Ro addresses Rum's question by opening his hand, revealing a piece of copper wire wrapped around his pointer finger. Ro had the group put some distance from Kora and Sorry and spoke quietly to prevent the pair from hearing his next words, "Message. It's a simple spell, but incredibly useful. We are all aware that Sorry is in a bad mental state, yes? In my experience, caution is required when talking around people in her state. I felt that Kora was in a better frame of mind than Sorry, thus I used Message to hold a private conversation with the fairy. Though also in shock, Kora has a slightly better hold over her emotions and informed me of the things I told you all moments ago."
Oten regards Rum with an unreadable expression, though his next words make his opinion rather transparent. "That was... very clever. While I have knowledge of the core tenets of psychology,"Oten taps his head, "I am not well practiced in their application. I will keep mind of this strategy going forward."
"That is indeed clever friend Ro", Rum says in agreement with Oten.
"Well, it seems if we are to make good on our quest to stop the Lord of Darkness getting the Alicorn, we should at least confirm if he is on the move. He might be heading to Blix to retrieve it personally right now, meaning we might have more pressing business that Ganondorf's attack", he says assertively.
"If we are to vote, I say we head to the Deku Tree and see for ourselves".
"There are too many unknown variables to establish a cost-reward probability model with any degree of accuracy. But simply in terms of efficiency, I agree that the proximate destination of the Deku Tree wins out."
Lelith agreed with the rest with a nod of her head. When their expected route had the Kokiri forest, she could not help but feel some excitement back when they were on the boat, a forest of wonders and it was the closest thing she could associate with her homeland. And now, instead, she found trees broken, uprooted, burned, and the homes of its inhabitants in ruins. It stoked a fire of fury within her that she had some trouble extinguishing. This was the longest time she had ever spent in Hyboria, she consoled herself that it was normal to be homesick.
She turned toward the fairy, she reminded her of the Feywild. She was a comfort that was rare to find. She spoke in the language of the Fey, Sylvan. "Kora, is it? We are now going to see the Great Deku Tree in search of answers and very the sacred tree's wellbeing. It might do you some good to move away from this place for now, would you like to accompany me?"
She motioned toward Ro who was similarly speaking to Sorry. "My companion is suggesting the same to your companion, you need not worry, you will not leave her alone."
Ro's face flushes a bit as he receives the compliments. After the group votes, Ro concludes, "Alright, it seems like we're headed for the Great Deku Tree."
Ro accompanies Lelith as she extends an invitation to Kora and Sorry. He kneels down to get to eye level with Sorry. With a warm smile the elf-dwarf adds, "We could use your help guiding us to the great tree. Can we count on you?"
Sorry agrees to help Ro and his friends with a little nod of her head. Kora tugs the girl's green hair, and the two seem to have some sort of short conversation build more on body language than verbal communication. Finally, Sorry rises, says she'll be back in a moment, then makes her way off to the edge of the destroyed village to a well disguised lean to she's created from debris and tree limbs, then produces some thin leather armor and a bow.
"The tree is this way." She said as she waded into the brush of the forest.
**********
The Deku Tree comes into view late the next evening, after they've traveled north through the Kokiri Forest.
"The tree is different now." Sorry says as she stands back, maybe a quarter mile or so, and regards the tree. There is nothing visible stirring around it. "Kora will tell you. Until a couple of weeks ago, this entire place was dark. It was like the night had fallen permanently. Look at the trees. They're all sick."
A glance around shows that the leaves have begun to shrivel and fall off. There is also a distinct lack of naturally occurring foods; berries, nuts, fruits. And there are no animals because of this. There aren't even song birds singing.
With no signs of life, it seems safe to approach the tree, and doing so reveals that there is indeed no dangers outside. The tree looks wilted with paled leaves. A titanic face gazes out over them as they approach...
