Chacles whispers to himself. "What just happened there. Was that even a language?"
With a shrug he walks away with the others glad to not have an enemy at least.
:: Lamashan 20 - Afternoon - Forest ::
With nothing to seemingly gain and much to lose, the group falls back from the glade and returns to exploring the forest.
:: Lamashan 20 - Afternoon - Forest ::
Nearly three days since the incident with the treant, the group returns to Caveholm. The weather on the way back was cool, and anotehr day of pouring rain occurred. Reading the forest, Carthas believes the temperature will drop below freezing tomorrow, which will make the wet forest a treacherous place to be.
When you arrive at Caveholm the guards are jumpier than usual, nervous when they callout and hear you approaching. As soon as you identify yourselves, Taidel comes over and greets you.
"I am glad to see you are back! It has been an interesting week or so since you left. We have fended off two owlbear incursions, luckily with no severe injuries, but we haven't harmed them either." Taidel steers you through Caveholm to the lower level where the council will gather to speak with you. "People are getting nervous about leaving the cave with the owlbears about, and our gathering and hunting has suffered. We have enough for a couple months right now, and the pool and mushrooms will help extend that, but we need to get out more to push our supplies further through the winter to be safe."
As Taidel ushers you into the furthest back room in the lower level, now the council room, Jet, Kining, Rhyna, Aubrin, Lorne, Father Shamus, and Vero greet you as you all gather together.
Taidel, "I have told them about our owlbear issues, but I had better get back to work now."
Aubrin, "Thanks you for bringing them down Taidel." Taking a moment Aubrin continues, "Along with the owlbears and the issues we are having with stockpiling food, there is also not enough room in these caves to stockpile fuel for warmth. With the wet conditions it has been difficult to get enough dry wood to keep things going. I hope you have found evidence of the Ranger's as we sorely need their help or access to their forts in order to make sure everyone survives the winter. This cave is not cut out for us all to live in it, and we are starting to run out of time before winter sets in."
Elyas is feeling nervous with the weather turning, and the report of food and fuel running low makes the situation come into clear focus. things had started to feel like they were on the right track, but these were serious problems, and ones Elyas didn't have a good answer for.
"What do you all think? what options do we have? he says both to his companions and the council
in any case, dealing with the owlbears should be a priority. we saw several of them while we were out, but hoped they would stay away from a large group of people. I guess that is not the case.
"We have to be careful on this matter. Simply killing the owlbears might elicit the rage of those treants or any other creature that sees itself as a guardian of this forest. That would just make our problems worse."
Annelise gives a grim half-smile as the group is asked about the rangers. "Judging from observations, a ranger in their natural state is dead. Oh, and sometimes burnt to a crisp as well. If there are any live rangers out there, they are playing hard to get."
"We have to be careful on this matter. Simply killing the owlbears might elicit the rage of those treants or any other creature that sees itself as a guardian of this forest. That would just make our problems worse."
Annelise sighs as she looks at their options. None of them are much good. "I don't disagree with you and I'd rather let the owlbears live. But we can't have them around if they're making life hard for the people here. Maybe if we drive them away, they'll get the message that they should go forage someplace else?"
Nyakala has mostly recovered from the physical damage inflicted by the hallucinogenic plant, but she remains grim as she stands near the edge of the council chamber. Wisps of darkness occasionally leak from her skin.
"As far as the Rangers' forts go, we did find one but I don't think it would be much of a refuge. It seemed to have been captured by hobgoblins, then occupied by some other force which brutally killed all the hobs. I really don't think we're going to be saved by the Rangers at this point."
"Also, I have to agree with Annelise about the owlbears. Unless someone has a specific proposal for dealing with them without combat, it seems like our best option is to kill a few and hope they get the message."
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm ::
The council members look at Annelise... disapprovingly at her remarks about the Ranger's.
Aubrin, "The Ranger's were likely caught as surprised as we were, and weren't fully manning their forts at the time. We should search out their other forts still or try to reclaim the lost one for ourselves." Aubrin pauses and thinks for a moment. "As for having met a treant, that is both good and bad news. If they are hostile they can speak with and convince the wild life and forest itself to harass us. Our behavior and what we do next would be the difference between getting a pass by the treant and their desire for vengeance."
Kining, "Just like when we got into dealing with the troglodytes, we should just get stuck into it and deal with the owlbears and the fort. If half our militia goes with you then we can deal with the owlbears on our way to retaking the fort."
Vero, "We should be trying to make peace and ally with the denizens of the forest. The more allies we have the better. Treants, the fey, even forest giants would make for good allies if we can convince them to trust us!"
