Richard accepts the map, and unfolds it. He scans the work with a keen eye. He attempts to orient himself to the map to see if he can glean any additional information about the area.
Richard accepts the map, and unfolds it. He scans the work with a keen eye. He attempts to orient himself to the map to see if he can glean any additional information about the area.
1d20+10+1d6
Examining the map, it becomes clear this group was one if the early scouting parties from the eastern side of the island. Most of the map is still blank, but the Carnivore Grove section has several details your map doesn't- including the location of the dryads. You realize you were slightly off course, but still quite close. You should be able to make it before sundown if you move quickly.
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"If you really want them Joly you can have them, I will be sad for days but that's fine I will live with out my nice shinny new pink boots"
She wipes away a fake tear, but takes the boots off which become plain and brown again. She hands them to Jolis with a bow.
"Thank you, Miya", says Jolis as he plops down and begins to remove his boots. "Although I'm sure once we get back to Ruin Village, you'll have an opportunity to remove them again", winks the big warrior.
As soon as the boots slip on Jolis's feet, they conform to his foot size and magically match the rest of his clothes. "Neat!"Jolis rolls up his old boots and puts them in his backback.
Lera rolls her eyes at Jolis' clumsy come-on. "Come on, lovebirds. Richard can point the way to the grove and we can move towards getting off this island."
Jolis puts him arm around Lera's waist and whispers with a smile, "Should I be worried about The Third Sting now?
Richard slowly gets up and says to Grelda. Thanks for not hitting my nuts.
"They are a small target, so they are easy to miss," Grelda says. She wipes the plant pulp off her clubs before returning them to her belt. She looks over the loot dispassionately as the others quibble over who gets what.
"Ready to march on when you are," she says.
Springing on the heels of his new boots, Jolis answered, "I'm ready to go when our 'diplomats' are!"
Lera lightly pushes him off. "The stings aren't to be taken lightly. You'll know when I want to destroy you. Let's just head out."
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Richard take a minute to create an adhesive spittle extract. He nods to the others and points the way indicated from the updated map.
Stands close to Richard as he works, keeping an eye on the foliage around them. But jokes back.
"I'm not going anywhere near your smelly feet big boy"
With the help of the half-finished map, it takes a little over an hour to identify where the dryads live. As you travel, you begin to spot them watching you from a distance as if guiding you in, but they disappear into the trees before you get close enough to speak. Soon, you approach a tree so massive that looking straight up you can't even see the lowest branches. It's obvious that a tree this large would be visible from miles away. The more perceptive of you (whether magically or otherwise) can deduce that this is some sort of illusion.
Jolis looks up at the magnificent tree in wonder.
"Wow!
Richard heads straight for the impossibly enormous tree. He gives a half smirk and reaches out to touch it. Can any of you detect a magical aura coming from this tree?
An empiricist’s grasp of facts and data teaches him to anchor himself in reality, granting resistance to even the most potent illusions. At 4th level, an empiricist gains a +2 insight bonus on all Will saving throws against illusion spells or spell-like abilities that allow a save to disbelieve their effects. In addition he can spend one point from his inspiration pool as an immediate action to use his Intelligence bonus instead of her Wisdom bonus on all such saves for one round. At 8th level, the empiricist’s insight bonus increases to +4. At 16th level, he gains immunity to all illusion spells and spell-like abilities that allow a save to disbelieve the effects.
This ability replaces swift alchemy.
"It's obviously an illusion, Richard but if it will set your mind at ease..."
Following Lera's arms, a viewer would see her create an imaginary window. "Magic be direct; I command thee to detect."
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She follows Richard and has he asks about magic at the same time Valeriya casts so Maya moves her hands in complex path humming ash she dose. Then her eyes glow a deep blue.
Quiet in the face of such awe-inspiring nature, Vitranna simply follows the others. Her spear is held in both hands however, just in case it is needed.
As you suspected, the entire tree from root to tip radiates with the faint glow of illusion magic. When Richard places his hand against it, he feels rough bark under his fingers until he concentrates on the sensation. As the illusion fades, you see the truth beneath it. What appeared to be a grand and mighty tree is in fact a hollow, rotten trunk, hundreds of feet across but scarcely a meter high.
"I'm told it was magnificent once," Eilena says, emerging from the forest to your left. "It's been like this since before I was born though."
