Augustin and RL head off in the drizzling rain to Missy White's house, accompanied by Vakiel and a grumbling Grimbald. As agreed Vakiel and Grimbald will wander around, keeping an eye on Missy White's house and listening out for any trouble.
As the paladin and druid head to the door, it opens and Gerrad Button, the Albridge town Elder exits. He smiles when he sees Augustin and Rustling Leaves and makes a gesture of tipping his hat although doesn't have one.
"Gentlemen," he says, as he passes. He brings out a pipe and pulls some weed out of a pouch and packs it. Then lights it, using his coat to protect it from the drizzle, and saunters off back towards Albridge, puffing happily.
Augustin and RL turn to knock on the door, only to find the huge, black-bearded man who must be Santo standing in the open doorway and staring at them. He seems to be assessing them.
'Maybe wondering who he would kill first if he had to,' thinks Augustin.
Augustin announces his name and RL's name and says he would like to see Missy White.
Santo opens his mouth to reply but a female voice floats on the air from inside the house saying "Let them in, Santo." He smiles, showing white teeth contrasting his olive skin, and invites them inside, with a similar accent to Lady Regan Gravelstoke.
Augustin and RL enter and find themselves in what can only be described as one of those "feel good" houses. It is well lit by natural light from big windows. The shutters are open, granting a wonderful view of the White River. There is a table set with a teapot and some cups and saucers, each with a fish theme decoration. Missy White brings over some dried fish snacks and puts them on the table then turns to the pair.
"Now, I invite you to tea, and I formally declare that it is provided without any obligation to you. You may partake freely without putting yourself in my debt in any way. Please, sit."
She plonks herself down and pours blackberry tea.
"It's a bit tart, sorry. Time of year for the blackberries and all that," she apologises. She sets a cup in front of all of them and hands one to Santo with a look. Santo nods and takes his cup and finds something else to do.
"I've been expecting a visit from you other delvers, hoping, actually, ever since I offended Grimbald and he went off in a huff. I have heard Dwarves don't forgive, I suppose they are called Grudgebearers for a reason, so I shall not expect any forgiveness from him. Although I would like it."
She takes a sip of her tea. "Oooh careful, it's a bit hot."
Esa decides not to mention her uneasy feeling. She returns to Sheppard's home on time for her lessons, masking her discomfort and remaining on edge.
Shepherd continues to instruct Infernal to Esa. The tiefling is not a very patient teacher, and has a sharp tongue when she has to repeat herself what she thinks is too many times. However Esa is a quick learner and Shepherd is equally quick to praise.
There is another strange sound, like stone grinding slowly on stone. It sets the chickens clucking and Rollo barking. Shepherd grimaces and checks to see if Esa heard it too.
"It seems to be coming from under the house, in the ground," Shepherd says. "It seems to be harmless, but it is very annoying. I suppose I'll just have to get used to it. I've checked my cellar, there's nothing there!"
"That was Santo," the barbarian whispered, still staring.
"I know, I thought I mentioned that," said Grimbald, trying to dislodge a squirrel that was scampering around his neck and hiding under Grimbald's beard when the dwarf tried to grab it.
"No, it's Santo. Santo!" Vakiel shakes his head.
'The inactivity has been too much,' thinks Grimbald. 'Poor lad needs to kill something.'
They keep patrolling, Vakiel often looking back at Missy White's house.
Esa shrugs off the sound. "It seems as though there are a few strange happenings here."
Eager to continue with their lessons, Esa draws her attention back to them. Though she admits there are unusual things going on, it doesn't seem like Sheppard is in any real danger. Esa decides to wait it it until its time for her to return.
Before she leaves for the day, she will say to Sheppard, "I appreciate how strong and independent you are, however if you should find yourself in need of assistance, be it these odd events around your home or any other matter, you are always welcome to ask myself and my party. I enjoy a good investigation, and they enjoy a good fight."
Shepherd nods and smiles. "That's not the first offer I've heard. A bunch of younger, wannabe delvers is forming, inspired by yourselves and the stories being told about you all. They've been asking me to join them and saying they'll help sort out my problem for me. I'm half tempted to say yes. My life here is peaceful, but its precarious. Especially with only 10 sheep. I don't have the knowledge to do any other type of farming. Anyway, I'll be here tomorrow, Esa. See you then."
Missy smiles, showing white teeth. She brings her cup to her mouth and blows on her tea. Takes a sip and then puts the cup down.
"I wasn't always a primal spirit. A primal spirit can exist by itself, of course. But it does better when it takes form. All the animal primal spirits were once animals who became.. inhabited?.. by the primal spirit of their animal type. Then they became more than themselves, and the primal spirits became more than themselves too. Oh dear, I hope I'm explaining this." Missy takes another sip of her tea.
