Is there anything we can do to help?
The thin form of Spring Sapling stands a bit straighter in the Grove
Spring Sapling stands behind the spring in the center of the ancient Circle, facing the root of the One Tree. The Emperor gently pulls her robe from her shoulders and begins the song of blessing. Taking a wooden ladle from the ground he pours the water upon her form, letting it stream down to her feet where it pools slightly. Lastly, he takes the ladle and offers her a drink.
Daughter of the Earth, you are reborn to us yet again. Such is the Way of the Green. Drink of the Water of Life. Drink of the Water of Awakening. Dedicate yourself to the Green once again and She will not forsake you. Receive Her Blessings.
The life teeming in the forest falls silent in anticipation. It's as if Time is standing still.
JH looks towards the One Tree in anticipation.
Daughter of the Earth, you are reborn to us yet again. Such is the Way of the Green. Drink of the Water of Life. Drink of the Water of Awakening. Dedicate yourself to the Green once again and She will not forsake you. Receive Her Blessings.
The life teeming in the forest falls silent in anticipation.
Spring Sapling drinks deeply of the sacred water proffered her by her grandfather. He can see through his Greensight that her aura has deepened, turning a much more vibrant green. The hateful sigul placed upon her by the Giggler seems to fade to a pale pink color.
She sings a high-swooping verse as she connects with the World Ash:
"Foundation of Life
Mother-of-All
Roots that bind a million worlds
I am singing to you
I am singing to you
Heal my spirit ancient one
Make me whole within your shade
Shelter me within your branches
I beseech you
I beseech you
Those around her feel the power of Yggdrasil and the Green pour about them in a waterfall of energy.
As the Magic of Making swells the Emperor's form changes.
First he is a young elf lord, his eyes glowing fiercely as he dons his first set of druid robes and drinks from this very Spring. Next he takes on the shapes of wolf, bear, and hawk. Each form sheds and a new one takes its place. Fish and fowl, animal and insect, each vies for dominion. A tree replaces them all, then changes species. Saplings grow into maturity, then die. As each does a new one grows, though sometimes as a new type. Oak falls, to be replaced by Ash. The changes take place in the blink of an eye, but their memory seems to linger.
His song joins Spring Sapling's in a chorus of joy. The beasts of the forest join in as well.
Lyn's bracers and JH's hammer sing along as well, the spirits swelling with life.
All things green and of the earth thrive under the sun.
Suddenly a growing ball appears over head. As it rotates on its own axis, a face comes into view.
It's been a while he says, how may I be of service?
A tear trickles down LJ's cheek as she remembers the pain of what was taken from her. She can no longer feel the warmth of this divine presence, nor will she ever again. And yet, she is still glad to see him. After all, she did not leave his service willingly. She hopes that he will understand that.
E7's face shows a smile.
Sun God, will you bestow your blessing upon my granddaughter?
Devlyn and Allura arrive via the omniportal. As soon as Devlyn steps foot onto the soil of the Grove, he sways slightly and grabs the edge of the portal for support. Allura's never seen him lose his balance before.
Tears freely stream down JH's face.
E7's face shows a smile.
Sun God, will you bestow your blessing upon my granddaughter?
I must impose three questions first. Who is your daughter? What is her dilemma? And is her faith strong as is her will to cherish life again?
Devlyn and Allura arrive via the omniportal. As soon as Devlyn steps foot onto the soil of the Grove, he sways slightly and grabs the edge of the portal for support. Allura's never seen him lose his balance before.
Allura reaches out to steady him. She is surprised by his lack of balance at first, but feeling the sheer power of the energies at work here she can't blame him for being overwhelmed.
Allura reaches out to steady him. She is surprised by his lack of balance at first, but feeling the sheer power of the energies at work here she can't blame him for being overwhelmed.
He takes her arm and shakes his head, then blinks a few times and lets go of the portal.
"You can feel that, right? Gods, that's like downing a bottle of the hard stuff. Wow...what's going on?" as they start moving forward.
I must impose three questions first. Who is your granddaughter? What is her dilemma? And is her faith strong as is her will to cherish life again?E7's face shows a smile.
Sun God, will you bestow your blessing upon my granddaughter?
She is Spring Sapling. She has been reborn into the Green, after being thrown down by a Fire Troll in our battles against the Black.
She can answer your last questions herself.
I must impose three questions first. Who is your daughter? What is her dilemma? And is her faith strong as is her will to cherish life again?E7's face shows a smile.
Sun God, will you bestow your blessing upon my granddaughter?
