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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mahiro Satsu" data-source="post: 305095" data-attributes="member: 4970">Episode XIII Into the Woods part 3From the Journal of Aoth Sepret24th of Ches, Year of Rogue DragonsWe set out early, with the sun full on our faces. We attempted to travel between the groves of trees to avoid the devious traps of the wild elves. The sun rose in its climb, Horus-Re in his youth. An hour into our walk Kaemris advised me to climb a tree and check our position. The tree was a little slick with dew and the climb was difficult. I made little progress reaching the lowest of the branches. So I shucked my shoes and drank one of my potions of spiderclimb, almost choking on the spider. From the top of the tree I could see a mound about seven or eight miles to the east, and I could see the top of Ossington’s stone rings six miles to the south. On my way down I spotted two more of the Squirrel/Creatures and my weasel familiar, Squirrel, bristled. I finish my climb and told Artemus of the creatures, who then immediately took to the tree himself. Before he was lost in the canopy we witnessed him transforming into a squirrel to give chase. A few moments later he returned, reporting that he had lost them in the trees. Offhandedly he mentioned that my description of these things reminded him of a legend about small innocent looking creatures that could swarm unwary travelers, killing them swiftly.A while later I was pulled off my feet and into a tree. I hung upside down thinking of poor Kaemris and his accident yesterday and how I had vowed to be more vigilant. I have failed my friends. Giving a shrug I cut the line and floated gently down to the ground. On my way down Kaemris yelled to Artemus that another one of those creatures is near by and Artemus attempted to speak to it in a forest language, Sylvan, I think. There was no response that I could hear, and Artemus said nothing. Maybe it was gone.We continued on to the Great Burrow. The forest was quiet around us, and we saw no other signs of either the squirrel beasts or elven tricks. Something even more sinister attacked us though. As always, I was in front of the party, scouting the way, when suddenly all around us the trees started moving. They literally uprooted and marched to flank us. I did not know what was happening. I think that these northern forests are too strange for me. I think that I should go back to Mulhorund. To the left a giant oak was moving to attack Kaemris, and to the right an elm made for Artemus. I backed away fearing for my life. Van backed in closer to his companions. Kaemris did nothing; I think he was scared too. Artemus, who is better versed in all things natural, realized that these were not the tree-like creatures he calls Treants, and using his druidic magic dispelled the animating forces. The trees took root where they stood. The victory was short-lived, however; two more trees animated and resumed the attack. One of them was right behind me; its powerful limbs knocked me to the ground. I tried to get away, but the tree was quick and its next blow, I fear, crushed my spine. I went numb then screamed as everything went black. I awoke seconds later with the ranger of Selune crouching over me, praying for his goddess to heal me. Although I do not believe in his goddess, his words held power and I felt some strength returning.I saw Kaemris hand the druid a bottle, and Artemus drank it while the priest explained that it would give power to any spoken words. Artemus called to the forest, “We are friends of the forest! Cease your attack, that we might strengthen it!”The trees took root once more, returning the forest to some semblance of order. Kaemris tossed a small wooden coin to the ground and a giant oak sprang into existence. “Please accept this gift!” Artemus said. The new large oak uprooted itself and moved away from our party five feet. Further dialogue yielded no more actions from the trees. Not wishing to provoke another attack we quietly left and continued our journey. We could never spot the treant who we believe had animated those trees.An hour later we reached the Burrows. It was a single hill five hundred feet around, and vaguely circular, but the top is only a hundred feet high. There were two giant black stone pillars, roughly cut and square holding another slab of rock above an opening. The rocks were jet black. Lenet cast a magical spell, then read the inscription that was engraved on them: “Saithnar the Warlord.”The genasi’s eyes were well-suited for looking into the opening. It formed a tunnel that ran back some ways into the mound, ending in ten-foot square room. She could see at the far end of the room an altar. In front of the altar lay a mangled skeleton.Sensing trouble, Kaemris called to his goddess asking for a boon. He received an auger stating “Woe to those who enter.” Thinking there might be another entrance somewhere else on the mound we scaled its side and searched from above. It was getting dark by this point so we made for a hill about fifteen minutes away and struck camp. While we ascended the hill that was to be our home for the evening, I saw one of those creatures. I pointed it out to the druid and he replied, “I don’t like these things.” Then he went silent.Fearing what may come out of the mound by moonlight we decided to double up on guard shifts. Van will take second watch with me, so that he may meditate by moonlight.</blockquote>

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