(I may be reading things wrong but... Needletongue isn't a Tree Ghost, right? He's an Uthgardt barbarian, and there are lots of clans of those, I thought. Also we just know Bendrigar was silenced and lost blood, we're not sure he's dead. He could have just lost... a part of himself.)
Mola just grins at Rixton. "All the answers, right ones and wrong ones... I'm not angry, I envy you. Must be nice."
(Tree Ghosts ARE uthgardt barbarians. And Mola is wildly hopeful that "silenced" and "spilled blood" are absolutely literal!)
(But not all Uthgardt barbarians are Tree Ghosts, right? He's seemed to be outside the Tree Ghost clan, and he and his compatriots who attacked the tree seemed not to be Tree Ghosts? Maybe I'm totally wrong! I'll just play it off as Mola's confusion.)
(But not all Uthgardt barbarians are Tree Ghosts, right? He's seemed to be outside the Tree Ghost clan, and he and his compatriots who attacked the tree seemed not to be Tree Ghosts? Maybe I'm totally wrong! I'll just play it off as Mola's confusion.)
(There are other clans, sure. Not sure where you got that Needletongue was of a different one, though. My impression is that he is the shaman if the Tree Ghosts and has begun influencing them from this position.)
It was from the first battle description where the Tree Ghosts were arrayed against Uthgardt barbarians, and not fellow Tree Ghosts? Maybe Needletongue is yet another shaman (there was the one that attacked the orca, the one that we saw at the tower, and the one attacking the tree, which I assumed was Needletongue).
My apologies for any lack of clarity! Here's a quick run-down of things, most of which have already been discussed:
Needletongue is indeed a Tree Ghost shaman who has been very influential of late
Tree Ghosts are one of several Uthgardt tribes, but the only tribe that typically haunts the High Forest
Bendrigar was silenced, permanently, by Needletongue
The barbarians that attacked the Grandfather Tree were Uthgardts, but NOT Tree Ghosts (I never specified their tribe affiliation)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Denevald, in response to Mola's question about Therevan's departure, remarks, "The last person he wishes to see is Needletongue; I've no concerns about that."
The other Tree Ghosts grunt and nod in agreement.
Denevald continues, "Needletongue has persuaded many that the time of the Tree Ghosts has arrived. It is nonsense. It is dangerous. Constantly sending warriors to attack, rob, and kill. A band sent to the Tribe of the Hand--an orc tribe we do not know. Several bands sent to raid caravans on the Evermoor Way. A band sent to slay wood elves to the south."
"They never returned," chimes one of the other Tree Ghosts.
"A band sent to attack the Sky Pony tribe," continues Denevald, "who repay us by attacking the Grandfather Tree today. If this continues, all of Faerun will rise up, raze the great tree, and destroy the Tree Ghosts. Therevan has no love for Needletongue. He is proud and does not wish for outsiders to know our troubles."
"Bendrigar spoke of the yikaria, claiming he saw several of them in the High Forest. Needletongue commanded he say no more about such things, that belief in such creatures is childish. Bendrigar persisted and was slain for it," explains a nearby Tree Ghost.
"We have seen yikaria after hearing similar tales." Mola tells them about the encounter by the tower, describes the group of Tree Ghosts, and tries to sketch out an image in the dirt of what the slain shaman looked like. He also sketches out an image of the yikaria.
"I'd be curious to know what else Bendrigar said, where he said he saw yikaria, etc."
"More Tree Ghosts have fallen then," muses Denevald, understanding the irony that the four outsiders who just aided him recently took the lives of his fellow tribe members.
He watches intently as Mola creates depictions in the ground. The shaman he identifies immediately. "A female shaman. Our tribe had but one. She is not Needletongue."
Regarding the image of the yikaria, he says, "Yes, that is what Bendrigar described. To the east he saw them. A few days journey through the High Forest. toward Ascalhorn."
A visible gloominess has fallen upon Denevald's mood now that he's learned the fate of other Tree Ghosts.
