Session Twenty-Eight: The White Stag's Resting Place

General Summary

- 13 of Solas -

After the crash of the elemental to the north morning came quickly but with a cloud of ash in the sky. The sun didn't shine as brightly in days past and the heat of the grove was considerably less intense. Yarrow woke and began to make breakfast. The druids gathered themselves and prepared to help Yarrow. Cyrus gathered his thoughts and went to Alabaster.

"We need to figure out where to go to next." Cyrus said to Alabaster who was still relaxing and watching the sunrise.
"Okay, I need to go kill the bandits and their leader." Alabaster calmly informed Cyrus. The Hedge waved over one of the summer path druids. "Hey do you guys need us to help with the ritual thing in Ashbarrow?"
The vulpin looked at him confused a little. "We were sent to come help you and I was under the impression that you were going to help afterwards. But with all the preparations we've made we don't need to have you there if you need to be somewhere else more urgently." Alabaster and Cyrus nodded.
"Okay, Alabaster let me see your map." Alabaster rolled his map down on the hard ground of the grove. "Then why don't we go to Alderheart, Brackenmill, the bandit fortress, and then I want to see why this lone tree on the coast is on the map." Alabaster shrugged.
"Do we need to go to Alderheart? Also fuck Brackenmill." The Hedge was clearly still upset about the goings on in Brackenmill, "Also Alderheart is full of assassins so."
"I need to go. There may be more information about my family or the dancers. Last time we were there we only stayed for a short time on our way to the Avium. This time we'll search." Cyrus looked to Alabaster who shrugged once more.
"Sure."
"Alright then... Are you sure you don't want to help with the ritual? Wasn't it important to you?" The fox looked confused at Alabaster's sudden apathy towards the ritual. Alabaster thought for a moment and then his eyes went wide.
"Fuck the gems. Yeah we have to go back. Is Yarrow done yet?"

Yarrow was in the circle of stone again weeding and grooming. He wanted to take another look at the large gem in the middle of the circle. The large gem was dimmer. Inside he saw writing trailing down. Checking the rocks around he could see that the small cracks along the edges of the stones making the circle were actually inscriptions as well. The language was foreign to him but seemed a little familiar somehow.
Alabaster and Cyrus went to Yarrow and told him their plans. The group agreed and Yarrow told them about the writing. While Yarrow, Cyrus, and Maneba cleaned up the vines from the remaining stones Alabaster began to ritually cast Identify on the gem in the middle of the circle.
The gem was a huge collection of magical energy. The energy seemed to be a mesh of transmutation and conjuration energy and seemed to pierce the plane they were on. The gem seemed to pulse but thankfully didn't speak. Whatever this was it felt like a magical area used for travel.
While they cleared the vines the group also spoke about what to do with Aldous. They decided to let him go and tried to figure out what he would do next. Cyrus worried about him misusing the powerful artefacts he stole. Alabaster said that if he saw him he would kill him. Yarrow merely smiled and added in little cheerful reminders that things would be fine.
As Yarrow pulled out the last of the vines and flowers they began to wilt and decay. The rocks resettled and a large amount of energy seemed to set in place. The circle went dark and the heat from under the stones disappeared. As they looked at the circle Alabaster felt a light buzzing in his bag. Looking inside he saw one of his gems glowing. His mother.
Alabaster panicked and cast Identify on the gem. Like back in Brackenmill he heard his mothers voice but this time he could make out the words better.

"Spirits of the darkness
Shadows of the moonless night
Invisible legions of the world without light
Gather ye now round that all may hear Gather ye now round that all may see Gather ye now round that all may be
In accordance as one Acting as guardians Shielders and protectors
Hiding these forms from the light of day From the senses of the seekers So that even whilst they search in earnest Lo, shall it not be found
So it may be Let it be."

