Ezekial you note that Dokken wears leather armor under the bear skins and has a sheathed short sword hanging from his belt.
Larisa narrows her eyes at the man, scanning him.
"We're wasting day light Connor, let's get moving. If he speaks truth then the lance will still be at the tomb once our pressing tasks are done." She says, trying to hide the fact she the man was disturbing her and putting her on edge by putting on overtures of being impatient to avoid spooking the hermit and his large cat.
Dokken frowns at each of you and then looks back up at the looming trees. "No, no, I will not kill them! They know not what foolishness they utter! There is still time - they will realize what must be done. Please, you must have patience - do not make me kill again!"
He then turns back to you with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Go then, if you must. But remember, you may not deny the forest. They demand that the fey scourge be removed from the land. They know the truth in my dreams. Go, while you still can, but know that I will be watching and waiting."
The puma growls at Larisa and approaches her threateningly before Dokken stops it with a raised hand. "Go!"
"Wait a second... what dreams are these you speak of, crazy man? Describe them to me."
Dokken shakes his head at Seres. "Not for you, fey! Did you think the trees would not see through your veil? The day will come where you and your kind will be eradicated from these lands. Perhaps the bandit lord will be more receptive to my offer. Now, begone from my lands!"
With that he returns to his tree and slams the door.
Someone is following you in the woods.
After camping the night on the edge of Dokken's forest, you journey further north into the Narlmarches on the way to the lost temple. After several hours you come upon the Skunk river. The river makes a sharp bend here, widening into a deep pool dotted with lily pads and fringed with waving reeds. Several freshly felled trees lie beside their stumps on the shore of the pool, their crowns dangling in the water among fading tendrils of mist.
Seven large burly men are in a heated argument with two other men, whom stand in front of the pool. The men each wield axes and appear to be lumberjacks. The argument appears to be on the verge of erupting into violence.
Once she's sure that the group is out of earshot of the madman Larisa moves her mount alongside Connor. "I sensed evil on him, if we chose to return we should be prepared for anything." She says looking over her should back towards the tree. "I don't trust him."
Larisa scans the the group of men, drawing her crossbow just in case they turn hostile. "We should intervene before this gets ugly. " She says, dismounting from her horse.
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I agree. He seems to be an ally of the the bandit lord. Perhaps we should just burn his tree. he adds in a half jest.
What a pretty spot. Ezekial says. A shame to cut the lumber from it I think. I wonder who is doing the felling and for whom? He takes in the scene, trying to determine what exactly is happening.
"Well, he's not very friendly, but his dream 'prophecy' is interesting. I wonder if he is an unknowning pawn of Nyrissa."
A large burly man with close cropped black hair appears to be leading the shouting from the group of seven. Upon hearing Larisa and Ezekial approach, he quickly hails you in a gruff voice laced with profanities. "This mother loving fey has charmed my men!"
He points to the lily filled pond. You notice a woman submerged in the middle of the pond up to her head.
He then turns and approaches Ezekial while complaining bitterly. "Do you know how hard it is for a decent man to make a living with all of these damnable fairies in the woods? Will you help me out brother and stop her?"
One of the loggers snarls at the two men by the pond. "Let's just kill 'em all, Corax!"
The woman in the water shakes her with exasperation and then responds calmly. "This is so typical of humans. I politely asked the loggers to leave at first but was forced to charm two of them after Corax threatened to hang me from the nearest tree to 'drip dry'. The trees felled by these loggers had been growing next to the pool for over two hundred years and deserved a far better fate than serving as some grubby peasant’s slop table.”
She then turns to Seres. "Will you help me drive these brutes from my woods?"
Connor slowly rides Cinder in to the group, saying nothing but eyeing the loggers closely as he walks the mare around the loggers and the back toward the river stopping her directly in front of the two men defending the water.
"I don't think there will be any killing ... Corax ... or any more charming ... ma'am," the cavalier states calmly looking at each side in turn.
"I'm sure we could help mediate a reasonable compromise, though. Allow us to introduce ourselves. My name is Connor Lake, and these are my closest friends and companions, Seres, Larisa, Veronica and Ezekiel. We hail from New Hope, on our way to meet some old friends up north. Wouldn't mind getting to know our neighbors. Who might you all be?"
Raising an eyebrow Larisa just looks over to Connor. "Seems pretty cut and dry sir, they tried to cut down these trees without giving proper respect to the land." She glares at the loggers. "Maybe we can find them a grove that's not under fey protection so they can leave this place in peace."