"Many years ago I was Missy the wife of a merchant. He was a cruel man but I did not know that when I married him. He had a penchant for dark skinned women and sought out one for a bride on his travels. He brought me back and then once I was in his power with no chance of returning home, he showed his true self. A dark soul. It got to the point where I wanted to die, or rather, I just wanted my suffering and my life as it was to end. So I threw myself into the river."
Missy sighs. "It was long ago, I don't know why it still chokes me up. It was my own doing. Anyway, the primal spirit of the White River entered me and gave me a choice. Sink into oblivion, as had been my intention, or live as the White River. It comes with some cost and some benefits. I chose to accept the offer and I became something new. I returned to my home, and my husband never laid a hand on me again. He died of natural causes and I took over his business. I was still Missy, but I was more. I was still the Primal Spirit of the White River but I was more. Now we live in.. symbiosis I suppose, although the power of the White River comes through Missy. I don't feel like two people, I feel like Missy but I know I am more. I am different. It's hard to explain."
Missy looks at RL and Augustin. "You may become Primal Spirits yourselves, the most powerful of the Primal Spirits. Or you may just awaken them. You don't have to be about to die to be given the opportunity, it can happen in other ways. If the Enemy, I will not say his name, finds this out about you, and he will at some point, he will stop at nothing to eliminate you and take your artefacts. You will be in terrible danger, your very souls will be in peril. The Dark Lord has laid plans to subjugate this world for centuries and he has lots of backups and Plan Bs."
"I'm not sure what else to tell you. Please ask if you have any questions. I was going to tell Grimbald all of this, but I was too heavy handed with him and he chose to escape my company. But I HAD to know what your intentions were, it was too important to leave to trust alone. I still stand by that. This is the fate of the world we are talking about, and I needed certainty. I do hope he will forgive me one day."
"I'm not sure what else to tell you. Please ask if you have any questions. I was going to tell Grimbald all of this, but I was too heavy handed with him and he chose to escape my company. But I HAD to know what your intentions were, it was too important to leave to trust alone. I still stand by that. This is the fate of the world we are talking about, and I needed certainty. I do hope he will forgive me one day."
Thank you Missy. I have so many questions, can you talk to the spirit? Do you have a shrine? Are your powers limited to the water, or near the water or can you use them anywhere? Do you know any other Primal Spirits that we can talk to? Do you know Aiwili and where we can find them?
"I AM the spirit. You are talking to the primal spirit of the White River right now. But I am also Missy the female human who tried to drown herself. We are now one. I have no shrine because the White River is where folk would worship me, if they cared to do so. Primal Spirits do not require or benefit from worshippers, unlike gods. My powers are limited to the White River only, and I would likely have little power away from the river. I - as Missy - have a strong motivation to remain here."
"As for other Primal Spirits, they exist but I doubt any will be much help. The animal spirits roam wherever they wish although most follow normal patterns of the animal they represent. The Hunter of Winter is the primal spirit of sabre-tooth tigers and lives in the Winterbole Forest, and is also the patron of the Tigerclaw Barbarians. The Tree Father is in Harken Forest and spends his time keeping the Heart of Harken from attacking everyone else. We talk sometimes, when he comes to the river. Stoneroot, the primal spirit of the first mountain who was nearly destroyed by the primordials, spends his time nursing his grievances and hatred. No one knows where Everflame went to - the primal spirit of fire, but it is still alive, I suspect in a volcano somewhere. Old Man Nentir is the primal spirit of the Nentir River, older and more powerful than I. We talk often because we intersect. He's grumpy and not fond of humanoids at the moment, perhaps because Fallcrest dumps its raw waste into the Nentir River."
"The Mother, the Star Lion, the Fate Weaver, Stormhawk the Avenging Angel, and the Master of the Hunt - all of these are our best and really only chance of stopping the Dark Lord and restoring the original laws of nature back to the world. These five will unite the rest of the primal spirits."
"I do not know of Aiwili. I have heard the name but long, long ago. An eladrin, I am thinking, in the southern part of the Harken Forest. Maybe Reithann could be of more assistance to you there."
"I do not know of Aiwili. I have heard the name but long, long ago. An eladrin, I am thinking, in the southern part of the Harken Forest. Maybe Reithann could be of more assistance to you there."
This information is much appreciated.
RL will pull out his star crystal and hold it up to show Missy. Can you tell me anything about this?
What was it you were talking about when we came in about obligation, this is something outside my experience. Things are what they are and things happen as they will and free will is everything, I don't understand owing for something freely given. Sounds like a trap to me.
