Session 17: Rell's Log

General Summary

Elirith hurried forwards to meet the ancient women, ensuring she wouldn’t have to walk any further than necessary. After a couple of exchanged glances, we followed, arriving just as Elirith curtseyed low to both dwarf and Golar, who she rested against.
We respectfully introduced ourselves as she measured us closely one by one, hand shifting through Golar’s brown fur. She was hard to read; she seemed welcoming but watchful also. I supposed she wasn’t used to visitors. Even so, she offered for us to rest here, and as I checked the clearing once more, I couldn’t help but inquire as to what exactly this place was. She gave me a tight but gentle smile and beckoned us to follow her.
Approaching the small body of water, I noticed for the first time the surface ripple and break as brightly coloured aquatic creatures darted alongside each other. I’d never seen anything living inside water before and only added to the tranquillity and uniqueness of this place.
As we sat, forming a makeshift semi-circle around the old dwarven woman, I realised Elirith was still scanning around with wide eyes. I didn’t blame her, even for myself that had been in the Wastelands many times, I’d never seen anything like this. I now realised that the grassy mounds I’d seen early were weaved or perhaps even grown into shape, with entranceways that likely formed dens or shelter for the residents here. Perched in a nearby tree was a glorious bird with vibrant feathers, and through the leaves, I observed a mammal that looked like it belonged swinging between the branches. This place was teeming with life. Perhaps just as the whole world used to be.
My thoughts were interrupted by a scuffing sound as a small mountain of earth appeared at Saman’s legs, and a long-snouted, clawed creature broke the surface as though it had burrowed there. It sniffed the air for a moment before speaking, just as the others had done. It asked in a voice that I might have called melancholy if any of us were moles. I guessed that was what the little animal was and Saman confirmed to the opposite. Clearly not the answer it was looking for, it appeared even more dejected, turning tail back the way it had come.
This was all far too strange for me, and I looked to the now resting Golar and back to the woman who had been introduced as Grandmother. She spoke about the grove as well as the animals living within it, and I couldn’t stop my curiosity as I questioned how they were able to speak.
I thought for a moment, I’d been too forward as usual, but instead, I was given another warm smile and a head nod as though she was agreeing to something I hadn’t asked. As she moved to rise, Golar bought his huge head up from where it had been resting on its clawed paws, ensuring she had something to cling to as she unsteadily found her feet.
Moving past me, she made slow progress up towards the prominent tree, which I assumed must hold the answers to the magics of this place. She leant in close, and although I saw her lips move, I couldn’t make out the words. It only took a moment for the bark of the tree to move, twisting itself and reforming into a humanoid form.
A choked gurgle left my throat, and I was on my feet in an instant as a figure stepped forward from the tree, completely detaching itself into a singular entity. It was like no magic or creature I’d seen before, as though the tree had simply chosen to be in a form most recognisable to us. Its skin was still bark, but it moved and bent just like a person, creating a sensuous feminine form. Pink leaves shaped long flowing hair, the same as the branches of the tree it had emerged from and its eyes were the vivid green of sap that shone with intelligence. It was right and incredibly wrong all at once. Enticing and magical with untold elegance. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
It or she I supposed, as it spoke with a female grace, introduced itself as Ethissia, the lime of her irises seeming to stare into our very souls before moving on. She lingered on Penitence, casting a distrustful eye on his horns and swishing tail. I barely received any interest, but Saman, however, caused a tilt to her head, the line that formed her mouth drawing upwards into what I might have read as disdain in a person.
She walked to him, swaying in almost a flowing fashion before lift her arms so that her palms cupped the underside of his jaw. I felt my mouth fall open a fraction as the wood of her hands melded with Saman, her eyes closing as she exhaled a slightly pained noise. Retracting the strange embrace she called him a perversion, measuring him once again as if unsure as to her next action. I had little affection for Warforged, but even so, the phrasing seemed unnecessarily cruel.
Saying she needed to think on it further, the tree figure turned, somehow managing to stay afloat over the pool of water, before blending back into the trunk. It looked normal again with no marking to the creature's presence. What had it been? Some kind of spirit?
Elirth glanced off to the side before stating that she was likely a Fey, but from her knowledge, they had abandoned this plane. From the way she spoke, it seemed she might know more, but no one challenged her. I knew vaguely about these planes, like how the portal the fiend had cast the previous day had been to a different world, but overall, I had little interest in them. Need to know basis only. Grandmother elaborated a little, that she had no idea how long Ethissia had been here, but they had formed this oasis of life together and kept it safe over the years. As she spoke, a dry rasp interrupted her words before developing into a cough that sounded like it was rattling her very bones. Shifting uncomfortably at the noise, it was agreed that she would rest, leaving us with Corvus and Ser Bright who had been lingering nearby.
Liv studied Grandmother’s retreating form with an expert eye, and I knew she was worried about her health. She even asked Corvus if the older woman would be okay and the bird just looked down its beak at her as if the obvious didn’t need to be spoken. Penitence began to speak, but my frustration boiled over at still not having an answer to my earlier question around how these animals were talking to us.
