HELLO, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR LORD AND MASTER JESUS CHRIST?
A magical chime dings as Alessandra pulls on the rope and rings the doorbell. After a few silent moments, the carved stone door on the right slowly opens, and you are greeted by an grizzled old man of a butler..made of..wood?
"Ah!"he says. "Visitors! Hello! Welcome to Wyllow's tower! I am Halastree. How can I help you today?"
Alessandra whips out her Holy Bible looks curiously at the wooden butler, her eyes darting to her companions to see if any of them wanted to pipe up, and seeing as no one else wanted to take one for the team, she speaks. "Um... Yes, we are a group of travelers, um... We're just a small piece of a big group, you see, and we were wondering if... If anyone else in our group had come by? By the names of, uh, let's see... Lythril, Danitriel, Biggs... Azrael." Her voice lowers to a slight growl at the mention of the dragonborns name. "O-or, if, uh... Hm... You could possibly... Help us figure out where we are...?"
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Halastree has the temperment of a very patient father.
"Travellers, wonderful!"he says, pleased. "While I haven't heard of your friends, come, I will introduce you to Wyllow, she will further explain. Come!"He opens the door wide to let you in with a polite sweeping gresture. Grianne's bear plops down on it's rump and quietly waits outside.
Halastree leads you to a throne room. Dead leaves and twigs cover the dusty floor. The room has a vaulted ceiling 20 feet high. Stone pillars carved to look like trees support a 10-foot-high stone balcony that runs along the north, east, and south walls. The trees’ stone branches serve as the balcony’s railings.
"My Lady,"Halastree bows, "These visitor were at your door. I believe they have some questions for you! I believe they might be looking for lost companions!"He then bows to you all and moves off to the side.
Wyllow is meditating on the throne as you are introduced. She opens her eyes calmly as Halastree speaks you and looks you all over neutrally. She is a most beautiful moon elf with perfect black hair and the most emerald eyes you all have ever seen. She is wearing tight leather armor with a headband. Butterflies nest in her hair and small baby animals, at least five of them, are constantly around her, playing.
By her feet is a massive displacer beast. It raises it's head as you approach, but does not move, simply looking you over. It's tentacles slowly writhe.
"Thank you, Halastree."she says after about a minute of awkward silence. "More adventurers, I see. I am Wyllow. This is my forest. State your business."
Evrik is moonstruck by the beauty before him. His grip on his warhammer loosens as his entire body relaxes and he falls into her gaze. He bows before her. Through all his travels, and across time and space such beauty has been evasive. She reminds him that something other than darkness still exists. "We are merely travelers seeking our companions and attempting to right what wrongs we may along our way m'lady," Evrik says to her. "My tale is long and tangled, and I happened upon these fine folk here through strange incidents indeed. Yet to such a stranger as I, they have opened their arms and shown their quality many times over."
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Though not currently a member, seeking admission to the really long and important signature club. Please consider this as a current CV.
Grianne sees the spectical of nature before her and is in joyful awe. Your the mother of this forest? Grianne bows deeply to the moonelf. I am Grianne Wildpaw. Daughter of Mielikki.
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Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
"Well said, my dwarven guest. Upon first glance I might say I agree with you, but we shall see."Wyllow said. "In the meantime, I welcome you to Wyllowwood. I am it's keeper. This is my home."She makes the smallest gesture to the displacer beast at her side. "This is Crissann, and my butler is Halastree. He was a gift." Halastree beams with pride and nods curtly.
She slowly stands, approaches you all. Nodding to Grianne, she too, bows in welcome. "I am, indeed, it's mother. You say you are looking for..your companions. Seeking to right what wrongs. I can tell you this. I have had no incursions into my forest lately. Any who trespass here and desecrate my realm are killed. However, I can take you to the inner forest and see if we can find them."
OU812 kneels down and lets one of the baby animals come up and sniff him interestingly. Making no aggressive moves, he gently laughs when the little baby yips with excitement and begins to lick the darkwood material his leg and foot are composed of. That laughter turns to gleeful surprise when the animal then lifts a leg and begins to pee on him. Wyllow merely smiles down upon the scene, satisfied that one of her children has taken to OU812.
