- Sempre-Verde ... Evergreen... beautiful indeed -Saoirse says -and yes, Saoirse is a Primordial name. It means Freedom. Which is ironic now that we mention Coldwater and our reason to be in the valley... In my case, I was imprisoned while in Springdawn city - where I had been sent to purchase some supplies - for the heinous crime of defending a citizen from being beaten by some knights because he didn't have money to pay his taxes. So, as you may imagine, I'm no friend of Coldwater. We happened to arrive at the prison on this very day, and when your people entered the prison yard to rescue Cylence we just ... didn't get in their way. We didn't have a reason to. This of course led us to having to fight the guards ...to needing to defend ourselves ... Let's just say that things got ugly. We met Cylence and even assisted in his escape and he invited us to come here in return.
She pauses for a moment.
- Please, don't think this is a trick. We really mean no harm to Village Tree or your people. We just want to find a moment of respite and collect ourselves after all that's happened. Though I admit I am worried about what's going to happen next. That Captain Jonah is surely planning a non friendly visit here soon and he looks ... well... - "...like an enormous killing machine ...", she thinks - ... not very nice.
Saoirse follows Semmer, though first she will again coordinate with Lam to pick Muro up carefully again.
Hemlock nods as Semmer mentions how far from home he must be, switching to common as he answers.
"I am far from home, but this place gives me comfort".
As Saoirse explains her own situation regarding her presence, he tells his very similar story.
"I was taken to that place after helping a pig that someone was about to kill. It was unfortunate but the person lost a thumb. I could have helped them, I did offer, but instead people grabbed me and I ended up there. I didn't really know what that place was, but I got the feeling they were doing bad things to the forest", he says sadly.
He looks about and lifts a hand in a little wave to those that were apparently surrounding them.
“Sempre-Verde,” says Lam, committing the new name to memory. He responds to her question about his name’s origin with one sentence: “I am from the Outlands.”Many bugbear names are simple and short. His own name means forest- a fact which he is pleased about, since he enjoys spending time in nature.
He listens silently to Saoirse’s and Hemlock’s stories while he mulls over his own. The HMC had promised an opportunity for redemption, but it doesn’t sound to Lam like either one of his friends really needed redemption- it doesn’t sound to him like they did anything wrong. He wonders how much that transport driver told him that day was actually true. His face flushes, nearly imperceptible under his fur, and he tries to tell his own story: “I went on purpose. I was unhappy. They promised honest work. No prejudice.” He pointedly omits why he had been unhappy from the story. He really struggles with how to tell the next part, and settles on just: “But that is not what happened.” He gestures to Saoirse as he says this, since she explained that part better. He looks at the ground, knowing his story lacks detail and unsure how to elaborate.
He coordinates with Saoirse to gently pick up Muro again before following Semmer.
“Oh yes your pronunciation is good. My own name I believe means twilight falls. I was at Coldwater because I believe differently then Springdawn’s local priests. They made accusations and I was pronounced guilty until proven otherwise. I am pleased with being able to help these fine people. I’m very happy to be here now. *yawn* Oh excuse me is there any chance I could properly clean and dress a wound soon?” Sha-gravis is limping a little and feeling very tired.
Tesfaye shares their story as well. "My name means 'my hope' in the Tortle language. Yours is very fitting, although it does make me wonder - are these gigantic trees diciduous, or are they evergreen? They are broad-leafed rather than conifers, so usually..." Recognizing that they were on a bit of a tangent, Tesfayeturns themself back to their story of ending up at Coldwater. I was travelling, seeing the cities and towns of this continent, and selling my tinkered projects along the way to finance myself, and to save money to visit the libraries at Springdawn Academy, which I have heard are excellent! They have original tomes by Mordenkainen and Tasha in good condition, and they..... Sorry. Um, yes, one day some guards grabbed me and slapped me in chains. They told me that some wealthy man had been injured by a teenager carrying one of the magical daggers I made, and that somehow this was my fault for quote, 'unlicensed creation of magical weapons,' and that I would be spending the next three years as a prisoner because of it. Flotsam, I say, but I wasn't about to fight the law. Not without help, anyway." Here they look appreciatively at you all, their new companions.
Saffialso speaks up, although she is still clearly tense, looking around to try to catch any of the people supposedly surrounding you. "I have stolen to survive, and to provide for the Thieve's Guild, for most of my life. I took a contract to kill a man, but when I arrived, he was already dead, and guards were on their way. My sentence was for much longer than three years, but I never planned on sticking around for it." She does not seem embarrassed about her past.
Semmer walks with you for another 20 minutes or so, offering consolation to each of you for how you were taken to Coldwater. She frowns for a moment again at Saoirse'sexplanation. and at Saffi's story. "Things got ugly? Our elders teach us that there is always a choice. If you were invited by Cylence, though... He also seems to believe that sometimes you need to do things you don't want to. He and Rhys often argue about this in regards to the foreigners here now." She accepts Lam'sexplanation at face value, although there is one point she doesn't quite understand.
"Prejudice? Is your tribe dishonored or something? Or do you have a reputation?"
Having met very few people who don't have pre-formed opinions of bugbears, Lam and others might think that she's messing with him, and in a way that's fairly rude at that. Insight DC 12.
She is speaking earnestly, and seems to not have registered anything odd about Lamat all, other than that he's large and strong.
When Sha-Gravis talks about his arrest, she looks confused again. "They didn't like what you believe?"Her intonation changes a little, and she is clearly quoting something often said to her, first in Sylvan, and then repeated in Common. "São inúmeras histórias, e todas elas são verdadeiras. There are countless stories, and all of them are true. Do they not teach this where you are from?"