Still staring at the reality beneath the illusion, Richard comments. So why the illusion then? I don't understand it's purpose.
Vitranna answers Richard's question before she can think about the answer.
"Its a memory. A memorial. I've seen similar such things left over from ancient Thassilon in my homelands of Varisia."
Jolis beholds the dryad and bows deeply as a sign of respect and Eilena's authority.
"It is good to see you again, m'lady. I hope you have recovered fully from the previous attack."
Vitranna answers Richard's question before she can think about the answer.
"Its a memory. A memorial. I've seen similar such things left over from ancient Thassilon in my homelands of Varisia."
Richard looks back at Vitranna with an incredulous look, Memorials are usually symbolic. You wouldn't use a full body hologram for a loved one whose passed. It's just creepy.
Vitranna frown at the odd word.
"Holo--wasit? It's just an illusion Richard. A powerful one surely. But, just an illusion. Is illusion magic more difficult where you come from Richard? That would explain a great many things I think."
Look, what I'm sayin' is... You make the stump into a big salad bowl or something. You know, It's helps you remember, but also move on.
"I shan't be taking advice on proper expression of emotions from you, Richard. Good day, Eilena. How have you been since we saw you last?" Lera says in common so everyone can understand it.
Eilena gives Richard a cross look, but doesn't respond to his comments.
"I'm doing much better, since bonding with a new tree," She says, though with a hint of sadness in her voice. She quickly shakes it off, standing tall and trying her best to affect an air of quiet dignity. "I told the mothers about you, and they want to meet you. It's a very rare occurrence for any mortals to enter this far into our domain. Do please be on your best behavior when you go inside."
Richard looks at everyone looking at him. What?
Jolis stands up and asks Eilena, "I'm sorry. In where?"
Lera nods respectfully to Eilena. "We are here for diplomatic reasons so we'll all be respectful. Please lead the way, Eilena."
"Yes lets"
Grelda grunts her assent.
Vitranna keeps her gob shut and follows along. She generally knows when she's in a place of magical importance, surrounded by beings capable of killing you more than once over, you should probably wait to be spoken to before you say anything.
"The rings should let you get inside...I think. You may want to hold hands, just to be safe. And maybe hold your breath for a bit...This hasn't ever happened before, so I'm not totally sure how it will go." Eilena seems less confident the more she speaks, frowning self consciously. "Anyway, they already know you're here, so don't keep them waiting."
She moves behind you and ushers you forward towards the tree trunk.
Don't use this as an excuse to grope one another. Richard grabs Jolis' arm and heads in.
Taking a few moments to grasp what Eilena was saying, Jolis chimes up.
"Okay. I think I got it. We all make a line, joining hands. Lera will be in front, I'll take flank. On Lera's signal, we all rush into the tree trunk, breath held. What do you think?"
Don't use this as an excuse to grope one another. Richard grabs Jolis' arm and heads in.
Dragged by the uncharacteristicly enthused investigator, Jolis can only shout out momentarily before both men disappear into the tree.
Lera ponders at Richard's words. "Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of. How much to get you two to grope each other?" she says pointing at Richard and Jolis.
Puts her hand on Richards shoulder as they are pushed in.
The moment you touch the tree, you feel the world begin to melt around you. You feel a strangely familiar sense of falling, a sensation you've only felt once before in your life - the feeling of being pulled from one part of the world and being flung through space into another. But unlike on the Sister's Grace, this time you remain fully conscious as you fall through a whirlwind of warmth and light. Your sense of time begins to fade and soon you have no idea for how long you've been falling. Then, a sudden feeling of weightlessness as the world begins to coalesce around you.
You find yourself in a new clearing, much like the one you just left, but with several stark differences. Most obviously, the tree before you stretches into the sky, just like the other did, yet this one is no illusion. Any examination will prove that it is just as real as any of you, though it is emanating with magic. In fact, every tree and plant seems to have a faint glow about it. Even the air itself has a nearly intoxicating aroma unlike any you've ever known.
"Welcome to our realm, mortals," a chorus of voices whisper, echoing all around. "Our daughters tell us much about you. But the young are very easily impressed. We are not yet convinced you are the ones we seek."
Once Jolis feels like he returned to his own perception, the big warrior looks around to see his friends with him and that they are in good health. All share his look of wonderment upon their faces.
