Presumably he wants to know if he should reset the daily total or just add new prepared spells to match the new totals. As in I gained an extra 2nd,3rd, and 4th from level raise and attribute bump.
Lilia pulls her haversack and removes of the magical stones. She presents it to Devarro. "Here is what all this trouble seems to be about. She had guards waiting on us when we arrived at the falls. Ylera and I have several more of these in our bags. Do they mean anything to you?"
Presumably he wants to know if he should reset the daily total or just add new prepared spells to match the new totals. As in I gained an extra 2nd,3rd, and 4th from level raise and attribute bump.
Lilia pulls her haversack and removes of the magical stones. She presents it to Devarro. "Here is what all this trouble seems to be about. She had guards waiting on us when we arrived at the falls. Ylera and I have several more of these in our bags. Do they mean anything to you?"
The druid immediately returns the stones to Lilia. "Put them back in the bag and until the time is right, let know one know what you have found. I still do not understand what exactly these are, but I am sure Rhoswen's apologists would want to give it back to her."
"Other thank Tenzekil, who is unhinged, and the wicked spriggans, who sides with Rhoswen?"
"Those who have suffered the brunt of the Andoran loggers naturally favor an alliance with Rhoswen, the treants chief among them. But I doubt that they know what happened to Fira's grove."
(Devarro is referring to the older dryad sister.)
"I'm happy to see you have recovered your strength, Devarro.", Sarek says to the druid, "Tell me, what do you mean by 'until the time is right'? Are we waiting for a sign from you or someone or something else?"
"Tonight you will likely be asked to recount your experiences with Rhoswen's minions. Reveal the stones then, if you feel it will help sway the debate."
"Other thank Tenzekil, who is unhinged, and the wicked spriggans, who sides with Rhoswen?"
"In ages past, the Dark Queen was sealed from the First World, the world of the Fay. She now seeks to expand her dominion of darkness to the Second World, the world of Man. In my father's name, I oppose her to my dying breath."
"I am not ready to surrender, neither to the Fellnight Queen's assaults, nor to the last resort of simple violence against her. Some of you consider yourself aligned with the holy. If 'good' and 'evil' mean anything more than team colors, then good creatures ought to resist the urge to simply kill anything that disagrees with them.
"The queen has agreed in principle to parley, to see if there is any way that all parties might resolve grievances. How would future generations judge you, if the Fellnight Queen broke free of her prison, willing to treat with the heirs and descendants of her captors, and it was you who refused?"
"That horrible monster killed my sisters! shrieks Fira. "What did they ever do to her? Did her soldiers listen to my sisters' dying pleas?"
Thediar nods sympathetically and casts calm emotions. "Yes, she did, and she did worse to Devarro, and wished worse again. For these things, she must answer.
"Fira, I know that, right now, you want revenge. We all do. But if we give in to that bitterness, then we take up our weapons with hate in our hearts, and we make war.
"But have a thought towards what drove Rhoswen to her cruel attacks. She felt that torturing you, and Devarro, and who know who else, would pay back those who sealed her away, in ancient times.
"I have to imagine she was wrong, that seeing all the pain she inflicted gave her heart no honest ease. She will either break the addiction to cruelty, or else seek out ever greater mayhem against her chosen targets.
"Vengeance is what drove Rhoswen. Don't let it drive you, as well, dear Fira. Show her that you can overcome something that she could not. How worse would your sisters grieve for you, if their deaths turned you bitter as crabapples, harsh as a bramble in your soul?"
Diplomacy: (Wow!)
Unable to deny Thediar's irrefutable logic, the dryad falls to her knees and weeps. Her sister and Devarro hug her and murmur tender consolations.
Ylera draws her hooded cloak abouther.
"I am prepared."
Thediar is still concerned about Tenzekil and the gnome who spurned his love, but the time for that may have passed. "Then let's go. I, for one, would like some answers."
That night the varied races of the forest folk gather around the hill. From atop the mound, illuminated by faerie lights, the leaders address the assembly. The first to speak is Maligorn the satyr who rules the Fey Court with his consort Aripha the nymph. After an eloquent eulogy for the victims of the invasion, Maligorn reveals the history of the Fellnight Queen.
