Dante hacks about him with his great sword and kills a spider on either side of his horse.
Shimmer stares helplessly out from the tangled mess and fails to will a ball of flame flame near the spiders.
Grimacing in disgust as the spiders splits in half to spill it's ichor across the ground, Wilhelm glances around quickly, taking in the situation. Seeing Dante handily dispatch the spiders threatening him, Wilhelm spurs Triumph to the spider by Corwen. As he arrive, he wordlessly yells as he hacks at the spider.
Lady of Graves, lend me your dagger that I may slay my foes." Anastacia grips her holy symbol as it were a weapon, and a over-sized, shimmering dagger of force materializes in the air next to the spider attacking Gorruum and Ubagub.
Anastacia weilds it to strike at the spider.
As the spider rushes up, Ubagub's eyes light up and his mouth gapes as he attempts to snatch up and gobble down another spider.
Ubagub and Gorruum attack back against the spider that attacked Ubagub with a tumultuous mix of bites, claws and halberd blows.
Wilhelm and Gorruum/Ubagub kill two more spiders, leaving only Natalie threatened. The remaining spider withdraws and vanishes into the underbrush.
Dante's horse does't die from the poison, but it will be weak for a couple of weeks as the poison works it's way out of the horse's system.
--------------------------------
Once Fharn's horse is tracked down, and everyone can remount and take off again, the group continues on to the Dryad's clearing.
When they enter, the entire glade feels like it's spring time. Birds are chirping, flowers smell wonderful, and the Dryad is already smiling when they enter. "My trees tell me that the twisted ones are destroyed. You have my thanks." She waves a hand, and a small patch of flowers waves and moves, revealing a small thatch of moss. On the moss is a pile of small equipment. A small pouch (with 5 goodberries that don't expire), two potion bottles (cure moderate), a scroll (Summon Nature's Ally II, D), a wand (Cure light, 26 charges), and 6 feather tokens (tree). "You have my thanks, again, and a small reward."
Ubagub smacks his lips as he finishes off one of the last spiders. Seeing that the remaining spider has fled into the woods, Gorruum gives a flourish of his halberd before returning it to the scabbard on his back and helps to track down Fhârn's horse.
At the Dryad's glade, Gorruum grins at the praise from the dryad and then shouts "LOOT!" at the appearance of the items on the moss. He seems very pleased by his good fortune since meeting his new companions.
Wilhelm smiles, politely, but his mind wanders as Tiressia thanks them. Those 'twisted ones' very nearly sent me to meet the Lady of Graves and then the Inheritor. It is well to have thanks, but I have a duty to live. Perhaps... Wilhelm breaks his reverie as he realizes Tiressia has finished speaking. He goggles a little as Gorruum upstages him, shaking his head in amusement. "A most kind gift, yes, I agree Gorruum. You are welcome, Lady Tiressia. The woods are better off without the foul things, so it was our pleasure. I hope that your companion, Falchos, is well."
Wilhelm pointedly glances around the glade for a moment, before he continues, "If you have a moment, I have some questions for you. We have been... troubled... since we have entered the forest. The forest denizens do their best to hinder our rest and our progress. The nixie, Melianse, spoke of Kaevala Myrt and 'Her Emeraldness'. A blanket allowance to kill humans by the reigning fae is not something I'll take lightly. The fear in Melianse's voice when she spoke of this Emerald-woman, it makes me nervous. Between the two, I fear for the safety of the citizens of my nation. If there is to be peace between fae, human, dwarf, elf and kobold, then we need to know that death is not waiting around the corner. With your help, Tiressia, I believe we can form a peace where the wishes of all our people are met. Help us understand what is going on here and we can take the first step on that path."
Fhârn's heart soared as they stepped back into the glade, and even Munin on his shoulder seemed to be happy. Now *this* is how a quest well done should feel! Complete with flowers and birdsong ... It was, to say the least, a welcome change to the *ahem* less pleasant way the forest had behaved during these last few weeks!
Tiressia looks pained. "My thanks, Falchos is indeed well, but resting, recouperating from his wounds. The scythe trees, when they can, absorb cold iron from their victims, and these had absorbed a great deal of it, so his wounds are not healing like they should with magic. He will recover, but it will take awhile." She pauses, as if hoping she can answer just half his question, but then sighs.
