"Search me. I'd usually just fly over there."
You finally have made enough planning progress to proceed with your plan to rescue the prisoners. However, you haven't made it very far before a patrol of four Swiftmane centaurs trots over to confront you. "On Ruzadoya's authority, you are wanted for questioning. Come with us quietly and nobody needs to get hurt," one says as they warily point their spears at you.
"It won't be us who get hurt, cousins. Trot on."
Kilitsi watches carefully, axe ready in case Alessandria's words aren't enough. She knows she'd rather not fight the centaur, but are her fellow centaurs as smart as, like, she is?
The centaurs' eyes widen as the weight of Alessandria's threats hit them. They shift their hooves nervously. "We'll give you this one chance to make yourselves scarce, only because you are kin. But the other fey will likely not afford you the same luxury." They eye you warily but allow you to proceed uncontested.
***
As you move deeper into the gala grounds, you hear a few ravens cawing in the trees. A few moments later, Glitterbeak alights on a branch, cocking his head. "What's all the ruckus? We were trying to sleep, but all this noisy revelry has ruffled our feathers!" the large bird caws. "Hey, do you need some help? I heard some of Ruzadoya's goons are looking for you!"
***
CREATE A DISTRACTION
Infiltration Points 4 (group); Overcome Deception or Performance DC 25
In order to lure some of the guards away from where the prisoners are being held, you'll need to create a spectacle or mislead potential witnesses.
"Thanks, my feathered friends! We'll call you when we need you."
Wispil pretends to be an ordinary bird, and causes trouble as only a seagull can, snatching rations and making a mess.
Kilitsi sends her bees out, hoping her swarm attracts some attention.
Alessandria flings up a hand and an answering geyser of flame stretches up towards the sky... over there.
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Being unversed in the way of performing or distractionary tactics has it's downsides, and it seems like raw sneaking potential won't be enough to draw the guard away. So taking note and following Alessandria's lead Gentlestorm conjures a wispy light to float in the nearby trees, away from the group, bobbing and weaving it so it's hard to get a good look. Then trying to sneak by.
Between Wispil's and Glitterbeak's avian antics and the rest of your misdirection, you are able to create a big enough distraction to advance without further attention.
You arrive at a crescent-shaped hill, its sheer, concave side the result of years of flooding and erosion. The feature now serves as an improvised paddock, with 14 prisoners detailed within. Among them is Emorga, the others being humans and gnomes split between nonviolent Wildwood representatives, sailors, and diplomats from Andoran and Taldor. All but Emorga have their hands bound by hemp rope and their ankles loosely tied together, though they appear unharmed. Emorga has settled onto her belly, patiently observing and concocting plans.
Vandalya Swiftmane and three other Swiftmane centaurs constantly patrol the hill’s perimeter in roughly a 100-foot radius, watching for any attempts to breach its walls from inside or out. A gnarled arboreal has positioned itself at the paddock’s entrance, its thorn-covered limbs and wooden face daring the prisoners to attempt an escape. You recall seeing this arboreal among his Blackwood Moot cohort.
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The sight of the captives including Emorga causes Gentlestorm to squeeze his spear tightly. But he takes a moment to examine the surroundings to take in the seriousness of the situation.
After a moment he reaches up and grabs a wide pliable leaf and sits against one of the trees guarding the party from view. He begins to scrawl on the leaf in tiny text.
'Great all seer, we have few allies who are willing to aid us it seems. But we have come to free you and the others and see you safe from this place. I assume you have a plan, but I shall elaborate on my own. I shall have Alessandria attempt to sway her cousin Vandalya from this cause. I do not believe we will be so lucky in being able to convince the arboreal guard however, given how adamant their cohort was in dispensing 'justice' during our last meeting. I know not the best way to sequester so many to safety, but if you have any ideas please make use of our forest allies to contact me soon.'
He nods to himself with a satisfied grunt and looks to the others. "Alessandria, what do you believe the odds are that you can persuade your cousin Vandalaya and her herd from the oncoming bloodshed? I plan to get into contact with Emorga using a script that not even the wildfolk are like to know. She may have a better idea of how to remove everyone from this place to a haven, but I would still see that we remove as many potential enemies and gain as many allies as possible for our exodus."
Alessandria speaks carefully, hoping that Gentle Storm's plan may win out. "She would accept our quarter, as I will accept hers, but if her sister's unholy resurrection did not make plain what her loyalties should be, then my words may not be sufficient."
