Session #48: Yesterhill
Jan. 14th, 2024 07:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
istainion Day: 15, Time of day: Morning
Location: Vineyard (Wizards of Wine) / HQ: Keeper of the Feathers
(Remarks marked by *are written in abyssal, remarks marked by - are written in celestial, the rest of the entry is written in common)
Since Yshvara felt so very tired last night to accept or even be willing to listen to my request, she couldn't avoid it the very morning she woke up and greeted us. I sat there, soaked and waiting with anticipation for relief. I greeted her back and didn't hesitate to make my request to use her powers again to dry me. I saw a mild irritation on her porcelain face, but she did as I wanted. I'm grateful, but I couldn't escape the ever haunting nightmares while being partly soaked from the rain, still. At least, the safe environment has helped me to allow more freedom related to my nightwear.
Gradually, the others woke up as well and we made our way to the dining room, where our breakfast and rations for the journey ahead of us were positioned neatly for each of us. It was very kind of them, but there was no one in sight whom we could give our thanks to. During the breakfast, we heard a tale which Yshvara told us about her experience with shadow druids.
Clearly, Shevat wasn't too happy about hearing it, it visibly depressed him to hear that shadow druids could potentially ruin his reputation as a good willing gentleman of the forest that wishes for nothing but the best for nature and its habitants. They appear to attack the people, using the sources of nature. I, myself, have never heard of such a thing before, then again, my occupation is a little different. My coworkers may have had a different experience on the field.
After breakfast, we made haste toward Yesterhill. With a map and some good navigators on our side, it wasn't much of a trouble to find the route toward the south. What was annoying though, is that it's been raining for days and having only a dirt road to walk, it wasn't exactly pleasant either. No bath, no decent method to clean my clothing. Sooner than later, I'll end up looking like a senseless barbarian that rolls in dirt before chasing down their enemies. Absolutely unpleasant. I may not be a noble, but I have my standards. May we be unlucky and not find those elves that Muriel warned us about in addition.
As we traveled, I noticed Shevat looking around attentively to the surroundings. The closer we got to Yesterhill, the more it looked like the trees were sucked dry from their nutritions. Old, dying trees were positioned to the sides of the road. Not a sound of happy birds, as if we're walking toward a cemetery of silence. He's been looking up countless times, while at our feet, many rats passed the road.
They paused at a tree that looked like it was targeted by lightning. Gray discoloration was all over the texture of the tree, it almost looked like it turned into stone. Both Shevat and Pyre were curious about it, unlike myself. Pyre at one point, placed her hand against it and shut her eyes. While she wasn't paying a lot of attention, a giant spider was closing in on her.
Its body was the size of her head and it had very long legs as well. I took a step backwards and felt my hand slide toward the handle of my sword.
"Did you find something?" Shevat asked the fiery woman. I suppressed my laughter, knowing that it would target Pyre first and asked her. "Does it look hostile?~" It may not be, this may simply be its home, but this land cannot be trusted. "I found a BIG F*CKING SPIDER. I don't know if it's hostile, but I'm going to back the f*ck up." Her attention was aimed at the large creature. "I'm sorry, sir, this is your house, um ..."
The spider certainly didn't mind her, especially when it crawled past her to hunt down one of the rats. Then it single handedly dragged the stunned creature back inside the tree. Pyre nervously backed away. "Yeah, let's ... Keep going." She managed.
I let go off my sword and turned toward the woman that regrouped with us by hasty steps. I whispered to her "Just don't get too close to the trees ..." Clearly, I was smiling, that truly was interesting. She turned to me and nodded. "Yeah, not anymore ... F*ck me, that was a massive spider ..." Her face looked pale and I let out a soft chuckle. *Very cute.
Everyone looked at each other, wondering if we should be discussing something. So, I asked them, "You desire to listen to my complaints?" Arabella looked in my direction with surprise, while the others immediately shook their heads. "I mean, you don't usually ask before you do that." Yshvara chuckled. "He's learning." I looked in the aasimar's direction with a confident expression. "Oh, I might just unlearn things though~"
We continued our path toward the hill, as I took a little bit more distance from Pyre again. I saw her paying attention to her environment, especially around the trees and felt urged to tease the poor genasi by whispering in her mind that I believe there is a spider to her left side. While her attention was immediately drawn to her left to ensure her own safety, I felt something slide onto my back and I froze in my steps before I dropped to my knees, leaning forward and commanded the others to get it the HELL off. I heard Shevat step closer to me. "FASTER ..." I felt how its legs brushed against my neck when it turned to Shevat with curiosity and the shivers running down my spine. The thing was soaked as well and the drops that were stuck to its legs slowly trailed down my skin underneath my clothes. I was entirely stunned in that moment, at the mercy of the druid that took WAY too long to release me from the living horror.
"HURRY UP! ..."
