Muir sadly looks over the dead forest deep in thought. He is hoping the scouting party from the clerics are close and the clerics themselves close behind. Muir is starting to feel a little anxious about the clerics coming and Hermes visiting him again. He is hopeful his companions will survive this offensive as they are growing on him....he still doesn't trust the dog. Any demon he has come across or read about has had nefarious plans and then there's the one thing he overheard.......He falls back a little inspecting the dead trees.
As they get to the blighted land an idea occurs to Sam. He tries to shake it out of his head, it is a limited resource and he's used a couple for nothing but symbolic reasons already... But maybe symbolism matters? Still, he tries to dismiss the though but in the end it just seems right to do a little something to try to fix things... And so while they are at the blighted area Sam dips his hand into his [Tooltip Not Found] and draws one out. He thinks upon it for a moment and then does his best to chuck the acorn to the center of the blight... ((Not sure of the nature of the blight exactly so not assuming the golden acorn takes root and grows a tree or not.. I shall leave that up to DM.))
If a tree grows...
Sam looks to the others and gives a shrug. "Just doesn't seem right all barren and all..." he explains. "I'm not even sure if these trees... reproduce? Populate? But if they do, perhaps they're the best chance to replenish this land?" And with the hope stated, Sam dismisses it and continues on his way. The tree either will or will not thrive, he's done what he can and won't worry about it further.
If a tree doesn't grow...
Sam looks to the others and gives a shrug. "Perhaps this land is struck worse than we had even known. We really need to get Old Thicket out of our realm before he does more damage." That decided, Sam dismisses it and continues on his way. He tried what he could and there's naught left in his power to help but to do what he can to get the cause out of this reality. The sooner the better.
((Golden Acorn deducted either way...))
---
"We think the redcaps are behind us an all, still best you two not wander too far off," Sam says when Elthana brings up sparring with Gewyn. "Besides, I think we'd all like to see this!" The half orc has a mischievous smile upon his face though he tries to hide it.
"Really though, it's not a bad idea. If we are to stay together for more than a minute it would help to be more familiar with each others moves and tendencies... We should all work together as time permits."
As the acorn hits the ground, a 60ft mature oaktree springs forth, it's leaves rustling from the sudden movement of being instantly thrust from the ground.
The swirl of wind creeps forth toward the tree as if drawn in to it by a gravitational pull.
Gewyn and Elthana begin sparring off to one side as the group navigates the blighted area, never out of sight but far enough as to not become a nuisance.
Sam smiles as the tree does indeed grow as expected. He was worried that perhaps the ground was too far gone but the magical wood erupting forth gives him faith that the more normal foliage will indeed retake the land. But as Sam sits there watching for a moment with a growing contentment, his mood sours and his smile slowly turns to a grimace. His hand reaches to his pouch, this time the rust colored one that holds the balls of fur instead of the one containing the acorns. Drawing forth a fur ball, Sam tosses it alongside himself and summons forth another furry friend... With a rustling and a growl which turns into a roar, Órga once more strides next to the Half Orc.
"Welcome back, friend," Sam says burying a hand in the beasts mane and giving them a good rub. "Keep an eye out, eh?"
"Oh yes, of course,"Gewyn says smoothing out his shirt. A futile gesture, considering the ruffling it was about to get. A little ways away from the main group, he adopts an uncertain fighting stance in preparation.
As he begins sparring with Elthana, he asks between bouts, "So, Elthana... Can I call you El? Do you enjoy... what you do?"
As Sam tosses yet another acorn, but this time towards the blighted area of the forest, Elthana stops and watches with interest. She decides to get a bit closer, and as she does, she notices a big symbol written across the side of the thick oaken trunk. She turns to the others, "Does anyone know what this means?"
As they continue on and she and Gewyn break away from the group, she raises an eyebrow to Gewyn, considering the question. "If you can land a hit, then yes, you may call me El." As he asks his second question, she is quiet for a moment, spinning her black pole considering him.
“You saw it too?” Sam asks, surprised. “Thought I was just seeing things…” But it becomes apparent quickly that Elthana saw something entirely different.
“Oh, on the tree? No, I see no symbol… where?” He would say, asking she point it out with her finger so perhaps his eyes would catch the shape of it. Failing that he would ask she sketch it out on a piece of paper for him to see.