Denevald nods in silence, turns, and says a few things in Bothii to the other tribe members. All eight of the Tree Ghosts then begin to walk away, apparently to return to their camp from which they can keep an eye on the Grandfather Tree.
(If any player wished to pursue further interactions with Denevald, then we can fill that in as necessary)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dendros had previously mentioned that if the party were to make for Ascalhorn, then he would lead them there. He agrees to do so now. "Enemies of the Tree Ghosts are enemies to the great tree. It is good for me, then, to walk with you and find the one called Needletongue. We shall see Ascalhorn within three suns."
During the first full day of travel eastward, Dendros, unsolicited, talks of Ascalhorn. Whether he does so for the party's benefit is hard to tell, for the treant often speaks in such a manner to suggest that he is merely talking to himself. He explains that Ascalhorn is the ancient name of the place; most folks now call it Hellgate Keep. Centuries ago, the elven city of Ascalhorn was overtaken by demonic forces and subsequently destroyed. "A great explosion brought the final ruin to Ascalhorn, creating an enormous scar in the land. Deep into the earth it cuts. But today, what little remains of Hellgate Keep is covered in vines, briars, trees, and mazes of roots. That is for the best, I think. To hide the ugliness caused by the wicked. In the days after the explosion, many treants gathered there to begin the work of covering the stones and structures with the goodness of living things. I did not see this, of course, but I have been told. I am eager to speak with the forest there."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Mola would just want to get a decent description of Needletongue -- appearance, habits, usual locations, hangers-on, etc -- before they left.) He'd say to Denevald: "We will try to rid the Tree Ghosts of the yikaria's foul influence, with no more Tree Ghost blood spilled."
Before leaving, he'd also drop call lightning, and cast speak with plants and introduce himself. "I am Mola, a druid. My friends and I hope to help the Tree Ghosts protect you from those who would do you harm, and seek whatever it is you protect beneath. They are the yikaria, yak-men, who can inhabit the bodies and minds of others. We will be away for some days, while we seek out their encampment at the Ascalhorn. We may be back. Be wary in the meantime. If I return and do not try to say hello, you can assume I am not myself. Only trust me if I greet you." He grants the tree the power to defend itself (for the next ten minutes) by moving its limbs if it wants to, per the spell.
Later, as they walk with Dendros, Mola says to his companions:
"I am glad that the Tree Ghosts were not all possessed by the yikaria. I thought that was a possibility. There are still clear-headed and good folk here."
Has Mola heard any other more recent information about Hellgate Keep?
Nature: 6
"I wonder if the Yikaria have set up camp inside Ascalhorn, or merely nearby."
He'll recommend the group keep double watches at night, to guard against yikaria trying their magic on anyone.
(Gwin does have Speak with Dead but I don't know how much value there would be in trying to talk to alas-poor-Bendrigar at this point).
Gwin was mostly silent as the conversation between Denevald and her companions took place, but prior to leaving for Ascalhorn she will promise the unaffected Tree Ghosts they'll do everything in their power to exorcise the yikaria and ensure the Grandfather Tree's safety.
It is our hope to make amends for the lives we took from your clan, she says to Denevald. These are confusing times for us all, it is hard to know who is friend or foe, but speaking for myself (and with this she casts Thaumaturgy to briefly turn her eyes the most calming blue the Tree Ghost has ever seen) I consider you friend and will act accordingly as we seek to bring balance back to your forest.
During the journey, as Dendros speaks of Hellgate Keep, Gwin listens intently with an occasional interjection. But again, she is mostly silent, choosing to spend the bulk of her time in prayer and meditation, with an occasional encouraging word in Steveaustin's ear.
Denevald gives a cursory description of Needletongue as Mola asked. "Long streaks of white in his hair. One eye that is injured. He will have three warriors with him. Always at his side they are."
Molasenses the great tree's gratitude after communicating his sentiments to the Grandfather Tree. The phrase Hellgate Keep is nothing more than a name to Mola; he knows nothing about the place but what Dendros has conveyed.