Tesfaye lifts a finger at this, and cuts in (a little rudely, although well-meant) "But isn't it important to distinguish truth from myth? How else are we supposed to figure out how things actually work? I mean, I can't just tell a story about how the sky is purp---" They stop talking, distracted and awed by the sight in front of you.
The widest tree trunk any of you have ever seen stretches 150 feet (45 meters) upwards before the first large branch, and the tree is least another 300 feet (92m) tall to its highest point. The bark is a dark brown, patterned in deep fissures running vertically, and the outer layer looks almost soft, parts of it ready to flake off. There is a wide circle of 6-foot tall, bioluminescent mushrooms around the path leads to the trunk, with an open area in the middle, but otherwise the area right around the tree's base is clear of other significant growth for a dozen feet or so in every direction. Mosses also climb the trunk, in patches and swirls. This tree, if you know anything about Skyoaks (Hemlockknows, otherwise DC15 Nature check),
the tree is at least 4,000 years old, and still in the pinnacle of health. Skyoaks in generally only live in a few areas and climates, but seeing one older than about 2500 years is exceptionally rare. Exactly why isn't common knowledge, but it seems that 2,500 years ago, something happened to skyoak trees. This same timestamp shows up in many other areas of ecology, although people don't know exactly what happened back then.
"This is Village Tree. I will go up, and send down a lift. If all you say is true, you will be welcomed by Rhys, and there will be time and opportunity to dress your wounds, to rest, and to be strong again tomorrow."
Semmer walks directly up to the tree, and melds into its trunk, disappearing.
A large Great-Horned Owl swoops down from somewhere above you all, and lands on the mushroom closest to the group. Its eyes are roughly level with Lam's or Hemlock's. The owl stares at you all, shifting its gaze between each of your faces, and waits.
As everyone keeps telling their stories, and Semmer reacts them, Saoirseis surprised at how different earch of their backgrounds are. She wonders about Lam's unhappiness and about that Thieves GuildSaffihas mentioned. Hemlock's and Tesfaye's stories seem specially unfair. And Sha-Gravis's makes her think ... what would happen if she herself ended up having a different opinion on a matter as deep as the True King to that of the members of her community? Tesfayereally has a point when he remarks the importance of distinguishing truth from myth. And this takes her back to what Saffisaid. It's not that the blood hunter will just throw away her beliefs because of the first opposed opinions she has heard. But ... what if ... what if the Lightbringer had really ordered that mass execution of changelings? How would that impact her, and her order?
Saoirsethinks all of this as they are waiting for the lift, but doesn't say anything. They are all tired and some still hurt. And they still have to care for Muro until he regains his halfling form in a few hours.Also, they're about to meet the people that, in a way, got them all to end up together in the first place. So she keeps everything to herself, lying there buried for the proper moment to be pronounced aloud. She then stares at the enormous skyoak in front of them, and amazed by its size and apparent age she says:
- This is ... amazing. This skyoak is incredibly old and yet, so full of life. Didn't something happen that prevented skyoaks from reaching ages as old as this one? Hemlock, do you know anything about this? I just heard that somewhere, but do not really know anything more.
When the owl swoops down, the fire genasi looks at it for a moment, tilting her head a little in the process, and then looks up again at the skyoak.
- Hmmmm? Does anyone see any kind of lift? Because ... this owl is not our lift ... right? - she says, sounding doubtful. Village Tree looked incredible enough for this to be actually possible.
Insight check for Semmer's comment about Lam (though I haven't really used it): 15
Nature check for the skyoak: 17
I rolled a History check just in case I know about that event 2500 years ago, and another for the Tieves Guild. I got a16and a 5 (I don't know if I needed two separate rolls, really, but I did them just in case)
Lam listens to everyone else’s stories with interest. Tesfaye’s is as equally unfair as his other friends’, but he is not sure what to make of Saffron’s. Was she really going to kill someone she had never met? Would he have, if he was in her position? As Semmer asks follow-up questions, Lam furrows his brow and tilts his head, realizing she really doesn’t know why he would have encountered prejudice. That makes him curious about what kind of life she’d lived up to now- and it also makes him unsure how to answer her question.
Taking a few moments to respond, he says, “…I am bugbear. People don’t like bugbears.” He hopes for no follow up questions.
Thankfully, Semmer goes into the Village Tree- the largest tree he had ever seen. Lam listens to Saoirse as she starts talking about how old trees like this are supposed to be- it had not even occurred to him that a tree this size might not be normal. He takes an interest in the owl as it flies down and stares at each of them. He isn’t sure why, but he feels like he is supposed to talk to it. After a few moments, he speaks directly to the owl. “Hello.”It doesn’t sound like a question, but Lam shifts in a way that suggests he is unsure about what to do in this moment.
Hemlock knows exactly how Semmer feels, the concept of prejudice is just as alien to him, although he is wise enough to be learning all about it. He also shares the concern about Saffi's story, although he doesn't quite understand what is meant by a contract. He does understand killing though.
"There are times when it becomes necessary to kill, although I find it sad to say that. That time happened to me at the stone place. It is something I cannot have regrets over, because I was protecting those in need, those who could not protect themselves. Even though it does not sit well with me, there are things worth fighting for", he says with a mixture of sadness, defiance and tiredness.
He looks up at the giant Skyoak, "I believe this is one of those things".
"Was it worth it for you?", he asks Saffi, a very complex question spoken with a large amount of naivety.
Looking to Saoirse as she asks about the Skyoak's age, and the events of thousands of years ago, he has no real answer. "My people know of such an occurrence, but even we do not fully understand why. Or if our elders do, they have not shared it with me".
As the giant owl appears, he cocks his head to the side and smiles at it, shrugging towards Saoirse about it's purpose.
"Greetings wise one, are you just curious or are you part of the welcome?".