From the back, I heard Pyre's voice calling out to me. "Oh Viiris~ I think there's a spider on your back~" Immediately, I felt urged to yell back, doesn't she have better things to do than to state the obvious and actually get her ass MOVING to help me?!
I felt the pressure on my back lessen and its legs slowly get off on me, one after the other. I had to suppress any external signs for this humiliating experience. The crazy druid behind me decided to keep it with him, letting the creature rest in the hood of his cloak. That man is clearly out of his damned mind ...!
I looked at him with a horrid expression, stuttering the words "What's ... Wrong with you." Shevat with an everlasting calm expression looked back at me with a warm smile. "This spider isn't dangerous. It only wanted some company." With my face still pale from the recent experience, I stared back into his eyes. "... Yes, the moment I reminded someone of a spider ..." The coincidence can't be real. Pyre stood behind the others with a smug expression. "That's karma."
It took some time before I was able to get back up again and when I managed, I made sure to keep enough distance between Shevat and I if the spider intended to change traveling companion.
As we continued our path, Shevat eventually paused to let the spider on his back go, waving it off with a final message. "Safe travels." He said, like he just waved off his son or partner. I again paused in my steps to yell at him. "What is wrong with you?!" (DM: You could swear that the spider answered you with a "Thank you, goodbye" - Shevat)
. . .
Location: Yesterhill
Notes: Tree is starting to restore after relic is positioned, obtained White Berry from the tall willow tree, druids were in the progress of making a Gulthias Tree and attempted to animate it to attack the vineyard, no druid has survived, according to the last survivor, he is the last one, met two enemies, Naedithas and Ellamin (Ailoton)
There was a clearing in the forest that led onto the large hill. On top of that hill there is a large tree positioned on top. We entered the clearing to get closer toward the hill, there were some men close that spotted us before we could do anything. Five burly individuals, wearing a hide jacket but mainly kept open that exposed most of their chest. They are poorly protected from potential harm and look nothing like a druid. These may be the rumored berserkers that cooperate with them. There's one of them that stands farther to the back, he is significantly older and looks like the leader of this pack. They were slowly closing in on us with mild suspicion.
Behind them, there was a group positioned as well, but there is some distance in between all of them. Their attention was drawn to us as well. They must be guarding this place for reasons yet unknown. The older man spoke up, before we could capture more of the surroundings. "You are threading sacred grounds. Turn around or face the consequences." Shevat stepped forth. "You say sacred, but this place has clearly been defiled, corrupted even. What has happened here?" The leader folded his arms over his chest, lifting his own chin to look down onto us. "That is none of your business, turn around or face the consequences."
Shevat insisted. "Is this your preferred state? Because we might be able to help here. We are not here to fight, not here to cause trouble. We're trying to heal the land." The man loosened up his shoulders. "What we are doing here is none of your business. This is your last warning." Again, he repeated the sentence. "We will keep a respectful distance, but can we talk to your leader?" Again, the berserker didn't give in, returning the response "I am the leader."
"Are you the leader of the shadow druids as well?" But the man decided that there is no use for interaction with the druids, as they are busy. "Busy with what? Defiling all the wood?" Yshvara provoked them. I looked at her with a frown, whispering her name to remind her of her position. More and more, the man began to surround us. Again, the leader responded. "Their business, not yours." I looked back at the druid, whispering to him to say something smart now. The situation is taking an awful turn. Like this, we won't be able to obtain information from the druids.
We could see the druids on top of the hill, they currently aren't moving, but they appear to be concentrating on something from the looks of their stance. Even if only vaguely visible from the distance. Shevat looked back at us with a regretful look in his eyes. "I may not be able to solve this just by talking." It is much like we already learned via his connection with the spirits. This may be something that can only be solved through violence.
Yshvara noticed the men cutting off our passage back. "Hey, if you want us to leave, then why are you blocking our exit?" The leader cracked his knuckles with a smile. "It looks like you'll cause trouble down the line, so we'll just get rid of you now." I drew my weapon and gritted my teeth. "So considerate, I really appreciate that." Yshvara pointed at the man. "On your head, be it. Well, careful, or it might come off."
<Battle start>
Each of them drew their weapon, and gradually took a battle stance. They were quick to take advantage of their position. Two men flanked Torvial, and one of the men dashed to fight Shevat, while the others distracted the remaining two, I was forced to make a decision until "Cease your mindless assault!" Shevat yelled before he paralyzed two of the men close to us and ran toward me for cover, but I didn't stay for long when I tried to get rid of the threat to Torvial. With the man in the back unable to even move, he won't be a threat to the others.
During this phase of battle, the berserkers in the back started to back up the five men. The men weren't much of a threat, but when the one in the back regained himself from the paralyzes, I had the two casters request my assistance with threat, which I was quick to run toward when the threat in between Torvial and I was gone. Behind me, a large lightning bolt struck a fill line of men, whose source came from a small individual. I had no idea she had that much power, this dhampir woman. It was quite impressive ...
