The fallen priest smiles when Anwel puts the necklace around his neck. The red stone begins to glow brightly and it is easy to see some of the remaining wounds begin cease their bleeding. However, the old man shakes his head slightly and saying, "Thank you young master, but my time is long overdue. I can feel the god beckoning me back into his fold."
His wrinkled and gnarled hands fumble at the necklace in an attempt to give it back. Thad helps the man and hands the necklace back to Anwel with a look of gratitude and thanks to the elf.
As Stellan's makes his own promise to keep the seed safe Thad places his hand on the witch's shoulder.
"Since we started on this journey I felt something pulling me. Now I believe I know what that has been. I can...feel...the energy of this place. Feel Erastil's power and presence in the trees, the spring, all of it." His voice is filled with wonder and not a little dread as he speaks, but it is clear he has made his own decision to stay.
"I will stay to keep the shrine safe, while these good men continue the work to restore Erastil's dream of bringing good, honest people and living into the realm. With Erastil's guidance and support, there will always be a place of safety within these hills. And with the seed's help I am sure they will prevail in the task of driving out the tribes and the other evils that inhabit this land."
Listening to Thad's words he nods with a look of pleasant satisfaction until the paladin mentions the tribes and the seed. His eyes clear for a moment and he musters his last bit of strength.
"Do not make the same mistakes as I did." He coughs violently, his breathing short and rapid. "Tribes not...enemy. Seed is more...than...you know. Trust...in...Erastil and...his daughter."
With a final breath the priest's head falls to the side and his body slowly begins to slip away as dust in the wind.
Looking up into toward the top of the cliff it is easy to see a majestic white stag standing proudly above the grove and looking down upon the scene. Once the body is completely gone the stag raises it's head and antlers in salute and then disappears from sight.
Warren hold out his hand to Thad and when Thad takes it, uses the grasped hand to pull Thad close for a quick hug.
"You have the stag to watch over you. If you ever need more, give me a call. I think you have seen more of the face of Erastil than anyone in Brevoy. You are truly blessed and chosen by Old Deadeye himself."
Warren retrieves the Seed that they came for and looks around with a sense of relief. "I guess we can rest here and recover our strength before returning. We may run into the competition on the way back, and we probably should be in better shape than we are now. We should probably take inventory of what we have--gifts from Erastil may be the difference in our next encounter."
When the old man pushes the pendant back to him, Anwel wraps the chain loosely around his hand. He listens intently to the priest's final words then, when his head slumps over, pulls the chain tight. He can feel the pinching links draw blood, but only for the briefest second before the pendant's magic closes the little wounds. Then he drops it at Warren's feet. "This knits wounds together. Andrei found a harp that, when played under speech, causes the listener to hear, agree, and obey. There were also a book and a scroll whose function neither of us could divine."
He turns to Thad to ask him what they should do next, but finds it difficult to look at his eyes. It is as though they are lit with silver fire. "Utúvielyë Maranwelda," he says, with appropriate awe. You have found your Brightness. Your calling. He looks at the ground. "Áva tultuvanyë. I istanyë antalyë, áva mauralyë." Do not summon me in the future. What I can give you, you no longer need. "But before we go, please tell us. What are we supposed to do with the Seed? Should we even take it with us, if you will remain to guard this place?"
Stellan looks on compassionately but with the firm knowledge that what is transpiring is the rightful course of events. To Imon he says, "Thad is the Guardian, I'll help, but clearly my task will be more of a warden, around the lands."
Stellan nods at the old man's statements that the tribes were not the problem.
As a general comment Stellan says, "We do need to break the evil hold on this land, but the tribes - their means, are a symptom, not the disease."
"Well, you and Imon are the closest we have to Brevons."
Warren attempts to commune with the Seed.
Thad smiles and warmly returns Warren's hug. "Yes, you'll be able to rest here safely. He turns to look at the clear water in the nearby spring. His face a bit overwhelmed and puzzled. "I'm not sure how I know, but I think the water in the spring will be quite refreshing and help with any wounds or ailments we may have suffered during the journey."
To Anwel he offers a friendly, thoughtful smile. "It may be that our patrons do not see eye to eye, but I know that you wish to do good and right in the world. You will always be welcome in this place should you need a place of rest and sanctuary."
