Dracor looks to Wulcrath, thinking about the next move and listening to his fellow dragonborn. He glances towards Preston as he plunges his head into the pool. "I wasn't really thinking that..." He replies before shouting to Preston. "Hey! If you need cleaned up I can help with that you know... you don't have to stick your head in stagnant cave puddles.."

Then when the door begins to open, The noble dragonborn stands up a little straighter and shields his eye. "Ahh! I must have found a secret button when I was investigating the door... It must have been on some kind of delay where it takes a bit for the door to open.." He says as he marches through the doorway into the strange forest...

Preston looks in awe as the giant stone gate opens into the lush underground forest. He looks down at his current situation feeling quite silly...and wet. Stepping out of the pool, he gives a nod at Dracor.

"Might take you up on that offer. I would hate for my armor to rust.", he says. He's not pleased to having to ask the posh dragonborn for help and feed into his ego, but it feels like a lesser evil.

Dracor would smile wide as the wet Preston approaches him. The noble dragonborn simply nods before repeatedly casting the prestidigitation spell. Although Preston has seen the dragonborn perform this spell countless times just today... when Dracor casts the spell this time, all the hand gestures are much more exaugurated. A large smile spreads across his face as he makes a show of painstakingly drying Preston. "Don't you worry Preston, I'll use my arcane powers to ensure that your armor is in the finest condition." 

Wulcrath practically jumps out of his armor as the big stone door suddenly grinds open, the big Dragonborn hurriedly drawing his sword in a blind panic, his instincts perhaps getting the best of him for a moment. But as the light fades and nothing else happens but the reveal of an underground wood... He manages to relax enough to return his blade to it's scabbard. "W-WHAT was that!?" He barks out in alarm as he's left blinking away the brilliance of the doors display.

Giant rats and spooky sigils were one thing, but an ancient door bursting open to reveal a forest underground is another. It's the first event of it's kind he's been subjected to for sure. There's a quickly. "D-did you do something down there?!" He blurts out, turning to Preston. 

Preston looks incredulously at Wulcrath and shrugs.

"I don’t think I have. But then again, this whole place is beyond my understanding. Perhaps involuntarily."

Carefully, Preston will approach the altar. He circles around it to inspect it from every angle before going closer to it.

The Dragonborn frowns at Preston's tact for the second time today. Not really understanding what he means. He just watches the human approach the Altar, and shrugs with a hefty sigh in response. "I feel like you're all far too relaxed about this..." He mumbles aloud to himself. Maybe for everyone else but him, giant magical glowing doors are just an everyday occurrence? 

The altar emanates an aura of ancient magic, so pronounced it makes the skin tingle as you get closer. Its surface is adorned with depictions of woodland creatures and plants, their forms flowing seamlessly with the natural contours of the stone. At its heart lies a noticeable recessed slot, currently glaringly vacant. The edges of this slot pulse with a subtle, ethereal green glow, reminiscent of a living entity.

As you look at the altar, an uncanny feeling creeps over you - an awareness that you are not alone. Although the forested chamber appears empty, an unseen presence lingers and you feel watched yet again. 

Dracor moves to examine the alter as well. "Looks like the heart goes here? Maybe?" He says looking around to the group. "How do we even begin to find it? It could have been taken years ago for all we know.." The dragonborn grumbles out loud. 

Preston looks at the altar with awe. Even though he’s not magically inclined, he can feel the magical energy radiating. Could Hal have come all the way down here? Did he take the stone? Those are question going through his mind right now.

He becomes distracted by the sensation that they are being watched. Something is spying on them, and he doesn’t like it. He grabs the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheat it. He then gives Wulcrath a silent nod. He gives him a look and tries to convey to him with his eyes to be prepared as well.

Wulcrath is forced to recover from his shock as the other Dragonborn and the Human simply WALTZ right up to the mysterious alter. He meets Preston's gaze, and nods back, his hand on the hilt of his blade. Despite his amazement and frankly, slight terror at what this search is turning into... he won't be turning his back on Farmer Hal or the party. He's ready for... whatever might come of messing with the Altar. At least for now.

Feeling the eyes on him, the dragonborn sends his dancing lights swirling outward around him as he keeps his eyes peeled for any threats watching from within the trees nearby. "Hey! if there is anyone out there... If you could tell us where our friend Hal is... we can leave!" he shouts as his head moves quickly, looking around behind him

As you stand before the mystical altar, a sudden shift in the air heralds the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Materializing from the ether about ten feet away, a figure emerges with an otherworldly grace.

