Session 27
This chapter begins differently to most. As we close in on a new hero, one who has just closed his shop for the day. A ratfolk living on the Northern fringe of Silvaantar. It would not be long however, until he was accosted by a disgruntled man claiming that his solution to his "problem" had not worked. The ratfolk, sighing, gave the man a full refund and retreated to his workshop for the evening to continue his works. By drinking much coffee and by burning the candle at both ends he toiled away at his latest work.
On the other side of SIlvaantar, having just left the residence of Meddyr, Liaden O'Legal and the others found themselves at an awkward conversation. Liaden needed to go and see her wife, an event that the others were keenly interested in witnessing. Liaden, however, was not very interested in having her private life become a spectacle and, kindly, asked them to bugger off.
Naturally, the party followed Liaden as she walked from one side of town to the other. Anxiety building in her, all the while the others talked about what snacks they should get. Oryim decided it would be best if he took a detour to get snacks and met back up with the others at the orphanage. Unfortunately for Oryim though, he was new to town and had lost site of his comrades. At least he had an armfull of roasted nuts and other vegetarian snacks though.
Having made it to Talo-Sali house, Liaden pleaded with Kalydin and Sam Calas. This was a very personal and important conversation that she didn't want to have in their presence. Disappointed that they would have to miss the drama, the two of them went in search of a tavern where they could at least get drunk at.
As Liaden knocked on the heavy wooden doors of the orphanage, she heard the voice of her wife call out asking one of the older kids to open the door. Liaden stood in silence as the door heaved open slowly. Sasha, a young elven girl gazed up at her, her eyes widening with recognition. Before Liaden could speak the girl had wrapped her arms around Liaden's waist in a tight hug. She sobbed softly against Liaden as Liaden comforted her. It wouldn't be long before Sasha took Liaden by the hand, her hand holding tightly in fear of ever letting go again. Sasha lead Liaden into the building, out of Sam and Kalydin's lines of site.
Fortunately for Sam and Kalydin, there was an inn and tavern nearby, by the name of "The Olive Branch." The two of them partook in the traditional activity that new travellers do when faced with where to lay their weary heads, they purchased the most expensive alcohol and drank the night away. Kalydin, his days spent drinking now payed off as he shrugged of the effects of the elven liquor. Sam, unfortunately, found this more difficult. Perhaps being brought back from the dead made one a lightweight. It was fortunate that Sam was such a lightweight though, as his singing is what lead Oryim to them. Kalydin and Sam rejoiced as snacks were handed out, however, once again Oryim was burdened with adult responsibility and organised lodgings for the party.
Meanwhile, in Talo-Sali house, Liaden was lead to the dining room by Sasha. As she stood in the doorway her wife, Zilara, entered with plates stacked up to her chin. Upon seeing Liaden for the first time in about 18 months, all she could do was sigh and continue setting the table. Dejected, Liaden tried to help as a sign of good will, to which she was promptly told to get out of the way. What followed was an awkward dinner between the two surrounded by orphaned children.
After dinner, Zilara asked the older kids to clean up while she retreated to her room with a bottle of dark green liquid. Concerned, Liaden followed her standing outside her closed door for a moment before knocking. Zilara answered the door and invited Liaden inside to talk. She pulled out the chair to her desk, sat on the bed and motioned for Liaden to sit opposite her.
Before Zilara could speak, Liaden pulled out a journal she had been keeping filled with poems and drawings of things her wife would've liked. After handing it to Zilara and a moment of awkward silence, Zilara scolded her for having paper and ink and still deciding not to write. It was then that, Liaden noticed out of the corner of her eye a small shrine with a picture of her at its top next to her good boots. Now it was Zilara's turn to talk. Choking back tears she told Liaden that, once she stopped writing, she got worried. After long enough, she thought she was dead. And, just a short time ago, she believed it; holding a burial of sorts for Liaden. With this knowledge, everything started to make sense to Liaden. The children gawping at her all evening, Sasha's tearful response to her return and most of all Zilara's exhausted expression.
Liaden apologised, placing her hand softly onto Zilara's knee. Zilara pulled away, saying that she needed some time. She still loved Liaden, but she couldn't do this right now. She finished by saying that some of the orphans had left in the night a month ago to try and find Liaden or her body, and that she would never be able to forgive Liaden for that. Fighting and failing to hold back her tears, she stood up to leave. As she made it to the door, she told Liaden to take her good boots with her this time. Feeling at her lowest, Liaden left the orphanage, deciding instead to stay at the local inn, The Olive Branch.