Gradually, we took out more of the men as Yshvara began to hurry up to the hill. It was as if she was sensing something. She was quickly accompanied by the fire genasi, while severely wounded, felt urged to protect her in her quest.
Once we all got in reach, it became clear that the aasimar woman managed to put them all to sleep, one by one, for Pyre to get rid of them when she was shifted into a giant ape by Shevat's choice.
It seems like they made an attempt to do something to the tree and they made sure to keep one of the shadow druids as a prisoner. I placed my manacles onto his wrists and they covered his mouth while transferring them far away from the tree to avoid any further progress. He wasn't yet conscious, until later on.
<Battle end>
While we had the druid bound, gagged and blinded and still asleep, we investigated the ground surrounding the large gray tree. It looked like a tree which you'd read about in fairy tales. Much like a tree of pure mana, however, corrupted at this point. With our combined efforts, we managed to find the location of where the pine cone used to be. I informed them about all that I recall from our adventures and Torvial said that it might indeed be around the tree.
We were blessed to find the exact spot as well. Arabella, who was closest to the ground, found the exact spot below the roots of it. There is a space that looks like someone dug something from there. Placing the relic there, will always be a risk, but not doing it, might make the condition of the surrounding area even worse. According to Pyre's finds, the pinecone should neutralize the state the tree is currently in. It wasn't the druid's doing what happened here, it was what happened once they removed the relic.
Shevat reached for the pinecone and gently placed it under the ground, before covering it with earth. A mild glow came from where it was placed, the druid spoke of a mild warmth coming from it as well. He appeared unwilling to move from his position, looking like he was at ease, where he was at. Nearby to where he planted the relic, a plant grew at magical speed and gradually bloomed into a type of fruit. It had the shape of a berry before it fell off from the plant in front of the human. Then, as quickly as the plant came, it also disappeared.
I've never seen such a thing happen before in my entire life.
Shevat reached out to the large white berry ("Willow cone berry"), with the size of a honey melon. It had a dull white light to it, clearly magical, but upon closer inspection, even with glasses on, I simply couldn't identify the fruit. Magical, no doubt, but what of its purpose?
Shevat made a small prayer to the tree before we moved back to our prisoner. We transferred the druid back to the clearing from which we came before he came back to his senses. Shevat whispered some instruction to Pyre related to the condition that if he were to shapeshift, that there would be consequences. The moment the human shadow druid woke up from his forced sleep, he nearly yelled through his gag. Assumingly ordering us to release him. Funny, how he thinks he's in control while entirely outnumbered.
"We will take the gag off, but you will be silent for now and listen." Shevat said to him, giving him a firm glance, but clearly the druid continued to talk back to him, looking in each of our directions. I added a threat, but it seems like it didn't reach his ears. He seems fearful and confused about what happened, we did move him quite far from where he was.
Torvial made short work of the inconvenience and got behind the shadow druid, holding a knife against his throat. "Oh, I knew I liked him." Pyre said, who previously was against the plan to interrogate the enemy for intel. Of course, we all know that this woman nearly wants to take out any enemy without sharing a word with them. She's even worse than I am.
The redhead moved close to the enemy's ear, whispering the words "You better listen to them." The man fearfully nodded his head in submission and the attention was back to Shevat. "Your associates attacked us and we had no choice but to defend ourselves. We have stopped the ritual and we have no information about what you were trying to do, but we have returned the pine cone back under the willow. Now, we just want to understand what you were trying to accomplish here. Maybe, we don't need to be enemies. Do you understand what I am saying?" The enemy nodded back to him. "I will remove the gag", Shevat instructed him. "And we'll give you a chance to reply."
The druid removed the gag from the enemy's mouth and I saw Pyre move a little closer to the enemy. I had my eyes set on her. The man seemed calm now, regardless of his terrible position. Well, this brings back memories, some unwanted ones among them.
"Okay, who is to say you'll keep me alive if I tell you what you need to know?" Was the first thing the enemy said, being very aware of his survival chances in this current situation. A druid, no doubt, experts on the field of survival, primal instinct and especially while looking death in the eyes.
"We have no reason to kill if our interests align, we could use an ally.", Shevat said, which was indeed the signal I needed. "Look, I don't want to be deceptive, as it seems like my life is on the line. All of you seem to be capable folk. I can give you all the details you want, but our interests will never align." The shadow druids let him know, he was truthful and Shevat knew. "What are your interests about?" I asked the man, who returned a calculating glance in my direction. "No reason to tell anything unless you guarantee my survival." Shevat studied his features and placed his hand close to his mouth. "Will you promise to never return to this place again?" He gazed back into his dark eyes and repeated after the man. "I promise to never come to these parts again." He clarified that it is related to Yesterhill and the relic, but to obtain more information.