He turns back to the rest of the group. "As for the seed..." He pauses for a second looking to the silver, acorn charm Warren holds and then shakes his head. "That is certainly not it. I wasn't sure what we would find. Now I know even less, except there does seem to be something from within the grove that is holds some kind of power."
He walks into the grove. Those who entered before immediately notice the inner circle is brighter as more sunlight seems to filter through the canopy above. The air has lost the smell of bear and death. Instead it is replaced with the sweet smell of cedar and pine.
Thad steps up to the altar and brushes away the heavy thick layer of needles and forest debris. Gasping, he steps back away from the holy stone and falls to his knees shaking his head in wonder.
With the altar cleared of debris and Thad out of the way, it is now easy to see that the glittering substance was not glass or crystal, but a large block of solid ice. Sealed in the ice is a young girl, about the same size as Sari Meyerson. Except her skin is a mottled green and brown, almost bark-like and her short, cropped hair is a dark green like pine needles in winter. The only thing she wears is a silver charm, a duplicate to the one the priest was wearing. Her face seems at peace and calm, and from what anyone can tell, the ice has had no effect as far as damage or harm to her physical being.
The one thing that is quickly and easily noticed is that several tiny streams of water rapidly flow from the ice and down the stone altar.
Anwel is not sure what to make of Thad's generosity. He is sure they will not meet again; Anwel's own Brightness is too far off, and the path to it too obscure. Still, he follows Thad back into the copse, to the altar where Andrei waits. He keeps a respectful distance while Thad clears the fallen leaves and branches off what they had supposed was the Seed. As more is revealed, Anwel begins to understand the old priest's words.
"Erastil's daughter, I presume," he says quietly. "And the Seed of Life, and the source of the refreshing water." He undoes his cloak. "I think it goes without saying that we will be taking her from the ice," he says, looking at Thad and Stellan for an expert opinion on how best to do that. "But after that, Thad, my question remains. Would it be better to take her with us to the trading post, or for her to remain here under your care?"
Assuming the old man has passed, Stellan will close his eyes, and arrange the body in repose. Then he follows Thad, and when the Seed is revealed, he follows Thad in kneeling in reverent awe. Anwel breaks Stellan's reverie, and Stellan says, "Seems to be melting on its own, I'll observe for a bit to see if any aid is needed, I suspect not. The natural order is restored and the course of events is now proceeding. Does anyone have any spare clothing? I think she manifests as a dryad or nymph but will need something for her and others protection."
Stellan tries to understand her place in the natural order of the world.
Imon's eyes went wide at the sight of the ice covered girl. Watching the others, it made him all the more envious that they seemed to know what was going on. Without thinking, ho removed his cloak, the one he'd left Restov with, and offered it to Stellan, saying "Give her this. But what is all of this? What is the seed? What is Erastil's daughter and why is she encased in ice? I came here to fight bandits, I've never heard of things such as this."
Seeing Imon relinquish his cloak as well, Anwel decides to try an experiment. He lays his cloak flat on the ground, cups his hands to capture some of the water running off the ice, and dismisses the spell keeping it black and wholesome-smelling. Before the assault on the senses can grow too unbearable, he opens his hands and lets the water fall on the fabric.
Andrei is a shocked for long moment, breaking out it when he realises he staring at naked girl. Embarrassed, he looks around for something else to do. "She's going to need some food and fire when she recovers. Would Erastil mind if we started a fire? Outside of course." He asks
Stellan takes the cloak, "Thanks, Imon, I think that Erastil's daughter and the Seed are the same. It's not unknown for children to be referred to as the seed of their parents. Now is it a daughter by adoption or in truth? Are we seeing a birth of a spirit, sprite, or a true demigod? Also this raises the stakes even further. It appears this land is so troubled that a god sees the need to blatantly intervene. Something that happens in myth and legend, not in normal mortal lives, even very important ones. I fear that even worse things than we know is going on. Still we have help, and we need to do what's in front of us. Save anything else for later."
Stellan starts looking around at Andrei request. "There should be a firepit around here, Erastil has nothing against cooking."