Lorne, "We have to take care of your people first. That means that whatever and however we go about surviving here, we must deal with the owlbears, and find a larger place for all of us if we are all going to survive the winter."
"I think we should investigate what is causing the owlbears to head in this direction, to begin with. It is probably the hobgoblins' fault, and if we can deal with them we could stop the owlbears from harassing us, deal a blow to the hobgoblins and show the treants we care for the forest."
Annelise winces slightly at Kining's (over)confidence. "Owlbears aren't trogs. I'm not looking forward to facing them, but I don't see a militia being much help - unless theh plan is to feed the bears so they go to sleep."
"Lydis is right. We just don't have enough information right now to know what to do."
Carthas frowns. "Are there any scents that owlbears can't stand? We might be able to mark the area with a scent that would repel them, causing them to avoid the caves."
"Aubrin, do you know where another one of the Rangers' forts might be, or would we have to wander randomly until we run into one?"
Annelise takes charge of the discussion, which is unusal for her. But it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. "We need to focus, everyone. Information is what we need to-" she bites off the word "extract" she was about to say "to get, here. Let's go in search of the owlbears. Once we find them, some of us can sneak after them and see where they're coming from."
Charles is not the natural choice for planning like this. His instinct would have been to rush the bears and simply kill them. He frowns when it is brought up that that was possible a bad idea. Finally he speaks up.
"Finding out what is agitating the bears sounds like step one, we kill them if we have too. Beyond that we need shelter for these people. Maybe we should have cleared out that other fort, maybe not to late for that. At least we know where it is and how to get people there."
"I agree that we need to deal with the Olwbears first. they are an active threat to our colony and food supplies in the area. But we have to do it in a way that doesn't anger potential allies and turn them into threats.
I like the idea of investigating the owlbears first. or we can try speaking to the treant again and see if they are connected.
he looks at the rest of the party
"as a second priority, perhaps we should bring mroe troops and attempt to take that fort back. if we can secure it, we can potentially get any surviving rangers to return to their forst once it is no longer under enemy control. we still don't know who or what is manning it, they may be more potential allies
Carthas shakes his head. "I think we should bypass the fort for now. The creature guarding the gates is a plant creature that creates hallucinogenic spores. It then eats its prey alive. It may be that fighting it would turn the treant against us. Perhaps a second discussion with the treant or that forest giant will lead to a more fruitful resolution on that front."
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm ::
Aubrin, Vero, and Lorne seem to agree with the method of dealing with the owlbears first, then considering the fort. Kining agrees with the order, but would prefer the simpler route of just killing them.
With the decision made, the council adjourns.
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Nyakala::
After getting setup with a spot to sleep, you begin to repair small damages to your gear. After a bit you find you've wandered to the store room needing a few things. When you arrive, Edran is there seemingly taking some sort of count.
"Welcome back Nyakala. How did your last outing go?" Edran says, then seems to get a bit nervous. "Ah... not to be too forward, but have you had contact with creatures of the... blight in the past? I... uh... recognize the marks from other victims I've seen before."
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas and Lyndis::
While Carthas and Lyndis fix some of their gear and chat, Rhyna comes over and sits across from the duo.
"I just wanted to check in on everyone. Especially you Lyndis. Most people don't come back from injuries like yours when we found you so quickly." Rhyna says, concern in her voice. "Also, I wanted to check on any new injuries you might have. The forest is full of great beasts and terrible plants. Did you happen to run into anything concerning? Well... more concerning than normal I guess? Vero, Lorne and myself might be able to help cure most ailments."
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Elyas::
After cleaning his gear and storing in near a spot to sleep, Elyas find himself talking to many of the inhabitants of Caveholm. Each of them coming to hear about the outside world, check that he is okay, and wonder what the plans for the group are.
As Elyas talks to each of them, they all leave more hope, a bit happier, and ready to continue the struggle.
Eventually, Elyas finds himself sitting and staring into the pool at the back of the cave, watching the fish and other creatures under the water. After long enough to start getting lost in thought, Elyas hears some foot steps and them hears and feels a body settle down beside him.
"I know we haven't talked in a while, with all that has been going on Elyas. But I want you to know that I am here for you." Marian Zaman says, "I... don't really know how to say thank you for everything you've done. And losing the others... I should've been there for you after that. I'm sorry I have been too trapped inside my own head."
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Charles and Annelise::
Gear cleaned and stored, Charles and Annelise find themselves together while getting food. As the pair sits down, Taidel and Lirosa come over and sit with them.
