DM Kathy Friday August 26th, 2022 11:20:05 PM
You gather yourselves and your animals, organize yourselves into a marching order, and resume your journey.
You continue for another three hours or so before coming to a grove of trees. There are oak, spruce, alder, and maple trees, all clustered around an enormous yew. Knowledge Nature DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { The yew tree is thousands of years old!}
Even for the Culverwood, these trees are unusually large and healthy-looking. Knowledge Nature DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {It is likely they are homes for dryads.}
Moss grows thick on the ground here, and a little brook trickles through a corner of the grove. Apart from the brook, there is little sound; the hush is oddly pleasant. The whole place smells green and fresh.
Ash consults the lodestone, which swings back and forth. It would appear you have arrived at your destination.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Saturday August 27th, 2022 5:21:43 AM (ooc: not rolling dice, both DCs are in the range that as long as she is not distracted and can Take10 on the Knowledge check, she would just know)
Sahabiel bows her head reverently in the presence of a living tree of such great age, and she greets the grouping of trees with a curtsy. Speaking Sylvan, and doing so in a tone of voice that suggests respect as like she were speaking to royalty, she greets; <"May the sun and moon shine on you, may gentle wind caress you, may peace be ever yours.">. She waits a few moments before daring to ask; <"We were called, and this call has brought us to here before you. Was it by your will?">.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Saturday August 27th, 2022 3:08:51 PM
Panzer hears the silence descend on the 'wood as they approach the clearing. What survival tells him and any other hunter about sudden silence is that the creatures in the surrounding area sense a threat and go silent so as not to be attacked. In one fluid motion he drops into a crouch. His main hand knife drawn and a wand being pulled in his off hand. He doesn't understand what Sahabiel is saying. The tone sounds reverent, but he sees no one for her to actually speak to. He waits to see what unfolds before tapping himself with the wand.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Sunday August 28th, 2022 1:30:10 AM
Ash whispers to the group. It seems like a whispering moment. "That tree there is thousands of years old. Also, these trees around us look like they might be the homes of some dryads. Let's try and appear friendly"
Ash's greeting may not be perceived as reverent as Sahabiel's, but it's still friendly. She speaks fluent sylvan and elven, but opts to speak in common.
"Hi there! I'm Ash!" She slowly turns and waves at the area around her. "We found this stone by our settlement and it directed us here. There was also a voice telling us to come and 'find us'. Was that you?" She holds up the stone in case someone is actually watching them right now.
Ash realises a group of armed people might be a bit alarming, and if they didn't understand the context of the fight with the viper vine it could also look a bit suspect. "We don't mean any harm. We might not look it, but we really are friendly! If you didn't call us here then I'm sorry if we disturbed you. We'll leave you in peace if you'd prefer."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Monday August 29th, 2022 8:53:52 AM
Beech keeps the seed palmed.... His basic understanding was plants plus fire equals fire wins... He wasn't into doing unto others first, but he was ready to return if done unto....
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 d20+14=26 ; Monday August 29th, 2022 9:12:05 AM
Lothlo looks around at the gigantic trees. A dryad's home? I suppose that makes sense, but if a dryad called us here they would have had a hard time traveling the distance to leave the loadstone to guide us. And if they had someone else leave it I wonder why they wouldn't have reached out to us directly.
Lothlo looks around the grove for signs they are being watched or are in danger.
Perception = 26
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20=8 ; Monday August 29th, 2022 1:03:03 PM
OOC why is Lothlo down HP? IC Know nature(unskilled) 8 Panzer heard Ash's words and laughed out loud. He sheathed his knife and stowed the wand. He was blushing under his fur. This place was akin to a cathedral to Sahabiel, of course she spoke in Sylvan and reverently. Of course he had read the signs wrong. Wasn't that what he was best at, missing social ques? He tried to recall what he knew about dryads, but all he knew were old wives tales. They were the forester's boogeyman, Charming the foresters to serve them and abandon chopping down trees. They lived not in a tree but INSIDE a tree, and supposedly they were bound to stay within a certain radius of it or fall ill. That might explain their need for help, it would also explain the musical singsong words of 'come find us' that the lodestone expresses when it was made into a compass. Panzer laced his hands in front of himself and waited for the denizen's of the circle to respond. This was far from the fight he had at first anticipated.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Monday August 29th, 2022 1:03:38 PM
Nightingale has a huge smile on her face. Those close to her can hear her humming, but not dancing, yet.