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The Amurrun growls uneasily, "Then it is likely we are to draw blood."
He makes an amendment to his note quickly, before pulling out some seeds and nuts and waiting patiently for any of the forests many terrestrial critters to come to him.
'Great all seer, we have few allies who are willing to aid us it seems. But we have come to free you and the others and see you safe from this place. I assume you have a plan, but I shall elaborate on my own. I shall have Alessandria attempt to sway her cousin Vandalya from this cause. I do not believe we will be so lucky in being able to convince the arboreal guard however, given how adamant their cohort was in dispensing 'justice' during our last meeting. I know not the best way to sequester so many to safety, but if you have any ideas please make use of our forest allies to contact me soon. It seems Alessandria is keen that we shall not be able to persuade her cousin to our cause without blood being drawn.'
After some time a small squirrel approaches to take the seed and Gentlestorm coax's the critter close, folding the leaf like a tiny scroll and handing it to the critter. Imparting upon it the knowledge of the inside of the makeshift paddock as it's destination. Once the creature has had it's fill he lets it take off towards the destination, hoping that it doesn't draw the ire of the arboreal, but does draw the eye of Emorga.
The squirrel carries the message into the paddock, going unnoticed by the guards. Emorga spots it and gently retrieves the message, reading it. She looks up and out into the surrounding woods, not sure of your exact location, but it seems clear that she has received the message.
Indeed, the giant tortoise uses a subtle magic spell to write her own reply, then hands it to the squirrel, which quietly carries it back to you.
They have taken our allies' weapons and my spellcasting paraphernalia, so I am limited in how I can aid you. But I have some innate magic that I can use to try to slow and entangle any who try to fight against you, and I can heal you if you become injured. I shall use my body to defend the other prisoners from attacks and wayward projectiles if combat occurs. Free us, and get me to the nearby Elder Oak so I can use the ritual to escape to the Viridian Nexus with Corazal. Then get the other prisoners out via boat. I will rendezvous with you later.
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Gingerly taking the note from the squirrel and giving it some extra treats for it's assistance Gentlestorm stands to read the message to the group.
"If it were possible to get everyone's things back... but I don't think we'll have time for that before we're too engrossed by the fanatics."
He scrowls at the crossing between them and the paddock, "Are you all prepared for a fight?"
Wispil practically scoffs, "When am I not ready for a fight?"
Alessandria stamps her hoof. "May it not be needed."
As you emerge from your hiding spots, the arboreal quickly spots you. The treelike creature bellows a challenge, their thorns bristling! The patrolling centaurs turn at the sound, crying out and beginning to gallop in your direction. However, Vandalya hesitates when she sees you, hanging back as the other three centaurs close!
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Gentlestorm strides forward confident against the Arboreal, shouting for all in the area to hear.
"If you wish to bring harm to those who wished for nothing but peace, then you shall see what fury true speakers of the Wildwood may bring!"
He raises a hand towards the arboreal and pulls at the vital life-giving waters that suffuse it.
Wispil channels his elements and then causes a tree to sprout up next to Gentle Storm, shielding the druid with its branches.
Alessandria snorts. "Harm to the peaceful is what every predator brings to its prey, but how have you fallen to this, that you would see our wood become a gaol, a thing of locks and keys instead of the well-trod earth beneath your hooves. Flee cousins, for I will not cage you."
Alessandria ignites the air as she trots over towards the arboreal, hurling a quick dart of flame into its trunk.
"Like, how dumb is it for a tree to attack someone carrying an ax?" Kiltisi says, though she's too busy rolling her eyes to respond immediately as the battle gets underway.
The arboreal snarls as Gentle Storm stirs a small fire within its body. It responds by firing a thorn that strikes the protector tree Wispil conjured. It then attempts to leech the moisture out of the druid's body!
Alessandria moves up to the arboreal, burning it with a fiery javelin and her own fiery aura. The being is particularly weak to the flames!
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Gentlestorm wheezes as the Arboreal does a similar trick to him, though it feels far more effective. The druid holds up a hand and clouds form overhead. They begin to form ominously overhead the arboreal.
A bolt channels down into the water laden forest being and then over to Gentlestorm's hands as he roars out alongside the thunder crack as his own wounds mend slightly.
HP 108/108 (if lose dying condition, use snarling badger talisman)
AC 24
Fort +14, Ref +14, Will +11; Ancestral Geometry roll: xx (Reflex/Will/Fort)
Hero points: 2
Effects:
Kilitsi rushes in with her ax, probing the arboreal's defenses.
