Tale of Two Sisters: Episode 07 - The Talking Tree

The Crimson Companions stand around the dying archer, who's mask lays next to. Golden in appearance and shaped in the imagery of a spider. Also laying next to him is a bow of beautiful design. It's markings are not of words but patterns of leaves and vines, whilst boasting a sparkly dark gold tint.
The archer poisons himself before the protagonists get a chance to question him. They find along with his belongings are map and a route traced to some location in Sersinara, potentially where he came from and possibly another lead to finding Tillina Kinato.
On the way back to Verdan's Camp, shouting from inside the main tent is heard, bearing the voice of Siona Nathildur.

“You endanger this camp! You’re not fit to run this place. You sit here whilst everyone else risks their lives. What about Inem, or Haero. Do you even give a shit anymore. Why are we still here Verdan? Nemitha doesn’t care about us anymore.”
“I’d rather save another life than see another one die, I’m done here”

— Siona Nathildur

Siona Nathildur leaves the tent and is followed by Verdan Blackwater who notices The Crimson Companions have returned.
The Crimson Companions explain that the situation with the Kobolds have been dealt with. They decide to spend a night at the camp before continuing their journey.
The next morning, Siona Nathildur wishes to join The Crimson Companions on their journey to find Tillina Kinato stating that she needs time away from the camp. Reanna Laerillin also joins them.
The Crimson Companions decide to follow the route of the masked-archer. A journey that will take a few days to complete according to the map.

The Talking Tree

A few days pass along their journey, and the The Crimson Companions find a hole in their pathway which appears to have light at the bottom. Their curiosity overtakes and they decide to explore it further.
Down there, a small tunnel continues the path into a beautiful grove, with a large tree sitting in its centre. Water flows solemnly around the tree, creating small waterfalls in its path. A shallow lake surrounds the tree.
The tree speaks to The Crimson Companions. Introduces itself as "Iddea, The Watchful and The Guide". The being claims to have been created by Elven Goddess Laer.

It has been time since I have encountered company. I feel and see through all the trees here. My roots are far in the lands. My creator has a message, please, stand in the water. You mustn’t keep a goddess waiting now.

— Iddea

Apart from Gnaw'd Rotflesh, the rest of The Crimson Companions proceed to stand in the water and close their eyes as a vision begins to fill them.
They see a female elf figure, adorned in golden threads with mithril like designs and white cloth flowing from every direction. She wears a crownpiece bearing the resemblence to lightning symbols. Her hair is tanned white in initial appearance, matched with eyes of blue. A lady no less tall tan Wilhelm Ironbark stands besides a flowing river that fades into non-existence on both ends.

I am Laer.

It is with grief that a grave disaster may befall this continent.
For I had once abandoned this place and saw it fall to ruin. I don’t seek to see an event like that once more.
A key-bearer exists within the companions who have proven every strike of test.
A great power will be awoken that won’t just threaten this land but your lands of home.
You stand between the realms of end and prosperity. I wish only you make the right choices, I interfered once with my powers, and that will be my last.
The fate is decided by you, as a member has claimed the key.
This key will open a doorway to eyes of fire and a weapon of great power.
For that is all I can help you with, for the journey is yours to take.
I will not counsel you on saying what should be or what should not. For not in doing or contriving, nor in choosing between this course and another. The choice of the key-bearer is yours to burden. Your path had not been chosen this way by accident. What I see is what is and will always be, my voice will simply follow you through the winds and storms.

Long ago, during the Age of The Silmeirans, a time you would come to call as the end.
Sersinara was ravaged by a series of disasters as a war raged on in the far lands. Much that once was, became lost. The elves struggled for a time, until finally, hope was given. Into a blade, bestowed upon by Magol, the Elven King of Gods. It was named The Primena, The World Steel. In order to protect the elves, I created, along with Magol a creature, powerful enough to kill the abominations created by the dark gods, called The Primitor. The sword was gifted the power to control it should the wielder choose to.

The Silmeirans struggled to win the lands back, so they guided The Primitor to burrow deep caverns beneath the lands of Sersinara where they retreated for the rest of time. A few, returned to the Feywild, whilst most perished in the fires of war.

Magol grew disdain for the elves who gave up.
Though were it not for their decision to move underground, they would have all perished.

The First King of The Silmeirans, locked the creature away behind a vault where it was protected and with it, created two keys.

You have found one of the two keystones and thus have set in motion a destiny. That which I don’t know yet.
There are those who seek the keystones for their own gain, those who will chase and find you to all ends.

A child you seek may tell of answers you need.

— Laer

During the vision Laer forms two floating keys in her hand that swivel and fly around slowly, showing all angles. She explains:
They were created in the fires of Vinekaro. The Silmeirans anointed key-bearers, those who would protect the locations of the keystones.
She also explains that she's unable to locate the second keystone as its own magic prevents it from being found, the design of the keystones were made in this way.
The Crimson Companions return back into the grove and have a better understanding of the situation at hand. They press on, and continue out of the grove towards the goal of rescuing Tillina Kinato.

The Sleeping Plant

Along their journey, Gnaw'd Rotflesh is attracted to a strange looking flower that is growing on a small little bit of land within a small lake. He attempts to climb above the canopy of trees to reach it. The plant perks up, with Gnaw'd Rotflesh being close and he becomes subject to a sleeping effect. The Crimson Companions form a plan to rescue Gnaw'd Rotflesh surrounded by crocodile infested waters.

- End of Episode -

Campaign Date
30 Unnepi, 602 AE
Session Date
17th August 2020
Chapter
Tale of Two Sisters
Protagonists
Saladar Al Shalim
Gnaw'd Rotflesh
Jascha
Wilhelm Ironbark

Allies/Supporting
Reanna Laerillin
Siona Nathildur

NPC Appearance(s)
Kurt Dhidar
Scarin Nile
Matsuura Hian
Verdan Blackwater
Ruthren Dotsk
Paerun Laerillin
Laer
Iddea

Group Appearance(s)
Verdan's Company
Location(s)
Sersinara
Verdan's Camp