"The Pact is incomplete, as of now. What is left of Lodge leadership has called for an emergency gathering on the next new moon, approximately a month from now. There, a special assembly will choose Valenar’s successor. Only then can we attempt to try once more to affirm the Pact. In the meantime, everyone is dispersing to protect their own territory and ensure other attacks aren’t underway.
"We are in talks with Knight Quinley and her Taldan compatriots. The mob has already chosen to implicate Taldor because that horror sprouted from their gift, but is that proof? The Lodge has many enemies that would benefit from exactly the sort of chaos that has been unleashed by this attack, but it seems that too few are willing to ask these kinds of questions. It’s simpler to swear vengeance on an easy scapegoat and ignore any other evidence. We are working together to find the truth."
"Who would speak out against the Lodge? Does it have many enemies in the forest?" Wispil asks. "It also seems worthwhile to understand the attack more thoroughly. Has anyone studied the fungal outbreak that came from the seeds?"
"We have enemies from without and now discontent from within. The Swiftmanes are swearing revenge for Ruzadoya’s death and demand the dissolution of the Treaty of the Wildwood. That detestable miscreant Khasprickle and his gang of ne’er-do-wells have decided they’re forming their own ‘Wild Hunt’ to mete out punishment." Emorga scoffs. "The presumption would be ridiculous if it weren’t so dangerous.
"Our preliminary investigation turned up some evidence, but it’s not yet conclusive. We have agents following up on those leads, but I regret that the Lodge still needs your help in other matters."[/b] Emorga lowers her enormous head. "Fires—figurative ones, but no less destructive—could ignite throughout the forest at any time, and the Verduran is too large for any of us to identify and stop them all. That is, unless we call on an old ally: Corazal.
"Corazal is a conrasu, a shard of cosmic consciousness that fell to Golarion and was reborn in a body of living wood—not a common sight in Avistan, but also not unheard of. Corazal is one of the forest’s oldest creatures, and their soul is indelibly intertwined with the whole region. Centuries ago, Wildwood druids sometimes called on Corazal to identify areas of pain, danger, or sorrow that they should investigate. Corazal eventually grew weary of their constant queries, however, and established boundaries. The Lodge hasn’t called on Corazal since, but it’s time to rebuild our neglected partnership by sending you to request aid."
"Like, do you even know where we'd start to look for him?" Kilitsi asks a little nervously. Her people are supposed to have excellent senses of direction but ... well, she's always been a little embarrassed to admit even to herself she doesn't. But that's why she's here, after all.
"Well, it would certainly be good if someone around here knew what to do," Wispil reflects, not quite under his breath.
"Corazal dwells perhaps two hundred miles to the north of here in an ancient grove called the Viridian Nexus. When you arrive, be courteous, and request Corazal’s aid in identifying areas where strife is growing in the Verduran Forest. Aid Corazal as needed, and contact me should you need to." To this end, Emorga provides you with three scrolls of animal messenger.
Alessandria keeps her own counsel through much of the meeting, but as she accepts the scrolls she cannot help but ask, "Well aimed vengeance will be sought, but if the murder of our leaders and our kin is the fruit of our pact with the Taldans, then is that pact still of use?"
"Like, if someone is trying to break the pact, maybe that means it's worthwhile. Wouldn't that be just like something someone would do if they didn't want to be part of a treaty that's helped keep us safe for so long? They'd try to undermine it, but also make us undermine it ourselves?"
"Only if they aren't already party to it."
"I do not know. It will be something to ponder as we wait for the Lodge leadership to gather," Emorga says.
Once you have asked all your questions, the tortoise bids you to prepare for your journey.
***
The Viridian Nexus where Corazal lives lies about 50 miles north of the Isle of Arenway. Unfortunately, traveling here will take you through some of the Verduran Forest's densest growth. Luckily, you have another option besides traveling on foot. Located on the northwest bank of the Verduran Fork is Breeleyhome a small community of kovintus known for raising and training woodland creatures called chetamogs. These squirrellike creatures are capable mounts, able to traverse forests as swiftly as a horse along an open road. That said, their bounding, zig-zagging movements encourage most riders to slow their pace, lest they become motion sick.
Remaining gala attendees can ferry you across the river, bringing you a short walk from Breeleyhome. There, Elwood Breeley is willing to sell chetamogs to the you for 30 gp each, even offering to throw in a free saddle and pair of saddlebags as a special favor to members of the Wildwood Lodge. He’s also willing to rent out chetamogs for 5 gp a week, with any fees reducing the purchase price you late wants to keep their mount.