Taking a bold step forward, I was forceful in my words as I asked once more for an answer. Corvus bobbed his head and explained that they were Fey also, joined with animals throughout many moons, and that is was why they were able to act and converse as they did. The tension in my shoulders lifted as I finally got some information, even if I didn’t quite understand it. Gesturing at his neck, I asked what the necklace was, and he fluffed up his feathers to display it further before explaining it held runes and stored his spells.
Nodding along I let my thoughts run away with me as I asked the reason it was worth saving this place. I’d not meant it to sound as rude as it had, thinking only if we saved it, could we use the magic in other areas of the Wastelands. Corvus ruffled his feathers, letting loose a squawk before abruptly stating that this was their home; all they knew. His words were laced with anger, short and marked as he insisted that we would help everyone here.
My lip pinched as I thoroughly regretted my words, but I felt a tug to my trousers and looked down to Ser Bright. Bowing low, he vowed to protect me from Corvus’ wrath should it ever come to that and I giggled as he climbed up my leg, leaping to my glaive to sit at the cross guard. I had to shake my head at the audacity; this creature was certainly far more fun that Golar or Corvus. From his newfound vantage point, he was able to address the group better and spoke of a corruption that was spreading and threatening the glade, along with all they’d worked towards. Bright mentioned that Golar had previously tried to stop it, visiting a tower not far from here, but barely escaped with his life.
Ser Bright jumped to Elirith before finding the ground again, making a wide sweeping gesture with his arms and motioning us closer. It certainly appeared like he was going to tell a story, and unlike the bards within Bastion, I wouldn’t even have to spare a coin. Elirth even conjured some magic around him as he began the dramatics and I crossed my ankles, plonked myself down to sit in the lush grass. Elbows on my knees and chin resting on my palms, I didn’t want to miss anything.
In a whirlwind of orange, rapier swings and almost none stop enhancement of words, Ser Bright spoke to us of what had happened. A long while ago, when the whole forest was still alive, a man had begun experimenting in a tower constructed within the confines of the trees. The magics he’d worked with had been evil, messing with the elements to form horrors of fire, water, earth and stone. Corruption spread from there, potentially the reason for the petrification and although the man was long gone, his experiments remained.
Ser Bright paused his enactment, lowering his head slightly as he explained that more and more of the purification that surrounded us was being lost. He then gave another swish of his blade as he spoke of how Golar had travelled to the tower without Grandmother’s permission. The mission had been unsuccessful, however, as he’d been attacked by some of the terrifying creatures left within the tower. Apparently, his claws and teeth had little effect, but as luck would have it, Corvus had been close, summoning lightning to allow them both to escape with their lives. Bright paused, lifting a leg and hoping a pace, before confirming that Golar still limped slightly because of it.
Pointing up to Saman, Ser Bright stated that the creature they had been encountered was even bigger than the Warforged but confirmed once more that the tower was the key to healing the entire forest of its petrification. Finally, he also spoke of Ethissia as a “dryad” though the name meant little to me. Perhaps if Saman did resemble the constructions within the tower, it was why she was aloof towards him.
Thankfully food was bought soon after, by a long-limbed mammal called Tata who carried heaps of berries and fruits within its grasp. Laying them out on some large leaves, I smirked as Ser Bright soon had purple stains all around the fur at his mouth. The selection was mostly unfamiliar, but I took up a good variety of what was on offer before catching Ser Bright’s eye. Letting a wisp of flirtation curl into my tone, I enquired as to whether he had more stories he could regale. With an embellished gasp, he wiped the berries from his face before delighting me with another story.
The evening drew in, and although Elirth moved away to speak with Corvus, the others mostly milled around to listen to Ser Bright. I knew a lot of the tales, some that I even remembered my father telling me long ago and I watched, engaged with earnest, clapping or booing on cue.
Bathing both myself and my clothes in the lower stream, I was happy to have the stench of both the long walk and basilisk inners washed away. I re-braided my hair and patched up a few tears in my tunic, tongue poking out of my mouth in concentration but having little trouble making the crooked repairs.
Liv approached me soon after, revealing that Saman knew she wasn’t human. I froze, meeting her eyes but trying to remain calm and asked what else he knew. She was nonchalant, giving me a half shrug and I relaxed also. If she was unphased, I’d try to be too. I only confirmed that I’d watch him. She bit her lip before looking around her as though we’d not spend a good portion of the day here. There was something on her mind, and she confirmed as such, stating that this place reminded her of her dream within the Waterworks. I was glad she confided, a glow of warmth settling inside me at a familiar friendship.
I slept well and woke to beads of water hanging from the blades of grass around me. It was so unusual that I caught one on my fingertip before raising it to my lips, enjoying the refreshing nectar. As I did so I heard the accustomed noise of a blade cutting through the air, and I sprang upwards, searching until I found the source. Ser Bright was training, flowing through stances near the water in well-practised formation.
Grinning I headed towards him, almost springing through the grass and enquiring if he’d like to duel. He accepted with a low bow, and I turned to the party who’d gather around, asking Liv for her rapier. She gave me two raised eyebrows that I knew meant I should know better, but I couldn’t resist.
