You quickly pack up your belongings and set out for whatever destination the little plantfolk intend for you.
The small creatures lead you deep into the forest, occasionally making little chirping calls to the woods. Every time they do, a series of torches flare up from the treetops, further lighting your way. Some of the tribesfolk hum traveling songs while the chief directs Dardek’s attention to a variety of flora, rock formations and other natural phenomena.
Dardek, of course, has no idea what the chief is trying to explain to him.
Just behind Dardek, Ashely’s attention is drawn every time a new torch lights up. Feeling a sort of tickling kinship with every new flame. All the while, the meowing sound continues to rattle the box in her possession.
Nib follows right behind, nerves on edge, flinching at any sign of danger. As the party presses forward, a pair of smaller, possibly juvenile, plantfolk start to walk alongside him… They chatter in high-pitched gobbledygook and play games where they try to jump on his feet and ride him for a few paces before he can shake them off.
Talon trails at the very end of the group, soberly helping Seig navigate the uneven terrain. It’s not long before more plantfolk move in to assist with the effort.
The journey isn’t long. Maybe a half a mile before the group reaches a clearing and an awe-inspiring sight.
The party arrives at a tiny village built around a small babbling brook. The entire settlement couldn’t be more than roughly 60 feet square in size, but the design and utility of the thing is exquisite to behold. The village seems alive with activity, even at this late hour.
Builders repair structures made of fungus and bark. Farmers cultivate gardens of mushrooms and moss. Caretakers watch youngsters and play music using little blades of grass as woodwind instruments while gathering water in the stream.
Nib, in particular, is struck by the sight.
As terrifying as it is being surrounded by all these little monsters, there’s something so familiar about the scene… Almost like… home.
The members of the plantfolk tribe all stop to watch the big people as they pass, navigating the edges of the village, lest they crush any of the small structures underfoot.
The chief leads the party around the edge of the village to a large tree decorated with handcrafted totems and ornaments made of wood and bone. Two things strike them as they approach, the tender voice of a diminutive but more human-sized person speaking calmly in the same language as the plant people…
…and the smell of rotting flesh.
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DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Nib stops in his tracks, the smell assaulting his nose. “What the heck is that? Smells terrible! Maybe there are… bodies! They’re growing and multiplying out of bodies!” Nib glances over his shoulders, weighing his options…
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Talon takes time to help Seig have a seat and then looks around, taking in the sight of the village. He starts to say something...but holds his tongue as he realizes he is way, way out of his element.
Feeling drawn toward the brook, he slowly walks down toward it and begins to splash water over himself, not straying far from the group before he returns to Seig, helping his friend back up.
"Smellslikethestinkroots." He comments, looking around the village with curiosity. He raises his snout into the air and begins to smell around, trying to figure out where the sink is coming from.
Ashley takes in the view of the small village and can't help but smile. She is loving getting to see the world so far and all the different surprises around every corner. The flames pull at her and any trepidation she felt about the place slowly melts away. She giggles a bit at the children playing, especially the ones annoying Nib, but checks her box from time to time.
As they get to the big tree, she touches the handcrafted totems and ornaments, admiring the beauty and handiwork put into all the creations. She hears Dardek call out to whoever is behind the tree and she focuses on what is going on there, ignoring the stink, well at least trying to.
You turn the corner and find several rotting animal carcasses... Maybe four or five, ranging in size from a raccoon to a deer... laying a amidst a field of bones.
You also find the source of the voice,... a beautiful young halfling woman with half-shaved silver hair wearing clothes that look as if they were crafted from the surrounding flora.
She kneels over the deer carcass, whispering calming words to pair of tiny freshly sprouted plant pygmies who look like they've just emerged from the deer's belly. They seem feral, snapping at her with thorny teeth, but she maintains her composure, cooing at them and making gestures of peace. She seems to be speaking to them in the same language you've heard from the chief and others. Whatever she's saying, it seems to work. They continue to hiss and spit at her but they don't attack.
Just then sensing your presence, the halfling woman lifts her eyes, noticing you and a look of curious surprise crosses her face. "Oh!" She says. "Hello!"
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DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek smiles and turns to the others before turning back to the halfling "Hello! My name is Dardek. Your chief and other friends protected me in the forest at least that's what I think. I don't speak their language but found them to be so friendly.....Uhhh are they friendly? They seem to be. I was hiding in the woods...oh I am rambling. Sorry I am nervous. I am Dardek. I said that already....uhhh what's your name?"