It will depend on what he says how I'll think about it, but the man demands us to promise him his freedom. I keep my word, I won't break it. In order to learn more, we collectively promised that we would not. Not each of us spoke, however, some remained quiet.
"Okay, we were a group of druids who serve our Lord, the ancient and we made a temporary alliance with the hag, Baba Lysaga. She told us of an order of wereravens that seems to be working against our Lord, the ancient. Who taught us a method to interfere with this group of ravens. By corrupting the land near their vineyard. So, we dug up the relic and gave it to her. Then, we continued to desecrate this land, so nothing would ever grow here that isn't in our control. Just now we were in the final step of our ritual in which we were trying to make a Gulthias Tree."
Such a tree is considered an unholy version of a tree, which can only be applied to a tree which is a beacon of nature. A holy tree with an appeal of divinity. When the energy of the land is drained from the surroundings on a large scale and be inserted into the tree. It will develop large, red fruits. If a person were to eat these fruits, they could obtain immense power from it. An elixer of some kind. that requires many life sacrifices. Eating it by Shevat's order's standards, is absolutely forbidden. Like a type of devil's fruit. He shared a tale with us about a druid that once managed to restore the life of his wife who has been dead for many years.
After hearing the story and explanation, Torvial's eyes almost flickered and he got his weapon back in his hand in an attempt to harm the man, which went against our promise. Immediately, both Yshvara and I held his arm and stopped him from making an attack. Shevat turned to him. "Torvial, control yourself."
"Do you even listen to what he just told us?!" The tall redhead yelled back at him. "A promise is a promise!" I yelled back to him. I felt the struggle the man put up weakened. "I see it differently, but that's fine. If it makes you happy, then sure." Torvial replied. I felt my irritation grow stronger at that moment. Of course it didn't make me happy, quite the opposite!
"But I absolutely don't agree with what they were doing." The man added. I glared back at him. "None of us does!"
Shevat looked back at the druid again. "Was your goal to produce Gulthias fruit? Or just to inconvenience the ravens?" The shadow druid glanced back. "The goal was to produce these fruits and also to animate the Gulthias tree itself to use it as a weapon." I frowned at the shadow druid and asked him "Is that not against your nature as a druid to do such a thing?"
"If it goes against our nature? We animate all kinds of plant based life." Yshvara tilted her head. "You know, you should really get a new hobby. Have you considered pottery?" The enemy shook his head, rolling his eyes to give it some thought. "No, but I have considered sewing. But you don't have anything to fear from me, I am the last one left and I can't do anything by myself."
Likely, he will return to the man he worships so much, but what he says may be true. What truly is the point of it? We kept our word, if we met him again, we could easily rid him of his existence. But then the man said that he wouldn't care about him, for being such a powerful man, so that's unlikely to be the case. It was odd, as if he feels his connection to the Count weakened without his group.
After this information, Shevat looked back at us. "This is all I need. Do you have any questions?" We were discussing letting the man go, as promised, but Pyre gazed at us with disbelief. "We're just going to let him leave after everything he just said?" We intend to keep our word, so that was indeed going to be the case.
"How far from Yesterhill do you intend to go?" I asked the shadow druid, who returned me a confident gaze. "Very far away." That was enough for me, this is pointless, he learned of our strength and may eventually find a better path in life. "Can I take these manacles off of him?" I turned to the others, already positioning myself behind him with the keys in my hands. With Shevat's agreement, I unlocked them and let the man go. As the others discussed various torture techniques and questionable things, I told the man to hurry up and leave. "You better hurry."
He slowly took his distance. "I'll see ... Well, I hopefully won't ever come across you guys again. I hope the Ancient will destroy you all. See you." I watched the man go, feeling mildly irritated by the cocky behavior. "Likewise." I said, but suddenly Pyre flew past me with an attempt to strike the shadow druid and disappear midway.
<Battle Start>
I quickly jumped in front of the man, holding my shield to protect him. (Selfless sacrifice feat) But it wasn't enough, she easily moved past me to land a few perfect strikes onto him and just killed the man.
<Battle over>
"For F*ck's SAKE, Pyre!" I yelled at her. "What?!" She yelled back, but I immediately pulled away. "WELL, I suppose I can't help it, I kept my word and tried my best." Torvial smiled in Pyre's direction. "I suppose that's karma." I must agree, I kept my word, but this result doesn't harm my conscience. *Job well done.
Then a slow clapping noise came from the back, when two odd figures came from the woods. Who are these guys ... Are these the ones who betrayed them? I had hoped these guys wouldn't show up so sudden ...They were sent to supervise the work of the druids until they ran into us. They have seen the scene with the druid and expressed that they couldn't believe what they just saw. Honestly, I do agree. I didn't expect that this group of passives would take such actions.