Before you stands a woman, though her appearance defies the norms of mere mortals. Clad in a long, flowing dress of purest white, as if woven from wisps of air, it barely obscures her form. Her long, golden locks cascade around her shoulders like a radiant halo, shimmering in the ambient light of the chamber, flowers woven among the strands.

What strikes you most is her stance. She seems to hover slightly above the ground, her feet barely touching the forest floor beneath her. Still, she maintains an air of serene composure, as if buoyed by the very essence of the forest itself.

Her presence holds an aura of enchantment, captivating all who behold her with a mesmerizing allure. With eyes as deep as the ancient woods themselves, she regards you with a mixture of curiosity and caution, her expression expectant, as if awaiting your next move.

As she studies you, the woman inclines her head in silent acknowledgment, her gaze lingering upon each member in turn. A profound sense of reverence fills the air, as if the very essence of the forest itself has taken form before you.

Dracor watches with eyes wide open as she materializes in front of them. Once the woman acknowledges the group, he quickly offers a formal and well practiced bow. "Hello! My name is Dracor Shimmerscale... We have come to find our friend." The dragonborn says as he slowly looks up from his bow and assumes a standing position once more. "Did... did he steal the item that used to sit on this alter? Or... is he trying to help you to get it back from someone else that did?" The dragonborn asks before bowing again and waiting for the answer. 

Having witnessed the appearance of the ethereal woman, Preston is in awe. He’s never seen such a grand display of magic before. This is all a bit overwhelming for the squire, and he fails to find the words to say.

After a moment to recover his composure, Preston turns to the newcomer and asks. "Who?…What are you?". All the while, he keeps a grip on the handle of his sword, still unsure if the woman is a threat or not.

Wulcrath finds himself in a similar state of mind to Preston's... though, decidedly more red faced. If the dazzling light from before wasn't enough, this strange woman seemed a little... underdressed. All the Dragonborn can do is clear his throat, and avert his eyes. Rubbing the back of his neck as the woman emerges from thin-air. "Ooh, wow... um?" He mumbles under his breath, his already red scales would probably flush if they could. 

What exactly was this search turning into? It's a lot for the somewhat sheltered Dragonborn.

Ella gets the feeling this figure has some connection to divinity, and even if she's wrong she's not taking any risks. She bows her head in respect, clasping her hands together. "May I ask who you are?"

As the group stands before the mysterious woman, she regards you with a serene gaze, her eyes seeming to pierce through the depths of your souls. With a graceful gesture, she raises a hand, and though her lips move, her voice resonates as if emanating from all directions at once, echoing within the cavern and within your minds.

"I am the Guardian of this forest, the Queen of these woods," she intones, her voice carrying a weight of ancient wisdom and boundless power. As she speaks, a ripple of energy courses through the chamber, as if the very essence of the forest itself responds to her presence.

"I am aware of your quest," she continues, her voice taking on a mournful tone. "Your friend, Hal, has succumbed to corruption, lured by dark forces that seek to disrupt the balance of this land. He has taken the Hearthstone from its rightful place, unleashing chaos upon these woods."

As she speaks of Hal's betrayal, gesturing towards the alter, a wave of deep sorrow washes over each of you, as if she shares her own pain with you. For a moment, there is something cold inside her eyes, but before you are sure of it, her expression changes to a softer one.

"You must bring the Hearthstone back."

"Did I say friend before?... i appologoze. Hal is no friend of mine. We had no idea that he had been corrupted. I am sure thst if you could lead us to him, we can get the stone back for you" The gold and silver scaled dragonborn says as he lowers his head in another bow. this time it is lower than before having felt the power of this creature.

Wulcrath's expression hardens into a grimace of confusion, and his mood changes quickly at this beings words. Corruption? What kind? What had Hal done? The Group still didn't even really have a full picture of what had happened to The Farmer, and now this strange spirit is telling them to find him too? Symbols and Spirits and empty homes... He stays silent for now, feeling strangely skeptical of this 'Guardian' without further details. His arms are crossed over his chest, as he taps a boot against the floor in thought, remaining stood tall, almost in defiance. Though it isn't fully conscious on his part.

Maybe being patient will reveal more details... he may just have to listen.