Missy sighs. "It is most definitely a trap. The fey have various rules and traditions which they have enforced with magic, many of which came from earlier rules created by the primal spirits. Some human cultures also have this obligation, although for them it is a social obligation and not enforced with magic. Be aware that if a fey - or primal spirit for that matter - offers you food and drink at their home or campfire - it will put you under a magical obligation - you might call it a geas - unless they declare such service to be free of any obligation. I have used this for my protection in the past, and I used it against Grimbald to ensure that your intentions were helpful to the world and that you were not agents of the Dark Lord. I released him from the obligation as soon as he told me you were on the side of the primal spirits. I do not feel good about it, but the stakes were too high to take the word of someone who I do not know."
She looks at the star crystal and nods.
"The eye of the dragon, the star crystal, this has had many names. It is an artefact sacred to the Star Lion, sometimes called the Platinum Dragon - although mainly by dragonborn of the Arkhosian Empire. Should you wish to awaken the Star Lion you will need that as part of the ritual. You can never lose it. The agents of the Dark Lord will seek it and kill you for it. Can I ask how you came by it? And your horn, Augustin?" Missy points to the horn at his side. "I am astounded that three of the five artefacts of the main primal spirits are actually here in a tiny village. That you have them. It cannot be coincidence."
Missy sighs. "It is most definitely a trap. The fey have various rules and traditions which they have enforced with magic, many of which came from earlier rules created by the primal spirits. Some human cultures also have this obligation, although for them it is a social obligation and not enforced with magic. Be aware that if a fey - or primal spirit for that matter - offers you food and drink at their home or campfire - it will put you under a magical obligation - you might call it a geas - unless they declare such service to be free of any obligation. I have used this for my protection in the past, and I used it against Grimbald to ensure that your intentions were helpful to the world and that you were not agents of the Dark Lord. I released him from the obligation as soon as he told me you were on the side of the primal spirits. I do not feel good about it, but the stakes were too high to take the word of someone who I do not know."
She looks at the star crystal and nods.
"The eye of the dragon, the star crystal, this has had many names. It is an artefact sacred to the Star Lion, sometimes called the Platinum Dragon - although mainly by dragonborn of the Arkhosian Empire. Should you wish to awaken the Star Lion you will need that as part of the ritual. You can never lose it. The agents of the Dark Lord will seek it and kill you for it. Can I ask how you came by it? And your horn, Augustin?" Missy points to the horn at his side. "I am astounded that three of the five artefacts of the main primal spirits are actually here in a tiny village. That you have them. It cannot be coincidence."
Thank you for the warning, we will be careful with any fey or optimal spirits we meet.
I'm not sure where or when I have this from, I feel like I have always had it.
"Down sides to being a Primal Spirit? You will be subject to a hierarchy - being forced to obey a higher Primal Spirit. For example Old Man Nentir could force me to obey him, being an older and greater primal spirit. He never has. I do know that the Mother occasionally may reabsorb some of her children - her offshoots that she split off to independently manage one area of the world or another - and on occasion they did not wish that, but they had to succumb to her will. Should you become one with any of the greater primal spirits, you will have authority over most of the others. The Mother, the Great World Spirit, has authority over all. So Grimbald could become the boss of all of us!" Missy laughed. "Then he could turn me into a puddle if he wanted."
Her face became serious again.
"The other downside is you will effectively cease to be you. You will have different motivations, different ways of seeing the world, different understandings than you do now. The world will become more important to you than family, than culture, than any loyalty you currently possess. This is no light matter. The old Missy used to like playing cards - I do not. The old Missy never used to worry about garbage in the river, the effect of weather on the river and its animals, why the seasons are changing. I worry about these things all the time. You will be very different, maybe even unrecognisable to your family and friends if behaviour was the only thing to go by. You'll look the same, but you won't BE the same. You will swap everything you were going to be for the chance to put the world to rights. I hope I am imparting that there is a great personal cost for what I think you are going to be doing."
Shepherd nods and smiles. "That's not the first offer I've heard. A bunch of younger, wannabe delvers is forming, inspired by yourselves and the stories being told about you all. They've been asking me to join them and saying they'll help sort out my problem for me. I'm half tempted to say yes. My life here is peaceful, but its precarious. Especially with only 10 sheep. I don't have the knowledge to do any other type of farming. Anyway, I'll be here tomorrow, Esa. See you then."
Esa will depart again at the end of the day, satisfied that she has done enough on this matter for now. She returns to the same tree and hunkers down for the night, knowing it is soon time to return to town. Eventually she falls asleep.