"São inúmeras histórias, e todas elas são verdadeiras. There are countless stories, and all of them are true. Do they not teach this where you are from?"
Sha chuffs lightly averts his gaze and shakes his head, ”Infelizmente, a ideia de uma verdade abrangente é estranha até para mim. Acredito na aceitação, mas algumas coisas são verdadeiras e outras não. Isso não quer dizer que estamos justificados para julgar uns aos outros. Eu te aceito como você é.” spoken in sylvan
Sadly no the idea of all inclusive truth is foreign even to me. I believe in acceptance, but some things are true and some are not. That’s not to say we are justified to judge one another. I accept you as you are.
Listening to Lam, Saoirsecan't help but feel sympathy for what he has just said. "I am bugbear. People don’t like bugbears." . That sounded so heartbreaking coming from one as good-natured as him. It also made her wonder if she would have shown these prejudices had they met under different circumstances, hadn't they been positioned in the same side against a common enemy such as Coldwater. The fire genasi doesn't know how to answer any of this, but she sure is glad that they've met as allies. So she says softly:
- I do like you,Lam...
She then nods to Hemlockwhen he says that there are things worth fighting for. Such powerful words, so full of wisdom. But a second after she holds her breath, wondering how Saffiwill answer to the firbolg's question about her past choices. She hadn't dared of saying anything about it, seeing how the two of them aren't in the best of terms right now.
As the conversation about when it is necessary to kill continues, Lam shifts his gaze from the owl to the ground. Hemlock, Saoirse, Saffron… each of them had killed during their time at Coldwater, and each of them had done it in order to protect those around them. He couldn’t fault any of them for what had happened. But it makes him think of his own past, and of Semmer’s comment about there always being a choice. He turns to Saoirse in the instant that she makes her comment, sheer gratitude in his eyes. But he cannot respond or hold her gaze for more than an instant, and he looks back at the ground. Saoirse is amazing- a quick thinker, incredibly smart, compassionate to everyone around her. Her ability to lead this group saw them through many bad situations. It seems this whole time, she has seen Lam for his strengths and not his weaknesses. But will Saoirse continue to feel that way about him if he loses control? Will any of his friends continue to like him after they learn what he was doing before he came to Coldwater? Lam will continue to listen to the conversation around him, but won’t try to talk anymore for the moment.
The owl glides down from the mushroom towards you all, growing and changing form as he does. It is a halfling's hairy feet that soundlessly touch the ground, and as the feathers recede, you see a man with a face that radiates a calm wisdom, holding a staff a good bit taller than he is. He has long, flowing hair, and a long beard, both of them a chestnut brown mixed with grey. His clothing is simple, woven plant-leather, and a few different pendants and amulets hang from his neck. He looks serious, but friendly, and stands with the confidence of a man whose power and age separates him from most ordinary people. Basically, he's got serious Gandalf/Dumbledore vibes.
"Hello, Lam. Greetings to you, Hemlock. No, Saoirse, I am not your lift, although you could certainly call me the 'welcome party.' Welcome, Sha-Gravis,Saffron,Tesfaye. And poor Muro,cysgu, a bod mewn heddwch (Druidic)."Murosuddenly stops struggling, his eyes close, and he enters a peaceful sleep. "I am Rhys, archdruid and elder of Silver Stream Valley."
sleep, and be at peace.
"I must apologise for an intrusion of privacy. As the owl, I can hear your heartbeats, and hear truth from lies. I have been listening to you for a while now, both here and as you talked to Sempre-Verde, and can tell that your intentions are not ill. The foreigners are a concern, and their acts against the forest, but rest assured that Captain Jonah can not threaten us here, in the forest's heart. I would not do this, but these are difficult times. I must ask that each of you swear that you will not harm any resident of Village Tree while you are guests here."Here his eyes rest especially long on Saffi. "If you swear this, you will be welcome here, and we may talk more in the morning. Our ways may be strange to many of you, but greet them with open minds, and a willingness to learn. You may not be ready to accept todas são verdadeiras just yet, but I trust that you can at least know that many things are true, and many ways of being. I hope to hear the stories you tell as well, young cleric, and so to grow my truth."
Tesfaye is staring in open-mouthed awe at the halfling druid, and nods enthusiastically when asked to swear.
Saffron, on the other hand, seems uncomfortable with the Druid's gaze, and turns her head away. "I swear not to harm anyone here," she says quietly.
Hemlock watches the owl transform in to the halfling with a bit of a knowing smile, having suspected it was no ordinary owl. He bows his head towards Rhys whilst bringing his right palm up to his chest in a show of respect, but it might have come across as him simply trying to look down to see the far shorter halfling.
"Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser", he says formally to Rhys in druidic, the words flowing into his mind unbidden as his fingers brush the amulet around his neck during his bow.
"May the stars always light your path"
"I swear that I will not harm any resident of Village Tree whilst I am a guest", he repeats happily. "It is an honour to meet an archdruid, one whose path I share but whose journey is so much further along than my own. I look forward to learning whatever wisdom you feel it appropriate to share".
"Once I have rested, do let me know how I can be of help to your community. I am a cook and familiar with herbs, and will gladly share those gifts", he offers.
He seems to have become distracted by the archdruid and forgotten his question to Saffi, for now.
“I swear not to harm anyone here in this sacred place. I hope that in time we all can grow in the light of truth, and in the darkness may we craft our own perceptions, so that we shall in the twilight hour be true to ourselves. Apologies my beliefs often cause me trouble. Perhaps after a rest and cleansing, I’d love to discuss more.” Sha faces Rhys and bows deeply.