Search for firepits and other more ordinary living areas. Likely overgrown or partially buried by time.
Locate stuff.
If he finds a firepit Stellan will prepare it, and set a relatively smokeless fire.
Set up camp at temple, if possible, or nearby if not there.
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Gorax is dumbfounded by the mystical nature of the place and the girl in the ice. "I started up a brew for the old man, it'll still be warm enough for the girl. I'll go fetch some." Gorax retreats from the grove and back to the camp fire he had already started. Building it higher to give off warmth should the girl need it, he boils more herbal tea and takes the girl a tankard full of the warming liquid.
Warren examines the girl with some curiosity.
"These are times that show the power of the divine and the importance of picking the appropriate patron."
Warren looks with regret and doubt on the Gozreh holy symbol. He offers a quick prayer after drinking from the healing waters Thad directed him to.
Andrei nods to Gorax "Good idea" he says feeling a little useless. Stellan's word seem to help and Andrei goes back to his pack outside and comes back with his diary and starts to write the details of what has happened in the last 30 minutes.
Thad breaks out of his somewhat stunned reverie and turns to Anwel. "Frankly, I'm not sure." He says in a quiet voice. Clearly a bit shaken himself by the turn of events. "But I think it may be best for her to stay here, at least for a time, under the protection of her father."
He turns back to gaze at the figure still encased quickly melting ice. "I have no idea how much she knows of the world, this land, or...well...anything really."
When the water from the melting ice falls on Anwel's cloak the foul smelling fae magic is removed from where it strikes the cloak. It only takes a few minutes for the cloak to be completely soaked by the water and is once again pristine and completely free of the tainted magic.
Stellan's search reveals a small cave hidden behind heavy vines and brush beyond the altar. Clearly unused for many years, there is a simple single bed, a fireplace built into the side of the cave wall, a small desk, and a set of shelves carved into the far back wall.
It takes a short time for the ice to melt enough for the top of her body to be free of the melted ice. As Gorax returns with his warm, steaming mug of tea, the remaining ice begins to break apart with several large chunks shattering as they fall to the ground. The sound of the breaking ice rattles through the grove and you notice her eyes flutter open and her chest rise as the young girl stirs to life.
With a sigh of relief, Anwel lays his thoroughly drenched cloak around his shoulders and clips the front together. A light breeze that has found its way into the clearing licks at his back, and he begins to shiver. But he sets his jaw and pulls the water from the cloak into his robes, then onto his body, before it splashes to the the meltwater-sodden ground to form a pool of mud. He looks at his hands; the mottled splotches of pink, green and brown that had stained his palms are gone. Smiling, Anwel takes a step towards the girl, out of the puddle, and nods at Thad's instructions. "Both more and less than any of us, no doubt," he says, clasping his hands in front of him and letting his sleeves fall together. "I am sure that discovering in what measure, and about what subjects, will be...stimulating for you." "Enlightening" no longer seems like the right word.
As the last of the ice falls away, Anwel falls silent. His eyes flick towards Thad, inviting guidance and offering encouragement.
Stellan heads toward his new patient, but holds back just behind Thad letting Erastil's Chosen to take the lead. He gives Imon's cloak to Thad, "Maybe you should take this for her, Thad." He'll observe and be ready to render aid at the first sign of distress.
As the girls eye flick open, Thad seems to gather his wits about him and accepts the cloak from Stellan with a smiling nod. He easily breaks away the remaining ice and just finishes draping the cloak over the girl when Gorax steps up and offers her his warm tea.
Her eyes take a second to focus on the big barbarian, but after a few seconds she sits up and takes the offered cup from him. After taking a careful sniff or two she takes the tiniest of sips from the cups, smiles and takes a bit more.
The brilliant purple of her eyes watches both Gorax and Thad who stand the closest. She glances between the two several times then seems to settle on Gorax who she saw first.
When she speaks, her voice matches her size and apparent age, it is that of a young girl that is filled with life and vibrancy, but hesitant and perhaps a little shy. "Oilaniram? Amirama ils E?" She pauses for a moment, shivers and pulls the offered cloak around her shoulders. "E ils nyecw illw amaan. Fyan E oaac lae ilceela."
