While hesitant to speak to such powerful beings, Vitranna waves her hand to get their attention.
"Wait! There are those who live here now and have been doing so for many years. They have made this island their home...we can't just kick them off this island. Can you accommodate these new residents at all? I assure you they just wish to live out their lives here peacfully."
Jolis nods in agreement. "Good point, Vitranna. I've seen many who choose to live with nature instead of against it. Please consider these individuals mercifully".
"Wow!" Jolis said in surprise. "Cayden Cailean came to this island before?"
"Not to this island, no. But we met him in the First World, where we drank the King's ambrosia together. Perhaps one day you will see us there as well."
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...
|You believe these quests to be many, when in fact they are all one and the same. Understand the nature of the magic the mortals left behind, and you will be able to undo all that they have done."
"Wait! There are those who live here now and have been doing so for many years. They have made this island their home...we can't just kick them off this island. Can you accommodate these new residents at all? I assure you they just wish to live out their lives here peacfully."
The dryads do not answer right away. After a short silence, they whisper back and forth among each other, their voices disjointed for the first time since you arrived. Eventually, they speak as one again. "Our daughters have seen those who live on this island.
Those who were born here, and know no other home. Those who wish to stay may do so as long as they remain peaceful. But they have also told us of the invaders - violent and cruel. They must be driven out. When you leave, we will ensure that no others may come to the island ever again."
"Wow!" Jolis said in surprise. "Cayden Cailean came to this island before?""Not to this island, no. But we met him in the First World, where we drank the King's ambrosia together. Perhaps one day you will see us there as well."
"Wow!" The big warrior spoke quietly to himself. For a moment, Jolis's mind was flooded with thoughts dining with fey lords and ladies, eating fairy cakes and drinking ambrosia.
The dryads do not answer right away. After a short silence, they whisper back and forth among each other, their voices disjointed for the first time since you arrived. Eventually, they speak as one again. "Our daughters have seen those who live on this island."
"Those who were born here, and know no other home. Those who wish to stay may do so as long as they remain peaceful. But they have also told us of the invaders - violent and cruel. They must be driven out. When you leave, we will ensure that no others may come to the island ever again."
Jolis breathes a sigh of relief. "That's wonderful. Thank you!"
Whispering a quiet prayer to Gozreh, Vitranna nods in thanks to the odd creature's assurances.
"Then with the Voice-in-Thunder's approval, I will not fully rest until both new and old invaders are wiped from this land."
"Yes. We will fight," Grelda pledges. As usual, the terse half-orc doesn't use more words than are necessary.
"Seems like we are needed sisters of the green"
She says
"And I too must say sorry for my charge, his mouth sometimes moves before his common seance dose"
Richard can't help but feel that the group was a little too eager to swear their fealty to disembodies voices. For some reason, he was dubious of the smoke being blown up their collective a$$es. There was no way for the group to verify the veracity of the history lesson that they were given, or that they were even speaking to immortals. And if they were, whose to say they have good intent.
So many things needed to be taken on faith...Too many things. And Richard was never one to place his faith in others that he literally knew nothing about. He also knew that even if he figured out this massive puzzle box of an island; No matter the answer, It would affect countless lives.
I'll see what I can do.
"Great guardians of the green, we beseech thee for thy knowledge. We must understand the magic and technology of this island; please grant us all of your knowledge on these matters."
"We sense your reluctance, Mr. Groves. A sign of good faith then. If nothing else, this should prove to you that we are invested in your success."
A swift wind blows past you, whipping up a storm of leaves. It obscures your vision for a moment, but when the wind subsides, you can now see a wide break between the trees that leads down a long, straight path. At the end, a shining pond as clear as crystal stretches before you, its surface completely still.
"Each of you, place one item that is precious to you in the center of the pool. Allow it to lay there through the night. Drink of our water and eat of our fruit and rest beneath our branches. When you awake, you will feel our power within you. And when you retrieve your items, they will be imbued with our blessings."
"Of course, you are free to refuse our hospitality. If you do, we will return you outside unharmed and our daughters will see you safely out of our domain."
"Great guardians of the green, we beseech thee for thy knowledge. We must understand the magic and technology of this island; please grant us all of your knowledge on these matters."
