Gurde & Luna

Luna and Gurde have forged an inseparable bond through adventure in the Whispering Forest. Upon an expedition headed by the future Alok, Zerth Vhen'nah, Luna was discovered as she ran from a starved Griffon who was quickly felled by Luna's keen mind and nimble movements. Using the environment to her advantage, she was able to trap the Griffon causing it to be ravaged and slain by razorvine blights. Despite the willingness of the party to aid Luna and investigate the razor vines and the surrounding foliage, they were convinced to retreat by their survival expert, Ck'hass Nek'cahl. 
Meandering further into the mists of the forest, a strange jagged rock that mimicked unrefined amethyst presented itself in their path. While Zerth Vhen'nah and Ck'hass Nk'chal remained unphased, Gormeel Gurde and Ck'hass Aleen'hah became enamored by the strange artifact erected from the ground. Both were charmed, hearing the whispers of promises that would never come true they had become bound to this rock as it drew them near. After the two lucid members attempted to call to them, Gurde, reaching the stone first, attempted to pick the rock up springing the trap of the nearby razor vines as their tendrils swooped in and wrapped themselves around Gurdes leg, tearing and consuming. Zerth Vhen'nah swooped in to hastily pull his consort Aleen'hah out of the way and beyond the range of the rock's influence. Ck'hass Nek'cahl leaped to Gurde, using her blade to cut him free and pull him away from the whipping vines, probing for their meal. 
With dusk on the horizon and Gurde wounded, it was mutually agreed that camp was to be set. After tending to Gurde's wounds with few medicinal supplies, he was laid to rest for the night. Upon awakening in the morning, it was quickly uncovered that his wounds had begun to fester and a poison of some form had been administered during his attack, now eating away at his leg and negatively affecting his mind. Ck'hass Nek'Cahl jury-rigged a makeshift sled of leaves, sticks, and his bedroll to easily carry Gurde's bulk. During this time, Aleen'hah had noted a ruffling in the trees above, spotting a glimmer of grand colors sparkling between trees. Ignoring the fauna of the forest, the travelers packed up preparing to leave, halted by the approach of a seemingly deluded old man approaching from the forest. 
This old man spoke little of grand truths or affirmations only babbing about the apparent dangers of the forest. Nek'Cahl noticed the man had been accompanied by the all too familiar Aye-Aye that perched upon his shoulder, alleviating some of her mistrust. Nevertheless, her resolve stood true as she redirected the attention to her injured fellow, indicating that they had to return him to the outer city for medical attention. Through the haze and unfamiliar terrain they had found themselves lost. The old man offered to guide them back to their desired destination, seemingly telling the truth, the party ventured onward guided by the old man. The fellowship found their temporary destination of rest within a tiny cabin, erected by the hermit in the woods. The design was only large enough for one, potentially two people to inhabit at a time. The rest allowed Aleen'hah and Nek'Cahl to check on Gurde while Vhen'nah and the old man spoke. The respite offered them food for their hungry bellies and information for their hungry minds. The old man revealed himself to be Xo'xaan, a man who has lost much of his mind to age and time. 
Upon further investigation of Vhen'nah, Xo'xaan reached an epiphany, revealing that Vhen'nah had been the being he was seeking. It was Xo'xaan's destiny to aid Vhen'nah in his task to cleanse the rot in the East which Vhen'nah had canderously revealed to the old man. Nek'cahl still skeptical and reluctant to accept the old man's aid scorned Vhen'nah for revealing so much. She had believed the old man was lying to trick them further into the woods. Not accepting of his motives and philosophies, she spitefully agreed to continue on if not only for Vhen'nah and the promises of healing for Gurde.
Continuing their journey deeper into the forest, the old man prattled incomprehensibly to Luna, his newfound companion continuously gazing back at Nek'cahl's waterskin strapped to her waist. This drew the ire of the adventurer and caused her to question his sanity and desire. The old man gestured to her skin and exclaimed his thirst. In an attempt to drop the matter, she poured water into a cup before granting it to the old man. Xoxaan then gifted this necessary liquid to the parched Luna mounted on his shoulder. An act of generosity that would not be forgotten by either of them.
Venturing further into the forest they happened across devastated trees marred by claws and stained by blood. Loud roars filled the air, as they noted their surroundings. Attempting to sneak across the hunting grounds of the unknown creatures, the old man tripped bellowing out a curse. This drew the attention of the creatures as they began to home in on the adventuring party. Continuing forth they took extreme measures to secure their continued discretion in navigating the predators hunting grounds. Vhen'nah took up the burden of Xo'xaan upon his shoulders as Aleen'hah and Nek'cahl both took an end of Gurde's gurney raising him above the ground so as not to leave any tracks. After another near encounter, the adventurers were successfully able to navigate the beast's territory undetected.