"Down sides to being a Primal Spirit? You will be subject to a hierarchy - being forced to obey a higher Primal Spirit. For example Old Man Nentir could force me to obey him, being an older and greater primal spirit. He never has. I do know that the Mother occasionally may reabsorb some of her children - her offshoots that she split off to independently manage one area of the world or another - and on occasion they did not wish that, but they had to succumb to her will. Should you become one with any of the greater primal spirits, you will have authority over most of the others. The Mother, the Great World Spirit, has authority over all. So Grimbald could become the boss of all of us!" Missy laughed. "Then he could turn me into a puddle if he wanted."
Her face became serious again.
"The other downside is you will effectively cease to be you. You will have different motivations, different ways of seeing the world, different understandings than you do now. The world will become more important to you than family, than culture, than any loyalty you currently possess. This is no light matter. The old Missy used to like playing cards - I do not. The old Missy never used to worry about garbage in the river, the effect of weather on the river and its animals, why the seasons are changing. I worry about these things all the time. You will be very different, maybe even unrecognisable to your family and friends if behaviour was the only thing to go by. You'll look the same, but you won't BE the same. You will swap everything you were going to be for the chance to put the world to rights. I hope I am imparting that there is a great personal cost for what I think you are going to be doing."
Thank you Missy, you have given us much to contemplate and talk about. For me, it feels like what you describe is the natural state of being, already I try to uphold the balance of nature and protect the land from being destroyed from overuse so that all creatures may utilise its resources without taking too much. Its a fine line to draw. I think some of the others may find the change to be greater in their areas of the Mothers blessing. As for Grimbald being the primary, this is not such a burden, already he has been a great mentor to me in manners and shown wisdom in his actions and intent. Thats not to say that Augustin, Esa and Vakiel have not but I feel a deeper connection to Grimbald because of the mother and his own ties to nature.
Augustin has sat their quietly sitting his tea the whole time, once again finding himself caught up in the fine details of everything. Yesterday he was sure and confident of what he was required to do. After listening to Missy speak, he has...thoughts.
"I think my friends here have a much better understanding of this then I do Missy. But I do offer thanks for taking the time to speak with us about these sensitive topics. As a a man of action, albeit only recently, I see my path tying more to the spirits. Simply put, I have taken an Oath to protect these lands and their traditions. Their people included." Augustin tries to choose his words carefully, before giving up and leading with the blunt approach.
"Missy, it appears some Spirits we can communicate with, yourself the best example. Where can I speak to the Hunter, or communicate with him at least? It appears your....I wont call it a gift, or a curse... merely a circumstance. Your circumstance came with unforeseen conditions, I would like to have known would you have made the same choice had you known the extent to what you were committing too? Perhaps this is a question that keeps you up at night already and is not my business, a view I respect. However, my resolve is strong, and I will stick by my Oath but should I choose to follow a path similar to yours to protect these Ideals. I would like to know the fine print first."
"I have heard about these rituals... many a time. And shrines, which I feel we will come across in our travels. But what do we do when we find such places of worship. I understand the Spirits require the proper respect and tradition paid towards them. But do they have to make it so difficult? Everything about you is so...shrouded in mystery that I do not even know where to begin at times."
"I respect the secrecy and cloak and dagger, with your secret and any other Spirits we come across remaining hidden. But if they are going to leave these crumbs for us, I would to have a better idea of the story, apparently doom and gloom befalls the world if these..." Points to the horn. ".... fall into the wrong hands." " What's stopping me from breaking it into a million pieces and stopping the oncoming storm? I would much rather put it to good use.... I just need to know what that is..... Please Missy, help us"
"You can only communicate with the primal spirits who are awake and who have merged with another biologicial entity. Even Everflame, the primal spirit of fire. The Master of the Hunt is not awake, and has not merged with a creature or person. And knowing what I know now, I would most certainly make the same choice again - and not only because the only alternative was death. It is a different life, but one very worthwhile and comes with obligation to serve the world - or at least my part of it - and gives me purpose. I have power, but this is only used to protect - the river and the people who need it for life - and to manage the river. And perhaps I have been too quick to use it at times with certain dwarves."
"To answer your next question, the information about what must be done is not intentionally difficult - much has been forgotten, it has been so long since the major primal spirits went into dormancy at the insistance of the gods. So there has been uncertainty about how to bring them back. This actually has helped us because finding this information is difficult for agents of the Enemy also."
She takes another sip of tea, which is not hot anymore.
"Primal Spirits need no respect or tradition paid to them. I am still human, so I do enjoy respectful company and some comfort and I appreciate these. I could just live in the river and have nothing to do with people, but yabbies and fish make such boring conversation partners." Missy smiles. "Well, part of my being IS the river, so I suppose I do live in the river, at least partly."
