The party begins their session teleporting back into their safe abode, finding Emmy and Tormin lounging about. Dugby finds yet another couch and fire to cozy up to, while AAA and Carlo catch Emmy up on the events that transpired after she departed the first floor with [[Jory Bhanti]]. After a good nights res, the party established that they needed more information on the country they were in, and took their new knowledge to the Bhanti’s. Before entering the Bhanti’s abode, Carlo warned Shadow to not go near [[Indigo Bhanti]] any more; with much protest, Shadow agreed. Finding that Shadow needed a pick me up, AAA offered to ride Shadow. To which Shadow attempted to clarify, as he didn’t know if he wanted to ride Shadow, which was not okay, or go on- ![[Pasted image 20261022160252.png]] AAA leapt and held on for dear life as Shadow took off like a bucking bronco, tearing through Jungen at top speed. Inside the Bhanti hut, Carlo, Dugby, and Emmy discussed with [[Pradu Bhanti]] and [[Bayla Bhanti]] the events that took place in the temple, what new information they had, and where to go from here. Pradu goes over the information they currently have. >[!Information] Fixale and the [[Matriarch Tree]] >Pradu revealed there are several ways they THINK they can access the tree. There is a castle up from that is heavily guarded by the tree’s natural defenses, as well as the large army of puppets [[Queen Coco Fixale]] has surrounding the palace. Pradu talks briefly of the Queen, stating that she is a very cautious woman who more than likely has many exits from inside her castle that lead to the outside. This led them to find a place that was heavily patrolled on the outside. This location had a large cave entrance that lead to beneath the tree, and a hidden staircase that wound it’s way up the tree, away from the city of Fixale. >Lastly, The Bhanti’s revealed the location of the fruit itself, which was believed to be beneath the tree, and the recipe, which they know, resides with the Calidora Family. >[!Information] Hidor and [[The Calidora Family]] >The queen details that the city is as any other, aside from the residence of the local royalty, [[The Calidora Family]]. Their residence is a large training grounds for multiple specialties, as their family tried to be the best in everything. Their main specialties are Alchemy, Witchcraft, and Assassinations, with a training sector in their premise that trains its family in each. ![[Pasted image 20261022161548.png]] Amidst all of the discussions, AAA burst through the door at just the right time. Jory was just in the middle of explaining to Carlo why he was not going to do a scouting mission using the waterways that flow under the tree, to a location nobody has returned from after all of the chaos he had already guided them through. He would; however, aid in the distraction on the outside if necessary. Hearing there was an unexplored death trap, AAA stepped forward and, without further discussion, announced that he would take on this scouting role. Right behind him, Dugby boldly offered his aid in navigating the waterways that seemingly flow beneath the tree. After allowing Dugby to polymorph into an octopus, AAA and Dugby, took off towards the massive tree to discover what secrets the roots may hold. ![[Pasted image 20261022165637.png]] Carlo and Emmy debated back and forth, but inevitably decided it would be best to disclose everything they had found in the temple, including their findings on Lily and more importantly, the Soul Transfiguration Ritual. After bouncing ideas off of one another… Emmy came to the unproven yet logical conclusion… that the Queen… over decades… whom has amassed an army of these puppets… has been taking captives or lost souls and turning them into these puppets. But then how are they being controlled? [[Indigo Bhanti]] chimes in at this time, clearly wracked with pain at the recent revelations. He states that each puppet they found after the year 375 has two circles carved into them. One that looks similar to the alchemy circle the Mascari’s had just shown them, and another. The former having the scientific symbol for change at its center, and the ladder having a pair of interlinking chains at its center. Continuing her investigation, Emmy proposed perhaps there’s more than one ritual used in the making of these puppets, and pondered with Bayla if there were a way to break their curse, and set them free… if they are in fact transformed and controlled by the Queen to serve her. ![[Pasted image 