"Unfortunately, the knowledge we could grant you would be of limited use. You know of their summoners and portal mages. The mortals possessed a mastery over the planes that far exceeds our own. It is only because of time that the remnants of the spells they cast have been weakened. But, their machines maintained their magic far beyond its normal span. I believe they sought to turn this place into a paradise of sorts - a jewel of their empire. It was only their own hubris that caused their undoing."
Jolis, along with his companions, walk down the path which ends at the crystal clear pond. The big warrior marvels at it's beauty.
Looking around to his friends, Jolis sees the same wonder in Valeriya eyes. Jolis thinks to himself, this could work!
The big warrior stealthily creeps up behind Lera and sweeps he up in his arms.
”How are you at holding your breath?” Jolis asks. ”You have to lay down in the pool the whole night, you know”, smirked the absalomian.
Bonus: If you want to craft a totally new item, the likes of which the world has never seen, you can! But it needs to be approved by me, and I may tweak it a bit to keep things balanced. (As above, you are transforming an item currently in your possession into a magical version of itself. So no tossing in an old dagger to get flying boots or anything like that)
I'd like to hear the story of their hubris, and their undoing. Richard eyes spring to life as an idea smacks him in his face. Your tree. The one that is only a stump with the illusion of the great tree. It is what you need restored. Richard pulls his pistol. I know what to place in the lake.
As she stands before the pond, Grelda silently begins unstrapping the buckles on her breastplate. She removes her gauntlets and greaves as well, along with the leather padding beneath the hauberk, leaving her clad in just her small clothes. Unconcerned by her partial nudity, the tattooed half-orc bundles her armor up and unceremoniously hurls it into the center of the pool, sending up a large splash as it sinks to the bottom.
"Make my armor magic," she says. Then, after a moment, she adds, "Please."
With a raised eyebrow at Grelda's actions, Vitranna carefully approaches the water and sends her Totem spear into the water with very little effort.
"This spear has been in my family for 4 generations. I ask that you make it always cut my enemies, and that it always returns to me when called upon."
She then gets up awkwardly, off balance suddenly without the spear that is usually in her hands.
Even as you throw the heaviest items into the pool, the surface of the water remains completely undisturbed. There is only a ripple of bright light as your possessions slowly sink down to the bottom.
As you settle in around the edge, tree branches laden with all manner of strange and unique fruits lower down around you. More limbs come down with flowers in the shapes of small cups, filled with fresh dew. As you eat and drink, the dryads answer any questions you may have.
I'd like to hear the story of their hubris, and their undoing. Richard eyes spring to life as an idea smacks him in his face. Your tree. The one that is only a stump with the illusion of the great tree. It is what you need restored.
"Correct, in part. The tree was once the center of the island, and our physical connection to the First World. When our spiritual connection is restored, we will be able to restore the tree."
"As for the mortal wizards, we do not know the exact details of their downfall. By the time it happened, we were already hidden within this pocket realm. But we believe they summoned a creature that was more powerful than their binding magic. Even from this place, we felt a great calamity, as if evil itself had taken root at the heart of the island. It grew in intensity and power for days, until there was an explosion of energy. Then, all was quiet. When we sent our eldest daughters to investigate, they discovered all of the mortal settlements abandoned, and no trace of the great evil. There was evidence of a great battle, but only one side of it, as if the wizards had been slain by phantoms."
------
Curious, Jolis pulls down a strange purple fruit that looked like a overly large apple. Upon biting into it, the big warrior's face lit up in surprise and enjoyment.
"Mmm! It takes like lemonade and strawberries!"
-------
Listening intently to the dryad's tale, Jolis nods, "Yep. Sounds like hubris to me."
Vitranna slowly eats another apple-like fruit that tastes much more like a grape in reality.
"Great Mothers? Such wizards usually know better: It said among my people even the ancient Azlanti learned quickly even mightly magics were useless against their eventual doom. That is why stories of their Archmages return abound. It is said they saw their doom coming and the greatest hid themselves away from it. Could that be possible here? Could the masters have hidden themselves somehow or left? Waiting to return? We have already met a bound genie who longs for release. So such is possible if he was left to 'maintain' things while they were away. Maybe the bound genie knows more about what happened?"
She waits as the others head off to the pool, and when alone with the children of the green. In a low voice she asks.