Rixton's cataloging of the various weeds in the High Forest is, as he expected, a rather uneventful way to pass the time. The dense canopy created by the trees doesn't grant much sunlight to those things that might attempt to take root on the forest floor.
Dendros's estimation of the journey to Hellgate Keep is correct; on the evening of the third day, a great wall of ancient rock rises up from the High Forest. Hundreds of feet above the decaying ruins of a tower can be seen. Dendros points with one of his massive limbs. "Up there, atop this great stone outcropping, stood the ancient elven city Ascalhorn."
After a nearly-two-hour climb, the party reaches the base of the crumbled tower (the one on the west (left) in the picture below). The treant's previous description of Hellgate Keep, in which he called the place a great scar on Faerun, is certainly accurate. A gargantuan wedge-shaped gash creates a yawning canyon, across which other ruins can be seen. The scar is well over three-hundred feet deep. In the walls of the canyon, multiple tunnel openings can be seen, probably remnants of underground garrisons and passageways that existed below the city that is no longer there. The party members, including Dendros, are fascinated by a thin pillar of water that rises hundreds of feet into the air before suddenly and inexplicably stopping as if the upward stream of water were suddenly striking some sort of invisible wall.
Mola sits down for ten minutes and ritually casts speak with animals, finding a few squirrels, birds, and other creatures with decent sight who can tell him if they've seen any yak-men around in recent days, or if they've seen other humans with long black and white hair.
(Did we park the mounts or did they make the climb with us?)
Rixtonstands next to Dendros, surveying the geometry that stands out against the natural beauty of the forest. "Why has the forest failed to reclaim this and cover the scar?" Rixton says. "Has it been too little time or is there something that prevents the trees from reshaping this place?"
Gwin surveys the scene and lets out a low whistle. Well, this will be like finding a Needletongue in a haystack. I fear I won't be any help in sneaking about. I'm about as stealthy as a wee dwarfling who's just found their legs. And myArcane Eyeneeds to be a lot closer if it's going to do any good. I could draw them out with a littleThaumaturgy, but again I'd need to be much closer.
Mola sits down for ten minutes and ritually casts speak with animals, finding a few squirrels, birds, and other creatures with decent sight who can tell him if they've seen any yak-men around in recent days, or if they've seen other humans with long black and white hair.
Within the span of a few minutes, Mola has caught the attention of a raven that is soaring overhead, staying effortlessly aloft via the air the rises upward toward Hellgate Keep. Intermingled with an abundance of cawing and croaking sounds, the large bird confirms that "men with the horns of bulls"have been in the area. Furthermore, the raven explains that four humans lie at the bottom of the great canyon because they attempted "to fly like a raven but had no wings."
"I will show you," declares the raven. It then streaks through the air, downward into the canyon, becoming little more than a dark speck before landing on massive chunk of rock. Below the bird seems to be the figures of four humanoids. They would have likely gone undetected if the raven had not revealed their location.
(Did we park the mounts or did they make the climb with us?)
Rixtonstands next to Dendros, surveying the geometry that stands out against the natural beauty of the forest. "Why has the forest failed to reclaim this and cover the scar?" Rixton says. "Has it been too little time or is there something that prevents the trees from reshaping this place?"
(Regarding the horses and Tarnie, they would not be able to make the climb. Good question., MD. Thanks.)
Dendros, with one word, answers Rixton's question. "Magic."
After a pause, the treant continues. "The gulch..."--he points to the massive canyon as he speaks--"...is marked by regions of unpredictable magic. I have heard it called wild magic. Do you know of such things? The forest has reclaimed the towers and few remaining buildings here above the great scar, but within the gulch no such thing has happened.
Indeed, the forest has reclaimed the few structures that stand nearby. They are wrapped in a thick shroud of vines and roots.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rixtonnods thoughtfully as he looks down into the gulch. (Arcana roll for wild magic: 11) "I have read some of wild magic. Kelson's Theories of Magic and Magic Unbound both leap to mind," he says to nobody in particular. "But the details don't matter so much. Magic is strong here and it may be unpredictable."