"As for the next question - breaking your horn into a million pieces might mean that the Master of the Hunt can never be awoken. I don't know this for sure, but it's a possibility. If the Master of the Hunt cannot be woken then it is likely that at some point the balance between prey and predator will be upset, just like the seasons are upset now. That would be catastrophic for many creatures. It could already be happening. There is much I do not know about the major primal spirits. But I believe you must do the following."
"Take note of the shrines you find to the major primal spirits. It is here you must eventually enact a ritual - one for each major primal spirit that is still dormant - using the artefact dedicated to that primal spirit. You must find the other shrines or temples. You must also find the remaining two artefacts - one for Stormhawk and one for the Fate Weaver. You must find out the details of the ritual that will awaken the primal spirits. All of this is beyond my knowledge. I do know that something positive is working for us behind the scenes - while I can believe that perhaps we were lucky with the Horn, something has put the Acorn of the Mother in the hands of Grimbald, and something has allowed you, Rustling Leaves, to have possession of the Star Crystal. I do not believe this is coincidence at all. Perhaps this Aiwili can help you more."
Another strange question if I may Missy, do you have access to the mill pond in Harken at all? or even better into where ever the keep draws its water from? Would there be any way for you to help us arrive there without being detected?
"Yes of course!!!!" Were planning on taking back the grounds in Harken. Any chance you and your friends can provide any aid in that area. We are a little bit stuck for ideas short of knocking on the front door. And then setting fire to the place. I'ts a less then ideal approach but also all we have."
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Augustin and RL head off in the drizzling rain to Missy White's house, accompanied by Vakiel and a grumbling Grimbald. As agreed Vakiel and Grimbald will wander around, keeping an eye on Missy White's house and listening out for any trouble.
As the paladin and druid head to the door, it opens and Gerrad Button, the Albridge town Elder exits. He smiles when he sees Augustin and Rustling Leaves and makes a gesture of tipping his hat although doesn't have one.
"Gentlemen," he says, as he passes. He brings out a pipe and pulls some weed out of a pouch and packs it. Then lights it, using his coat to protect it from the drizzle, and saunters off back towards Albridge, puffing happily.
Augustin and RL turn to knock on the door, only to find the huge, black-bearded man who must be Santo standing in the open doorway and staring at them. He seems to be assessing them.
'Maybe wondering who he would kill first if he had to,' thinks Augustin.
Augustin announces his name and RL's name and says he would like to see Missy White.
Santo opens his mouth to reply but a female voice floats on the air from inside the house saying "Let them in, Santo." He smiles, showing white teeth contrasting his olive skin, and invites them inside, with a similar accent to Lady Regan Gravelstoke.
Augustin and RL enter and find themselves in what can only be described as one of those "feel good" houses. It is well lit by natural light from big windows. The shutters are open, granting a wonderful view of the White River. There is a table set with a teapot and some cups and saucers, each with a fish theme decoration. Missy White brings over some dried fish snacks and puts them on the table then turns to the pair.
"Now, I invite you to tea, and I formally declare that it is provided without any obligation to you. You may partake freely without putting yourself in my debt in any way. Please, sit."
She plonks herself down and pours blackberry tea.
"It's a bit tart, sorry. Time of year for the blackberries and all that," she apologises. She sets a cup in front of all of them and hands one to Santo with a look. Santo nods and takes his cup and finds something else to do.
"I've been expecting a visit from you other delvers, hoping, actually, ever since I offended Grimbald and he went off in a huff. I have heard Dwarves don't forgive, I suppose they are called Grudgebearers for a reason, so I shall not expect any forgiveness from him. Although I would like it."
She takes a sip of her tea. "Oooh careful, it's a bit hot."
"How can I help you today?"
Shepherd continues to instruct Infernal to Esa. The tiefling is not a very patient teacher, and has a sharp tongue when she has to repeat herself what she thinks is too many times. However Esa is a quick learner and Shepherd is equally quick to praise.
There is another strange sound, like stone grinding slowly on stone. It sets the chickens clucking and Rollo barking. Shepherd grimaces and checks to see if Esa heard it too.
"It seems to be coming from under the house, in the ground," Shepherd says. "It seems to be harmless, but it is very annoying. I suppose I'll just have to get used to it. I've checked my cellar, there's nothing there!"
They continue the lessons.
Vakiel stared at the closing door.
"That was Santo," the barbarian whispered, still staring.
"I know, I thought I mentioned that," said Grimbald, trying to dislodge a squirrel that was scampering around his neck and hiding under Grimbald's beard when the dwarf tried to grab it.
