Vesra was on the verge of tears. "I don't know," she sniffed. "I just wanted to give it a hug. Normally trees like my hugs..." She rubbed at her neck, realizing she was bleeding. The druid would have to do something about that later.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect," she looked directly at the tree. Vesra didn't want it to hate her. 

As the party rounds the hill and the life bloom comes into view, Ato breathes an audible sigh of relief. There would be dangers within, of course, but it would be humid and so much more comfortable than the heat they were leaving behind.

He watches with amusement as Vesra rushes forward and hugs the tree, but his humour turns to horror as the vines whip to life and attack. Rushing forward, he is too slow - Vasha is already there and manages to help her sister break free.

"Perhaps, ah, a bit more caution is on order? Maybe these trees are different than the ones you're used to."

Veythe can't help it. After several days in blistering heat, lava, and shards of glass who knows what the sight of greenery is astounding. The life bloom is utterly awe inspiring and for a brief moment she wanted to fall to her knees in pure joy. Finally something that isn't a death trap waiting. Of course that thought fled her mind as soon as Vesra went to hug a tree and ended up nearly strangled. Before Veythe could do anything Vasha thankfully got her sister out of that mess, but still she hurried on over, concerned.

"Do you need any healing?"

What were you thinking?!

While the life bloom was colorful and vibrant, Ellangil couldn't help but lament leaving the scorched landscape of Akoum behind. He was most comfortable, and had the greatest advantage, in arid climates. This was far too... green.

Just as he was scowling at the plant life, one of the trees grabbed and pinned Vesra with a thorny vine. It took both she and Vasha to free her.

He knew this place was going to be trouble.

Seeing everyone else's reaction, it finally dawned on Kayn. He points at the tree and calls out, "Not a happy tree!! A mean tree!" His hand fills with fire and he cautiously approaches it on his mount. "Do we kill the tree? How do you kill a tree? I can burn it!" He's still not sure exactly what transpired. Was Vessie really being attacked by it or was the hug too strong?

"I'm fine, Veythe," Vesra shook her head. There was no need to waste healing magic on her, especially at the moment. She could bandage up her own neck when they made camp tonight. The druid's eyes grew wide as Kayn lit up his hands with fire. "Kayn, NO!" She shouted, stepping in front of the tree. "We do not hurt trees! They just wanted their personal space, and I didn't do a good job of respecting that. It's not their fault."

She sighed and turned around so she could step into the life bloom. The kor took off her boots right before she stepped on the lush ground. Her toes wiggled in the grass, enjoying the feeling of being free. "Come on, friends, let's get moving!"

Ato moved up next to Veythe as Vasha stormed off. "What is she so angry about? Her sisters impulsiveness could kill not just her, but any or all of us. Hopefully Vasha can rein her in enough to keep us safe. Just remember, if it comes to a choice between any of us and one of those twins, either one will choose the other first." He shrugs, then adds "They are family, so I cant say I blame them,  or would expect otherwise. We'll just have to look out for each other as best we can."

"Come on, let's not let them get too far ahead." He began to follow after the twins, eying every tree and vine for unnatural movement.

Did I make a social blunder? Veythe wondered silently as she followed after Ato. She couldn't fault the mer for thinking practically. The twins were rather codependent upon one another, and Veythe knew they'd choose each other first over everything. It was apparent in how they interacted. Veythe applauded it, actually. Family was important; to be cherished. Family...Veythe shook her head.

"I think I made a mistake," she mumbled. "I was merely concerned." Acting without thinking could lead to dire consequences, and yes those consequences could affect the whole party but Veythe was more concerned for the individual in this case. At any rate she'll leave the two be--except...Vesra was not alright. She could see that easily enough. "One second, Ato."

Veythe quickly jogged after the twins and whistled.

"Vesra, Vasha, I apologize," Veythe murmured. She didn't reach out to touch, like she would normally, so she settled instead for pulling out her trusty pan flute--Rest--and blew out a light series of notes. As soon as she let the magic go, Veythe ducked her head and then darted back to Ato.

Hopefully that helps. Hopefully it would lend towards repairs on whatever mistake Veythe made.

(Healing Word for 4HP to Vesra)

Kayn followed reluctantly. If trees attacked Vessie, who knows what they would do to a goblin! He kept his eyes peeled, trying to avoid contact with as many trees as he could. These were not nice trees. He kept a fire bolt handy in case any of them decided they wanted to try to hug the goblin. 

Carefully eyeing the trees, the group enters the life bloom [I feel like it needs a more scary name. Life bloom is very anti-climatic]. The foliage above is thick, though streams of light still beam through, painting many areas in darker shades of green from the shadows. Sounds of wildlife: cackling, chirping, and buzzing can be heard all around the group, the greenery and thick shrubbery dampening the noises, masking their location. The air is humid, causing many in the group to sweat profusely, as their skin becomes sticky to the touch.

Unable to see the sun, the group finds it more difficult to judge time. Estimating about an hour or so to have passed, they come across a grisly scene: the corpses of a human, a vampire, and two goblins are tied to the bases of four thick trees, their arms and legs outstretched to form "X"s. Examining the bodies from afar, it's evident that their skin has been flayed and stripped away, revealing each of their muscle structures. A large cut, from throat to navel, is present on each of the bodies, their intestines and other innards pulled out and piled on the ground beneath them. Vines have slowly begun to work their ways up each of the corpses as well, as if feasting on the meals presented to them.