"Squirrl-back riding, eh?" Wispil looks at the creatures cautiously. "Well, it beats walking."
The goose forks over the money to purchase his majestic mount.
"You must be joking."
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Gentle Storm laughs at Alessandria, "Well I don't think they'll be much help for you, but it would allow us to keep pace much easier. I am also quite fine just walking however."
He pulls out the wand they'd gotten before and uses it on himself before approaching Wispil's Chetamog. "Hello there, it seems you'll be joining us on our journey to aid the wildwoods. Is there aught we can do to help make the trip more enjoyable to you?"
The chetamog chitters happily to Gentle Storm. "Yes! Give me goodies! Treasures! Tasty food, or things that are bright, or shiny, or smell very nice! These things I like! Very nice things!"
***
Whether on squirrel-back or not, you make your way into the heart of the forest. After several days, you reach the Viridan Nexus. This small grotto includes several small, mossy buildings, each shaped from a single piece of wood. The wooden buildings are overgrown both inside and out, though they show no real signs of disrepair. They are outfitted with desks, tables, simple bookcases, and other sparse but functional furnishings.
In various buildings, you find eight wyrwoods, small constructs of living wood. Five remain intact and seem unconscious, their stone hearts still embedded and their bodies untouched by decay. Three others are broken apart, bearing deep gouges that suggest violent deaths. One of the broken wyrwoods clenches a staff of nature's cunning tightly in a clenched fist.
At the center of the grotto is Corazal. Corazal’s body resembles a tree into whose bark is inscribed a labyrinthine network of geometric patterns. Their branches bear a haunting resemblance to arms. Moreover, their trunk has grown around a shadowy orb that measures about 10 feet in diameter; it is located about 30 feet up its trunk, giving an observer the impression that the tree has a massive, cyclopean eye. The orb is dull and streaked with gray, as if covered by a cataract. It seems Corazal is in some sort of torpor. It is unclear how to awaken them.
However, several poorly concealed pits dot the grotto amid the buildings. Each drops about 20 feet into a convoluted tunnel network beneath the grotto. Crudely excavated tunnels wind beneath the ground, their walls speckled with stray roots and half-exposed stones. The scent of damp earth mixes with a faint, sickly-sweet smell of decay.
"Yike, what a mess! This tree really is ancient." Wispil calls up some healing waters and slash them on the conrosu's roots, watching to see if they have any effect.
"Oh no, these poor wooden people!" Kilitsi exclaims. "Who did this to them?"
She looks around to see if she can find any clues above ground.
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"Corazal!" Gentle Storm calls out in alarm before moving to investigate the ancient as well as those wyrwoods around the area to determine what is wrong with them.
If he can't find anything intrinsically wrong, though he assumes something came up from the holes and then retreated after the assault which bodes very ill. He begins stooping to touch the roots and ask of them what befell this place, even if they might only be able to give rudimentary answers.
Wispil’s waters have no effect. Kilitsi does not find any tracks in the area. Gentle Storm is able to determine that the grotto has only been untended for less than a year. It shows no signs of perennial plant growth.
When he touches the roots, he can sense the presence of another plant creature intertwined with them. This presence seems to take umbrage at his attempt to speak to it. The druid surmises that a parasitic creature is feeding off of Corazal’s roots! That is likely the cause of their torpor.
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Gentle storm rises from touching the roots and looks at the group, he wears dire concern on his face.
"I believe there is a creature slowly devouring our great ally's essence through their mighty roots. A pervasive darkness lingers about them."
He nods towards the pits, "We may have need to delve deeper into the dark. We should rest as we can and gather ourselves, but make haste as quickly as possible. Before we are too late to save Corazal and the safety of the Wildwoods at large."
"Great, just wonderful. Geese are know for their subterranean habits, of course," Higgins grouses. "I'm going to be covered in mud, aren't I?"
Despite his protests, he agrees with Gentle Storm.
"Like, ewww, I hope not," Kilitsi whines. "But I don't think we should wait. Maybe whoever attacked the gala did this!"
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Gentle Storm nods gravely, "I'm afraid we will all have to get our various digits muddy for this. I'm sorry you won't be able to utilize your unique physique Wispil. Kilitsi, would you mind taking lead. If we run into too much trouble I can block a narrow passageway while we're down there. Maybe not enough to protect us fully in the labyrinthine depths, but it could buy us time."