The rogue looks down into the gulch at the four figures the raven led Molato. "I wonder..." he muses, "if that is how the yikaria shed their stolen bodies."
Reaching for another explanation, Rixtonlooks at the jet of water seemingly splashing against nothing. (Investigation: 20) "Perhaps the wild magic here..."
He doesn't finish his thought aloud but turns his attention to the tower before them. "Let's examine this while we are here. I suspect we are heading into the basin before this is all through."
(Tree Ghosts ARE uthgardt barbarians. And Mola is wildly hopeful that "silenced" and "spilled blood" are absolutely literal!)
(But not all Uthgardt barbarians are Tree Ghosts, right? He's seemed to be outside the Tree Ghost clan, and he and his compatriots who attacked the tree seemed not to be Tree Ghosts? Maybe I'm totally wrong! I'll just play it off as Mola's confusion.)
(There are other clans, sure. Not sure where you got that Needletongue was of a different one, though. My impression is that he is the shaman if the Tree Ghosts and has begun influencing them from this position.)
It was from the first battle description where the Tree Ghosts were arrayed against Uthgardt barbarians, and not fellow Tree Ghosts? Maybe Needletongue is yet another shaman (there was the one that attacked the orca, the one that we saw at the tower, and the one attacking the tree, which I assumed was Needletongue).
My apologies for any lack of clarity! Here's a quick run-down of things, most of which have already been discussed:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Denevald, in response to Mola's question about Therevan's departure, remarks, "The last person he wishes to see is Needletongue; I've no concerns about that."
The other Tree Ghosts grunt and nod in agreement.
Denevald continues, "Needletongue has persuaded many that the time of the Tree Ghosts has arrived. It is nonsense. It is dangerous. Constantly sending warriors to attack, rob, and kill. A band sent to the Tribe of the Hand--an orc tribe we do not know. Several bands sent to raid caravans on the Evermoor Way. A band sent to slay wood elves to the south."
"They never returned," chimes one of the other Tree Ghosts.
"A band sent to attack the Sky Pony tribe," continues Denevald, "who repay us by attacking the Grandfather Tree today. If this continues, all of Faerun will rise up, raze the great tree, and destroy the Tree Ghosts. Therevan has no love for Needletongue. He is proud and does not wish for outsiders to know our troubles."
"Bendrigar spoke of the yikaria, claiming he saw several of them in the High Forest. Needletongue commanded he say no more about such things, that belief in such creatures is childish. Bendrigar persisted and was slain for it," explains a nearby Tree Ghost.
"We have seen yikaria after hearing similar tales." Mola tells them about the encounter by the tower, describes the group of Tree Ghosts, and tries to sketch out an image in the dirt of what the slain shaman looked like. He also sketches out an image of the yikaria.
"I'd be curious to know what else Bendrigar said, where he said he saw yikaria, etc."
"More Tree Ghosts have fallen then," muses Denevald, understanding the irony that the four outsiders who just aided him recently took the lives of his fellow tribe members.
He watches intently as Mola creates depictions in the ground. The shaman he identifies immediately. "A female shaman. Our tribe had but one. She is not Needletongue."
Regarding the image of the yikaria, he says, "Yes, that is what Bendrigar described. To the east he saw them. A few days journey through the High Forest. toward Ascalhorn."
A visible gloominess has fallen upon Denevald's mood now that he's learned the fate of other Tree Ghosts.
Rixton purses his lips. "I'm sorry we came to blows with your people," he says. "We will make it right and return the Tree Ghosts to their old ways."
He turns to his traveling companions and adds, "It looks like we are heading to Ascalhorn..."
Rawley looks around and points to the cloud, "The weather is pretty bad, but maybe we can go around it."
Denevald nods in silence, turns, and says a few things in Bothii to the other tribe members. All eight of the Tree Ghosts then begin to walk away, apparently to return to their camp from which they can keep an eye on the Grandfather Tree.