"There is indeed a Kaevala Myrt. The Empress, Her Emeraldness, has indeed announced one. I am sorry to tell you this, but despite how valiant you are, your kind has brought it's own doom on itself. I have no wish to hasten your doom, you have helped me, and done so both quickly and without undue demands upon me. Of all your kind, only our distant relatives, the gnomes, might survive the doom." She waves a hand, and a flower next to her wilts and falls apart, it's bloom disintegrating. "Your kingdom is doomed to be as this flower, Wilhelm. Not because the Empress wills it, but through the actions of your own kind. The forest is angry with all mortals for what your kind has wrought, it knows what comes. This is all I can say on the matter, and my debt is fully paid now. Any more, and I would be punished for the disclosure. You will have to seek more information on your own." She rubs her chin thoughtfully. "I can perhaps, convince the forest to leave you and yours alone, for a time. Describe to me the sections of my Empresses forest that you claim for yourself, and I'll ask the forest to forebear for now."
A small hand rises behind the group, trembling a bit
"Ikit no hurt forest, Ikit live off forest like Ikit told... These people good to Ikit, so maybe Ikit help them not be doomed?
The small ratfolk speaks up, he was hiding most of the time, unsure of what to do. All this was extremely new to him
Corwen hangs back, not making himself noticeable in the slightest. What a hornet's nest I seem to have wandered into, he reflects.
Anastacia breathes in the fresh air of the glade. The dryad's words quickly drive away any feelings of peacefulness though.
"Well, we will be needing to get these tree tokens back to Melianse. I'll let Baron Wilhelm tell you our other travel plans, if any."
Telling this dryad all their travel itinerary might not be the best idea. She is clearly under the influence of the Emerald Queen, and thus likely to pass such information along. On the other hand, stopping the nighttime harassment might be worth the risk. At any rate, the Emerald Queen doubtless has a plenitude of spies about.
Anastacia keeps these thoughts private while she tries to read the body language of the fey woman.
Natalie stands silent in behind Wilhelm, not trained in handling the fey with proper respect, she decided to let the charisnatic man lead the conversation.
If I find anything suspicious I'll pass it along
Returning to the glade, Dante enjoyed the serene peacefulness while he could. He still viewed the Fae as an enemy and so had nothing to say that wouldn't evoke more negativity in the situation.
Sometimes the better part of wisdom is keeping your mouth shut. he thought to himself.
Wilhelm's face, calm and patient as he asks his questions, grows darker and more grave as the dryad bears her dark news. We have "brought our own doom on ourselves"? What could we have done that could possibly warrant our own destruction. His jaw tight and eyes firey, Wilhelm nods, "I can thank you for your assistance in keeping the forest from pestering us, but this destruction of which you speak blackens what thanks I can offer. What possible crime might we have committed that would warrant the monstrous desecration of life that you speak of? This Emerald empress condemns us to death, while having the temerity to blame us for the genocide she will wreak. She dares to send her general bearing glittering reminders of the deaths he's wrought to warn us. I ask how you, a being who've I've so far only seen as righteous, can possibly stand for this monstrous tyrant."
For the first time that he has been with the expedition to Brevoy, Wilhelm's stoicism breaks completely and his anger boils over. His face a mask of fury, he continues, "If your Empress seeks to commit a genocide, then know that I will stand for it. I will see her and her court destroyed for the evil they would wrought. Those who stand with her in this abomination of false 'justice'-" Wilhelm nearly spits the word, "and seek to destroy us are condoning a genocide as well. They will only succeed over my broken and bloodied corpse. I urge you to speak to those in the forest who are reasonable and call for them to reconsider their allegiance. Any leader who calls for the death and destruction of another people is not worthy to lick the dirt from a boot."
Taking a few solid breaths, Wilhelm's rage cools to a simmering fury. His voice tight, he finishes, "My thanks to you, Lady Tiressia. You have made us aware, at great pain and danger to yourself, of the darkness lurking in this forest. I hope that those in the forest who would seek peace and harmonious living with us come forward and speak. Her 'Emeraldness' seems set on a course that will lead only to the destruction of vast swathes of both our people. It has been proven that with effort on both of our parts, that the fey and humans can live alongside one another and even in friendship. Consider that, and consider all I've said."
The dryad's sad smile freezes in place, and then is replaced with a look of steely resolve. "You forget your place, Human. I have no wish to harm you, but if you speak against the Emerald Lady again, I will fight to the death to kill you." The forest around goes silent, bird songs cease with a completeness that is deafening. Only the wind makes an appearance, blowing leaves. "No fool is so blind as he who will not see, nor one so deaf as he who closes his ears.. You have killed yourselves. And there is little we can do about it. Your own doom is on your own hands, not on ours. Now be gone from my glade while you still hold some of my good will, although you have squandered most of it." Somewhere nearby a hawk shrieks.
