The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the sprawling wetlands surrounding Strixhaven, the renowned college of magic. The air was thick with humidity, and the scent of wet earth permeated the wooden walkways that crisscrossed the swampy terrain. Four determined students—Luna, Bob, Krenn, and Ophelia—made their way along the elevated paths, their footsteps echoing softly against the wooden planks. Their mission was clear: retrieve the missing mascots that had mysteriously vanished from the college grounds.

Recalling whispers about a remote hut to the north, the group moved with purpose. The hut appeared more like an open gazebo, its sides exposed to the elements, allowing a clear view inside. Krenn, ever the curious half-elf wizard, volunteered to investigate first. As he stepped onto the creaking floorboards, his keen eyes caught sight of a pest mascot dangling from the rafters above, its tiny form swaying gently in the breeze.

Without warning, the tranquil scene shattered. Two colossal figures rose from the murky swamp waters—brackish trudges, living mounds of tangled plant life, each adorned with tusk-like protrusions. Their eyes, if they had any, were fixed on Krenn. Luna, the perceptive fairy druid, recognized the creatures immediately. “Brackish trudges!” she warned, her wings fluttering with alarm.

The trudges lumbered toward the hut, their massive forms shaking the very ground. They attempted to force their way inside, but the sturdy railing held firm against their weight. Ophelia, the human sorcerer with a fiery spirit, wasted no time. Summoning arcane energies, she hurled a bolt of fire at one of the beasts. The flames licked its damp exterior but failed to ignite. “They’re too wet!” she exclaimed. “Fire won’t be enough!”

Luna joined in, casting her own fire spell, but the result was the same—minimal damage against the soggy plant creatures. Krenn knew he had to act swiftly. Drawing upon his magical prowess, he cast Levitate upon himself. His body lifted gracefully into the air, allowing him to maneuver like an astronaut in zero gravity. He ascended toward the pest mascot, hoping to coax it into their care.

Below, one of the trudges continued its relentless assault on the hut’s defenses. Bob, the stout dwarf fighter with a penchant for humor, decided to try a different approach. Clearing his throat, he shouted to the creature, “Hey, want to hear a joke? A white horse fell in the mud!” There was a pause, then an unexpected reaction. The trudge emitted strange, guttural sounds before collapsing into the swamp, quivering as if in laughter. Bob grinned, pleased with his handiwork.

Meanwhile, the second trudge persisted. Ophelia, thinking quickly, conjured a spell to alter its size. With a few arcane words, she successfully shrunk the beast to the size of a pony. Luna seized the opportunity, casting Entangle. Vines and brambles erupted from the swamp, wrapping tightly around the diminutive trudge and holding it fast.

High above, Krenn made his first attempt to befriend the pest mascot. His initial overtures were met with indifference. Adjusting his approach, he softened his tone and spoke gently. This time, the mascot responded, allowing Krenn to place the collar around its neck. With a sense of accomplishment, he watched as it began to move off, mission accomplished.

“Time to go!” Bob called out, noticing the trudges might not remain incapacitated for long. The group quickly retraced their steps, leaving the hut behind. As they departed, the trudges sank back into the swamp, no longer a threat.

Their path led them westward along the wooden walkways. The swamp was alive with the sounds of chirping insects and distant bird calls. Suddenly, Bob’s sharp eyes caught a glimmer in a field of vibrant flowers to the north. Amidst the blossoms, a particularly large flower held something that sparkled in the sunlight—a gemstone nestled within its petals.

Driven by curiosity and his dwarven affinity for precious stones, Bob didn’t hesitate. He vaulted over the railing and waded through the sea of flowers. Pollen filled the air, causing him to sneeze, but he pressed on, reaching the gem—a bright green emerald. As he grasped it, he felt a surge of energy but thought little of it as he rejoined his companions.

Examining the gem more closely, Krenn’s eyes widened. “This isn’t just any gem,” he said gravely. “It’s an elemental gem. If we crush it, we can summon a water elemental.” The group exchanged glances, understanding the potential power they now held. “Could come in handy,” Luna mused, tucking the gem safely away.

Continuing along the walkway, the adventurers soon entered a more wooded area. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. In a clearing to the north, two giant elk grazed peacefully. These were no ordinary elk; they were immense, nearly double the size of their kin, with magnificent antlers reaching skyward.

Luna’s keen eyes spotted movement among the antlers. “Look! Another pest mascot,” she whispered, pointing to the tiny creature nestled among the elk’s impressive horns. The challenge was clear: retrieving the mascot without disturbing the elk.

Drawing upon her ability to communicate with animals, Luna approached the elk cautiously. “Greetings,” she said warmly. “We’ve brought some delicious berries. Would you like to share them with us?” The elk regarded her thoughtfully but seemed content where they were. “The grass here is sweet,” one replied. “But thank you.”