Seres enchants his bow, ready for trouble if the lumberjacks get belligerent. "Indeed. There are plenty of open lands to find timber. Knowing there are so many fey in the region, a wise man would check before swinging an axe!"
He walks over to the edge of the water. "I am called Seres. What is your name, child of the First World?"
Veronica remains atop her mount, and since most everyone has had a say already, she refrains from muddying the waters further with additional commentary.
Corax turns red faced at Connor's attempt at diplomacy. "These wood are owned by no man - or fey for that manner. These are free lands! And besides, these trees are no ordinary trees - they are coachwood trees! The timber is prized for making masterwork weapons. With the gold from these trees my men and I will be able to feed our families over the winter. You would deny my right to earn a fair living?"
The fey in the water smiles coldly. "My name is Melianse. I will tolerate your presence Seres, but not these others. Please, dispose of these fools and then escort your friends away from my pond. The presence of so many humans despoils these pristine lands."
Corax shakes his head and raises his axe. "We're not leaving without that timber!"
of coachwood trees 10 miles to the north.
"I don't deny you anything, just like I don't deny Melianse anything. This is about finding what's fair for both of you, not just what you want. By what decree do you say these woods are owned by no man or fey? The rarity of the trees doesn't change the scenario. Would you walk into a man's house and take something of his just because it was gold instead of iron?"
Connor turns to look at the water faerie, "It would behoove you to be polite. People would be less willing to put an axe in a tree or your forehead if you stop insulting them or ensorceling them. Working toward something that works for both of you is less likely to bring more violence."
However, when Corax grabs his axe, Connor's demeanor changes. He straightens his back, and his gaze turns hard and unwavering as he states icily, "Friend. My companions and I have spent the past couple months hanging men for harnessing violence for their own selfishness. We've broken the Bandit Lord's power over this land and intend to bring law back to those that fly in the face of the basic morality of man. Bring that axe up once again, and you won't have a chance to put food in the mouths of your family."
He lets that settle a moment before he continues (if given a chance), "We have need of lumberjacks in New Hope. Pack up your things and move south and you can have your fair living ... just not at the expense of others."
"What he said," Seres nods with Connor's words.
Larisa stares intensely at the leader of the lumberjacks. "We're reasonable people, Master Corax. Don't be foolish, we've plenty of work at New Hope if you're willing to put the hard yards in." Larisa says, smoothly loading her weapon as the man raises his axe. "Put that weapon down or else your men will have to find wood to make you a casket."
Corax stays his axe and smiles wryly at Conner. "Why yes, I would be happy to sell this fine timber in your settlement. " He points to his men. "Gather the wood. We'll leave those two to the water pixie."
The loggers begin strapping rope harnesses to the five felled coachwood logs. Corax continues to stare at Conner coldly as his men work.
The woman in the lake now begins rising from the water and approaching you. "No one leaves until these trees are replaced and balance is restored."
The two charmed loggers now raise their axes and assume defensive positions around Melianse.
The woman turns darkly to Seres. "These humans will meet their fates today if they continue to desecrate these woods. Direct your friends to stop these loggers ... or they can join the tree killers in the depths of their watery grave!"
Bubbles begin rising from the pond.
As Corax disrespects Connor, Larisa's finger smoothly slides to the trigger of her weapon and for a moment she nearly brings the weapon to her shoulder. No. She thinks, fighting down the urge to drop the man as she looks over to Veroinca and the holy symbol around the woman's neck. I have to be better. With no small amount of will power she retracts her finger and clenches her jaw. If he wont listen to sense, and he wont take threats against himself seriously...
"Master Corax." She says, her steely glare boring into the man. "Do you love your family?" For a moment she lets the question hang before continuing. "Because if you do continue to act against us you don't just put yourself in danger. You put your whole family in danger. As a woodsman you must be aware what happens to those who disrespect the fey, children stolen from their cradle, food turning to rot, animals slaughtered, loved ones spirited away to the First World to be made slaves."
"Every story you've been told starts much like this, with a man who wouldn't listen when told to stop. Think about what your mother and grandmother told you, about tooth faeries who rip the teeth from the mouth of babes, about the nixies who drown men for fun. The woods are a dangerous place and you've forgotten what you were told as a boy. So go ahead and cut these trees down, kill the water pixie, get your gold and buy your wife a nice dress, your son a new set of clothes, maybe buy your daughter a new hair comb so she can look pretty."
With a resigned expression she unloads her weapon. "And when your son has been replaced by a changeling, your wife drowned by nixies and your daughter made ugly, her teeth ripped out by tooth faeries, I hope your gold was worth it."
