DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3Y.A1 - Shadowtop Cathedral

Pavel

That was a good question Pavel thought. Then his thoughts turned to his magic. He doubted that even that would be welcome here considering the potential of collateral damage.

"I'd better swap to spells that are friendlier to the forest if so."

Zindra

"Olostin’s Hold? That's where the others are headed, chasing down the dwarf..." she mused.

Turning to Pavel she says, "Yeah, seems smart. Less fire."

And to the others, "So I guess we follow the path to Shadowtop Cathedral. I think we take our weapons with us. We may need them to defend the forest."

Davroar

While he would like to retrieve his few metal weapons and his backpack of supplies, he will wait for the dryad to answer his question to confirm that they are ok to take their weapons up to Shadowtop Cathedral.

DM

The dryad smiles toward Davroar. "You may take your weapons with you once you leave this circle. The sanctity lies here, not upon the road beyond. The wild is not forbidden to war, only this grove."

Her attention shifts to the small creatures who still linger: the recently-mended rabbit, its companion, the fox whose hunger has been sated.

"These creatures were not born to this grove. They were brought, that you might see the work of balance with your hands as well as your words. When you depart, I will return them to their homes, unharmed and no longer wanting, yet they will take up their daily struggles again just as the four of you will." A glance at Whisper. "Five." Returning her attention to Davroar, she concludes, "You may find more danger if you venture beyond the old growth, and your weapons may serve you there. Not all who enter the edges of the forest are welcome."

She turns her gaze toward Pavel next, noting his concern regarding fire. "Your magic is a weapon and is no different than your bows and blades. You may find it useful as a tool. But should you wish to align more with the forest, choose magic that does not harm, yet changes the shape of what might be. A mind calmed instead of broken. A creature slowed rather than struck. Time stretched like breathing, so that choice may find space to act. These are the magics the forest favors, when strength alone is not enough."

There is no rebuke in her voice. Only a gentle suggestion how to relay Pavel's concern into more than he may know.

To Zindra, she inclines her head.

"The forest is not fragile. It endures storms, winters, and ages. What threatens it now is not one blade nor one spark, but a shifting of scale. Giants tread where they did not move before. The oath you bear is not to stand apart from that struggle, but to stand within it. To understand what turns the balance and help tilt the scales back."

As the party seems to have concluded their questions, the dryad concludes.

"If ever you have need of me again, speak my name to the trees, and they will relay your message. I am Rowen, keeper of this grove, voice of its balance."

Jaliera

She takes a deep breath, savouring the peace of this place for one last moment before they return to their more familiar world.

Pavel

Pavel thought long and hard about the advice given to him. He thought of the fight with the undead giant and compared it to his fight with the fire giant. Both left him battered but less so with the undead giant.

"I hear your advice, and I am intrigued. Perhaps I can find a better balance going forward."

Zindra

Thankful for the guidance and information, she knows their mission is incomplete. This was just a step in the right directions. Meeting Turlang at Shadowtop Cathedral was next. She was eager to move forward and took note of the possibility of hostilities they were warned to be wary of as they began their trek.

She bowed to the dryad and looked for path that the forest was guiding them on and when the others were ready, she proceeded.

Davroar

"Thanks Rowen." Davroar gives her a slight bow in parting and seeing that everyone is ready to go, he turns back the way that they came to find his gear where he left it.

Once he has everything, he says, "If everyone's ready, let's get to Shadowtop Cathedral." Davroar will lead the way again, trusting the forest to open the path to it. Hopefully they will get there with what remaining daylight they have.

DM

The party departs the grove.

The feel of ancient magic surrounding the area is palpable, and as they move away from it and retrieve their weapons, its loss can be sensed.

The trees and shrubs clearly bend and part and reorient the group on a path toward Shadowtop Cathedral, with the balance of the day still ahead of them. Alas, it is unlikely they'll arrive before dark.

OOC: It's 46 miles from Noanar's Hold to Shadowtop Cathedral. 24 miles per day is your normal pace; even with "Fast" movement, 30 miles per day is your limit. TLDR: It's a two-day journey.

IC-wise, you're dealing with Turlang's slower movement as he's on his way to meet you there. So all y'all should figure out where (in relation to geography, such as the Dessarin River) and how (no Tiny Hut, alas!) you're going to spend the night.

Pavel

Pavel follows them out and collects the gear he left behind.

OOC: Got nothing like that. Closest is Rope trick but only good for an hour. Other than that would have to set up spell traps (and even then doubt the duration would last for the entire time.

Jaliera

She too collects her gear. And likely Meadow too.

"Davroar, any idea how much further we have to travel?"