. . .
Location: Vineyard (Wizards of Wine) / HQ: Keeper of the Feathers
(Remarks marked by *
Since Yshvara felt so very tired last night to accept or even be willing to listen to my request, she couldn't avoid it the very morning she woke up and greeted us. I sat there, soaked and waiting with anticipation for relief. I greeted her back and didn't hesitate to make my request to use her powers again to dry me. I saw a mild irritation on her porcelain face, but she did as I wanted. I'm grateful, but I couldn't escape the ever haunting nightmares while being partly soaked from the rain, still. At least, the safe environment has helped me to allow more freedom related to my nightwear.
Gradually, the others woke up as well and we made our way to the dining room, where our breakfast and rations for the journey ahead of us were positioned neatly for each of us. It was very kind of them, but there was no one in sight whom we could give our thanks to. During the breakfast, we heard a tale which Yshvara told us about her experience with shadow druids.
Clearly, Shevat wasn't too happy about hearing it, it visibly depressed him to hear that shadow druids could potentially ruin his reputation as a good willing gentleman of the forest that wishes for nothing but the best for nature and its habitants. They appear to attack the people, using the sources of nature. I, myself, have never heard of such a thing before, then again, my occupation is a little different. My coworkers may have had a different experience on the field.
After breakfast, we made haste toward Yesterhill. With a map and some good navigators on our side, it wasn't much of a trouble to find the route toward the south. What was annoying though, is that it's been raining for days and having only a dirt road to walk, it wasn't exactly pleasant either. No bath, no decent method to clean my clothing. Sooner than later, I'll end up looking like a senseless barbarian that rolls in dirt before chasing down their enemies. Absolutely unpleasant. I may not be a noble, but I have my standards. May we be unlucky and not find those elves that Muriel warned us about in addition.
As we traveled, I noticed Shevat looking around attentively to the surroundings. The closer we got to Yesterhill, the more it looked like the trees were sucked dry from their nutritions. Old, dying trees were positioned to the sides of the road. Not a sound of happy birds, as if we're walking toward a cemetery of silence. He's been looking up countless times, while at our feet, many rats passed the road.
They paused at a tree that looked like it was targeted by lightning. Gray discoloration was all over the texture of the tree, it almost looked like it turned into stone. Both Shevat and Pyre were curious about it, unlike myself. Pyre at one point, placed her hand against it and shut her eyes. While she wasn't paying a lot of attention, a giant spider was closing in on her.
Its body was the size of her head and it had very long legs as well. I took a step backwards and felt my hand slide toward the handle of my sword.
"Did you find something?" Shevat asked the fiery woman. I suppressed my laughter, knowing that it would target Pyre first and asked her. "Does it look hostile?~" It may not be, this may simply be its home, but this land cannot be trusted. "I found a BIG F*CKING SPIDER. I don't know if it's hostile, but I'm going to back the f*ck up." Her attention was aimed at the large creature. "I'm sorry, sir, this is your house, um ..."
The spider certainly didn't mind her, especially when it crawled past her to hunt down one of the rats. Then it single handedly dragged the stunned creature back inside the tree. Pyre nervously backed away. "Yeah, let's ... Keep going." She managed.
I let go off my sword and turned toward the woman that regrouped with us by hasty steps. I whispered to her "Just don't get too close to the trees ..." Clearly, I was smiling, that truly was interesting. She turned to me and nodded. "Yeah, not anymore ... F*ck me, that was a massive spider ..." Her face looked pale and I let out a soft chuckle. *
Everyone looked at each other, wondering if we should be discussing something. So, I asked them, "You desire to listen to my complaints?" Arabella looked in my direction with surprise, while the others immediately shook their heads. "I mean, you don't usually ask before you do that." Yshvara chuckled. "He's learning." I looked in the aasimar's direction with a confident expression. "Oh, I might just unlearn things though~"
We continued our path toward the hill, as I took a little bit more distance from Pyre again. I saw her paying attention to her environment, especially around the trees and felt urged to tease the poor genasi by whispering in her mind that I believe there is a spider to her left side. While her attention was immediately drawn to her left to ensure her own safety, I felt something slide onto my back and I froze in my steps before I dropped to my knees, leaning forward and commanded the others to get it the HELL off. I heard Shevat step closer to me. "FASTER ..." I felt how its legs brushed against my neck when it turned to Shevat with curiosity and the shivers running down my spine. The thing was soaked as well and the drops that were stuck to its legs slowly trailed down my skin underneath my clothes. I was entirely stunned in that moment, at the mercy of the druid that took WAY too long to release me from the living horror.
"HURRY UP! ..."