Lam had figured something was off about the owl, but he hadn’t expected it to transform into a Halfling right away- or to be Rhys! He listens to Rhys’s every word, eyes wide with the same sort of awe that Tesfaye has. He bows his head and says: “I swear. No harm.” He seems to be a bit too speechless about what just happened to say much more at the moment.
- Oh? - Saiorseexlaims in surprise upon seeing the owl's form slowly melt in to that of a halfling! She had always thought Rhys to be an elf, same as Cylence and the two men that entered the prison yard to free him - Forgive my ignorance, Wise one. It is an honor to make your acquaintance - the genasi adds, bowing.
While the rest of the party swears as asked by the archdruid, Saoirsecrouches and looks for something on her backpack. She seems relieved to actually find it, and puts it around her neck as she stands up again. It is a golden necklace with a pendant containing some fire-colored liquid inside it.
Something similar to this, but the color of fire instead of pure red.
Placing a hand on the pendant, she says:
- I swear on my trueborn blood that I will not harm Village Tree nor any of its residents while I am a guest here.
She then hides the necklace - her order's holy symbol, containing the last of her original blood from before she underwent the Hunter's Bane - carefully within her clothes.
Well met all. Foodstuffs and cookware are stored on the North Branch, Hemlock. I will be honored to break fast with you in the morning. Mae'r llwybr yn gwynto. Rwy'n falch o gynnig arweiniad, ond byddai fy nilyn yn dod â chi i'r lleuad. Rwyt ti o'r sêr. (Druidic) You would all be wise to follow Hemlock's lead here. The offering of gifts is a central custom here in the Valley, and largely replaces trade and purchase. Outsiders often find this hard to adapt to, but your coins will be of little use. It took me a few years to really get the hang of it, when I first came here a century ago. For now though, we part. I am not so nocturnal as I may appear.
The path is wending. I happily offer guidance, but mine is the path of the Moon. You are of the stars.
Rhys bows politely to you all, and leaps upwards, flapping an owl's wings before he reaches the zenith of his own jump. Silent wings row through the air, as he flies upwards and slowly circles the great trunk. Your eyes follow him upwards, and notice a large wooden platform slowly lowering from the canopy. It touches the ground in the middle of the circle of mushrooms, supported by three impossibly long and strong vines. This is clearly the lift that had been mentioned.
I assume everyone gets on the lift
The vines holding the lift slowly retract, and you are lifted higher and higher into the tree. As the ground gets farther and farther away, Tesfaye grabs hold of Lam'sarm, holding on very tightly. When you reach the top, you find a great, wide, flat center area of polished wood. It does not look cut, rather it has the appearance of having simply grown naturally into a wide platform, and of being polished by use and daily care. This platform functions as the village square, and rope bridges lead to similar platforms on other branches in each direction. Many of these also have roofs, suspended by higher branches, but none of them are fully closed to the open air. Between these platforms, other branches rise up, and continue to branch out. There is still canopy above you, and the vines that support the lift hang down from somewhere up in that canopy. The mechanism to lift and lower is not obvious in any way. Semmer is standing in the square as you get off of the lift, and greets you enthusiastically. "Oh, I'm so glad Rhys invited you up! There are plenty of open hammocks in the south and southeast branches, an area for bathing in the east branch, and food up that way. Almost everyone who lives here has gone to sleep though, and most people actually live in other trees nearby, so it's pretty quiet for now. Make yourselves at home. Lo que tengo, tenemos. (Elvish)"
What I have, We have.
Feel free to describe the things you do as the day ends, or to continue conversations with each other. But also; give yourself a LONG REST, and advance your character to LEVEL TWO.
Sha-gravis quickly heads to bathe and treat his wound, he next sets his equipment near his chosen hammock. Sha changes into his vestaments of Shar and with incense and censure gives devotional prayers. Lastly Sha will ready for sleep, and he will dream.
Hemlock nods in understanding as Rhys replies to him in druidic, and bids the arch druid farewell as he leaps in to the air.
He moves onto the lift, watching enraptured by the village that appears as they ascend. Finding Semmer waiting for them in the village square, he smiles and listens as the dryad advises the group on where to find things.
“You have my gratitude, Semmer. I think I would like to wash and then rest”, he says, speaking to both Semmer and his companions.
Finding Sha-gravis has similar plans, he walks with him and any others who wish to join them. In his exhausted state, he manages to clean his wound, along with the rest of him, and then moves on to find a hammock.
Before he can rest, he finds his stomach rumbles, and he remembers that he never did get around to eating back at the prison what felt like an eternity ago. He makes his way to the branch that Semmer told them they could get food from and has a little to eat. As he does so, he ponders the words he spoke to Rhys in Druidic, wondering how it was they came unbidden to his mind.
“Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser”
Those words still echo in his mind even as he settles into his hammock and sleep finally takes him.
When Rhys leaves, Lam resolves to find some way to be helpful in this place tomorrow. He does not have many gifts, but he has some skills- hopefully at least one of which can prove valuable. As the group ascends in the lift, he watches Tesfaye, finding their aversion to being lifted up endearing and grateful that his presence is helping at least one creature right now. He marvels at the sight of the Village when they reach the top.
Lam’s first instinct is to find food, but seeing Sha and Hemlock go to get washed up, he realizes he needs to do that also, and elects to join them. He washes himself rather hastily, changes into more comfortable clothes (which includes… just not wearing a shirt anymore) and then goes to get something to eat. He elects to have a smaller meal than usual because he hasn’t done anything to repay these people yet, and is able to handle not getting a larger meal because he did have quite a bit of food earlier back at Coldwater.
Having a moment of calm, he feels exhaustion overtake him and he realizes how much this group actually did today. If nobody approaches to converse with him, Lam finds an open hammock, stumbles his way in and finds himself asleep almost immediately.