"We wanted to come over and get to know you both better. You've jumped right into helping us all and it seems like you don't even know any of us, or us you." Taidel says in a fairly jovial tone.
Lirosa, "Not to mention you two get to go out deep into the forest. We've always wanted to, but never had a good enough reason to risk it before. The hunting was always good along the forests edge, but in deep our true skills would be tested." Lirosa coughs a bit, "But I'm rambling. So what makes two people such as yourselves decide to jump up and help like this?"
Carthas says, "Well, we encountered a forest giant who thought we were responsible for burning a large clearing in the forest. We convinced him we hadn't, but he wasn't too friendly. We also found a basidirond - a plant creature that produces hallucinogenic spores - as well as treant. Most of our fighting was with hobgoblins, however."
To Carthas: "Well maybe we go around the plant, leave it as a guard. Place was in bad shape probably another way in. We can't just walk away from every threat when people are in need." He is not so worried about annoying the forest creatures by killing an obvious not so natural threat.
_________________________
Charles smiles at Taidel and Lirosa with his most winning smile.
"Why do I jump right in, well it is my nature I guess. Same as a dragon hordes treasure I have always been drawn to action. Sometimes it goes well, others... well I have some scars for sure. Add to that that these hobgoblins are a bunch of bullies, well that just can't stand can it. Killing civilians and trying to take our lands, no that will not do."
He thinks for a moment realizing he was rambling.
"I am not a great thinker, just quick with a blade. My Jinny, she was a thinker and probably thought too much where as I think to little. She was something of a wizard, well the kind that don't read so much just kind of know the spells if you know what I mean. Well we bit off too much with a band of hobgoblins and she.... well you know how it is."
His smile is gone and he looks at them.
"Hunt near camp until this is sorted it is not the time to test yourself if you have things to live for. I don't so much."
"I'm doing great, thanks to you.", Lyndis says, smiling at Rhyna. "I haven't had many injuries since I joined this group, everyone is so dependable, it makes things much easier than when I was fighting alone."
She just sits and waits for Carthas to talk about the monsters they found.
Nyakala spends a moment trying to remember Edran before her recollection of sensing his thoughts after her initial arrival at Caveholm causes the memories to click into place.
"Would've been hard for it go worse without someone dying," she replies. "This forest does not seem to be the refuge we need right now. And yes, I have." Nyakala pauses before making a visible effort to refocus herself on the conversation. "Where'd you see these others?"
Annelise thinks for a moment or two before replying. "I've been in Phaendar for a while now, although it wasn't where I meant to end up. I was escaping from Nidal and this seemed liek as good a place as any to hide out." She closes her eyes before opening them again. "When the hobs attacked, I ran. But I came back because - well." She's not about to open up about her past, or the fact she's clinging onto her soul by her fingertips. "I decided I couldn't leave everyone, you know?" She smiles at the half-elf siblings.
"And what about you? What brought you into Phaendar, and what keeps you here?" She's happier askign questions than she is answering them.
After speaking to so many people, Elyas feels the burden of all that needs to be done. there are so many people relying on him and the others in the group to save them, but they are beset on all sides by problems. hobs, the weather, food supplies, worry about what actions will or won't upset a treant...
he is glad when Marian comes to sit with him.
"thank you for saying that Marian. It is good to know you are here. it is weird seeing these familiar faces, people I know and care about, in such a rough situation. all of us should be in our homes preparing for winter festivals, not hiding in a cave, trying to keep our food away from owlbears...
"so much has happened, and I can't really talk about it. losing my companions... I can't stop to think about that now, not while so many are still living and relying on me for support and guidance. perhaps, once this is over and we've remade our homes... then there will be time to mourn and talk about those that didn't make it. I fear there are more names to be added to that list before we're done. but it is a comfort knowing there will be someone here to talk to about it when the time is right
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Nyakala::
Edran's face seems a bit shocked at Nyakala's statement about how the trip went. "I saw them at Longshadow, many years ago." Edran pauses in his memories, "They were... quite far gone."
"Given how... badly you seem to thing things went, what are you planning on doing next?"
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas and Lyndis::
Rhyna's eyes go wide as Carthas recounts all the groups encounters with dangerous creatures. "Lorne or Vero would be able to help you out with the giant and the treant I think. I have heard, or read I supposed, about the basidirond. It was listed along with a number of other types of dangerous plants. While I don't have any specific help, one of the important things to remember is that wearing a scarf or cloth wrapped around your head soaked in water, or even better alcohol, will help prevent inhaled spores from harming you."