Krenn had an idea. Still benefiting from his Levitate spell, he suggested that Luna give him a push toward the elk. Luna agreed, and with precise timing and coordination, she propelled him through the air. Krenn floated gracefully toward the elk, eliciting surprised looks from the majestic creatures. “Just retrieving something,” he assured them.

As he reached the elk’s antlers, Krenn carefully grasped the mascot. It began to squirm and scratch, its tiny claws digging into his skin. Ignoring the discomfort, he pushed off from the elk, floating back toward his friends. Once safely back on the walkway, the group managed to place a collar on the restless mascot. Relieved, they watched as it scurried away, another success under their belts.

Krenn winced, examining the scratches on his arms. “Nothing serious,” he shrugged. Ophelia offered a healing touch, and soon he was as good as new. “That’s four down,” Bob noted. “Two more to go.”

Their journey brought them to another hut, this one adorned with artistic supplies. Paintbrushes, palettes, and canvases were scattered about, and an empty easel stood waiting. Underneath the table, an art elemental mascot curled up, its form shimmering with ethereal colors.

Krenn’s eyes lit up. This was an opportunity to combine his love for art with their mission. Setting up the easel, he began to arrange his paints. “Would you mind posing for me?” he asked the mascot kindly. Flattered, the creature agreed, its colors dancing with excitement.

With deft strokes, Krenn brought the scene to life on the canvas—the mascot’s vibrant hues against the backdrop of the swamp. Time seemed to stand still as he painted, the world narrowing down to just him and his subject. The result was breathtaking, even by his standards.

While the mascot was engrossed in the artistic process, Bob subtly conjured a Mage Hand. The spectral appendage floated over and gently placed a collar around the mascot. The creature barely noticed, too captivated by its own likeness emerging on the canvas. “Beautiful work,” Luna praised quietly.

As the mascot departed, drawn by the collar’s enchantment, Krenn carefully packed up his supplies. “I’ll treasure this,” he said, gazing at the painting. “It’s a masterpiece,” Ophelia agreed.

“That’s five,” Bob counted. “Just one more to find.” The sun hung lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the swamp. The adventurers knew they were close to completing their quest, but challenges likely remained ahead.

Taking a moment to rest, they revisited the elemental gem. “If we encounter any more trouble, this might tip the scales in our favor,” Krenn suggested. They all agreed, understanding that their final hurdles could be the most difficult.

As they prepared to move on, the sounds of the swamp seemed to intensify—the distant croaks of unseen creatures, the rustling of leaves, the whisper of the wind through the reeds. The air was thick with anticipation.

“Ready?” Luna asked, her wings catching the fading sunlight. Her companions nodded, determination etched on their faces.

With renewed purpose, the adventurers set off toward the southwest, eager to locate the final mascot and bring their mission to a triumphant close.