As she responds to Wilhelm's speech, and her phrasing, Wilhelm begins to realize that it's not the Emerald Queen pronouncing doom on mortals. That's why they've referred to the Doom and the Curse on Humans separately. Someone has done something to doom mortals, but the doom isn't the queen. The Empress just seems very pissed off about whatever was done that's bringing down doom. Given that the Empress's curse doesn't seem to be directed at anyone other than those with human blood, whoever did something is likely human.
Well, there goes the pleasantries ... Fhârn noted sadly as the glen turned hostile again. While this faë had actually helped them somewhat, he wished with all his heart that one day fey-kin would stop sprouting dire warnings and prophecies and just . With a small flashback to the pond and the loggers, Fhârn bites his tongue to keep any acidic comment in.
"It does seem as if we have overstayed our welcome. Let us make haste back to the pond - perhaps the nerid is willing to share more about this 'doom' of ours ..."
Natalie looks a bit uncomfortable about the recent change of events and quickly agrees with Fharn that we should leave this place as fast as we can.
Anastacia regards the dryad sharply, then visibly relaxes. "You know more than you are telling us. I, at least came here with the hopes of living at peace with the fey, and in tune with nature. Yet I find there is to be a war not of my making. One I know nothing of. And those that do have this information keep it to themselves. So it is not by our hands alone, that doom falls."
Anastacia straightens her frame with resolve. Nor do I except this doom. I did not bring it, but perhaps with Pharasma's aid I may avert it."
Anastacia's level gaze holds no ill will. Loyalty is something she understands.
"Good bye." The cleric turns her charger and begins to leave the glade.
The dryad's features soften. "There are those who have aided you as much as they can. The fey are not like mortals, we are bound by our own magic as much as you are bound by your faith, Priestess." She says softly, and bows. "Just as you hold all fey responsible for the Empresses perceived hostility if they do not stop her, so must we hold all mortals responsible for the actions of those you give power to and do not reign in when they abuse it."
In the distance, an Owl hoots. The dryad bows. [b]"May your way be as peaceful as it can be in such times."[b/]
Wilhelm's anger begins to dissipate in fits as he understands what the dryad implies. He nods once, respectfully, before saying, "Fare you well, Lady Tyrissia. I'm sorry it couldn't be under more pleasant circumstances. I do not hod all fae accountable for the actions of individuals, and I hope that you can see that power is a tricky thing in our lands. If your Emerald lady is not the source of this doom, then I will seek it and root it out. My apologies if I have mistaken her intent. There is a chance for us to be friends and neighbors, I hope that our anger and fears today do not squash that. My regards and farewells, Lady Tyrissa." Wilhelm signals to his companions and slowly leads them from the glade back to the north and to the Nixie's pond.
After a short time, Wilhelm opines sourly, "It seems we've caught ourselves up in a neat little web not of our own making. What is this doom and why don't the fae simply explain what it is? There are lives at stake and we are playing games." He glances sidelong at his cousin, "I might be better of letting you speak to the fae from here on out. You seem to have more of a knack for it."
"I bet, somehow, someway, this is all Magnar Varn's fault... First he pisses off our native neighbours, then some cosmic force. Dam that trice cursed man!"
"Ikit confused. Why forest want to kill you? Ikit never had problema with forest... except maybe big whiskers want to eat ikit when ikit collect ingredients..." he asks the group as a whole
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"So what might be the chances," Corwen enquires in a level voice, "of someone letting me know what in the name of the gods is going on here? You folk have helped me out, and I'd like to repay the favour, but I'll need a little more to go on if I'm to make a decent contribution if you understand me..." He looks to Wilhwlm and Fhârn for some kind of explanation of the situation.
"I was thinking the same." Anastacia gives Fhârn a slight smile.
"Someone." Anastacia explains to Ikit. "Some human person has done something. We have no idea what, or who, but whatever was done, has set in motion a sequence of events. As a result, the forest acts against us. The fey folk have apparently declared war on humanity, as well."
Anastacia barks a short frustrated laugh. "Meanwhile, we rush around stepping on sparks, unaware that the whole house is afire."
Gorruum tries to follow the discussion as best he can. The long and fanciful speeches don't help matters. He catches words here and there. HOOM. KILL. DOOM. It doesn't sound good. But he likes how the words sound together. He rides Ubagub out of the glade singing softly "Hoom. Doom. Hoom. Doom. Hoom. Doom."