“Funny I didn’t catch that, I was distracted imagining things in the wind,” he explains. “As the wind picked up and swirled, it seemed unnatural, maybe even mystical? Something about it brought your horse to mind… but then, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a face. Not a real face, mind. Not one I can picture now or describe… but like when you notice a pattern in the clouds but then you look again and it’s gone… you know?” Sam shrugs as if yo dismiss it all and is eager to instead see this symbol Elthana saw or move on down the way…
Muir's ears perk up once more at Sam's description of a face that's not a face "Sam do not discount what you have seen. We do not know what other fey are in these woods. It is quite possible that you have spotted yet another fey creature. If it indeed is another one perhaps we can parlay with it and get its help as we did with the tree."
As Muir opens his mouth to speak to the unseen creature he says no words, his communication changed magically as he begins breathing out in low whooshing tones like he is speaking with wind.
The whirlwind backs off slightly in response but the approaches once more hesitantly, then responds to Muir's odd speech with its own.
Muir;
"You there, what is this place?" Again the word is carried on the wind as if directly part of it.
When the group was ejected from the magic safe location quite unceremoniously Vin was definitely caught off guard. Nef was able to land on their feet but they were set to a highly agitated state like they were expecting an attack. Growling and ready to slaughter whatever was around. As she tried to locate an enemy Vin got up and Muir explained he forgot to mention this particular effect. Nef growled and barked at the druid clearly issuing a threat of some kind. Vin adds in "Umm, she didn't like that."
Vin wanted to see if they could find a cave entrance to get around the city and to the otherside of where the Redcaps were bringing the blood. He wanted to take out the giant. Nef seemed dubious of the plan and it seemed the majority of the group wanted to head back to the survivors and wait for reinforcements. Gwynn seemed to be the only other one wanting to take action now rather then head back. Vin and Gewyn being out voted however, they definitely couldn't take on a giant just the two of them.
Vin was forced to accept heading back. Perhaps someone in the refugee camp will know the way through the caves. Vin is hopeful that with a guide they can convince the others to go with this plan. They find another sight of blighted trees. Sam makes another huge tree and Vin smiles at the sight of fresh life being grown. The sight of the tree however makes Vin remember something. He asks Sam, "Umm, Sam? First off I love these trees you make. Second, what is old thicket going to do when they find out we haven't done what we said?"
As a bit of sparing happens between Gweyn and Elthana and Vin was talking to Sam, Muir starts to speak to the air. "Huh? Is something there Muir?" Vin tries to find the source of Muir's conversation.
Muir hears the voices again and ignores his companions asking him questions. This time tries in Sylvan hoping that if they are fey they will understand him
"Hello I am Muir. You have been transported to a different realm. A realm where previously there were no fey. However, now we are surrounded by them. We have met 2, Shionne and Old Thicket. They have been aiding us in stopping a larger fey threat....A giant commanding little tiny creatures with red caps. Vicious little things. What are you called?"
“It’s not that we won’t take down the giant,” Sam assures Vin. “But if disrupting the blood flow, if taking down the giant creates as much chaos as we think, we’ll need back up to take on the redcaps and to try to keep the hostages as safe as possible…”
When asked about the deal with Old Thicket Sam gives a shrug. “Can’t honestly say I know exactly what the deal was, and the expectations of each. But it’s not that we haven’t completed our end, it’s that we haven’t yet completed it. We mustn’t be hasty, right? And trees are nothing if not patient, right?” Sam was perhaps trying to convince himself as much as Vin…
Muir finds no response, the whirlwind grows slightly and begins moving away from the group.
Gewyn and Elthana continue their sparring match, discussing something out of earshot of the main body of the party but still within sight range.
Sam's new tree stands proudly, a symbol of growth and progress in an otherwise barren area, regardless of what it may or may not say across its bark.
Órga yawns a little and nuzzles into Sam's side, stretching his legs and ignoring the scowl received from Neferox every so often. Whilst Muir's old horse Snabb merely shuffles their hives impatiently in place.
Muir sadly looks over the dead forest deep in thought. He is hoping the scouting party from the clerics are close and the clerics themselves close behind. Muir is starting to feel a little anxious about the clerics coming and Hermes visiting him again. He is hopeful his companions will survive this offensive as they are growing on him....he still doesn't trust the dog. Any demon he has come across or read about has had nefarious plans and then there's the one thing he overheard.......He falls back a little inspecting the dead trees.
