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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 286318" data-attributes="member: 11">WARNING: This installment includes adult themes and situations.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Session #32 (part ii)It was explained to Ratchis that the druids would come to him in three nights time to bring him somewhere for the sample to be collected.Ratchis returned to the others and explained to them that he had convinced the druids to use the scroll for them and repair Kazrack’s arm.  “However, we will have a few days wait,” Ratchis added.  “But losing a few days is better than risking it all on Kazrack’s arm healing naturally in time to finish this sickle.”“In the meantime we can continue with our preparations for whatever is going to happen on the night of the full moon,” Beorth said.And so the party spent the rest of the day making more stakes and lengthening the trench around the forge area.  Kazrack was impatient as no one allowed him to help, insisting that he rest.  Not satisfied, he packed and re-packed his backpack and those of the others over and over trying to find the most efficient way of doing it.Balem, 26th of Dek – 564 H.E. The next day the party was led to the Glade of Hennaire as usual, as as they pass through the entrance in the trees, the Bear moving to guard the exit and the other druids moving off to do whatever it is they did all day, they were filled with a strange feeling that something was different.As they approached the forge, Ratchis spoke up, “Um, I think the glade is smaller.”“You noticed it, too,” Martin said, slowly.  “I thought it was my imagination.”“The trees have actually moved in closer all around us,” Ratchis said. “Not too much, but still ten feet is a long way for a tree, let along a few hundred of them.”The rest of the party began to look around with their mouths agape.“This is a place of the druids’, perhaps they did it,” Martin suggested.“Look!” Beorth said, pointing down into the trenches.The entire outer side of the trench that was slowly coming around the forges was collapsed and in most places, the stakes the party had been sticking into the side pointing up at an angle in order to form a defensive barrier looked as if they had been forced out of the earth from the inside.“I am getting the feeling this wood does not want us here,” Jeremy said.“Well, that’s no surprise,” said Martin.With a sigh, Ratchis went back to digging and shoring up where the trench had been collapsed.  Jeremy and Jana collected the fallen stakes and began putting them back, while Martin sharpened more.  Beorth helped Ratchis, and Kazrack sat around bored out of his mind. Later in the day, Beorth, Jeremy, Martin and  Jana were led to where they could collect more wood.-------------------------------------------Teflem, 27th of Dek – 564 H.E. “Stop it!” Jeremy cried to the trees the next morning when the party arrived to find that they had moved another ten feet closer and the trenches were partially collapsed again.“If the woods themselves are against us, perhaps we have no chance at all, no matter what!” Kazrack proclaimed.“So, why don’t you slit your throat, while you are at it,” Beorth snapped sarcastically.Kazrack glared at the paladin.The party spent a day similar to the one previous, but this time Ratchis continued to extend the trench, while the others shored up the partially collapsed area.Anulem, 28th of Dek – 564 H.E. And so another day came of merely killing time, until the druids came to pick up Ratchis for him to pay his price.Drenthris and Efner arrived late in the afternoon.“Knap!  I hope you did not tire yourself out too much!” the kobold yapped to the half-orc.“I have much discipline and am not so weak that it should matter,” Ratchis replied.“What is this all about?” Kazrack asked.“He must come to pay his price for the reading of the scroll,” Drenthis said.“Ratchis, what have you agreed to do?” Kazrack asked.  “Please do not do anything I would not approve of for my own sake.”“I am doing it for all our sake’s, and do not worry, I would not betray my own scruples.  Anything I do, I do of my own free choice.”  He paused and turned to the druids.  “I am ready to go.”“Knap! Sure you don’t want your friends to come watch,” Efner asked with a sly smile.Ratchis glared at the kobold.“Have it your way.”Ratchis was led away by the two druids.The others worked until close to sun down and then Drenthris returned to lead them back to their camp.“Where is Ratchis?” Kazrack asked.“He will be returned soon,” Drenthris replied. “And at that time your arm shall be repaired.”----------------“How will you collect it?” Ratchis asked as Drenthris and Efner led him through the narrow trails of the thick foreboding forest.“Knap! The usual way, we bring you somewhere and you put it in a bowl,” Efner replied.“As long as my companions do not find out, I will do as you say.”The druids nodded.As the sun dropped below the horizon, Ratchis could see that he was being brought back to the main clearing where he and the others had first met the druids, but by some circuitous route, and to a place further back.    The area was lit up by several large fires, and was filled with scores of bugbears armed with spears, and growling and hooting in their guttural goblin language.  As Ratchis and the two druids approached, they quieted down and the crowd parted, revealing the tall gnoll, Mardak the Elder.  Beyond him, stood the huge bugbear druid, and the half-orc Ratchis had seen on the first night as well.  Beyond them was a stone bier, upon which sat the woman the party had seen when they first enter the Circle of Thorns.  She was not chained, but was hunched over and shivering, covered in a thick fur blanket.Drenthris walked back towards the Glade of Hennaire. Mardak stepped forward and spoke, “Efner has informed us that you are willing to give us your seed in return for our further assistance.  It is your choice: You may have the bowl, or you may have the woman.  I am feeling generous.”  The gnoll gestured back to the shaking woman.Ratchis’ mouth dropped open.“What do you plan to do with…my seed?” Ratchis asked.“It shall be placed in the woman,” Mardak said.  “She is at the proper time in her cycle, and she bought some more years of her life as she cares for the child that shall come this, which shall be our champion.  What is your choice?”Ratchis paused.“One more moment please,” Ratchis requested and walked towards the woman.  She cringed as he sat beside her on the stone.“I want you to know that I would not do anything you did not want me to do,” Ratchis said, trying hard to make his growly deep voice as soft and gentle as possible. “I only want to do what you would have me do, so let me know what you want.”The woman looked up at the hulking half-orc, still shivering, tears streaming down her face, which was pale with cold and fear.”I don’t know,” she said, softly, her voice quavering.  “I’m scared.  I’m afraid of what they’ll do to me and how they'll do it if you choose the bowl, but I’m afraid of you too.”  And with that she pulled away, frightened of what his reaction would be to what she said.“I can’t imagine that they will be more gentle than I will, but…”“All I know is that this is going to buy me at least three more years of life, maybe even eight, and a few more years of life in this terrible place must be better than death.  I guess… I guess you are the better alternative.”  She dropped her eyes, as a look of disgust came over her face.“I am a follower of Nephthys,” Ratchis said.  “Do you know of Nephthys?”The woman nodded.“Then you know that Nephthys would not want me to rob you of your freedom of choice,” Ratchis explained gently.  “So, if you change your mind, or… just stop me at any point.”She nodded again.The half-orc gently wrapped his muscular arms around the woman in an attempt to comfort her, and then laid her back on the cold stone.The bugbears began to cheer and hoot.</blockquote>

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