"Dear friends! It is wonderful to see you all safe. When the Fellnight fey were drawn back, we knew you had succeeded, but we did not know if you would be able to make it out safely. Every living soul in Bellis and these surrounding woods owe you a debt of gratitude."
His mood darkens a bit when he sees Tenzekil, but after hearing about the gnome's surrender and role in defeating the queen, he relents a little.
"I see no reason to punish you further, Tenzekil, but there are those in Bellis who do not share my view in this. I think it would be best if you do not return there."
Elyin took a sip from his mug of ale and leaned forward to continue his tale to the crowd gathered around his table at the Drunken Treant Inn in Bellis.
Aye, Taecuss dyn Bru, now there's a remarkable elf if I ever did meet one. Always a weird tale to tell you and always cheerful - 'cept when there's bees round, mind you. Ever since that incident back at my wedding, he can't stand the sight or sound of bees or any other bug or vermin. Just the slightest buzz, and he gets sick to his stomach, poor fellow.....
As you are getting ready to move out, Elyin breaks off from directing the cleanup to give some final advice to the group.
"To get to the area where you are likely to find Devarre, you have two options. The safest way is to take the road heading south west towards Sauerton for 50 miles, until you reach the banks of the Verduran Fork. From there, you can follow the river north for another 25 miles or so, until you reach the forested hills where Devarre's retreat is said to be located.
It may be faster to move straight west through the forest though. If you follow the Sellen north-west a few miles, you will reach a loading-station where the Lumber Consortium ferries logs downstream. From there, a trail leads straight west into the woods. It will not take you all the way through, but it should make you able to make a faster progress for a good while."
Elyin then hands you a map of the Verduran Forest. The forested hills where Devarre lives are marked by a grey circle.
"A direct journey from Bellis to the area where Devarre has his retreat covers less than 30 miles of forest, but the encroaching fog is likely to slow travel considerably. It is hard to say how long it will take you, and you will likely need all of Caelin's woodcraft to keep from losing your way. If you need supplies or healing before you go, I'm certain that you will be able to find them in town."
The mist seems to be coming from the west, and quickly blankets the entire town. Falling Star is soon forced to return to Meycho, unable to see far enough to fly safely. The only one who is able to pierce the mist is Goodluck, his magically enhanced sight revealing his surroundings clearly, although covered in an eerie greenish glow.
Goodluck only:
The moment the strange mist reaches you, you immediately feel its unnatural nature. For a moment, your vision blurs, and you feel dizzy. You are suddenly aware of a young and beautiful woman with wild green hair dripping wet with seawater, standing just out of your reach. The mists seem to twirl tightly around her, as if to ensnare and smother her. Her face is a mask of cold fury, mixed with anguish. Your gaze locks with hers, and you find yourself staring into a raging maelstrom of crashing waves. Your ears suddenly ring with the raging force of a hurricane, and through the howling winds you hear the woman before you
command: "This foulness seeks to corrupt all that which I hold dear. It must not be allowed to spread, my Chosen!"
Then she is gone, and you find yourself staring through the banks of rolling mist, a sense of foreboding sending shivers down your spine.
Taecuss only:
The mists does not radiate any discernible magical aura, but they certainly do not feel natural.
After listening to your comments, Elyin speaks up:
“It is truly fortunate that you were able to defeat those creatures. I don’t know what’s causing the mist, but it’s really scaring the townsfolk. Everyone would be grateful if you are willing to go and investigate. If Tenzekil’s threats prove true, this could be the beginning of something worse.
There is someone who might know more, though - A druid named Devarre. He lives somewhere west of town, and the mists seem to be coming from that direction. His home is somewhere in the woods, but no one knows exactly where. He usually finds travelers before they find him. I suggest you go and try to contact him. While you’re gone, I will help the council prepare a defense in case an army does march on Bellis.”
After a few minutes, frightened wedding guests start to emerge from the chapel and the stream to regard the carnage of the assault in
confused shock. Many are nursing painful bee stings and some shiver in their soaked and muddied clothes.
