The morning sun had barely crested the golden sea of wheat when the companions returned to Baroldson Farm, bundles of living clippings cradled carefully in Pebblesong’s arms. The Lurian Hedge whispered faintly still, the remnants of their plant-speech fluttering like playful children. As Pebblesong lifted the bundle to show Old Gran, the tiny voices gasped in admiration for the grain speaker, a chorus of youthful awe that made the old woman preen with unrestrained delight.
The farm bustled with the late-morning preparations for the midday meal, but the heroes’ arrival stirred a new energy—hope, tempered by weariness. The swamp had taken its toll, after all. But now, at last, there was something tangible they could build: a hedge of living guardians that would stand between the farm and the creeping dead.
Gran’s eyes warmed as Pebblesong explained their plan. She recognized the clippings instantly—not as simple shrubs, but as something ancient, hungry for purpose. Her hands hovered reverently over them. “They’ll grow fast,” she murmured, “faster here than anywhere else. Faster still if the right hearts guide them.”
And so the planting began.
Pebblesong and Waer’dara took the western line, where the earth grew muddled with bogwater and stubborn roots. Pebblesong’s fingers, deft from both dwarven upbringing and firbolg tutelage, shaped the earth with care. She whispered the secret words the plants needed—words as old as Grinroot’s cavern. But the soil fought her, slick and brackish. Even with Waer’dara’s quiet strength beside her—digging, carrying water, nudging away curious pests—the work was slow. Many clippings nestled happily into their new beds; others shivered uncertainly.
Across the way, Hat and Bartholomeow worked like a strangely harmonious storm. Hat plunged into the task with baffling but undeniable competence, arranging the clippings in tidy rows, whispering back to Bartholomeow’s rhythm of stories and chants. The tabby bard prowled around him like an overzealous conductor, urging Hat to keep the beat, keep the focus, keep the plants feeling appreciated. Their hedge unfurled almost gleefully, as if eager to grow for such strange caretakers.
Meanwhile, the distant thud of combat punctuated the day. Thalmiir and Bhakris roamed the boundary where swamp met wheat, intercepting wandering corpses long before they troubled the farmers. Bhakris’ heavy blows cracked bones with merciless efficiency; Thalmiir’s seasoned instincts caught movement long before the others did. To the farmers, the pair appeared as tireless as the rising sun. A few undead staggered close—none made it far.
By the end of that first day, the farm felt different. Safer, perhaps. More watchful.
Old Gran’s ritual began the following morning.
The clippings now needed more than planting—they needed to grow. And growth here was no simple matter. The land itself listened. Spirits stirred beneath the roots. The air hummed with potential.
The ritual was a dance of breath and will, and everyone found a place in its rhythm.
Bartholomeow donned a sharply tailored outfit—somehow stitched together from scraps of his disguise kit—and became the unlikely steward of the ceremony’s order. He darted from person to person, ensuring every line, every chant, every placement of bowls or incense happened at the perfect moment. Old Gran raised an eyebrow at first but soon found herself surprised at how much easier it was when someone else worried about timing and water and keeping the participants from wandering off.
Thalmiir tended to the sacrifice bowl, a pewter vessel meant to be shattered and reforged between each casting of the ritual. He set up a small workspace on the packed earth, melting metal, sealing cracks, and repairing fractures with a smith’s patience. Each time Gran smashed the bowl, she found the seams subtly different—sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger—yet always true to its purpose. His craft shaved precious hours from each recovery.
In spider-form or not, Waer’dara treated the hedge as a living ecosystem. She combed the field for spiders suited to guarding the young shrubs—nimble orb weavers to feast on sap-suckers, fierce little hunters to roam the roots. She brought families of them to the hedge, placing them with a reverence that the old grain speaker found alternately bewildering and endearing. More than one spider, sensing destiny, scuttled proudly into its new home.
Hat stood with his eyes half-lidded, murmuring incantations, detecting the shifting energies around Gran. When the flow of magic surged too sharply or dimmed too abruptly, he nudged the ritual back into balance, guiding the grain speaker through unseen tides.
