The elf will remain at the bottom looking to see that nothing rises to attack the group.
Master Yap decides to stay by Terevalis, having already had far too much trouble with this mound in the past.
Those who climb to the top successfully find that indeed the top of this mound leads into another area. You vaguely see what might be the top of a very large tree, although its very difficult to see due to the fog cover. The mound itself seems to slope back downward towards this large tree in the center.
Unfortunately Gabriel finds out that hacking the mound is the wrong thing to do. The same mistake Yap made when he slashed the mound with his dagger. It appears causing any harm to the Mound triggers a defensive response from mound. First his blade accidentally hits one of the roots and hear a muffled female scream from inside the mound. He then sees a shambling mound slowly pull itself out of the mass of vines and give an angry look to Gabriel. Nearby you hear sounds of other Shambling Mounds pulling themselves free from other locations.
It will take a round or two for the Shambling mounds to pull their way out. Do you want to fight or try and speed-climb/fly your way to the other side as fast as possible?
"Go on, I will keep these things busy."
He yells as he cast and bolsters himself with Ironskin then improving his blade with his bond.
I assume he made it roughly 1/2 way up before he's forced to start hacking. Gabriel is the primary target of the mounds but they will attack other PC's if you stick around.
"Go I said. Quickly I grow tried of this floating weed island."
Ok so lets do this narrative. Gabriel holds his ground as the giant monster closes in on him and tries to crush him with massive vine-covered arms.
His defensive stance holds the creature off, for now although he will eventually be overwhelmed by these creatures if he continues to fight. Another of these creatures closes in on him while the other two go after the rest of the group. Gabriel you can keep holding your ground or give me a successful Acrobatics or Climb to see if you can make it over, although you will provoke from two of these creatures by doing so.
Jor, Alathea and Athola quickly run into the valley on the other side of the mound. Two of the creatures pursue them but once the group has cleared the cusp of the other side, the creatures cease their pursuit as though there is something preventing them from entering the inner valley.
When they cross the threshold they suddenly find themselves in a place very different that the rest of the mire. First of all the inner valley is not concealed in fog. The ground is grassy, lush and covered with a mix of flowers, cloves and other beautiful plants. The air is full of beautiful scents of nature. Still you can’t see the walls of the mound from inside here, only a wall of impenetrable fog. In the center of this valley is a massive tree with lush looking leaves, its upper branches reaching into the sky and poking its way into the upper fog. You see bonded with the trunk, what looks like a carving of an attractive looking human woman fused with the wood of the tree, her face wrapped in a look of sorrow. Her clothing appears to be a robe of some kind and carved around her neck is a Medallion bearing the symbol of Chislev. You also see in her arms what looks like a beautiful child cradled in the wooden arms of the woman, wrapped in leaves and resting peacefully in a deep slumber.
The eyes of the carved woman seem to open in the tree as the face turns its head in your direction. A feminine voice echos through the valley.
”Greetings travelers and welcome to this place blessed by World Mother Chislev. If you have traveled here, you must have braved much, for beyond here, Zeboim’s curse continually reaches to claim this place. Fear not, you are safe here so long as you respect the balance of nature. I am Migerna and this is the sanctuary… and my prison.”
Her eyes turn to look at Alathea, ”I see you bear the symbol of Zivilyn, the beloved husband of Goddess Chislev. Perhaps in your wisdom you can help save my beloved daughter Angelina from the wicked Sea Goddess who wishes to claim her. To understand my plight, you must listen to my tale and know the cause of my plight. In an age long ago I was one of Chislev’s favored druids, a preserver of nature and dedicated follower to her will. I wished to follow the cycle of life and have children of my own, thus I sought a husband and found true love with a handsome Ishtarian sailor named Robert. We were engaged but before we could be wed, he had an important voyage to perform. He swore we would be wed upon his return and I waited longing for his swift reunion. A long time later, I would learn that he was thrown overboard during a storm and was consumed by the sea. In my grief I prayed to Chislev for his return but my Goddess refused for he had died nature and to return the dead to life would be an affront to the natural order. I should have listened to my Goddess, accepted his fate and moved on with my life. In my grief, I did not listen and sought other means… darker ones to see my beloved returned.”
