"We'll be watching you," Sternbrow grunts.
***
Tern Hill’s entry is a verdant cavern system. Consisting of three large caverns connected by wide, curving tunnels, the caves ascend inside the hill, cresting at a freshwater spring. Streams branch from this spring, providing water throughout Tern Hill. The cavern is frequently open to the sky, allowing in light, plants, birds, and other animals.
The entry caverns open into the mile-wide concave summit of Tern Hill. While the Rootweft has room to spread across the hollow, the region closest to the caverns is named the hub. Here, people gather, eat, plan, and socialize. Living quarters line the hub’s edges, making it a vibrant community and the heart of the Rootweft. Located on a raised rocky shelf overlooking the hub, the Council Hearth is a meeting area for Rootweft leadership to discuss, plan, and chart the future. Council Hearth rings a bonfire that Emorga uses as a divinatory focus.
As you explore, you meet some of the members of the Rootweft:
*Breetzeetzeem the melixie is head cook for the Rootweft Lodge. He isn’t shy about asking for help and is usually in the hub, bossing around an ever-changing team of “volunteers” in his efforts to keep enough food on the table.
*Grendabor the Just is an arboreal warrior known for his fair-mindedness and even temper, often called on to settle disputes and keep the peace. Longtime confidante of Emorga and Valenar the Green, Grendabor is prime guardian of the Rootweft. He leads the guards, soldiers, and scouts, and he has vowed to defend the sanctity of the Verduran Forest to his dying breath.
*Thuja is a wood giant who joined the Rootweft to defend the Verduran Forest and its people. Although strong and reliable, she lacks combat experience and is a low-ranking guard posted at the hub.
*Jaerdan is a scout in their mid-twenties and a grandchild of Valenar the Green. Considered young and inexperienced, Jaerdan is determined to follow in the footsteps of their grandfather by becoming a great and respected leader. Ambitious and optimistic, yet burdened by loss, Jaerdan comes off as mercurial, switching between excitement and melancholy with little notice.
*Livi Leapingheart is an awakened rabbit. She is swift, silent, and clever with exceptional hearing and a keen nose for danger. Livi is a spy for the Rootweft, dashing through the forest to gather information, scout locations, and spy on the Wildwood Lodge and its agents. She has boundless energy and takes pride in her quick feet and exceptional leaps.
*Madge the gathlain is a talented herbalist and medic. Born in the First World, Madge migrated to the Universe a millennium ago; they’re old and weathered with gray hair and a cackling laugh. Madge is sarcastic but good natured, though they mock as often as they encourage.
*Poshov the domovoi is a pacifist and was bonded to the Wildwood Lodge on the Isle of Erran until Ruzadoya was elected. Poshov maintains the Rootweft Lodge, primarily the lodgings, kitchens, and camps around the hub. In addition to cleaning, he repairs anything broken, manages supplies, and organizes and directs volunteers.
*Finally, you find Vandlya Swiftmane in the hub. The centaur is struggling to find her place among the Rootweft. She has set up shop as a magical crafter, capable of applying runes and crafting magical items.
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Gentlestorm is one to know how well a good meal can lift spirits and looks to Wispil, "You may wish to see if the head chief needs any aid, I have a feeling your skills would be well utilized."
He looks to the rest of the group, "I would speak with the scouts and small folk of the roots to see if there is anything we can help with at the moment."
"Good day madam Livi, how goes the search so far, any particular individuals in need of aid?"
"Hello!" Livi says cheerfully. The rabbit smiles up at Gentle Storm, adjusting the angle of the red beret on her head. "All's quiet so far. Though I'm sure that won't be the case for too long. Ruzadoya and her minions are all around, certainly up to no good! That's why I'm glad you're here to help us fight the good fight!"
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"Of course, I knew that something about her was off the moment she arrived at the lodge. Reanimation is not the way of the Verduran, please let me know if ever you need someone else to help you scout and keep up the good work Livi."
With a bow Gentle Storm begins sauntering over to Poshov and the general upkeep of the encampment next.
Wispil wings over to chat with Madge.
"So, you're the resident healer around here?" the goose questions. "Know anything about curses?"
Kilitsi, in her wandering, finds herself approaching Thuja. "Are you, like, new here too? It seems like a nice place, though, like, the ceilings could be taller?"
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Poshov is frantically dashing about the kitchen, clucking his tongue at the disarray. "Bozhe moi! So much to do! And I am given so little to work with." He turns and looks up at Gentle Storm as the druid enters. "Hello! Have you come to help? The lodgings here are a mess! There are dishes to scrub, linens to wash! I could use all the help I can get!"
***
Madge gives Wispil a wry grin. "Curses? Sure, I know lots of curses! F!!! and shit and cocksucker! So many fun ones!" The gathlain cackles hysterically.
***
Thuja nods to Kilitsi. "I know what you mean! It's, like, think of the big folk when you choose a secret base for you new Lodge, y'know? I'm Thuja. Nice to meet ya!" The giant holds out a meaty hand for Kilitsi to shake.
"Oh yeah? Those are great!" the goose compliments. "How about 'Gozreh's *%&$#^?' or 'Spotty son of a *&%^@)*$'!"