Alabaster had grown since the last time and recognized this more as a spell. His mother was casting something. He repeated the phrase to Yarrow and Cyrus. Cyrus perked up that it sounded like a version of Nondetection. Alabaster looked confused. His mother was a druid, how did she cast Nondetection?
Alabaster looked around at the plants and up at the sky. Pointing at the flowers wilting he asked Yarrow if this was the Darkbringer or not. Yarrow shrugged and pulled out his flute.
Yarrow played his flute and music filled the backs of everyone's minds. The decaying flowers and vines began to glow. They were from the Darkbringer. The stones of the circle began to glow and shimmer. A thick mist began to roll in from the surrounding forest. Yarrow bounced excitedly and moved to the middle of the circle. Sitting on the gem he began to sing a farmers song to praise Hanera and ask her for growth. His singing was beautiful.
As he sang flowers and vines of a different origin started to break through the solidified ash and stone surrounding the circle. Cyrus quickly ran up a nearby tree and Alabaster hid. The Druids looked to the east and in the mist they saw a large glowing light. The light came closer and closer illuminating the mist. Little lights danced around it as it came further into view. The light began to take shape and antlers could be seen.
"It's a god!" Cyrus exclaimed from the tree top.
The light took the form of a large stag and approached the circle. As the stag reached the threshold of the circle Yarrow's song ended and he smiled. The stag looked around and saw the decaying purple flowers and vibrant vines on the ground. It smashed these with one hoof and bowed to Yarrow who bowed back.
Looking around again the stag made the mist form the shape of the great elemental. It showed Yarrow defeating the beast and the core of it falling to the ground. Then it showed that core in the circle of stones. Yarrow smiled.
"Oh that got stolen, but we'll get it back." The white stag's light bloomed and all around it felt a presence of hostility and rage. Cyrus resisted the effect but grew more timid at the display of such strange magics. Alabaster became enraged but being used to the emotion meant it did not effect him greatly. The druids around grabbed their heads and screamed. Yarrow shooed away the great white stag.
"I'm working on it. In the meantime before we find him there is an ice core to the north that might work? Why is the core so important anyway? Isn't it bad?" Yarrow asked in a slightly detached manner. The stag lifted a hoof and the mist took shape once more. In the surrounding area the mist showed rings of stones and trees and within the rings different cores placed in the center.
Then the White stag looked to Yarrow. The mist reshaped to form specific trees from a specific forest. It was the area in the middle of Humblewood where they found those invisible fey being held. The white stag showed a visage of Yarrow moving one of the warding stones from the perimeter and destroying it. The leaves blew and branches broke as if many small creatures were expelling themselves from beyond the threshold of the warding stones. Then the mists showed a shadow of a figure and the core. Little by little bits of the shadow were ripped asunder by unseen assailants until nothing was left.
The stag looked to Yarrow who looked back with a blank expression. The stag then began to move forward and laid down in the ring of circles. The mist became denser and formed around the ring of stones. The druids looked in awe after they collected themselves. Yarrow placed a cookie on the ground near the stag and turned to the others.
"We should leave." The stag bowed its head and a small glow came over the group of them. The druids wasted no time summoning eagles. As they summoned them within the fog the spell appeared differently. The summoned beasts were first forms of light and small wings. They fluttered through the fog and then transformed into the forms of the eagles. Yarrow bounced over to the eagles.
"I thought you didn't like the grove?" Yarrow asked Lexund and Artip. The two eagles looked to him and the stag and then replied, "It's not so bad. We should go though." Cyrus mentioned to the group that they should check on the core of the ice elemental that fell to the north. The group agreed and they flew off.
Once in the air they saw the devastation wrought by the crashing core. The woods were damaged, trees felled, and ash displaced. Frost and snow covered some of the area and they could see blue and steel twinkling from up above. They landed near the epicenter of the crash. The ground was skived deeply and the air was colder here. The group looked around and using Detect Magic Alabaster directed everyone to finding the shards of cold in the ash and soil. They collected 42 shards of the elemental core and then started to head to Ashbarrow. Yarrow spent the time on the way out to dump the corpses found in Gifu's bag of colding.