He then looks to Alessandria, "And will you be well in getting down unassisted?"
Alessandria glares balefully at Gentle Storm and leaps down the pit, flaring jets of flame bringing her to a safe landing. "Let us begin."
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Unsure of the reason behind the hostile glare for an honest question, Gentle Storm shrugs looking to Wispil's mount. "Sorry friend, it'd be unwise to take you into the caverns with us. You should be safe here however until our return."
With that he found a secure anchor point and settled the rope and lowered himself down into the same hole as Alessandria.
With a wave of his hand he summoned forth a small orb of light to float overhead and illuminate the pathways before them. It glows a soft orange like the morning sun.
You descend into the crude tunnels and begin to navigate them. You haven't gotten more than a few feet, though, when four writhing vines burst from the tunnel's ceiling above you! They open fanged maws as they prepare to strike!
The vines attack before you can react. Alessandria, Gentle Storm, and Wispil each get hit, with the amurrun druid also becoming ensnared by the thorny vine!
Wispil channels the power of the elements around himself, launching an icy blast at the vine grasping Gentle Storm. He flaps back to a safer distance, but turns to wash some healing water over Gentle Storm.
for
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Gentle storm curses and thrashes as the vines take hold of him. He grabs the vines in return and begins seeping a leeching poison into them.
Sudden Blight◆◆
"Untangle me you parasitic curr!"
The air around Alessandria grows warm, then fully ignites, flames carefully lapping around her companions without engulfing them.
She snatches a whirling axe of fire from the air and sends it flying through the different vines before it vanishes again into the flames surrounding her.
HP 75/75
AC 22
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +9; Ancestral Geometry roll: xx (Reflex/Will/Fort)
Hero points: 2
Effects:
"Oh my hero-gods, stupid plants!" Kilitsi says, slashing at first the one attacking her, then the one holding onto Gentle Storm before turning to a third one.
Alessandria wreathes herself in flames, causing the vines to writhe and recoil. They are vulnerable to fire! One of the vines evades her flying flame, while the others are scorched to varying degrees.
Gentle Storm recognizes the vines as smaller offshoots of a larger parasite called a wraithvine. They are vulnerable to fire but resist bludgeoning and electricity damage. The druid afflicts the plants with a sudden blight.
Wispil blasts the vine holding Gentle Storm and heals the catfolk. Kilitsi sweeps her axe around her but only hits her first target. That vine shrivels and dies thanks to Alessandria's aura.
The other vines lash out. One bites Alessandria repeatedly!
The one holding Gentle Storm maintains its grasp on him as it drains his blood!
The last one bites Wispil but fails to grab a hold of him.
HP 75/75
AC 22
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +9; Ancestral Geometry roll: 19 (Will)
Hero points: 2
Effects:
"Like, this isn't that bad!" Kilitsi says, as the vines are smart enough to avoid her. She focuses on the one attacking Gentle Storm, shredding it as she hopes to free the amurran.
Thick sap oozes out of Alessandria's wounds, trickling down slowly, then faster and faster as it quickly heats and runs down the length of her limbs.
She pays it little heed, scarcely more than the sweat of her exertions as she continues filling the cramped chamber with fire while still keeping a nimbus of cool, breathable air around her companions.
"Nnngh! So glad you are not wearied, Kilitsi. It would not do to strain yourself over-rrrrrnnn-much!"
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Wriggling free from the grasp of the roots Gentlestorm clasps his hands together and seeing the sap leak from Alessandria he gives her a surge of primal energy to seal her wounds.
"Take heart Alessandria and let your flames sear the poison from these hallowed grounds."
Higgins spreads around some healing!
for
The vines do a better job of dodging Alessandria's flying flame, but she scores a critical hit with her axe, incinerating the most damaged of the trio.
Gentle Storm escapes the vine's grasp and heals Alessandria. Wispil heals the centaur as well and blasts one of the vines, then Kilitsi finishes it off with two chops of her axe.
The last vine snaps at Alessandria but fails to hit her.
You combine your efforts and dispatch the final vine!
Higgins hands out healing berries to Alessandrai, Kilitsi and himself, and splashes around a good deal of water, "For your healing mud, Gentle Storm!" He happily waddles through the messy tunnel.
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Firstly Gentle Storm eats the provided berry himself.
"Thank you Higgins... Alessandria come let me tend to your wounds. I worry for Corazal, but it will do us no good to expire along the path."