From the back, I heard Pyre's voice calling out to me. "Oh Viiris~ I think there's a spider on your back~" Immediately, I felt urged to yell back, doesn't she have better things to do than to state the obvious and actually get her ass MOVING to help me?!
I felt the pressure on my back lessen and its legs slowly get off on me, one after the other. I had to suppress any external signs for this humiliating experience. The crazy druid behind me decided to keep it with him, letting the creature rest in the hood of his cloak. That man is clearly out of his damned mind ...!
I looked at him with a horrid expression, stuttering the words "What's ... Wrong with you." Shevat with an everlasting calm expression looked back at me with a warm smile. "This spider isn't dangerous. It only wanted some company." With my face still pale from the recent experience, I stared back into his eyes. "... Yes, the moment I reminded someone of a spider ..." The coincidence can't be real. Pyre stood behind the others with a smug expression. "That's karma."
It took some time before I was able to get back up again and when I managed, I made sure to keep enough distance between Shevat and I if the spider intended to change traveling companion.
As we continued our path, Shevat eventually paused to let the spider on his back go, waving it off with a final message. "Safe travels." He said, like he just waved off his son or partner. I again paused in my steps to yell at him. "What is wrong with you?!" (DM: You could swear that the spider answered you with a "Thank you, goodbye" - Shevat)
. . .
Location: Yesterhill
Notes: Tree is starting to restore after relic is positioned, obtained White Berry from the tall willow tree, druids were in the progress of making a Gulthias Tree and attempted to animate it to attack the vineyard, no druid has survived, according to the last survivor, he is the last one, met two enemies, Naedithas and Ellamin (Ailoton)
There was a clearing in the forest that led onto the large hill. On top of that hill there is a large tree positioned on top. We entered the clearing to get closer toward the hill, there were some men close that spotted us before we could do anything. Five burly individuals, wearing a hide jacket but mainly kept open that exposed most of their chest. They are poorly protected from potential harm and look nothing like a druid. These may be the rumored berserkers that cooperate with them. There's one of them that stands farther to the back, he is significantly older and looks like the leader of this pack. They were slowly closing in on us with mild suspicion.
Behind them, there was a group positioned as well, but there is some distance in between all of them. Their attention was drawn to us as well. They must be guarding this place for reasons yet unknown. The older man spoke up, before we could capture more of the surroundings. "You are threading sacred grounds. Turn around or face the consequences." Shevat stepped forth. "You say sacred, but this place has clearly been defiled, corrupted even. What has happened here?" The leader folded his arms over his chest, lifting his own chin to look down onto us. "That is none of your business, turn around or face the consequences."
Shevat insisted. "Is this your preferred state? Because we might be able to help here. We are not here to fight, not here to cause trouble. We're trying to heal the land." The man loosened up his shoulders. "What we are doing here is none of your business. This is your last warning." Again, he repeated the sentence. "We will keep a respectful distance, but can we talk to your leader?" Again, the berserker didn't give in, returning the response "I am the leader."
"Are you the leader of the shadow druids as well?" But the man decided that there is no use for interaction with the druids, as they are busy. "Busy with what? Defiling all the wood?" Yshvara provoked them. I looked at her with a frown, whispering her name to remind her of her position. More and more, the man began to surround us. Again, the leader responded. "Their business, not yours." I looked back at the druid, whispering to him to say something smart now. The situation is taking an awful turn. Like this, we won't be able to obtain information from the druids.
We could see the druids on top of the hill, they currently aren't moving, but they appear to be concentrating on something from the looks of their stance. Even if only vaguely visible from the distance. Shevat looked back at us with a regretful look in his eyes. "I may not be able to solve this just by talking." It is much like we already learned via his connection with the spirits. This may be something that can only be solved through violence.
Yshvara noticed the men cutting off our passage back. "Hey, if you want us to leave, then why are you blocking our exit?" The leader cracked his knuckles with a smile. "It looks like you'll cause trouble down the line, so we'll just get rid of you now." I drew my weapon and gritted my teeth. "So considerate, I really appreciate that." Yshvara pointed at the man. "On your head, be it. Well, careful, or it might come off."
<Battle start>
Each of them drew their weapon, and gradually took a battle stance. They were quick to take advantage of their position. Two men flanked Torvial, and one of the men dashed to fight Shevat, while the others distracted the remaining two, I was forced to make a decision until "Cease your mindless assault!" Shevat yelled before he paralyzed two of the men close to us and ran toward me for cover, but I didn't stay for long when I tried to get rid of the threat to Torvial. With the man in the back unable to even move, he won't be a threat to the others.
During this phase of battle, the berserkers in the back started to back up the five men. The men weren't much of a threat, but when the one in the back regained himself from the paralyzes, I had the two casters request my assistance with threat, which I was quick to run toward when the threat in between Torvial and I was gone. Behind me, a large lightning bolt struck a fill line of men, whose source came from a small individual. I had no idea she had that much power, this dhampir woman. It was quite impressive ...