The following morning, Sam was feeling a little worse for wear. Not hung-over but still not 100%. Kalydin, as spry as ever, wanted more of the liquor for himself. So he decided to look for some form of apothecary or alchemist which he could pay to make him a bottle. Conveniently, there was one across the road, having just opened for the day. Kalydin dragged the others along with him to the small shop run by a small ratfolk. Upon entering, Kalydin made a beeline to the counter, asking if the nice man could make alcohol of considerable strength.
The ratfolk had pulled an all nighter, attempting to construct his latest magnum opus. He was used to people coming in to complain about his products not acting as expected, but this was different. Not only were these people asking for something so rudementary that he couldn't fail to produce it, but they also appeared to be outsiders like himself. He decided to oblige the Half-elf in front of him, explaining that he produced the Elven Absinthe they had imbibed in last night, but that he only sells them in bulk quantities and would therefore be asking a bulk price.
Kalydin decided to change tact. While he had the funds and the desire for the strong alcohol, he figured his money could be better spent. He started by asking the alchemist his name, introducing himself and the rest of the party. The ratfolk responded by introducing himself as Pokziq 'Pox' Skirvet. Kalydin proceeded to ask Pox what they had in store and if they had anything for their friend's unique problem. Pox, used to this kind of language, immidiately assumed that Kalydin was referring to himself, and that his problem was impotence. Pox informed Kalydin that he had a mixture that could help, placing a premade vial on the table and asking for 1 silver piece in return.
Liaden, while this conversation was happening, winced. She knew the conversation was about her and that her problem was the one he was trying to solve. Kalydin gladly bought the vial and very proudly handed it to Liaden who gently took it and placed it back on the counter asking for a refund. Confused, Pox slowly drew back the vial and slid the silver piece back across the table. Pox asked if impotence was the problem to which Kalydin, very embarassed, said no. He explained that Both Oryim and Liaden were going mad as their souls were taken prisoner by the Elder Beings.
Pox, at the mention of this, started to watch the two of them more closely. There was nothing more dangerous that madmen in an alchemist's store. Oryim, at this point, started to see the sky changing colours and the clouds forming new shapes. Liaden began to hear whispers, telling her "The trees can't be trusted..." Just as Pox was about to speak again, there was a knock on his door. Standing in the open doorway was a Silvaantan Ranger.
The Ranger immediately recognise may catch her up to speed on what has been happening in Silvaantar recently. The ranger, Henan, explained as they walked that the trees in some of their groves have been acting strange lately. The druids have always applied primal magic to help them grow and to maintain a connection to the land and to The World, but for the last few days, some of the trees have not been growing despite having received more primal energy than before.
Upon arriving t the grove, they all immediately noticed something wrong. The trees had begun to shed leaves, something these trees were not supposed to do. Pox inspected the leaves carefully, while the others inspected the trees. The trees continued to move, groaning softly in sylvan as they did so. Pox turned the leaf over in his hand. It was dry with no sign of vigor in it. These trees were dead. As he made that statement, Henan asked if he was sure. To which Pox stated he was positive. Henan, filled with urgency stated that he needed to get a druid immediately. And began to run to find help.
As Henan left Sam sniffed the air, a familiar scent on it that his nose now was attuned to. Not the scent of death, but of unlife. These trees weren't dead, they were infected with undeath. As he told the others, the tree nearest to Pox began to groan angrily and hungrily. They wanted blood and flesh. What followed was a gruesome fight. The trees moving surprisingly quickly, able to turn their blunt branches into slashing blades that cut deeply into the flesh of our heroes. With quick thinking, Sam was able to shift his blade into an axe to help fell the trees, while Kalydin used his divine magic to damage the now undead plants.
Pox, reeling from the fact that most of his stock was back at his shop, had to improvise, creating fire and radiant concoctions that burst in an attempt to damage the trees. The improvised nature of his assult resulted in his bombs missing their mark as the tall grass began to catch fire. As Sam felled one of the undead trees, it fell onto the flames. Pox knew immediately that this would result in catastrophe if he didn't solve this problem quickly. So he dashed toward the tree and threw a vial full of water onto it to douse the flames and moisten the wood now resting upon a patch of scorched earth.
As he turned to face the other trees, a branch caught him across the face knocking him unconscious. As Kalydin blasted the trees with magic, Seraph spiked another tree, causing it to topple from its uprooted base. Unfortunately, the direction of the spike caused it to topple onto the unconcious body of Pox. As Liaden noticed this, she darted over to his body administering battledfield first aid. Now conscious again, Pox placed a crumpled cigarette into his mouth lit it and pulled out another adhoc bomb of radiant light. He mumbled the words "I quit."n as he hurled the bomb across the field landing squarely between the last trees branches. The radient energy of the holy bomb was enough to annihilate the necrotic force within it, causing the tree to lurch into lifelessness.