OOC: I think I need for her to pick up Know: Nature, she doesn't have it
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d20+10=27 ; d20+10=19 ; Monday August 29th, 2022 8:12:55 PM
Naithi stress stares in awe and wonder at the old growth trees. Something about the place seems to ask for revenant silence for the moment.
Knowledge Nate t= 31 Knowledge Nate= 23 +4 added for Forest Walk in the Culverwood
DM Kathy Monday August 29th, 2022 10:13:01 PM Sahabiel offers a blessing in Sylvan.
Panzer, alarmed by the absence of animal noises, goes on alert.
Beech is also on alert.
Ash says that this grove is home to dryads and that the yew tree is thousands of years old.
[OOC: if you have a minute, search for images of ancient yews. They're really cool-looking.]
Lothlo wonders how dryads would be able to make it all the way to their grove. He looks around, but sees nothing untoward.
Nightingale and Naithi simply take in the scene.
Panzer, relieved by Ash's explanation, relaxes his posture of alertness.
Although you have addresed the dryads respectfully, and in Sylvan, nothing happens yet. It is getting to be late afternoon; the shadows are getting long. You are beginning to wonder whether it would be disrespectful to set up camp here, when a young dryad steps out of an alder tree.
"Oh!" she exclaims, then continues in Sylvan, Highlight to display spoiler: {"I didn't know anybody was here."}
As minutes go by, more dryads begin to emerge. An older dryad steps out of a stately old oak tree and moves directly toward your group. Although she is slender and graceful like all dryads, she somehow manages to look matronly as well. "Hello," she says in common. "My name is Quercia. Welcome to our home. Are you the ones from the druid grove?"
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday August 29th, 2022 10:55:26 PM
Sahabiel, who is not entirely surprised at having to be patient in any dealings with the fey, repeats her respectful greeting and follows up with a reply to the elder dryad, <"You honor us with your welcome. A fledgling grove I will call ours at best, but it was in our grove that a compass that lead us here turned up nonetheless. My name is Sahabiel, in service to the Culverwood. Here with me are Naithi who is a druid, Nightingale and Ash, who heed Queen Maab, and other allies of various talents.">
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday August 29th, 2022 11:40:41 PM
"Quercia, it is so good to meet you and your people. I am Zazu, and my companion is Boyo. It is as Sahabiel says -- we all respect and some love the Culverwood, and a magical summons led us here to lend a hand."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 d20+7=9 ; Tuesday August 30th, 2022 2:40:11 AM "Hi there! I'm Ash" she gives a wave to Quercia and to the other dryads nearby. For some reason it doesn't feel like a 'handshake' moment just yet.
She thinks back to when she first heard the voice saying 'find us', and tries to work out if it sounded like Quercia.
Ash looks around and up to the tops of these mighty tree. "These trees really are magnificent. I can see why you'd live here. That one alone is surely several thousand years old". It never hurts to compliment someone's home
She tries to get a feel for the crowd to see how they feel about the party being here.
------------- Sense Motive: 9 - to get a sense of how the other dryads are feeling right now Perception: 19
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday August 30th, 2022 5:30:42 AM
Beech, is not introducing himself, but will remain quiet. He will give his name if asked, but is still ready. They either called us, or whatever is associated with them....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday August 30th, 2022 12:27:54 PM
Nightingale also gives Quercia a bow, then grins at her, "I love your tree. She is tall and wise. I am sure that butterflies and birds alight in her branches to bask in the sunlight."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Tuesday August 30th, 2022 4:52:45 PM
Panzer smiles with relief as Quercia greets the group in the common tongue. He was not looking forward to needing a translation of what went on here. When it is his turn he bows and says , " Panzer Braun Ma'am. I would like to thank you for speaking plainly in the common tongue. I prefer to make up my own mind on things and that is hard when the words need to be translated for me. It seems that as the lodestone asked we have done. We found you, what is it you would like to speak about?."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday August 30th, 2022 8:34:02 PM
Sahabiel, for the moment, will wait patiently for Quercia to speak again. She hopes this encounter will go easy on her companions... she probably is going to owe Beech an apology for not having done more to prepare those of them that are not entirely comfortable around the fey. Pixies, sprites and leshy are one thing, powerful fey like dryads quite another. And this is not one, but a whole cluster of them... she can almost feel the ancient power permeating this area. Panzer was not wrong when he likened this place to a cathedral, at least in some aspects.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday August 30th, 2022 9:00:48 PM
Lothlo bows before the Dryads. Hello Quercia, I am Lothlo Windwood. I hope we correctly interpreted your message as a friendly invitation.