Thad steps up and says to her in Sylvan "Aey irilela lacatyan oem il elama celv anesa." He offers his hand to her. "Caan sa iracty aey weaml omes anirama. Eym omealwla irilela il oema veelv amirama aey nyill amilms aeymlaaco."
She takes Thad's offered hand and easily jumps down from the damp, stone altar. Her other hand reaches out and takes Gorax by the hand and she is easily led back to the fire where she smiles and soaks in the warmth.
"I am cold and wet. But I feel so alive."
"You have slept for a very long time."
He offers his hand to her saying, "Let me help you down from there. Our friends have a fire going where you can warm yourself."
Anwel follows Thad, Gorax, and Erastil's daughter back to the firepit, keeping a little bit behind. He does not want to crowd her, but he has information she has requested. When they reach the fire, he sits to her left - leaving room for either Gorax or Thad to sit between them - and hands her his map. "Aey ilma el il lairmela wawenyilanaw ane Amillaanec," he says, pointing to where he had marked the shrine, slightly west of Arrowhead Butte. "Anira lairmela laeanla el anira Asamilcw Mes Ireccla, el anira nyelanelalan eo Ilelelaanill, el anira amemcw eo Vecilmeel.
"E ils Illamac. Aniraa ilma Anirilw illw Vemil'," he says, pointing them out in turn. "Amirilan laireycw ama nyilcc aey?"
"The shrine sits in the Emerald Rim Hills, on the continent of Avistan, on the world of Golarion."
"I am Anwel. They are Thad and Gorax."
"What should we call you?"
Warren follows the girl in a daze.
He speaks reverently to her in the language of the woods:
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Gorax takes the girls hands, but his face is a picture of puzzlement as everyone starts to talk to her with strange and unusual words. He just nods and smiles weakly, whispering to Stellan, "What's everyone on about? She seemed to like the drink though?" He puffs out his chest and takes on the stance of a bodyguard as they escort her towards the fire. He looks into the woods around for any threats, the girls hand laid on his arm.
Andrei smiles at the girl but not understanding anything being said he busies himself preparing a hot meal and keeping the fire going. He figures that after the important conversations are finished he can find out what has been said and introduce himself.
Imon was somewhat less patient than Andrei. Perhaps it was that in dealing with criminals, giving them time to answer meant giving them time to draw a weapon, but he didn't much like having conversation going on that he couldn't understand.
"What is she asking? He said, his eyes shifting from Anwel to Warren. "What are you saying?"
"She wants to know where she is," says Anwel, patiently falling back into the role of interpreter. "Hopefully she is satisfied with my answer, and Warren's, and will tell us her name. She speaks the speech of the faerie folk. If you would like to learn it, I would be happy to teach you when there is time."
The girl tilts her head slightly as she listens to Anwel and Warren. A slightly puzzled look crosses her face as they speak of shrines and vast lands. But despite her limited understanding she clearly takes an interest in Anwel's map, tracing the lines with a small finger.
When Anwel asks her name, she again looks a bit confused and clings to Gorax a little tighter. "E...E...E wel'an nleam amirilan E ils nyilccaw." She shakes her head slightly a a sadness fills her face. "E oaac ean ela laesaanirelv E laireycw irilela, fyan E we lean nleam." She says apologetically and with a bit of sorrow in her voice.
Thad kneels down and says to the girl in Sylvan, "Ean ela ilcmeviran nyirecw. We lean fa omeviranalaw. Ama ilma ilcc irama ane iracty aey illw naaty aey lailoa. Tyamiriltyla ama nyill oelw aey il lilsa." He smiles which seems to help as her grip on the big barbarian relaxes for a moment.
Smiling again Thad says, "Iream ameycw aey cena laesaanirelv ane ailan? Anirela sill, Illwmae ela silnelv laesaanirelv."
She nods happily and turns her gaze to watch Andrei closely as he continues to prepare something to eat. While she appears to be relaxing some, she still maintains her place between Thad and Gorax and certainly keeps her small hand on Gorax's arm.
"I feel it is something I should have, but I do not know."
"It is alright child. Do not be frightened. We are all here to help you and keep you safe. Perhaps we can find you a name."
