the swarm turns hostile, with the party in the clearing near the carcass and Maledurk under attack.