OOC: You are in a forest with Awakened Trees and Shrubs that might agree to help you out if you ask them nicely.

Davroar

The weight of their mission once again sits across his shoulders as he exists the sacred grove as he wishes he could stay. Remembering the one map he looked at a long time ago showed that Shadowtop Cathedral was still a good distance in from the forests edge. Taking a guess he says, "Reach it late tomorrow, but more likely another full day, Jaliera."

He is trusting the ways of the ancient forest to lead them to Shadowtop Cathedral.

"Perhaps you can have Whisper take a look above the trees to see how far we still have to go. Should see a raised section of the forest ahead."

Jaliera

"OK I can do that."

She sends Whisper aloft.

"We'll need to find a campsite before dark then."

DM

Through Whisper's eyes, Jaliera sees an endless sea of green, making individual landmarks nearly impossible to distinguish. The High Forest is simply too vast and too dense. Whatever Shadowtop Cathedral is, it lies somewhere beyond Whisper's sight line. The world simply curves away before revealing it.

The forest seems to be cooperating with them, guiding them occasionally around denser parts of the forest but keeping them traveling along unobstructed paths.

...


As darkness falls, the trees guide the party to a small clearing, appearing a comfortable spot to camp. A small spring provides water, and there's evidence of previous parties creating a small fire there to keep warm. Around the boundary, there are ample trees and shrubs to provide shelter from the elements.

The forest around them has ample small creatures available to hunt, should the party prefer them to consuming saved rations. Both predators and prey roam the area and there is nothing that would imply taking enough to eat would be frowned upon. Here in the older growth, it does seem a world apart from the human realm, but it is still a world in which nature runs its course.

Quiet murmurs from a few trees indicate they will keep watch and the party should rest for their journey.

It seems they'll have a restful night.... and ample warning if anything were to disturb them.

...

But nothing does disturb, and the dawn arrives. As the party stirs, a shrub comments that they can reach Shadowtop Cathedral by the afternoon....

Jaliera

She is really starting to feel at home here. She loves her two animal companions Meadow and Whisper and finds being in the vicinity of others within the peaceful forest is more than comfortable.

She stretches.

"Haven't slept so well in ages."

Zindra

The huntress had supplied some fresh meat for dinner, starts repacking her backpack and replies.

"A good night's rest was welcome indeed. Well, today should be interesting. I've never met Turlang but he rules this forest."

Davroar

He could not resist natures call, so he hunted for his food as a wolf last night, returning late to their small camp. Waking up back in his human form, Davroar will just eat from his dried rations this morning, saying "Good morning" to everyone.

He nods in agreement with Zindra, and adds, "Yes, this Turlang sounds intimidating."

Pavel

Even a restful night sleep left him slightly dazed by all the Unnatural Nature The trees were down right gossipy in his eyes. But he remained vigilant and largely quiet.

Davroar

After finishing his breakfast he notices Pavel being more quiet than usual. "Everything good, Pavel?" Davraor looks around to see if there is anything amiss. For him the talking bushes have become rather normal to him since entering High Forest.

Pavel

"Just a little unnerving Davroar. Afraid to say anything because it might come out wrong. Don't want to mess things up for everyone." Pavel said quietly in case they are being overheard.

Davroar

"I WOOD not worry too much. The trees are somewhat stuck in their ways." Davroar gives a smile to Pavel hoping his attempt at humour might cheer him up.

DM

The forest guides you east once more, the sunlight filtering down through the towering canopy. The terrain grows subtly steeper as the land begins to rise toward the heart of the ancient wood. The air is cooler here, rich with damp earth and pine resin, and the paths feel older, more deliberate.

By early afternoon, their maps and suggestions from their forest guides imply they are likely within an hour of their destination. But here, the forest changes again.

The birdsong quiets somewhat. The undergrowth pulls back into wider, quieter stretches of moss and loam. Even the awakened shrubs fall silent, as though listening for something deeper.

And then—something breaks the rhythm.

Not along your path. Across it.

A broad section of moss several yards to the north is disturbed, torn up in a long, uneven gouge as if something heavy was dragged sideways through the undergrowth. Ferns are crushed flat. A thin smear of dark, dried blood streaks across the exposed roots of a fallen log—leading away from your eastward route, not along it.

Those experienced in tracking would immediately recognize the tracks as very recent. On the scale of minutes, rather than hours.

Pavel

"Looks like something big got dragged across the trail. Somehow I don't think it is of the forest's doing. Not with those gouges to the earth." Pavel says kneeling to get a better look.

Jaliera

She immediately checks in with Whisper to see what she can discern.