Thin-bladed swords were not my preference, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t an expert at wielding them and a rapier was no exception. I’d trained with any weapon I could find growing up, ensuring my place within the Diplomats. Corvus may have mocked me, and I gleefully hoped Ser Bright underestimated me also.
After a chivalrous bow, we exchanged a few testing bouts before he lunged for me. I dodged at the last moment causing his blade to scrape a fine line into my armour. Turning to follow his movements, I thrusted my own rapier forwards, halting it with practised proficiency a pinch before meeting flesh. Laughing a noise that was all joy we danced around each other for a few breaths and I noticed that his form, although compact, was perfect. He attempted another attack, scampering up my blade before I could blink but it meant I could easier read where the swipe of his blade would hit, and I moved quickly once more. Instead of a strike from his rapier, I received a peck on the cheek but he lept over me and back to the ground. As he landed, I lashed out in a half circle that might have sliced him in two had I once again not exercised mastered control and stopped my blade, winning the duel.
Clearly a little unhappy and disheartened Ser Bright still congratulated me. Elated, I snaked the blade around myself in a move that was all for show, before bowing with the rapier held behind my back. We turned more serious as Grandmother approached once more and we revealed our plans to tackle the corruption within the tower. She was hard to read but seemed both concerned, yet sad too, as though we might not be able to stop the inevitable. I asked if perhaps she could provide any assistance, considering we were trying to protect what she had created. After a moments pause in thought, she pointed to Golar, Corvus and then Ser Bright and offered that one accompany us and assist.
Elirith and Saman argued for Corvus; Liv agreed a flying scout would be beneficial. Even Penitence, though he grumbled and griped about it, admitted he’d chose the raven. Sighing I suggested Ser Bright but was ultimately happy to have Corvus along also, even if he had insulted my prowess. Grandmother wished us well, blessing us with an exact motion of her hand and we gathered our belongings, before heading out with yet another new companion.
Corvus perched on Saman as we headed back towards the stone treeline. Lush meadow became scattered grassy patches until only dust and rocks crunched under our boots once more. We were far more vigilant this time, and since Corvus informed us that the Basilisks could be scared away easily, that’s exactly what we did when we found one. The raven manifested a firebolt, striking the creature and leaving it smouldering, smoke curling upwards. Penitence’s green magic swiftly followed this and finally, an arrow from Robyn found its mark.
Happy to not have to deal with another one of those, we marched onwards until Robyn pointed out some wispy, sticky strands dangling down from the tree branches. They looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place where I’d seen similar before. Even still, Robyn raised her lit torch and burnt it away.
We continued, burning any of the hanging threads as we went until Robyn halted us once more, pointing ahead of us with a grimace. Just visible was a creature propped between two of the frozen trees, four long legs spread wide to keep it in place as its other four reached down towards the ground. Its abdomen was huge, its head containing what seemed like hundreds of eyes, and from its jaw hung massive sharp pinchers.
It was a spider, of that I was certain, and it clicked into place that the horrible strands we’d been burning were web. It seemed like everyone's heart skipped a beat until what the creature was holding became clear. Still within its grasp was a basilisk. They’d destroyed each other and become locked in a deadly embrace.
While we were fairly sure they weren’t alive, Elirith aimed a ray of frost magic at them both to double check. I was happy for the test; certainly not wanting to be eaten by a giant spider. For some reason, however, her spell missed, flying past the creature and freezing it into icy cracks. I cast a sideways glance at her in surprise, but she just cleared her throat, a slight tinge to her cheeks as she tried again. This time it hit, the bizarre hug broken as the basilisk was dislodged.
It was safe to say; they were both very much deceased.
Corvus mentioned that this section of the forest was home to more of these enormous arachnids and that he usually flew high above the tree line to avoid it. Sighing I asked if he could see in the dark and perhaps scout for us, but he shook his head a little dismally. I slipped my bag from my shoulders and pulled out torches for everyone; at least we’d be prepared and could burn as much web as possible.
Before we could continue, Penitence decided to inspect and try to salvage anything from inside the dead basilisk. Gagging and looking away, I kept my distance as he predictably found nothing of use. Even I knew that animals were useless after even an hour or so and it was better only to trust something you’d killed yourself.
Pressing on, the webs became more frequent, some forming full woven traps that we either had to burn or navigate around. Everything felt eerie, so silent that I caught myself holding my breath more than once. I realised that I’d begun moving quietly too, some of my training prevailing as I placed my feet cautiously around the larger rocks and stones.
Then behind me, a cry rang out, and I span to see Saman. He’s stumbled or tripped somehow, and before any of us could intervene, he fell off balance straight into a thick intertwined web. Immediately vibrations pinged off, causing tremors along the rest of the strands and into the distance.
Some might have said that running would be a sensible idea. That we’d alerted the entire colony of spiders; set of all their snares. Death was certainly swiftly rushing towards us on eight-legs.
But, of course, I would never leave a companion behind and anyway, when did I ever do anything sensible?