Finally, the party reached the gate into the center of the island, marked by the hulking purple wood trees that shot well above the treeline and emanated an extremely arcane aura. Still cautious of Xo'xaan and the unfamiliar territory, Nek'cahl confronted Xo'xaan exclaiming her distrust and concerns about him setting a trap. Upon turning her back to him, she realized that Xo'xaan was replaced by a winged serpent boasting magnificent colors. Xo'xaan tapped his snout on her forehead sending her and her fellows into a dream. While undoubtedly a dream, it appeared to her more like a vision as she lucidly flew through the sky with Xo'xaan and her fellows experiencing the past histories of the sister cities and the significance of the Galk tree. Upon reawakening, 8 hours had passed. Stimulated, the fellowship waited out the night, pondering their purpose and the secret unfolded. 
Awakening in the morning they ventured into the purple forest, witnessing the shanty constructs and floral adornments decorating the forest by those that call it home. Upon approaching the Galk tree, the party confidently strides up to the Galk, drawing the confusion and contempt of the Tulak'Ha'Cha who emerge from the tree's trunks in defense of the Galk. Nek'cahl, disarms herself before approaching, taking a healthy distance before kneeling before the tree and offering it the rations as a sign of respect and purity. The Tulak'Ha'Cha begin to relax, no longer feeling threatened by her presence, and return to their duties. Vhen'nah took the lead in negotiations as Nek'Cahl continued to regain the composer and Aleen'hah tended to Gurde. As Aleen'hah removed Gurde's dressings and freed him from his Gurney presenting him to the Tulak'Ha'Cha, Luna the Aye-Aye mounted Gurde inspecting him much as a curious dog would. She tapped her middle fingers along the wound on his leg imbuing it with a magic she nor anyone else was aware she possessed. The poison itself began to decay in Gurde's body and the Tulak'ha'Cha Shivah's tended to his leg with enchanted herbs and remedies. 
Resting the night, Gurde was able to recover but remained weak. The next morning Vhen'nah conveyed that the Tulak'Ha'Cha welcomed their presence, but would not reward it. If they sought a boon from the Galk tree, it was important that they first be helped with their issue in the forest. The beasts that hunted the lands outside of the purple wood region, terrorize and slay their kin, they must be dealt with. In return, they would be happy to share all of their knowledge and spare a seed of the Galk in pursuit of destroying the rot plaguing the land. Gurde now owning his own faculties again, granted thanks for Luna's aid, swearing an oath to protect Luna's life as she protected his. Nek'cahl understands what they must do and decides to return to the predator's territory in pursuit of ridding the Tulak'Ha'Cha of their reckless hunting. Zerth Vhen'nah and his consort Aleen'hah opt to remain with the Tulak'Ha'Cha in pursuit of any further information that could siphoned about their culture, history, and the world they now live in. Nek'cahl, Gurde, and Luna proceed to return to the hunting grounds of potentially hostile beasts. 
Upon arriving at the thoroughly marked region of the forest, Gurde had recovered from most of his wounds, ready for whatever struck out at them. Asked to stay back, Nek'cahl attempted to sneak up for a better look at the creatures, potentially negotiating with them. Upon stepping into a razor vine trap, his leg was caught and torn into, extracting a howl from within. This howl alerted the creatures of her presence beckoning them forth. After a number of clumsy attempts to free herself, Gurde lumbered in, cutting her free from her bondage. Then the creatures made their debut, flying high they dove from the canopy above hurling tail spikes at the recovering travelers. Grazed by the almost devastating attack from the manticore spikes, Gurde was enraged, reverting to his true Gormeel form. The form of a hulking creature of spikes and purple-grey scales. The manticores dashed through the air above, avoiding the attacks of Nek'cahl and Gurde alike taunting them and revealing their intentions. Verigoth, the male manticore landed some devastating attacks on Gurde that were riposted by Gurde spewing chaos matter onto Verigoths flesh. Nek'cahl, failing to defend against Cerci, the female manticore, threw some jerky from her pack that Cerci chased and began to devour. 
Verigoth noticing the loss of his companion, redirected an attack on Nek'cahl impaling her shoulder with a spike before swooping down to inflict a grievous slash on her back, tearing her tunic. Gurde barreled in pushing the manticore back and stood between them, protecting Nek'cahl. Dodging and weaving through the Manticore's attacks Gurde was able to gain the upper hand after Nek'cahl sent a bolt of shining radiance into the beast, causing it to rear back, Gurde drove his claws into the beast's abdomen, pulling apart as he tore the creature in half as it screamed its final breaths. Returning to the now frightened Cerci, Nek'cahl successfully intimidated it to leave the regions and not return. Gurde removed the head of the fallen Verigoth, returning it to the Tulak'Ha'Cha as proof of services rendered. 
Satisfied, the Tulak'Ha'Cha granted a seed to the fellowship, entrusting it to Vhen'nah who rose with a newfound purpose. The intentions of Vhen'nah were never more clear, he would be the one to cleanse this rot. To him, failure was not an option. Aleen'hah and Nek'cahl continued their adventures with Vhen'nah in curing the rot. On the other hand, Gurde now stricken by his experiences had found a new motivation to remain in the forests with Luna. Reluctant to leave his friends behind, he believed it was his destiny to have found Luna and protect her and the forests were her home. He now travels the forest with Luna aiding in the pursuit of her goals, the goal to find a family.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