Gradually, we took out more of the men as Yshvara began to hurry up to the hill. It was as if she was sensing something. She was quickly accompanied by the fire genasi, while severely wounded, felt urged to protect her in her quest.
Once we all got in reach, it became clear that the aasimar woman managed to put them all to sleep, one by one, for Pyre to get rid of them when she was shifted into a giant ape by Shevat's choice.
It seems like they made an attempt to do something to the tree and they made sure to keep one of the shadow druids as a prisoner. I placed my manacles onto his wrists and they covered his mouth while transferring them far away from the tree to avoid any further progress. He wasn't yet conscious, until later on.
<Battle end>
While we had the druid bound, gagged and blinded and still asleep, we investigated the ground surrounding the large gray tree. It looked like a tree which you'd read about in fairy tales. Much like a tree of pure mana, however, corrupted at this point. With our combined efforts, we managed to find the location of where the pine cone used to be. I informed them about all that I recall from our adventures and Torvial said that it might indeed be around the tree.
We were blessed to find the exact spot as well. Arabella, who was closest to the ground, found the exact spot below the roots of it. There is a space that looks like someone dug something from there. Placing the relic there, will always be a risk, but not doing it, might make the condition of the surrounding area even worse. According to Pyre's finds, the pinecone should neutralize the state the tree is currently in. It wasn't the druid's doing what happened here, it was what happened once they removed the relic.
Shevat reached for the pinecone and gently placed it under the ground, before covering it with earth. A mild glow came from where it was placed, the druid spoke of a mild warmth coming from it as well. He appeared unwilling to move from his position, looking like he was at ease, where he was at. Nearby to where he planted the relic, a plant grew at magical speed and gradually bloomed into a type of fruit. It had the shape of a berry before it fell off from the plant in front of the human. Then, as quickly as the plant came, it also disappeared.
I've never seen such a thing happen before in my entire life.
Shevat reached out to the large white berry ("Willow cone berry"), with the size of a honey melon. It had a dull white light to it, clearly magical, but upon closer inspection, even with glasses on, I simply couldn't identify the fruit. Magical, no doubt, but what of its purpose?
Shevat made a small prayer to the tree before we moved back to our prisoner. We transferred the druid back to the clearing from which we came before he came back to his senses. Shevat whispered some instruction to Pyre related to the condition that if he were to shapeshift, that there would be consequences. The moment the human shadow druid woke up from his forced sleep, he nearly yelled through his gag. Assumingly ordering us to release him. Funny, how he thinks he's in control while entirely outnumbered.
"We will take the gag off, but you will be silent for now and listen." Shevat said to him, giving him a firm glance, but clearly the druid continued to talk back to him, looking in each of our directions. I added a threat, but it seems like it didn't reach his ears. He seems fearful and confused about what happened, we did move him quite far from where he was.
Torvial made short work of the inconvenience and got behind the shadow druid, holding a knife against his throat. "Oh, I knew I liked him." Pyre said, who previously was against the plan to interrogate the enemy for intel. Of course, we all know that this woman nearly wants to take out any enemy without sharing a word with them. She's even worse than I am.
The redhead moved close to the enemy's ear, whispering the words "You better listen to them." The man fearfully nodded his head in submission and the attention was back to Shevat. "Your associates attacked us and we had no choice but to defend ourselves. We have stopped the ritual and we have no information about what you were trying to do, but we have returned the pine cone back under the willow. Now, we just want to understand what you were trying to accomplish here. Maybe, we don't need to be enemies. Do you understand what I am saying?" The enemy nodded back to him. "I will remove the gag", Shevat instructed him. "And we'll give you a chance to reply."
The druid removed the gag from the enemy's mouth and I saw Pyre move a little closer to the enemy. I had my eyes set on her. The man seemed calm now, regardless of his terrible position. Well, this brings back memories, some unwanted ones among them.
"Okay, who is to say you'll keep me alive if I tell you what you need to know?" Was the first thing the enemy said, being very aware of his survival chances in this current situation. A druid, no doubt, experts on the field of survival, primal instinct and especially while looking death in the eyes.
"We have no reason to kill if our interests align, we could use an ally.", Shevat said, which was indeed the signal I needed. "Look, I don't want to be deceptive, as it seems like my life is on the line. All of you seem to be capable folk. I can give you all the details you want, but our interests will never align." The shadow druids let him know, he was truthful and Shevat knew. "What are your interests about?" I asked the man, who returned a calculating glance in my direction. "No reason to tell anything unless you guarantee my survival." Shevat studied his features and placed his hand close to his mouth. "Will you promise to never return to this place again?" He gazed back into his dark eyes and repeated after the man. "I promise to never come to these parts again." He clarified that it is related to Yesterhill and the relic, but to obtain more information.