"No, it's Santo. Santo!" Vakiel shakes his head.
'The inactivity has been too much,' thinks Grimbald. 'Poor lad needs to kill something.'
They keep patrolling, Vakiel often looking back at Missy White's house.
Esa shrugs off the sound. "It seems as though there are a few strange happenings here."
Eager to continue with their lessons, Esa draws her attention back to them. Though she admits there are unusual things going on, it doesn't seem like Sheppard is in any real danger. Esa decides to wait it it until its time for her to return.
Before she leaves for the day, she will say to Sheppard, "I appreciate how strong and independent you are, however if you should find yourself in need of assistance, be it these odd events around your home or any other matter, you are always welcome to ask myself and my party. I enjoy a good investigation, and they enjoy a good fight."
Shepherd nods and smiles. "That's not the first offer I've heard. A bunch of younger, wannabe delvers is forming, inspired by yourselves and the stories being told about you all. They've been asking me to join them and saying they'll help sort out my problem for me. I'm half tempted to say yes. My life here is peaceful, but its precarious. Especially with only 10 sheep. I don't have the knowledge to do any other type of farming. Anyway, I'll be here tomorrow, Esa. See you then."
RL will sit and say thank you for your hospitality. It is accepted in good faith.
RL will try the tea.
We would like to talk to you about Primal Spirits, since you are one.
Missy smiles, showing white teeth. She brings her cup to her mouth and blows on her tea. Takes a sip and then puts the cup down.
"I wasn't always a primal spirit. A primal spirit can exist by itself, of course. But it does better when it takes form. All the animal primal spirits were once animals who became.. inhabited?.. by the primal spirit of their animal type. Then they became more than themselves, and the primal spirits became more than themselves too. Oh dear, I hope I'm explaining this." Missy takes another sip of her tea.
"Many years ago I was Missy the wife of a merchant. He was a cruel man but I did not know that when I married him. He had a penchant for dark skinned women and sought out one for a bride on his travels. He brought me back and then once I was in his power with no chance of returning home, he showed his true self. A dark soul. It got to the point where I wanted to die, or rather, I just wanted my suffering and my life as it was to end. So I threw myself into the river."
Missy sighs. "It was long ago, I don't know why it still chokes me up. It was my own doing. Anyway, the primal spirit of the White River entered me and gave me a choice. Sink into oblivion, as had been my intention, or live as the White River. It comes with some cost and some benefits. I chose to accept the offer and I became something new. I returned to my home, and my husband never laid a hand on me again. He died of natural causes and I took over his business. I was still Missy, but I was more. I was still the Primal Spirit of the White River but I was more. Now we live in.. symbiosis I suppose, although the power of the White River comes through Missy. I don't feel like two people, I feel like Missy but I know I am more. I am different. It's hard to explain."
Missy looks at RL and Augustin. "You may become Primal Spirits yourselves, the most powerful of the Primal Spirits. Or you may just awaken them. You don't have to be about to die to be given the opportunity, it can happen in other ways. If the Enemy, I will not say his name, finds this out about you, and he will at some point, he will stop at nothing to eliminate you and take your artefacts. You will be in terrible danger, your very souls will be in peril. The Dark Lord has laid plans to subjugate this world for centuries and he has lots of backups and Plan Bs."
"I'm not sure what else to tell you. Please ask if you have any questions. I was going to tell Grimbald all of this, but I was too heavy handed with him and he chose to escape my company. But I HAD to know what your intentions were, it was too important to leave to trust alone. I still stand by that. This is the fate of the world we are talking about, and I needed certainty. I do hope he will forgive me one day."
Thank you Missy. I have so many questions, can you talk to the spirit? Do you have a shrine? Are your powers limited to the water, or near the water or can you use them anywhere? Do you know any other Primal Spirits that we can talk to? Do you know Aiwili and where we can find them?
"I AM the spirit. You are talking to the primal spirit of the White River right now. But I am also Missy the female human who tried to drown herself. We are now one. I have no shrine because the White River is where folk would worship me, if they cared to do so. Primal Spirits do not require or benefit from worshippers, unlike gods. My powers are limited to the White River only, and I would likely have little power away from the river. I - as Missy - have a strong motivation to remain here."
