15th day of Rainmoot to 1st day of Palesun 1492
Mission: Seeking information in Silverymoon
Campaign: Saving the Druid Grove of Karion
Location(s): Silverymoon
Present: Aerie, Anor, Aramil, Garet, Heimund, Karion, Paskan,
Karion: "Should we
be expected to perform a trial or test at a certain time to gain entry to where
the stone is to be restored and does the stone require restoration during a
certain lunar phase?"
Alustrial: "You would need to ask the grandfather tree."
23rd:
Alustrial: "Welcome young Karion, ask your second question".
Karion: "Who or what are the Tree Ghost Tribes?"
Alustrial: "The Grandfather Tree is considered hallowed ground to both the
barbarian tribes of the north and other inhabitants of the High Forest, such as
satyrs, Wood Elves and possibly even some Orc tribes. The Grandfather Tree is also considered sacred to a number of
forest spirits, such as Dryads and Treants, and a number of deities. These
deities include Eldath, Mielikki, Rillifane, Rallathil and Silvanus."
27th:
Alustrial: "Welcome young Karion, ask your third question".
Karion: "Is there a map, route, directions to the
Grandfather Tree?"
Alustrial: "There are two paths. One is to follow the old elven road, it is longer, it may not be there and may take you past some dangerous places. The other is to head for Olostins Hold and leave your horses there and find your own path to the Grandfather Tree using your skills in the forest. The forest is no place for horses, nor beasts of burden"
30th:
Karion thought long and hard about what his fourth and final question should be.
Q4: Are you aware or have other Druids passed on information pertaining to a wider evil influence effecting other Druid Groves not just mine.
A4: As far as I am aware, I have heard of no other Druid Grove, Elven or otherwise effected by a similar blight. I feel that this is localised to your Grove specifically and has something to do with your mother.
It
was at the Golden Oak Inn (C3) that the party had taken temporary residence in, Aerie
was sat comfortably on Garet’s lap as she enjoyed an ale and the light-hearted
banter between members, Aerie reflected on the past month or so. After the
Battle for Triboar, the party had left for Silverymoon in pursuit of
information in regard to Karion's plight, and in search of training that would
help members hone their skills. They had been in Silverymoon for some time now
and were quite settled into their routine.
Aerie knew she would ask the elf druid on his return from the High Palace (H3) over a mug of ale and contemplating how to ask him for more details on his situation as she wasn't sure of the whole story, when the sound of the inn door opening drew her attention. In the doorway stood an all-too familiar young wizard, one who looked more distracted and out of it than usual. His gaze landing on the party, he seemed to hesitate before making his way over to the group. Behind him came the young elf druid, Karion. He had a tale to tell he informed the group. He was at the High Palace when the guards had asked him to vouch for a sudden, unexpected arrival from The Blackstaff Tower in Waterdeep. Seemingly the trip by teleportation circle had caught Aramil by surprise and for several minutes was bemused and confused as to where he was, who he was and why he was standing in the High Palace. All he kept saying was “I am the Protector of Triboar, Slayer of Blue Dragons”, over and over again. So, of course Karion said he had had to vouch for the young lad and he brought him straight to the inn they all shared. Aramils horse had been stabled there too.
Without thought Aerie's face smoothed into the unreadable mask that the elves were famous for as greetings were exchanged between the newly returned Aramil and the present party. She watched and listened as she added her own cool greeting, noting the young wizard seemed... shell-shocked to say the least. Something had definitely happened in the month he'd been away, having gone a different path than the party when they left Yartar. Her suspicions were only heightened when he shot her a glance that seemed to all but scream "HELP!" It was obvious enough that Garet caught it and she felt the relaxed grip on her hip tighten slightly. Her elven stone face firmly in place she brought her hand down to gently squeeze the Monks hand before looking coolly to the obviously out of it, wizard.
"Come with me, Aramil. I get the feeling you need to talk about something." Using Garet's shoulder as leverage, Aerie rose and began to lead Aramil to the room she and Garet had been sharing, not bothering to see if the young wizard was following her. Opening the door she paused and looked back, noting that he was hot on her heels and was already moving into the room, words pouring from his mouth as soon as she closed the door behind them. Her face impassive and unreadable, she perched on the bed and watched Aramil pace as he told her everything.