Tears well from the tree, leaking from the eyes as she pauses for a moment and then she continues with her tale, ”I traveled to a shawl sacred to the Sea Goddess Zeboim and begged the Sea Witch, offering her anything for the return of my beloved. Zeboim heard my plea and said she would return Robert from the Ocean on the condition that I sacrifice my first born child to the waters. I was a fool to accept such a pact but in my grief I swore to the Sea Witch that I would do so. And indeed, the Goddess kept her word for the next day Robert washed up on shore alive but with no memory of what happened. Chislev knew of my betrayal and withdrew her power from me and I was but a normal woman then. Nonetheless all I wished was my beloved and we were wed and I sought to hide my past mistakes by living a normal life. Soon though I was with child and I knew that the time would come when I would have to keep my end of the bargain to Zeboim. Eventually my daughter Angelina was born…”
More tears fall from her eyes as she weeps, looking down to the child and cradling her more. ”When I first looked on my daughter love overwhelmed me, I loved her so-so much. Soon after the birth, a messenger of Zeboim, in the form of a Shark came and demanded that I hand Angelina over to be sacrificed to the waves. I….I could not do it, I could not sacrifice my child to… that Sea Witch. And indeed the wrath of Zeboim was great. First the Sea Witch reclaimed my husband along with his entire crew in a wrathful storm. Zeboim then had the audacity to demand my child a second time, despite taking back what she had given and more. I refused her a second time, thus the storm and the sea chased me, forcing me to flee inland to save the life of my daughter. I sought refuge in the forests of Mithra, to a grove sacred to Chislev and begged the World Mother for protection. Chislev agreed to do so, transforming me into the form of the tree you see before you and enchanting my child into eternal slumber. My child and I have remained here ever since, separated from the outside world, protected but imprisoned in this grove. The World Mother warned that Zeboim’s wrath is eternal and only when a life debt is paid will her curse be brought to an end. What is the wisest course of action, chosen lady of Zivilyn?”
Looks like you got yourself into a wee bit of trouble.
Looking about at the dense fog.
So why is this piece of land in the middle of the ocean? Accessible via ship on the ocean.
The female looks to Athola and says, "I know not how the seas were able to reach here. In my time, this land was a vast and lush wilderness. All I can remember was there was a great shaking of the earth followed by a wall of water that surrounded this grove but the power of Chislev preserved this place. I know not what lies beyond the fog of this grove but I can seance Zeboim's presence scratching at my roots and she is far closer than she was before this tragedy."
Those with history easily know that the flooding caused by the First Cataclysm took many places underwater so it is possible she's telling the truth on this. However it also means that she has been alive for hundreds of years.
The destruction of Istar probably caused her home to sink beneath the waves. Now that the Storm Queen has returned, perhaps her fury at this event is what we are feeling. remarks the Black Robe.
Assuming that Yap also managed to B-Line it with Terevalis into the valley he pipes up and says, "Well its simple Missy. Give up da baby to the Sea Queen and all of this will be over. After all, ya shouldn't have had the kid to begin with cause it was all a part of the deal. Tee he ha ha!"
The tree-woman scowls at the Kobold and her voice rises in outrage, "How dare you say that you foul Lizard! I sacrificed everything to save my child from Zeboim. I am NOT giving up my daughter to that monster of the waters! That is absolutely out of the question!"
Master Yap rubs his scaled chin and looks to the others giving a sinister grin on his face and says, "Ya know I'm right. If we don't give the Sea Queen her due, we're going to be stuck in this place until we die."
Alathea frowns, "A life debt, this is certainly a difficult problem to solve. While Master Yap is correct that is certainly not a viable option after so much has been sacrificed by Migerna already.
Can you call off your guardians from attacking my friend? Then perhaps together we can all think of a solution to this dilemma?"
Magerna says, "I have no control over the creatures that claw at my roots. They are agents of Zeboim trying to prevent your interference. Still as they are near my roots I am not compleatly powerless. I will slow them down enough for your friend to reach here."
She seems to go quiet and in the meantime outside roots of the large tree shoot out and entangle the shambling mounds, giving Gabriel enough of a distraction to pull himself into the valley while they struggle in their bonds.
If the goddess is demanding satisfaction for your going back on your word, a life for a life, might be the way to end this.
Magerna says to Terevalis, "What life is there to give Zeboim? I do not know why she is so obsessive of collecting this debt. The Sea Witch claims lives every day through her wrath. She has already claimed many innocent souls throughout the ages. Why is the life of my child so important to her? Why would she continue her pursuits after so many ages. This I do not understand."
A Knowledge Religion or Planes check would actually give you some information on this.
After the creatures are entangled Gabriel puts his shield away and attempts to climb over.
Moments pass as he struggles in his heavy armor but soon he is able to make it over.
After making it over and getting the tale and what has happened Gabriel thought for a moment.