Over one thousand years ago Rhoswen was the Fey Court's ambitious young queen. Dissatisfied with ruling a mere forest she sought to expand her power by blending shadow magic with fey sorcery. Her efforts led her to a gloom-shrouded valley with trees as tall as mountains. Rhoswen named this the Fellnight Realm and made it her lair, twisting every living creature with her shadow-sorcery. Disgusted by their queen's actions, the fey erected the faengard—a line of mystic wardstones that severed the valley from the rest of the world, trapping Rhoswen in her own demiplane. Even now the faengard still works to keep the Fellnight Realm seperated, with the monoliths on Devarro's hill anchoring the barrier and projecting the Fellnight Realm into close proximity with the Shadow Plane.
With the passage of the centuries the potency of the faengard weakened, allowing practitioners of shadow magic to visit the Fellnight Realm. One of these travellers was Tenzekil Braybittle, who somehow created a permanent breach in faengard, releasing Rhoswen's savage spriggans into the forest.
Malignorn warns that the Queen only wants two things: revenge and conquest. The survivors of her invasion will be sickened or mutated by her magic. The satyr king demands that the political factions of the fey put aside their differences and coordinate their defense against Rhoswen.
Then it is Lielaera Shantru's turn to speak. Representing the wood elves of Highgrove Vale, she takes a more neutral stance. She notes that though Rhoswen's armies have caused much harm, the root of the problem is that there are now two rival sovereigns. A compromise between Malignorn and Rhoswen could put an end to the fighting quickly.
Then Dawnsprinter, chief of the centaurs speaks. Hardly mentioning the atrocities inflicted by Rhoswen, he instead rages against the Andoren settlers and the town of Bellis. They are the true threat, he bellows, turning acre after acre of woodland into denuded waste, decimating forest creatures and fae folk. He claims that Rhoswen hates humans above everything else, and that only she has the power to drive them out of the Verduran Forest and make war against the encroaching kingdom of Andoran.
Other individuals are invited to speak. Some recount their recent sufferings, others tell of older greivances against the loggers and trappers of Bellis.
Aripha, the king's consort, approaches the party. "Do any of you wish to speak? I know that you have done many heroic deeds in the past days."
Lilia turns to her cleric friend and in a soft whisper says, "Thediar, my friend, I think this is up your alley. I have the stones if you think they will help your presentation."
"Ylera, our acquaintance is but threescore hours, yet I note your bravery, love for the forest, and firm convictions. I speak now for myself and, may my lord grant me wisdom, for my god, but I do not speak for you...
"...for any of you, my friends.
"If you believe I speak folly, then by all means seek my correction. But if you think my words have merit, then I ask you to lend your weight behind them."
Thediar casts eagle's splendor on himself and rises to speak. Hmmm. He stand on something tall.
"Good evening, ye masters of the woodlands, and felicitations in the name of Gorem, lord of the glade, lady of the rivers. I have spent my days in service to the twofold god, and that has taught me that Difference does not require Conflict. Gorem is both the lord of the wilderness and the lady of the oceans, two natures, two agendas, but never at war with one another. We all love these lands, satyr and nymph, centaur and elf alike, regardless of our feelings about Queen Rhoswen and her actions this week. I pray that we all remember our common love, no matter what accord we come to or how difficult it may be to find.
"His Fecund Majesty Malignorn warns us of what Queen Rhoswen wants. I beg His Majesty's forgiveness, but I cannot speak for the Fellnight, and I daresay neither can He. I, for one, would hear Her demands for myself before I would judge their merits.
"His Majesty claims that Queen Rhoswen seeks revenge. In this particular, Her servants say as much, in repayment for her imprisonment. In this, I find myself wholly in agreement with King MAlignorn. We cannot support black revenge; it goes against all the wisdom of the wood. The birds do not seek payback from the predator foxes, nor do the beavers plot against the swelling spring floods that wash away their dams. Revenge is a plaything of the 'civilized' people who build cities, and it has no place among us.
