Amid the murky depths of Strixhaven’s Sedgemoor, an unsettling tension hung in the heavy air. Shadows clung to the twisted trees, and the usual symphony of swamp life was muted, as if the very creatures of the marsh were holding their breath. Luna fluttered above the wooden walkway, her delicate wings shimmering despite the gloom. Below, Bob’s sturdy dwarven footsteps echoed softly, with Kren and Ophelia following close behind. Their mission was clear: retrieve the missing mascots for Professor Sharpbeak. But as the four ventured deeper into the swamp, it became evident that something was gravely amiss.
The group moved southward, the wooden planks creaking underfoot. “We’ve searched nearly everywhere up north,” Luna mused, her eyes scanning the horizon. “Perhaps the last mascots are hidden in the southern huts.”
Bob nodded in agreement. “Aye, let’s hope we find them soon. This place gives me the creeps.”
As they approached a clearing, Kren raised a hand to halt the group. “Look over there,” he whispered. Two figures moved amidst the swamp foliage—Urzmaktok Grimgnaw, the studious orc known for his relentless pursuit of knowledge, and Melwythorne, the easygoing elf with a penchant for skipping classes. The duo appeared engrossed in collecting specimens, oblivious to their surroundings.
“What’s Urzmaktok doing out here?” Ophelia wondered aloud, her grip tightening on her staff.
Before anyone could respond, Luna’s sharp gaze caught sight of something unsettling. “Wait… do you see that?” She pointed toward two amorphous, yellow masses slowly advancing toward the unsuspecting students.
Kren’s eyes widened. “Oozes! They mustn’t touch them!”
Without hesitation, the group sprang into action. “Hey! Behind you!” Bob bellowed, waving his arms.
The shout broke the swamp’s eerie silence. Urzmaktok and Melwythorne looked up, confusion flashing across their faces. As realization dawned, panic set in, and they began to scramble toward higher ground.
“Keep moving! This way!” Ophelia urged, beckoning them toward the safety of the walkway.
The oozes, sensing their prey’s flight, quickened their pace, sliding ominously over the damp earth. Luna soared ahead, positioning herself between the creatures and the fleeing students. “Time to turn up the heat,” she declared, summoning the elemental forces at her command.
With a fierce cry, she unleashed a devastating smash upon the ground below. The earth trembled, ripples of energy radiating outward and striking the oozes. Chunks of gelatinous matter flew in all directions, but the creatures pressed on, undeterred.
Kren stepped forward, arcane symbols swirling around his fingers. “Stand back,” he commanded, releasing a volley of magic missiles. The darts of energy struck true, each impact causing the oozes to quiver and shrink.
Ophelia’s eyes blazed with ethereal fire. Drawing upon the chaotic wellspring of her sorcery, she conjured scorching rays that pierced the swamp’s dimness. The first beam incinerated the nearest ooze, reducing it to a smoldering puddle. The second and third beams slammed into the remaining creature, leaving it barely holding its form.
A sudden surge of wild magic pulsed through Ophelia, the unpredictable force manifesting as arcs of lightning that danced across her skin before lashing out toward the ooze. The creature convulsed under the assault, bubbling violently before dissolving into nothingness.
Breathless, the group regrouped as Urzmaktok and Melwythorne stumbled onto the walkway. “Thank you,” Urzmaktok managed between gasps. “We didn’t see them coming.”
Bob clapped a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Best to keep your eyes peeled out here. The swamp isn’t as safe as it once was.”
Melwythorne chuckled nervously. “Told him we should’ve stayed on campus. But no, ’extra credit,’ he said.”
Kren eyed them thoughtfully. “What brings you this far out?”
Urzmaktok adjusted his glasses, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face. “I was gathering rare herbs for our herbalism class. Some of these plants can only be found deep in the Sedgemoor.”
Luna frowned. “But with dangerous creatures like those oozes roaming about, it’s risky.”
“It’s strange,” Ophelia added. “Creatures like that shouldn’t be this close to campus. Something’s off.”
As the students departed with promises to be more cautious, the group exchanged uneasy glances. “This isn’t just about missing mascots anymore,” Luna said softly.
“Agreed,” Kren replied. “There are darker forces at play.”
Pressing onward, they approached the next hut. The structure was shrouded in shadow, the dense canopy above blocking out what little light pierced the swamp’s mist. A faint sound drifted toward them—a repetitive gnawing, like teeth working away at something solid.
“Do you hear that?” Bob whispered, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his weapon.