It will depend on what he says how I'll think about it, but the man demands us to promise him his freedom. I keep my word, I won't break it. In order to learn more, we collectively promised that we would not. Not each of us spoke, however, some remained quiet.
"Okay, we were a group of druids who serve our Lord, the ancient and we made a temporary alliance with the hag, Baba Lysaga. She told us of an order of wereravens that seems to be working against our Lord, the ancient. Who taught us a method to interfere with this group of ravens. By corrupting the land near their vineyard. So, we dug up the relic and gave it to her. Then, we continued to desecrate this land, so nothing would ever grow here that isn't in our control. Just now we were in the final step of our ritual in which we were trying to make a Gulthias Tree."
Such a tree is considered an unholy version of a tree, which can only be applied to a tree which is a beacon of nature. A holy tree with an appeal of divinity. When the energy of the land is drained from the surroundings on a large scale and be inserted into the tree. It will develop large, red fruits. If a person were to eat these fruits, they could obtain immense power from it. An elixer of some kind. that requires many life sacrifices. Eating it by Shevat's order's standards, is absolutely forbidden. Like a type of devil's fruit. He shared a tale with us about a druid that once managed to restore the life of his wife who has been dead for many years.
After hearing the story and explanation, Torvial's eyes almost flickered and he got his weapon back in his hand in an attempt to harm the man, which went against our promise. Immediately, both Yshvara and I held his arm and stopped him from making an attack. Shevat turned to him. "Torvial, control yourself."
"Do you even listen to what he just told us?!" The tall redhead yelled back at him. "A promise is a promise!" I yelled back to him. I felt the struggle the man put up weakened. "I see it differently, but that's fine. If it makes you happy, then sure." Torvial replied. I felt my irritation grow stronger at that moment. Of course it didn't make me happy, quite the opposite!
"But I absolutely don't agree with what they were doing." The man added. I glared back at him. "None of us does!"
Shevat looked back at the druid again. "Was your goal to produce Gulthias fruit? Or just to inconvenience the ravens?" The shadow druid glanced back. "The goal was to produce these fruits and also to animate the Gulthias tree itself to use it as a weapon." I frowned at the shadow druid and asked him "Is that not against your nature as a druid to do such a thing?"
"If it goes against our nature? We animate all kinds of plant based life." Yshvara tilted her head. "You know, you should really get a new hobby. Have you considered pottery?" The enemy shook his head, rolling his eyes to give it some thought. "No, but I have considered sewing. But you don't have anything to fear from me, I am the last one left and I can't do anything by myself."
Likely, he will return to the man he worships so much, but what he says may be true. What truly is the point of it? We kept our word, if we met him again, we could easily rid him of his existence. But then the man said that he wouldn't care about him, for being such a powerful man, so that's unlikely to be the case. It was odd, as if he feels his connection to the Count weakened without his group.
After this information, Shevat looked back at us. "This is all I need. Do you have any questions?" We were discussing letting the man go, as promised, but Pyre gazed at us with disbelief. "We're just going to let him leave after everything he just said?" We intend to keep our word, so that was indeed going to be the case.
"How far from Yesterhill do you intend to go?" I asked the shadow druid, who returned me a confident gaze. "Very far away." That was enough for me, this is pointless, he learned of our strength and may eventually find a better path in life. "Can I take these manacles off of him?" I turned to the others, already positioning myself behind him with the keys in my hands. With Shevat's agreement, I unlocked them and let the man go. As the others discussed various torture techniques and questionable things, I told the man to hurry up and leave. "You better hurry."
He slowly took his distance. "I'll see ... Well, I hopefully won't ever come across you guys again. I hope the Ancient will destroy you all. See you." I watched the man go, feeling mildly irritated by the cocky behavior. "Likewise." I said, but suddenly Pyre flew past me with an attempt to strike the shadow druid and disappear midway.
<Battle Start>
I quickly jumped in front of the man, holding my shield to protect him. (Selfless sacrifice feat) But it wasn't enough, she easily moved past me to land a few perfect strikes onto him and just killed the man.
<Battle over>
"For F*ck's SAKE, Pyre!" I yelled at her. "What?!" She yelled back, but I immediately pulled away. "WELL, I suppose I can't help it, I kept my word and tried my best." Torvial smiled in Pyre's direction. "I suppose that's karma." I must agree, I kept my word, but this result doesn't harm my conscience. *
Then a slow clapping noise came from the back, when two odd figures came from the woods. Who are these guys ... Are these the ones who betrayed them? I had hoped these guys wouldn't show up so sudden ...They were sent to supervise the work of the druids until they ran into us. They have seen the scene with the druid and expressed that they couldn't believe what they just saw. Honestly, I do agree. I didn't expect that this group of passives would take such actions.
. . .