"Thank you for seeing us safely to your realm", starts Jolis. "We do not seek to do you harm, and I doubt if we wanted to, we could do so in this place. My name is Jolis Cailean, and these are my friends." The Caydenite makes a show of convincing the others to introduce themselves.
Seeing the space is magic she too has a look of wonder but the as Jolis talks her focus comes back.
"What and who? who.. My name is Miya"
"as for what, you know already, sisters and brothers of green"
She says and bows.
"Welcome to our realm, mortals," a chorus of voices whisper, echoing all around. "Our daughters tell us much about you. But the young are very easily impressed. We are not yet convinced you are the ones we seek."
Richard arches an eyebrow. Yes, I'm sure immortality can make a person jaded. However, as far as I know, we were seeking you. I know you're busy doing all sorts of nature type stuff and want us out of your hair... Richard looks around and continues ...We seek to get back home, and hopefully bring those who wish to leave as well. If our interests align, we ask that you aide us in getting to the ancient research outpost in your land.
"Thank you for seeing us safely to your realm", starts Jolis. "We do not seek to do you harm, and I doubt if we wanted to, we could do so in this place. My name is Jolis Cailean, and these are my friends." The Caydenite makes a show of convincing the others to introduce themselves.
"It has been long since we have met a Cailean. We do hope you live up to the name."
*speaking Sylvan*
Yes, I'm sure immortality can make a person jaded. However, as far as I know, we were seeking you. I know you're busy doing all sorts of nature type stuff and want us out of your hair... Richard looks around and continues ...We seek to get back home, and hopefully bring those who wish to leave as well. If our interests align, we ask that you aide us in getting to the ancient research outpost in your land.
The voices ring out in laughter; some light, chime-like giggles, others deep and throaty. "You are an amusing one. But we are not 'jaded'. We simply have no interest in sending you to your deaths. You have done well to come this far, but as you are now, it will be a struggle to make it further. If you agree to help us, then we will do more than guide you to the outpost."
"In our weakened state, we were no match for the elementals they summoned to war against us. They twisted the very ground beneath our feet and turned the weather against us. It took all of our might just to create this safe haven where we could protect just a few of our children. But thanks to the destruction outside, the island can no longer sustain us. We would perish if we leave."
"If we agree to aid you, you must agree to do all that is in your power to restore our connection to the First World. Then, if you succeed in leaving this island, do all that you can to ensure no others arrive after you. Are these terms agreeable?"
"It has been long since we have met a Cailean. We do hope you live up to the name."
"Wow!" Jolis said in surprise. "Cayden Cailean came to this island before?"
"If we agree to aid you, you must agree to do all that is in your power to restore our connection to the First World. Then, if you succeed in leaving this island, do all that you can to ensure no others arrive after you. Are these terms agreeable?"
"It would be honored to help", said the big warrior, bowing his head to the unseen masters.
Shifts into her true form.
"Some find it hard to see me like this"
Lera curtsies. "I am Valeriya Leskovna Ilyinishna, though you may call me Lera."
"I am truly sorry for what we have done to your kind. I would never have aided nor condoned such actions. I swear on my honor as a Ulfen that I will do what I can to help restore the connection between this place and the First World."
Lera cocks an eyebrow but doesn't seem too startled. "I had heard of Kitsune from the merchants in the Jade Quarter. Hadn't thought I'd meet one face-to-face."
"Wow!" Jolis said in surprise. "Cayden Cailean came to this island before?"
Richard shakes his head. Let's hope you haven't already banged one of your half-sisters. That's all this island needs is a freakishly strong flipper baby.
As Jolis and Lera enthusiastically agree to their request, Richard's eyes narrow at them. Yeah sure. I'll figure out something, in between figuring out, how to leave the island, besting a massive army, freeing elemental slaves, and understanding the magic left behind by the builders... Richard looks up and around ...And for future reference, if you ever hand out magic rings, It be great if you give some instructions on how they work. Richard cocks his head with deliberate intent, and his stiffness is released with a cracking sound.
Jolis facepalms himself in frustration.
"Please forgive my alien friend here. He comes from another planet where courtesies went extinct millions of years ago", spoke the big warrior, shooting daggers with his eyes at the investigator.