Luna nodded. “Something’s inside.”
They eased open the door, revealing a dim interior cluttered with abandoned furniture. Underneath a rickety chair, a Pest mascot gnawed fervently on a small object. Its beady eyes flicked upward at their entrance, but it showed no sign of fear.
Kren’s gaze sharpened. “Wait, that’s not just any trinket.” He extended his hand, sensing the faint hum of residual magic. “It’s an Ioun Stone… but it’s cracked.”
Ophelia tilted her head, intrigued. “A damaged Ioun Stone? What could have caused that?”
“We can ponder that later,” Luna interjected. “First, let’s secure our little friend here.”
With practiced ease, they coaxed the mascot out, slipping a collar over its head. The creature chittered once before scampering off, leaving the fractured stone behind.
Bob picked up the stone, turning it over in his rough hands. “Feels like it’s still got some magic left in it.”
“Perhaps someone didn’t want it to be found,” Kren mused. “Or wanted to prevent us from using it.”
Ophelia sighed. “Another mystery to add to the growing list.”
Leaving the hut, the group headed toward the final location on their map. The air grew heavier, a thick miasma of decay assaulting their senses. An ominous pile of rot and bones loomed ahead, swarming with insects that writhed and scuttled over the grotesque mound.
“Lovely,” Bob grumbled, wrinkling his nose. “Just what we needed.”
Luna hovered cautiously, her eyes catching a glint amid the decay. “There’s something buried there.”
She darted forward before the others could protest, her curiosity driving her closer. Half-submerged in the muck was a massive chitinous shell, at least twelve feet in length. Strange symbols intertwined across its surface, the markings pulsing with a faint, otherworldly glow.
As she drew nearer, a palpable dread washed over her, a suffocating sense of malevolence that settled like a weight on her chest. She fought the urge to recoil, determined to uncover the shell’s secrets.
“Luna, be careful!” Kren called out, concern tightening his voice.
She gestured for them to stay back. “There’s writing here… but I can’t decipher it.”
Kren approached cautiously, the oppressive aura pressing against him as he joined her side. He traced a finger over the engravings, his brow furrowed. “These symbols… they resemble Elvish script, but distorted. Corrupted.”
“Could it be Infernal?” Ophelia suggested, joining them. “We saw similar markings in that journal we found when we cleansed the swamp before.”
Kren nodded slowly. “It’s possible. Whoever—or whatever—left this here is sending a message.”
Bob glanced around uneasily. “Well, I don’t like their handwriting.”
They carefully copied the inscriptions, the weight of their discovery settling heavily upon them. Each stroke of the pen felt significant, as if they were transcribing a piece of a much larger puzzle.
“This can’t be a coincidence,” Luna said softly. “First the mascots, then the oozes, and now this.”
Ophelia’s eyes hardened. “Someone is orchestrating this.”
With renewed resolve, they pressed on to the final hut. The path grew narrower, the swamp closing in as gnarled trees twisted overhead, their branches forming a tangled web that blotted out the sky. The hut itself was smaller than the others, more a gazebo than a shelter.
As they approached, Bob halted abruptly. “Hold up.”
High above, perched among the branches, two colossal figures shifted. Their exoskeletons gleamed dully in the dim light, massive mandibles clicking softly. Ankhegs—burrowing creatures known to tunnel through earth, not lurk in treetops. Each one was easily ten feet tall, their segmented bodies coiled with latent power.
“Ankhegs?” Kren whispered incredulously. “In the trees?”
“Everything’s upside down today,” Luna muttered.
Ophelia’s gaze never left the creatures. “They’re watching us.”
Bob gripped his axe tightly. “So what’s the play? We can’t leave without the last mascot.”
The group considered their options, the tension thick as the swamp’s mist. The Ankhegs remained motionless, their multifaceted eyes reflecting shards of light.
“Maybe we can distract them,” Luna suggested. “Or find another way in.”
Kren shook his head. “They’re blocking our path, and who knows what else is out here.”
Ophelia took a deep breath, her fingers tingling as she summoned a flicker of magic. “Then we stand our ground.”
A distant roll of thunder echoed, the precursor to an approaching storm. The air crackled with electricity, mirroring the charged atmosphere between the adventurers and the looming threats.
“Whatever’s behind all this, they won’t stop us,” Bob declared firmly.
Luna nodded, her wings fluttering with determination. “For Strixhaven, and for answers.”
As the first drops of rain began to fall, the four stood united, ready to face the unknown. The Ankhegs shifted once more, and the stage was set for the confrontation that would either bring clarity to the mysteries of the Sedgemoor or plunge them deeper into darkness.