"You know that which I seek, I seek my true from, as do all of my race. Our 1st world from, will you grant me this sisters. Will you show me how to take my true form."
She then walks to the pool and stopping strips off all her clothing, playing it to one side in a neat pile. Then with out hesitation she steps into the pool, until her head sinks beneath the surface.
Mita
Had not been in the pool long when a fox jumped back our and looked at the others.
::"Do you like my new form"::
Comes Miyas voice into their heads
Jolis's head shakes slightly, not used to telepathy.
"Ooo", ached the big warrior, "that's gonna take some getting used to."
A surprised look washes over Jolis's face. "So can you read minds as well?"
Oh crap!
::"No silly its just how I talk in this form."
She says jumping over a log and siting with her tail up. There is another fox close.
She goes over and plays with Viska
::"You know Viska knows what your thinking
Jolis. He dose so like to keep an eye on his mistress. Is that no right
Valeriya"::
She jokes.
Richard listens and wonders if the danger that befell the builders could also be used as a weapon against the current army. Without understanding the nature of the disaster, he wasn't too sure.
Miya, switching from form to form began to aggravate the headache he already had. The telepathy simply iced the migraine like cake. He shakes his head. Although a useful tool, he wondered what damage a power like that could be in hands like hers. He tried to push the thought aside, and focus on where they should go from here.
There is a research station nearby correct?
Viska sniffs and inspects Miya's new fox form. He bristles at Miya's comment and yips at Jolis in a happy manner.
Lera ignores Jolis' flirting for the moment and is still uncharacteristically serious. She takes out a slim metal circlet from her pack and places it gently in the water.
"Spirits of fey and wood and life, grant me a portion of your grace so that I may learn to charm as you do." She kneels there by the water as she prays. Her hands are outstretched in supplication.
Vitranna slowly eats another apple-like fruit that tastes much more like a grape in reality.
"Great Mothers? Such wizards usually know better: It said among my people even the ancient Azlanti learned quickly even mightly magics were useless against their eventual doom. That is why stories of their Archmages return abound. It is said they saw their doom coming and the greatest hid themselves away from it. Could that be possible here? Could the masters have hidden themselves somehow or left? Waiting to return? We have already met a bound genie who longs for release. So such is possible if he was left to 'maintain' things while they were away. Maybe the bound genie knows more about what happened?"
"We feared their return for some time, and made what preparations we could. But the island has been quiet for centuries and we have seen no sign of them. If they intended to reclaim this place, we believe they would have done so. Likely they chose to forsake this place, or if they did seek to return, were unable to."
There is a research station nearby correct?
We believe so. There is a structure nearby, a few miles away, but our daughters have been unable to enter it. There are wards beyond their ability to break. But this was left by the mortal wizards."
Vitranna considers her next words carefully.
"If the wards at this next location keep your daughters out, then could Miya or Viska have problems entering too? When you say wards...are there guardians possibly as well? Any information you can think to offer here could help us. I mean no offense , nor am I trying to say you might forget anything. I only worry because your view of our world, and us mortals in it, is very different and you could overlook something simple that still would be an obvious danger to us."
Richard stays silent. He is aware of the limitation of their hosts knowledge. It was their fundamental lack of arcane understanding that led to their current predicament in the first place. The scientist was keenly aware that whatever security measures the Builders put in place that they could eventually be circumvented. It was all a matter of figuring it out. The one hope he held onto was the Builders dependence on slave labor. He was almost positive that that was the overall hubris which brought them to their knees. And it was the weakness that the group needed to exploit.
Richard lies back under an apple tree on the soft grass, and promptly falls asleep.
Jumps around Richard eating odd bits of fruit. Then scanners around the plants before going into a bush and coming out again to get her things. Once more in human form.
Grelda eats and drinks her fill. The half-naked half-orc seems slightly on edge, despite their pastoral surroundings. She keeps glancing around the glade, as if expecting all of this to be too good to be true.
Lera sits under a tree admiring her new circlet. It's bright silver sheen and intricately laced metal lines belie its sturdiness and strength. She places it on her head and uses it to keep her hair out of her eyes. Though it has not been long since leaving Kalsgard, she can already feel how her hair has grown from the short, practical hair she once favored.