Also, forgive me for asking, but I am unfamiliar with the ways of the Culverwood. This grove has seemed very peaceful while we were looking for you, am I correct that in this grove is safe from the dangers that are found in the Culverwood?
DM Kathy Tuesday August 30th, 2022 9:39:32 PM
I am in the hospital, so no DM post today. (It’s not at all serious; I’ll be back tomorrow.)
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) d20+14=19 ; Tuesday August 30th, 2022 10:23:48 PM
Zazu looks carefully around and tries to note any clue that would give more information about this place or these people.
Know Nature 19
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 2:37:02 AM
Ash waits for a response from the dryad. She looks about at the others that are circling the group and tries to work out whether they are a family, a community, or perhaps something larger?
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 8:48:24 AM
Lothlo takes a moment to admire the ancient trees and all the history they must have been around for.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 12:34:00 PM
Nightingale enjoys her surroundings, looking for butterflies, and at/for other dryads
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Wednesday August 31st, 2022 3:34:44 PM
Panzer was happy to wait while the Dryads figured out if their band of heroes was up to the task they had in mind. He was surrounded by a bunch of pretty Fey ladies and they were not trying to kill him, currently anyway. Win-win
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 8:03:33 PM
ooc: working on my post. I'm not sure how I missed yesterday
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 8:42:52 PM
Naithi bows low with Camalayas, Fizzgig, Jen and Cuddly Mule following suit.
My name is Naithi if the Drochil clan. If you are referring to the grove between Freedom's Landing and The Deep Culverwood where we found your compass, then that would be correct.
I have dome my best to embrace and bring forth the natural beauty of the forest. It is my hope they it will develope into a peaceful haven of nature where fey and leshy can reflect on the majesty of nature as pad through The Culverwood and visit Freedom's Landing.
If there is anything we might do to make it more inviting, please let us know.
She then goes on to describe the current groove. A place of honor was given to the largest and oldest tree in the area, a massive Weeping Willow with a small Druid Tree planted to either side
They're are currently two large circles of weeping willows that serve as the groves root stock. The entire outside of the grove will be ringed to with weeping pine, spruce, elm, cedar and willows to create a wall of privacy. The inner ring will be Weeping flowing trees including weeping cherry, redbud and wisteria. (Right now it is just weeping willow trees, which can be grown from cuttings from one tree, and she will do the grafting in the future, but thanks to magic it is developing much faster than normal)
Towards the center a large mushroom has sent out underground tendrils, that have formed a large circle of mushroom which serve as a fairy circle the fey can dance around.
As the grove matures, I'm hoping to infuse the trees with the magic of the Culverwood to enhance it's beauty and tranquility.
(ooc: looking at magic tree cultivation as a possible black genie project)
She then touched up on Sahabiel and Ash's contributions, but let's them give more detail. The three of us are all followers of Maab, and we hope to make the grove open and inclusive to all who respect and wish to embrace or reflect upon nature.
I must admit, the sight of these ancient yews left me speechless. Just standing under them brings a sense of peace. Thank you for inviting us
DM Kathy Wednesday August 31st, 2022 10:38:15 PM Sahabiel, Panzer, Lothlo, Ash, and Zazu introduce themselves to Quercia.
Nightingale doesn't give her name, but compliments Quercia's oak.
Beech resolves not to give his name unless Quercia asks for it, which she does not.
Ash tries to remember the voices that said "find us." It was multiple voices, and they all spoke in a whisper. Was Quercia's voice among them? Ash isn't sure.
Lothlo asks whether the grove is safe from the dangers of the Culverwood. "Safe enough," Quercia replies. "This is the dryads' grove, and the dryads belong here in the Culverwood. For the most part, the other forces in the Culverwood respect that."
Naithi describes the current druid grove. "Yes, that is the one we saw," Quercia replies. "We hoped that those who created it would be beings of good heart--or at least, beings who respect nature."
Panzer asks what the dryads want to talk about.
"Plain speaking," Quercia responds with a smile. "I agree it has its advantages. And our concern is simple. One of us is missing, and has been missing for over a week. Her name is Brancha, and she is a rather flighty thing, but we love her and worry about her. We are hoping you can find her for us."