Wyllow leads you all to the inner forest with her displacer beast - the little forest animal babies following wherever she goes. As you exit, Grianne's bear friend accept a loving pet from the moon elf, and continues to follow you all once more. It gently nudges Grianne for more food.
"Over two hundred years ago, I fell in love with a man named Yinark - a wizard in league with Halaster, and returned with him, here, to Undermountain."she begins. "My happiness faded quickly when the dungeon proved to be a far cry from the woods I used to call home. Determined to keep me in Undermountain, Halaster used several wish spells to create a magical forest for me, but even this gift wasn’t enough to offset my languor. When Yinark forbade me from ever returning to the surface, I grew positively despondent. The relationship soured and turned violent. I murdered Yinark’s that day. After my fury abated, all that remained was undying grief and encroaching madness. I remain in Undermountain in accordance with Yinark’s wishes, a prisoner of my own guilt."
You enter the inner forest.
"I have conflicted feelings about Halaster. I am grateful to him for providing me a home and keeping Wyllowwood alive with his magic, but I blame him for Yinark’s death. I also pity him, for the Mad Mage too appears to be trapped in a prison of his own making. I believe he is an immortal entity composed of..something not of this universe. Thus, I have given up any hope of being rid of him. Come. Let me show you something in the forest."
The inner forest is completely strewn with rusty weapons, burnt torch stubs, empty bottles, and other worthless paraphernalia left behind by adventurers. Countless eerie totems hang from the trees. Made from twigs, feathers, and tattered bits of cloth, they look like crude dolls. She raises her hand towards the gear in the forest, and the totems.
"Each time an adventurer is killed in Undermountain, Halaster's wish spell creates a twig, feather, and cloth replica of that person, and it magically appears here, in my forest. Why Halaster had done this, I cannot say. Who can understand such a twisted mind? While you are guests in my forest, you may see if you can find the representations of your lost friends among them. A warning, however, do not harm anything, or take anything. I have eyes everywhere."
Wyllow looks over the area with sadness, and waits patiently to see if any of you have any other questions.
Grianne pets the bear and feeds him another berry. One if these is supposed to last you a while day, you silly thing. Grianne says this, manipulating her words so sound cutesy.
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Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Your heart leaps into your throat as you see, grouped together, a group of natural totem dolls that look exactly like Lythril, Dani, Azrael - which is black and burnt - and Biggs. The dolls look very roughed up, and have looks of horror on their "faces".Even though it is clear they are no longer alive, you take a small amount of comfort knowing they might be one with The Weave.
Your heart feels heavy, some of you knew them for many years, others, many weeks.
Near them are the dolls of O'Cephalus and Neglectus.
"Halaster claims more souls."Wyllow casually mentions.
OU812 to Wyllow: "I'm so sorry for your loss, ma'am. Perhaps we can be of mutual help? If you could direct us towards safe passage lower into the undermountain, I promise we'll confront Halaster and plead him to release you of your heavy burdens."
"Halaster will destroy you all."Wyllow states simply. "He is an entity from another time and space. He is either the creator of The Weave, or it's master."She turns to Grianne. "You, child. I can see the lines of dreams and visions on your soul - in addition to a massive scar you have recently suffered. You should consider yourself lucky for many reasons. First, you are all alive. Second, perhaps OF The Weave, you are having visions of impending doom. Why you are having these visions, I do not know, but I hope they provide you answers, and wisdom."
She points to the exit of the level.
"I bid you all farewell. The further you journey down, the closer you approach the Heart of Madness. I will remain here, where my own sorrow and guilt can join me company."
Ra'iik nods gently. Although he is a Paladin of Vengeance, he understands that Vengeance is called upon at specific times in individual's lives. If it is forced, not allowing the individual to wallow and grieve for a while, it can backfire severely. He puts it down to, after living for such a long time, the woman may need just as long to overcome her sadness.
"We appreciate your information and time." Ra'iik says. "If I may be so forward- would you have us here again if we require rest and solotude? We shall venture down further- what we meet down below, we not yet know, but we may keep you in the loop as a valued ally. You have much wisdom and with it, much power."