"What if I were to give my life in your child's place. Terevalis could perform the ritual. It seems our ship is stuck and if I do not do this all will die save the few Terevalis could transport away. Would this work Alathea?"
Either or or both and?
Planes
Religion
Ok well with Religion you know that there is a difference between just getting killed by acts of nature and voluntarily giving a soul up to a God. In the former the person's soul passes on to the gateway of souls unfettered and with no obligation to the Gods. On the other hand, sacraficing yourself to a God, means they own your soul and can do with it what they will. In the case of a parent sacrificing a child, as the child can not make such a choice, the ownership of their soul defers to the parent, hence if the Child was sacrificed, Zeboim would have an innocent soul to torture or use to her own ends.
Of course Zeboim being a chaotic evil goddess her motives are hard to discern. From all you know Zeboim expected Magerna to refuse the sacrifice and then using it as an excuse to bring spiteful vengeance upon the world without interference by other gods. On the other hand, maybe Zeboim made a fair deal and was genuinely angered by the refusal hence then chain of devastation that has come from this. Maybe the child itself is part of some greater wicked plan she is hatching. Whatever the case, to satisfy the terms, either the child must be sacrificed or someone must sacrifice themselves body and soul to Zeboim. It won't be a pleasant afterlife in the hands of the Sea Queen for the soul she claims.
Mageria says, "I know not what lies beyond this valley. What wrath has the Sea Queen wrought beyond these borders? How is it that you are all stuck in this place?"
To Gabriel she says, "You offer your very life to save my child. I see you bear the symbols of the Knights of Solamnia and your act of chiverly reminds me that righteousness in the world still exists. I would not ask for you to give your life for my child, but if it is your will then I cannot refuse such an offer if it means my child and I will be free from this place and the curse of Zeboim. I would be eternally grateful to you and owe you the greatest of debts."
No madam, because of your selfishness many have been turned to undead on this isle of kelp and been stranded here or starved to death. You should take responsibility for the oath you swore to the Dragon Turtle and the lives which have been claimed by your inability to keep a promise. Even the World Mother turns away from you and your plight. he says with scorn in his voice.
Alathea watches as Darkness and Light vie for arguments over who should be given to the Sea Goddess.
"If you should give your life Gabriel who will wield what you have in your possession? Is the world not more important than the lives of the few on this ship?
Terevalis, you would have this woman give up her daughter after centuries of struggling to save the life of a daughter she promised but had never looked upon until years later? A promise that the sea witch never fully explained and then cruelly stripped away when her husband was once again brought to the depths of the sea?
Neither of these solutions are sensible. Gabriel is too important and the life of a child so long cursed may be the key to some victory in the future. My own role here is perhaps the most easily replaced. I wield no great Artifacts from the Gods. I am the embodiment of balance and perhaps with my own sacrifice the balance here can be restored..."
Alathea removes the Tear of Mishakal in its infinite bright blue glow. "Gabriel, take this. It belongs in the hands of a Cleric of Quanesti Pah. Find that Cleric and restore the balance that Chemosh has been tilting once again to the darkness. Save Terevalis' people".
Alathea turns to Terevalis, "Begin the ritual. We shall see if Zeboim will have the strength to claim one blessed by Zivilyn".
Mageria's eyes and tears rain from her eyes after hearing Terevalis speak the hard truth. She is genuinely surprised by this and then the sorrow overwelams her more.
"Is this true.... did my sins cause all of this? Countless lives dead because of my own selfishness? I...I never meant for this...I just wanted to save my daughter...I never know the results of my sin would cause so much suffering in the world, cost so many innocent lives at the hands of Zeboim. How could I ask any of you to pay for my sins? I...am the cause for all of this and I alone should pay the price, not you who are innocent in all of this, not my child who did nothing wrong, the responsibility lies on my head. But...I don't want to be separated from my daughter... she is so young... so innocent in this world. If I am gone, who would take care of her? Who would love her as much as I do?"
Master Yap nods and yaps out, "Yep yep! Give yourself up so your child can live. That will solve it, solve it all. Then no one has to die except the one that caused all this. That's you missy! Tee he he ha ha!"
Mageria just cries and cradles the child in her arms, caught up in a bout of indecision and Yap's tormenting only deepens her sorrow.
Perhaps the knight can find her an orphanage to grow up in or she can be trained in the use of magic. says the Black Robe.
Alathea will approach Mageria, "If you are willing to make this sacrifice then we will promise to take care of your child, our journey is arduous so we will have to find a place for her as Terevalis stated relatively soon, where we go is no place for a child".