Looking slightly confused Natalie asks to the group "What excatly have I stumbled upon in these woods?
My job was surposed to be a simple looking a young man and bring him or words of his whereabouts back with me.
But now we are dealing with an angry forest, a slaughtered town of devil cultists and strange forest creature waging war on our races."
Fhârn nods at the cleric, and explains his bleak reasoning to their new comrades.
"Varn holds the charter to the east of Domierov and so far, he has done seemingly everything in his power to make as an bad impression on his surroundings as he can. The man despite reason and diplomacy, living instead by treachery. It wouldn't be surprising if he finally did something foolish on a cosmic scale, judging by his previous endeavours ..."
"... Now, exactly as to *what* someone did - and how it pissed off the forest and the faë - your guess is as good as mine."
Goruum tilts his head and does his best to follow Fhârn. "Wilhelm good. Varn bad. Kill Varn." A bemused look comes over him as he adds. "Fhârn. Varn. Fhârn. Varn. Hoom language funny."
Fhârn sighs and rubs his eyelids, but cannot help but chuckle a bit.
"Sadly, we can't just kill every idiot we come across. Wouldn't have any politicians left if we did ..."
"Caw!" The black raven puffs up his feathers, nodding in agreement with Gorruum
Wilhelm casts a sidelong glance at newcomers, scrutinizing them as Fhârn answers.
After a moment of thought, Wilhelm nods his approval and adds to Fhârn's explanation, "You're discovering many of difficulties seeking Domierov's destruction even as we are. I'm not yet sure that it is Varn who is to blame, but there are other parties roaming the land who it could be. This settling is a complicated political game of the nobles in Brevoy and the Swordlords of Restov. We owe a degree of loyalty to the Swordlords and the various other houses in Brevoy have interests in Varn and another of his kind, Drelev. Hold off on the killing for now, Gorruum, as we know little other then he's not a diplomat."
Wilhelm continues to ride along calmly, explaining the state of things, "We've also certain troubles with a troll with oversize ambitions and a mean streak. The self-styled "King" Hargulka threatened Felicia's tribe and is gathering forces against us." Wilhelm smiles ruefully, "It seems to be quite the mess you've stumbled into."
"Would the Fey Court be opposed to offensive military action against the trolls?"
Dante asked from horseback.
The kobold, who for most of this trip has been silently annoyed nature of her current predicament decides to finally chime in.
"The settling is relatively simple actually, it is the not being wiped about by this queen of the fey or the king of trolls that may prove more complicated. I'm hoping we can talk some sense in to most of our adversaries and turn the combined might of our peoples against those few that will not see reason. Or maybe a more tactical approach may be needed, we might be able to get the trolls to accept our rule if we can bring their king low with apparent ease... something that will probably tax us to no end. The fey on the other hand may end up requiring more of a diplomatic touch as I do not feel we will bring more than unending enmity down upon our nation if we end the reign of their queen. Truth be told though, I would think that my people may be left alone by the faeries even if our human counterparts fail to weather her assaults."
Anastacia has no comment to make to Shimmer, she makes sense, but offers no actual course of action. At any rate, the survival of the kobold tribe is of secondary interest to Anastacia.
"A good question." Anastacia muses. "I would think not, but perhaps they have an alliance we do not know about." Anastacia's expression is one of distant disdain. "I pegged those trolls as thugs and opportunists. I still think it to be so."
With a shrug Anastacia adds: "Assumption is risky business, as we all know. It would be good to have some facts to work from."
Anastacia directs her next comment to Wilhelm. "The matter of the centaurs seems key to many of our problems. They are deadly troops, with mobility and strength. we can't afford to have them as enemies. We need them to be at least neutral. Better if we could number them as allies."
Anastacia seems pensive now. she knows that what she is about to suggest is not honorable, and may be morally shaky. Sometimes the ends do justify the means.
"I'm thinking we may win them over if we help them exact vengeance on he who harmed them. It would have to be a black-cloak operation, of course. it would not do if the man's supporters back in Brevoy learned that we moved in such an overt way. Worth the risk, to cement a positive relationship with the centaurs. I think so anyway...
Corwen struggles to follow the references to individuals and factions he knows little to nothing of, but catches on to Anastacia's last comments. A 'black-cloak' operation, you say? That's more up my alley... "So m'lady, these centaurs have been wronged by whom, exactly?"
Wilhelm rides along in silence, listening to his council. He nods thoughtfully from time to time. He replies to Corwen's question, "That would be Maegar Varn, Corewen. He's made something of an unfortunate name for himself."