---

They arrived in Ashbarrow to see the druids and healer's moving around town at Bonda's behest. Bonda saw them approach and as they landed she came to Alabaster.
"Is all well then? Is everyone okay?" Bonda asked nervously looking around. Alabaster shrugged.
"Eh, We beat the big fire boy but we were betrayed by Aldous." Alabaster looked off north towards the grove and Cyrus chimed in, "He put the core of the creature into the Borealis and then summoned an ice creature to attack us." Bonda and the druids looked at the party.
"Borealis?" Bonda looked confused.
"You had the Borealis!? I suppose that explains the strong magics used by your friend... Why didn't I realize that?" Taru began to mutter to himself in dismay.
"Yeah! We got it from Dustclaw!" Yarrow happily told the druid elders. They both looked to him in shock. "The scorched grove should be safer now. Don't go to the center of it though that belongs to the white stag now." Bonda looked nervously to Taru who nodded solemnly. Cyrus held out his paw at Bonda.
"Baby need money!" Bonda looked at him blankly. "Baby need money to do things! We can't save the grove without some money!" Bonda looked around and then sternly back at Cyrus.
"No, we've given much and I need my resources to take care of my people. I thank you for what you've done but I cannot give you any of our funds at this time under these circumstances." Cyrus shrugged and turned away.
"We'll get hte core back of fairies will rip the person who took it apart so I wouldn't worry." Yarrow said smiling causing a chill to go down Cyrus and the druid elder's spine. Yarrow then hopped to the front of town and went to some of the greener plants there to tell them what happened and to let Oakheart know.
Bonda looked to Alabaster. "The ritual. We are to dismantle it and you are here to help?"
"Yes, I need the gems. I'm trying to save people. Please give me the gems." Alabaster said impatiently. Bonda nodded and motioned for the surrounding druids and healers to return to their homes. They hesitated for a moment and Yarrow turned towards them and began to give another speech about their importance and the work that needed to be done. It went over very well and Yarrow seemed to glimmer a bit while talking to the group. Other healers and druids of higher rank came to the group and they made their way down to the ritual room.
Bonda's plan was to have groups of druids doing different things. Some would cast dispel on the ritual and the gems involved. Some would be focused on getting the people down from the pikes that were through them. The rest would heal the people as they got down to try and save as many as possible.
Bonda looked at the group and motioned at the room. "Anything else? Does my plan suffice? Do you have any suggestions or personal expertise that may help." The group looked around shrugged at one another.
"I suck dick real good." Cyrus said with a smirk.
"I'll use Prestidigitation on the blood when it stops glowing to help clean it up so it doesn't reactivate?" Alabaster said shrugging. Bonda nodded and Cyrus began playing some calming music. Yarrow moved over to the younger druid on the pike and joined the healers there.
Everyone got into place and they waited for Bonda. Bonda gave the signal and the druids cast dispel on the ritual from all angles. The light in the room went out as the blood stopped glowing. The gems in the back of the people dimmed and they began to wake up, screaming. Alabaster used his magic to clean the blood from the channel below. The healers did their work as druids brought the victims off the pikes. The crystal gem in the air in the middle of the room began to fall.
Alabaster looked to the crystal gem and started to move towards it. He ran and jumped to try and catch the gem but fell just short of it. Then something moved him and he slid forward. The crystal gem fell into his paws. Cyrus cast Dancing Lights to illuminate the room. Yarrow saw the older druid in trouble and cast Healing Word saving the druids life.
The victims were still screaming. Alabaster got up and grabbed one of the gems from the ritual and held it to the person. A soft gentle magical healing flowed from the gem but the victim didn't stop their screaming.
Alabaster turned to the young druid and cast Detect Thoughts. The surface thoughts of the young druid was merely screaming and terror. Alabaster probed with no resistance from the druid. A large experience loomed in the druids mind. They were in an alley between buildings in Ashbarrow clawing, pulling, desperate to get out of the darkness and into the lit town square. A soft voice could be heard. It was Gifu. "Shhhh be still. All will be well. Worry not young one." Alabaster reeled from the terror and horror present in the mind.
Yarrow used a sleeping potion on the young druid knocking them out. Bonda told the group that they needed to bring them to the healer's house. Taru went to the surface to tell the healers and druids to clear the area as not to upset them.
Yarrow turned towards the group. "Let's try to break one of the gems on the bandits." Yarrow suggested to a frustrated Alabaster.
"These are people" He angrily informed the Tola holding a gem. Yarrow looked confused.
"It might help them?" Yarrow said inflaming Alabaster's anger.
"It won't." He said sternly. Cyrus motioned at the gem in his hand. "Should I break this? Are the victims trapped in them?"
"No! It's a different person! Don't break any gems!" Alabaster went around and collected all of the gems. Cyrus took one to look at himself and Alabaster told him, "It's mine when you're done."
Taru returned and with the surface ready the group gathered the victims, bound and gagged them, and brought them up. They quickly got the victims set up in the healers house. After everyone settled Taru informed Bonda that Tevor and his druids ran earlier in the battle. Bonda took this information in and looked to the group.
"Thank you for your help. What will you do now?" She asked the group. They looked at each other and discussed a few things. Yarrow turned to her, "We will go to Meadowfern and then Alderheart. Also watch out for Ash snakes. They'll probably come here now that you aren't protected." The group decided to go within the hour but they would spend time to get ready.
Alabaster spent his time to Identify the new gems he received. The gems used in the ritual were soul gems. They contained people and as usual their last thoughts were present. "Master Gifu! You're hurt! How did this happen? Of course I can" "Of course I can heal them Master Gifu but who are they? Well no matter." "Oh, the poor pup got hurt. Of course I can heal him sir, you are so kind." "Master Gifu you need me to heal you? Why not Tanca? Oh, of course." "Isn't this a bandit? ... You're right, a life is a life." "Yes Tanca of course I can. I've gotten much better since last time." The other thing about the gems is that these ones seemed to give off a small amount of healing at a constant rate. Instead of having charges these seemed to be a smaller effect, mainly a constant healing.
The hedge was a little bothered but was getting used to hearing people's dying thoughts. He then turned focus to the large crystal gem and grimaced. Reluctantly he cast his spell on the crystal gem. The item began to whisper warnings to him, not in a voice so much as a presence. It told him where he could escape and how and what threats were nearby. It gently but constantly put out small tactics out psychically. This crystal was a handle and could make light around it solid forming a shield. If one was attuned to this shield they would be immune to all Evocation magics. They also would be unable to cast any evocation magics or use items of the school.
Yarrow went to the edge of town and cast Locate Animals or Plants searching for ash snakes. No ash snakes were located within range of the town and Yarrow went back to talking to the plants.
Cyrus had a moment to himself. He looked around and cast a spell as quietly as he could.
Cyrus cast Sending to his mother.