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Elyas::
"Elyas, with you leading us, I am certain we will get through this." Marian says, "Also, I don't know if anyone has shown you, but while you were gone we created a memorial for all those who have died defending our group. We've carved their names into stones and arranged them in the nook by the well. We decided to do that so that we can carry them with us when we leave here."
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Charles and Annelise::
Lirosa reaches out a hand and places in on Charles knee and says, "I am sorry to hear about your Jinny. We will take your words to heart and stay close to keep the others safe."
Taidel answers Annelise, "We are from the area, hunters through and through. We provide a good portion of the game the town eats, and when troublesome animals or beasts appear we hunt them down or chase them away. Otherwise the Ranger's would have had to spend more time around the area helping out, though in hind sight it might have been a good thing to have them around more." After a moment of silence, "And it's brave of you to decide to stay. Sometimes staying is harder than running, especially if you are trying to get away from your past."
The pair continue eating and talking to you as supper continues.
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas and Lyndis::Rhyna's eyes go wide as Carthas recounts all the groups encounters with dangerous creatures. "Lorne or Vero would be able to help you out with the giant and the treant I think. I have heard, or read I supposed, about the basidirond. It was listed along with a number of other types of dangerous plants. While I don't have any specific help, one of the important things to remember is that wearing a scarf or cloth wrapped around your head soaked in water, or even better alcohol, will help prevent inhaled spores from harming you."
Carthas's eyes widen as she makes her suggestion. "I had not heard about wearing a scarf or cloth soaked in water or alcohol and wrapped around your head would help fight off the spores. That is very helpful information, Rhyna, and should prove useful if we decide to try and claim the fort from whatever creatures took it from the hobgoblins. Thank you very much. I would also like to thank you for the suggestion to talk to Lorne or Vero about the forest giant and the treant. I feel we may have gotten off on the wrong foot with them, and speaking to them again with more information may allow us to convince them to help us with surviving this winter."
"We're going after the owlbears first," Nyakala responds. "Try to find whatever's causing their attacks and deal with it. Some of the council wants to try capturing an old Ranger fort next, but that's one of the places our last expedition didn't go so well. I'm not sure it's worth fighting the creatures that have taken it over."
Nyakala seems to notice Edran's consternation for the first time. She looks at him silently for a moment. "Bad as things may seem, I think staying with this group is still our best way out of this mess. Pursuing... other avenues of escape would only invite more risk."
Giving him a twisted half-smile, Nyakala scoops up the pile of materials she needed and heads back to her sleeping quarters. After finishing her repair work and doing a bit of meditation in her insubstantial form she turns in for the night.
Charles nods at Lirosa's words.
"Good. A skilled hunter can handle some things but a good sword is often the needed thing right now. You do not have to hide but stay safe and protect the others as best you can. Now lets hope I don't have the dreams about Jinny tonight shall we."
Charles is a bit more melancholy after the talk of Jinny, he has not brought her up before but now it is out there. He moves to find a drink his thoughts turning inward.
Elyas lets her lead him to the memorial. he touches each carved name slowly, bringing their faces and names to mind. he speaks a goodbye to each of them, having not had the time to do so in the other times in the cave.
"Goodbye my friends. you will be missed. but I will carry on in your names, and lead these people back to our home.
collecting himself, Elyas thanks Marian warmly, then goes to find the others. it was time to stop feeling sorry for things that couldn't be changed.
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas and Lyndis::
"Well I am glad I could help!" Rhyna says. [b]"If you need anything else just let me know, I have to go help prepare some more medicinal herbs."
Rhyna walks off into another part of the cave.
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Charles and Annelise::
Lirosa and Taidel continue eating and chatting for a bit before leaving, expressing their thanks again for the work you're doing.
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:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm::
Elyas finds Charles looking for a drink, of which there is only water. After a few more minutes the pair find themselves together with the rest of the group as it gets into the evening.
"Thanks for the information, Rhyna, next time I'm in camp please tell me if there is anything I can help you with.", Lyndis says.
Carthas excuses himself to go look for Lorne or Vero so he can ask about the forest giant and the treant.
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas::
Carthas looks around for Vero or Lorne, eventually running into Vero in the back work area by the stream, grinding away at some herbs. Hearing Carthas' footsteps, Vero looks up, "Carthas. What brings you back here? There's only herbs and remedies to be had, are you ailing?"
"I am not at the moment, Vero, but I wanted to ask you some questions, if I could. Rhyna said you might know something about treants and forest giants. We encountered each on our travels, and if we could befriend them, it might greatly help our chances of survival."
Lyndis searches for someplace quiet where she can study for a couple of hours.