She glances at the ancient yew with a little sigh. "I believe Grandmother Yew may know more. I hope she may yet emerge and speak with you. She does not emerge often these days, but she is fond of Brancha." Quercia gestures at the mossy clearing and brook. "You are welcome to camp here. It grows dark, and I believe people like you do not like to travel by dark. There is water in the brook and if you like, my sisters and I will gather deadfall and bracken that you might have a small fire."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday August 31st, 2022 11:15:52 PM "Oh dear. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?" Ash doesn't believe a dryad would seek to leave the Culverwood, but if Brancha was in the Culverwood, the dryads here would be far better at finding her. Why contact outsiders like the party? Something is up.
"Finding a missing person is something that we are getting quite good at. Did she have a reason to leave? Obviously the more information you can provide the better our chances of finding her". Ash is interested in things like who was the last person to see her, does she wander off often, does she have a favorite place to go, did she seem happy before she left, and so on. Any information she can pry from the dryads will surely be useful.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday August 31st, 2022 11:41:48 PM
Zazu bows and accepts the hospitality of the dryads.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday August 31st, 2022 11:52:08 PM
Beech, hears that they are to find a missing person, he thinks, [i]*It could be worse*[/b] He pulls out his tent and goes about setting it up. He will then start cooking something to eat....
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Thursday September 1st, 2022 12:12:47 AM (ooc: a small correction, Naithi would know that Sahabiel greatly respects Queen Maab, as Quercia put it; "For the most part". In the religious sense of 'follower' though, she belongs to The Culverwood itself, so if there is ever a situation where the interests of the Immortal Powers do not align, she'd have to prioritize the Will of the Wood first and foremost, though she seeks to be in good standing with both. Dryads, being themselves of the fey but bonded spiritually to the wood, are probably in a comparable position coming from the other direction - you'd never ask a dryad to choose between the fey court and their tree)
Sahabiel looks shocked and immediately shares Quercia's concern, knowing that for a dryad to not return to her tree for that long would under most circumstances be almost impossible to weather. "Already a week? A fortunate decision then that we did haste here without delay..." She looks around to the various trees in the grove. "Do ya sense if her link to her tree is still here? It would make rather a difference if she was able to bind herself to a new home where she is now, or if she is somehow surviving away for so long.."
After doing her part in setting up camp for the night, Sahabiel will seek the dryad's permission to pray at the foot of the ancient yew, where she will meditate and pray to The Culverwood for the vitality of the dryad's grove and the safety of the missing Brancha.
In addition to just praying, Sahabiel channels the rejuvenating power of the wood through her body and into her immediate surroundings, hoping that the wash of divine power with the 'signature' of the Culverwood will be noticed by Grandmother Yew, and might help to benevolently stir such a venerable dryad from her slumber to notice the plight of her kin.
(ooc: Spending a daily use of Channel Energy)
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Thursday September 1st, 2022 1:02:02 AM
Nightingale seems to snap out of her reverie on the discovery of a missing dryad. "Oh dear, yes she must be found. I'm sorry, the presence of such beauty caught me off guard. I am Nightingale du'Cullain, a votary of Queen Maab."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Thursday September 1st, 2022 3:18:23 PM
Panzer looks thoughtful for a moment, then speaks. " Is there a way for you to make a cutting of her tree, something that we can take with us to sustain her until we get her back here? It may also let us home in on where she is, like the lodestone helped us find you here."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Thursday September 1st, 2022 9:07:20 PM
Lothlo listens to them talk about the missing Dryad. If you have brought us here to help, does that mean you have reason to believe she is somewhere outside of your reach?
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday September 1st, 2022 9:19:18 PM
Naithi listens to the dryad's and takes in the others comments. Can you tell us how long she can be away from her? Is the extended departure a problem?
DM Kathy Thursday September 1st, 2022 10:24:20 PM Ash asks whether the dryads knew where Brancha might have gone, or why she would have left. "No, we don't know," Quercia replies. "She is, as I said, rather flighty, and I think we're all afraid she wandered off and got herself into trouble somehow."
Beech begins setting up camp. If you cook, what do you do for a fire?
Sahabiel, alarmed that the dryad has been missing for so long, asks whether Brancha's link to her tree is still intact. "We think so," Quercia says. She gestures to a nearby dogwood tree, which is tall and healthy-looking. "Her tree gives us hope. It appears she is not far away. But it is puzzling, too, for we have looked and looked and found no sign of her."
