The aasimar immediately steps back from the assembled group in front of him. His right hand reaches across to his left seemingly checking for something but the finger is bare. He looks up at the party and they see a wild gaze in an otherwise handsome face, long black hair hanging loose frames a pair of ice blue eyes and skin that looks like it was meant to be darker but has been starved if sunlight for too long.

His eyes darting everywhere he finally settles on Veraveznik "You, I remember you, they threw us down, Calvedo was torn apart, Matrice turned to ash but you saved me, the gem magic, I remember it but it feels so long ago and only a brief moment at the same time. How long have I been trapped in the sapphire?"

Almost as an afterthought he adds "And who are all these people?"

Ozum is a bit wide-eyed at the sight of the summoned beings in front of them. "Hold on Veraveznik, have you had these poor individuals trapped here the entire time?" He move to the kenku and begins to inspect him. "I'm sorry, Slasher was it? Are you hurt in anyway, do you need any assistance?"

The old woman looks into Ysander's eyes and says, "Time is hard to measure here, sorcerer, but I believe several weeks have passed for you."

Then, in response to Ozum's question, she says, "Trapped? That might be one way to speak of this, druid. I prefer 'protected.' Saved them from destruction I did, but I saw no way to release them and send them on their way. Each one lost his fellow party members. Alone, neither would have the strength to survive here. So, I locked them away as you have seen and hoped that someday I might leave Shadowfell with their gemstones.Your presence.." --she motions toward Thoradin, Frandal, Arissa, and Ozum--"...has changed my thinking, however."

"These people...there's no simple answer to who they are, Ysander. I think they must tell their story." 

Slasher looks over his body the best he can and replies "Don't... think so... thank you *nods at Ozum*"

Slasher turns to the old women and says "I... remember... little... You... sealed me... after... fought... powerful evil... came here... for bounty... kill something *mimics screams of companions as they fall*... Slasher... only survivor."

"Neither is wounded; both are fully healed," remarks Veraveznik absent-mindedly. She seems to be focusing on something else, something somber. 

"Found you in the Skein I did, Slasher. What nearly destroyed you I do not know for certain, but I have my suspicions. Maybe your companion, or maybe your bounty, was dragged away...alive and screaming."

Ysander seems to realise for the first time that he isn't injured any more. "Yes I see, I had been near death but no longer, my thanks." Several moments pass and then he turns to the others. "As our mutual friend here has told you my name is Ysander, and I am a sorcerer of some small skill. I do not know why you are here but you must beware, there are powerful evils in this place and the people I met here seemed to struggle with the place itself, falling to dispair at times, unable to shake themselves from apathy even when pressed by enemies."

"Bounty... was of... beast and... of man... *mimics a wolfs howl* a Lycan. Don't know... what... attacked... but not... a Lycan. Where to? Why release?" Slasher appears determined and ready to fight whatever may lie ahead.

"Released because it seems the time is right. These four seek to save the realm of Syndaris from a kaegro, a knight of death and darkness. Your release, Slasher...and yours as well, Ysander,  may be a way to provide strength and secure victory in this fight. Of course, you cannot be forced to do so," explains Veraveznik.

"We could certainly use your swords, ranger...and your skill with the arcane, sorcerer," adds Thoradin. "I cannot promise victory, and I certainly cannot promise ease."

"Make no promises then, it matters not, I will walk with you, at least for now. It sounds like you have purpose and there is an air of power to you. In this place it pays to surround yourself with powerful allies. Who knows what need you will have of them.." the sorcerer smiles, slightly undermined by the constant flicking every which way of his eyes. 

“You helped Slasher... Slasher... help you.” Slasher bows his head and clenches a fist crossing it over his chest to show his allegiance to everyone.

”When... do we... leave?”

"Well if there is no foul play here and we are all on the same page I say we leave sooner than later. The longer I stay here the more antsy I feel. It's like I'm covered with an unseen unnatural growth." He glances over at Veraveznik's form, "I can't imagine what would happen if I stayed here too long."

"Not another minute then, friends," says Thoradin. "Let's move out."