Bhakris shouldered the massive water barrel, placing it with uncanny precision exactly where Gran needed it each time. The man moved like a living metronome: steady, uncomplaining, efficient.
And Pebblesong—Pebblesong understood.
As she placed stones, carried charms, or arranged tokens in perfect arcs, she saw the ritual not as steps copied from another, but as an unfolding story she could read. She sensed the bending of the land’s will, the dance of roots, the echo of ancestral voices humming through the soil.
When Gran’s strength waned, Pebblesong laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and whispered a blessing of vigor. Day after day, the old woman rose renewed, able to continue the great work.
By the ritual’s end, Gran regarded her with a mixture of awe and grandmotherly pride. “You’ve taken more from this than most ever could,” she said softly. “The land listens to you.”
And indeed, it did.
That night, Pebblesong felt the power settle into her bones: the knowledge of how to invoke the land’s lush and sudden growth. She could not perform Gran’s whole ritual—but she had learned the heart of it.
Three and a half days they worked, and three and a half days the hedge swelled upward like a living tide. By the time the last ritual circle dimmed, the clippings planted first had grown nearly to the size of those at Grinroot’s home—lush, tangled, and already humming with subtle, protective magic. A wall against the undead. A promise fulfilled.
The farmers’ gratitude ran deep. Even Baroldson—suspicious, practical, chronically unimpressed—found himself overwhelmed by the transformation. He listened to Bartholomeow’s extraordinary pitch for a muffin empire with the wide-eyed confusion of a man caught in a dream where business and sorcery had inexplicably merged.
Whatever he understood and whatever he didn’t, he understood this: the companions had saved his farm.
He pledged a shipment of wheat each month—free, substantial, and ongoing—for as long as the hedge stood strong and the partnership held. Gran whispered guidance into his ear, grounding the promise in both generosity and duty.
The deal struck, the companions felt the weight of their future shift. Wheat meant flour. Flour meant muffins. Muffins meant income. And income… meant survival.
But Secomber awaited them. Twelve days had passed since they first set out. Who knew what had stirred in their absence?
As the companions packed their belongings and took in the sight of the thriving hedge one last time, even the breeze seemed to whisper blessings through the leaves. The swamp still lingered behind them—dark, watchful—but the farm was safe.
For now.
And the road ahead, as always, beckoned.
Return to Baroldson Farm and context The party has successfully gathered several bundles of clippings from the Lurian Hedge. They travel back to Baroldson Farm with the intention of planting these clippings along the frontier between the farm and the swamp. Purpose of the hedge: Information known about the plants: The hedge grows extremely fast by normal standards, taking only three years to reach full hedge size. The DM notes this is fast in general but probably not fast enough for the party’s immediate purposes. The party recalls the plants themselves gave more useful information about their life cycle than Grinroot did. Discussion at the table clarifies: Initial planning on arrival at the farm Time of arrival: about 11 a.m., late morning. The midday meal is being prepared when they arrive. The DM asks how the party wants to approach this next phase: Joe clarifies that only certain characters can plant the clippings: It’s confirmed that the characters who accepted the knowledge and learning from the Lurian Hedge are: Only they know how to properly propagate and plant the hedge. Others could assist with labor, but cannot independently perform the planting process. Decision to speak with Old Gran (the grain speaker) Pebblesong (Brian) decides she would probably go talk to the “old lady,” the grain speaker. DM confirms she is known as “Old Gran,” the grain speaker. Pebblesong’s plan: Old Gran’s reaction: Pebblesong shows her the clippings: Plants’ reaction to Old Gran & her connection to plants Important detail: Pebblesong is still under the effects of a day-long Speak with Plants. When Pebblesong holds up the clippings in Old Gran’s presence: Pebblesong asks the plants if they know Old Gran. The plants’ responses: Pebblesong relays that “they like you” to Old Gran. Old Gran’s response: Old Gran’s assessment of local plant growth and proposal Old Gran notes the party has likely observed that plant growth