On the other side of SIlvaantar, having just left the residence of Meddyr, Liaden O'Legal and the others found themselves at an awkward conversation. Liaden needed to go and see her wife, an event that the others were keenly interested in witnessing. Liaden, however, was not very interested in having her private life become a spectacle and, kindly, asked them to bugger off.
Naturally, the party followed Liaden as she walked from one side of town to the other. Anxiety building in her, all the while the others talked about what snacks they should get. Oryim decided it would be best if he took a detour to get snacks and met back up with the others at the orphanage. Unfortunately for Oryim though, he was new to town and had lost site of his comrades. At least he had an armfull of roasted nuts and other vegetarian snacks though.
Having made it to Talo-Sali house, Liaden pleaded with Kalydin and Sam Calas. This was a very personal and important conversation that she didn't want to have in their presence. Disappointed that they would have to miss the drama, the two of them went in search of a tavern where they could at least get drunk at.
As Liaden knocked on the heavy wooden doors of the orphanage, she heard the voice of her wife call out asking one of the older kids to open the door. Liaden stood in silence as the door heaved open slowly. Sasha, a young elven girl gazed up at her, her eyes widening with recognition. Before Liaden could speak the girl had wrapped her arms around Liaden's waist in a tight hug. She sobbed softly against Liaden as Liaden comforted her. It wouldn't be long before Sasha took Liaden by the hand, her hand holding tightly in fear of ever letting go again. Sasha lead Liaden into the building, out of Sam and Kalydin's lines of site.
Fortunately for Sam and Kalydin, there was an inn and tavern nearby, by the name of "The Olive Branch." The two of them partook in the traditional activity that new travellers do when faced with where to lay their weary heads, they purchased the most expensive alcohol and drank the night away. Kalydin, his days spent drinking now payed off as he shrugged of the effects of the elven liquor. Sam, unfortunately, found this more difficult. Perhaps being brought back from the dead made one a lightweight. It was fortunate that Sam was such a lightweight though, as his singing is what lead Oryim to them. Kalydin and Sam rejoiced as snacks were handed out, however, once again Oryim was burdened with adult responsibility and organised lodgings for the party.
Meanwhile, in Talo-Sali house, Liaden was lead to the dining room by Sasha. As she stood in the doorway her wife, Zilara, entered with plates stacked up to her chin. Upon seeing Liaden for the first time in about 18 months, all she could do was sigh and continue setting the table. Dejected, Liaden tried to help as a sign of good will, to which she was promptly told to get out of the way. What followed was an awkward dinner between the two surrounded by orphaned children.
After dinner, Zilara asked the older kids to clean up while she retreated to her room with a bottle of dark green liquid. Concerned, Liaden followed her standing outside her closed door for a moment before knocking. Zilara answered the door and invited Liaden inside to talk. She pulled out the chair to her desk, sat on the bed and motioned for Liaden to sit opposite her.
Before Zilara could speak, Liaden pulled out a journal she had been keeping filled with poems and drawings of things her wife would've liked. After handing it to Zilara and a moment of awkward silence, Zilara scolded her for having paper and ink and still deciding not to write. It was then that, Liaden noticed out of the corner of her eye a small shrine with a picture of her at its top next to her good boots. Now it was Zilara's turn to talk. Choking back tears she told Liaden that, once she stopped writing, she got worried. After long enough, she thought she was dead. And, just a short time ago, she believed it; holding a burial of sorts for Liaden. With this knowledge, everything started to make sense to Liaden. The children gawping at her all evening, Sasha's tearful response to her return and most of all Zilara's exhausted expression.
Liaden apologised, placing her hand softly onto Zilara's knee. Zilara pulled away, saying that she needed some time. She still loved Liaden, but she couldn't do this right now. She finished by saying that some of the orphans had left in the night a month ago to try and find Liaden or her body, and that she would never be able to forgive Liaden for that. Fighting and failing to hold back her tears, she stood up to leave. As she made it to the door, she told Liaden to take her good boots with her this time. Feeling at her lowest, Liaden left the orphanage, deciding instead to stay at the local inn, The Olive Branch.
The following morning, Sam was feeling a little worse for wear. Not hung-over but still not 100%. Kalydin, as spry as ever, wanted more of the liquor for himself. So he decided to look for some form of apothecary or alchemist which he could pay to make him a bottle. Conveniently, there was one across the road, having just opened for the day. Kalydin dragged the others along with him to the small shop run by a small ratfolk. Upon entering, Kalydin made a beeline to the counter, asking if the nice man could make alcohol of considerable strength.