Susan was pregnant with his child, and he wanted her advice on how to balance his life as an adventurer, as well as not only as a father to be, but also a husband to be. How she managed to remain calm, cool and impossible to read, she wasn't sure- but she thanked the Winged Mother as she was sure she had a hand in it. It was as clear to her now, as the heavens were above the clouds: Aramil was nothing more than another human with elven blood. It had become apparent to her over the course of some of their... incidents together but now it was inescapably evident. She'd hoped the apparent lack of regard for other lives he'd displayed when sending her Aarakocra ally (and nearly herself) to a fiery grave was just inexperience or naivety, but now she saw. The impatience, the destructiveness, the lack of regard for lives that he deemed lesser than his own, and the single-minded pursuit of his own goals... he was just a human with pointier than normal ears. He'd solidified this with his decisions. She didn't blame him for sleeping with the human woman, as one's tastes were none of her concern- plenty of elves had experimented with the short-lived race, hence the reason that the half-elves existed; but this was another matter entirely. She'd taught him how procreation worked and had warned him not to "sow his seed in fertile grounds" until he was prepared for the consequences of his actions- but perhaps she hadn't been clear enough.
Her chin resting on steepled fingers, every inch of her the cold, distant, unreadable elf that most humans saw when they communicated with her kind, Aerie eyed Aramil as he continued to pace and vent. He couldn't decide how to tell the party of his... situation, as he didn't want to disappoint them, but expressed the strong need to be there for "his future wife and unborn child when it comes into the world" unaware of just how disgusted and furious the Chosen of Aerdrie Faenya truly was. As an embodiment of one of the elvish ways of life, she was incensed at the perceived betrayal of elven kind.
While half-elves were normally looked upon in disdain by her kind, Aerie herself had no real issue with them- so long as they remained true to their elven heritage. This was, as far as she was concerned, the opposite. She figured he thought he was doing the right thing, in marrying the human woman to avoid making their abomination of a child a bastard, but she couldn't give him credit for this; as in her eyes, he was choosing to follow his human blood. Watching the wizard continue to word-vomit, Aerie couldn't help but to reflect on how different he and Garet were. Both were half-elf, and yet went opposing ways in life. Garet strove (and succeeded as far as she was concerned) to protect the elvish way of life, whilst Aramil pursued his own desires- much like a human.
Once he was done, seemingly out of breath and words, Aerie released a small, quiet sigh. Regardless of the path he took, he was a member of her party- for better or worse. He did save her life by destroying the dragon that still haunted her nightmares, so she owed him at least a shred of respect. With that in mind, she swallowed her fury and disgust, and spoke calmly, coolly and respectfully.
Aerie: "Well... I'd say you've certainly gotten yourself in one hell of a pickle, there ha- Aramil. You want my advice?" At his slow nod, Aerie offered him a thin smile.
"You've made your bed, now it is time to lay in it. All actions have consequences, as I warned you when I first taught you about sex and procreation. You have, as far as I can tell, two choices. Continue being the child that runs from that which doesn't suit his desired outcome; or step up and be a man- a provider and protector for his family. If you work hard enough, and think it through, you can balance your personal life with that of an adventurer. Everyone in the party has a life outside of our adventures, and we all work to allow each member to address their personal life priorities, as well as putting our lives on the line for not only the safety and security of Faerun- but also each other. We put our lives in each other's hands with every fight, so unless you endanger our lives with your actions; I can't see the rest of the party taking any real issue with your circumstances- personal opinions aside anyways. They may tease you and will probably buy you a drink or two in celebration of this new life, and new path that you walk down; but we're certainly not going to give you the boot for this. Now. Rent yourself a room, take some time to think, and decide just how you're going to lay in the bed you've made for yourself."
With that, Aerie stood and made her way back to the group, internally applauding herself for remaining calm and logical. She couldn't let personal feelings get in the way of the party unity- no matter who the members were, and what they choose to do.Aramil sat down and after countless questions began to recount the tale of his journey after the group left Yartar:
From the Journal of Aramil the Evoker:
It is three days since the end of the battle at Triboar,
the festive celebrations have been completed, repair and restoration are the
local populations new challenge. At least the new garrison once formed will make Triboar a better place,
at least safer for the population, hopefully. Gifts bestowed and honours given
in gratitude.