"I hope you can hear this. It's Cyrus. I'm trying to find a way to get you back. I miss you. I'll come home soon."
...

There was no response. In the heavy silence Cyrus gathered himself and sent to Uyncis.

"It's Cyrus. I'm coming back to Brackenmill soon! I wanted to take you up on that date you promised me. Where can I find ya?"
"Fantastic. We've been doing well here. There is almost no bandit activity. I would love a date. I'm in charge of the perch guard now. Find me in the barracks. <3"

Cyrus bounced at the reply from Uyncis. He would have to convince people to go to Brackenmill now.
The group regathered and Yarrow informed the druids of using their magic to locate the ash snakes. Alabaster told Cyrus of the nature of the healing gems and allowed him to keep one. The party then looked over the map and decided where to go next. Cyrus suggested that they go to Meadowfern and then Alderheart but before they go to the Bandit Hideout they should stop by Brackenmill. Alabaster called him a slut but the group agreed.
Maneba came by and asked the party if they could go with them. Maneba wanted to get away from the Tenders and go to a large city to try and find themselves. The group happily agreed and Yarrow summoned the eagles. Yarrow talked to them and they happily took the party on and took off.
As Bonda winded down that night and went to her bed she found a note from Yarrow with a handmade map and an area pointed out.

"May or may not be a large amount of fairies that will end up in the scorched grove. When this happens, since some of them will be man eaters, music and sweets will be your best friend when dealing with them. Also there is a ring of barrier stones here that might help you on how to contain them. Yours truly, Yarrow."

