Creepy Crawlies

{{Infobox expedition log | title = Creepy Crawlies | date = 07/18/2024 | storyteller = Tire | tier_of_play = Trainee | player_characters = Atticus Peaches [[Seskro] Omen Graves Lalia Darkblade | rewards = 250 xp, 98 gp, 3x Vermin Repellent Agent (Lesser), 1x Vermin Repellent Agent (Formula) | result = Success | author = Omen | downtime_days = 2 days }}

LOG

A homesteading family was reporting that a nearby colony of wasps were persistently harassing them. Scouts have also reported the wasps had odd behavior. They indicated that this colony has suddenly expanded its territory beyond what creatures of their kind would normally occupy. We set out to the homestead, arriving in the middle of the night. The family welcomed us like one of their own, allowing us to stay the night before we set off into the forest where the wasps have claimed their territory. We were awakened to a generous breakfast, which we consumed while we got to know the family. Lalia asked why the son of the family had gone, and asked the mother if it's because he went into the forest on his own. The mother insisted that her son knows better than to wander off into the woods. She said that he might not be the brightest (tulip) bulb, but he would never do something that dangerous. Seskro corrected the mother, the phrase they knew was “Not the brightest bulb in the shed”.

We set off, and Peaches immediately picked up on a trail. With the help of Seskro, the two of the party members lead everyone into a cave deep into the woods. We arrived , seeing a large creature standing before us. On their head, a hive-like structure was built around it. We charged forward to kill this Brute. Atticus was able to get a good hit on the brutish creature. In retaliation , the creature released a swarm of wasps that surrounded Atticus. Lalia followed up with a strong swing of their sword. The hive headed creature turned their focus to Lailia. Once they were properly distracted, I finished the creature off with some needle darts, destroying the Hive in the process. Upon the destruction of the hive, the wasps surrounding Atticus dispersed. I concluded that we should focus on the hive headed creature and ignore the swarms when we can.

Atticus charged forward, running into a plant-like creature with another hive structure built upon it. Peaches charged with their oiled up weapon, almost killing the creature in one shot. The plant retaliated, sending their own swarm of wasps towards peaches, along with some pollen that seemed to have no effect on Peaches. Brave Lalia charged toward two of the Hivehead Brutes. They seemed to be solely focused on them, taking only a single hit while they were surrounded. In retaliation, Lalia cleaved the creature in half in one single hit. Lalia retreated, but that only drew the blind brute towards the sounds of retreating footsteps.

Meanwhile , Peaches and Atticus finished off the plant creature, but they were not in the clear. Two more Brutes were charging for them. I attempted to help the two , using the power of The Almighty, but those brutes turned out to be more nimble than I thought they were. The caverns around us were slowly filling up with multiple swarms of wasps, but the power of The Almighty was on our side.. Thanks to their good graces, Lalia was able to spot two, red, glowing eyes coming from the center of the cavern hives. They knew danger was coming, and they needed to be prepared. Lalia continued to clear the battlefield by cleaving another brute in half.

Suddenly, from the center of the hive, a giant wasp-like creature emerged.. The freakish queen of a wasp was flanked by two swarms of wasps that had previously fled the battlefield, but now acting as a queen's guard. The queen commanded one of the swarms to surround our most bunched up party members, Seskro, Atticus, and Peaches. Seskro swifty ran out of the swarm to get a good angle on the giant wasp, hitting it square in the head , and even then the Queen seemed unaffected by that large amount of damage. I followed up with an equally powerful shot at the queen, causing them to start bleeding out, slowly. The last remaining Brute left on the field knocked Atticus down to the ground, leaving them to Bleed. I see my fellow Hell Knight and pray towards The Almighty that Atticus can survive this fight just a little longer. Peaches and Lalia charged forward towards the queen as the monstrosity came closer to the ground. They brought the queen mother to near death, but thanks to The Almighty, I was able to finish the giant wasp off, while Barbel brought Atticus up to his feet. Once the greatest threat was destroyed, we had little trouble with killing the rest of the creatures that plagued this cave.

We searched around the cave and found the missing boy, cowering in the corner. He had a bit of injuries, but Seskro was able to heal him up… after hurting him more first….. We returned the boy to his family, and was rewarded for the hard work we have completed.