Session Notes
  • The session begins with the adventurers continuing their quest to retrieve the missing mascots for their college, Strixhaven.
  • The group consists of:
    • Luna: a fairy druid played by Barbara.
    • Bob: a dwarf fighter played by Bill.
    • Krenn Smith: a half-elf wizard played by Seward.
    • Ophelia: a human sorcerer played by Shannon.
    • DM: the Dungeon Master played by Brian.
  • Recalling information from the last session, they know that one of the mascots might be located in a hut to the north.
  • The adventurers proceed towards the northern hut, walking along wooden walkways elevated above the swampy terrain.
  • As they approach the hut, which resembles a gazebo with open sides, Krenn decides to enter first.
  • Inside the hut, Krenn notices a pest mascot hanging from the rafters, approximately 10 to 12 feet above the ground.
  • Suddenly, two large plant creatures emerge from the swamp: brackish trudges.
    • These creatures resemble mounds of plant life with tusk-like protrusions.
    • Luna recognizes them as brackish trudges, mobile plant entities common in swamps.
  • The brackish trudges attempt to force their way into the hut but are initially thwarted by the sturdy railing.
  • The group rolls for initiative; the trudges act first due to high initiative rolls.
  • The first trudge tries to break through the railing using its tusks but fails to penetrate.
  • The second trudge also attempts to break into the hut but is unsuccessful in its efforts.
  • Ophelia casts Fire Bolt at one of the trudges.
    • She hits the target, but the fire doesn’t seem to cause significant damage due to the creatures’ wet plant material.
  • Luna casts a fire spell at the trudges, also noticing the limited effectiveness of fire against them.
  • Krenn casts Levitate on himself to reach the mascot in the rafters.
    • He rises into the air, maneuvering like an astronaut, aiming to coax the mascot into accepting the collar.
  • Krenn’s initial attempt to persuade the mascot fails; it doesn’t respond favorably to his approach.
  • Bob decides to cast Tasha’s Hideous Laughter on one of the trudges.
    • He tells the joke, “White horse fell in the mud,” aiming to induce uncontrollable laughter.
    • The trudge begins making strange noises and collapses into the swamp, seemingly overcome by laughter.
  • The other trudge continues its attempts to breach the hut.
    • Ophelia casts Enlarge/Reduce to shrink the trudge.
    • She successfully reduces its size, shrinking it to about the size of a pony.
  • Luna casts Entangle on the shrunk trudge.
    • Vines and brambles emerge from the swamp, wrapping around the trudge and restraining it.
  • Bob attempts to attack the restrained trudge using Fire Bolt.
    • His first attempt misses, but given the trudge is restrained, he gets advantage.
    • On the second attempt, he hits the trudge, but again, the fire has limited effect.
  • Krenn makes a second attempt to persuade the pest mascot.
    • This time, he successfully coaxes it by speaking more gently.
    • He places the collar on the mascot, which then begins to move off as intended.
  • With the mascot secured, the group decides to leave the area while the trudges are still incapacitated.
    • As they retreat, the trudges return to the swamp, no longer posing a threat.
  • Continuing their search, the adventurers head toward another hut on the west side of the swamp.
  • While walking along the elevated walkway, Bob notices a glint of light coming from a field of flowers to the north.
    • Among the flowers, he spots a large blossom with a gemstone embedded in its stamen.
  • Intrigued, Bob jumps over the railing to retrieve the gem.
    • He walks through the field of flowers, triggering the release of pollen.
    • Bob makes a Constitution saving throw to resist any adverse effects from the pollen.
    • He succeeds, experiencing only a few sneezes.
  • Bob reaches the flower and retrieves the gem, a bright green emerald.
    • He returns to the group, inspecting the gem more closely.
  • Krenn examines the gem using his knowledge of arcana.
    • They determine that the gem is an elemental gem, specifically one that can summon a water elemental when crushed.
  • The group discusses the gem’s potential uses.
    • They consider that a water elemental could be a powerful ally, especially against fire or in combat.
    • Bob decides to keep the gem for future use.
  • The adventurers continue along the walkway and notice two giant elk in a wooded area to the north.
    • These elk are exceptionally large, about twice the size of normal elk, with massive antlers.
  • Luna observes that a pest mascot is wrapped around the antlers of one of the elk.
    • The mascot is small, similar in size to a house cat.
  • Luna uses Speak with Animals to communicate with the elk.
    • She politely asks the elk to come closer, offering them delicious berries.
    • The elk respond, expressing contentment where they are and declining the offer.
  • Krenn, still levitating, suggests that Luna give him a push toward the elk.
    • The plan is for him to reach the elk and retrieve the mascot from its antlers.
  • Luna agrees and, using her strength and dexterity, gives Krenn a precise push.
    • Krenn adeptly adjusts his trajectory, aiming for the elk’s antlers.
  • As Krenn approaches, the elk appear concerned but remain still after Luna reassures them.
    • One elk comments to the other about something being in its antlers.
  • Krenn reaches the elk and grabs onto its antlers.
    • He attempts to scruff the mascot, reaching for it while balancing himself.
    • Krenn successfully grabs the mascot, but it begins scratching at him, causing minor injuries.
  • Holding onto the antlers and the mascot, Krenn pushes off to float back toward the group.
    • He carefully navigates back, despite the mascot’s struggling.
  • Once back with the group, they work together to place a collar on the mascot.
    • The mascot calms down once collared and begins to move off toward its destination.
  • The group attends to Krenn’s scratches, noting they are minor.
    • They acknowledge that they have now collected four of the six mascots.
  • Continuing their quest, the adventurers arrive at another hut.
    • This hut is open-sided and contains art supplies:
      • Paintbrushes, watercolor paints, palettes, blank canvases, and an empty easel.
  • Underneath the table, they spot an art elemental mascot, associated with Krenn’s school.
  • Krenn decides to use his proficiency with painter’s supplies to engage the mascot.
    • He begins setting up to paint a portrait, inviting the mascot to pose for him.
    • Krenn flatters the mascot, emphasizing its importance and the beauty of capturing its image.
  • Krenn proceeds to paint, utilizing his artistic skills.
    • He rolls a natural 20 on his skill check, resulting in an exceptional painting.
    • The mascot is captivated by the process, posing cooperatively.
  • While the mascot is distracted, Bob uses Mage Hand to place a collar on it.
    • The Mage Hand deftly loops the collar around the mascot without disturbing it.
  • Once collared, the mascot begins to move off toward its intended location.
    • Krenn is left with a beautiful painting of the mascot and the surrounding landscape.
  • The group discusses their progress, noting that they have collected five of the six mascots.
  • They consider their next steps, planning to head toward the southwest side of the area to find the remaining mascot.
  • Bob takes additional time to inspect the elemental gem.
    • The group reaffirms that the gem can summon a water elemental by crushing it.
    • They discuss strategic scenarios where the elemental could be beneficial.
  • As the session concludes, the adventurers prepare to continue their search for the final mascot, eager to complete their mission.