Panzer asks whether you could take a cutting of Brancha's tree with you, to help sustain her. At the word "cutting," a shudder runs through the dryads. "That--that's probably not a good idea," says Quercia at her most diplomatic.
Lothlo asks whether the dryads think Brancha is somewhere out of their reach. "Perhaps," Quercia replies. "As I said, we have looked everywhere nearby without finding her. Grandmother Yew hinted that there were other nearby places to look, but wouldn't give details when we asked. That's one of the reasons we hope she'll talk to you."
Naithi asks how long Brancha has been away and whether her extended absence would be a problem. "Ordinarily it would," says Quercia. "But her tree thrives. That would seem to indicate that she is somewhere nearby, but we have searched nearby without finding her."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20=18 ; Friday September 2nd, 2022 12:30:34 PM
Panzer picks up on the obvious dislike of the word and concept of ;cutting; one of their trees, tough he knows farmers that care deeply about their fruit trees that have propagated them from cutting. Mentally he shrugs. So this dryad is missing, close by, and the other druids can't find her. He thinks, but only for a moment and then his eyes light up. Dryads were tree people. Trees grow up,because trees need the sun, so they grow towards it, so likely they have only been looking at ground level and above. What if she fell in a hole, or like Ena was taken captive and down into the ground? " Have you looked below ground? I mean, she must be close by for her tree to still thrive, right? You say you have searched the places you know, and your concern is clear, so that is a given, but you are still , well, plant-like and plants need the sun so her being below ground wouldn't be a place you might look right off. But we had another missing woman to find and it turned out she was taken captive and hidden under the city. Underground is an often overlooked place."
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Friday September 2nd, 2022 12:39:55 PM
Nightingale turns at Panzer's idea, "That actually makes sense. Are there any caves in the region that say have pretty stones or some form of rare plantlife?"
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d20+10=14 ; Friday September 2nd, 2022 2:56:52 PM
Naithi speaks in her most polite tone. I hope you'll pardon my ignorance, but we have several companions they might be able to pick to her scent. Do you know if her scent would be on her tree? I'm sure her trail would be cold but now, but it might help locate her if we get close enough.
I was also wondering, is it possible someone is delaying her? A romantic interest or an enemy of the forest? And is there any chance that she has since bound to another tree? I know you said this tree is healthy, but if she were to be captured or detained away from her tree, could she bond to a different tree to avoid the consequence of being separated and do you know what effect that would have on the tree? Knowledge nature= 14
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday September 2nd, 2022 4:08:26 PM
While the others speak with Quercia, Sahabiel has a momen of prayer at the magnificent ancient yew tree, hoping that her presence, prayer, or the channeling of divine energy within the area of the grove will increase the chance that Grandmother Yew might show herself before the next dawn. She is rather interested in what the elder may have meant to hint at to the younger dryads. As Panzer said, underground was certainly possible. But in these enchanted parts of the deep woods, so was a portal to the fey realm, and she was less than at ease about that prospect.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Friday September 2nd, 2022 9:22:42 PM Thanks, hopefully we can talk to Grandmother later and it will give us some ideas. Is there a particular direction or item of interest in the forest she tended to gravitate to? Now that I think about it, I've found the Culverwood prevents all normal methods of navigation, how is Brancha able to find her way back when she wanders off normally? Is it possible something is preventing from navigating her way back?
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Friday September 2nd, 2022 10:01:07 PM
Ash considers the conundrum. She's nearby but the dryads themselves can't find her. Underground makes a lot of sense. Above the treetops could be a possibility, though perhaps less likely. Stuck inside a different tree perhaps? Maybe she has been trapped within one. Ethereal? She knows that sort of overlap is possible. In the end she thinks she's narrowed the possible areas to above, below, within, or overlapping. That is to say, she hasn't really narrowed it down at all.
"How far away would she need to be before her tree starts to show the effect?" she asks. That might help narrow down the distance.
DM Kathy Friday September 2nd, 2022 10:31:23 PM Panzer asks whether the dryads have looked below ground. Quercia looks thoughtful. "No. No we haven't looked underground. Perhaps that's something you could do for us."
Building on the theme, Nightingale asks whether there are caves nearby. "No," says Quercia. "And we saw no evidence of any new areas opening underground--sinkholes and what have you. Though I admit we weren't looking for them specifically."