Aramil received a very special family heirloom, a family
until days ago he knew nothing about. Another ring, one more protective for
him. Now as he sat waiting for the barge to take him from Yartar and onto
Womford he wondered what reception he would get from Susaen and ‘father’ let
alone the ‘pack of hounds’ her brothers might turn out to be, he didn’t want a
repeat of the last horrible encounter. How he missed Susaen, he wanted so much
to be with her, talk to her, learn about her and her family, he wanted to tell
her what little of life he had lead so far.
The six days of the barge dragged terribly, yes, he was
comfortable enough, the gods knew how rough it had been at times, so a bed sack
was comfort, the food acceptable, he bought most of it himself so he only had
himself to blame if it wasn’t. The other ‘travellers’ kept themselves much to
themselves, and Aramil was quite happy with that, he thought long and hard
about his time with Elminster and at Axeholme, a little excited at the thought
of his own apothecary, well initial lab at the moment, everyone starts off in a
small way.
The weather held, cold and damp mornings but once the sun
was out the day passed brighter, but as he drew closer to Womford the
butterflies started to appear, scared, no, nervous of the reception he might
get, that he was.
The barge moored up late afternoon on the 12th March,
his only thought Susaen, but it had been a while since he was last there, first
he needed a place to stop at least for tonight, the only place he could think
of was the inn where he had met Susaen and Elminster’s stories, he hoped that
Susaen may even be there…as he entered the inn he felt disappointed, no sign of
her at all…and a new inn keeper, best say nothing its getting late and dark,
just book in get a meal and head up to bed. Tomorrow
will be better, with a fresh start he thought, well hoped.
Aramil didn’t get a good night’s sleep at all, far too many
thoughts, what if’s what maybe’s, he tossed and turned most of the night,
eventually falling asleep just
as daylight was dawning. The smell of breakfast woke him, he washed
dressed and headed down to
eat.
As best as he could, he struggled to remember the route to
Susaen’s he got lost more than once, it was frustrating and upsetting, then
more by good luck than anything else he recognised the gnarled door,
Stoneshaper engraved or crudely carved above the doorway. Apprehensive he
approached the door, breathed in, paused and knocked, nothing. He waited paused
and knocked again louder this time,
still no answer, he knocked a third
time, ’alrit alrit I’m comin wait yer urry’
came the recognisable gruff voice, father was home. Aramil took a depth
breath, the door opened stood
before him was the man mountain that was Susaen’s father
‘YOU’ the damn god’s cheek be lay upon you, you have done
enough damage in these parts, get away with you, I told yer last time bugger
orf yer aint welcome here’! With that the door was slammed in Aramil’s face.
Aramil knocked and knocked he pleaded to speak with him, he
needed to see Susaen, he loved her he needed to be with her. ‘I tolden yer
bugger orf you dun enough damage as it is, now bugger orf, before I sets er
brothers on yer’
PLEASE I need to see her, I need to talk to you. Silence
was his answer. After two
hours or more of sitting at the door. Aramil figured he wasn’t going to get anywhere with this, he would
try again tomorrow, just hope he didn’t ‘bump’ into the brothers grim,
and what the hell ‘damage’ had he done? it just didn’t make
sense to him.
That afternoon Aramil spent in his room, out of sight and
potential of meeting the brothers. Another long, unsettled night and things
were not going well for him he had not seen Susaen, her father was
still as unwelcoming, even more so he felt this time, things were not going
as he had hoped at all.
The next morning, the 14th the sun was out
early, Aramil was up, washed and breakfast done, he remembered the way to the
house and was there much earlier than yesterday. He felt a little more certain
of his approach, he had a right to see Susaen, her father needed to accept
Aramil’s desire to see her. As he stood and knocked, he waited, and again knocked,
this time no gruff voice, the door opened there stood her father, he looked
Aramil up and down, looking very displeased. Aramil opened his mouth to say his peace he had been rehearsing in his
head through most of the night and all the way up to the cottage, he didn’t get
to say a word. ‘persitant
bugger aint yer, suppose yer ad better come in den’.
