Tempted as he might be, Rhogar doesn't let his eyes leave the fallen creature for even a second while Krom spoke, but nodded all the same in agreement. "Best to burn it then just in case. If nothing else, it should take it longer to regenerate as you say, and grant us at least a modicum of safety from it. For a time, at least." The Dragonborn follows up the suggestion by fishing out from his bag of holding a tinderbox and torches, and muttering at some point "If only was a Goldborn or Red" with a touch of mirth to his voice. By the time he's ready, Gorrah had found her way back to his shoulder and looked on excitedly to watch the torching, assuming none step up to stop or take the dragonborn's place. "We still have the bead, yes? The one that will create a protective, um, sssff, bubble for a time, yes?" He asks of no one in particular while lighting up the dead with torch fire. 

Chill grinned.

"Hopefully that's over.   That creature was becoming a pain." 

Chill remarked as he moved forward some more and looked around.

Krom nods at the dragonborn's suggestion, "Yes, Rhogar, let's burn it." The dwarf follows with the eyes Chill as the tabaxi finishes to explore the area. "The bead Rhogar? I fear that my memory is failing me on that item."  

Rhogar sets the body of the creature on fire to destroy it completely.  Vellynne responds to his question "Do you mean the spell for the tiny hut that I used to give us a safe place to sleep while we traveled here?  Yes I still have that spell prepared.  Down here it might be essential."

As Chill looks around he hears a rustling of leaves from the southern most tree.  A being steps out of tree, almost as if it was part of the tree, and stands before you.

The creature is of a woman's shape, and yet of tree.  

"Thank you." she says in a calm voice. "That creature, Tekeli-li was its name, has haunted these caverns for so very long.  It was not aware of me and I kept myself hidden from it."

Chill snaps his crossbow up at the appearance of the newcomer.  He studies her for a moment before answering.

Insight 28 

"And who are you?  Are you the spirit of these trees that somehow live down here?  Strange magic for certain for trees to live here."

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

 

(@DM. Kazri had activated her Divine Sense when entering this area. Does she see anything?)

Divine sense is a single turn action.   She did not sense anything when she looked around.  The creature was undead but was behind total cover so was not detected.

Chill does not get any indication that new being is hostile.  She appears curious and friendly.

I'll wait for others to post before adding further

"We should explore a little bit more before resting, but I'm glad to know that we will be able to rest safely thanks to that spell." adds Krom as Vellyne finishes to speak.

As the woman emerges from the tree, the dwarf is momentarily caught off guard. However, noticing that she doesn't seem to be hostile, Krom lowers his hammer and walks closer "That creature was a real pain to deal with. Do you know if similar creatures roam this complex of caverns?"

(Gottit, just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything here.)

 Kazri sheaths her sword, and walks to the tree being. "Greetings. We are searching for the Frostmaiden, for we are here to end the endless winter. Are you by yourself?"

"Hmm.... Could be I'm experiencing some fragment of Dragon Sight, perhaps? Because I could've sworn that we had-" But the rest dies in the dragonborn's voice as the new voice has both him and Gorrah turning sharply towards the source of the new voice. And assuming they could see the creature from near the burning body, they'd be more interested in quietly studying and mentally debating the nature of the creature over engaging it in conversation. Not that the others didn't have that well in hand anyhow.

-Nature: 17. (or if Arcana could work, add another +4 to the roll)

You all recognize the newcomer to be a dryad who act as guardians of their woodland demesnes.  You find her charming and engaging in conversation, as if she has not had someone else to speak with in a long time.

She introduces her self and gives you her names.  "I am Hathowyn. I am alone, with no one else for companionship or conversation.  I have only my trees." She frowns a bit. "There are other beings here though they are not friendly.  Three dark elves have passed through the my grove on multiple occasions, coming and going through the southwest and southeast passages. I haven't spoken to them out of fear that they might harm me or my trees. Also, there are strange, one-eyed creatures that currently lurk in the cave to the south. They followed the dark elves up from below after their last foray down the southeast passage.  This was a while ago."

She motions to the dead creature that Rhogar is burning.