A slender naked elven-looking maid with tree branches crowning her head stands forth before Sunny Godhead. She sings sweetly to the glowing manifestation
"Giver of Life
Warmer of Spring
Guardian of good
I am Spring Sapling
I am of the Earth
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Sky
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Water
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Flame
But I thrive with your blessing
You are the force that binds it all
Shine down upon your supplicants."
Allura reaches out to steady him. She is surprised by his lack of balance at first, but feeling the sheer power of the energies at work here she can't blame him for being overwhelmed.He takes her arm and shakes his head, then blinks a few times and lets go of the portal.
"You can feel that, right? Gods, that's like downing a bottle of the hard stuff. Wow...what's going on?" as they start moving forward.
"I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but it looks like some sort of ritual. A very, very powerful ritual."
A slender naked elven-looking maid with tree branches crowning her head stands forth before Sunny Godhead. She sings sweetly to the glowing manifestation
"Giver of Life
Warmer of Spring
Guardian of goodI am Spring Sapling
I am of the Earth
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Sky
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Water
But I thrive with your blessing
I am of Flame
But I thrive with your blessingYou are the force that binds it all
Shine down upon your supplicants."
I sense the lingering presence of another deity. Who did she worship prior to my arrival?
Sunny feels a slow ancient mind speak to him telepathically
You sense the lingering presence of Calistria, Sun God. She was the goddess of Alaina, the female now encased in the wooden chrysalis yonder. She rests after her mistress severed connections to her. She is very weak
Spring Sapling was damaged by evil and needs your help to grow strong again.
Alaina is hurt, inside. She is lost and in pain. Please help her, Sunny Godhead. She is a good person, and didn't deserve to be treated like that.
As she speaks more tears trickle down her face. It is harder than she imagined it would be to speak to him.
"I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but it looks like some sort of ritual. A very, very powerful ritual."
"That could explain why we haven't heard from anybody," he says as he looks around. "I'm curious as to what's going on, but I don't want to interrupt something important either..."
"I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but it looks like some sort of ritual. A very, very powerful ritual.""That could explain why we haven't heard from anybody," he says as he looks around. "I'm curious as to what's going on, but I don't want to interrupt something important either..."
"Perhaps we should just watch quietly from the sidelines. That way we won't disturb them. And we can ask them about what's going on as soon as they're done."
"Perhaps we should just watch quietly from the sidelines. That way we won't disturb them. And we can ask them about what's going on as soon as they're done.""I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but it looks like some sort of ritual. A very, very powerful ritual.""That could explain why we haven't heard from anybody," he says as he looks around. "I'm curious as to what's going on, but I don't want to interrupt something important either..."
"Sounds good. I'll add sitting down to that list too," he says with a chuckle. They find a place near the edge of the clearing to sit and watch the events unfurling.
Sunny feels a slow ancient mind speak to him telepathically
You sense the lingering presence of Calistria, Sun God. She was the goddess of Alaina, the female now encased in the wooden chrysalis yonder. She rests after her mistress severed connections to her. She is very weak
Ah, I sensed the venom of that fickle b#@%+. And still scournful as a nest of hornets I see. It is a small thing you asked of me, but she can never pray or call upon Calistria again. To do so would bring dire consequence upon her and her friends.
Second, she will need a chaperon for the time being.
E7 joins the telepathic commune
Alaina, the Fire Flower sleeps yet from the wounding of Calistria. Spring Sapling, daughter of Earth, stands ready to receive thy blessing, should you deign to grant it.
E7 joins the telepathic commune
Alaina, the Fire Flower sleeps yet from the wounding of Calistria. Spring Sapling, daughter of Earth, stands ready to receive thy blessing, should you deign to grant it.
So be it.
His eyes brighten and divine energy shines forth. The intensity is blinding. And all those who assembleraise their arms and hands to shield their eyes, or least they go blind. There is a clap of thunder and flash.
...then all is silent once more
So be it.
His eyes brighten and divine energy shines forth. The intensity is blinding. And all those who assembleraise their arms and hands to shield their eyes, or least they go blind. There is a clap of thunder and flash.
...then all is silent once more
"Ow."
[blink, blink]:)
E7 joins the telepathic commune
Alaina, the Fire Flower sleeps yet from the wounding of Calistria. Spring Sapling, daughter of Earth, stands ready to receive thy blessing, should you deign to grant it.
So be it.
His eyes brighten and divine energy shines forth. The intensity is blinding. And all those who assembleraise their arms and hands to shield their eyes, or least they go blind. There is a clap of thunder and flash.