"I clearly said "your things" and "not at the expense of others" ... you appear not to be afraid of us, Corax. That is a mistake."
Connor will unlimber his lance as Cinder paws the ground and snorts, "Cease this immediately or only your head will be returning with us to mount on the walls of New Hope as a warning."
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"This scum cares nothing for family or the balance of things, only lining his own purse. Look how he abandons his peers, happy for the profit less shared." Seres sneers and raises his bow. "You do not get to leave here with your 'loot'. You defiled Melianse's house. There are reparations to be paid."
"Or are you mere bandits? Unrepentant bandits?"
Veronica frowns slightly, but the die is already cast. She waits uncomfortably on horseback to see if the situation will become worse.
Corax appears to be shaken by Larisa's words. "Well yes, I suppose you have a point." He turns back to his men. "It's not worth it.
Drop the timber, we're out of here."
Melianse sneers at both you and the loggers. "There will be no leaving by any of you until compensation is rendered. I demand that these ancient trees be replaced or restored. Or ... you will pay with your lives. Which will it be, fools?"
An immense pillar of water begins rising from the pond next to Melianse. The water slowly takes the form of a large armored skeleton with antlers protruding from it's head.
Veronica's dark eyebrows rise slightly and she calmly says, "Replanting is a prudent and respectful idea when one has taken from nature, so that future generations of forest and people will both flourish together. We seem to share goals, there's no need for threats."
Larisa nods in agreement with Veronica and approaches the fey. "In our settlement there lives a druid by the name of Aldarion. He has a powerful connection with the land and trees, I am sure he will be able to assist in repairing the damage done to this grove. I give you my word as paladin that we will do everything we can to restore these trees, we seek to live in harmony with nature not destroy it."
Melianse nods grimly at Veronica and Larisa. "Exellent, you have chosen wisely. I care not how you restore the trees - but the grove must be brought back to its former condition. You collectively must repent for this grave crime."
She stares at each of you and snickers. "And, because I know all too well how little your kind can be trusted, I demand collateral. One of you shall wait here with me. Together, with these two pathetic human tree killers, we shall discuss the evils of human civilization and the glory of the first world. Once the trees are restored, your comrade may go free. That is my condition - it is non negotiable."
She smiles at Larsia. "You have my word, as a citizen of the first world, that no harm shall come of your friend."
"Now, who will be joining me?"
Larisa steps forward. "I'll stay." She says, holstering her weapon and moving next to the pool.
Seres sighs and holds up a hand. "No, I cannot let such an unfair ultimatum stand." He tries a measured but serious tone.
"Melianse, I realize you are angry. These men disrespected you and your home, and we will see that put to right. But trees will take decades, probably centuries to return to full size. These humans do not have the years to waste -- you offer a death sentence, or near enough. You are not in the First World. Those rules do not apply here."
"While I agree that you must be given restitution and the trees be restored, holding these humans hostage is an evil that will only beget more evil. Let us not take that path."
"I don't think she would demand that we must wait for the trees to grow into the fruition of old age," says Veronica after a moment's rumination. She faces Melianse and says, "You must know, of course, that the amount of time would be, as Seres says, deadly to any mortal human. Surely you will be satisfied with bringing new saplings to replace those that were lost, so that they can grow with time. The alternative is that no mortal would aid you, and then you would never have your trees replaced."
"We have helped you and will continue to help you. We do not belong to you nor are we beholden to the actions of those men, just as we do not hold you accountable for every creature we have met in the woods that has attacked us. No one will stay here," Connor states with finality.
"We will send Aldarion by to assist with the trees when we return to New Hope. We will also mark this area as your land and ask people that we know to avoid entering it."
He looks to the others, "It is time to leave."
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Melianse nods with approval as Larisa moves to the water's edge. The two charmed loggers step up and form a defensive flank between Larisa and the rest of you.
Melianse moves her hands in a somantic gesture and ring of arcane runes briefly glow around Larisa's head.
"Welcome to my domain, child of humans. You may enter the water."
To Seres she only smiles nonchalantly. "Hostage sounds so unpleasant. I prefer 'guest'. I promise you that her stay with me will educate her more thoroughly than any human institution. And you are wrong, we are in the first world - you simply don't realize it yet."
Melianse shrugs at Connor. "Yes, please leave. I grow bored with your presence."
The armored water skeleton crosses the pond and sloshes onto land where it holds about twenty feet away from Connor - watching him with cold, black eyes.