"That one was Tekeli-li, a vampire trapped down here with me.  I have seen nothing else like him but I do not venture from my trees."

The dwarf bows his head at the dryad "Greetings Hathowyn, I'm Krom Firebeard, Smith of Moradin and Keeper of Axeholm." He pauses for a moment before continuing. "Have you always been here underground? We looking for the entrance to Ythryn as we hope to put an end to this eternal winter."

"Perhaps her magic is what's sustaining the trees." Rhogar muttered to himself while rubbing his neck, but Gorrah still hears enough form his shoulder as to nod along in agreement. The two then briefly glance at the apparent and very dead vampire when its brought up, before simultaneously facepalming. "Hahah! That explains the biting, at least." He said with a grin that proved to be a fleeting one as a troubled has the draconic pair sharing a worried look.

But then, Rhogar shakes his head dismissively, prior to turning again on the Dryad. "Greetings as well, uhm, Lady Hathowyn. I am Rhogar of Clan Nimbatuul, and this here is--" The greeting is interrupted by Gorrah biting him just hard enough in the neck to startle and confuse the Dragonborn. When all he gets after with a questioning look is a shake of the head, the Bronze appears further confused but solely nodded in acceptance. "In, uh, any event. Any assistance you might provide in seeking this entrance would be most appreciated. And, uh, perhaps we can in exchange provide you a service as well? Which on a somewhat tangent note...this one-eyed creature you mention, uh... can you provide more details about its form?"

"The creatures in the southern cavern?  Large single green eye, spikes on their bodies, with clawed hands.  They walk upright and seemed intelligent."

The dryad smiles.  "This grove of pear trees was enchanted by Netherese arcanists to endure high altitude and harsh weather. That magic has enabled the trees to thrive even in these icy caverns." She motions you to join her deeper in the grove of trees.  "There is safety deeper in and out of the sight of those who may pass by.  You look tired and an opportunity to rest may be what you seek?"

She then takes a purple pear from one of the trees and offers it.  "Take and eat.  They are magically delicious."

Kazri steps in front of everyone. “My name is Kazri, and this one here…” She waits for Oli to approach. “This one is my protege, his name is Oli. You need to fear him not.” May I have a pear?” If given, she will take a bite, then wait a moment to see if anything happens to her.

Medicine (if needed): 3

"And I am Chill.  A pleasure to meet you." Chill says as way of introduction.   "I will take a pear as well please."

He accepts it easily trusting in his instincts that this dryad is not a threat to him.

He eats the pear savoring the taste.

With some pear juice dripping down his chin he quickly wipes it away.

"A rest would be good even if only for a short while.  Out of sight if there are dark elves down here would be prudent.  I wonder why they are here or what they are doing."

"A rest would work wonders for some of us. The side effects of the undead's bite and claws can be fully healed only after a proper rest." says Krom as he too gladly takes a bite from a pear after seeing Kazri and Chill eating. "Further, we have found several enchanted items that I have yet to properly identify."

"Hathowyn, as our friend Rhogar asked, can we do something for you in return of your hospitality?" asks the dwarf.

Rhogar listened with rapt attention and the occasional nod thrown in wherever it seemed most appropriate. But almost immediately after she makes her offer he again drifts off in thought, murmuring to himself (and Gorrah by extension), "Uncanny oculus and intelligence... likely abbarents of some kind, if not monstrosities.... could be connected to the ice wall creature...." He perks, however, upon hearing his name and nods along in agreement to Krom. "Mn. Indeed. Though, if merely less than non-hostile company is what you wish, er, for a time, then I think we can happily oblige you." He said with a smile to his voice and chuckling afterwards. "At least until we've fully recovered. And once our business with the maiden and Ythryn is done, I cannot see why we can't swing by again."

Kazri tastes the purple pear and finding it to be indeed delicious and having no immediate negative affects continues to eat.  Chill eats his happily enough and Krom also shares in another,

Kazri 10

Chill 15

Krom 4

You follow deeper into the grove. It isn't particularly large, but between a few of the walls and trees you find a spot that would, if you wanted, serve as an excellent spot to take a short or longer rest if you wanted.