Ashley grins as Dardek steps overhimself in his nervousness and walks forward, with her oversized cloak on and hood up, she holds out her hand to the halfling in greeting, "Hello, I'm Ashley."
Talon steps forward after helping Seig lie down, and begins to inspect the carcass of the deer. His violet eyes search over it, up and down, left to right, impossible to tell exactly where his pupils are pointing...if he ever still has them. Perhaps his vision is based on something else now? Some other aperture of focus?
"Whatdis?" Talon says with morbid curiosity. He stays hunched down, slowly duck walking around the body of the deer as he investigates it...
Nib stays towards the rear, unconvinced. “Oh.. Uh. Yeah. What are… oh….“. He seems gobsmacked by the whole village, the “birthing” procedure of these little creatures out of the body of the deer, and this halfling woman who seems to be a plant obstetrician. Nib instinctually focuses on the halfling woman with silver hair, and in halfling says to her “Where are you from? Where did you learn about… this?”
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The halfling woman turns her attention back to the newborns, gently offering a finger which they sniff cautiously until she starts rubbing them along the side of the cheek.
She answers Talon first. "This is the birthing ground. Vegekin spores take root in organic matter, breaking down the tissue and drawing upon nutrients to create new life. A rather gruesome but beautiful process."
She then responds to Dardek's question, looking up at him with a dimpled smile. "They're like any of us, I suppose. Friendly on their good days, prickly on the bad." She then turns her attention back to the newborns. "They do tend to be a bit ornery when they first emerge from their birthing carcass though. Hungry, I suppose. Tired. Pulled out of warm oblivion into this treacherous world of ours. Who can blame them, really?"
As if to accent her point, the newborn at her side starts purring at the sensation of her rubbing its cheek.
"My name is Joanne Greenleef of the Aiore Druid Clan. This community of vegekin is my charge to serve, guide and defend. So, if it's sanctuary you're looking for, you found a good place." She then gives you a sharp, severe look. "So long as you keep the peace."
Her expression then softens as she looks to Nib, regarding his question. "I was born here in Driswoods... What you townfolks call the Bramblebottom. Lived here all my life in the company of my kithfolk and all the living things that surround us... Though it's been some time since I've seen anyone outside of this village... Not since I left my kith to begin my service here." She smiles wider and cocks a curious eyebrow. "Makes your arrival more than a little disorienting, I must say... So, I apologize for my awkwardness. I'm just out of practice."
Sensing her query, the chief speaks up in his squeaky jibber-jabber. Joanne replies in the chief's language, looking curious, concerned but still just as warm as ever. She looks over at Dardek with a smile.
"I see... It seems you've won the favor of the tribe. Chief Tuberblow is of the mind that you're some sort of spirit." She looks at Ashley'sfiry hair and Talon's uncannily un-alive appearance... then down to Seig's barely conscious form. Her expression changes to one of caution and wonder.... "Are you?"
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DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek looks at his feet "I wouldn't say I am a spirit but there is something about me.....that people keep trying to capture me for whatever they think I am....I am not a bad person...I'm not Ms.Joanne." a tear rolls down Dardek's golden cheek. "I really just want to live my life without being a captive....I've been free for a day or two now and all I have been doing is running" Dardek sniffs as another tear rolls down his other golden cheek.
Talon hears this and steps up next to Dardek, taking the sparkly-one's hand in his own. His hand is ice cold, dead and scaly...
"Talon knows what it's like to has to run alls the time." He says. "Talon's time for running is coming to an end though, hm? Soon, Talon will be the hand that starves us."
“Ummm, Joanne, umm, excuse me. I saw two of these folk crawl out of a human body that was near the river. They wouldn’t harm us… would they? Or eat us? Or use our bodies to birth their little uns, would they? I mean no harm to them, as long as it goes the other way too… right? We just need some time to recover is all…”. Nib pauses and looks over at Talon and Sieg, then back at Joanne.
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"That is up to you." Talon answers cryptically, dropping Dardek's hand and wandering off. The little Kobold begins to sort through sticks laying around the edge of the forest, looking for one of proper size...
Ashley is about to answer the halfling when what Talon said makes her do a double take, "What do you mean you'll be the hand that starves us??"she asks before he lets go of Dardek's hand.
Turning back to the woman, Ashley smiles, "Sanctuary? Really? It is such a beautiful place here and if it weren't so close to Seamew, man... " she trails off but then looks the woman in the eyes, "I don't think we're a kind of spirit, but we thank you for your hospitality." Unsure of what else to say, she admires the totem tree a little more.