Naithi asks whether Brancha's scent would still be on her tree. "Truthfully I have no idea," Quercia says. "You are welcome to try." She also asks whether Brancha might have bonded to a different tree. "It's possible," Quercia says slowly. "We would expect her tree here to show signs of sickness, but after all her tree is young, like Brancha herself. Maybe it is healthy enough to withstand the blow."
Lothlo asks whether something might be preventing Brancha from returning. "I suppose it's possible," Quercia replies thoughtfully. "Though the rest of us have been all over these woods looking for her and none of us have been captured or impeded."
Ash asks how far away a dryad would have to be before the tree started to show signs of trouble. "It varies a bit," Quercia says. "Anywhere between a quarter and a half a mile."
Sahabiel takes the opportunity to try to get Grandmother Yew's attention. Nothing happens immediately.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Friday September 2nd, 2022 10:48:33 PM
Beech, continues to listen. He may be the best as speaking, but these are the Woods, and are not his bailiwick. He pulls out a flint and steel and lights a small fire so he can heat some food, because he doubts the residents would come anywhere near him if he started the fire the way he prefers....
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Saturday September 3rd, 2022 12:09:31 AM
Zazu thanks everybody for their great ideas.
The trickster and Boyo hop over to the tree to get the scent.
"We will do our best to find her, for sure! We have some ideas on how to start, and we'll get started right away!"
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Saturday September 3rd, 2022 5:57:13 PM "...come dawn tomorrow, I would be able to petition the Culverwood to grant me the selfsame magic for long range communication that I used from a scroll given me by Hríw-calen Gildin back in Karri.", Sahabiel offers. "With all her sisters here to guide me, and.. well, if she still remains spiritually connected to her tree, then I believe I would be able to satisfy the required familiarity by being in touch with Brancha's birch at the time of prayer, even though I have never met her as a person before. Even if we do not get a reply, we could at least hope to let her know her sisters are worried and looking for her. And if she does answer... that might make our search quite a bit easier, no?"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Saturday September 3rd, 2022 9:15:33 PM "Can you tell us what means you've already tried in an effort to locate her? Were there certain spells that you cast? It may be that we know some other ones that might help. Are there any other allies you have contacted for help?". Between them the group are very capable casters. She wonders whether it's possible that Brancha doesn't want to be found. "Does Brancha know many spells?"
Ash considers a Detect Magic spell to see if there is a lingering aura about that might indicate how Brancha departed (such as via a teleport spell or tree stride) but given how long she's been gone it's more than likely the auras have faded.
------------ Knowl checks. All hit DC23 (Take10). Knowl Nature: Ways to wake up Yew, whether underground areas are found within the Culverwood, Knowl Planes: Whether the fey realm overlaps this area
Perception: DC29 (Take20) - looking for any other tracks in the area that might indicate a non-dryad had been here recently
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Sunday September 4th, 2022 1:13:00 PM
Beech cooks a simple spicy stew, with enough for everyone and a couple guests, but he doubts any of the dryads will join in...
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Monday September 5th, 2022 11:26:41 AM " Right then. Since time is of the essence here we should start our search as soon as possible. If I understand correctly the further and longer she is away from her tree her health and the tree's health could deteriorate." Panzer thinks she may be below ground and thus beneath the view of her sisters. He has absolutely no way to prove this and aside from randomly falling into a hole in the Wold no way of effectively finding Brancha. But he is aware of the time sensitivity of the whole affair.. If the dryad goes too far from her tree she will, what? Weaken? Sicken? Die? Again he isn't sure. Like in Ena's case he has a good idea where to look, but little ability to do so.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Monday September 5th, 2022 1:44:19 PM
Nightingale will approach Grandmother Yew, bow, and then begin humming a tune while communing with Queen Maab. She will reach out to lightly run her hands over the tree, tracing the bark, while simply saying Hello in the one way she has gotten responses to before
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Monday September 5th, 2022 5:37:16 PM
Naithi and her menagerie gather the scent and she prepare her spells for the next day. She then surge the evening in the tranquility of the forest.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Monday September 5th, 2022 7:25:03 PM I would suggest we wait until morning, unless Grandmother suggests otherwise. In the mean time, that stew smell delicious.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday September 5th, 2022 10:24:33 PM
Zazu hops over to the stew and is eager to chow down. Boyo is content to munch on nearby foliage or plants, after Zazu asks if that's OK.
DM Kathy Monday September 5th, 2022 10:33:40 PM Beech starts a small fire. Quercia had offered to have the dryads gather bracken and fallen branches for fuel, but nobody responded. We'll assume, though, that they did it anyway and you have something to burn in your fire. You begin cooking a stew.