A few minutes later, seven souls who had just been unexpectedly thrown together walk out of a tiny stone house in a forgotten corner of Shadowfell. The old woman leads the way across the nearly featureless plain of dust, gravel, and rock. Every now and then the group passes by a twisted tree that seems as if it had been tortured into some impossible shape. Hours later, just as the bizarre trees are becoming more common, the party stops for the night. Thoradin, Arissa, Frandal, and Ozum have been in Shadowfell long enough now that they require a long rest. 

 I will watch over this place as you rest," says Verveznik. And so she does, and, eventually, Shadowfell's version of morning arrives. "We continue through these trees, which will grow taller and more abundant, and make our way toward The Teeth," she explains, pointing to the jagged mountains of rock to the northeast. 

Veraveznik then tells the group that she must fly ahead and explore The Teeth from the air so she can find a route by which the party can travel through them. "Continue through these woods, everyone, keeping your destination directly before you. Your destination is that dark valley ...there. I'll return in a few hours." After pointing to the distant destination, Verveznik the old woman assumes her dragon form and takes flight, heading straight toward the intimidating-looking wall of rock known as The Teeth. 

As promised, the trees grow taller and more abundant. The gloom and hopelessness of the place seems to increase correspondingly, and it nearly numbs every member of the party into a zombie-like haze as they weave through the trees. That haze suddenly vanishes, when everyone hears Thoradin (who is bringing up the rear) yell out, "This one's alive!"  Each member of the party turns around to see the dwarf in the clutches of what looks like a tree. With its roots it has grabbed Thoradin around the legs and with two of its branches it attempts to deliver crushing blows to the grappled dwarf.

• Branch attack 1: 16 | Bludgeoning damage: 20 
• Branch attack 2: 27 | Bludgeoning damage: 14 

 (Players may take their actions, in any order. No initiative roll is necessary)

"Typical, everything here tries to kill you at some point, stay focussed!" The aasimar spins towards the tree, as he does so a shadowy blade coalesces in his hand which he then hurls at the tree. "Careful master dwarf, don't wriggle too much I don't want to hit you."

Movement to 10' away from the tree if necessary 

Casts Shadow Blade as a bonus action then action used to attack 11 for 4 psychic damage.

OOC I'm assuming the tree doesn't count as being in dim light but if it does then Ysander gets advantage to his attack. 25

(Assuming I can get into attack range) Slasher lifts the hood of his cloak and for a moment it appears as though he’s shifted just a few feet to the right, he then draws his two blades and charges at the tree hacking into its thick bark. Attack: 30 Damage: 14 1st main hand Attack: 23 Damage: 8 2nd main hand Attack: 20 Damage: 8 off hand

Forgot my second main hand attack I wasn’t manipulating my rolls lol. Mental note if I forget something don’t edit the post just post a reply. This is my first PbP campaign on DDB 😬

Andor's magical blade bounces off the thick, gnarled bark of the the menacing tree, but Slasher quickly cuts three deep gashes that send pieces of bark flying in all directions. The tree twists itself in response, seemingly in an attempt to bring more of its long branches into the fray. Thoradin writhes and struggles to free himself from the roots that continue to wrap around his legs.

(Arissa, Frandal, and Ozum's actions are next, in any order)

 MAP (1 sq = 10'):

Ozum's boots sprout tiny wings as he flies strait up to avoid any other potentially animated roots. He moves his staff through the air as if stirring a giant inverted pot and a storm cloud begins to form. He shouts out in druidic, causing a bolt of lightning to strike down the far side of the assailing tree, positioned to spare his allies.

Call Lightning (4th level): DC 16 Dex save; fail 22 lightning damage, save half damage

Ozum calls lightning from the storm he created and that looms overhead. The evil tree moves its massive misshapen form just enough to avoid taking the full brunt of the strike. 

(Arissa's and Frandal's actions are next; followed by the tree's)

At the hut: 

 At the hallowed forest.

Frandal utters a magical word as he draws his bow and the arrow flies towards the branch that holds Thoradin as it spruts on flames. He inmediatly fires another arrow trying to take advantage of the wound that Slasher just made to it. 

Firebolt: Attack: 14 Damage: 9

Attack: 24 Damage: 25