“Ummm, Joanne, umm, excuse me. I saw two of these folk crawl out of a human body that was near the river. They wouldn’t harm us… would they? Or eat us?
Nib's very straightforward question about a subject she understands seems to come as a comfort to her. "Uh, no. No, they shouldn't. Not without provocation. Newborns are feral and often hostile to any approaching creature. It's sort of a natural defense against any predators they might encounter right after bith... But once they've settled and been integrated into the colony, they're as safe or dangerous as any other humanoid..." A thought crosses her mind and her expression darkens. "Perhaps even safer than some, based on my own experiences with some of the more 'civilized' races."
Turning back to the woman, Ashley smiles, "Sanctuary? Really? It is such a beautiful place here and if it weren't so close to Seamew, man... "
Joanne simply nods politely at Ashley's words, but quickly adds. "Regarding that... I don't suppose anyone is still out there, looking for you, are they?"
She looks down at Sieg's injured body again, moving closer to inspect the wounds. She reaches into her pouch to search through a few sachets of herbs, trying to determine the best one to use for treatment...
"I certainly don't judge and I'd love to offer you a place to rest and recover, but... if there's any chance you might bring danger to this village, I really do need to know."
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DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek honest to a fault blurts out "There were these guys on a boat looking for me....they want to do experiments on me and keep me in a cage, but your chief and his tribesfolks were ready to protect me. They gathered around me with their weapons drawn ready to charge so uhhh they are still out there looking for me....."
Ashley scratches her head, feeling a bit uncomfortable as she understands the implication of Joanne's words. "Yes, I believe these people are still out looking for us. I do not want to put your village at risk, but if you'll allow us to sleep here for the night, we'd be most grateful. We do know that the people looking for us continued up the river and did not dock at all. The only one of us they really saw was our creepy little friend here and they seemed to want to steer clear of him, so that works in our benefit."
She sighs, tiredness really settling in. "We want to continue on and hope to find sanctuary with the elves eventually, get far from here."
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You quickly pack up your belongings and set out for whatever destination the little plantfolk intend for you.
The small creatures lead you deep into the forest, occasionally making little chirping calls to the woods. Every time they do, a series of torches flare up from the treetops, further lighting your way. Some of the tribesfolk hum traveling songs while the chief directs Dardek’s attention to a variety of flora, rock formations and other natural phenomena.
Dardek, of course, has no idea what the chief is trying to explain to him.
Just behind Dardek, Ashely’s attention is drawn every time a new torch lights up. Feeling a sort of tickling kinship with every new flame. All the while, the meowing sound continues to rattle the box in her possession.
Nib follows right behind, nerves on edge, flinching at any sign of danger. As the party presses forward, a pair of smaller, possibly juvenile, plantfolk start to walk alongside him… They chatter in high-pitched gobbledygook and play games where they try to jump on his feet and ride him for a few paces before he can shake them off.
Talon trails at the very end of the group, soberly helping Seig navigate the uneven terrain. It’s not long before more plantfolk move in to assist with the effort.
The journey isn’t long. Maybe a half a mile before the group reaches a clearing and an awe-inspiring sight.
The party arrives at a tiny village built around a small babbling brook. The entire settlement couldn’t be more than roughly 60 feet square in size, but the design and utility of the thing is exquisite to behold. The village seems alive with activity, even at this late hour.
Builders repair structures made of fungus and bark. Farmers cultivate gardens of mushrooms and moss. Caretakers watch youngsters and play music using little blades of grass as woodwind instruments while gathering water in the stream.
Nib, in particular, is struck by the sight.
As terrifying as it is being surrounded by all these little monsters, there’s something so familiar about the scene… Almost like… home.
The members of the plantfolk tribe all stop to watch the big people as they pass, navigating the edges of the village, lest they crush any of the small structures underfoot.
The chief leads the party around the edge of the village to a large tree decorated with handcrafted totems and ornaments made of wood and bone. Two things strike them as they approach, the tender voice of a diminutive but more human-sized person speaking calmly in the same language as the plant people…
…and the smell of rotting flesh.