Evrik look back towards the lady of the wood, "Forgive me m'lady if I am out of place, but it seems your heart would be lifted if you could return to a true forest. My home sits atop a hill encircled by a great forest that has in recent history, recent in dwarven years that is, been visited by a darkness. I've had visions of my father fighting to banish that darkness back to the abyss. As I mentioned, my travels to this space are in fact long and twisted, but I must believe I arrived here for some greater reason. My forest needs a caring mother again, and you seem a mother in need of a great forest. I should very much wish to help you find happiness and it seems perhaps we can be of some help to each other? Perhaps there is something you can give us, or tell us that would help us convince Halaster to release you and be on his way to some other plane? It would be my honor to serve you in such a quest." He bowed, and gently grabbed and kissed her ring hand.
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Though not currently a member, seeking admission to the really long and important signature club. Please consider this as a current CV.
Ra'iik: Wyllow agrees to let you rest in Wyllowwood, as long as you obey the rules and "mind the green dragon" - whatever that means.
Evrik:"Nothing now will lift my heart. This forest is now my home, and I swore not to leave it. If there is any advice I could give you to defeat Halaster, I would, but I have yet to find it, nor would I even try to defeat him. This place has too much memory for me to leave, or to care what becomes of Halaster. Many before you have tried what you're about to do, only to fail. Halaster is something beyond your comprehension, and if you do manage to come near him, it will not be on this world, or even existence." She again gestures to the dolls in the trees to show you, again, just how many lives have been lost.
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HELLO, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR LORD AND MASTER JESUS CHRIST?
A magical chime dings as Alessandra pulls on the rope and rings the doorbell. After a few silent moments, the carved stone door on the right slowly opens, and you are greeted by an grizzled old man of a butler..made of..wood?
"Ah!" he says. "Visitors! Hello! Welcome to Wyllow's tower! I am Halastree. How can I help you today?"
Alessandra
whips out her Holy Biblelooks curiously at the wooden butler, her eyes darting to her companions to see if any of them wanted to pipe up, and seeing as no one else wanted to take one for the team, she speaks. "Um... Yes, we are a group of travelers, um... We're just a small piece of a big group, you see, and we were wondering if... If anyone else in our group had come by? By the names of, uh, let's see... Lythril, Danitriel, Biggs... Azrael." Her voice lowers to a slight growl at the mention of the dragonborns name. "O-or, if, uh... Hm... You could possibly... Help us figure out where we are...?"Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Halastree has the temperment of a very patient father.
"Travellers, wonderful!" he says, pleased. "While I haven't heard of your friends, come, I will introduce you to Wyllow, she will further explain. Come!" He opens the door wide to let you in with a polite sweeping gresture. Grianne's bear plops down on it's rump and quietly waits outside.
OU812 follows Halastree's offer and steps into the foyer...
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Evrik, cautiously and his grip tightening a bit around Myke, follows OU812. "You sure about this mate? No detectors going off eh?"
Though not currently a member, seeking admission to the really long and important signature club. Please consider this as a current CV.
Other personalities... Burgee , The Colorless Knight, Fiorello, RW Goodbarrel, Dred, Evrik - Out of the Abyss & Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Site Rules & Guidelines || Tooltips || Homebrew FAQ || Snippet Codes || Syllvva's Guides
ARCH DRUID WYLLOW
Halastree leads you to a throne room. Dead leaves and twigs cover the dusty floor. The room has a vaulted ceiling 20 feet high. Stone pillars carved to look like trees support a 10-foot-high stone balcony that runs along the north, east, and south walls. The trees’ stone branches serve as the balcony’s railings.
"My Lady," Halastree bows, "These visitor were at your door. I believe they have some questions for you! I believe they might be looking for lost companions!" He then bows to you all and moves off to the side.
Wyllow is meditating on the throne as you are introduced. She opens her eyes calmly as Halastree speaks you and looks you all over neutrally. She is a most beautiful moon elf with perfect black hair and the most emerald eyes you all have ever seen. She is wearing tight leather armor with a headband. Butterflies nest in her hair and small baby animals, at least five of them, are constantly around her, playing.
By her feet is a massive displacer beast. It raises it's head as you approach, but does not move, simply looking you over. It's tentacles slowly writhe.
"Thank you, Halastree." she says after about a minute of awkward silence. "More adventurers, I see. I am Wyllow. This is my forest. State your business."
