A pleasure to meet you too, ... ? Cyrus replies as he gets on his feet and slowly walk over to the gnome to help him regain his balance.
The elf gave the man a hearty hand shake.
Hello Sir Cyrus, I am Koremar and my tipsy friend here is Kregimie. We also hail from Bellis. Too bad we didn't meet there or we could have traveled together. You are more than welcome to join us now of course.
Many thanks - I would be delighted to have some more company. When I arrived to Bellis I heard that several kindhearted persons already set out, I presume that was you ?
Aye, that was us. We had another companion but upon finding out the breadth of the threat against the peoples of this land he sped off to warn them. The rest of us are seeking the druid Devarre and his council on how to stop Queen Rhoswin and her dark army of spriggans.
Rhoswin? I heard people whisper about the fellknight queen back in Bellis - and an army of fae? Very well, let us make haste to this Devarre so we can put and end to this madness.
Cyrus turns to Vinroot and addresses him I thank you for sharing your spirits and soil - and I hope for your health until we meet again
Very well then. Let me also introduce the Lady Abigail. She can be somewhat quiet at times but is steadfast when necessary. I hope your two friends get along well.
Koremar was fond of animals and gave Ace a hearty ear scratching while Cyrus bid farewell to the treant.
Thank you indeed Vinroot. It was an honor to meet you. Fare you well in the dark days to come.
The party will set forth towards Devarre's.
Ace looks at Koremar with big puppy eyes and tilts his head slightly sideways. It is obvious that he is begging for more petting.
Aye - I think they will get along fine - Ace is quite trusting. He laughs at Ace manners See? I think he likes you already.
Cyrus will grab his backpack and follow Koremars lead, after properly introducing himself to Lady Abigail.
Most certainly - I hail from western Taldor, from a small town close to the southern edge of Verduran Forest. My features however, I am not sure about - I was not raised by the same that put me into this world. he looks apologetic I am sorry that I cannot sate your curiosity.
Ace returns Sachas attention, circling around the large cat - suppressing the urge to bark and try and chase it, he didn't think that would be well received. Upon completing his circle he stops and proclaims his acceptance with a Voof!, and sits down and offers the cat his right paw
If no one has any further questions for Vinroot, he bids you farewell, and you can continue on the way to Devarre's.
Koremar pauses before they leave and turns to the treant.
Vinroot, surely someone who has lived as long as you remember's things that those of us have forgotten. What can you tell us of Queen Rhoswin?..or the faengard?
Vinroot shakes his head. "Well, I don't no much about Queen Rhoswen, but they say she was an evil queen and sorceress. The faengard's her prison, stones laid by The First World fey ta lock away one o’ their own. If ’n the faengard be broken, only one o’ the elder fey would know how ta mend it.”
Elder Fey? This is the first that Ive heard of this title. Do you know of any Elder Fey still living Vinroot?
While Cyrus waits for Abigail and Koremar to finish their conversation with Vinroot, he takes the opportunity to size up his new companions. Ace seems to trust them, and the hound was a good judge of character. Or, rather, he meet few people with evil in their heart that cared for animals - so, going by that condition they seemed like decent people. He also takes the opportunity to look around in the forest, scanning for evil presences.
"Nah, I'm not that old," Vinroot replies. "Ain't no elder fey walking this world in a long time, I don't think."
...not old enough?...but he looks ancient...
Koremar wished he'd paid more attention to his scholarly teachers when they were going over these sort of topics but instead he'd daydreamed of his sword craft.
...that couldve been quite the oversight...
He waited while Abigail asked her question and received a replay before speaking up himself again.
What do you mean 'walking this world' Vinroot? What other worlds ar there? And how would one find such a thing?
"There is this world, and the First World, where the fey live. Magic can take you from one place ter the other, but only where th'border runs thin, like wild places untouched by civilization and those places th'fey mark as their own, with mounds, stones or mushroom rings."
"Any wisdom? Hmm. Y'should watch a sunrise at least once a year. Beautiful things, sunrises."
Hearing Vinroot explain that magic could take one from one world to another; Koremar felt that he was just a dabbler in the arts for he nothing of such spells.
Yes, many thanks Vinroot. Meeting you has been a bright spot on an otherwise very dark journey. Again, fare you well and stear clear of the drink until the forest is clear of these vile spriggans. I hope we can meet again some day.
