"Yeh been fightin' those brambly spriggans? Runty little burrs! A blight on the land, they be! Their presence means the Fellnight fey broke free o’ the faengard barrin’ ’em from other planes. I can'nae leave my poor few remaining trees undefended while they chop and burn their way through the forest.”
Vinroot shakes a gnarled fist at the mist in defiance and booms:
Of course, you must defend the trees, but could you tell us more about these Fellnight Fey and that "prison"?
At the mention of "other planes" Caelin felt a shiver of fear. Otherworldly creatures had always held a special dread for him. He set his jaw, forcing his lips into a snarl and went back to scanning the perimeter as the others spoke.
“A prison - aye, that's what the faengard is. The First World fey laid stones ta lock away one o’ their own — an evil queen and sorceress named Rhoswen, and those that served her. If ’n the faengard be broken, only one o’ the elder fey would know how ta mend it. Devarre might know more, though - that ol' druid takes a keen interest in the affairs of the First World for a human.”
"Well then, it sounds like it is even more urgent that we find this Devarre, as soon as we can. I shudder to think what would happen if this 'Rhoswen' managed to free herself... I wish you luck with your continued defense of the forest. Is there any further advice, or assistance, that you can offer us?"
“Keep an eye out fer ambushes. These Fellnight bastards are sneaky, and the use the mist to their advantage. I don’t know what’s causin’ this infernal mist, but I know it flows outta the north river ravine, past where Devarre has his retreat. Yer kind refer ta the falls there as Dead Man’s Drop. Take care out there, and if ye find ta druid, tell 'im Ol' Vinroot is wardin' his trees. I recon' the good fey are fixin' to do somethin' 'bout this mess, and I'll see what I can do to help them.”
Jervaise nods.
"Well then, best of luck to you."
Caelin nodded grimly along with Jervaise. He looked to the others to see if they were ready to press on to Devarre's.
Goodluck nods, ready to visit this druid.
Night has almost fallen as you bid farewell to Vinroot. Since it is soon going to be too dark to travel, the treant directs you to a nearby stream where you can make camp. Once you are settled, he lumbers off into the trees in the direction of the dryad grove.
Night passes without indecent, and come dawn you see the rays of the rising sun attempt to pierce the strange mist. Pushing on westwards, Caelin and Goodluck lead the group towards the river and the fey-mounds the dryad told you about.
Around noon, you reach a spot matching the description. Sunlight filters into the clearing, burning away the mist to illuminate a perfectly round hill dotted with fairy-cap mushrooms. Nearby, a small creek slowly trickles through a pond buffered by outcroppings of large black rock. The air hangs still, and even the sounds of forest animals seem absent. There is no sight of any dwellings or the druid himself.
"Before we use the dryad's gift, let me take a quick look around. I fear I no longer trust the gentle beauty of this forest."
He gave a sardonic grin to the others and quickly searched the hill, around the pond and among the rocks.
Will saves:
Taecuss:
Caelin:
Jervaise:
Goodluck:
Meycho:
Caelin's search reveals nothing, and despite being aware that the area may be manipulated by some kind of illusion, none of you are able to detect anything unusual.
"Well, it appears that we'll need the dryad's flower. The magics guarding Devarre's home are powerful indeed!"
Caelin looked at Taecuss, remembering how the bard delicately accepted the magical bloom.
Turning to Meycho, Jervaise and Goodluck Caelin added "All else in the forest has been attacked, corrupted or killed. Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for the worst, despite Devarre's skills at concealment."
Jervaise nods, and tightens his grip on his sword, waiting for the Way to be revealed...
The Champions of Bellis gather atop the top of the circular hill, watching in apprehension as Tae tosses a handful of enchanted flower dust into the air, allowing the wind to scatter it across the area.
You don't have to wait long. Three massive monoliths of eldritch stone, etched in ancient runes glittering with powerful magic, suddenly appear on the hilltop around you. The runes spark violently where the dust touches them, apparently suppressing their magic.
Below you, east of the hill, a small log cabin also appears, surrounded by a small garden of herbs and other signs of habitation. A thin trail of smoke rises from the chimney.
Tae's call echoes across the area. Nothing happens.