"Ummm," Kayn says, "I don't think the locals like visitors. Maybe we don't talk to them." He stares at the morbid display of flayed humanoids for a moment before looking to the others. "Maybe we go a different way?" He asks.

"You don't need to apologize for healing me," Vesra replied to Veythe, her brows furrowed in confusion. The bard darted back before she could answer her question. After another step forward, realization dawned on her face. What did you do? She signed to her sister. 

The walk was beautiful. They were surrounded by so much life, so much raw mana. Vesra could feel the energy practically pounding through her veins. It was rejuvenating, and the druid found herself practically skipping. 

Her spirits remained high until they came across the mutilated corpses. "I think you might be right," she nodded to Kayn. "We'll try to stick towards the edges. I think they'll mostly be around the center, but I have no real way of knowing..." Adjusting their course accordingly, Vesra helped lead the party closer to the edge of the life bloom. 

Vesra's attempt to lead the group away from the grisly scene is met by a pair of large arrows striking the ground with a Thud!, having come from north of the group's position. Looking around, the culprits seem to the remain hidden in their positions. The rustling of leaves is heard above the group as a tall, masked elf - given away by his large, pointed ears - lands on the ground fifteen feet away in front of them from a tree branch above, his hook swords brandished in each hand. He wears dark leathers, the material dyed to match the forested terrain, with bits of leaves and bark sewn into it. His mask is made from wood as well, matching to the color of the darkened trees surrounding the group. He points one of the hook swords at the group and coldly states in Elven, "The only direction you infidels are going is out. Anything else and I'll rain arrows on your petty flesh." To those who do not speak it, it sounds almost magical: the words seem to dance on the wind, like he was singing.

A warm breeze blows through the trees, as a bundle of dried-up vines get caught up in it, rolling across the forest floor between you and the Joraga elf.

"We are honored to be in the presence of the Joraga," Kayn responds in elven. His whole demeanor has changed and he and his mount gives the elf a low bow. "My companions and I mean no ill will to the sacred lifebloom or its inhabitants. We merely request escort past your home and will follow your laws and instructions as we're guided." His voice seems to have changed as well, matching the tenor of the elf's. "We will accept your terms for this deal to be struck, whether it be by action or possession." As he says this he offers the elf another low bow. 

(Persuasion 16)

The elf lowers his blades ever-so-slightly as Kayn introduces himself respectfully. His body language seems less hostile, though he still grips his hookswords tightly as his eyes shift to each member of the group. With his face concealed behind the wooden mask, he looks down on the tiny goblin. "You speak our tongue? I expected you the least." He points one of his hookswords towards the four flayed corpses, the vines having crept another inch or so up their lifeless bodies. You notice that crimson-red "veins" trace along the dark green vines, giving the appearance that the vines are actually drinking the blood of the corpses. "They didn't speak our tongue, and didn't want to leave. Those were their terms of their deal."

"The terms of your deal are this: if you wish to pass through this territory, then you must forfeit all of your weapons, as a sign that you will not harm the land. This is not your territory any more than it is the cobra's or the hartebeest's, nor is it mine.  But it is my duty to defend it, for I am elf-kind, and you have outsider's eyes. Your weapons will be provided to you when you reach the other side." He stands tall, upwards of six feet, his face emotionless, hidden behind the wooden mask, and a stern tone-of-voice.

Ato knew a warning when he saw one. The four bodies - including a vampire? - were clearly that, and he had no great to desire to meet those who left it.  Vielara had warned them of the Joraga elves who had claimed the bloom as their own, and now they had their first evidence.

Vesra was smart enough to recognize the same thing and they had no more than started to move when the elf had dropped into the clearing before them. Ato was surprised when Kayn addressed him - that goblin was full of surprises, he thought. Grasping his spear, Ato began to scan the trees around them, quite sure there were more of the elves hiding unseen all around them.

"My master has ingrained in me respect for the immortal race." Kayn nods his acceptance of these conditions, pulling his dagger from its sheath and offering it to the ground. His gnarlid moves forward and bows, allowing the dagger to slip to the earth. He follows it up with a bandoleer of darts. "Your conditions are accepted, protectors," he says in elven. 

He then turns to his companions to relay their demands. "If we are to be allowed to enter their home," he gestures to the forest entirely, "we are to allow them to take our weapons. Any harm on the land will break our agreement. Please don't hurt anything while we're here." As an afterthought he adds, "Maybe no more hugging trees." He then adds, "And we'll get the weapons back when we reach the other side."

After relaying this information to his companions, he turns his attention to the elves once again, "To expedite our departure from this sacred site, will you allow us a guide?"

"There are at least two more off in the trees," Ato tells those near him, in a low voice. "With those damned great bows. We may not have much choice. Who knows how many I still don't see."

A bit shocked to see Kayn give up his weapons, he has a question of his own. "Will they protect us if the trees, or vines, or whatever else attack again?"