As a mysterious design of the Whispering Forest, Luna was born, presumably with no purpose. She was erected and nurtured by the vines of the forest for the first two years of her life. Eventually, her individuality was made manifest as she ventured out to create her spherical nest. Driven by instinct she survived day after day without meaning. This was until loneliness and a lack of belonging began to fester in her soul. This aching fact drove her to venture out into the forest, exploring the world beyond her own, all in the pursuit of finding a partner in life that she could host a family with. 
This endeavor led her to the presence of the Vhen'nah's adventuring party upon their initial visit to the Whispering Forest, where she met Gurde, a being which she saved. In doing so she forged a life debt that saw Gurde take her ambitions as his own. After completing their objective within the Whispering Forest, Gurde swore to remain by Luna's side, protecting her from the dangers posed upon her mission to find a family.

-Gurde, Guardian of Luna

Current Status

Venturing the Whispering Forest in search of Luna's family.

Current Location

Bo'Rau'hl

Species

Slaad

Ethnicity

Gormeel

Age

Unknown

Pronouns

He/Him (Gurde), She/Her (Luna)

Sex

Male (Gurde), Female (Luna)

Eyes

Black (Gurde), Green (Luna)

Hair

None (Gurde), Gray & Black (Luna)

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Purple Gray Scales (Gurde), Black & Gray Fur (Luna)

Height

7'4" (Gurde), 1'3" (Luna)

Weight

766lbs (Gurde), 29lbs (Luna)

-Luna in her adventures through the forest.