Grabbing some of the muck from the ground he channels a bit more primal essence into it and smears some on himself testing the efficacy before he moves to slather it on Alessandria's wounds. While most would take the saying 'rub some dirt in it' as a gross misuse and hazardous infection. There is quite a bit of science to it being useful especially when infused with both the residual primal energy of the Wild woods and enhanced further by that of a skilled druid.
"It'll take time, but this should help promote your body's natural regenerative properties. And take some of the sting from the wound."
Once you have healed up, you press on through the tunnels. The ceiling height is low in spots, forcing everybody but Wispil to crawl to progress. Eventually, the tunnels open into a large chamber.
Enormous roots, most of them easily the size of regular tree trunks, twist and bulge from the ceiling and walls of this earthen chamber like half-buried bones from some giant animal carcass. This site has been dug out by the wraithvine offshoots to provide an open space for the wraithvine itself to grow and propagate as it siphons away Corazal’s life force. The vile plant has spread across the ceiling of the chamber, intertwined with the massive tree roots from which it derives its sustenance.
The vine opens a fanged maw and hisses as it prepares to defend itself!
"Ew!" Kilitsi complains as she has to squeeze through the tunnels. She stands up, wiping the dirt off herself before suddenly realizing the dangerous wraithvine is here and needs to be dealt with!
HP 75/75
AC 22
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +9; Ancestral Geometry roll: 19 (Will)
Hero points: 1
Effects:
Rushing forward, she slashes with her ax!
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Gentle storm nods as Kilitsi ranges close and fast aiming to put the parasite down before it can get at them. He plants his hands on the hard earth and attempts to further that cause causing the Cave just behind the Wraithvine to come to life and suddenly jut with stalactites and stalagmites hopefully chomping down on some vital roots.
"You shall end your feast on the ancient's essence. And you shall pay dearly for what you've stolen already parasite."
With the magic spent he whips a sling stone at the creature for good measure.
Alessandria charges forward, flames licking around her as they sharpen into a lance!
"Gnawer beneath, you will be scoured from this wood!"
Alessandria blasts the wraithvine with fire as she moves to get it in her aura. Kiltisi slashes it twice with her axe, though the thick vine resists the slashing attack. Gentle Storm's cave fangs pierce the vine, but he misses with his sling bullet.
The vine snaps at Alessandria, missing at first, but then it whips its vines down to grab the centaur!
Wispil feels far from the waters and swamp that he is familiar with, but still manages to call up the elements around himself. He blasts freezing water at the plant, hoping to wither it.
for
for
Alessandria tries to simply burst the vines by the might of her arms, but she is bound too tightly to bring her full stature to bear, and all that escapes is a vengeful hawk of flame that claws at her captor.
HP 75/75
AC 22
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +9; Ancestral Geometry roll: 19 (Will)
Hero points: 1
Effects:
"Like, these vines are so grabby! Keep your hands to yourself or I'm going to cut them off!" Kilitsi says before attempting to do exactly that.
You continue to assault the vine. Alessandria burns it, Wispil blasts it, and Kilitsi hacks and slashes. Gentle Storm's cave fangs impale it again, and the druid then scores a critical hit with his sling, the bullet finally finishing off the vile vine! It droops, releasing Alessandria.
The dying vine's grasp Corazal’s roots slackens and its remains crash to the floor in a heap. A great tremor ripples through the earth, showering dirt and debris down on you; far above, you hear a great creaking sound, as if the massive tree were stirring from a long sleep. Moments later, a telepathic message washes over your minds.
The communication begins as a quick sequence of sensations: the smell of wet earth, the cool bite of an icy wind blowing through a stand of towering pine trees, the gentle babbling of a brook as it pours around standing stones over a bed of pebbles. Then comes a chorus of whispers in a thousand different languages, barely audible at first, but rapidly rising to a crescendo before suddenly going silent in rapid succession, leaving only one behind.
“I saw your coming in dreams. I saw all of it: jubilation, pride, and terror. Green shoots reaching for the sun yet bringing no new life—only death. Now their contagion has spread, causing ancient rivers of resentment to overflow their banks in a flood of outrage that would set the entire forest ablaze.
“Yet the Wildwood Lodge still stands. It is wounded, but not broken. Its resolve is unshaken. We can heal these wounds. Yes. You and I, little creatures. Come to me, and I will show you.”
Wispil scuttles out of the tunnel and shakes mud from his wings. "How did those parasites become so well-established? Grabby vines everywhere."