She then turns to Veronica. "You are correct, I have not the patience to wait for saplings to grow. The coachwoods that your kin thoughtlessly cut down are over 200 years old. No, I suggest that you use your wit to heal the forest instead of destroying it - for once. You will have to find a magical means to restore this grove. I suggest that you speak with the dryad who lives northwest of here. She may help you ... or kill you."
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Larisa voluntarily accepted the offer. You'll have to take action if you wish to stop her.
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Larisa looks over at Connor as the charmed men move between her and the party, a flash of uncertainty crossing her face before she sets in a resolute mask as she steps up to the waters edge before turning around to address the cavalier. "It'll be okay Connor, the sooner you get Al here the better."
A pained look crosses Connor's face before he reluctantly nods, "As you wish, Larisa, but be warned she is capricious and racist, so use your best judgment should the need arise."
With a cold glare, he looks at the nixie, "We will be back. She will be unharmed and unchanged when she is returned to us. If not, you will wish we had left the loggers."
To the others, "Quickly, lets be quit of this."
-Posted with Wayfinder
After an uneventful day of backtracking through the Narlmarshes you arrive back in New Hope. You find that the colonist have made considerable progress expanding the settlement since you left. Slowly the rag tag collection of tents is transforming into a genuine frontier town.
Jax meets you on the edge of the settlement. After some pleasantries he proceeds to give you a detailed accounting of the recent events in New Hope. "A few days ago, some livestock were brutally slaughtered in their pens at an outlying farm. Then two people were killed as well — a field hand named Saki, who never made it home after her shift at the stock yards, and a shepherd boy named Beven, who was attacked, along with his flock, on his way back to town. The townsfolk are asking that you do something about the attacks. They fear the depredations of the Stag Lord or of some beast from the surrounding wilderness."
As the group returns to New Hope, Veronica sidles her horse near Seres and says, "Seres, how do we... live alongside the Fair Folk like this? I want to extend a neighborly hand to those we can deal with. But their values are different from ours from such a wildly alien perspective that I fear conflicts like this will continue - misunderstandings, or cases where priorities are so out of touch that fights ensue. I'm not sure how best to avoid these kinds of fights... those loggers, after all, need to make a living too. The faerie might well have killed them, but they still have to find some way to feed their families and now they probably hate us, too."
"We aren't here to be loved, we are here to provide security, prosperity and fair treatment to those that live here" Connor injects testily, frustrated by their recent encounter.
He ruba the bridge of his nose with a sigh, "Jax, take me and Zeke to see these scenes of the recent killings. Seres, Veronica, go gather Aldarion and explain to him the situation. See how quickly he can be ready to go."
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To Veronica's question, Seres nods grimly. "The same questions have weighed on my mind since we ran into Old Beldame. It is a problem I fear there is no good answer for. As Connor says, our cause is promoting fair treatment and justice. Although we may not all agree on methods, I believe we all seek a safer life for our people. Unfortunately, there are many who will still take advantage of those they think unable to defend themselves."
"The problem of the fae and the loggers is made worse because neither see the other as a living soul with sovereign rights. If they cannot respect them as people, how can they ever come to a common understanding?"
"Most sadly, to me anyway, is that Melianse honestly thinks she is in the right. As she said, she believes the First World is of primacy here... it certainly influences the Stolen Lands, and there are many 'thin spots' where the two worlds are close. But, in the wider, longer view, the First World and Material plane are separated by an ever-growing gap. Melianse, Queen Nyrissa, and all the fey in the multiverse may wish it otherwise, but they are on the wrong. The tides of time are steadily against them."
"I hope for, and will strive to promote in our nascent kingdom here, a common respect between fae and mortals. If we can gain a better understanding of each other, we can invert the curse of the Stolen Lands. If not, I fear war and worse."
You find Aldarion tending the community garden. He is ready and willing to travel at any time.
Jax walks you to the crime scenes. "The two victims were killed on successive nights - last night and the night before. Both were killed outside of the town, Saki two nights ago while she was apparently gathering berries for breakfast, and Beven the next night as he returned his sheep to town. A half dozen of his sheep were slain as well, with the remaining ten sheep scattered throughout the surrounding area."
At the second kill site you see the remains of a number of mutilated sheep.
The sheep wounds indicate that they were killed by a large, man-sized animal — likely a wolf or worg. All of the bodies seem to have been partially eaten.
You discover the presence of tracks at the kill site that appear to be those of a large wolf. The tracks lead into a nearby copse of trees.
"Wolf tracks here ... big ones. Maybe a leftover worg from the battle? Gather a few men, let's go root it out quickly," Connor says wearily.