...then all is silent once more
For some reason Lynora-Jill does not close her eyes. Force of habit perhaps. She stares up and finds herself once more in the middle of a sea of stars, gliding through it, listening to their song. For a moment her body goes totally incorporeal before she reforms and slides into unconsciousness.
...then all is silent once more
Spring Sapling's skin looks to be a more burnished brown hue. She stands tall and straight, and the green aura is now shot through with veins of gold
"Thank you Sun God." She says
The Great Erl's voice echoes in Sunny's head again
Thank you for your help Sun God. If you wish to aid Alaina, you must forge a link to her via your divine power. She needs to be the herald of a power, else she will fade back into the Green
For some reason Lynora-Jill does not close her eyes. Force of habit perhaps. She stares up and finds herself once more in the middle of a sea of stars, gliding through it, listening to their song. For a moment her body goes totally incorporeal before she reforms and slides into unconsciousness.
JH is consumed by the ritual and doesn't notice LJ slump until too late. He bends down to check on her, and kneels beside her as he straightens her from her awkward fall.
Thank you, Sun God.
E7 places the robe once again upon Spring Sapling but it looks to be spun of brown cloth, and is covered by small sprouts. Now that the ritual is complete he slowly transforms from his first druid form into that of the treant.
Since nobody has objected, the goblin goes on. He fumbles and produces a small crystal phial. My master requests a few of the tears of sorrow which the goddess-slayer has shed for her injured friends, and the places destroyed. He apologies for the, the goblin screws his eyes shut particularly tight here, and wrinkles its forehead, impertinent intrusion and awful liberty at this time of great sorrow and solemnity, and he will find other paths to take, if this is something which you do not wish to consent to.
There is power in sorrow, small one. Easily turned to Black.
There is power in compassion. Easily turned against the Black.
Which tears does your master seek?
If your master seeks a boon from Lynora-Jill he must ask it of her. She cannot grant this request at this time, as she has swooned.
Do not dare to approach.
The Great Erl's voice echoes in Sunny's head again
Thank you for your help Sun God. If you wish to aid Alaina, you must forge a link to her via your divine power. She needs to be the herald of a power, else she will fade back into the Green
Saying nothing, motes of sunlight descend or ascend to Alaina has lain.
It has begun. She will become my herald and be reborn.
Since nobody has objected, the goblin goes on. He fumbles and produces a small crystal phial. My master requests a few of the tears of sorrow which the goddess-slayer has shed for her injured friends, and the places destroyed. He apologies for the, the goblin screws his eyes shut particularly tight here, and wrinkles its forehead, impertinent intrusion and awful liberty at this time of great sorrow and solemnity, and he will find other paths to take, if this is something which you do not wish to consent to.
There is power in sorrow, small one. Easily turned to Black.
There is power in compassion. Easily turned against the Black.
Which tears does your master seek?
Her last tears were born of love. I will grant your master this boon whilst the tears still moisten her cheek.
*Sigh* And Yggdrasil had done so much to help her.
The vial is snatched out of the goblin's hand and used to collect the tears still clinging to LJ's face. It is then sealed and given to JH.
The air elemental gently brushes back the hair from LJ's face.
I know the pain is great, but you must awaken, Star Song. You are still needed here.
...then all is silent once more
Spring Sapling's skin looks to be a more burnished brown hue. She stands tall and straight, and the green aura is now shot through with veins of gold
"Thank you Sun God." She says
On some distant plane...
Denied. Another foe has been born.
On some distant plane...
Denied. Another foe has been born.
Her last tears were born of love. I will grant your master this boon whilst the tears still moisten her cheek.
There is power in sorrow, small one. Easily turned to Black.There is power in compassion. Easily turned against the Black.
Which tears does your master seek?
You are her champion, the knight of armour, yes?
That might work.
The goblin looks hopeful.
You have been ninja'd by the Winds, goblin.
Saying nothing, motes of sunlight descend or ascend to Alaina has lain.It has begun. She will become my herald and be reborn.
The sunshine from Sunny's orb bathes the wood chysalis in a warm glow. Suddenly the wood spilts and recedes, leaving the naked form of Alaina laying on the ground.
Her friends can recognize her easily, but much has changed. Her Earth tattoo has now spread to envelop her from ankle to neck and down to her wrists. Her skin is a burnished bronze underneath the colorful tattoos. Circling her right eye is the tattoo of a golden sun with eight rays trailing her face. On her forehead between her eyes is a small red dot. A closer inspection shows the dot is actually a miniature red flaming flower tattoo. Her hair is now almost fully blonde, with highlights of brown and red. Her body, though still lush, looks more slender than before, less curvaceous.