"As for other Primal Spirits, they exist but I doubt any will be much help. The animal spirits roam wherever they wish although most follow normal patterns of the animal they represent. The Hunter of Winter is the primal spirit of sabre-tooth tigers and lives in the Winterbole Forest, and is also the patron of the Tigerclaw Barbarians. The Tree Father is in Harken Forest and spends his time keeping the Heart of Harken from attacking everyone else. We talk sometimes, when he comes to the river. Stoneroot, the primal spirit of the first mountain who was nearly destroyed by the primordials, spends his time nursing his grievances and hatred. No one knows where Everflame went to - the primal spirit of fire, but it is still alive, I suspect in a volcano somewhere. Old Man Nentir is the primal spirit of the Nentir River, older and more powerful than I. We talk often because we intersect. He's grumpy and not fond of humanoids at the moment, perhaps because Fallcrest dumps its raw waste into the Nentir River."
"The Mother, the Star Lion, the Fate Weaver, Stormhawk the Avenging Angel, and the Master of the Hunt - all of these are our best and really only chance of stopping the Dark Lord and restoring the original laws of nature back to the world. These five will unite the rest of the primal spirits."
"I do not know of Aiwili. I have heard the name but long, long ago. An eladrin, I am thinking, in the southern part of the Harken Forest. Maybe Reithann could be of more assistance to you there."
This information is much appreciated.
RL will pull out his star crystal and hold it up to show Missy. Can you tell me anything about this?
What was it you were talking about when we came in about obligation, this is something outside my experience. Things are what they are and things happen as they will and free will is everything, I don't understand owing for something freely given. Sounds like a trap to me.
Missy sighs. "It is most definitely a trap. The fey have various rules and traditions which they have enforced with magic, many of which came from earlier rules created by the primal spirits. Some human cultures also have this obligation, although for them it is a social obligation and not enforced with magic. Be aware that if a fey - or primal spirit for that matter - offers you food and drink at their home or campfire - it will put you under a magical obligation - you might call it a geas - unless they declare such service to be free of any obligation. I have used this for my protection in the past, and I used it against Grimbald to ensure that your intentions were helpful to the world and that you were not agents of the Dark Lord. I released him from the obligation as soon as he told me you were on the side of the primal spirits. I do not feel good about it, but the stakes were too high to take the word of someone who I do not know."
She looks at the star crystal and nods.
"The eye of the dragon, the star crystal, this has had many names. It is an artefact sacred to the Star Lion, sometimes called the Platinum Dragon - although mainly by dragonborn of the Arkhosian Empire. Should you wish to awaken the Star Lion you will need that as part of the ritual. You can never lose it. The agents of the Dark Lord will seek it and kill you for it. Can I ask how you came by it? And your horn, Augustin?" Missy points to the horn at his side. "I am astounded that three of the five artefacts of the main primal spirits are actually here in a tiny village. That you have them. It cannot be coincidence."
Thank you for the warning, we will be careful with any fey or optimal spirits we meet.
I'm not sure where or when I have this from, I feel like I have always had it.
Apart from the obvious are there any down sides please Missy?
"Down sides to being a Primal Spirit? You will be subject to a hierarchy - being forced to obey a higher Primal Spirit. For example Old Man Nentir could force me to obey him, being an older and greater primal spirit. He never has. I do know that the Mother occasionally may reabsorb some of her children - her offshoots that she split off to independently manage one area of the world or another - and on occasion they did not wish that, but they had to succumb to her will. Should you become one with any of the greater primal spirits, you will have authority over most of the others. The Mother, the Great World Spirit, has authority over all. So Grimbald could become the boss of all of us!" Missy laughed. "Then he could turn me into a puddle if he wanted."
Her face became serious again.
"The other downside is you will effectively cease to be you. You will have different motivations, different ways of seeing the world, different understandings than you do now. The world will become more important to you than family, than culture, than any loyalty you currently possess. This is no light matter. The old Missy used to like playing cards - I do not. The old Missy never used to worry about garbage in the river, the effect of weather on the river and its animals, why the seasons are changing. I worry about these things all the time. You will be very different, maybe even unrecognisable to your family and friends if behaviour was the only thing to go by. You'll look the same, but you won't BE the same. You will swap everything you were going to be for the chance to put the world to rights. I hope I am imparting that there is a great personal cost for what I think you are going to be doing."
Esa will depart again at the end of the day, satisfied that she has done enough on this matter for now. She returns to the same tree and hunkers down for the night, knowing it is soon time to return to town. Eventually she falls asleep.
Thank you Missy, you have given us much to contemplate and talk about. For me, it feels like what you describe is the natural state of being, already I try to uphold the balance of nature and protect the land from being destroyed from overuse so that all creatures may utilise its resources without taking too much. Its a fine line to draw. I think some of the others may find the change to be greater in their areas of the Mothers blessing. As for Grimbald being the primary, this is not such a burden, already he has been a great mentor to me in manners and shown wisdom in his actions and intent. Thats not to say that Augustin, Esa and Vakiel have not but I feel a deeper connection to Grimbald because of the mother and his own ties to nature.