Viska walks towards her, staring at her deep in the eyes. "It is time we spoke, Valeriya, chosen of the Deceiver." His voice is high-pitched but still obviously masculine. To those around her listening in, the language he speaks is garbled and unintelligible but it is easy to recognize both that it is a language and that Lera understands it.
Viksa continues in response to Lera's shocked eyes. "You have grown much since the frightened girl running from the wrath of the wicked. Much danger still lies ahead and so you have been granted truth to aid you; the truth of common language."
"The truth of the Deceiver," Lera shoots back.
"Lies are powerful but they are meaningless without truth to counteract them. Thus truth has much power in the arsenal of the Deceiver. As you grow, you shall be a master of both. For now, this vessel has been granted more ability to guide you. Your companions have not yet proven themselves to be worthy of this gift."
"Beware the monk who moves as shadow; she is as much a fox as I am." Viska continues looking at Miya. "Beware the speaker of storms, her people do not countenance deception. Beware the alchemist, he holds more truth than any realize. Beware the Shaman's apprentice, her bestial appearance belies her intelligence. But most of all, beware the godtouched. Your feelings for him can be your downfall or your salvation."
"It's...it's not like that. He's just a bit of fun I'm having." Lera turns away unable to look Viska in the eye.
"The Calistrian response. You blithely disregard your humanity by denying your emotions." He says coldly. "It will not serve you to ignore the heart. You must understand humanity if you are to manipulate it."
Lera's face hardens but she raises no further objections. Viska curls into a ball, playing the ordinary pet fox again.
Sits down cross legged next to Richard's sleeping form and closes her eyes in medication. Her back in bear and as she sits the fox tattoo on her back moves, watching Valeriya and her Fox.
As you rest and talk, the light in the clearing gradually dims in simulated night. It is unclear where the light comes from, as you see no moon or stars in the sky, but you can still see easily. The dryads will continue to answer your questions, but as the night carries on, you can hear individual voices fade in and out, as if they are taking turns resting.
They inform you that the wards create a sort of barrier that prevents dryads and other fey from entering the facility, but seems to have no effect on ordinary plants or animals. In the time before they had completed their conquest of the island, when they were more guarded, the Vudrans likely warded their bases of operation against all extraplanar entities, as a last line of defense if they were ever overrun.
They have not encountered any sort of traps or defenses around the outside of the facility, and have no knowledge of what lies within.
Like his companions, Jolis sits and feasts on the strange fruit and clear water. "It may not be alcoholic, but this water tastes great!
The big warrior enjoys the all the small talk around the trees, between dryads and mortals, and between the mortals themselves. The absalomian does his best to enjoy Grelda's curves when he thinks the half-orc isn't looking.
For a few minutes, Valeriya was having some strange conversation with Viska in a language he could not understand. Weird.
Overall, Jolis had an overwhelming feeling of safety and contentment, a feeling he could see in most of his companion's faces. The grass they lounged upon felt very thick and luxurious, feeling that needing to unpack his bedroll seemed laughable. Jolis laid down, continuing to make small talk with his friends, until Desna took him away into dreams.
Head heavy with thoughts, Lera lays down to a fitful sleep.
Even though some of you sleep less restfully than others, when the lights grow brighter again at 'dawn', you all feel more revitalized than you ever have in your lives. In fact, you each feel a little stronger, quicker, and perhaps a bit more clever. It seems your possessions were not the only things that were infused with power by the fey. As you retrieve each of your items from the pool, again without so much as a ripple, you find them completely dry the moment you lift them from the water.
"We will do our best to protect you as long as you remain near our domain, but we have expended much of the power we have stored. Please be cautious, as the aid we can provide from now on will be limited."
Once you have readied your equipment and said your goodbyes, another whirlwind of leaves sweeps around you, obscuring your vision of the clearing and the pond. After a few brief moments, you find yourself standing in front of the trunk, Eilena looking on nervously. She lets out a sigh of relief when she sees you all unharmed. "Thank the Elders. After the third night, I was beginning to worry that you'd upset the mothers and they wouldn't let you out. I'm glad you caught them in a good mood."
"We spent the last few days making the path ahead as safe for you as we could. Convincing the field of blood grass to move out of your way was the hardest part, but now you should be able to go straight from here on to the building."