Evrik is moonstruck by the beauty before him. His grip on his warhammer loosens as his entire body relaxes and he falls into her gaze. He bows before her. Through all his travels, and across time and space such beauty has been evasive. She reminds him that something other than darkness still exists. "We are merely travelers seeking our companions and attempting to right what wrongs we may along our way m'lady," Evrik says to her. "My tale is long and tangled, and I happened upon these fine folk here through strange incidents indeed. Yet to such a stranger as I, they have opened their arms and shown their quality many times over."
Though not currently a member, seeking admission to the really long and important signature club. Please consider this as a current CV.
Other personalities... Burgee , The Colorless Knight, Fiorello, RW Goodbarrel, Dred, Evrik - Out of the Abyss & Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Site Rules & Guidelines || Tooltips || Homebrew FAQ || Snippet Codes || Syllvva's Guides
Grianne sees the spectical of nature before her and is in joyful awe. Your the mother of this forest? Grianne bows deeply to the moonelf. I am Grianne Wildpaw. Daughter of Mielikki.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Tomoe Gozen: Human Fighter Samurai level 5 -- Cronero (Solo Campaign)
"Well said, my dwarven guest. Upon first glance I might say I agree with you, but we shall see." Wyllow said. "In the meantime, I welcome you to Wyllowwood. I am it's keeper. This is my home." She makes the smallest gesture to the displacer beast at her side. "This is Crissann, and my butler is Halastree. He was a gift." Halastree beams with pride and nods curtly.
She slowly stands, approaches you all. Nodding to Grianne, she too, bows in welcome. "I am, indeed, it's mother. You say you are looking for..your companions. Seeking to right what wrongs. I can tell you this. I have had no incursions into my forest lately. Any who trespass here and desecrate my realm are killed. However, I can take you to the inner forest and see if we can find them."
"That is very gracious of you." Ra'iik says. "How did you happen to belong in this place?"
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
OU812 kneels down and lets one of the baby animals come up and sniff him interestingly. Making no aggressive moves, he gently laughs when the little baby yips with excitement and begins to lick the darkwood material his leg and foot are composed of. That laughter turns to gleeful surprise when the animal then lifts a leg and begins to pee on him. Wyllow merely smiles down upon the scene, satisfied that one of her children has taken to OU812.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US
Wyllow leads you all to the inner forest with her displacer beast - the little forest animal babies following wherever she goes. As you exit, Grianne's bear friend accept a loving pet from the moon elf, and continues to follow you all once more. It gently nudges Grianne for more food.
"Over two hundred years ago, I fell in love with a man named Yinark - a wizard in league with Halaster, and returned with him, here, to Undermountain." she begins. "My happiness faded quickly when the dungeon proved to be a far cry from the woods I used to call home. Determined to keep me in Undermountain, Halaster used several wish spells to create a magical forest for me, but even this gift wasn’t enough to offset my languor. When Yinark forbade me from ever returning to the surface, I grew positively despondent. The relationship soured and turned violent. I murdered Yinark’s that day. After my fury abated, all that remained was undying grief and encroaching madness. I remain in Undermountain in accordance with Yinark’s wishes, a prisoner of my own guilt."
You enter the inner forest.
"I have conflicted feelings about Halaster. I am grateful to him for providing me a home and keeping Wyllowwood alive with his magic, but I blame him for Yinark’s death. I also pity him, for the Mad Mage too appears to be trapped in a prison of his own making. I believe he is an immortal entity composed of..something not of this universe. Thus, I have given up any hope of being rid of him. Come. Let me show you something in the forest."
The inner forest is completely strewn with rusty weapons, burnt torch stubs, empty bottles, and other worthless paraphernalia left behind by adventurers. Countless eerie totems hang from the trees. Made from twigs, feathers, and tattered bits of cloth, they look like crude dolls. She raises her hand towards the gear in the forest, and the totems.
"Each time an adventurer is killed in Undermountain, Halaster's wish spell creates a twig, feather, and cloth replica of that person, and it magically appears here, in my forest. Why Halaster had done this, I cannot say. Who can understand such a twisted mind? While you are guests in my forest, you may see if you can find the representations of your lost friends among them. A warning, however, do not harm anything, or take anything. I have eyes everywhere."