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- Sempre-Verde ... Evergreen... beautiful indeed - Saoirse says - and yes, Saoirse is a Primordial name. It means Freedom. Which is ironic now that we mention Coldwater and our reason to be in the valley... In my case, I was imprisoned while in Springdawn city - where I had been sent to purchase some supplies - for the heinous crime of defending a citizen from being beaten by some knights because he didn't have money to pay his taxes. So, as you may imagine, I'm no friend of Coldwater. We happened to arrive at the prison on this very day, and when your people entered the prison yard to rescue Cylence we just ... didn't get in their way. We didn't have a reason to. This of course led us to having to fight the guards ...to needing to defend ourselves ... Let's just say that things got ugly. We met Cylence and even assisted in his escape and he invited us to come here in return.
She pauses for a moment.
- Please, don't think this is a trick. We really mean no harm to Village Tree or your people. We just want to find a moment of respite and collect ourselves after all that's happened. Though I admit I am worried about what's going to happen next. That Captain Jonah is surely planning a non friendly visit here soon and he looks ... well... - "...like an enormous killing machine ...", she thinks - ... not very nice.
Saoirse follows Semmer, though first she will again coordinate with Lam to pick Muro up carefully again.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hemlock nods as Semmer mentions how far from home he must be, switching to common as he answers.
"I am far from home, but this place gives me comfort".
As Saoirse explains her own situation regarding her presence, he tells his very similar story.
"I was taken to that place after helping a pig that someone was about to kill. It was unfortunate but the person lost a thumb. I could have helped them, I did offer, but instead people grabbed me and I ended up there. I didn't really know what that place was, but I got the feeling they were doing bad things to the forest", he says sadly.
He looks about and lifts a hand in a little wave to those that were apparently surrounding them.
"Hello", he calls out with a tired smile.
“Sempre-Verde,” says Lam, committing the new name to memory. He responds to her question about his name’s origin with one sentence: “I am from the Outlands.” Many bugbear names are simple and short. His own name means forest- a fact which he is pleased about, since he enjoys spending time in nature.
He listens silently to Saoirse’s and Hemlock’s stories while he mulls over his own. The HMC had promised an opportunity for redemption, but it doesn’t sound to Lam like either one of his friends really needed redemption- it doesn’t sound to him like they did anything wrong. He wonders how much that transport driver told him that day was actually true. His face flushes, nearly imperceptible under his fur, and he tries to tell his own story: “I went on purpose. I was unhappy. They promised honest work. No prejudice.” He pointedly omits why he had been unhappy from the story. He really struggles with how to tell the next part, and settles on just: “But that is not what happened.” He gestures to Saoirse as he says this, since she explained that part better. He looks at the ground, knowing his story lacks detail and unsure how to elaborate.
He coordinates with Saoirse to gently pick up Muro again before following Semmer.
“Oh yes your pronunciation is good. My own name I believe means twilight falls. I was at Coldwater because I believe differently then Springdawn’s local priests. They made accusations and I was pronounced guilty until proven otherwise. I am pleased with being able to help these fine people. I’m very happy to be here now. *yawn* Oh excuse me is there any chance I could properly clean and dress a wound soon?” Sha-gravis is limping a little and feeling very tired.
Tesfaye shares their story as well. "My name means 'my hope' in the Tortle language. Yours is very fitting, although it does make me wonder - are these gigantic trees diciduous, or are they evergreen? They are broad-leafed rather than conifers, so usually..." Recognizing that they were on a bit of a tangent, Tesfaye turns themself back to their story of ending up at Coldwater. I was travelling, seeing the cities and towns of this continent, and selling my tinkered projects along the way to finance myself, and to save money to visit the libraries at Springdawn Academy, which I have heard are excellent! They have original tomes by Mordenkainen and Tasha in good condition, and they..... Sorry. Um, yes, one day some guards grabbed me and slapped me in chains. They told me that some wealthy man had been injured by a teenager carrying one of the magical daggers I made, and that somehow this was my fault for quote, 'unlicensed creation of magical weapons,' and that I would be spending the next three years as a prisoner because of it. Flotsam, I say, but I wasn't about to fight the law. Not without help, anyway." Here they look appreciatively at you all, their new companions.
Saffi also speaks up, although she is still clearly tense, looking around to try to catch any of the people supposedly surrounding you. "I have stolen to survive, and to provide for the Thieve's Guild, for most of my life. I took a contract to kill a man, but when I arrived, he was already dead, and guards were on their way. My sentence was for much longer than three years, but I never planned on sticking around for it." She does not seem embarrassed about her past.
Semmer walks with you for another 20 minutes or so, offering consolation to each of you for how you were taken to Coldwater. She frowns for a moment again at Saoirse's explanation. and at Saffi's story. "Things got ugly? Our elders teach us that there is always a choice. If you were invited by Cylence, though... He also seems to believe that sometimes you need to do things you don't want to. He and Rhys often argue about this in regards to the foreigners here now." She accepts Lam's explanation at face value, although there is one point she doesn't quite understand.
"Prejudice? Is your tribe dishonored or something? Or do you have a reputation?"
Having met very few people who don't have pre-formed opinions of bugbears, Lam and others might think that she's messing with him, and in a way that's fairly rude at that. Insight DC 12.
She is speaking earnestly, and seems to not have registered anything odd about Lam at all, other than that he's large and strong.
When Sha-Gravis talks about his arrest, she looks confused again. "They didn't like what you believe?" Her intonation changes a little, and she is clearly quoting something often said to her, first in Sylvan, and then repeated in Common. "São inúmeras histórias, e todas elas são verdadeiras. There are countless stories, and all of them are true. Do they not teach this where you are from?"