The ratfolk had pulled an all nighter, attempting to construct his latest magnum opus. He was used to people coming in to complain about his products not acting as expected, but this was different. Not only were these people asking for something so rudementary that he couldn't fail to produce it, but they also appeared to be outsiders like himself. He decided to oblige the Half-elf in front of him, explaining that he produced the Elven Absinthe they had imbibed in last night, but that he only sells them in bulk quantities and would therefore be asking a bulk price.
Kalydin decided to change tact. While he had the funds and the desire for the strong alcohol, he figured his money could be better spent. He started by asking the alchemist his name, introducing himself and the rest of the party. The ratfolk responded by introducing himself as Pokziq 'Pox' Skirvet. Kalydin proceeded to ask Pox what they had in store and if they had anything for their friend's unique problem. Pox, used to this kind of language, immidiately assumed that Kalydin was referring to himself, and that his problem was impotence. Pox informed Kalydin that he had a mixture that could help, placing a premade vial on the table and asking for 1 silver piece in return.
Liaden, while this conversation was happening, winced. She knew the conversation was about her and that her problem was the one he was trying to solve. Kalydin gladly bought the vial and very proudly handed it to Liaden who gently took it and placed it back on the counter asking for a refund. Confused, Pox slowly drew back the vial and slid the silver piece back across the table. Pox asked if impotence was the problem to which Kalydin, very embarassed, said no. He explained that Both Oryim and Liaden were going mad as their souls were taken prisoner by the Elder Beings.
Pox, at the mention of this, started to watch the two of them more closely. There was nothing more dangerous that madmen in an alchemist's store. Oryim, at this point, started to see the sky changing colours and the clouds forming new shapes. Liaden began to hear whispers, telling her "The trees can't be trusted..." Just as Pox was about to speak again, there was a knock on his door. Standing in the open doorway was a Silvaantan Ranger.
The Ranger immediately recognise may catch her up to speed on what has been happening in Silvaantar recently. The ranger, Henan, explained as they walked that the trees in some of their groves have been acting strange lately. The druids have always applied primal magic to help them grow and to maintain a connection to the land and to The World, but for the last few days, some of the trees have not been growing despite having received more primal energy than before.
Upon arriving t the grove, they all immediately noticed something wrong. The trees had begun to shed leaves, something these trees were not supposed to do. Pox inspected the leaves carefully, while the others inspected the trees. The trees continued to move, groaning softly in sylvan as they did so. Pox turned the leaf over in his hand. It was dry with no sign of vigor in it. These trees were dead. As he made that statement, Henan asked if he was sure. To which Pox stated he was positive. Henan, filled with urgency stated that he needed to get a druid immediately. And began to run to find help.
As Henan left Sam sniffed the air, a familiar scent on it that his nose now was attuned to. Not the scent of death, but of unlife. These trees weren't dead, they were infected with undeath. As he told the others, the tree nearest to Pox began to groan angrily and hungrily. They wanted blood and flesh. What followed was a gruesome fight. The trees moving surprisingly quickly, able to turn their blunt branches into slashing blades that cut deeply into the flesh of our heroes. With quick thinking, Sam was able to shift his blade into an axe to help fell the trees, while Kalydin used his divine magic to damage the now undead plants.
Pox, reeling from the fact that most of his stock was back at his shop, had to improvise, creating fire and radiant concoctions that burst in an attempt to damage the trees. The improvised nature of his assult resulted in his bombs missing their mark as the tall grass began to catch fire. As Sam felled one of the undead trees, it fell onto the flames. Pox knew immediately that this would result in catastrophe if he didn't solve this problem quickly. So he dashed toward the tree and threw a vial full of water onto it to douse the flames and moisten the wood now resting upon a patch of scorched earth.
As he turned to face the other trees, a branch caught him across the face knocking him unconscious. As Kalydin blasted the trees with magic, Seraph spiked another tree, causing it to topple from its uprooted base. Unfortunately, the direction of the spike caused it to topple onto the unconcious body of Pox. As Liaden noticed this, she darted over to his body administering battledfield first aid. Now conscious again, Pox placed a crumpled cigarette into his mouth lit it and pulled out another adhoc bomb of radiant light. He mumbled the words "I quit."n as he hurled the bomb across the field landing squarely between the last trees branches. The radient energy of the holy bomb was enough to annihilate the necrotic force within it, causing the tree to lurch into lifelessness.
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