pneumatik's WotBS 2 - The Indomitable Fire Forest of Innenotdar

[Rhun]

Hollister raises an eyebrow as his small companion steps to the water's edge and begins to shout. The mage takes a few careful steps back, still wary of the many bones scattered about the lake's edge.

 

[pneumatik]

A woman rises halfway out of the pool. Certain things about her - her shape, symmetry of her bone structure - suggest beauty, but it's not easy to see. The creature is hideous. Her teeth are misaligned, her nose hooked to the side, one eye is red and swollen and the other squinting and watery. Her arms are spindly. Her flesh sags, and long scraggly black hair hangs down to the water at her waist.

"I am Gwenvere, if you wish to talk. Few come to see me, and I cannot leave without putting the lake at risk. What brings you here, halfling?"

 

[HolyMan]

"Eep!" Shaylir squeals before the creature calling herself Gwenvere speaks. Dodging quickly behind Hollister's legs she looks out from behind the mage and says in a quavering voice.

"We...we... came to help. Timbre um... sent us." she adds still hidin' partly behind the wizard.

 

[Rhun]

Hollister sighs, rolling his eyes as the halfling clutches at his legs. The mage looks over the "woman" within the lake, and addresses her in a respectful tone. "We seek to extinguish the fires of Innenotdar, Gwenvere. Timbre has sent us to find you. It would seem that there is some unfinished business between the two of you?"

 

[pneumatik]

Gwenvere turns away when she hears Timbre's name. "I... Anyariel and I, we... well, we didn't. Before all this," she gestures to the surrounding flames, "and before this," she looks down at herself, "I loved Anyariel. I love her still. But she chose Timbre, and then she died here in my lake fighting that thing. They gave her body to Timbre, leaving me here alone. I'm sustaining the lake where she died against the fire sustained by the creature who killed her. Trapped here, ruined, hungry, alone, hated."

 

[HolyMan]

"Oh no, that's awful." Shaylir says stepping out and back up to the waters edge. Fritz following at her heels.

"We are here to help." she says gesturing to the group with a wavy of her little hand. "And when we defeat this old fire stag, everything will be beautiful again."

"Right?" she says turning to look up at Hollister.

 

[Rhun]

Hollister shrugs at the halfling's questions. "I do not know, small one. The magics involved with what is happening here are beyond my understanding."

The mage turns back to Gwenvere. "Can you leave the lake for a few hours? Timbre has requested we escort you to her. Perhaps with our aid, we can put an end to the flames."

 

[Thanee]

Lytha

“Timbre mentioned, that you would hate her for what happened. And she seemed mighty confused. First she thought we were you and wanted to send us away, then she asked to bring you there. Either way, we need the help of both of you, in order to put an end to the fire. It all comes down to the sword, that Anyariel used to fight Indomitability. And we only know half of the story, yet. Hopefully, if we can get through to Timbre, we can learn more and be able to do what we set out to, and help all of you.”

 

[pneumatik]

"I went to see Timbre once before. Maybe twice. My memory is not clear in the first years after Anyariel died. Timbre is angry with me. I may have been angry with her when I saw her. I remember doing things an angry person would have done. Some of those things ... I have so little of Anyariel. Leaving here is so hard, and I was so upset. When I left to see her finally, I just ... I know what Timbre wants. It's not to see me."

 

[Rhun]

"Then what is it she wants?"