Zazu and Naithi bring their companions to Brancha's tree to get her scent. The results are inconclusive. The entire grove smells like dryad. You think maybe your companions might have some idea of what her scent is, but you are far from confident.
Sahabiel contemplates preparing and casting a Message spell in the morning.
"We tried some simple divinations," Quercia replies to Ash. "They did not work. Our magic is....not like yours. Brancha is not a caster," she adds.
Nightingale attempts to commune with Grandmother Yew.
Panzer wants to get started right away, but it is getting dark and that stew smells really good. Most of the group is inclined to follow Lothlo's suggestion and wait until morning.
You set up your camp and eat your dinner. The dryads politely decline to share it. Quercia assures you that you will be safe here in the grove, but you can set a watch if it will make you more comfortable.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Tuesday September 6th, 2022 4:46:55 AM
The dryads might not want to join in with the meal, however Ash will try and sit near some of them just to chat and talk. They're practically neighbours after all. It would be good to build a trusting relationship with them and have them as allies in these woods.
Hopefully finding Brancha will also show that the party are good intentioned.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday September 6th, 2022 12:03:36 PM
Naithi spend some time anything the Dryads if there is anything she can do to allow them to more easily visit her grove without suffering from the journey.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Tuesday September 6th, 2022 3:22:17 PM
Panzer, headstrong as ever, can see fine in the darkness and like a dog with a tasty chew toy, doesn't give up. These dryads asked for help and their plight is time sensitive, at least to the beastkin. "Quercia, are there any other dryads around Brancha's age and maturity that would be willing to walk the edge of their range with me? Brancha's range from her tree is dictated mainly by her age and maturity, right? To me that would mean that another of her sisters that is roughly the same age and maturity would have close to the same range. If a few, or even one of them would be willing to walk to the point that they feel the tug of their tree calling them home with me tonight, I might be able to mark the edges of where we should search tomorrow so that we have a defined area to look in. Then when the others, who cannot see as well as I can in the dark wake up tomorrow we will be looking in productive places rather than all over the Culverwood. Is that possible?" If any of Brancha's sisters will humor him, Panzer will take some charcoal from the fire, or better yet chalk if someone has any and mark the edges of the dryad's supposed range.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday September 6th, 2022 5:38:26 PM
Nightingale continues to commune to see if "Grandmother" will talk to her, and/or her friends
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday September 6th, 2022 7:30:52 PM
Sahabiel trusts the Dryads if they say no dangerous creatures dare come to the grove. With the difficulty they had to get there even with a compass and an invitation, she doubts there would be a lot of things that could get to this part of the woods without getting turned around.
She will spend the evening, and then sleep so that she can get enough rest to renew what magics are given to her by the Culverwood come the morning.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday September 6th, 2022 8:45:31 PM
Zazu helps Ash in visiting with the dryads. "Yes, we are practically neighbors. It is an honor to visit with you all."
Like Sahabiel, later on Zazu rests with no fear or need to set watch.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday September 6th, 2022 9:05:33 PM
Lothlo trusts that the grove will be safe. I know Grandmother doesn't come out as often, but do you know if there is a time we are more likely to catch her? We want to be prepared for her should she come out to talk to us.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday September 7th, 2022 6:52:41 AM
Beech, pays attention to the beast-kin and his actions.... He's only set up the tent and and pulled out his pan, so breaking down, won't be very hard to do....
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday September 7th, 2022 2:33:04 PM
Naithi prepares her bedroll for sleep.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday September 7th, 2022 7:40:33 PM (ooc: the spell Sahabiel would be using after refreshing her allotment of divine favors is 4th level Sending, not the Message cantrip.)
While Panzer is looking to team up with one of the dryads to do a little preliminary search in the dark, Sahabiel has begun thinking about the words to put into the message she would send to the missing Brancha... the prayer of Sending comes with a bit of a budget in words, and she needs to both convince Brancha of their good intentions, convey that her sister dryads are looking for her, and ask her to reply with something that would help them find her...
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday September 7th, 2022 7:45:25 PM
Lothlo ladles a second bowl of stew and enjoys the tranquility of the grove.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday September 7th, 2022 9:25:53 PM
With her humming and not seeing any reaction, Nightingale will try to get all the "nature lovers" in the group to join her to see if they can coax Grandmother from her slumber
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