Augustin has sat their quietly sitting his tea the whole time, once again finding himself caught up in the fine details of everything. Yesterday he was sure and confident of what he was required to do. After listening to Missy speak, he has...thoughts.
"I think my friends here have a much better understanding of this then I do Missy. But I do offer thanks for taking the time to speak with us about these sensitive topics. As a a man of action, albeit only recently, I see my path tying more to the spirits. Simply put, I have taken an Oath to protect these lands and their traditions. Their people included." Augustin tries to choose his words carefully, before giving up and leading with the blunt approach.
"Missy, it appears some Spirits we can communicate with, yourself the best example. Where can I speak to the Hunter, or communicate with him at least? It appears your....I wont call it a gift, or a curse... merely a circumstance. Your circumstance came with unforeseen conditions, I would like to have known would you have made the same choice had you known the extent to what you were committing too? Perhaps this is a question that keeps you up at night already and is not my business, a view I respect. However, my resolve is strong, and I will stick by my Oath but should I choose to follow a path similar to yours to protect these Ideals. I would like to know the fine print first."
"I have heard about these rituals... many a time. And shrines, which I feel we will come across in our travels. But what do we do when we find such places of worship. I understand the Spirits require the proper respect and tradition paid towards them. But do they have to make it so difficult? Everything about you is so...shrouded in mystery that I do not even know where to begin at times."
"I respect the secrecy and cloak and dagger, with your secret and any other Spirits we come across remaining hidden. But if they are going to leave these crumbs for us, I would to have a better idea of the story, apparently doom and gloom befalls the world if these..." Points to the horn. ".... fall into the wrong hands." " What's stopping me from breaking it into a million pieces and stopping the oncoming storm? I would much rather put it to good use.... I just need to know what that is..... Please Missy, help us"
Missy nods as she hears Augustin out.
"You can only communicate with the primal spirits who are awake and who have merged with another biologicial entity. Even Everflame, the primal spirit of fire. The Master of the Hunt is not awake, and has not merged with a creature or person. And knowing what I know now, I would most certainly make the same choice again - and not only because the only alternative was death. It is a different life, but one very worthwhile and comes with obligation to serve the world - or at least my part of it - and gives me purpose. I have power, but this is only used to protect - the river and the people who need it for life - and to manage the river. And perhaps I have been too quick to use it at times with certain dwarves."
"To answer your next question, the information about what must be done is not intentionally difficult - much has been forgotten, it has been so long since the major primal spirits went into dormancy at the insistance of the gods. So there has been uncertainty about how to bring them back. This actually has helped us because finding this information is difficult for agents of the Enemy also."
She takes another sip of tea, which is not hot anymore.
"Primal Spirits need no respect or tradition paid to them. I am still human, so I do enjoy respectful company and some comfort and I appreciate these. I could just live in the river and have nothing to do with people, but yabbies and fish make such boring conversation partners." Missy smiles. "Well, part of my being IS the river, so I suppose I do live in the river, at least partly."
"As for the next question - breaking your horn into a million pieces might mean that the Master of the Hunt can never be awoken. I don't know this for sure, but it's a possibility. If the Master of the Hunt cannot be woken then it is likely that at some point the balance between prey and predator will be upset, just like the seasons are upset now. That would be catastrophic for many creatures. It could already be happening. There is much I do not know about the major primal spirits. But I believe you must do the following."
"Take note of the shrines you find to the major primal spirits. It is here you must eventually enact a ritual - one for each major primal spirit that is still dormant - using the artefact dedicated to that primal spirit. You must find the other shrines or temples. You must also find the remaining two artefacts - one for Stormhawk and one for the Fate Weaver. You must find out the details of the ritual that will awaken the primal spirits. All of this is beyond my knowledge. I do know that something positive is working for us behind the scenes - while I can believe that perhaps we were lucky with the Horn, something has put the Acorn of the Mother in the hands of Grimbald, and something has allowed you, Rustling Leaves, to have possession of the Star Crystal. I do not believe this is coincidence at all. Perhaps this Aiwili can help you more."
Another strange question if I may Missy, do you have access to the mill pond in Harken at all? or even better into where ever the keep draws its water from? Would there be any way for you to help us arrive there without being detected?
Augustin chokes on his tea.
"Yes of course!!!!" Were planning on taking back the grounds in Harken. Any chance you and your friends can provide any aid in that area. We are a little bit stuck for ideas short of knocking on the front door. And then setting fire to the place. I'ts a less then ideal approach but also all we have."