Sure enough, it looks like a clear path has been opened up for you between the trees. A dirt road about ten feet wide, free of roots or grass has appeared, where before there was thick underbrush.
"I understand. We will be as cautious as we can but we have to press forward."
Lera chuckles. "With my grace and good looks? We were never in danger. But your concern is sweet."
"Then we will. Thank you." Lera gives a small bow of gratitude.
Jolis awoke in the 'morning' feeling refreshed and more than a little energized. Looking at his hands, the big warrior could almost see a radiance coming from within.
Getting geared up for the day, Jolis tried an experiment: to see how fast he could draw his longsword and wooden shield. To his astonishment, the absalomian was able to draw and sheath both his sword and shield several times within a dozen or so seconds!!
The dryads then directed all who placed items into the fountain to retrieve them. Reaching his arm in almost to the elbow, Jolis took his dryadic ring out of the pool and put it on. A heady feeling washed over the big warrior. Within his mind's eye, Jolis could see words floating around his head, first in languages he could not understand, then those words transformed in Taldane.
"Pardon me", spoke Jolis to the air around him, addressing the dryads. "But could you explain to us the full powers of the dryad rings Eilena gave Valeriya and me? There were times I used the ring in an attempt to guide vines down a cliff face, and they did move somewhat. And how is my ring different from Lera's since I place mine in the pool?"
Again looking up the sky, Jolis spoke words of thanks to the dryads. "Thank you so very much for your hospitality and generosity, dear ladies", the big warrior said with a bow. "Should you meet Cayden Cailean again, please send him my regards. Long life and happiness to you and your kin!" .
As the leaves washed over the adventurers, Jolis saw that he and his friends return to the truck.
Eilena lets out a sigh of relief when she sees you all unharmed. "Thank the Elders. After the third night, I was beginning to worry that you'd upset the mothers and they wouldn't let you out. I'm glad you caught them in a good mood."
"Well, Richard tried, but the mothers were far greater hosts than we deserved." Now that you mention it, during the time we feasted on the fairy fruit, I kept remembering tales of woe to mortals who dined on fey food in The First World. But it looks like that wasn't the case this time.
Listening to Eilena sage words, Jolis nodded and thanked her for her generosity and friendship.
Before the group made it's journey down the straight path, Jolis stopped the group for a moment.
"Everyone, I'm going to quickly scout the path ahead, by about 100 feet. Be right back."
Before the others could object, Jolis ran off like a flash! As the absalomian ran, Jolis saw the vegetation fly by as he ran. .
It is true! I'm faster than I've every been!
Stopping at around 100 feet, Jolis quickly looked around the area and sped back up to his friends.
"By the Gods", Jolis exclaimed! "Did you see that?! I'm as fast as a cheetah! I feel amazing, guys!!"
Looking down at his friends, Jolis questioned, "Did you guys get shorter?"
The big warrior does not yet realize he's levitating 5 inches off the ground.
1.
Lifting her spear, its edge gleams with a sharpness never seen before in her lifetime.
"Thank you for everything. May the Voice-in-Thunder guide me through this. I truly believe this is why he sent me on my vision-journey. My vision...such things are chance and fluid! But I see my true path now."
2.
"Blood grass? Three days? Ohhh...this island gives me a headache."
She shakes her head in annoyance.
3 Vitranna just sighs at Jolis's antics.
"He looks like a newborn colt that just learned what running is..."
"Pardon me", spoke Jolis to the air around him, addressing the dryads. "But could you explain to us the full powers of the dryad rings Eilena gave Valeriya and me? There were times I used the ring in an attempt to guide vines down a cliff face, and they did move somewhat. And how is my ring different from Lera's since I place mine in the pool?"
"Their original purpose was quite simple. Without those rings, you would not have been able to gain entrance to our realm. We crafted them as tokens to be given to mortals with the potential aid us. You were judged by your strength, and more importantly your kindness, and Eilena believed you worthy. From what we have seen, we agree.
"As for the powers it may develop, we have merely planted the seed. If you nurture it well, perhaps it will grow into something even we did not anticipate."
As the other awake Miya is standing, and moving as if in conversation Her body language is such. She keeps this up for a while.
1: Then she bows deeply and says to the air.