Tesfaye lifts a finger at this, and cuts in (a little rudely, although well-meant) "But isn't it important to distinguish truth from myth? How else are we supposed to figure out how things actually work? I mean, I can't just tell a story about how the sky is purp---" They stop talking, distracted and awed by the sight in front of you.
The widest tree trunk any of you have ever seen stretches 150 feet (45 meters) upwards before the first large branch, and the tree is least another 300 feet (92m) tall to its highest point. The bark is a dark brown, patterned in deep fissures running vertically, and the outer layer looks almost soft, parts of it ready to flake off. There is a wide circle of 6-foot tall, bioluminescent mushrooms around the path leads to the trunk, with an open area in the middle, but otherwise the area right around the tree's base is clear of other significant growth for a dozen feet or so in every direction. Mosses also climb the trunk, in patches and swirls. This tree, if you know anything about Skyoaks (Hemlock knows, otherwise DC15 Nature check),
the tree is at least 4,000 years old, and still in the pinnacle of health. Skyoaks in generally only live in a few areas and climates, but seeing one older than about 2500 years is exceptionally rare. Exactly why isn't common knowledge, but it seems that 2,500 years ago, something happened to skyoak trees. This same timestamp shows up in many other areas of ecology, although people don't know exactly what happened back then.
"This is Village Tree. I will go up, and send down a lift. If all you say is true, you will be welcomed by Rhys, and there will be time and opportunity to dress your wounds, to rest, and to be strong again tomorrow."
Semmer walks directly up to the tree, and melds into its trunk, disappearing.
A large Great-Horned Owl swoops down from somewhere above you all, and lands on the mushroom closest to the group. Its eyes are roughly level with Lam's or Hemlock's. The owl stares at you all, shifting its gaze between each of your faces, and waits.
DM: Heavy is the Head
As everyone keeps telling their stories, and Semmer reacts them, Saoirse is surprised at how different earch of their backgrounds are. She wonders about Lam's unhappiness and about that Thieves Guild Saffi has mentioned. Hemlock's and Tesfaye's stories seem specially unfair. And Sha-Gravis's makes her think ... what would happen if she herself ended up having a different opinion on a matter as deep as the True King to that of the members of her community? Tesfaye really has a point when he remarks the importance of distinguishing truth from myth. And this takes her back to what Saffi said. It's not that the blood hunter will just throw away her beliefs because of the first opposed opinions she has heard. But ... what if ... what if the Lightbringer had really ordered that mass execution of changelings? How would that impact her, and her order?
Saoirse thinks all of this as they are waiting for the lift, but doesn't say anything. They are all tired and some still hurt. And they still have to care for Muro until he regains his halfling form in a few hours. Also, they're about to meet the people that, in a way, got them all to end up together in the first place. So she keeps everything to herself, lying there buried for the proper moment to be pronounced aloud. She then stares at the enormous skyoak in front of them, and amazed by its size and apparent age she says:
- This is ... amazing. This skyoak is incredibly old and yet, so full of life. Didn't something happen that prevented skyoaks from reaching ages as old as this one? Hemlock, do you know anything about this? I just heard that somewhere, but do not really know anything more.
When the owl swoops down, the fire genasi looks at it for a moment, tilting her head a little in the process, and then looks up again at the skyoak.
- Hmmmm? Does anyone see any kind of lift? Because ... this owl is not our lift ... right? - she says, sounding doubtful. Village Tree looked incredible enough for this to be actually possible.
Insight check for Semmer's comment about Lam (though I haven't really used it): 15
Nature check for the skyoak: 17
I rolled a History check just in case I know about that event 2500 years ago, and another for the Tieves Guild. I got a 16 and a 5 (I don't know if I needed two separate rolls, really, but I did them just in case)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam listens to everyone else’s stories with interest. Tesfaye’s is as equally unfair as his other friends’, but he is not sure what to make of Saffron’s. Was she really going to kill someone she had never met? Would he have, if he was in her position? As Semmer asks follow-up questions, Lam furrows his brow and tilts his head, realizing she really doesn’t know why he would have encountered prejudice. That makes him curious about what kind of life she’d lived up to now- and it also makes him unsure how to answer her question.
Taking a few moments to respond, he says, “…I am bugbear. People don’t like bugbears.” He hopes for no follow up questions.
Thankfully, Semmer goes into the Village Tree- the largest tree he had ever seen. Lam listens to Saoirse as she starts talking about how old trees like this are supposed to be- it had not even occurred to him that a tree this size might not be normal. He takes an interest in the owl as it flies down and stares at each of them. He isn’t sure why, but he feels like he is supposed to talk to it. After a few moments, he speaks directly to the owl. “Hello.” It doesn’t sound like a question, but Lam shifts in a way that suggests he is unsure about what to do in this moment.
Lam got a 14 on the insight check!
He also got a 10 on the nature check.
Hemlock knows exactly how Semmer feels, the concept of prejudice is just as alien to him, although he is wise enough to be learning all about it. He also shares the concern about Saffi's story, although he doesn't quite understand what is meant by a contract. He does understand killing though.
"There are times when it becomes necessary to kill, although I find it sad to say that. That time happened to me at the stone place. It is something I cannot have regrets over, because I was protecting those in need, those who could not protect themselves. Even though it does not sit well with me, there are things worth fighting for", he says with a mixture of sadness, defiance and tiredness.
He looks up at the giant Skyoak, "I believe this is one of those things".
"Was it worth it for you?", he asks Saffi, a very complex question spoken with a large amount of naivety.
Looking to Saoirse as she asks about the Skyoak's age, and the events of thousands of years ago, he has no real answer. "My people know of such an occurrence, but even we do not fully understand why. Or if our elders do, they have not shared it with me".