Through the scattered muttering, Elyins voice can be heard. The retired ranger naturally falls into the role of leadership, shouting instructions and directing people.
"Someone fetch some axes. We have to get Jervaise and Taecuss out of this thorny prison."
"Those bees are still trapped underneath the tent. They must not be allowed to escape. Douse the canvas with oil and set it on fire. Be careful that the flames do not spread."
"Anyone who are hurt, report to the chapel. Viviana and her helpers will see to your injuries as best they can."
Before long, the amphitheater is a buzz of frantic activity, with burly men chopping away at the thorn wall and women running to fetch bandages, ointments and fresh water. The tent goes up in flames, subjecting the trapped Taecuss and Jervaise to both heat and smoke, making their wait for freedom even more uncomfortable. Finally, after almost 20 minutes of determined work, they are able to escape their prickly confines.
Elyin scratches his chin as he regards the trapped bee swarms.
"I'm not quite sure how to handle this myself. True, smoke can sometime be used to calm bees, but it is mostly effective near a hive, where the bees fill up on honey in case they have to flee from a forest fire. And in any case, these swarms seem to be intelligent somehow. I don't think smoke would work. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to burn the tent, but then again maybe we could.....wait, what was that?"
Elyin suddenly stops mid-sentence, straining to hear something in the distance.
"Everyone's got tales to tell, it seems. Well, don't go believing half of them. As for me, I'll be getting back to Kailah, as I said. Do enjoy yourselves, and try not to get to drunk before the ceremony. It won't be for a while yet, so there is plenty of time to enjoy yourselves.
Oh, and if any of you thought to bring a present, you can drop it off at the chapel."
With that, Elyin hurries back up to his seat, pausing only to give his betrothed a brief kiss.
Great roleplay from everyone so far. Keep it up. As mentioned, you will have plenty of time to participate in the festivities before the ceremony.
"Ho, Jervaise...you old sneaky rascal! Well, today I only have eyes for my lovely Kailah, so you must excuse me for not seeing you right away. Where is Meycho - surely I can't have missed him as well.
As the bridegroom spots the elf and the barnacle-covered human talking in the line of well-wishers, his smile broadens. He stands and lets out a hearty greeting, ignoring the local folk in front of the two.
"Ah, Caelin! My invitation managed to lure you out of the deep forest after all. Wonderful to have you with us, my friend.
I see you've met Goodluck. I was careless enough to dissuade a Sea Serpent from using him for a snack, and he has clung to me like those darn barnacles ever since. Talks about some life-debt he owes me. But since he's a nice enough fellow, I don't much mind."
Elyin walks down the steps of the gazebo and puts an arm around the shoulder of both his friends. Seeing his nephew standing close by, engaged in some sort of lecture to a local lumberjack, he calls out.
"Tae! Leave that poor man alone and get over here. These stout fellows got enough tales between them to keep your bardic curiosity satisfied for at least a couple of hours. And if you should tire for trading tales, I suggest you pop over to the dance area. I know Parmis Salsby would love it if you would sing a song or two to go with the music. He'd do it himself, but he's far to busy with all the other arrangements. I think he's trying to round up enough people to have a proper tournament at horseshoes.
Oh and be sure to stop by the feast tent. Revas Benwold has been cooking all day, and got enough food and drink to feed a small army. Smoked pork ribs, broiled phesants, fried fish and of course his own special recipe of honeymead. You also don't want to miss the Box social over at the tent. All of Kailah's seven bridesmaids have prepared special treats for fine fellows like you to bid on. Winning bidders receive their chosen dessert and also get to enjoy it in the company of the lovely bridesmaid who made it. So I hope you brought your gold, eh lads?"
Elyin drops a quick look back over his shoulder.
"Best be getting back to my lovely bride, or she'll think I've abandoned her to go drinking with you lot. While you're out there, keep an eye out for Jervaise and Meycho. I know they'll prefer the company of fellow adventurers to that of my dear neighbors. Can't miss them. A big scarred half-elf and a halfling with a hawk stands out in a crowd like this."