[ ooc] When you succeed at a Wild Mimic Lore to Recall Knowledge, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your saving throws against the next attack or ability that the subject of your Recall Knowledge targets you with.[/ooc]
Wispil pulls on the substance that makes up the arboreal, peeling away some of its bark. Then, he blasts it with an errant branch.
for
Kiltisi remembers that arboreals are weak to both axes and fire. Indeed, her axe cuts deeply into the tree creature's bark. It resists Wispil's extraction, but then the goose scores a critical hit with his blast, and Gentle Storm's lightning strike takes the arboreal down!
The three centaurs bear down on Gentle Storm and Wispil, raising their shields and attacking with their swords.
"Block this." Wispil folds his wings together and a blast of water gushes out over the centaurs. He reestablishes his connection to his elements and blasts the closest centaur.
for
Alessandria gallops back towards her kin, getting close enough to envelop them in her flaming aura before hurling a whirling axe of flame to fly across them all!
HP 108/108 (if lose dying condition, use snarling badger talisman)
AC 24
Fort +14, Ref +14, Will +11; Ancestral Geometry roll: xx (Reflex/Will/Fort)
Hero points: 2
Effects:
"Like, are you scared of me?" Kilitsi asks as she charges toward the nearest centaur, brutally slashing once and then using the blunt edge of her ax.
[ ooc] When you succeed at a Wild Mimic Lore to Recall Knowledge, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your saving throws against the next attack or ability that the subject of your Recall Knowledge targets you with.[/ooc]
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Crackling with harbored Lightning Gentle storm narrowly rolls out of the way of the charging Centaur before his form erupts into that of a massive fey-like wild cat. "You call for the Wilds to soak in blood then pay the red price!" The uncanny cat yowls before lunging at the centaur that tried to cut him down snapping at it's flank.
The usually peaceful druid doesn't seem to be willing to show mercy in this fight unlike his previous engagements.
Wispil's blasts and Alessandria's flames wreak havoc on the centaurs, then Kiltisi and Gentle Storm fall upon them. Within moments, all three have fallen at your feet!
Across the clearing, Vandalya Swiftmane raises both of her hands in front of her, either to show that she’s unarmed or to ward off an expected attack. "Wait. Please, hear me out. I know that you are not fools, and therefore I will not ask you to trust me, nor will I ask you to forgive what happened here tonight. I came here with my sister to call the weak, cowardly druids of the Lodge to task for the atrocities they have tolerated in our forest. But I did not come to revel in slaughter, or to pursue vengeance for its own sake. I cannot speak for every centaur, but I know my sister; that thing clad in greenwood might wear her face and speak with her voice, but it is not Ruzadoya. Whatever it has planned, I will not be a part of it. And if you intend to stand against it, I will swear my bow and spear to your cause."
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The giant wild cat that is Gentlestorm still snarls at Vandalya. "Then you shall ride those that you can to the pier and see them off to safety. Perhaps if more had shown spine in the first place we would not have needed to kill those we have today, nor those we must in the coming season."
Prowling over to the paddock cage, he batters at it with claw and fang.
"But now the lodge has succumb to a tyrant wearing a fallen ally's body, dancing it around the stage as a puppet. The only question is who pulls the strings."
Stepping aside for the captives to leave, "Swiftly lest more arrive and see us all fed to the roots."
"At least one--" Wispil glances at Alessandria, "At least two centaurs around here can see sense. Come on and help us get out of here before more reinforcements come."
The goose flies over to the prisoners to try to free them.
"Do you know where the captors put the weapons and items from the prisoners?"
Alessandria does not consider herself a fool, but she does trust Vandalya. "I am glad that your fervent wish has not clouded your mind, cousin. We will uproot this corruption, together."
Kilitsi looks to Emorga to see what the wise turtle has to say about Vandalya's offer. "If, like, she really wants to help, we should let her," the minotaur says, cleaning her ax.
Vandalya nods solemnly and moves to help you release the prisoners. They thank you quietly yet profusely. They report that they saw the wood giant Xivaga ushering a small group of other friendly dissidents out of the area, and there are likely several other groups evacuating by various routes. The best plan remains reuniting with Alyce Quinley near the riverbank to escape by boat.