As the giant owl appears, he cocks his head to the side and smiles at it, shrugging towards Saoirse about it's purpose.
"Greetings wise one, are you just curious or are you part of the welcome?".
Sha chuffs lightly averts his gaze and shakes his head, ”Infelizmente, a ideia de uma verdade abrangente é estranha até para mim. Acredito na aceitação, mas algumas coisas são verdadeiras e outras não. Isso não quer dizer que estamos justificados para julgar uns aos outros. Eu te aceito como você é.” spoken in sylvan
Sadly no the idea of all inclusive truth is foreign even to me. I believe in acceptance, but some things are true and some are not. That’s not to say we are justified to judge one another. I accept you as you are.
Listening to Lam, Saoirse can't help but feel sympathy for what he has just said. "I am bugbear. People don’t like bugbears." . That sounded so heartbreaking coming from one as good-natured as him. It also made her wonder if she would have shown these prejudices had they met under different circumstances, hadn't they been positioned in the same side against a common enemy such as Coldwater. The fire genasi doesn't know how to answer any of this, but she sure is glad that they've met as allies. So she says softly:
- I do like you, Lam...
She then nods to Hemlock when he says that there are things worth fighting for. Such powerful words, so full of wisdom. But a second after she holds her breath, wondering how Saffi will answer to the firbolg's question about her past choices. She hadn't dared of saying anything about it, seeing how the two of them aren't in the best of terms right now.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
As the conversation about when it is necessary to kill continues, Lam shifts his gaze from the owl to the ground. Hemlock, Saoirse, Saffron… each of them had killed during their time at Coldwater, and each of them had done it in order to protect those around them. He couldn’t fault any of them for what had happened. But it makes him think of his own past, and of Semmer’s comment about there always being a choice. He turns to Saoirse in the instant that she makes her comment, sheer gratitude in his eyes. But he cannot respond or hold her gaze for more than an instant, and he looks back at the ground. Saoirse is amazing- a quick thinker, incredibly smart, compassionate to everyone around her. Her ability to lead this group saw them through many bad situations. It seems this whole time, she has seen Lam for his strengths and not his weaknesses. But will Saoirse continue to feel that way about him if he loses control? Will any of his friends continue to like him after they learn what he was doing before he came to Coldwater? Lam will continue to listen to the conversation around him, but won’t try to talk anymore for the moment.
The owl glides down from the mushroom towards you all, growing and changing form as he does. It is a halfling's hairy feet that soundlessly touch the ground, and as the feathers recede, you see a man with a face that radiates a calm wisdom, holding a staff a good bit taller than he is. He has long, flowing hair, and a long beard, both of them a chestnut brown mixed with grey. His clothing is simple, woven plant-leather, and a few different pendants and amulets hang from his neck. He looks serious, but friendly, and stands with the confidence of a man whose power and age separates him from most ordinary people. Basically, he's got serious Gandalf/Dumbledore vibes.
"Hello, Lam. Greetings to you, Hemlock. No, Saoirse, I am not your lift, although you could certainly call me the 'welcome party.' Welcome, Sha-Gravis, Saffron, Tesfaye. And poor Muro, cysgu, a bod mewn heddwch (Druidic)." Muro suddenly stops struggling, his eyes close, and he enters a peaceful sleep. "I am Rhys, archdruid and elder of Silver Stream Valley."
sleep, and be at peace.
"I must apologise for an intrusion of privacy. As the owl, I can hear your heartbeats, and hear truth from lies. I have been listening to you for a while now, both here and as you talked to Sempre-Verde, and can tell that your intentions are not ill. The foreigners are a concern, and their acts against the forest, but rest assured that Captain Jonah can not threaten us here, in the forest's heart. I would not do this, but these are difficult times. I must ask that each of you swear that you will not harm any resident of Village Tree while you are guests here." Here his eyes rest especially long on Saffi. "If you swear this, you will be welcome here, and we may talk more in the morning. Our ways may be strange to many of you, but greet them with open minds, and a willingness to learn. You may not be ready to accept todas são verdadeiras just yet, but I trust that you can at least know that many things are true, and many ways of being. I hope to hear the stories you tell as well, young cleric, and so to grow my truth."
Tesfaye is staring in open-mouthed awe at the halfling druid, and nods enthusiastically when asked to swear.
Saffron, on the other hand, seems uncomfortable with the Druid's gaze, and turns her head away. "I swear not to harm anyone here," she says quietly.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock watches the owl transform in to the halfling with a bit of a knowing smile, having suspected it was no ordinary owl. He bows his head towards Rhys whilst bringing his right palm up to his chest in a show of respect, but it might have come across as him simply trying to look down to see the far shorter halfling.
"Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser", he says formally to Rhys in druidic, the words flowing into his mind unbidden as his fingers brush the amulet around his neck during his bow.
"May the stars always light your path"
"I swear that I will not harm any resident of Village Tree whilst I am a guest", he repeats happily. "It is an honour to meet an archdruid, one whose path I share but whose journey is so much further along than my own. I look forward to learning whatever wisdom you feel it appropriate to share".
"Once I have rested, do let me know how I can be of help to your community. I am a cook and familiar with herbs, and will gladly share those gifts", he offers.
He seems to have become distracted by the archdruid and forgotten his question to Saffi, for now.
“I swear not to harm anyone here in this sacred place. I hope that in time we all can grow in the light of truth, and in the darkness may we craft our own perceptions, so that we shall in the twilight hour be true to ourselves. Apologies my beliefs often cause me trouble. Perhaps after a rest and cleansing, I’d love to discuss more.” Sha faces Rhys and bows deeply.