at the farm is unusual compared to elsewhere: Old Gran explains: Conditions and limitations: Pebblesong’s reaction: Old Gran emphasizes: Discussion of hedge-planting secrets and support from the farm The DM clarifies: The secret knowledge Pebblesong and Hat have includes: They are sworn only to share this knowledge with those they deem worthy and respectful. Old Gran asks about the secrecy and planting. Pebblesong confirms: Old Gran offers practical support: Old Gran calls over a couple of “ragamuffin kids” and gives them chores: The DM lays out two main questions for the next phase: Setting up planting teams and support roles The DM proposes: Two planting teams, each led by someone who knows the secret: Each planting leader will make a Nature check to determine the hedge’s overall effectiveness. A separate set of rolls will govern how long the rituals take to mature the hedge. Non-planters’ possible contributions: Waer’dara volunteers: Bartholomeow’s choice: Thalmiir and Bhakris: DM clarifies the planting check outcomes: Pebblesong’s planting with Waer’dara’s help Task structure for planting: Waer’dara’s role: Pebblesong directs her to: The idea is to help with physical tasks while preserving the secrecy of the clipping and planting technique. The DM calls for a Nature check from Pebblesong, with advantage due to Waer’dara’s assistance. Pebblesong casts Guidance on herself for extra help. Roll result: DM’s interpretation: Planting is harder than expected. Main challenge: planting along the interface between a field and a bog. Pebblesong must compromise between ideal spacing and places where the plants can actually survive. Outcome: Hat’s planting with Bartholomeow’s help Hat’s assistance: Bartholomeow helps Hat by: Hat’s Nature check: DM’s interpretation: Hat takes to the task surprisingly well. Possibilities discussed: Outcome: Zombie patrol by Thalmiir and Bhakris While planting occurs: The DM wants a roll representing their ability to fight and manage stragglers: Thalmiir performs an Athletics check, with advantage: DM’s interpretation: Passage of time and debt pressure Planting takes a full day’s work: In-game date: Thalmiir’s worries: He spends downtime mentally calculating: He becomes anxious, noting that 500 gold is a significant sum. He doubts that selling muffins alone will easily meet that level of income each month. DM reminder about the local economy: The economy is highly inflated: The DM notes: Old Gran’s growth ritual proposal and structure The DM moves to resolve the growth ritual for the hedge. Old Gran explains: She suggests: DM sets up a group ritual challenge: Each character can contribute in a way suited to their strengths. Successful contributions reduce the total number of days required. Base assumption without help: 10 days of rituals. Enhance Ability from Pebblesong will directly reduce this by 1 day. Then, each character’s chosen approach is resolved with a relevant skill check: With all contributions, the party could potentially reduce the ritual to as few as 3 days total. Thalmiir’s role: repairing ritual objects Thalmiir’s skill set: Old Gran’s lore: DM defines Thalmiir’s specific task: Thalmiir’s narrative approach: Skill check: DM interpretation: Bartholomeow’s role: ritual stage manager and coordinator Bartholomeow’s chosen contribution: His methods: Digs into his disguise kit and outfits himself in a little black suit, giving a professional “manager” look. Moves around the ritual site: Skill check: DM interpretation: Waer’dara’s role: ecological spider-based pest control Waer’dara’s concept: Discussion with Old Gran: Waer’dara’s actions: Uses her nature knowledge to locate: The example spiders mentioned: She takes care to: She may spend time in giant spider form to better understand ideal spider habitats (even though she cannot speak “spider language,” she relies on spider instincts to identify good homes). Skill check: DM interpretation: Pebblesong’s role: assisting Old Gran and learning the ritual Pebblesong’s initial thought: Spell details: DM mechanical effect: The DM then asks Pebblesong to also contribute via a skill-based role: Pebblesong chooses to act as Old Gran’s assistant and ritual logistics coordinator. Tasks include: Relevant skills: Arcana or Nature (player chooses). Pebblesong’s mindset: Skill check: DM’s special ruling: This is an exceptionally high roll, especially at the party’s current level. As a reward, the DM grants Pebblesong a special permanent ability: Justification: Mechanical effect on ritual time: Hat’s role: magical alignment and Detect Magic Hat’s chosen approach: Description: Skill