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek sees the human and smiles and waves "Hello there! Do you understand me?" paying no attention to the rotting smell figuring it could be anything
Nib stops in his tracks, the smell assaulting his nose. “What the heck is that? Smells terrible! Maybe there are… bodies! They’re growing and multiplying out of bodies!” Nib glances over his shoulders, weighing his options…
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Talon takes time to help Seig have a seat and then looks around, taking in the sight of the village. He starts to say something...but holds his tongue as he realizes he is way, way out of his element.
Feeling drawn toward the brook, he slowly walks down toward it and begins to splash water over himself, not straying far from the group before he returns to Seig, helping his friend back up.
"Smellslikethestinkroots." He comments, looking around the village with curiosity. He raises his snout into the air and begins to smell around, trying to figure out where the sink is coming from.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Ashley takes in the view of the small village and can't help but smile. She is loving getting to see the world so far and all the different surprises around every corner. The flames pull at her and any trepidation she felt about the place slowly melts away. She giggles a bit at the children playing, especially the ones annoying Nib, but checks her box from time to time.
As they get to the big tree, she touches the handcrafted totems and ornaments, admiring the beauty and handiwork put into all the creations. She hears Dardek call out to whoever is behind the tree and she focuses on what is going on there, ignoring the stink, well at least trying to.
You turn the corner and find several rotting animal carcasses... Maybe four or five, ranging in size from a raccoon to a deer... laying a amidst a field of bones.
You also find the source of the voice,... a beautiful young halfling woman with half-shaved silver hair wearing clothes that look as if they were crafted from the surrounding flora.
She kneels over the deer carcass, whispering calming words to pair of tiny freshly sprouted plant pygmies who look like they've just emerged from the deer's belly. They seem feral, snapping at her with thorny teeth, but she maintains her composure, cooing at them and making gestures of peace. She seems to be speaking to them in the same language you've heard from the chief and others. Whatever she's saying, it seems to work. They continue to hiss and spit at her but they don't attack.
Just then sensing your presence, the halfling woman lifts her eyes, noticing you and a look of curious surprise crosses her face. "Oh!" She says. "Hello!"
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek smiles and turns to the others before turning back to the halfling "Hello! My name is Dardek. Your chief and other friends protected me in the forest at least that's what I think. I don't speak their language but found them to be so friendly.....Uhhh are they friendly? They seem to be. I was hiding in the woods...oh I am rambling. Sorry I am nervous. I am Dardek. I said that already....uhhh what's your name?"
Ashley grins as Dardek steps overhimself in his nervousness and walks forward, with her oversized cloak on and hood up, she holds out her hand to the halfling in greeting, "Hello, I'm Ashley."
Talon steps forward after helping Seig lie down, and begins to inspect the carcass of the deer. His violet eyes search over it, up and down, left to right, impossible to tell exactly where his pupils are pointing...if he ever still has them. Perhaps his vision is based on something else now? Some other aperture of focus?
"Whatdis?" Talon says with morbid curiosity. He stays hunched down, slowly duck walking around the body of the deer as he investigates it...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Nib stays towards the rear, unconvinced. “Oh.. Uh. Yeah. What are… oh…. “. He seems gobsmacked by the whole village, the “birthing” procedure of these little creatures out of the body of the deer, and this halfling woman who seems to be a plant obstetrician. Nib instinctually focuses on the halfling woman with silver hair, and in halfling says to her “Where are you from? Where did you learn about… this?”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The halfling woman turns her attention back to the newborns, gently offering a finger which they sniff cautiously until she starts rubbing them along the side of the cheek.
She answers Talon first. "This is the birthing ground. Vegekin spores take root in organic matter, breaking down the tissue and drawing upon nutrients to create new life. A rather gruesome but beautiful process."
She then responds to Dardek's question, looking up at him with a dimpled smile. "They're like any of us, I suppose. Friendly on their good days, prickly on the bad." She then turns her attention back to the newborns. "They do tend to be a bit ornery when they first emerge from their birthing carcass though. Hungry, I suppose. Tired. Pulled out of warm oblivion into this treacherous world of ours. Who can blame them, really?"
As if to accent her point, the newborn at her side starts purring at the sensation of her rubbing its cheek.
"My name is Joanne Greenleef of the Aiore Druid Clan. This community of vegekin is my charge to serve, guide and defend. So, if it's sanctuary you're looking for, you found a good place." She then gives you a sharp, severe look. "So long as you keep the peace."