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm - Carthas::
Vero thinks for a moment, "I do happen to know about both of those beings, though less about giants. As for the treants, they are a wonderful race. Keepers of the forest, peaceable yet firm in their ways. Most treants in the Chernasardo have likely never met any humanoid that isn't simply trying to pillage the forest, so they are likely standoffish at best. Some treants even go so far as manipulating wildlife into harassing people they believe do the forest harm." Vero finishes up grinding the herbs he was working on and begins to store them, "Befriending a treant would be hard if they thought we were just here to survive at the expense of the forest. Proving that we are here to be in harmony with the forest would go a long way to convincing them of our good intentions, though we would have to change how we behave somewhat I think. Only taking the sick and old from any herds we find, harvesting plants in a sustainable manner, dispersed travel so that we don't create roads through the woods, that kind of thing. I imagine some transgressions could be forgiven if we dealt with any other invaders in the forest while at least trying out best to minimize our impact."
Carthas nods. "That is very helpful, and lends credence to the idea that our recent owlbear problems may be caused by the treant. Perhaps we can approach it again and convince it we would like to survive in harmony with the forest. We will have to see what can be done. Perhaps we can spread the word to our hunters and gatherers to make some changes in how we behave in the forest. Thank you, Vero."
Elyas continues his circuit of the caves, checking on more people and then turns his attention to rounding up his allies for another excursion. as he finds them, he asks them to meet near the cave entrance in an hour to discuss their next move and choose a course of action.
"We need to solve this owlbear problem one way or another, I believe. do we want to go investigate the owlbears ourselves, or try to speak to the treants about the situation first?
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm::
Elyas manages to find all those not off doing something else to have the discussion.
Nyakala leans against the side of the cave's opening, looking unusually relaxed. She idly weaves a pebble through the gaps between her fingers as she replies to Elyas. "Seems to me we should go check out the owlbears, unless someone's come up with a foolproof plan to get the trees on our side."
"Foolproof, no, but I've got some information that might help. The treant may be the one behind the owlbear attacks - apparently they sometimes use other forest creatures to drive invaders out of the forest. If we can convince the treant we want to live in harmony with the forest, possibly by adopting more sustainable hunting and gathering methods, we might be able to solve two problems at once."
I think I made it mad last time, I will hang back this time and let one of you entreat with it. I think it could be really valuable to get the treant on our side, but I don't know how to go about it.
Charles shrugs as the others talk of getting the tree on their side.
"It is worth a shot I guess. I can help in the convincing maybe, never tried to charm a tree but I do ok with normal two legged folks."
Annelise shrughs. "We can't do much worse than we did laste time. If all else fails, I'm pretty sure I can summon something that will burn it down."
:: Lamashan 23 - Afternoon - Caveholm::
With the options discussed, the group agrees to return to the treant and try to convince it you are potential allies.
.
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:: Lamashan 26 - Late Morning - Treant's Glade::
The trip back through the forest to the treant's glade was uneventful. While the temperatures were barely above freezing in the day time, there was no more rain. Travelling through the forest was easy, though a bit damp, the low temperatures not allowing anything to dry out. Every morning you wake up to a stiff frozen world with frost everywhere, your breaths hanging in the air. By noon each day the forest is damp again as the little heat the sun provides melts everything.
You now face the glade where you met the treant, its maybe 100 yards away. A brief scouting of the area shows recent signs of owlbear activity.
"Remember, everyone, no suspicious movements, no weapons, we don't want to alarm them.", Lyndis says, shivering in her cloak and looking around to see if the Treant isn't disguised into the forest.
Carthas looks around as well.
Once he's sure of things. He approaches the edge of the glade, and calls out in Sylvan,
"We greet you, ancient protector of the forest, and wish to speak with you. May we approach?"
"I'll hang back here, I didn't get off on the right foot with this guy. I'll be ready if you need my help
Elyas does not draw his weapon or even his holy symbol and hangs in the back of the group
Nyakala remains in the rear with Elyas, watching for danger and ready to begin casting if anything goes wrong.
:: Lamashan 26 - Late Morning - Treant's Glade::
Carthas looks around, and doesn't see anything untoward immediately. Carthas calls out, and the air sits still and empty for a moment.
After a time you hear a response from in the glade, "I had told you to never return! But if you are insistent and come here in peace, then you may approach. All of you, I dislike people lurking about in the shadows."
Annelise' default is lurking about in teh shadows, but she guesses that this is the time for a show off good faith. Carefully keeping her hands where they can be seen, she walks forward with the othrers.