6th of Eleint - Dark Woods
The Regulators Brannic, Rohavic and Seraph awake the next morning after a restless night's sleep. For some reason later in the evening a sense of unease crept into their dreams and thoughts.
Images of large blurry brutish creatures could be seen smashing and rending all sorts of animals and plants. Trees were felled and animals were slaughtered. The woods seemed to wither all around them, leaving a black and red landscape.
Off into the distance the creatures saluted a figure on a distant hilltop. The creature appeared humanoid, but details were too difficult to make out. The creature standed next to a large fluttering green and yellow banner. Again the distance was too great to make out any details on the banner, but 5 green streamers could be seen fluttering in the wind as well.
Just as the scene ended, all 4 individuals awoke in a cold sweat. Urgoth shook his head and whispered, "That was very disturbing. Things must be more grave then I originally thought. Mother earth is sending us warnings of what is to come. "
Urgoth hops to his feat and dusts his robe off. He scratches the ears of his dog and he prepares to leave the encampment.
"I will travel back down your path and investigate the body you found. Perhaps I will see you again before you leave these woods with an update."
He looks upward to the sky. Dark grey clouds are seen rolling quickly overhead.
"Looks like a bad storm is breaking upon us this morning. Here, take these. They shall make you day less uncomfortable if you find yourselves caught in that." Urgoth reaches into his pouch and retrieves 3 bronze colored berries. "Eat these and you should be protected from the elements for the duration of the day."
Grabbing a large dead branch, Urgoth bows deeply and walks off into the woods, heading South.
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Meanwhile, in town, Jode, Jellen and Vig are enjoying breakfast and the Olden's Inn. All three notice the clouds off to the North just as Mrs. Olden arrives with from fresh juice.
"Hmm...It doesn't look like its going to be a good day today," she mutters.
Images of large blurry brutish creatures could be seen smashing and rending all sorts of animals and plants. Trees were felled and animals were slaughtered. The woods seemed to wither all around them, leaving a black and red landscape.
Off into the distance the creatures saluted a figure on a distant hilltop. The creature appeared humanoid, but details were too difficult to make out. The creature standed next to a large fluttering green and yellow banner. Again the distance was too great to make out any details on the banner, but 5 green streamers could be seen fluttering in the wind as well.
Just as the scene ended, all 4 individuals awoke in a cold sweat. Urgoth shook his head and whispered, "That was very disturbing. Things must be more grave then I originally thought. Mother earth is sending us warnings of what is to come. "
Urgoth hops to his feat and dusts his robe off. He scratches the ears of his dog and he prepares to leave the encampment.
"I will travel back down your path and investigate the body you found. Perhaps I will see you again before you leave these woods with an update."
He looks upward to the sky. Dark grey clouds are seen rolling quickly overhead.
"Looks like a bad storm is breaking upon us this morning. Here, take these. They shall make you day less uncomfortable if you find yourselves caught in that." Urgoth reaches into his pouch and retrieves 3 bronze colored berries. "Eat these and you should be protected from the elements for the duration of the day."
Grabbing a large dead branch, Urgoth bows deeply and walks off into the woods, heading South.
******************************************************
Meanwhile, in town, Jode, Jellen and Vig are enjoying breakfast and the Olden's Inn. All three notice the clouds off to the North just as Mrs. Olden arrives with from fresh juice.
"Hmm...It doesn't look like its going to be a good day today," she mutters.
posted by GM/Brannic | 11:05 AM
8 Comments:
::: Seraph addresses his comrades as they break camp. :::
"Given that all of us had the same dream, and the conclusion that Urgoth presented to us, I believe we need to inform Birchnor despite the morning gloom.
"Let us make haste to Birchnor's grove!"
The party picks up their gear and heads off back into the forest.
Before they get 12 paces from the clearing, a sudden downpour begins all around them. The rain is unusually cold and chills them to the bone.
Brannic reaches for the special berry Urgoth gave them. Gives it a quick smell and pops it into his mouth.
"Well I may be wet, but at least I'm no longer so cold," he mutters.
The other 2 companions follow suit and continue their trek north to where they believe Birchnor's hidden grove is located.
After another hour of walking through the woods, the storm begins to grow worse up above. Massive lightning strikes can be heard all around them and the thunder is deafening. The wind picks up and the trees seem to strain against the weather. The ground has turned into a thick mud and has become very slippery.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning strikes a large tree, just up the path. The men are blinded by the sudden flash and are knocked to the ground by the shockwave. When they come to their senses they see that the tree has been blacked and split by the force of the strike. As they stand up and find their footing, a familiar figure comes out of the nearby bushes. It is the satyr named Ursus. Ursus is shaking his head apparently trying to clear his thoughts.
He turns to the group and smiles and waves them onward to follow him.
After about 10 minutes of following Ursus they find several fallen trees which make for a good temporary shelter from the storm.
Ursus enters the small nook and shakes the moisture from his pelt.
"What in the name of Mielikki are you doing out here in such weather?" he says with a smile.