Wyllow looks over the area with sadness, and waits patiently to see if any of you have any other questions.
Grianne pets the bear and feeds him another berry. One if these is supposed to last you a while day, you silly thing. Grianne says this, manipulating her words so sound cutesy.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Tomoe Gozen: Human Fighter Samurai level 5 -- Cronero (Solo Campaign)
Ra'iik silently begins looking. Sure, for Az, Lyth, Dani... But he also takes a small moment to pray for each lost soul he could not protect.
Does he see anyone else he recognises? 7
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
Your heart leaps into your throat as you see, grouped together, a group of natural totem dolls that look exactly like Lythril, Dani, Azrael - which is black and burnt - and Biggs. The dolls look very roughed up, and have looks of horror on their "faces".Even though it is clear they are no longer alive, you take a small amount of comfort knowing they might be one with The Weave.
Your heart feels heavy, some of you knew them for many years, others, many weeks.
Near them are the dolls of O'Cephalus and Neglectus.
"Halaster claims more souls." Wyllow casually mentions.
OU812 to Wyllow: "I'm so sorry for your loss, ma'am. Perhaps we can be of mutual help? If you could direct us towards safe passage lower into the undermountain, I promise we'll confront Halaster and plead him to release you of your heavy burdens."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Halaster will destroy you all." Wyllow states simply. "He is an entity from another time and space. He is either the creator of The Weave, or it's master." She turns to Grianne. "You, child. I can see the lines of dreams and visions on your soul - in addition to a massive scar you have recently suffered. You should consider yourself lucky for many reasons. First, you are all alive. Second, perhaps OF The Weave, you are having visions of impending doom. Why you are having these visions, I do not know, but I hope they provide you answers, and wisdom."
She points to the exit of the level.
"I bid you all farewell. The further you journey down, the closer you approach the Heart of Madness. I will remain here, where my own sorrow and guilt can join me company."
Ra'iik nods gently. Although he is a Paladin of Vengeance, he understands that Vengeance is called upon at specific times in individual's lives. If it is forced, not allowing the individual to wallow and grieve for a while, it can backfire severely. He puts it down to, after living for such a long time, the woman may need just as long to overcome her sadness.
"We appreciate your information and time." Ra'iik says. "If I may be so forward- would you have us here again if we require rest and solotude? We shall venture down further- what we meet down below, we not yet know, but we may keep you in the loop as a valued ally. You have much wisdom and with it, much power."
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
Evrik look back towards the lady of the wood, "Forgive me m'lady if I am out of place, but it seems your heart would be lifted if you could return to a true forest. My home sits atop a hill encircled by a great forest that has in recent history, recent in dwarven years that is, been visited by a darkness. I've had visions of my father fighting to banish that darkness back to the abyss. As I mentioned, my travels to this space are in fact long and twisted, but I must believe I arrived here for some greater reason. My forest needs a caring mother again, and you seem a mother in need of a great forest. I should very much wish to help you find happiness and it seems perhaps we can be of some help to each other? Perhaps there is something you can give us, or tell us that would help us convince Halaster to release you and be on his way to some other plane? It would be my honor to serve you in such a quest." He bowed, and gently grabbed and kissed her ring hand.
Though not currently a member, seeking admission to the really long and important signature club. Please consider this as a current CV.
Other personalities... Burgee , The Colorless Knight, Fiorello, RW Goodbarrel, Dred, Evrik - Out of the Abyss & Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Site Rules & Guidelines || Tooltips || Homebrew FAQ || Snippet Codes || Syllvva's Guides
Ra'iik: Wyllow agrees to let you rest in Wyllowwood, as long as you obey the rules and "mind the green dragon" - whatever that means.
Evrik: "Nothing now will lift my heart. This forest is now my home, and I swore not to leave it. If there is any advice I could give you to defeat Halaster, I would, but I have yet to find it, nor would I even try to defeat him. This place has too much memory for me to leave, or to care what becomes of Halaster. Many before you have tried what you're about to do, only to fail. Halaster is something beyond your comprehension, and if you do manage to come near him, it will not be on this world, or even existence." She again gestures to the dolls in the trees to show you, again, just how many lives have been lost.