You carefully make your way back across the grounds and into the forest. Vandalya goes with the others as they sail off into the night to safety. You then escort Emorga All-Seer to the nearby Elder Oak so that she can use her ritual magic to transport you all back to the Viridian Nexus.
After requesting that Corazal close the gateway behind you to ensure you won’t be followed, Emorga retires to her shelter in the cloister and, following a fitful sleep, enters a state of communion with the great conrasu the following morning to discuss recent events. With luck, she'll be able to come up with a good plan soon, because you have no doubt that Ruzadoya is already taking steps to enact her new tyrannical pogrom...
"Well, this is a real thicket of a problem, and no mistake," Wispil gripes. "I'm as willing to take loggers down a peg as the next bird, but if we try to wipe them out then it it will only bring more forces into the wood."
"Maybe we can, like, find some other place for the loggers to cut wood?" Kilitsi suggests, helpfully.
Part 2: Severed at the Root
Chapter 4: Remnants of the Past
Several days have passes since the Wildwood Lodge elected Ruzadoya Swiftmane as its next leader. She swiftly nullified the Wildwood Treaty and declared war on Andoran and Taldor, causing many to flee the area and retreat into the forest’s deepest sanctuaries. Emorga All-Seer and several of her influential moderate colleagues have gathered, standing in solidarity against this new regime to create a rival lodge-in-exile at Tern Hill—the Rootweft Lodge. Due to your recent exploits during the Greenwood Gala and subsequent conflicts, you have been invited to act as influential Rootweft agents in the growing conflict against Ruzadoya.
The landmark known as Tern Hill is a partially collapsed cavern, creating a massive, verdant hollow open to the sky. Three massive trees grow around the hollow’s perimeter, topping the hill like a crown. The tips of their boughs and roots intertwine, with some roots emerging from the earth in tall arches. Given the only routes into the hollow involve traversing the winding tunnels, rappelling down from the summit, or flight, Emorga believes this unique site will shelter the Rootweft Lodge as it gathers strength.
You've arrived just a day after the Rootweft Lodge has moved into Tern Hill. Emorga encourages you to explore the area and speak with those who have joined the cause. She hopes your presence will settle nerves and soothe spirits.
***
The three massive trees crowning Tern Hill are the Grand Oak to the north, the Grand Cypress to the southeast, and the Grand Sycamore to the southwest. Two dozen leshies, led by the cantankerous and canny leaf leshy Sternbrow, live beneath Grand Oak.
Glitterbeak and his mighty corvid entourage have taken up residence in the boughs of the Grand Cypress. The shimmering bird squawks a greeting to you. "Hello there! Glad you could make it! We're here to help, of course. We stand ready to perform any deliveries you might need to make, and we're scouting the woods for any signs of danger or shiny trinkets!"
"Excellent work, my flashy friend," Wispil greets the rook, who is really growing on him. "Any danger or trinkets on offer? I've been roosted here a day and I'm already ready for some more action."
Alessandria is grimmer and more quiet than usual, despite Glitterbeak's antics. "Has Vandalya settled in?"
As Wispil talks to the corvids, Kilitsi goes to meet Sternbrow and the other leshies.
"Hello?" she calls out.
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Gentlestorm enjoyed the new area that they had to call home. But it was clear that the Catfolk was still troubled by the goings on within the forest as a whole. With what essentially turns out to be refugees spilling in from all over the place to support their cause in whatever way they can.
He finds an uneasy peace in going about the vista chatting with the various allies they've made. He gives a wave to the tiny leshies who have come to make their home in the Grand Oak, a symbol of the forests hardy nature.
"Greetings green friends, I hope you are able to make yourselves quite at home here?"
"Nothing to report as of yet, my fellow feathered friend," Glitterbeak says to Wispil. "But you'll be the first to know!"
He cocks his head at Alessandria. "Vandalya is here, yes, though she seems to be a bit out of her element. Perhaps she still feels the sting of her sister's betrayal!"
He then looks at Gentle Storm. "Indeed! This tree is quite suitable for our roosting!"
***
Strenbrow emerges from beneath the Grand Oak to speak to Kiltisi. "Eh? Who's there? Another one you Rootweft folk, is you? I'll tell you what I told the others. Respect the trees here and my ilk and I will mind our own business. Mistreat our home, though, and you won't like the consequences. You understand?"
"Well, perhaps time for a meander around the area, then," Wispil suggests.
"Like, we won't be mistreating anything, but, like, Ruzadoya Swiftmane is probably going to try to destroy everything."