Athola listened to the discussions for a while. Perhaps Mr Evil here could take the child to the tower for safe keeping, until we finish with what we need to do. Afterward we can take the child to the Knights of Solamnia.
Athola walks up to Mageria stretching her arms out to take the child.
Oh. What must be done to sacrifice yourself to the Sea Queen?
"It is you that have shown me that chivalry is not only wielded by knights. It is in the heart of us all. I vow to take and care for the girl. When she reaches proper age I will take her as a page. If she shows promise then one day a squire and then maybe a knight if she so desires. I will do my best to love her as you have. I see your inner conflict and how it tears at you. You have already given her life and kept it safe. Now with your sacrifice you can give her an even greater gift. The chance to live."
The Black Robe scoffs A pity, you expect others to do what you lack the moral courage to do, after all it was your promise and your child and your inability to keep your word, which has caused this. It is no wonder the gods detest you.
Mageria cradles the sleeping child one last time and says, "Thank you...I can pass onto my fate knowing that my child will have a good life. You have my eternal thanks." but has few other words to show her gratefulness. She then hands the babe off to Athola although gingerly.
She then looks to the heavens and yells, "Chislev! Mother of Nature, I Mageria your devoted call for you."
Soon afterward a figure appears looking much like the picture below. She barely acknowledges the rest of the party but looks up to Mageria. If you can guess anything this is probably one of the Avatars of Chislev who has manifested in herself in this grove.
Mageria with tears in her eyes says, "Mother of Nature, I confess my sins against nature and accept the punishment I have long delayed. For the life and soul of my daughter, I give my own to the sea goddess Zeboim."
Chislev gives an empathetic look and then says, "Finally you have accepted the consequences of your actions Mageria. It was loves folly that lead you down this path. You defied the natural order through your pact with Zeboim and turned away from the will nature in the process. Your actions lead to a chain of sorrow and suffering costing the lives of many innocents who were caught up in this tragedy. I know that the events that proceeded were not by choice and in this you are forgiven. I shall now send you onto Zeboim to meet what fate has in store for you. The girl shall live in your stead. The Balance of the Wild is maintained."
Mageria nods in agreement and gives one last look to the party and a tearful look to her sleeping babe before her eyes close as she dies peacefully. Her body fully fuses with the tree and the soul of Mageria flies out with a silent farewell and enters into the fog and likely into what you expect is the waiting hands of Zeboim to claim this prize. The tree immediately begins to wither as the branches start to look less lush and the leaves change to the color of fall and begin to tumble from above.
Chisev then looks to the rest of the party and says, "You have my gratitude for convincing Mageria to do the right thing. Know that when I leave here, Zeboim will take this grove and the surrounding Mire back into the sea. Still there should be enough time for you to safely make it back to your ship and I will make sure that you do. There is one more thing I would ask of you heroes before I depart. I ask that you give onto me the Angelina, child of Mageria. I shall take Angelina as my own and she will never again be a prize for the Sea Queen to claim."
She outstretches her arms to Athola to receive the child expectantly. You see the baby stir at this moment from its slumber and give an innocent look on her face. What do you do?
The Black Robe speaks in Sylvan, with a bow of respect, Great Chiselv, goddess of the wild, and loved of the Kagonesti, the child is yours as events in the world would keep us from taking proper care of the child.
While holding the child firmly against her, she steps back from the tree, and watches Mageria departing to her chosen fate.
When asked for the child, she keeps holding the child against her she turns to look at Gabiel, Gabriel, being a man of honour and oath, you did promise to Mageria you would take care of her till adulthood. Will you be willing to break your oath to Mageria, so to abide to the goddess Chislev request for the child?
Rolling his eyes on the side and considering the options, Jor speaks up "Why do all of that? I can take care of that child or rather, Brass Tigers can do it for you. There is always a need for able bodied people and someone to learn. Maybe it is fighting, maybe it is crafting, mazbe its even just serving beer but I do offer my own two cents. Majere or in that case, we Majeres do not want to take part to these things but some neutrality has to be followed. He will be taken care off and teached about the world. Let the child decide it herself when she grows to be older"
Gabriel offers a bow.
"With respect goddess Chisev. I am Gabriel Barca. Knight of Solamnia. I have given an oath to protect and care for Angelina. I would ask you honor that for only Kiri-Jolith can release me from such. Watch her protect her and she will know of you and devote herself to you if she so chooses, but let her live here where she belongs."
He bows again.