Previous: Session 16: Rell's Log Next: Session 18: Rell's Log

4th Conditori

• Introduced to Grandmother
• Grove full of life, multiple animals and lush vegetation
• Dryad emerges, introduces herself as Ethissia
• She examines Saman, calls him a perversion.
• Ethissia explains she is likely Fey but they abandoned this plane.
• Ethissia had formed the oasis together with Grandmother and kept it safe over the years.
• Ser Bright told us of a corruption that was threatening the Grove; Golar had tried to stop it by visiting a tower not far from the Grove but barely escaped.
• A long while ago, while the forest was still alive, a man had been experimenting within a tower, evil magics, messing with the elements to form horrors of fire, water, earth and stone. Although the man was long gone, his experiments remained.
• Saman tells Liv he knows she is not human.
• Liv tells Rel that this place reminds her of her dream in the Waterworks.

5th Conditori

• Corvus accompanies us to the tower.
• Come across spider webs.
• Saman tripped and landed in a thick web, spiders rushed us.

Report Date

19 Jun 2019

Original Disclaimer: Written from Rell’s PoV and any opinions on character’s or npcs are her own and may not be a true reflection of a character’s intended actions or intentions. Any missing content is due to Rell’s selective hearing or poor memory. Although I have attempted to keep information on Rell to a minimum, please note that you may read some content/opinions that aren’t common knowledge to your own characters and therefore it should not influence your interactions with her.

Additional Disclaimer: This article is ported frpm old blogspot articles for reference, and pertinent bullets and dates added to timelines.