Aramil was shocked, he was caught off guard, uneasy at the
complete change in father’s attitude, was he walking into a fight, the brothers
ready to tear him apart for
whatever the ‘damage’ was he had been accused of doing?
‘Sit yer sen down’ Aramil did as he was told, no sign of
the brothers, as yet. We need’s ter talk, well yur dus an I am listinin…so say yer piece an it
better be a goodun’. The talk went on for what seemed like hours, Aramil answered all the
father’s questions, well those that he could. The father wasn’t into any
understanding ‘of all yer
majic stuff’ but was happier to see Aramil’s true feelings toward Susaen.
Her father didn’t necessarily ‘warm’ to Aramil but he was
more relaxed toward him seeing that Aramil really did appear to care for his
only daughter. Aramil was truly sorry at the news of the loss of Triss,
Susaen’s mother, and explained how he had lost his mother and father.
Her father laughed when Aramil asked about the ‘pack of
hounds’, and assured him they would be held at bay, that he should be away now,
and that if he came back tomorrow morning, he would allow him to see Susaen.
Aramil sensed he wasn’t going to get any further with her father today. He
thanked her father for allowing him to talk to him and assured him he would be
back tomorrow morning at the same time.
Aramil felt almost light headed he would see his girl, for
the third night he couldn’t sleep very well, but for different reasons, he just
didn’t know what damage he had done and his father would say nothing when asked
just stare very intimidatingly.
The next morning Aamil was first down to breakfast,
finished and out the door before any other person had ventured down to
breakfast. He was early but he was keen.
He waited, didn’t want to upset anyone or anything, he was going to see
‘his girl’.
The half hour wait was excruciating, every minute seemed
like an hour. He waited not one second longer than he had to. He knocked and
waited, he didn’t need to knock a second time, the door opened, father nodded
and Aramil followed him in. There was not his girl, but the brute of the eldest
brother Aegor who worked with his father as a ‘stonemason’ well stone shaper to be more precise. The brother said
nothing just stared at Aramil, not a pleasant stare, more one of ‘I would like to smash yer face
in’ type stare.
Aegor said nothing, father spoke briefly with Aramil, then
with the simplest of nods Aegor left the house without a word spoken between
him and Aramil. Silence ensued, until after a short while the door opened and in walked
Susaen, Aramil’s heart leapt, he was up out of the chair arms wide open, Susaen
burst into tears, they both did, cuddles and hugs…then Aramil stepped back
looking at her, something was different, he didn’t know, wasn’t sure, but
something was different about her….
She sat down, looked at Aramil, and then dropped the bomb
shell…Aramil I am pregnant….Aramil went pail, visibly shocked, he didn’t think
he had heard properly he stopped short of the be a good un’. ultra-stupid
questions, how and are you sure and the worst question, is it mine, of that
there was no doubt, three months pregnant.
Now Aramil understood the ‘damage’, well it wasn’t damage
to him, far too early in his life but
it was what it was, she was his first love, and she would be his last.
The day past at the cottage, as the day went on the two other brothers made an appearance, Braedar the middle son was a tree feller, or cutter, who exuded a complete who cares attitude toward Aramil, your problem you deal with it, was about the most of an impression Aramil got from him. The youngest Haerman just three years older than Susaen and clearly the closest to her in emotions was also the ‘intelligent’ one. He was apprentice to the town’s brewer understanding more about alchemy, well hops and barley and yeast brewing. The brothers more inclined to drinking than making the stuff was father’s opinion.
Aramil visited the home every day, went out walking with
Susaen and they planned, or at least hoped the plan for their life together
would work. He explained about his group, the group that had been at Womford,
how he had met them all, his parents no longer alive, he tried to explain about
the Black Staff Tower but this was just to much for Susaen, but she was happy
Aramil was clearly besotted with her. He
explained he would not be able to be with her right now, things were happening,
big things he had to be part of, but he would make every effort to be with her
when the time came for the baby to be born, and yes, they would be married, one
day.
He explained about his desire to take up a post at the
Black Staff Tower, teaching. Yes, he did have his own home, he talked with
affection about it. Susaen
was worried she had never been anywhere other than Womford, but was keen to see
his or possibly their own home. She spoke openly of her worries of leaving
father behind but the ‘boys’ would not leave Womford and despite their own
ambitions for family etc they would always be close to father, and as Aramil
said they would visit as often as they could.