"If Rhoswen seeks both revenge and 'conquest', as His Fecund Majesty says, I think we ought ask Her to choose between them. If She can set aside her wrath, for the good of Her people, as a wise ruler must do from time to time, I would advance Her other claims as more worthy of consideration."
(Diplomacy to rally people against the idea of revenge: )
"Chief Dawnsprinter, speaker of the Centaurs, who are known for their wisdom and far sight, it is sooth that you and your tree-folk allies remind us that we have other, dire threats to our land. The human lumber companies are avaricious, and would gobble up the woodlands if left unchecked. Diverting our attention and turning a warlike demeanor towards the Fellnight Realm will only serve to embolden the raiders, who will redouble their logging and clearing while we send our forces to slay spriggans and other darkling fey.
"But I counsel the Centaurs: It is the darkest folly to aim the Fellnight Queen at the loggers. For one, it is not clear to me at all that She 'hates humans most of all.' She's allied with Tenzikel, a disturbed bleachling, and who's to say whether logger or nymph will earn the greater portion of Her enmity? And, even if She were to turn her fury against the lumber workers, are you so sure of the results? Are you sure she will attack only those humans who merit your own anger?" he asks, nodding at Devarro, clearly a human. "Are you sure that the lumber companies, denied their prize, will simply give up and look elsewhere for riches? Has that been your experience?
"Aside from all that, there is the matter of dignity. No one has yet argues that Rhoswen is not rightful Queen of the Fellnight. Whatever our decision here tonight, let us not dare think of Her as something to be used. That sounds more like the political maneuvers of those who walk in marbled halls, than the honest talk of the lords and ladies whose hooves thunder under the open skies. We should seek the accord of bird and hippo, or the battle of wolf and bear."
(Diplomacy to dissuade anybody from using Queen Rhoswen as a tool against the Lumber Consortium: .)
"I do not advise that we simply reseal the faengard. It weakened once; it will weaken again. Rhoswen found a mage to use this time, and She'll find another eventually. If you think Her wrath is terrible now, imagine what it would be like it grows for another two centuries of captivity. This time, Her revenge was directed at the innocent descendants and successors of those who imprisoned Her. Who among us is willing to subject our grandchildren, and the students of our apprentices, to that kind of bile? Ask the dryads whether it was a mistake to imprison Her, lo those centuries ago. Who among us thinks we ought to repeat that folly? I advise we either seek concord with the Fellnight, or else set our hearts to defeating it utterly.
(Diplomacy to dissuade people from trying to reseal the faengard: .)
"So, in the end, what ought we do? I think Chief Dawnsprinter is right: approached with respect, I think the Fellnight Queen might move with the Faerie King to make these woods a more deadly place for those who have no place here. The summer court and winter court of the shidhe gain strength from one another, despite their stark opposition. So might be the case among us.
"I would hear Queen Rhoswen. If She is mad, if there is no dealing with Her or if Her word cannot be trusted, then I concur with King Maligorn, that we fight for our lives and freedom. But if the Fellnight Queen will be bound by accord, then I commend the lady Lielaera for leading us to peace."
(Diplomacy to hear Rhoswen's claims: .)
Again, if anybody wants to chip in and Aid Another, that'd be cool.
Ylera having remained silent through Thediar's speech comes forward.
"Thediar believes that the one who calls herself Queen of the Fellnight Realm. Those who name it such with her run the danger of forgetting that that the Fellnight is not a realm but a prison... created to contain one that was and is a threat to both fay and man. That she has worked time and time again to try to subvert both worlds. And I am not merely calling for the defense of my human blood. And I speak to you today as a child... " At this point Ylera slowly lowers her hood and spreads her hair revealing her elven heritage. I am Ylera Half-Elven, daughter of Marnok and Rhoswen, Child of the First and Second Worlds, and I will fight her in the defense of both my kindreds. If there is greivance here in the Second World between sylvan and man, I believe that together we can find a way to mend such rather than submit ourselves to a tyrant that would enslave both.