Lam had figured something was off about the owl, but he hadn’t expected it to transform into a Halfling right away- or to be Rhys! He listens to Rhys’s every word, eyes wide with the same sort of awe that Tesfaye has. He bows his head and says: “I swear. No harm.” He seems to be a bit too speechless about what just happened to say much more at the moment.
- Oh? - Saiorse exlaims in surprise upon seeing the owl's form slowly melt in to that of a halfling! She had always thought Rhys to be an elf, same as Cylence and the two men that entered the prison yard to free him - Forgive my ignorance, Wise one. It is an honor to make your acquaintance - the genasi adds, bowing.
While the rest of the party swears as asked by the archdruid, Saoirse crouches and looks for something on her backpack. She seems relieved to actually find it, and puts it around her neck as she stands up again. It is a golden necklace with a pendant containing some fire-colored liquid inside it.
Something similar to this, but the color of fire instead of pure red.
Placing a hand on the pendant, she says:
- I swear on my trueborn blood that I will not harm Village Tree nor any of its residents while I am a guest here.
She then hides the necklace - her order's holy symbol, containing the last of her original blood from before she underwent the Hunter's Bane - carefully within her clothes.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Well met all. Foodstuffs and cookware are stored on the North Branch, Hemlock. I will be honored to break fast with you in the morning. Mae'r llwybr yn gwynto. Rwy'n falch o gynnig arweiniad, ond byddai fy nilyn yn dod â chi i'r lleuad. Rwyt ti o'r sêr. (Druidic) You would all be wise to follow Hemlock's lead here. The offering of gifts is a central custom here in the Valley, and largely replaces trade and purchase. Outsiders often find this hard to adapt to, but your coins will be of little use. It took me a few years to really get the hang of it, when I first came here a century ago. For now though, we part. I am not so nocturnal as I may appear.
The path is wending. I happily offer guidance, but mine is the path of the Moon. You are of the stars.
Rhys bows politely to you all, and leaps upwards, flapping an owl's wings before he reaches the zenith of his own jump. Silent wings row through the air, as he flies upwards and slowly circles the great trunk. Your eyes follow him upwards, and notice a large wooden platform slowly lowering from the canopy. It touches the ground in the middle of the circle of mushrooms, supported by three impossibly long and strong vines. This is clearly the lift that had been mentioned.
I assume everyone gets on the lift
The vines holding the lift slowly retract, and you are lifted higher and higher into the tree. As the ground gets farther and farther away, Tesfaye grabs hold of Lam's arm, holding on very tightly. When you reach the top, you find a great, wide, flat center area of polished wood. It does not look cut, rather it has the appearance of having simply grown naturally into a wide platform, and of being polished by use and daily care. This platform functions as the village square, and rope bridges lead to similar platforms on other branches in each direction. Many of these also have roofs, suspended by higher branches, but none of them are fully closed to the open air. Between these platforms, other branches rise up, and continue to branch out. There is still canopy above you, and the vines that support the lift hang down from somewhere up in that canopy. The mechanism to lift and lower is not obvious in any way. Semmer is standing in the square as you get off of the lift, and greets you enthusiastically. "Oh, I'm so glad Rhys invited you up! There are plenty of open hammocks in the south and southeast branches, an area for bathing in the east branch, and food up that way. Almost everyone who lives here has gone to sleep though, and most people actually live in other trees nearby, so it's pretty quiet for now. Make yourselves at home. Lo que tengo, tenemos. (Elvish)"
What I have, We have.
Feel free to describe the things you do as the day ends, or to continue conversations with each other. But also; give yourself a LONG REST, and advance your character to LEVEL TWO.
https://www.owlbear.app/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP
DM: Heavy is the Head
Sha-gravis quickly heads to bathe and treat his wound, he next sets his equipment near his chosen hammock. Sha changes into his vestaments of Shar and with incense and censure gives devotional prayers. Lastly Sha will ready for sleep, and he will dream.
Hemlock nods in understanding as Rhys replies to him in druidic, and bids the arch druid farewell as he leaps in to the air.
He moves onto the lift, watching enraptured by the village that appears as they ascend. Finding Semmer waiting for them in the village square, he smiles and listens as the dryad advises the group on where to find things.
“You have my gratitude, Semmer. I think I would like to wash and then rest”, he says, speaking to both Semmer and his companions.
Finding Sha-gravis has similar plans, he walks with him and any others who wish to join them. In his exhausted state, he manages to clean his wound, along with the rest of him, and then moves on to find a hammock.
Before he can rest, he finds his stomach rumbles, and he remembers that he never did get around to eating back at the prison what felt like an eternity ago. He makes his way to the branch that Semmer told them they could get food from and has a little to eat. As he does so, he ponders the words he spoke to Rhys in Druidic, wondering how it was they came unbidden to his mind.
“Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser”
Those words still echo in his mind even as he settles into his hammock and sleep finally takes him.
When Rhys leaves, Lam resolves to find some way to be helpful in this place tomorrow. He does not have many gifts, but he has some skills- hopefully at least one of which can prove valuable. As the group ascends in the lift, he watches Tesfaye, finding their aversion to being lifted up endearing and grateful that his presence is helping at least one creature right now. He marvels at the sight of the Village when they reach the top.
Lam’s first instinct is to find food, but seeing Sha and Hemlock go to get washed up, he realizes he needs to do that also, and elects to join them. He washes himself rather hastily, changes into more comfortable clothes (which includes… just not wearing a shirt anymore) and then goes to get something to eat. He elects to have a smaller meal than usual because he hasn’t done anything to repay these people yet, and is able to handle not getting a larger meal because he did have quite a bit of food earlier back at Coldwater.
Having a moment of calm, he feels exhaustion overtake him and he realizes how much this group actually did today. If nobody approaches to converse with him, Lam finds an open hammock, stumbles his way in and finds himself asleep almost immediately.