Although Ro knew the forest wouldn't exactly be welcoming, the lack of life disturbed him. Trying to place his mind elsewhere and to prepare himself for the oncoming discussion, Ro asked Sorry and Kora, "Is there anything we should know about the Great Deku Tree. Are there any customs, topics we should avoid, or anything we could do to build rapport with the Great Deku Tree whilst we talk to him?"
Rum approaches the Great Deku Tree in awe of it’s size and presence, not really concentrating on Ro’s discussion with Sorry and Kora. He had not really known what to expect, in truth, when the others talked of the Great Deku Tree as if it was a person. The way it had been mentioned that the Lord of Darkness was resident here, he had thought of it more as a fortress or tree house castle or some such.
He continues to a reasonably close distance and places his hand over his heart and gives a deep bow from his waist.
“I am Rumble of Hunger, of Dragonclaw Island. Favoured of the Great Dragon and, along with my companions, chosen of the Childlike Empress”.
He stands from his bow. “We are here to share information and ask for the boon of your aid”.
He watches the tree, eagerly awaiting any response.
Greko saddened by all the death and destruction follows Rum to the tree and follows Rum with an introduction. "I am Greko the Green protector of the Faron Woods and one of the realm's Istari. It pains me to see all of this death and destruction. As friend Rum said, we are here trying to help the realm, chosen by the Childlike Empress. If there is anything we can do for you or you can share with us or aid us, we would be very grateful.
Kora and Sorry look at each other when Ro asks his question.
"None that I know of." Kora says. "Before the Lord of Darkness came to inhabit the temple within him, the tree was very nice, and liked to talk to the Fairies, Kokiri, and Koroks. But once the endless night fell on him, he got sick and melancholy. He doesn't say much nowadays."
When the tree speaks, there is a reverberation that travels throughout the lands around them. Leaves drop off the trees near them as a voice like a god's rolls over them with all the pressure of a wave.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Rumble of Hunger." The tree says. Leaves flutter down around them. "And you as well, Greko the Green, and all your companions. There is not much left that can be done for me though, I believe. The corruption that has lived inside me has weakened me to the Darkening, and this pestilence lives on inside me where the Lord of Darkness and his disciples have had their influence."
Greko sadly grimaces at the tree's words. "What do you mean nothing can be done? You are the Great Deku Tree! You can't give up. You are a symbol of hope in this land. There must be something we can do."
Lelith bowed her head, she kept silent and drew back into her hood to let her companions take the lead in their conversation with the Great Deku Tree. For whatever reason, she did not want to be noticed by it, although she did not appear anxious or nervous, she was merely listening attentively.
"There are things I cannot do for myself, Greko the Green." The Deku Tree replies, his voice booming down over the band. "I cannot save myself from the Darkening, as it is a byproduct of the deterioration of the Dark Crystal. I cannot save myself from the pestilence that inhabits my interior, as I am but a tree, and have no hands with which to expel them. I suppose you can remove these ails, if you wish to help, but there is no guarantee it will save me. The Darkening is a powerful thing."
The tree seems to look at Rum, if a tree can look. A leaf brushes the Tabaxi's snout as it falls.
"You may investigate. But I am afraid there may be many, many great and terrible things inside."
Rum feels his fur stand on end as the booming voice addresses them again, and feels the tickle of the leaf as it brushes his nose and whiskers. He reaches a paw out and plucks the leaf out of the air nonchalantly, holding it gently.
He turns to the others, “Do we have time to investigate and try to help? Would it be too risky? We may find clues as to where the Lord of Darkness went”.
Oten regards the tree impassively. Crystaline lenses slide into place over his eyes and he begins examining the bark of the Deku Tree up close as it speaks. Turning to address Rum, he says, "We are here, and we are able. Therefore I believe we have a responsibility to do what the tree cannot. Though I confess that conclusion is not data-driven. It is... subjective."