"More to hand, anything that needs doing around here?"
Kilitsi smiles at Thuja and shakes her hand happily. "I think we, like, make them feel good. Like, we're so big and they're so little. That's probably why they asked you to be a guard."
Alessandria tries to find time to spend with her cousin. "Have you heard of any other Swiftmanes who have seen reason?"
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Gentlestorm is taken only slightly aback at the frantic nature of Poshov, and offers a warm smile.
"Of course I will do what I can to aid you while I've the free time. Let's see about getting a few friends to help why don't we."
Clacking his spear on the ground and whispering to the children of the trees several dozen small wood spirits begin to emerge from the unseen places of the lodging.
Gentlestorm kneels down and offers a hand for one to step onto then leans in and whispers to it before returning it to it's companions. The tiny spirits then begin jostling and bustling over to the dishes pile where they begin scrubbing and stacking things with wild 'Ghibli-esc' abandon.
Meanehile he sets his things to the side and moves to work at the linens, he begins himming an old tune to himself glad for the busy work and respite from killing and maiming for a bit.
"Nothing at the moment, but I'm sure it won't be long before somebody gets hurt and I'll need to patch them up," Madge says to Wispil. "Feel free to stop by whenever you need my services."
***
Thuja twirls her hair with a finger. "Well, like, there is one thing. I've got a friend named Brilali. She's a purple dragonet, but we, like, got totally separated after Ruzadoya's election. Can you keep an eye out for her while you're out in the forest? I'd be totes grateful!"
***
Vandalya scowls and shakes her head. "None, I'm afraid. But I do not regret my decision to take a stand. Whatever fell force has taken control of Ruzadoya, we will put a stop to it."
***
Poshov sighs with relief as Gentle Storm helps out with the chores. "Thank you. We still have a lot of work to do to make this place more homey, but I'm sure we'll get there eventually."
***
As the day wears on, the melixie Breetzeetzeem hosts a feast to foster community and lift spirits. He asks you to help with preparations.
Wispil helps to decorate the base, focusing on several insulting murals about the new leaders of the Wildwood Lodge.
Alessandria is grateful for the chance to leave the base, feeling almost immediately claustrophobic. To honor Cernunnos by hunting for the food her allies will need is all the better.
"Ugh! Hobbled to the max! Is she, like, pretty purple, or like sick purple?" Kilitsi says. "Maybe, like, if we find her, she can join us. I hear dragonets are pretty awesome."
"Oh, and did you hear about the feast tonight? Do you think Jaerdan will be there?" she asks, spreading word about the feast.
With your help, the feast gets off to a rousing success. Breetzeetzeem is thrilled and gives each of you an extra helping of dinner. The feast is a heartening event. Emorga tells stories, Livi sings (inspiring Jaerdan to dance), and Vandalya stargazes. However, not everyone is content. Later in the vening, Gusto Barrelbelter, a grizzled boarkin warrior, interrupts the festivities with a frustrated tirade.
Gusto snarls as he stands, hurling a chair—newly made by Poshov—behind him. "This is the plan? Ruzadoya’s starting a war, and we’re partying? And alongside our enemy's sister, no less! Another Swiftmane traitor." Vandlya shifts uncomfortably at the accusation as Gusto spits on the ground. "I thought the All-Seer was wise, but it’s been days and we’ve done nothing! Ruzadoya will choke the life from this forest before we make a move. Mark my words, the Rootweft will wither on the vine!"
A worried silence falls over the crowd. Breetzeetzeem seems ready to cry, in part because the chair jostled a serving table and toppled one of his foods onto the ground. Some look to Emorga to calm everyone, but the tortoise is considering her words too slowly, causing more unease...
"Like, what are you doing? If you think you know so much better, why don't you suggest something!" Kilitsi shoots back. "You know what's less helpful? Just complaining and upsetting people! Super hobbled!"
"Hey, tusk-for brains, pipe down," Wispil squawks. "You ever hear of 'company morale'? Your truffle breath is ruining a lovely meal."
Eyes literally blazing, Alessandria advances on Gusto, hauling him off the ground by main force. "I know whose choice was the more difficult. I know who I would rather keep whole and unroasted."
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Seeing as everyone was already jumping on Gusto's hide Gentlestorm moved to comfort Breetzeetzeem.
"There there, we can mend the chair again tomorrow. Tensions are just high after all that's happened. Once we see a target of interest, then we will start making a real difference against whatever is using Ruzadoya to puppet the others soon."
Gusto squeals as Alessandria bodily lifts him off the ground. Between that and Wispil's squawking, the boarkin backs down. "Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!"
Breetzeetzeem smiles at Gentle Storm. "Thank you. I feel better now!"
Emorga eventually rumbles out what's on her mind. "Fear is natural in times such as these. Understand the cycle. With time and care, hope will outshine despair."
The crowd seems inspired by her words and your actions!
***
The next morning, Emorga asks you to go on patrol, explaining that the guards defend Tern Hill and the scouts travel in ever-widening sweeps, but there’s lots of ground to cover before the nearby territory is safe enough to risk launching any missions farther afield. She gives you details for your assigned patrol route, which is expected to take 2 days. You have some time to prepare if you need before heading out.