The leaves make soft rustling sounds in the intermittent breeze, almost as though they wish to answer your call. Otherwise the forest is still. No birdcall or other creatures can be heard nearby. As the moments stretch longer, just before you decide that no one is there to hear you, there is a response!

At the far end of the vine patch, deep in the shadows of trees, you can see a figure moving. It steps out into a patch of light and you get a better view of a person of some kind. Shaped as a man, but the skin is brown and bark-like. The bald head is instead adorned with a few shoots of green leaves. The face wears a benign, calm expression, but the eyes seem to faintly glow as though there is a burning fire inside. With a blink, that glow is gone, and the eyes glint with silvery metallic sheen. This person walks slowly towards you, wading through the strange sea of plants, arms down and outstretched so that the brown woody hands can brush along the tops of the vines.

He opens his mouth and says in a calm, mild voice, "I can hear you. Whither do you go? If I know the way, I may give guidance."

Kesili watches the figure emerge from the shadows, her heart quickening at the sight of the man with bark-like skin and silver eyes. She feels an odd sense of caution and curiosity, reluctant to approach but knowing they must move forward. She clears her throat and speaks in a steady voice.

"We're looking for someone named Antimony. My name is Kesili," she says, glancing quickly at her companions, "and these are my friends. We've been following tracks that led us here, hoping to find answers about a malady affecting a young prince." She pauses, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Who are you, and do you know something about Antimony's whereabouts, or perhaps about lifting curses? Any help would be appreciated."

The man spreads his arms wide in a sort of accepting gesture and says,

"I am Antimony. But how is it that you know my name, seeing how I have met you not before?"

Kesili takes a slow, cautious step forward, her eyes meeting Antimony's with a measured calm.

"We haven’t met face to face before, true," she replies, her voice steady. "But in a way, we’ve already crossed paths—just not at the same time. We’ve been to the place where your presence left its mark. Those who have witnessed your being there spoke of you, and that’s how we came to learn your name."

She pauses for a moment, studying his expression before continuing. "Tell me, are you responsible for the statues of metal animals we found? It's been suggested that this strange transformation is connected to you."

Antimony tilts his head curiously as he listens to you.

(Try an insight check)

"Yes, I suppose it is my actions that have turned the animals to...metal. Tell me, what do you think of these metal objects?"

(Insight: 20)

Kesili nods thoughtfully, a hint of admiration in her voice as she responds. "The detail in the statues is remarkable, truly. Each one is so lifelike, almost as if they were captured in a moment of pure grace. They possess an artistry that makes them more than mere objects—they feel like they hold a certain... reverence for the creatures they once were."

She glances at Antimony, gauging his reaction before casually adding, "Though I couldn't help but wonder, do these creatures ever stir? Can they leave their new form, even if only for a moment? It must feel... strange, to be so perfectly preserved in metal." Her tone is light, as though it's just a passing curiosity, while she subtly searches for any clues on how to reverse the transformation.

Antimony's mouth turns down in a frown. Honestly he seems a bit perturbed and puzzled by your response. You divine that he was expecting you to be upset or offended, but your response was unexpected. Further, you can tell that Antimony himself doesn't seem to like the figurines.

He says, "No; once transmuted, the creature will forever stay in that new metallic form. Unfortunate, perhaps, but quite necessary for me to purge my newly-acquired forest of these unwelcome creatures. Speaking of which, and not to be rude, but I suppose you will be leaving the wood soon, as well?"

Kesili keeps her composure, offering a polite smile. "Yes, we will be leaving the wood soon enough. But first, I'm curious—if I may ask—you don't seem particularly fond of these statues you've created. It’s almost as if you regret what they’ve become. I take it it isn't your touch that transforms them but your proximity? It seems like an incredible strong form of magic, if irreversible. I'm left to wonder where you obtained such a power that you seem to loathe?" She then leans in slightly, feigning a touch of alarm, her tone a mixture of concern and curiosity. "I hope we aren’t at risk of meeting the same fate if we linger too long. Surely, that’s not your intention for us, is it?" Her eyes search his face, gauging his reaction, while inwardly, she's focused on gathering more information about his powers and motivations.

(Just curious, is there someone else still playing or did the others turn to metal already?)

I think I have too many tabs open, none of them were refreshing (and I didn't know it) when I would check in!! I am here!

Cordimis swallows, this Antimony seeming so callous in his erasure and wanton destruction of life in his own pursuits. She casts Guidance on herself, hoping to gather some courage from her god. "This wood is not yours. The forrest can not belong to anyone as much as the sunrise or the moon or the oceans belong to anyone." She stands a little taller, "Why do you believe you have the right to destroy what came before you? The animals, the trees, even the people that venture into here lived in harmony before you came. Is there another home we can help you find that is not already occupied?"

Antimony responds slowly and calmly. He gestures to the spreading vines that surround you all. "My kudzu is enacting the transformation. This plant will spread throughout my new land and help to protect it from interlopers such as yourselves. And yes, it is my forest, or it will be soon enough, through a royal agreement. I have paid my part, and now your royalty will pay theirs soon enough, and then the deal shall be completed, and even by your own laws and rules the forest will truly be mine."