---

The party landed in Meadowfern. Yarrow got off the eagles and tapped out to his family that guests were here. Sorrel Fermata opened the door and ushered them to come in. The group quickly entered seeing most of the Fermata family. The lastnames were there, Aiden had food and his sister was helping him deliver it. Sage and Allium were running around causing a ruckus with Basil not far behind trying to grab her brothers. Mayapple hugged Yarrow and told the party to sit down and rest. Cyrus asked where Kathon was and Mayapple said she was downstairs in her room. Yarrow began to tell stories of their adventures, changing his appearance with his new hat of disguise for each character, while Alabaster relaxed with the family. 
Kathon was down in her room as Cyrus came downstairs. Kathon smiled and came to Cyrus.
"How are you Kathon?" The vulpin asked. 
"I'm doing fine here. I've decided to do the ritual here but I still need rubies. I'll be safe once the ritual is complete and I can help the Fermata's as well." Kathon said gravely.
"I'm going to Alderheart. Once there I will try to find you some rubies. I need to find many things there." Cyrus was calm but Kathon immediately began to panic.
"Don't! That city is full of assassins! The Calcar are nobles! No one can be trusted! I was in Alderheart last before Brackenmill and I had to abandon the dancers who were with me there to get out alive!" Kathon was beside herself. 
"Oh, Do you know the names of the other dancers or what they look like? I am going." Cyrus looked stern and calm scaring Kathon a bit. 
"If you do go to Alderheart find Lota and Adas they are dancers of transmutation. They always travel together and are a bit too playful. They are both Luma. I had to leave them behind though because they were a bit too silly even in hiding and refused to leave the city. They believed they could hide among the population with greater ease." Kathon reluctantly informed Cyrus. Cyrus nodded and thanked here. 
Yarrow continued to tell stories. As he got to the sections of him learning alchemy Vera popped up and went to one of the bookcases. She grabbed a book and came over to her brother and handed it to him. 
The front door opened and a nervous Crioth entered. In a panic he asked Yarrow, Petunia, and Mayapple to come with him outside. Alabaster and Cyrus came as well and the other siblings pressed their faces against the front window to watch. Crioth first pointed to Yarrow and Petunia.
"I'm sorry," Then he turned to Mayapple, " There are fogs rolling in the forests. The fey folk have gained strength somehow. It will no longer be safe to travel the woods at night especially inbetween the doorway hours." Cyrus and Alabaster looked confusingly at Crioth, "The doorway hours are at the peak of night between 11pm and 1am. To travel or pass through doorways could lead you to the lands of the fey with no way of coming back." Crioth looked at Yarrow and Petunia, "You may have to deal with more, I'm sorry"
"What do you have? What did you do?" Cyrus asked concerned now.
"The white stag is back. It has taken the Scorched Grove since we fixed it." Yarrow said cheerfully. 
"Oh," Crioth said with a little bit of fear in his voice before turning to Cyrus, "Did you find any rubies on your journey young one?" Cyrus looked at him and with half pursed lips and a glare retorted, "Sure, now ask me if I have them." Crioth looked at the vulpin a bit confused. "Do you have the-" "Nope!" Crioth blinked for a moment and then continued. "You know the spell Kathon wants to cast and we need rubies for it. It could protect even me." Cyrus looked around in his pockets flamboyantly. "Oh wow, I didn't know that! Ask me if I have them now, wow, no I don't!"
Mayapple asked Crioth to send to all the kids not at home. He agreed and they went inside. 
Cyrus took a moment and then decided to send to his father.

"I hope you can hear this. It's Cyrus. I'm trying to find a way to get you back. I miss you. I'll come home soon."
...

No response. Cyrus sent to his sister lilly.

"I hope you can hear this. It's Cyrus. I'm trying to find a way to get you back. I miss you. I'll come home soon." ...

Alabaster took time and decided to send to Flandal. If they were going to stop in Brackenmill they may as well get more items to help them on their journy.

" I'm gonna be stopping by soonish, need rubies and you're gonna give them to me, trying to prevent something happening to you and your research"
"My research! Me! FLANDAL STEELSKIN! Well come to me then, you were quite interesting. We could craft wonders together. But how do you know where I-"

Alabaster began to get flustered. He wasn't in Brackenmill anymore.

"Where are you? I need to talk to you immediately. Also you only get 25 words to respond to these. Also don't travel at night."
"Me! FLANDAL STEELSKIN! I'm on a boat. I'm on my way to the crystal kingdom to make the greatest creations in the universe! PErfect, Wonderful, Beautiful, -"

The hedge grew more and more annoyed with the crazed Mapach. He would have to choose his words well.

"Yarrow said it's full of fairies there. We need you to come back RIGHT NOW or science and magic will be destroyed forever!"
"Science and magic! NO! Fairies! On a boat? I made a pair of shoes that create walls of fire. My new friends will help me to-"

Alabaster burned through all his spell slots. He would have to wait until tomorrow to talk to Flandal again. 
The group all hunkered down for the night in the cozy home of the Fermata's. Yarrow continued his crafting and contemplated sneaking away in the night to fulfill his new mission from the white stag.

Report Date

10 Aug 2020