Greko listens in on Ro and Rum's conversation
Ro addresses Rum's question by opening his hand, revealing a piece of copper wire wrapped around his pointer finger. Ro had the group put some distance from Kora and Sorry and spoke quietly to prevent the pair from hearing his next words, "Message. It's a simple spell, but incredibly useful. We are all aware that Sorry is in a bad mental state, yes? In my experience, caution is required when talking around people in her state. I felt that Kora was in a better frame of mind than Sorry, thus I used Message to hold a private conversation with the fairy. Though also in shock, Kora has a slightly better hold over her emotions and informed me of the things I told you all moments ago."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Oten regards Rum with an unreadable expression, though his next words make his opinion rather transparent. "That was... very clever. While I have knowledge of the core tenets of psychology," Oten taps his head, "I am not well practiced in their application. I will keep mind of this strategy going forward."
"That is indeed clever friend Ro", Rum says in agreement with Oten.
"Well, it seems if we are to make good on our quest to stop the Lord of Darkness getting the Alicorn, we should at least confirm if he is on the move. He might be heading to Blix to retrieve it personally right now, meaning we might have more pressing business that Ganondorf's attack", he says assertively.
"If we are to vote, I say we head to the Deku Tree and see for ourselves".
Greko nods in agreement
"There are too many unknown variables to establish a cost-reward probability model with any degree of accuracy. But simply in terms of efficiency, I agree that the proximate destination of the Deku Tree wins out."
Lelith agreed with the rest with a nod of her head. When their expected route had the Kokiri forest, she could not help but feel some excitement back when they were on the boat, a forest of wonders and it was the closest thing she could associate with her homeland. And now, instead, she found trees broken, uprooted, burned, and the homes of its inhabitants in ruins. It stoked a fire of fury within her that she had some trouble extinguishing. This was the longest time she had ever spent in Hyboria, she consoled herself that it was normal to be homesick.
She turned toward the fairy, she reminded her of the Feywild. She was a comfort that was rare to find. She spoke in the language of the Fey, Sylvan. "Kora, is it? We are now going to see the Great Deku Tree in search of answers and very the sacred tree's wellbeing. It might do you some good to move away from this place for now, would you like to accompany me?"
She motioned toward Ro who was similarly speaking to Sorry. "My companion is suggesting the same to your companion, you need not worry, you will not leave her alone."
Persuasion: 15 + 9 = 24
Ro's face flushes a bit as he receives the compliments. After the group votes, Ro concludes, "Alright, it seems like we're headed for the Great Deku Tree."
Ro accompanies Lelith as she extends an invitation to Kora and Sorry. He kneels down to get to eye level with Sorry. With a warm smile the elf-dwarf adds, "We could use your help guiding us to the great tree. Can we count on you?"
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Sorry agrees to help Ro and his friends with a little nod of her head. Kora tugs the girl's green hair, and the two seem to have some sort of short conversation build more on body language than verbal communication. Finally, Sorry rises, says she'll be back in a moment, then makes her way off to the edge of the destroyed village to a well disguised lean to she's created from debris and tree limbs, then produces some thin leather armor and a bow.
"The tree is this way." She said as she waded into the brush of the forest.
**********
The Deku Tree comes into view late the next evening, after they've traveled north through the Kokiri Forest.
"The tree is different now." Sorry says as she stands back, maybe a quarter mile or so, and regards the tree. There is nothing visible stirring around it. "Kora will tell you. Until a couple of weeks ago, this entire place was dark. It was like the night had fallen permanently. Look at the trees. They're all sick."
A glance around shows that the leaves have begun to shrivel and fall off. There is also a distinct lack of naturally occurring foods; berries, nuts, fruits. And there are no animals because of this. There aren't even song birds singing.
With no signs of life, it seems safe to approach the tree, and doing so reveals that there is indeed no dangers outside. The tree looks wilted with paled leaves. A titanic face gazes out over them as they approach...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Although Ro knew the forest wouldn't exactly be welcoming, the lack of life disturbed him. Trying to place his mind elsewhere and to prepare himself for the oncoming discussion, Ro asked Sorry and Kora, "Is there anything we should know about the Great Deku Tree. Are there any customs, topics we should avoid, or anything we could do to build rapport with the Great Deku Tree whilst we talk to him?"