check: DM interpretation: Bhakris’ role: water logistics via strength Bhakris’ suggested contribution: Old Gran’s process: Bhakris’ tasks: Skill check: DM interpretation: Overall ritual time calculation and hedge growth outcome Base time: 10 days of rituals. Immediate reduction: Skill-based reductions: Total reduction: Narrative outcome during those 3.5 days: The party participates in repeated rituals, moving methodically along the planted hedge line. They take breaks to sleep. Old Gran needs regular “granny naps,” but recovers more quickly thanks to their support. By the time they reach the far end of the hedge line: Overall, the party has compressed about three years of growth into approximately 10 days of in-game time, of which only 3.5 days were spent on the actual ritual series. Status at Baroldson Farm after the rituals Protection: Social status with the farm: The farmers: Bartholomeow’s Whisper Jar interviews and the muffin franchise story After the main hedge work is done: Goal: Gather vignettes and impressions about: He aims to capture: The DM confirms: Negotiations for wheat and the muffin business with Baroldson Once the hedge is nearly done and the rituals are wrapping up: Context: Thalmiir’s approach: He chooses a time in the evening when people are relaxing in the common house. He goes to speak with Baroldson, the headman of the farm. He points out: He tries to pitch: He references observed demand: Persuasion roll: DM’s interpretation: Baroldson is stunned and confused by the pitch: His mind spins between: Before he can conclude, Bartholomeow arrives to try to help. Bartholomeow’s follow-up pitch and Old Gran’s intervention Bartholomeow’s approach: He immediately starts spinning an Acquisitions-Incorporated-style franchising pitch. He talks about: His objective: Persuade Baroldson to invest his town’s wheat into their muffin-franchise scheme. Ultimately, they want: Confusion in the negotiation: Baroldson rejects the idea of opening a muffin shop specifically for adventurers in his village. Bartholomeow clarifies: Baroldson still focuses on the economic implications: Old Gran’s involvement: While Baroldson debates, Old Gran begins whispering into his ear. She shapes his perspective, reminding him of the party’s contributions: Her influence is visible: Final offer from Baroldson: In recognition of the party’s contributions: He offers a monthly shipment of wheat to the party at no charge. The shipment size: The DM later quantifies this as “four units” of wheat per month. Additional terms: They will explore possibilities of a business partnership if the wheat is as valuable as suggested. Prices for additional wheat would likely go up, but: This arrangement is in effect “in perpetuity” as long as: Persuasion check for Bartholomeow: DM quantifies the arrangement: The party will receive 4 “units” of wheat monthly, described as: The exact conversion of units of wheat → flour → muffins → profit is not yet mechanically defined and will be resolved later. Notes about the miller: The party acknowledges: Long-term goal: Post-deal strategic discussion among the party After negotiations: Thalmiir’s continued concern: He reminds the group they still need 500 gold in a couple of ten-days. He is glad they helped the farm and secured wheat, but worries: He considers the possibility of working for one of the two companies across the river: Other party members’ views: Some argue that they are now business owners and should focus on their own muffin franchise instead of hiring out to other companies. Others note: They also point out: General conclusion: They recognize they have: They’ll likely need to do both: DM’s wrap-up of the Baroldson Farm arc The DM summarizes the current campaign status: The party has become heroes of Baroldson Farm. They have: Secured the farm from undead threats by: Established an ongoing trade relationship via monthly free wheat shipments. Old Gran is firmly on their side, both magically and politically among the farmers. Level advancement: The DM instructs the players: Next steps in-world: The DM expects the party will: Head back to town (Secomber). Stop at the mill to: Then return to the bakery to: The DM notes: About 12 days will have passed in Secomber while the party was gone. Next session will cover: What has happened back in town during their absence. Downtime activities, including: Pebblesong’s cartographic note Just before officially concluding: The DM adds a detail for future reference: He suggests that Pebblesong finds a reason to create a fairly detailed map. This relates to: The DM declares: Pebblesong agrees:Session Notes