"I thought Titanicus would have a sufficient 'wow' factor to him to bring them into line. Feel free to talk with them. I expected you to. I just wanted to let you know that my position is somewhat sensitive, so downplay my early lives."
Ryli's eyes go wide and she takes a step back. She takes a moment to process his words, blinks in astonishment, and shakes her head incredulously. "Have you forgotten that Kallie is 'only' a centaur? And that she is a soul birthed by the union between you and Setsuna?" She squares to face him, tail tossing in agitation. "I may be a centaur for this life, but Kallie has one life, and that's all she'll know. I want to give her a chance to choose what life she wants for herself. And that means knowing what she is. She can't learn it on the deck of this ship. "I can't even teach it to her, since I don't even know. But if I can stay with them, then I'll learn, I'll be there to watch over her, and help her choose the path she wants."And I can't be there if the tribe kicks me out."
"I forget very little."
"That is a reasonable argument - or would be under normal circumstances. I do not blame you for wanting the best for your...our...child. I also want her to have the life you describe. I am simply trying to point out that regardless of my or anyone else's emotions about Kallie or ourselves, that we have a greater duty to protect Varisia. A duty which we have already been delayed from for too long by shopping trips and Azlantist's tricks."
"That's fair," Jeevika concedes. "However, please be careful about casually calling other people savages. That sounds very much like the mentality Karzoug has displayed towards us."
"I am calling them savages, because by Lorthan and Ryli's description they act like savages. I do not prescribe to the belief that all cultures are created equal. Discrimination based on sex or species is a savage tendency, as is xenophobia. I highly doubt they possess the erudition necessary to read and write, much less understand ancient Thassilonian. Rest assured, I will mind my manners when speaking in a language they might know and while in their presence. I will not however pretend that I like the idea of my soul daughter being raised among people who will treat her as lesser for having a vagina."
"Understandable," remarks Jeevika, remembering Elthariel's disturbed reaction to Lorthan's descriptions. "Very well. Minding you manners should be sufficient."
Speaking of delays, it is a little worrying that we haven't found anything yet. How old was Quink's lead?
Ryli winces under Eugeni's scathing rebuke of the Thunderhoof's ways. She was conflicted herself, and shared most of his concerns for Kallie's future. She softens her tone. "Eugeni, try to understand. We're part horse. Horses are herd animals. Prey animals. Those instincts are within us. The strength of the centaur is in the herd. Cooperation and community rule. Yes, there are roles aligned by gender, but we females aren't treated as lesser that I've seen. We pull the homes and serve as the last line of defense for the young. We choose our mates for ourselves, no one does it for us. I'm to be named Earthmother if I survive this. I'll have some more influence, then. I might be able to nudge things in a better direction. But there's so much tradition. It'll take time."
Zoli scrunches up her nose a bit. "Your call if you want to spend your time trying to rehabilitate that lot. I'll be nice to your outriders, though I'm not sure it'll help. I introduced myself the minute they appeared and they just ignored me.
"If you want to keep them alive, I'd suggest they guard the boat while we check out the 'dark blot' you saw, and see if it leads us to the remains of the Vekker brothers."
Ryli shrugs her shoulders. "I still hope that they'll come around and see that we're truly on their side. That maybe whatever's got them so distrustful of two-legged society can be mended. So that's why I've asked you, and told you of a few sensitive areas that should be avoided."
She turns her head to look at the pair. "They lost half their number when a war band of stone giants demanded they bow to Karzoug. We have the same enemy."
Eugeni nods. "It is finished then. Let us embark on our quest for the dark and unknowable blot."
The Thunderhooves defeated one of Mokmurian's warbands? Then we were wrong to assume them to be weak. Their victory is a testament to their strength, albeit sadly at a great cost.
As Jeevika recalls, stone giants are strong enough to effortlessly rip grown men in half, casually toss chimneys like pebbles, and nonchalantly walk through wooden buildings like they were made of wet paper.
For a split second, Jeevika suffers a searing migraine.
Did I just experience deja vu?
The group makes its way towards the one minuscule spot that Ryli detected with her spell that seemed to stand out from the rest of her detection, and the dragon-powered air-boat makes its way up the Kazaron.
Anyone who travels this far up the Kazaron River can't miss the cabin built of split logs cemented with a rough mortar and a shake shingle roof. The logs and shingles are decades old, and a profusion of lichens growing on these walls give it a strangely organic look. Each window is 2 feet high by 2 feet wide and has double shutters to aid in keeping out the cold, though they mostly stand open or off completely. The cabin itself sits low in a valley in the Kodars, at an altitude of roughly 4,500 feet.