::: Fearing the worse and suspicion growing, Seraph begins to pray to Lathander, asking for guidance. :::
::: Seraph then scans the party concentrating for a moment (detect evil) on Usrus. Then casting a few minor cantrips (prestigitation), Seraph attempts to dry his companions off. :::
::: Continuing to examine Usrus' body language and words (sense motive), Seraph addresses Usrus. :::
"Usrus, you are a sight for sore eyes. We thought you were dead! We found what appeared to be your body broken and deceased lying in the woods a ways back.
"We then encountered Urgoth, the half-orc druid, who said he would examine the body and area more closely to see if he could find any more information.
"Ultimately, we are here to seek an audience with Birchnor. It has been awhile since we spoke last with the great birch. We would like to see if we can assist him and find out what's happening in the woods."
::: Another nearby lightning strike and thunder clap jostles the group. :::
"Usrus, do you know what's going on? Is this storm natural?!"
Ursus looks at Seraph with some disdain after he casts his Detect Evil spell. (no aura is detected around him).
"I'm am a bit dismayed that you don't trust me Seraph. I would have thought better of you. Or at least you could have tried a bit more discretion." (Seraph gets the feeling that Ursus has been truthful with them so far).
Ursus shakes more water out of his fur and he peers out into the forest and speaks over his back,
"I'm saddened to hear you found another Satyr. Many fey have been found dead in these woods the past several Tendays. Everyone is a bit on edge and uncertain of what is happening."
He moves back under the protection of the tree as another lightning strike detonates a tree 50 yards away.
"This storm is unlike any I've seen before. Never has such ferocity been unleashed on this forest in my lifetime. Birchnor would know more than I would however. Weather isn't my speciality."
He pulls out his flute from his pouch and plays a few notes to test it out. He seems unsatisfied with the results and a look of disgust crosses his face.
"This one has been damaged. I'll have to make a new one."
Looking at the three humanoids he says, "If you want to see Birchnor, I'll take you to him. He's not been in a very good mood so I recommend you tread very lightly with any questions you may have."
Ursus pokes his head out of the shelter again, looking out at the rain coming down.
"Well it looks like the worst is probably passed. If you want to see him we better get moving now. Are you ready to go?"
"Usrus, I apologize if you think I was being intrusive, I meant no offense. Having seen your body lying on the ground dead, I was filled with much uncertainty. I had to be sure you weren't some elaborate trap set by Kritchnor. It seems her reach knows no limits.
"I believe we are ready. If you don't mind, please guide us to Birchnor. Also, my Elvin friend here, Rohavic, seems to have some musical talents. Maybe when you fix your flute, the two of you could perform together. Rohavic's musical talents have a certain 'old school' feel that you may appreciate and enjoy."
::: Seraph and his companions gather their meager belongings and follow the Satyr to Birchnor's grove. :::
The 3 Regulators follow Ursus through the blowing rain and wind. He seems to be able to quickly find the best path through the downpour and in a matter of minutes, the group arrives in a clearing which has turned into a makeshift pond.
Ursus turns to the group and bows. "Please wait here and I will see if Birchnor will grant you an audience today."
With a quick step he disappears into the foliage. Brannic, Rohavic and Seraph found minimal shelter under the bough of a large tree. The tree wasn't offering much protection from the elements but it was all they could do to try and stay out of the pelting rain.
After several minutes <Ursus appears from another part of the clearing. He gestures for you to follow him.
The path Ursus chooses is a winding one. It often seems to double back on itself. After travelling for several minutes, the group appears in a massive and familiar clearing. The rain has been turned into a light mist here and wind seems no more powerful than a light breeze.
In the center of the grove stands an extremely tall birch tree. The bark along the base of the tree splits until a mouth is formed. Also, 2 large eyes emerge from the bark above the mouth.
In a deep booming voice the group hears, "Why have you come here!"
::: Seraph steps forward to address the great birch tree. He bows deeply and then speaks in the Sylvan tongue. :::
"Birchnor, we have come seeking guidance and council. We were unware of the recent events that have befallen your grove until just yesterday. Had we known earlier of the misdeeds that were happening around you, we would have come earlier to offer any aid and assistance to you and your kindred.
"It has come to our attention that Kritchnor may be behind the recent attacks. Urgoth was kind enough to offer some information. In fact he is investigating, I am sorry to say, the loss of a Satyr."
::: With that Seraph offers up a prayer to the Morninglord and the Mieliki. His prayers simply asks the deities to offer comfort to the fallen forest-friend and to his brethren. Seraph then continues... :::
"Birchnor, we originally came to see if Sisivril was okay and if we could assist you or the silver dragon in anyway. We have also come to introduce a new companion of ours."
::: With that Seraph motions to Rohavic, the elf and ranger. :::
"Rohavic comes to us from the High Forest. He is a member of the Regulators, the protectors of Grey's Deep and beyond.
"Birchnor, I believe you to be a friend of mine and to all the inhabitants of Grey's Deep. Any information you have about Sisivril or the recent events within the Whispering Woods could assist us in getting to Kritchnor and ending her meddling within the woods and elsewhere."
::: Seraph bows deeply awaiting a response from the great birch. :::
After spending several minutes discussing the current situation, the Regulators (Brannic, Rohavic and Seraph) depart from Birchnor's Grove.
Birchnor was indeed in a testy mood and no doubt was eager to see the outsiders leave.
The Regulators vowed to return within a TenDay or two to see if they offer any assistance to the aging Treant and his forest.
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