20261022165621.png]] While Emmy, Carlo, and the Bhanti’s were discussing this, AAA is using his boots to propel up the rivers towards the matriarch tree, guided by scouts in the trees. Getting close, AAA was able to pick up on current in the water, and picked up on a current that would lead them to a random cavern below the tree. The current was pulling them under a bridge, that was being heavily patrolled by a handful of puppets. Seeing as neither of them needed to breathe, AAA submerged in the water. As their approach was in the evening, AAA had to use his Moonward tokens to illuminate their way. This drew attention from the puppets above as they watched his illuminated figure pass below. Dropping several as a distraction, they sunk deeper in hopes the puppets wouldn’t hunt in pursuit. AAA was confident he his form had been spotted before sinking deeper due to his horrendous stealth, but they failed to see his distraction for what it was. Passing under the bridge and into the roots of the tree, AAA and Dugby find thekselves standing on top of a waterfall that leads hundreds of feet down into the cavernous/root system that lies below the tree. Together, they decide to press on. Pushing off of the ledge with his boots, the water briefly takes them by surprise, sending them tumbling a few dozen yards before AAA corrects and steadies them, as they gracefully enter the caves. ![[Pasted image 20261022171053.png]] Back in Jungen, they did not sit idly while AAA and Dugby scouted. The Mascari’s and Bhanti’s worked tirelessly to recreate the Soul Ritual. Additionally, Indigo was sent to find and capture a puppet they were definitely not going to experiment on. Many great ideas were had and shared between the brilliant minds. After hours of working, Indigo finally returned with a level 3 puppet in tow. They bound the puppet, and placed it in an anti magic circle. Unable to move or cast, the puppet stared at the Mascari’s and gang, no hint of emotion on its wooden face. ![[Pasted image 20261022190007.png]] Back in the labyrinth of root and rock below the tree, Dugby and AAA cruised through a variety of water conditions and side tunnels, following their instinct through the maze with only the Moonlight Token illuminating their way. After several dead ends, some crabs and rapid tides, they once again find themselves erupting over the edge of a waterfall. This time, Dugby was less prepared, and barely managed to snag onto AAA’s ankles, yippin and hootin as hes dangling for dear life. Undisturbed by Dugby’s struggle, AAA looks around the new cavern they have found themselves in. ![[Pasted image 20261022191912.png]] Having heard their intrusion, the HUGE hidden beast began its stalk, calling to its latest prey. “You are not the Queen” Called a deep booming voice. Dugby farted in response. They devised a plan. This was the fruit chamber. In order to teleport back, they would need something that would allow Dugby to use it with his teleport spell. Setting Dugby down on the wet wall next to the waterfall, Dugby called in response to the monstrous form. What he said? Doesn’t matter… he was the distraction. Casting Greater Invisibility on himself, AAA rapidly descended and grabbed a rock with bioluminescent algea, something that had clearly been in this cave for its entire existence. After picking some rocks, AAA turned to find the monstrous form had been moving most strangely, In a way to … distract Dugby,… but why? With horror, he realized Dugby had no idea the creature was moving towards him. ![[Pasted image 20261022192914.png]] Engaged in what he feels like is a friendly conversation, Dugby soon realizes the creature has gained considerable distance in the short time they had been talking… or had it even moved and just elongated? Unsure, Dugby looked down to where AAA said he would be grabbing the rock from. Making a few mental calculations… Dugby prepared for the leap of a lifetime. As Dugby jumped from the edge, AAA disengaged his invisibility and took of at max speed towards Dugby. Simultaneously, the monster lunged, its massive body sounding like an entire forest creaking in storm. A massive jaw clamped closed, fingers touched…. And Dugby snapped His fingers. ![[Pasted image 20261022200817.png]] The team ends their evening, with AAA and Dugby emerging into the Bhanti abode to see the surprised look of the Mascari’s as they all stand around a bound puppet. Emmy and Carlo gain 1250 xp for the evening, after their instant level ups. Dugby and AAA gain 3000 xp for the heroism in the caves.