The cabin is constructed defensively at the edge of a 60-foot-high cliff. A split-log tower abuts the cliff face and rises from a workshop on ground level to a larger cabin perched on the cliff's edge sixty feet above. The rough wooden structure is so overgrown with lichen as to almost appear an extension of the rock face. The ground to the south of the lower structure is a steep embankment, over which a chute protrudes from the structure's southern wall. At the base of the embankment is a large pile of fine, black sand that spreads out in a deposit striated by years of erosion. The ground surrounding the pile is barren of any plant life, with the exception of a single sagging pine tree. Faint traces of a footpath lead to the workhouse doors, though it is obvious none have come this way in many years.
The dragon sets the ship down long enough to allow everyone to disembark, the centaur agreeing to remain on board to protect the ship at Ryli's insistence. The rest of you approach the cabin by your own means as the dragon lifts off once more to keep the ship safer by remaining aloft and mobile.
After the usual round of buff spells being cast, Ryli shifts into the form of a tiny sparrow and flits down to the cabin. She takes a look at the lone pine tree, checking to see if it's natural.
Seeing that they have most likely reached the Vekker brothers' base of operations and a potential murder sight, Jeevika briefly borrows the Orange Prism and distributes some Extended Tears to Wine among the party.
As Ryli goes to inspect the tree, Jeevika turns to Elthariel and asks, "Do elk live this high up in the mountains? I'm no huntress, but as we arrived, I swear I heard the cry of a dying elk. If this was a forest, I would think nothing of it, but these being high mountains..."
"A large cat could have dragged an elk up here for a meal," Eugeni speculates. "An abandoned building might make a good lair for some enterprising beast."
After Elthariel confirms that Eugeni could very well be correct, Jeevika decides to inspect the grounds surrounding the cabin for any potential danger or anything of interest. The large pile of fine, black sand catches her eye, so the Holy Vindicator decides to start there first. However, noting the lack of plants and the dead tree, before doing anything else, Jeevika quickly pops her renewing Potion of Ward the Faithful as a precaution. Even if she doesn't need it, this journey has reminded her that she'd rather be safe than sorry...
"...There's a bunch of animal remains in that black sand," Jeevika states aloud, instinctively drawing Love Hurts. For that reason, she makes certain not to touch the stuff.
As Jeevika approaches the sand, the tree lurches to life and sends a pair of rotten, fungus covered branches at her! However she is able to nimbly avoid them!
From his position on Jeevika's back, the Sword of Wrath (not to be confused with his younger cousin Blade) pulses blood red for a second. The Holy Vindicator herself utters a wrathful growl, jumps forward, and starts relentlessly chopping away at the sinister tree that dared attack her.
plus
plus
Ryli chirps and flutters, her natural form making the necessary somatic gestures to conjure forth a bubbling pool of hot tar beneath the dreaded evil treant.
Raising her buckler to guard against the wicked plant's attacks, Jeevika briefly pauses her chopping and gives Ryli a thumbs up of approval. Her appreciative grin is a little... intense. It's almost as if Jeevika wants to monster tree to burn for its sins...
Meanwhile, Elthariel finally notices the commotion. As usual, she quickly casts Abundant Ammo on her quiver. As the huntress starts moving into position for a volley, she glances at Lorthan, silently asking him to go help her sister elf.
Zoli charges forward, "Undead treant!? Hmmmm, in that case...IT'S KINDLING TIME!"
She does her best to dodge any swipe as she approaches, and then gives Wrathblade it's first real test.
Eugeni fires off one of his signature spells at the evil treant.
*1.5 = 31
*1.5 = 30
*1.5 = 46
*1.5 = 49
*1.5 = 40
When it became time to disembark, Lorthan cast false life and receives a casting of barkskin.
When the tree animates, he flies within reach and smacks at it with his adamantine side of his double sword. He also begins his bloodrage.
Jeevika carves a large rend into the tree, and it ignites in flame as it’s dried wood is coated in fiery tar!
It attempts to strike out at Zoli as she approaches, but she bats the branch aside and cuts it off before cleaving a mighty rend into its trunk! Lorthan likewise roads and charges in, removing another huge chunk of bark from its core.
Eugeni then goes through practiced arcane gestures and sends several orbs of energy into the thing, large pieces blasting off of it with each and every impact. By the time it is all said and done, just a smoldering pile of twitching bark remains.
"Silly tree."
"Well done, team. Let us make ingress into this lichenous ruin?"
"One moment, Mr. Silva; before we venture inside, I wanted to search the outside area for anything of interest, and by Shelyn, that's what I intend to do."
Jeevika first inspects the smoldering remains of the Horror Tree. She doubts that there is anything interesting left, but it never hurts to check; not only is it proof that something is very wrong, but the wicked creature could very well be the murderer of the Vekker brothers.
As she originally intended (before she was so rudely interrupted), Jeevika then inspects the black sand, again taking care not to touch the stuff.
Finally, the Holy Vindicator takes a look around the grounds.
Once finished with her searches, Jeevika inspects the front door.
Meanwhile, Elthariel uses one of her magic pearls to renew her Abundant Ammo spell.