While I respect Thediar as a comrade in arms, I respectively disagree with his position. Millennia of pollution of fay magic with shadow has corrupted her utterly by the measure of both First and Second Worlds. Offer the form of negotiation if you must, but be on guard for the treachery that will follow. If nothing else, a daughter knows the shadow of her mother."
The fey listen intently to Thediar, impressed by his courtly manner and clear reasoning. Yet many shake their heads and grumble when he presents a position opposite to their own. Thediar's point about resealing the faengard is received very well, with hollers of support and even clapping from all corners of the audience.
Ylera's revelation provokes a collective outburst from the assembly. "Liar!" cries Dawnsprinter, "Rhoswen would never mate with a human, let alone carry his child!" The council is halted while spells are cast to divine the truth of Ylera's claim. A full hour later the meeting continues.
"It has been determined that this young woman speaks the truth," declares Devarro. "Therefore it is unlikely Rhoswen holds hatred for humankind as a whole. Whatever enmity she feels for Andoran and Bellis, it is because they are not yet her friends ... or slaves."
Discredited and shamed, Dawnsprinter bolts out of the meeting. His followers gallop after him into the dark forest.
Discredited and shamed, Dawnsprinter bolts out of the meeting. His followers gallop after him into the dark forest.
"Well, that could have gone better."
"Thediar words are wise. I've seen no evidence that this Queen is targeting humans or the lumber consortium. Her focus seems to be dominating this entire region."
"I do not raise my sword against evil unless there is no other option. I do not slay for pleasure. I will listen to the Queen with an open mind, but I am wary of her treachery. We must listen to her claims before blindly going to war."
Thediar takes out a small pad of paper and writes: "Reminder: Buy Sarek a beer."
Sarek is not the last to speak, but his words prove to be pivotal in the remaining debate. King Maligorn fails to the unite the fey against the invaders, with several factions unaffected by the war deciding to take a wait and see approach. Like the wood elves, they see it as essentially a matter between dueling monarchs. This finally forces Malignorn to agree to sending emissaries to the Fellnight Realm.
"Know that our disunity only weakens our bargaining position," says the satyr king unhappily. "I doubt the usurper will agree to any compromise that doesn't give her the entire forest." He eyes Thediar with annoyance.
"But at least now no one is seriously considering joining with Rhoswen," reminds Aripha. "Now we can focus our attention on dealing with the usurper."
Diplomacy
"Know that our disunity only weakens our bargaining position. I doubt the usurper will agree to any compromise that doesn't give her the entire forest." He eyes Thediar with annoyance.
"If Queen Rhoswen conforms to Your Majesty's predictions, then sure and every one of us will join against Her. But by giving Her a chance to speak, Your Majesty will be seen as fair and reasonable. And, hey, She may surprise You."
"But at least now no one is seriously considering joining with Rhoswen. Now we can focus our attention on dealing with the usurper."
"Should we be worried about the centaurs? Might they not go to seek the Fellnight and offer a seperate deal?
So, what's next?
Options:
- We really ought to locate Tenzekil Braybittle. Right now, he's a wildcard out loose.
- Who among the forest council might help us understand the magic of these stones we carry?
- We might seek Rhoswen directly, either at the menhirs outside Devarro's house, or by back-tracking the spriggans who fled back to the Fellnight.
My vote would be to track down Tenzekil, but I can see wisdom in the other options as well.
"Do we know that the spriggans fled back into the Fellnight? How do we know that there isn't an army of them marching on our position as we speak? We should find out the location and size of our foe's forces before we take any action."
"Can we send scouts to find out this information?"
"I could have a run through the woods, try to gather as much information as I can. But it would be an especally dangerous run as the fey are an elusive lot. But I would agree with both Thediar and Lilia; Tenzikel is a loose canon in this and we do need all the information we can get."
"I could have a run through the woods, try to gather as much information as I can. But it would be an especally dangerous run as the fey are an elusive lot. But I would agree with both Thediar and Lilia; Tenzikel is a loose canon in this and we do need all the information we can get."
Congratulations! Here's to two new gamers in the world.
"We know that Rhoswen want's these stones bad enough to make a pretense of bargaining for them. We need to better learn thier nature and then to assay the actions her forces are taking now."