Fare well, Vinroot. May the light shine on you, always
After leaving Vinroot, you continue to make your way to Devarre's home. Reaching the area you think is where the druid lives, sunlight filters into a clearing, burning away the heavy mist to illuminate a perfectly round hill dotted with fairy-cap mushrooms. Nearby, a small creek slowly trickles through a pond buffered by outcroppings of large black rock. The air hangs still, and even the sounds of forest animals seem absent.
This is it? Cyrus looks around, studying the scene. It's beautiful - but ... he shrugs it's too quiet
Perception
*Growl* ... sniff sniff Ace looks around, and uses his nose to see if he can catch any human scent.
Per
Survival (track by scent)
Koremar had silently walked with his new friends the last few miles and upon entering the seemingly perfect little clearing he couldnt help but notice the absence of the natural sounds this place should have.
Perception -
Let's remember that until we make Devarre's acquaintance that we are intruders here. Abigail, do you have the flower?
Flowers? Are you going to court the druid?
Cyrus is obviously confused, and continues to stare at the surreal landscape.
Looking around, you see or sense no lurking threats, though the strange stillness persists.
Koremar, as you look around, the whole scene continues to feel wrong. Concentrating, you suddenly realize, as you were warned, the area is covered by an illusion.
In fact, a solidly built cabin stands among the forest trees next to a
small garden of herbs, just a few feet from the trail leading to
its door.
To the west, Three massive stone monoliths rise from a circular hill.
Koremar smiled inwardly that his training in the arts was paying off as he was able to see through the dweomer surrounding the small glade.
Hold forth the flower and walk slowly forward. The only thing I see is the truth of this scene and that does not include any spriggans. We are very close to our intended destination my friends.
The magus will confidently walk towards the cabin and when the otehrs catch up he'll call out.
As you look around, the dust reveals a solidly built cabin stands among the forest trees next to a small garden of herbs, just a few feet from the trail leading to its door.
To the west, three massive stone monoliths rise from a circular hill.
Since there was no answer to his call Koremar walked towards the cabin.
I'll try a more direct approach then.
He'll rap sharply on the door.
Hello! Devarre are you in sir?
Very sorry, please keep up without me, but I am committed to this game and will hop in when I get a chance. Feel free to run Kreg without me for now. My nights will probably be taken up with work so I won't be able to come back full time until Saturday. Thanks!
As he realizes the true purpose of the flower, the first small hint of colour appears on his face.
Oh ...
Gathering his composure, he motions to Ace to stay close and follows Kore. He keeps his blade close, but not drawn and scan the area for evil auras while the others look for the druid.
Noticing Cyrus's slight embarassment; the magus chuckled softly.
You thought we brought the flower as a gift? Forgive me for not remembering to fill you in. The unicorn Palombier gave it to us to bypass the druid enchantment that keeps his grove secure against unfriendly types.
Kregimie had unfortunately ended up in the back of the group as they approached the druid's cabin. He kept jumping up; almost unbelievably high, to try to see over the others but still couldnt see. Didnt look like anything was happening and the gnome quickly lost interest so he went to investigate the curious stone monoliths that they had seen.
...maybe Devarre is over here anyways...
Perception -
Kregimie, as you jump up, you realize that you actually seem to be taller than you remember. Somehow, you've gained an inch.
You all noticed on your way here, that the gnome still seems quite drunk from his drink of the treant's nordrim.
There's no answer at the door when you knock, Koremar.
Indeed, its not like he was expecting company.
Koremar turned from the door and saw their small...strangely not as small as I remember... friend already headed towards the stones.
Kregimie is way ahead of us it seems.
The magus will walk with the others towards the monoliths.
Sounds like a plan. I heard some druids use such stone formations ritually, but I know not why. Maybe he is doing his part in repelling the dark fae?
At the top of the hill, you find the monuments etched in ancient runes glittering with powerful magic.
Each stone corresponds to one of three planes: The Material Plane, the First World, and the Shadow Plane.
Cyric sqints at the strange runes, and tries to get a faint idea what they are for.
Know(planes)
He recalls that he has heard of something similar somewhere, but he just can't place it.
Fascinating ... however, I can't spot any druid here?
Knowledge Planes -
I had lessons on similar things but cant for the life of me remember them. I was much more interested in the sword. I am often being reminded on this journey that perhaps I should have paid better attention.
The magus will not get too close to the monoliths and will call out again for the druid.