The Body:
A hollow in the undead treant’s trunk hides some treasures it has gathered over the years. They consist of a large black opal worth 2,000 gp, a cracked leather backpack containing a broken rock hammer and 43 gp, 12 +2 crossbow bolts of distance, and a sealed pocket flask holding an elixir of the peaks.
———————————
The Black Sand:
There are several bodies buried shallowly here, mostly animals, though some have decayed beyond recognition.
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The Grounds:
As described above
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The Single Door:
The door is locked, the lock being somewhat corroded.
———————————
The Double Doors:
The doors are locked, the lock being very very rusted.
Jeevika quickly packs up the valuables, leaving the worthless backpack and hammer where they are.
"There appears to be nothing else of interest. Let's take a look inside, shall we?"
Leading the way inside, the Holy Vindicator uses her adamantine blade to get through the single door.
Since the windows stand open, Rylibird flits over to one one the sills and lands. She peers inside and extends her senses thanks to her echolocation spell being active.
Eugeni floats along behind Jeevika, keeping his eyes peeled for active magical effects or invisible creatures or objects.
Lower Level:
This room has a bare plank floor. A wide double door stands to the east, and next to it a shabby curtain closes off another opening. The room’s dry boards still appear to be stout, having successfully remained sealed from the elements over the years.
Jeevika moves to inspect the room and then the curtain. If the latter appears safe, she moves the fabric aside and inspects whatever lies behind it.
Ryli drops from the window and glides inside on her tiny wings. Inside, she finds a mantle or a nook upon which to land and be ready with a spell if necessary.
Lower Level:
Beyond the curtain is a small, barren chamber. A wood-frame cot rests against the far wall with a rough, straw-tick mattress and a threadbare blanket. A pair of old work boots, crusted with the dried remains of old mud, still sits under the cot.
Jeevika steps into the room behind the curtain and carefully searches the area for any possible clues that might help the Rangers figure out what happened here...
You find a +3 punching dagger that is hidden in the left boot. The deathblade poison that once coated the blade has long since dried and flaked away, leaving only a slight (and harmless) discoloration on it.
Jeevika announces her find and tucks the dagger on her belt.
"Whoever lived here was wealthy; in the last few minutes, I've found enough treasure to give Sandpoint another stimulus package on par with the one Setsuna donated."
Jeevika moves to study the double doors for danger. If they appear to be safe, she opens them one way or another.
The inner door is also locked, but not corroded like the outter doors. Even so, the adamantine blade seems to serve as a suitable master key.
The air in this long-sealed chamber is putrid. The back wall is the solid rock of the cliff face. A ramp rises from the western door to a height of five feet, which is the elevation of the rest of the plank floor. Mounds of dust and rocky debris clutter the floor, while rusty mechanical equipment, large copper tanks, and several rock-crushing and chipping tools sit upon sagging wooden tables. The handle of a shovel sticks up from a debris pile immediately below this aperture. Two pairs of elbow-length, thick leather gloves, stained from long use, hang from hooks beside the north doors.
A shadowy form shifts and moves in the room’s corner. A dwarf appears to be squatting in the southeast corner of the room, his back to the doors as he scoops up handfuls of gold dust from the ground near the chute. As he turns around, gold dust thick in his beard and dripping in slobbery strings from his lips, he says, “You! You have to try this! It’s so... delicious!” As he says this, he stuffs another handful of gold dust into his mouth and swallows. He is a rather healthy looking, balding dwarf with a few facial scars and a full beard separated into two lengths by gold rings.
Immediately, Zoli, Lion, and Lorthan step up and squat down beside the dwarf and scoop up handfuls, eating the dirt on the floor!
The dwarfwatches as they eat, and the three of them immediately clutch at their stomachs, though Lion simply squeaks in discomfort. The dwarf suddenly shrink in on himself, grows emaciated, and then flies apart in a red explosion of bite-sized morsels of flesh and bone!
After realizing that the dwarf has somehow compelled Zoli, Lion, and Lorthan to consume something potentially harmful, Jeevika reflexively lashes out at him, but his spontaneous explosion rends that moot.
"Mr. Silva, I believe some Protection from Evil is in order," Jeevika politely states, recalling that the arcanist has prepared said spell today for the group. "I won't need it, but given what just happened, you and the others likely will. Speaking of which, is everyone okay?"
”I feel...ill,” Lorthan says. ”Something is burning through my body...” he leans onto his knees and begins heaving, trying to throw the dirt he just ate up.
The dirt looks very similar to the pile outside.
Ryli chirps in dismay and flies over to Lorthan. She casts neutralize poison on him, hoping to counter the toxins he just ingested.
"...We better get out of this room; there appears to be poison everywhere," says Jeevika as she watches Ryli attempt to heal Lorthan. "Notice the dirt's resemblance to the black sand outside? Plants weren't growing near it, and the stuff was littered with dead animals."
Jeevika takes a few seconds to looks about the room for more signs of trouble before she moves over to the doors to study them for any signs of danger.
"Or perhaps a haunt," Eugeni says before casting communal protection from evil on the group.