"We shall meet again in the 1st world, until then I will aid in seeking the path"
2: As the make there leave Miya moves with fox like grace. She has changed, there is an air about her. More composed, focused even. She Likes the look of the path but keeps weapons out and stands close to Richard. She waits as Jules runs off, wanting to follow but needing to keep close to Richard. When Jules comes back she walks over and with a slow push moves the hovering man back.
"Will it will be easy to carry him home now when hes drunk"
She waits as Jules runs off, wanting to follow but needing to keep close to Richard. When Jules comes back she walks over and with a slow push moves the hovering man back.
"Will it will be easy to carry him home now when hes drunk"
"Huh? Confused, Jolis looks down to realize he's hovering above the ground. Startled, the big warrior comically flails his feet for a moment, before falling ungracefully to the ground.
"Ow. How did I do that?" Jolis examines the dryadic ring on his finger. Was it the ring?
"Your head is so full of hot air now that it's started to lift you off the ground."
Jolis gets up and dusts himself off, deep in thought.
Is this..is this more of my..heritage surfacing. I'll have to test that out later.
"Perhaps, Lera", smiled Jolis in a self-depreciating way. "It could be my new, well not 'new-new' ring, but my improved ring. I kinda wished the dryads would have been more forthcoming with its abilties", said the big warrior, examining his ring finger.
"What about you?" Questioned Jolis. "Solved the mystery of your..um..hair..band?
"Well, Richard tried, but the mothers were far greater hosts than we deserved."
Ok, you can stop kissing up now. I don't know if you kept up with events, but mortals handed their ass to them. And they need mortals to save them. I see us being on equal terms. The 'gifts'... Richard says with quotation marks gesture. ... were given in their own self interest. There is nothing nobler about them than there is with us
----------------------------------------------------------------
As the Dryad runs off Richard watches as she disappears from view. It was true. He felt smarter. He wasn't sure because he had been so smart before. But ideas came swiftly to him now. He can remember details that he thought were too clear, there was no fuzziness to his memories anymore. The immortal lumber-lovers had sharpened his weapons. A part of Richard was afraid. He knew that he could very possibly the most dangerous human in this world. Now, he felt that such power could change him, and not for the better.
He looked on at the rest of the group. This will probably be the point of no return. Anyone of us can go and try to find a life here. Spouses and children are a real possibility. I will fault no one who wants to walk away now. If not, then let's go in.
Ok, you can stop kissing up now. I don't know if you kept up with events, but mortals handed their ass to them. And they need mortals to save them. I see us being on equal terms. The 'gifts'..." Richard says with quotation marks. "... were given in their own self interest. There is nothing nobler about them than there is with us."
Jolis sighs. "I could not disagree with you more, Richard. Most people wish to be more nobler than their former selves. You want nobility among us, look to the quiet resolution of Vitranna and the steadfestness of Grelda, the loyalty Miya shows you, your scientific dedication, and my and Lera's abiltiy to help those in need. No life exists with some self-interest, but we all strive to become better people. Which is why we are heroes, not mercenaries", said Jolis, crossing his arms as if to prove his point.
-------"I'm not walking away from potential easing the burdens of mortals and fey alike. It's not very noble", said Jolis with a smug grin.
Jolis sighs. "I could not disagree with you more, Richard. Most people wish to be more nobler than their former selves. You want nobility among us, look to the quiet resolution of Vitranna and the steadfestness of Grelda, the loyalty Miya shows you, your scientific dedication, and my and Lera's abiltiy to help those in need. No life exists with some self-interest, but we all strive to become better people. Which is why we are heroes, not mercenaries", said Jolis, crossing his arms as if to prove his point.
Richard looks at him confused. Who said neither were noble? I'm simply saying that we are equal in almost every way. And showing deference as if they were better than us, is unwarranted. I simply talked to them as equals.
"I go with Richard"
Miya says simply
Then she looks at him and adds.
"I don't have a problem showing deference when it manipulates someone or thing into not becoming a needless opponent and gets me what I want. It's as simple as that Richard."
Grelda straps her enchanted armor back on and bows respectfully to the dryads, showing her thanks for their aid.
"You won't find me with a baby sucking on my teat. I dance to the beat of my own drum. We march on."