The only vague element of conversation that Aramil felt
awkward about was time When would he be able to commit fully to Susaen and the
Black Staff Tower? Susaen sensed this but didn’t push Aramil to commit, well
other than he damn well better be there for the birth, or else!
The morning of the 19th came far too soon for
Aramil, he had only had four days with Susaen, he thanked the father for
allowing him to put things straight, well sort of even though the father was
still at best ‘distant’ toward Aramil. Haerman came with Susean to see Aramil
off on the barge on the trip to the Southern Landing near Waterdeep. Tears from
both Susaen and Aramil as the barge departed.
Early afternoon two days later and Aramil stood at the door
of his home, untouched logs as he had left them all that time ago, the key
exactly where he had left it, the same familiar piles of dust collected. Aramil
spent the night at his home, cooked the last of the rabbit stew he had bought
at Womford and readied himself for an early departure to the Black Staff Tower
the next morning.
The next few weeks were spent in transcribing spells into
his Jade Tomb of the moon spell book from the Haggs and Bards spell books that
he had been given. Those spells he did
not understand or felt he didn’t need would make excellent scrolls, he could
sell or no doubt be used somewhere, somehow in the future.
On the last morning Aramil met with the Black Staff Tower
principle, they discussed Aramil’s adventures or at least those he could talk
about. His news of his future fatherhood raised an eyebrow, but lead nicely for
Aramil into restating his long-term desire to become at the very least a tutor
at the tower, and with his own home so close by…he left the seed sewn, not for
the first time the conversation had been pushed in that direction by Aramil.
The conversation ended with a discussion about the artefact
Aramil had handed in the last time he was at the Black Staff Tower and was
pleasantly surprised at the answer and indeed the payment of 100 gold pieces by
the chancellery for the item and the use of one free teleportation to get him
back to the group in Silverymoon.
At least Aramil wouldn’t have to spend almost three weeks
getting back to the group and at no extra cost. The spell translation and
correlation had cost him almost all his funds and it was a year before he would
get his first gift payment from Triboar.
No doubt most of that money would be needed for Susaen and
the little one. Well kids were expensive, and a wedding as well. Aramil hoped the group
would understand when the time came for his need to be with Susaen for the birth.
Aramil was struggling to get the events straight in his head ‘mixed blessings’ were all that came to mind, he had destroyed his jade tomb of the moon, one of the spells he had copied across wrong and the final one so badly it destroyed the spell book….. he had been so careless, never had this happened before, he wasn’t focussed enough, again his head was spinning, to be a father, at 21 he was bewildered. How would the group take the news? It had cost him almost all his gold and at the end of it nothing to show for it, but as the principle said at least no one got hurt and you have learnt a valuable lesson, ‘stay focussed’. At least the Principle had kindly paid via the chancellery 100 Gold pieces for the artefact that he handed in last time he was at the Black Staff Tower, mixed blessings he thought to himself. As they walked to the teleportation room, Aramil was delighted at the thought of not having to spend three weeks travelling back to meet the group somewhere in Silverymoon. But he wasn’t so sure about the actual ‘travel’. He knew nothing of it or its effects or how it worked…again he thought ‘mixed blessings’.His mind wandering, he didn’t realise they had reached the teleportation room, the principle continued….make sure you have all your belongings firmly strapped to you. Aramil placed his bag of holding over one shoulder letting it hang down the other side of his body. He repeated this with his satchel bag that he had hanging on the other side. He firmly clasped his Glass Staff. The Principle surveyed the young wizard with a slight smile and nodded. He continued, keep your hands to your sides, feet slightly apart. Good the principle said and with that nodded. Almost immediately the room started to revolve, slowly at first, ever gaining momentum, Aramil knew he was standing still but the rapidly increasing spinning round and round made him so dizzy, his legs became wobbly, really wobbly, he felt sick, worse than when Susaen had first dropped the bomb shell ‘I’m pregnant’. Then he felt himself being lifted up off the floor, he was spinning around as if in the centre of a cloud, rising up, up and then with a huge flash of light he was slowing down, still spinning, tumbling upside down, back to front, falling, he felt like his insides were being pulled out through his throat, ‘oh hell he thought, now what? The next thing he knew, he was seeing visions of him in Triboar, the blue dragon no more, the group scattered, kneeling, but this has already happened, he thought. I don’t understand, where am I? why am I back in Triboar, this isn’t Silverymoon, where are the group? What is happening, what has gone wrong?