As they get to the blighted land an idea occurs to Sam. He tries to shake it out of his head, it is a limited resource and he's used a couple for nothing but symbolic reasons already... But maybe symbolism matters? Still, he tries to dismiss the though but in the end it just seems right to do a little something to try to fix things... And so while they are at the blighted area Sam dips his hand into his [Tooltip Not Found] and draws one out. He thinks upon it for a moment and then does his best to chuck the acorn to the center of the blight... ((Not sure of the nature of the blight exactly so not assuming the golden acorn takes root and grows a tree or not.. I shall leave that up to DM.))
If a tree grows...
Sam looks to the others and gives a shrug. "Just doesn't seem right all barren and all..." he explains. "I'm not even sure if these trees... reproduce? Populate? But if they do, perhaps they're the best chance to replenish this land?" And with the hope stated, Sam dismisses it and continues on his way. The tree either will or will not thrive, he's done what he can and won't worry about it further.
If a tree doesn't grow...
Sam looks to the others and gives a shrug. "Perhaps this land is struck worse than we had even known. We really need to get Old Thicket out of our realm before he does more damage." That decided, Sam dismisses it and continues on his way. He tried what he could and there's naught left in his power to help but to do what he can to get the cause out of this reality. The sooner the better.
((Golden Acorn deducted either way...))
---
"We think the redcaps are behind us an all, still best you two not wander too far off," Sam says when Elthana brings up sparring with Gewyn. "Besides, I think we'd all like to see this!" The half orc has a mischievous smile upon his face though he tries to hide it.
"Really though, it's not a bad idea. If we are to stay together for more than a minute it would help to be more familiar with each others moves and tendencies... We should all work together as time permits."
As the acorn hits the ground, a 60ft mature oaktree springs forth, it's leaves rustling from the sudden movement of being instantly thrust from the ground.
The swirl of wind creeps forth toward the tree as if drawn in to it by a gravitational pull.
Gewyn and Elthana begin sparring off to one side as the group navigates the blighted area, never out of sight but far enough as to not become a nuisance.
(Everyone make perception checks please)
Sam smiles as the tree does indeed grow as expected. He was worried that perhaps the ground was too far gone but the magical wood erupting forth gives him faith that the more normal foliage will indeed retake the land. But as Sam sits there watching for a moment with a growing contentment, his mood sours and his smile slowly turns to a grimace. His hand reaches to his pouch, this time the rust colored one that holds the balls of fur instead of the one containing the acorns. Drawing forth a fur ball, Sam tosses it alongside himself and summons forth another furry friend... With a rustling and a growl which turns into a roar, Órga once more strides next to the Half Orc.
"Welcome back, friend," Sam says burying a hand in the beasts mane and giving them a good rub. "Keep an eye out, eh?"
"Oh yes, of course," Gewyn says smoothing out his shirt. A futile gesture, considering the ruffling it was about to get. A little ways away from the main group, he adopts an uncertain fighting stance in preparation.
As he begins sparring with Elthana, he asks between bouts, "So, Elthana... Can I call you El? Do you enjoy... what you do?"
As Sam tosses yet another acorn, but this time towards the blighted area of the forest, Elthana stops and watches with interest. She decides to get a bit closer, and as she does, she notices a big symbol written across the side of the thick oaken trunk. She turns to the others, "Does anyone know what this means?"
As they continue on and she and Gewyn break away from the group, she raises an eyebrow to Gewyn, considering the question. "If you can land a hit, then yes, you may call me El." As he asks his second question, she is quiet for a moment, spinning her black pole considering him.
Muir's ears perk up at Elthana's question. He hurries over and takes a look at the symbol
“You saw it too?” Sam asks, surprised. “Thought I was just seeing things…” But it becomes apparent quickly that Elthana saw something entirely different.
“Oh, on the tree? No, I see no symbol… where?” He would say, asking she point it out with her finger so perhaps his eyes would catch the shape of it. Failing that he would ask she sketch it out on a piece of paper for him to see.
“Funny I didn’t catch that, I was distracted imagining things in the wind,” he explains. “As the wind picked up and swirled, it seemed unnatural, maybe even mystical? Something about it brought your horse to mind… but then, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a face. Not a real face, mind. Not one I can picture now or describe… but like when you notice a pattern in the clouds but then you look again and it’s gone… you know?” Sam shrugs as if yo dismiss it all and is eager to instead see this symbol Elthana saw or move on down the way…
Muir's ears perk up once more at Sam's description of a face that's not a face "Sam do not discount what you have seen. We do not know what other fey are in these woods. It is quite possible that you have spotted yet another fey creature. If it indeed is another one perhaps we can parlay with it and get its help as we did with the tree."