The child has been claimed by an entity just as powerful and influential as Kiri-Jolith, and indeed was promised to a goddess before her conception. There are forces at play here that should not be tampered with. says the Black Robe.
Chislev turns to Gabriel, gives him a disappointed look and says, "An oath sworn to Bison of Heaven is not something that can easily be turned aside. You swore this oath before knowing my own claims to Angelina thus this issue must be resolved. I will speak with Kiri-Jolith and see if he is willing to release you from your oath."
With that Chislev looks toward the sky and seems to blank out for a moment. Those with magic suspect she is in some kind of magical communication with someone, maybe Kiri-Jolith himself. After some time, a booming male voice is heard. You feel great divine power behind it.
"Gabriel Lucas Barca, Knight of Solamnia, it is I Kiri-Jolith, the Bison of Heaven who now speaks to you. I have spoken to Lady Chislev and have agreed to free you from this oath. You have far more important task to bring righteousness in these dark times and you should not be burdened with the cause of caring for a child as well. Lady Chislev has laid claim to this child called Angelina and in interests of diplomacy I have agreed to this request. Angelina will be raised in safety until she is an age she can make her own decisions. Angelina will then have free will just as any mortal to chose her path in life. Walk with honor Sir Gabriel and continue to hold true to thy oaths."
Chislev gives an approving nod to the heavens and then looks back to the group, "The issue has been resolved. I shall now take my daughter so that she can live among the world once again."
She then waits for Athola to give up the child.
We should make, in great haste, our way back to the ship. Master Yap, will you be joining us? says the Black Robe.
Yap says little bewildered by these divine interactions. Seeing one Goddess in the flesh and the voice of another leaves him flabbergasted. But when addressed he blinks back to consciousness and says,
"The great Master Yap would be very pleased to come along with great people such as you. I'm not the sort to go down with the ship or sinking island in this case. Looks like I'll be sticking with you folks for a while."
He then looks to Athola and says, "So give the Nature Mother her baby so we can get out of here."
Hearing the sudden booming voice, she quickly holds the child more firmly and looks upwards.
When Gabriel nods to her, she walks up to the avatar of Chislev, and gently hands the child over whispering softly, Hopefully we will meet again once you are ready to walk this world once more. Enjoy your protective freedom little one.
The wrath of Zeboim will not be long in coming. We should be off, post haste. he says as he begins to leave.
The baby giggles happily in Athola's arms and is spoken to and remains so as she is passed off to Chislev. Chislev cradles the child in her arms as a loving mother and then looks back to the party and says, "May you walk with the balance of the Wilds. Farewell."
With that she and the child vanish with a flash of light. A surge of divine energy is unleashed when she leaves, a parting gift from Chislev. Everyone heals to full hit-points, cured of any conditions and any stat damage, level drain or stat drain is completely healed. The fog disappears and the seaweed wall to the west opens up, leaving an open path for your exit without dealing with the vines and other hazards it took to get to this grove. However things start to look dire as the tree begins to sink into the ground and water begins to rise. It appears Zeboim is now going to swallow up the tree and then eventually the rest of this mire into the depths of the Blood Sea. It seems to be progressing slowly but still staying here would not be a good idea.
The elf gives everyone a look like I told you so and continues on his way.
Gabriel falls to the ground and placates himself when the voice begins to speak. Once done he rises and looks to the heavens then to Chislev then to Athola giving the approving nod. Once the divine energy is released he starts moving and making way to the ship as best he can.
"Come we need to hurry, the ship will soon be free as this place sinks. If we are not on it down we will go as well."
The group rushes through the sinking island but fortunately the route they take is solid enough and nothing seems to harass them along the way. Plus the fog is lifted thus navigation is far easier than it was allowing them a swifter journey back to the ship. Already a number of wrecks, burdened by weight are being pulled down into the depths of the Sea. The Lucky Maiden seems to have loosened itself as the seaweed no longer is grabbing around their ship although the hull is still damaged.
Pulling yourself aboard Captain Swift says to the party, "Welcome back! Whatever you did on this island seems to have dislodged us from the seaweed and got rid of a good deal of this blasted fog. Still the whole island looks like its sinking into the Ocean. We'ed best get out of here before the undertow pulls us down along with it. Settle yourselves in your quarters and we'll handle things up here."
He then gives a look to the Kobold and says. "What about this lizard-fellow? Is he with you?"
Master Yap says, "Yep, Yap is travelling with these peeps now."
Make haste Captain.
Gabriel nods and heads to his quarters not wishing to get in the way as he knows nothing of sailing.
Alathea as well honors the wishes of the Captain.