He heard a voice, he couldn’t identify from where his head was still spinning, ‘Identify yourself’ came the challenge, without trying to think, Aramil couldn’t his head was still spinning and he felt so sick, ‘I am the slayer of blue dragons the protector of Triboar’ he couldn’t say anything else, his head was a complete fog, all he could repeat time and again was ‘I am the slayer of blue dragons, the protector of Triboar’. Aramil tried to walk, rather step of the point where he had landed, he fell off the platform of the teleport he had arrived on, his legs still so unsteady, struggling to stand upright he saw two guards. One spoke to the other, a nod and one disappeared. A few minutes later, Aramil still babbling, I am the slayer of Blue Dragons, the protector of Triboar the guard returned with Karion who Aramil recognised. The last time he saw him he was at Triboar with the group when Aramil and Elminster had made the all but vital arrival at the very last moments of the battle of Triboar. The recollection of Karion and where he had last seen him set Aramil of all over again, ‘I am the slayer of Blue Dragons, the protector of Triboar’. The guard spoke with Karion. Aramil’s head still not cleared properly but enough to understand that Karion had vouched for him. Karion, a Druid wood elf, he had joined the party before Aramil departed to study with Elminster. Aramil thanked Karion for vouching for him and asked, ‘so why are the group all here in Silverymoon’? Karion explained as they walked to where the group were all staying. After the meeting in Triboar, we decided to venture this way. The group felt it was necessary to assist me with a plight that has affected my home. We also spent some time here training and honing our skills. I was called to the High Palace by Alustrial Silvermoon to ask four questions regarding my home grove.” Aramil asked where are the group staying, is it far from the palace, his legs still weren’t co-operating fully? To which Karion gave Aramil a stare and went on….. It’s a place called the Golden Oak, it’s quite a walk there. What I have been told by Alustrial, I must seek out the Grandfather Tree for the answers I seek. The tree itself is deep within the High Forest and the forests surrounding the tree are hallowed ground. If we’re to venture through the forest, we must be respectful to the land and the forest. I can only hope to get answers from the Grandfather Tree and find a way to remove this blight on my home.” Aramil wasn’t feeling at full strength, as they were approaching the inn he turned to Karion asking, what is the task or mission the group have committed to, and who is it for…..Our task is the restoration of my home grove. You may have noticed this pouch I’ve kept to my side. Inside the pouch is an Aira-Nar, or a home stone. The stone is linked to the grove I came from and to the Archdruid, my mother. At first, I thought the elemental imbalance caused by the elemental cultists would be the cause of the blight. As it turns out, this was not the case. Whatever this blight is, it is causing the lands around the grove to wither and the wildlife become increasingly aggressive. I feel time is of the essence regarding my grove. The fate of this stone is tied to my mother and the grove we keep. My sister is the current caretaker. There’s only so much she can do to maintain the balance before whatever has corrupted the grove begins to affect her as well. I know this is quite a lot to take in for one so young and I’m sure there’s much on your mind. My only hope is that we’re not too late to purify the stone and restore the balance that maintains the grove.”
As they approached the inn Karion asked Aramil to keep the noise down he was attracting attention, Aramil hadn’t noticed that his voice wasn’t yet fully under control along with his legs, his ‘volume button’ needed resetting. Karion opened the door and entered the Inn, with ‘mixed blessings’ Aramil saw the group, and Aerie perched on Garret’s lap…Aramil’s head screamed ‘HELP’ I need to talk to you. Almost instant recognition from Aerie, she placed her hand ever so gently on Garret’s shoulder, rose and with the faintest of smiles said, Aramil you look like you need to talk, come with me. One of the group who shall remain nameless said nice to see you back my friend, but need to talk? You look like shit my friend. With that Aramil was swiftly following Aerie toward her and Garret’s room.
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