The session begins with the party discussing their progress in searching for the mascots that are loose in the swamp. They currently have captured four mascots out of the six they need to find. Brian, the Dungeon Master, provides a recap of the previous session. He reminds the players that they have found a big magic emerald sitting in a flower, encountered two giant elk with a mascot hanging off one of their antlers, and discovered an art elemental mascot that Thorn was able to distract by painting a picture of it. The party confirms they have collected four mascots so far. They realize there are two more mascots left to find. They discuss their next steps and decide to head towards the southern huts in the swamp, as they have already explored the northern areas. As they make their way south, they reach an open area with fewer trees on the west side of the walkway they are on. The area is less dense, with bushes and small plants scattered around. The party notices two students out in the swampy area, who appear to be examining plants. The students are cutting leaves and gathering parts from various plants. The students are identified as Melwythorne, whom they recognize, and Urzmaktok Tok, a studious orc they have seen around but haven’t interacted with much. Urzmaktok is known to be academically inclined, often involved in research and studies. The party observes that near the students, there are two yellow puddles on the ground close to the bushes the students are examining. The puddles appear to be moving slightly towards the students, which raises the party’s suspicions. Realizing that the yellow puddles are likely dangerous creatures, possibly oozes or slimes, the party decides to warn the students about the potential threat. They attempt to get the students’ attention by shouting and waving. Luna calls out, “Hey, there’s a yellow glob coming toward you. Jelly dog.” They emphasize that there are two jelly-like creatures approaching. The students initially do not understand the warning. Bob tries to persuade them to come over to the walkway, suggesting they could jump across the water to safety. However, the students seem confused by the shouting. The party continues to yell and gesture frantically, trying to convey the danger. They point behind the students and shout warnings. Finally, the students notice the yellow puddles and realize they are being approached by the oozes. The students begin to move away from the oozes, attempting to get to safety. The oozes, however, start following them, moving across the swampy ground toward them. Seeing that the students are still in danger, the party decides to engage the oozes to protect the students. They prepare for combat and roll initiative. Crenn attempts to cast “Cloud of Daggers” at the oozes, aiming to damage them from a distance. However, he encounters technical difficulties with his spellcasting, possibly due to issues with his spellbook or components. Unable to cast “Cloud of Daggers,” Crenn opts to cast “Magic Missile” instead. He launches three magical darts at the closest ooze, dealing a total of 12 damage. The magic missiles strike the ooze, causing portions of it to splatter and reducing its size. Luna considers casting “Devastating Smash” but realizes the oozes are out of range. She decides to fly closer to the oozes to bring them within range of her spell. Flying towards the oozes, Luna lands close enough to cast “Devastating Smash.” She strikes the ground, sending a ripple of energy that impacts the oozes. The oozes fail to resist the effect and take 11 damage each, with more parts of the oozes splashing off. The oozes are visibly damaged but still moving. The oozes continue to pursue the students. One of them reaches Urzmaktok and attempts to slam into him with a pseudopod but misses. Crenn successfully casts “Flaming Sphere,” creating a sphere of fire that he positions between the two oozes. The oozes fail to avoid the sphere and take fire damage. The flaming sphere remains active, allowing Crenn to move it on subsequent turns. One ooze is significantly diminished, while the other is still advancing. Ophelia casts “Scorching Ray,” targeting the oozes. She fires three rays of fire. The first two rays hit the ooze that is closest to the water, dealing enough damage to destroy it. The ooze burns up and stops moving. The third ray hits the remaining ooze, causing additional damage. Due to a surge of wild magic, Ophelia accidentally casts “Lightning Bolt” as well. She channels lightning energy that strikes the damaged ooze, dealing significant damage. Despite the additional damage, the ooze is still moving but severely weakened. Bob casts “Fire Bolt” at the remaining ooze. His attack hits, and the fire bolt destroys the ooze, causing it to stop moving completely. With the oozes defeated, the students make their way to the walkway where the party is standing. They find a spot where the gap is narrow and jump across, climbing up to join the party. They are out of breath but unharmed. Urzmaktok thanks the party, expressing his gratitude for their timely intervention. He explains that he was out collecting plants for his herbalism class, doing extra research. Melwythorne was accompanying him, although he seems less enthusiastic about the extra work. The party informs the students about the loose mascots they are searching for. They explain that they are trying to retrieve mascots that have escaped or gone missing in the swamp. Urzmaktok finds it odd that the mascots would be out in the swamp and suggests that someone might have let them out intentionally. He mentions that