(If any player wished to pursue further interactions with Denevald, then we can fill that in as necessary)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dendros had previously mentioned that if the party were to make for Ascalhorn, then he would lead them there. He agrees to do so now. "Enemies of the Tree Ghosts are enemies to the great tree. It is good for me, then, to walk with you and find the one called Needletongue. We shall see Ascalhorn within three suns."
During the first full day of travel eastward, Dendros, unsolicited, talks of Ascalhorn. Whether he does so for the party's benefit is hard to tell, for the treant often speaks in such a manner to suggest that he is merely talking to himself. He explains that Ascalhorn is the ancient name of the place; most folks now call it Hellgate Keep. Centuries ago, the elven city of Ascalhorn was overtaken by demonic forces and subsequently destroyed. "A great explosion brought the final ruin to Ascalhorn, creating an enormous scar in the land. Deep into the earth it cuts. But today, what little remains of Hellgate Keep is covered in vines, briars, trees, and mazes of roots. That is for the best, I think. To hide the ugliness caused by the wicked. In the days after the explosion, many treants gathered there to begin the work of covering the stones and structures with the goodness of living things. I did not see this, of course, but I have been told. I am eager to speak with the forest there."
(Mola would just want to get a decent description of Needletongue -- appearance, habits, usual locations, hangers-on, etc -- before they left.) He'd say to Denevald: "We will try to rid the Tree Ghosts of the yikaria's foul influence, with no more Tree Ghost blood spilled."
Before leaving, he'd also drop call lightning, and cast speak with plants and introduce himself. "I am Mola, a druid. My friends and I hope to help the Tree Ghosts protect you from those who would do you harm, and seek whatever it is you protect beneath. They are the yikaria, yak-men, who can inhabit the bodies and minds of others. We will be away for some days, while we seek out their encampment at the Ascalhorn. We may be back. Be wary in the meantime. If I return and do not try to say hello, you can assume I am not myself. Only trust me if I greet you." He grants the tree the power to defend itself (for the next ten minutes) by moving its limbs if it wants to, per the spell.
Later, as they walk with Dendros, Mola says to his companions:
"I am glad that the Tree Ghosts were not all possessed by the yikaria. I thought that was a possibility. There are still clear-headed and good folk here."
Has Mola heard any other more recent information about Hellgate Keep?
Nature: 6
"I wonder if the Yikaria have set up camp inside Ascalhorn, or merely nearby."
He'll recommend the group keep double watches at night, to guard against yikaria trying their magic on anyone.
"I am eager as well," Rixton says before he returns to cataloging different weeds he finds growing around the forest.
(Gwin does have Speak with Dead but I don't know how much value there would be in trying to talk to alas-poor-Bendrigar at this point).
Gwin was mostly silent as the conversation between Denevald and her companions took place, but prior to leaving for Ascalhorn she will promise the unaffected Tree Ghosts they'll do everything in their power to exorcise the yikaria and ensure the Grandfather Tree's safety.
It is our hope to make amends for the lives we took from your clan, she says to Denevald. These are confusing times for us all, it is hard to know who is friend or foe, but speaking for myself (and with this she casts Thaumaturgy to briefly turn her eyes the most calming blue the Tree Ghost has ever seen) I consider you friend and will act accordingly as we seek to bring balance back to your forest.
During the journey, as Dendros speaks of Hellgate Keep, Gwin listens intently with an occasional interjection. But again, she is mostly silent, choosing to spend the bulk of her time in prayer and meditation, with an occasional encouraging word in Steveaustin's ear.
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Denevald gives a cursory description of Needletongue as Mola asked. "Long streaks of white in his hair. One eye that is injured. He will have three warriors with him. Always at his side they are."
Mola senses the great tree's gratitude after communicating his sentiments to the Grandfather Tree. The phrase Hellgate Keep is nothing more than a name to Mola; he knows nothing about the place but what Dendros has conveyed.
Nature for Rixton: 5
Rixton's cataloging of the various weeds in the High Forest is, as he expected, a rather uneventful way to pass the time. The dense canopy created by the trees doesn't grant much sunlight to those things that might attempt to take root on the forest floor.
