Sit back and get comfortable. This is a long recap. If you haven't seen any previous episodes, click here to see the first one.
Battle Against a Weird Opponent
Passing rivers and trees, the heroes trek through the not-so-peaceful Peaceful Rest Valley. Vike, Cyrus, John, Jeffeus, and Smog. This party of adventurers encounter a small cave-like tunnel.
Approaching the large tree, they attempt to pass it, but are suddenly blocked as the branch of a nearby tree drops down to block the entrance. Looking at the sudden interference, it is now apparent this tree has a face! Grinning mischievously, the the tall oak states, "What do you think you're doing... In MY cave...?"
Quickly enough, battle ensues. People surround the tree, attacking at it from all angles. Jeffeus stands back and fires spells from a distance, sending Smog in for melee attacks. The branches of the Territorial Oak slam into John and Vike, with Cyrus always being quick enough to dodge.
After some scrambling, the tree opens its mouth wide and inhales a great amount of air. Some magical power was consumed from the adventurers and Smog, being such a small dragon, was sucked right into the Oak's gaping mouth. Being spat out harshly, Smog fell unconscious.
Turn after turn, the party slowly dropped the Oak's HP down to 0. The tree seemed to stop and frown at its defeat. Finally the conflict was over. The tree gave in and accepted defeat... And then quickly grinned again with mischievous pleasure. Instantly the Territorial Oak burst with flames, terribly burning the nearby party members. Fortunately, nobody was killed, but it came close, with some allies escaping narrowly with singed coats.
A Town All in Blue
Finally the group of adventurers can explore the cave tunnel infront of them. The tunnel was dark and empty, leading only to light on the other side. Vike walks through first, scouting ahead to make certain it's safe. Cyrus follows shortly after. Both Vike and Cyrus exit through the other side unharmed. Jeffeus and John walk through together. Dark and dusty, the only sound heard was a whisper from John. "I see myself in the darkness."
Exiting the tunnel, the heroes find a village painted almost entirely in blue! Houses, trees, even the flowers have been spray-painted. The heroes made it to Happy Happy Village. Jeffeus immediately dashes towards an infirmary to find help for Smog. Cyrus explores a shop in the north-east of the town. Vike, eager to save the girl they've been sent to rescue, runs into a cave tunnel to find her. John being the only one who has no real objective, finds a strange house. Every building in this town is painted blue... Except for a small red house on the west side.
John Smith approaches the odd house and knocks at its door. A small covered window in the door quickly slides open. Round yellow eyes look out from inside and a nervous voice answers, "H-hello? Oh... It's you... What do you want?"
"John Smith, at your service!"
"Yeah.... I-I know... Oh I shouldn't say that. I-I wish... Oh why do I have to be here now..?"
The voice continues to repeat phrases like, "I really shouldn't be talking to you," and, "Oh this isn't good..."
"Evil has no place in this world!"
"E-evil? No no no no... I'm not evil, I'm just... Not from... around here... It's hard to say. Oh and you... you have that... w-word problem. Don't worry, I-I think that should be fixed soon. Check out the... the church in the middle. That should lead you in the right way."
"Who are you?"
The voice stops suddenly, thinks for a moment, and replies. "Who am... I? Y-you can call me... z... Z-Zone. Yeah... Call me Zone." The window then slid shut and John left the property.
Meanwhile, Jeffeus successfully healed Smog back to full health, and Cyrus bought some bread and cold medicine from the store. Vike entered the northern cave tunnel and found a large cavern inside. The walls made fully of hard stone, some lined in moss or lichen. The ceiling stretched high above with bats sleeping on low hanging stalactites. On the other side of the cavern shown an exit, glowing with daylight from beyond it. Vike climbed the walls and the ceiling and approached the far exit. When he came close to it, a deep gruff voice called out.
"I wouldn't come near if I was you."
Vike rashly answered, "Oh yeah? And who are you?"
Quickly the ground infront of the exit cracked and out emerged a mole. The mole was at least fifteen feet tall and had long sharp claws covered in dried blood. The monstrous being stared at him and answered, "I am the guardian of this sanctuary."
Vike, staring down the monster, knew there was no way he could defeat it all by himself. He reluctantly retreated and returned to Happy Happy Village.
All of the heroes, now having finished their interests, convened at the entrance to the large blue church in the center of town.
Might sound silly, but I completely forgot about the red house in Happy Happy Village. Once John pointed it out, I knew I had to put some interesting character in it. Yes, Zone was completely improvised. From design, to personality, to lore importance, everything was made up on the spot.
There's quite a bit more to Zone that wasn't talked about here. For a character that was entirely improv, I think I did a really good job making him. I'll definitely utilize him in the future more.
P.S. Jeffeus' player was the only one who's played Earthbound and encountered the Territorial Oak. When he saw a tree move, I think he got PTSD flashbacks.
If you actually read through all of this, give yourself a gold star. I know it was a really long recap, practically a whole novel. I hope you enjoyed reading it! Stay tuned for more soon!
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