"How would you like something to eat? This man, Andrei is making something."
Warren places the necklace around her neck.
Her eyes grow large as Warren drapes the necklace over her head. She smiles and expresses her thanks by giving the druid a quick childish peck on the cheek before sitting back down next to Gorax.
When Andrei finishes preparing the meal, the girl happily accepts some of the warm food. After a bit more back and forth it becomes clear that she knows little of her past or her mysterious origins. In most respects she seems like a typical child with a tendency to be a little shy but also inquisitive and very quick.
It is also clear that she has developed an instant liking and attachment to Gorax and Thad. She also seems quite curious about Anwel's map and his tools for drawing and measuring. But it is Warren's eagles that clearly draw her attention when she notices them. Smiling and giggling with delight she throws out her thin arm, squawks a few times, and laughs brightly as Tuney flits down to land on her outstretched limb.
Running her hands lightly over his feathers she whispers to the bird while continuing to stroke it's feathers. Oddly, despite the birds size, she seems to have little trouble keeping her arm steady and outstretched.
"E ils laemma eo E irilela ytylaaan aey," says Anwel. Concerned about the map's proximity to the fire, he puts it away again when the girl puts it down to play with Tuney. "Anira Fmaeleny tyaetycala seviran lilsa iram 'Millalailwil,' oem 'laaawcelv,'" he muses quietly, looking into the fire and speaking to no one in particular.
"The Brevic peoples might name her 'Rassada,' for 'seedling.'"
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Gorax turns and nods at the girl, as the necklace is laid on her chest. "See pretty." he says smiling at her.
As she gaily smiles and holds her hands out to the eagle, tears roll down Gorax's cheeks as he remembers. "Thad, she reminds me of my sister, when she was younger. I miss them you know." A big hand rubs his eyes red, as he wipes the glistening droplets of salt tainted tears that slowly fall down his cheeks. "Such a lovely thought, she's such a nice little thing, like my sis. We must protect her you know."
Andrei smiles a bit "If she is the daughter of a god we might not have to protect her long. But until then you are totally right. Did you decide if her protect would better with us or staying here?" He asks Thad.
Stellan, not sure how the girl would react to him and his friend, holds back as she seems to bond with the others. Satisfied that she is in good hands, he returns to his duties.
Vinur, sniffs around the area, while Stellan keeps him from bothering the girl. Soon Stellan goes off, and he is free to close in on the new, forest fresh scent that also smelled like a person. Flanking as a wolf puppy would, he closes in as the girl strokes the feathers of Warren's Eagles. He stops, the still form of the the birds triggering his instincts, but knowing they are friends, he starts again slower fighting the urge to charge and grab them. Soon he is besides the girl, and nudges her arm, sniffing it closely.
Warren smiles as his larger eagle settles on the girl's arm. He whistles for Montey, the smaller eagle to follow suit.
"Coming here was far more important than I could have imagined. This young lady will quickly mature and can restore the land. I am concerned the forces racing us here need to be stopped and cannot be allowed to despoil this sanctuary or its new residents. Although we can rest here, I will send the eagles to scout the nearby area. If a threat is near they will find it."
When the child is finished with the eagles, Warren sends them looking for any threats. Still injured, he drinks more of the healing waters.
"We should take her with us." Imon said suddenly. "If we are being pursued by our enemies, then it would be the height of foolishness to leave her in our wake. Thad is a fine warrior, but I doubt he could protect this place from a group of any decent size."
"...Did you decide if her protect would better with us or staying here?" He asks Thad.
"...I think it may be best for her to stay here, at least for a time, under the protection of her father."
***
"Thad will not be alone," says Anwel quietly, slipping back into matter of fact Taldane. "Erastil will protect his daughter. Could we possibly do better? Have we even the right to try? I think not, on both counts.
"Would it be possible, Warren," he says, trying to change the subject, "to have either Monty or Tuney rendezvous with Vrag, possibly with a message to let him know we will soon return?"
Thad places his hand on Gorax's shoulder. "She also reminds me of family I've lost." He lets out a smile and sighs, "I'll certainly see that she is safe."