Stunned at the suggestion there was a bargain struck for this to happen on purpose, Cordimis swallows down bile rising in her throat from disgust. “You mean to tell me someone invited you here? You infected the prince on purpose? Who would ask you to do such a thing? He's just a boy!” She thinks and looks at Kesili and the rest of the group with concern and confusion, “This isn't about the prince, is it? Someone is trying to hurt his father perhaps.”

Kesili narrows her eyes, stepping closer, her mind racing to process what Antimony has revealed. "You speak of a bargain, but I wonder if you’ve been deceived." She gestures to the forest around them. "No one truly has the right to give away this wood, not the royalty nor anyone else. Whoever struck this deal with you may have known that well. I fear you've been tricked into believing you could claim what can't be owned." She glances at Cordimis and the others, her voice soft but resolute. "If the prince was harmed, it might not be part of your deal at all. Someone may be using you—using this bargain—to sow chaos. It’s possible that neither the boy nor this forest was ever truly theirs to give you." Her eyes lock with Antimony’s, trying to gauge whether her reasoning reaches him. "Perhaps you’re a victim of this deception, as much as the prince."

Kesili softens her tone, trying to maintain a calm and non-threatening stance. "If what you say is true, and this bargain does grant you ownership of the forest, then it's crucial we understand the full terms of the deal. Not just for your sake, but to prevent any misunderstandings with those who reside here—or those who might challenge your claim." She pauses, choosing her words carefully, "But it troubles me… If this agreement was made in bad faith, then it’s possible your claim isn’t as secure as you think. We need to establish who struck this bargain with you. Knowing the other party will help us confirm your rightful place here, and ensure no one is trying to manipulate you—or worse, use you as a pawn in a larger scheme." Her gaze remains steady, hoping her reasoning appeals to Antimony's logic without igniting his anger. "Who made this bargain with you? It’s the key to proving your claim over the forest."

(Persuasion: 14, or 11 if at disadvantage)

14

previous roll was a 12

Antimony pauses in his slow advance towards you, standing still in his expanse of kudzu vines, hands still dangling down and brushing the tops of the leaves. He cocks his head and considers your words for several moments. Then he speaks, ever slowly and calmly,

"I appreciate your concerns, but I think you'll find you are the ones who are incorrect. Just look around you, at this flourishing vine. Take out one of those statues and admire it. Are these not evidences of the potency of the bargain? The magics would find no hold if the underlying agreement were false, or disrupted. But how could it be? The royalty of your lands lay claim to this land, and there are none strong enough to oppose them in this claim, so it is theirs to part with as they please. You can take it up with them, if this displeases you. The prince himself has struck a bargain with me, and though he is not yet king, yet soon he will be, and the immediacy of that event lends strength to all that you see here."

As he says the last words, he raises his arms as if to indicate the spreading kudzu and its berries.

"The elder prince? I am in disbelief he would strike any sort of bargain with you that would lead to the demise of his son." Cordimis, pensive, continues, "What did you give in return for this land?"

"The son has nothing to do with the bargain. He was just intruding. The prince would understand. And now I suggest that you, also, stop your intrusions."

Kesili narrows her eyes slightly, thinking through Antimony's words. “The prince’s involvement in this does raise troubling questions,” she begins slowly, her tone measured. “It isn’t far-fetched to think that the crown prince might hasten his father’s demise, especially if there were second thoughts about his line of successors. There were strange whispers about the royal family's connection to this wood… though I’m not sure you’re aware of all the layers in play, Antimony.” She pauses, considering the heavy air between them. “You seem convinced of the legitimacy of this bargain. But I fear the situation is more complex than you realize. If the prince has struck a deal without his father’s full approval, or with a hidden motive, it could unravel the foundation of your claim.” 

Kesili glances at her companions, searching if they’re all reaching the same conclusion. “I appreciate your willingness to explain, thank you, Antimony.” she adds carefully and subtly shifts her stance, signalling to the others that they may need to act if the situation escalates but that she would prefer to withdraw and research this mystery further, quite possibly within the palace walls. 

Cordimis realizes the evil they were seeking was within the palace all along, and she feels rising anger for the power grabbing prince. She looks at Kesili and recognizes she wants to leave, but is distraught with there seemingly not being a cure for the princeling. Making one last bid to Antimony, "We will leave you alone, but is there truly nothing we can do for the young one? It seems more than unjust that you get the wood, the prince gets the crown, and the boy gets death."

Antimony fiddles with his hands, brushing the top leaves of his strange plant, and cocks his head again to regard you. "I've already said too much."

Kesili steps forward, gently placing a hand on Cordimis' shoulder to calm her rising anger. She keeps her gaze fixed on Antimony, her voice even and controlled. "We’ve learned enough for now, Cordimis," she says quietly. "Antimony has given us what he’s willing to share, and pressing further will only lead to more trouble." She takes a slow breath, trying to keep the tension from escalating. "It’s time we return to the castle and uncover the truth of this deal from those responsible. We’ll find another way to help the young prince." 

Turning slightly, she signals to the rest of the group, her expression firm but calm. "Let’s go. We have much to do in the palace." After waiting a short moment for a response, Kesili starts to guide them away from Antimony, intent on returning to civilization and unraveling the rest of this tangled web.