it’s unusual for such creatures to be in this area, so close to campus, and that there shouldn’t be dangers like oozes here. The students thank the party once again for their assistance and head off back toward the campus, continuing their discussion about plants and research. The party continues on their path toward the next hut, where they hope to find one of the remaining mascots. As they approach the hut, they hear sounds coming from inside. It sounds like something chewing on a stick or bone. The door to the hut is closed, and there are no windows on this side. Luna decides to fly around to the other side of the hut to look inside through the open windows. She peers inside and spots a Pest mascot under a chair, chewing on something that looks like a rock. The chewing noise is coming from the mascot gnawing on the object. The party opens the door to the hut and enters. They see the Pest mascot with the object in its mouth. Bob and Crenn notice that the object radiates transmutation magic. Upon closer inspection, they deduce that it is a magical stone, possibly an Ioun Stone, but it appears to be cracked or damaged. Luna asks the mascot to drop the stone. The Pest mascot, hearing her, looks up in surprise and the stone falls out of its mouth onto the floor. The party takes the opportunity to place a collar on the Pest mascot. Once collared, the mascot sits momentarily and then scurries out of the hut, leaving the cracked stone behind. The party examines the stone. Luna recalls that an Ioun Stone is a magical item that, when activated, orbits around the user’s head and grants a magical benefit. However, because the stone is cracked, it may not function properly and may require repair. They notice that the stone doesn’t show any signs of damage from the Pest’s chewing; there are no teeth marks or scratches, suggesting that the crack was caused by something else, possibly magical in nature. They decide to keep the cracked Ioun Stone for further examination, hoping that it can be repaired or that they can determine its properties later. They consider seeking someone more knowledgeable to help identify and fix it. With the fifth mascot secured, the party proceeds toward the final hut to find the last mascot. On their way to the final hut, they pass by a clearing in the swamp. There is a rot pile filled with decaying matter, animal bones, and crawling with insects. The smell of rot and decay is strong and unpleasant. The party notices a large piece of chitin plating half-buried in the mud. It resembles the exoskeleton of an enormous centipede or similar creature, measuring about 10 to 12 feet long. Luna decides to investigate further. She flies over to the rot pile to examine the chitin plating more closely. As she approaches, she feels an overwhelming sense of dread and evil emanating from the area but manages to resist any adverse effects due to her strong will. Upon closer examination, Luna sees that there is writing on the chitin. The writing appears familiar, similar to the handwriting in a notebook the party had found previously in the swamp during an earlier adventure when they cleansed the swamp. Luna cannot read the writing and does not recognize the language. She believes it might be Infernal, the language of demons and devils, or possibly a corrupted form of Elvish script. The characters have an Elvish feel but are distorted. The party decides to copy down the writing for later study. Luna attempts to memorize the symbols and writes them down when she returns to the party. They transcribe the writing into their notebook so they can try to translate or research it when they return to the campus. Concerned about the presence of such ominous signs, the party speculates that there may be more going on in the swamp than just missing mascots. They consider that someone may be interfering or causing trouble intentionally, especially given the cracked magical stone and the unusual dangers they’ve encountered. The party continues to the final hut. This hut is small and more like a gazebo, with no walls. It is surrounded by dense trees whose branches hang over the hut, completely shading the area. The trees create a dense canopy, making the area darker. As they approach the hut, the party notices two large creatures perched in the trees above. The creatures resemble oversized insects, possibly Ankhegs or similar burrowing creatures, and are about ten feet tall each. The creatures are watching the party intently but have not made any aggressive moves yet. The party finds it unusual that such creatures, which are typically burrowing and live underground, are sitting in trees in a swamp. Bob and Crenn attempt to recall information about these creatures. They know that Ankhegs are dangerous predators that tunnel underground, have powerful mandibles capable of crushing trees, and are not known to inhabit swampy areas or climb trees. The party deliberates on how to proceed, considering the potential danger. They discuss whether they can use spells like “Animal Friendship,” but realize that Ankhegs are not considered animals in the traditional sense; they are magical beasts, and such spells may not be effective. They consider the possibility that the presence of these creatures might be another sign of someone interfering with them or the area, perhaps manipulating creatures or the environment. The session concludes with the party contemplating their next move, considering how to deal with the Ankhegs above the hut to retrieve the final mascot. They prepare to strategize and decide on a plan to safely navigate the situation.Session Notes