Her expression then softens as she looks to Nib, regarding his question. "I was born here in Driswoods... What you townfolks call the Bramblebottom. Lived here all my life in the company of my kithfolk and all the living things that surround us... Though it's been some time since I've seen anyone outside of this village... Not since I left my kith to begin my service here." She smiles wider and cocks a curious eyebrow. "Makes your arrival more than a little disorienting, I must say... So, I apologize for my awkwardness. I'm just out of practice."
Sensing her query, the chief speaks up in his squeaky jibber-jabber. Joanne replies in the chief's language, looking curious, concerned but still just as warm as ever. She looks over at Dardek with a smile.
"I see... It seems you've won the favor of the tribe. Chief Tuberblow is of the mind that you're some sort of spirit." She looks at Ashley's firy hair and Talon's uncannily un-alive appearance... then down to Seig's barely conscious form. Her expression changes to one of caution and wonder.... "Are you?"
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek looks at his feet "I wouldn't say I am a spirit but there is something about me.....that people keep trying to capture me for whatever they think I am....I am not a bad person...I'm not Ms.Joanne." a tear rolls down Dardek's golden cheek. "I really just want to live my life without being a captive....I've been free for a day or two now and all I have been doing is running" Dardek sniffs as another tear rolls down his other golden cheek.
Talon hears this and steps up next to Dardek, taking the sparkly-one's hand in his own. His hand is ice cold, dead and scaly...
"Talon knows what it's like to has to run alls the time." He says. "Talon's time for running is coming to an end though, hm? Soon, Talon will be the hand that starves us."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
“Ummm, Joanne, umm, excuse me. I saw two of these folk crawl out of a human body that was near the river. They wouldn’t harm us… would they? Or eat us? Or use our bodies to birth their little uns, would they? I mean no harm to them, as long as it goes the other way too… right? We just need some time to recover is all…”. Nib pauses and looks over at Talon and Sieg, then back at Joanne.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Dardek looks down at Talon and nervously smiles “Uh yeh no more running but errr do I have to starve?”
"That is up to you." Talon answers cryptically, dropping Dardek's hand and wandering off. The little Kobold begins to sort through sticks laying around the edge of the forest, looking for one of proper size...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Ashley is about to answer the halfling when what Talon said makes her do a double take, "What do you mean you'll be the hand that starves us??" she asks before he lets go of Dardek's hand.
Turning back to the woman, Ashley smiles, "Sanctuary? Really? It is such a beautiful place here and if it weren't so close to Seamew, man... " she trails off but then looks the woman in the eyes, "I don't think we're a kind of spirit, but we thank you for your hospitality." Unsure of what else to say, she admires the totem tree a little more.
Joanne regards you all carefully after Dardek's answer to her question..."I see... A captive, you say... My goodness..." She replies.
"Talon's time for running is coming to an end though, hm? Soon, Talon will be the hand that starves us."
Her mouth is left agape at Talon's addition, searching for a response... but before she can think of one, Nib chimes in...
Nib's very straightforward question about a subject she understands seems to come as a comfort to her. "Uh, no. No, they shouldn't. Not without provocation. Newborns are feral and often hostile to any approaching creature. It's sort of a natural defense against any predators they might encounter right after bith... But once they've settled and been integrated into the colony, they're as safe or dangerous as any other humanoid..." A thought crosses her mind and her expression darkens. "Perhaps even safer than some, based on my own experiences with some of the more 'civilized' races."
Joanne simply nods politely at Ashley's words, but quickly adds. "Regarding that... I don't suppose anyone is still out there, looking for you, are they?"
She looks down at Sieg's injured body again, moving closer to inspect the wounds. She reaches into her pouch to search through a few sachets of herbs, trying to determine the best one to use for treatment...
"I certainly don't judge and I'd love to offer you a place to rest and recover, but... if there's any chance you might bring danger to this village, I really do need to know."
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Dardek honest to a fault blurts out "There were these guys on a boat looking for me....they want to do experiments on me and keep me in a cage, but your chief and his tribesfolks were ready to protect me. They gathered around me with their weapons drawn ready to charge so uhhh they are still out there looking for me....."
Ashley scratches her head, feeling a bit uncomfortable as she understands the implication of Joanne's words. "Yes, I believe these people are still out looking for us. I do not want to put your village at risk, but if you'll allow us to sleep here for the night, we'd be most grateful. We do know that the people looking for us continued up the river and did not dock at all. The only one of us they really saw was our creepy little friend here and they seemed to want to steer clear of him, so that works in our benefit."
She sighs, tiredness really settling in. "We want to continue on and hope to find sanctuary with the elves eventually, get far from here."