"Huh, curious," Gewyn says, also seeing the symbol. "Though hardly the first thing to not make sense lately."
Gewyn walks up to it and traces his hands along the mark as he mutters a little song to himself.
"A letter she wrote
Which her tears did mar.
How could could I know
What her feelings are?"
Gewyn sits back on his heels, thinking. He looks at Muir. "It says 'mouth.' Why would it say that? And why would it be grown into the tree?"
He leans forward and places his hand back on the symbol, curious.
Myir suddenly spins around from the tree “Who’s there? Of course I don’t have feathers! Show yourself we are friendly”
Gewyn taps Muir on the leg and silently points to where a small whirlwind kick up frost and rot, slowly pulsing like it's alive.
Muir looks down at Gewyn and then where he’s pointing “Hello there. I am Muir. Can you understand me?”
"What are you two nutters on about?" Sam asks with some grumpness. "What says mouth, who says feathers and we can all understand you just fine, Muir."
Ôgra gives out a short mwroar. He understands even less than Sam. If that is possible.
As Muir opens his mouth to speak to the unseen creature he says no words, his communication changed magically as he begins breathing out in low whooshing tones like he is speaking with wind.
The whirlwind backs off slightly in response but the approaches once more hesitantly, then responds to Muir's odd speech with its own.
Muir;
"You there, what is this place?" Again the word is carried on the wind as if directly part of it.
When the group was ejected from the magic safe location quite unceremoniously Vin was definitely caught off guard. Nef was able to land on their feet but they were set to a highly agitated state like they were expecting an attack. Growling and ready to slaughter whatever was around. As she tried to locate an enemy Vin got up and Muir explained he forgot to mention this particular effect. Nef growled and barked at the druid clearly issuing a threat of some kind. Vin adds in "Umm, she didn't like that."
Vin wanted to see if they could find a cave entrance to get around the city and to the otherside of where the Redcaps were bringing the blood. He wanted to take out the giant. Nef seemed dubious of the plan and it seemed the majority of the group wanted to head back to the survivors and wait for reinforcements. Gwynn seemed to be the only other one wanting to take action now rather then head back. Vin and Gewyn being out voted however, they definitely couldn't take on a giant just the two of them.
Vin was forced to accept heading back. Perhaps someone in the refugee camp will know the way through the caves. Vin is hopeful that with a guide they can convince the others to go with this plan. They find another sight of blighted trees. Sam makes another huge tree and Vin smiles at the sight of fresh life being grown. The sight of the tree however makes Vin remember something. He asks Sam, "Umm, Sam? First off I love these trees you make. Second, what is old thicket going to do when they find out we haven't done what we said?"
As a bit of sparing happens between Gweyn and Elthana and Vin was talking to Sam, Muir starts to speak to the air. "Huh? Is something there Muir?" Vin tries to find the source of Muir's conversation.
Muir hears the voices again and ignores his companions asking him questions. This time tries in Sylvan hoping that if they are fey they will understand him
"Hello I am Muir. You have been transported to a different realm. A realm where previously there were no fey. However, now we are surrounded by them. We have met 2, Shionne and Old Thicket. They have been aiding us in stopping a larger fey threat....A giant commanding little tiny creatures with red caps. Vicious little things. What are you called?"
“It’s not that we won’t take down the giant,” Sam assures Vin. “But if disrupting the blood flow, if taking down the giant creates as much chaos as we think, we’ll need back up to take on the redcaps and to try to keep the hostages as safe as possible…”
When asked about the deal with Old Thicket Sam gives a shrug. “Can’t honestly say I know exactly what the deal was, and the expectations of each. But it’s not that we haven’t completed our end, it’s that we haven’t yet completed it. We mustn’t be hasty, right? And trees are nothing if not patient, right?” Sam was perhaps trying to convince himself as much as Vin…
Muir finds no response, the whirlwind grows slightly and begins moving away from the group.
Gewyn and Elthana continue their sparring match, discussing something out of earshot of the main body of the party but still within sight range.
Sam's new tree stands proudly, a symbol of growth and progress in an otherwise barren area, regardless of what it may or may not say across its bark.
Órga yawns a little and nuzzles into Sam's side, stretching his legs and ignoring the scowl received from Neferox every so often. Whilst Muir's old horse Snabb merely shuffles their hives impatiently in place.