Recap: Turf & Twig April 2025

Some property rights are held by deed, but the Dragon's Eye Detective's Agency holds its rights from a Turf and Twig ceremony (called the livery of seisin) held in ancient times with a local troll named Gruntle. Our April vacation mystery featured a a deep dive into the Turf by our detectives, disguised as Tomtes (tiny house gnomes).

Each layer of the Turf had to be explored, starting with the grassy upper level, where the twig grows beside a serpent well. Our team interviewed the inhabitants of the grasslands, who told them what they knew about the troubles. Each clue confirmed the information from their 3-Penny Dream: A volcano deep inside the Turf was heating the water and rumbling the earth, sending sulphuric fumes into the air and threatening the safety of all of the Turf and Twig inhabitants.

The journey into the heart of the Turf and Twig spiraled lower and lower, following underground tunnels formed by the ancient Worm that hides inside every turf. One of our team's first questions was: Is this a worm, a wurm, a wirm, or a wyrm? (The answer is yes.)

Our team snuck through the tunnels, avoiding the green eyes that glowed in every nook and cranny. Some of them were friendly, and others tried to capture them with shadowy spells. Their 3-Penny nightmare had revealed the presence of a dangerous shadowslug, so the Detectives were happy when their efforts led to the rare procurement of a Light Jewel.

Each level brought new challenges. Fossils came to life. Underground rivers were uncovered, and a plan was made. The final showdown with the shadowslug and its minions will live as a legendary blowout featuring one team sneaking toward the volcano while a second team used the flying dragon forms to distract the enemies. 

A third team flew quietly to the spot where they could unleash their plan: A net of light refracted from the rainstorms unleashed by a detective's artifact, that would shower light upon the army, trapping each shadowslug in a waterdroplet. A beautiful plan that will look amazing when the movie finally arrives onscreen.

All of this teamwork was anchored by the fourth team -- the healers and anchors who kept the backup plan alive, just in case all of this glory went awry. Fortune shone down on our Heroes of the Dragon's Eye -- their plan worked. The first team captured the Black Stone Egg in the center of the volcano, while the second team drew fire. The third team unleashed their magic, and the slug and its minions were neatly trapped.

All's well that ends well ... but not quite!

The volcano started to erupt with a great cry ... and well, I'll have to show you rather than tell you what happened next. A fissure split open and a huge roar was heard ... and Gruntle the Troll awoke from his long slumber.

He was none to happy to have a volcano raging on his head, or blinding rainbow light pouring into his eyes, or the water washing overhead. Yes. Gruntled was disgruntled.

Fortunately for him, our Detectives did a very courteous job of cleaning up. Stories and explanations were told and all did end well for our team. Not so well for our shadowslug and his minions, who remain in their light-filled cells, facing further inquiry by the Dragonmages. Rumor has it the Black Stone Egg may return this summer -- but for now, it rests safely in the hands of Rebecca the Dragonmage.

Congratulations to a fine team of detectives! We had an extraordinary week of teamwork and laughs. The Tomtes they made are on the Dragon's Eye Adventures Facebook page, along with an album of photos from the adventure! 

Many thanks to RSU5 and Chris Guerette, and the staff at Durham Community School. I'm amazed we didn't have a single Tomte in the lights and pipes above our head -- that may be our most surprising success yet! What's a mystery in Durham without someone needing a rescue from our friends on staff!