He looks around the vale, scanning the high surrounding cliffs. "I understand the concern about leaving us here. The place seems well hidden. If what the old priest said about the tribes is true, that they aren't a real threat, then perhaps she will be safer here than at Oleg's."
He looks thoughtful for a few moments then looks to Anwel, Warren and the others, "Perhaps a parlay with Tartuk and his people is in order. If we could come to terms with his tribe and people, it would be easy to secure these hills from the bandits."
He watches as the girl continues to smile and laugh when Tuney takes flight to begin his scouting flight for Warren.
"At least until she grows more and we all have a chance to learn more about who...and what...she really is."
Turning to Anwel he nods and says, "Rassada, seems a fine name to me." When he asks the girl her thoughts she nods but is interrupted by the nudge of Vinur's nose.
"Tymaanana tyytytya!" She says with surprise and happiness in her voice. Reaching down quickly she gives the young wolf several scruffs on the chin and side. A look of mischief enters her eyes and she says to Vinur, "Aey amillan ane tymilnyanenya aeym lalailnelv illw irylanelv. Laaa eo aey nyill nyilannyir sa!"
Then with quickness and an almost unnatural grace she leaps to her feet and dashes into the trees and bushes. Vinur barking and chasing close behind. Vinur's barks are answered by shrill giggles and squeals as the two frolic innocently around the outskirts of the grove.
"You want to practice your sneaking and hunting. See if you can catch me!"
Ardrei nods to Thad, "We'll leave in the morning follow the other path out and meet up with Vrag. Everything might change but I think a tempory peace with the bugbears might be wise."
Warren jots a note in big block common script. To be sure, he adds a picture of the sun comming up. 'Back in the morning.'
He test Vrag's humor.
'DON'T EAT BIRD'
Pictogram of bird with an x throtgh it.
He has Tuney carry it.
"I will see if Vrag decides to join us. It would improve our diplomatic options."
"Truly this is a place of enlightenment," says Anwel, smiling in relief. "If our next mission is to secure it by making a peace with the Bone Ravens, should we try to make contact with them before returning to the trading post?"
Andrei smiles to Anwel "I don't think we'll be able to trust them or make a lasting peace but we need to try for a short peace atleast. Fighting the bandits and the Tartuk at the same time will make thing very difficult."
"Perhaps," says Anwel amiably. Enough progress has been made for one day. "But I just wanted to know where we ought to be going next as a practical matter. Back to the trading post to rest and give our friends the news, or into the Smoke Glass hills straightaway to make contact with Tartuk?"
"Did we not tell Vrag to head for the hills when we parted company with him?" After a pause, Imon added, "Perhaps that was simply what I wished to say."
Stellan smiles as Vinur runs off with his new friend. He continues his camp routine while following the conversation. "That was up to him as I recall, a place with us or free to leave." Stellan chew over the thoughts about Tartuk and the tribes. "I guess our biggest problem is that we have little to offer Tartuk, he controls this land, not us. We lack forces to do more than annoy him. If we could start a religious movement among his people, maybe but I'm not sure how to start that. Otherwise, what could we give him that he doesn't already have?"
"Vrag said he would hold our horses at the cave entrance, remember?
"As for the Bone Ravens, I still say we can offer them access to the markets of Restov through Oleg's and Svetlana's trading post and our services in quelling Akiros' activities. As Thad said, they are not our enemy, and we do not need to focus on undermining them."
"We will see what Vrag does. The threats and intimidation plan didn't work very well. We will see how straight up dealings sit with him."
Warren adds: "I don't like leaving the settlers by themselves too long. The Meyerson q&a session will take a whole day I wager."
Tuney returns to the party after a couple of hours. Upon landing the bird begins to poke at a similar piece of scrap cloth wrapped around its leg.
Will join you at meeting of two trails near base of mountain. Beware! Bandits seen traveling toward top of butte.
The small map shows a trail near the cave entrance where you left Vrag and Tam. It winds further around the base of Arrowhead Butte and joins another trail that looks like it comes down from the summit somewhere near your current location.
Just before dark, Monty returns with several warning chirps. From what Warren can decipher it seems the bird may have spotted some kind of threat, but still some distance from the camp.