Jervaise frowns.
"That does not bode well..."
He then moves forward to investigate...
Caelin offers to lead the way down towards the house, as long as everyone is ready.
Goodluck will come down last, confused as to why land folk would go to such measures to hide their homes...
I don't like this one bit. What are the chances, this fellnight queen got to the druid and attacked him?
Meycho draws his small bow and fits a cold iron arrow, before moving slowly towards the cabin, keeping an eye on the water at all times.
Jervaise moves up alongside Caelin.
Perception:
Taecuss:
Caelin:
Jervaise:
Goodluck:
Meycho:
With Caelin and Jervaise in the lead, you move carefully down the hill towards the cabin.
As you get closer to the cabin, Taecusse, Caelin and Jervaise all notice a layer of pine boughs woven through a wooden frame covers a deep hole in the ground on the other side of a tall tree that stands outside the cabin (Area D2).
Drawing his sword, Caelin moved cautiously towards the hole. An animal trap? Certainly not a cellar, Caelin mused as he approached.
A foul stench and a swarm of flies greet Caelin as he carefully approaches the pit. Lifting the coverings, he peers down into a dark 30 ft deep pit. In the shadows at the bottom, his sharp elven eyes is able to discern the shape of a wolf, obviously dead.
Caelin pursed his lips and sternly surveyed the scene, looking for any clues as to the cause of the wolf's demise.
Lowering the pit cover, he turned back to the others.
"A wolf. Dead." Nodding his head towards the house, he added, "Let's see if there is anything in there."
With that, he quietly approached the front door.
Wait a minute, Meycho says, closing his eyes and focusing on the hut for a brief moment.
"Dis situation seems to be a bit... strange, don't it? As if dere's been a bit more planning involved den we know, eh?"
After a few moments of concentration, you detect a faint aura of evil from within the cabin. It feels shifty somehow, and hard to pin down. You can't tell if it comes from an object, a creature or a spell.
Hearing the wisdom in Tae's words, Caelin decided to be a bit more cautious. "Well, let us see if there are any signs beyond the wolf that might tell us if the perverted fey have been here."
He searches around the front of the cabin for tracks or signs of struggle.
"Meycho, did you sense anything?"
There's something fell inside the hut, but I can't tell what it is exactly. Do be careful! Meycho says, obvious worry in his voice.
"Well, should we go in now? Or would you rather circle around, and see if more clues and information is hidden to the rear? For myself, I prefer the direct approach. So, perhaps we should get ready for whatever you detect, Meycho."
Taecuss breaks out into a rousing song about a group of elven rangers defending a river ford against advancing orcs, and stands behind Caelin as he opens the door to the small cabin.
A large bearskin rug covers the cabin’s floor before a stone fireplace along the far wall. On the left side of the door, a stout wooden bedframe with a goose down mattress covered in heavy furs stands against the north wall.
On the right, a handcrafted table sits in the southwest corner next to a cabinet cluttered with empty cookware. In a chair by the table, an elderly human man sits, seemingly engrossed in the study of a collection of scrolls and various trinkets. He is clad in armor constructed from overlapping scales of black wood, and a heavy wooden shield leans against the wall next to his chair.
As the door opens and the sound of Tae's song fills the room, the man looks up and frowns, as if disturbed from an important task by uninvited guests. His skin is oddly mottled and has a green-brown tone.
"Huh...what...singing elves? What's all this now?" he mutters in a perplexed voice.
The man looks like he is under the effect of a barkskin spell.
Caelin tenses somewhat at sight of the old man, hopeful but fearing trickery.
"Good day, sir. We heard you might be able to help us out regarding the current situation. Are you available, sir?"
Jervaise stays silent, but moves in through the door behind Caelin and Taecuss, keeping a wary on proceedings...
Meycho enters and maintain concentration on his spell. After a short while, he mutters in halfling, hoping some of his comrades speak that tongue.
Caelin listened to Tae aprovingly, but he was taken aback by Meycho's language. "Is that...gnomish?" he thought to himself.
Unable to understand the words, he tried to guess at their meaning.
"He seems relieved, which I suppose is good", Caelin thought and he relaxed a bit.