Dendros's estimation of the journey to Hellgate Keep is correct; on the evening of the third day, a great wall of ancient rock rises up from the High Forest. Hundreds of feet above the decaying ruins of a tower can be seen. Dendros points with one of his massive limbs. "Up there, atop this great stone outcropping, stood the ancient elven city Ascalhorn."
After a nearly-two-hour climb, the party reaches the base of the crumbled tower (the one on the west (left) in the picture below). The treant's previous description of Hellgate Keep, in which he called the place a great scar on Faerun, is certainly accurate. A gargantuan wedge-shaped gash creates a yawning canyon, across which other ruins can be seen. The scar is well over three-hundred feet deep. In the walls of the canyon, multiple tunnel openings can be seen, probably remnants of underground garrisons and passageways that existed below the city that is no longer there. The party members, including Dendros, are fascinated by a thin pillar of water that rises hundreds of feet into the air before suddenly and inexplicably stopping as if the upward stream of water were suddenly striking some sort of invisible wall.
Ramses says, "So... we need to go in or find a way to flush this shaman out, right? Or we can wait until he or they come out."
Mola sits down for ten minutes and ritually casts speak with animals, finding a few squirrels, birds, and other creatures with decent sight who can tell him if they've seen any yak-men around in recent days, or if they've seen other humans with long black and white hair.
(Did we park the mounts or did they make the climb with us?)
Rixton stands next to Dendros, surveying the geometry that stands out against the natural beauty of the forest. "Why has the forest failed to reclaim this and cover the scar?" Rixton says. "Has it been too little time or is there something that prevents the trees from reshaping this place?"
Gwin surveys the scene and lets out a low whistle. Well, this will be like finding a Needletongue in a haystack. I fear I won't be any help in sneaking about. I'm about as stealthy as a wee dwarfling who's just found their legs. And my Arcane Eye needs to be a lot closer if it's going to do any good. I could draw them out with a little Thaumaturgy, but again I'd need to be much closer.
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Within the span of a few minutes, Mola has caught the attention of a raven that is soaring overhead, staying effortlessly aloft via the air the rises upward toward Hellgate Keep. Intermingled with an abundance of cawing and croaking sounds, the large bird confirms that "men with the horns of bulls" have been in the area. Furthermore, the raven explains that four humans lie at the bottom of the great canyon because they attempted "to fly like a raven but had no wings."
"I will show you," declares the raven. It then streaks through the air, downward into the canyon, becoming little more than a dark speck before landing on massive chunk of rock. Below the bird seems to be the figures of four humanoids. They would have likely gone undetected if the raven had not revealed their location.
(Regarding the horses and Tarnie, they would not be able to make the climb. Good question., MD. Thanks.)
Dendros, with one word, answers Rixton's question. "Magic."
After a pause, the treant continues. "The gulch..."--he points to the massive canyon as he speaks--"...is marked by regions of unpredictable magic. I have heard it called wild magic. Do you know of such things? The forest has reclaimed the towers and few remaining buildings here above the great scar, but within the gulch no such thing has happened.
Indeed, the forest has reclaimed the few structures that stand nearby. They are wrapped in a thick shroud of vines and roots.
Rixton nods thoughtfully as he looks down into the gulch. (Arcana roll for wild magic: 11) "I have read some of wild magic. Kelson's Theories of Magic and Magic Unbound both leap to mind," he says to nobody in particular. "But the details don't matter so much. Magic is strong here and it may be unpredictable."
The rogue looks down into the gulch at the four figures the raven led Mola to. "I wonder..." he muses, "if that is how the yikaria shed their stolen bodies."
Reaching for another explanation, Rixton looks at the jet of water seemingly splashing against nothing. (Investigation: 20) "Perhaps the wild magic here..."
He doesn't finish his thought aloud but turns his attention to the tower before them. "Let's examine this while we are here. I suspect we are heading into the basin before this is all through."