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum approaches the Great Deku Tree in awe of it’s size and presence, not really concentrating on Ro’s discussion with Sorry and Kora. He had not really known what to expect, in truth, when the others talked of the Great Deku Tree as if it was a person. The way it had been mentioned that the Lord of Darkness was resident here, he had thought of it more as a fortress or tree house castle or some such.
He continues to a reasonably close distance and places his hand over his heart and gives a deep bow from his waist.
“I am Rumble of Hunger, of Dragonclaw Island. Favoured of the Great Dragon and, along with my companions, chosen of the Childlike Empress”.
He stands from his bow. “We are here to share information and ask for the boon of your aid”.
He watches the tree, eagerly awaiting any response.
Greko saddened by all the death and destruction follows Rum to the tree and follows Rum with an introduction. "I am Greko the Green protector of the Faron Woods and one of the realm's Istari. It pains me to see all of this death and destruction. As friend Rum said, we are here trying to help the realm, chosen by the Childlike Empress. If there is anything we can do for you or you can share with us or aid us, we would be very grateful.
Kora and Sorry look at each other when Ro asks his question.
"None that I know of." Kora says. "Before the Lord of Darkness came to inhabit the temple within him, the tree was very nice, and liked to talk to the Fairies, Kokiri, and Koroks. But once the endless night fell on him, he got sick and melancholy. He doesn't say much nowadays."
When the tree speaks, there is a reverberation that travels throughout the lands around them. Leaves drop off the trees near them as a voice like a god's rolls over them with all the pressure of a wave.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Rumble of Hunger." The tree says. Leaves flutter down around them. "And you as well, Greko the Green, and all your companions. There is not much left that can be done for me though, I believe. The corruption that has lived inside me has weakened me to the Darkening, and this pestilence lives on inside me where the Lord of Darkness and his disciples have had their influence."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Greko sadly grimaces at the tree's words. "What do you mean nothing can be done? You are the Great Deku Tree! You can't give up. You are a symbol of hope in this land. There must be something we can do."
Rum also frowns, unhappy that the corruption was still present within the Great Deku Tree.
”Maybe there is something left behind. Perhaps we can remove whatever vestige is left within you that persists the pestilence”, he says.
”Would you accept our help and allow us to investigate what the Lord of Darkness left behind?”.
Lelith bowed her head, she kept silent and drew back into her hood to let her companions take the lead in their conversation with the Great Deku Tree. For whatever reason, she did not want to be noticed by it, although she did not appear anxious or nervous, she was merely listening attentively.
"There are things I cannot do for myself, Greko the Green." The Deku Tree replies, his voice booming down over the band. "I cannot save myself from the Darkening, as it is a byproduct of the deterioration of the Dark Crystal. I cannot save myself from the pestilence that inhabits my interior, as I am but a tree, and have no hands with which to expel them. I suppose you can remove these ails, if you wish to help, but there is no guarantee it will save me. The Darkening is a powerful thing."
The tree seems to look at Rum, if a tree can look. A leaf brushes the Tabaxi's snout as it falls.
"You may investigate. But I am afraid there may be many, many great and terrible things inside."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Rum feels his fur stand on end as the booming voice addresses them again, and feels the tickle of the leaf as it brushes his nose and whiskers. He reaches a paw out and plucks the leaf out of the air nonchalantly, holding it gently.
He turns to the others, “Do we have time to investigate and try to help? Would it be too risky? We may find clues as to where the Lord of Darkness went”.
Oten regards the tree impassively. Crystaline lenses slide into place over his eyes and he begins examining the bark of the Deku Tree up close as it speaks. Turning to address Rum, he says, "We are here, and we are able. Therefore I believe we have a responsibility to do what the tree cannot. Though I confess that conclusion is not data-driven. It is... subjective."
Greko nods in agreement "It will more than likely be dangerous but it could hamper the Lord of Darkness' plans...perhaps it is worth a try?"