Whether lulled by the constant song of the Seela or brought on by pure physical exhaustion, you all fall into a deep slumber. Watches are manned of course, and those awake see that nothing stirs in the village beyond the few Seela that change shifts in the tower.
Your dreams are strange this night. The song seems to encourage your mind to bring forth emotional images of your youth: first kisses, funerals for long-dead family members, great personal loss and moments of pure joy. Some of you weep or giggle while you rest and those on watch look down on your sleeping forms with curiosity.
[sblock="for Arnir"]Arnir as the only speaker of Sylvan, only you have heard the entirety of the Song of Forms. Laying on your bedroll in the night, you were able to learn more about the lyrics. You figure that the purpose of the is to give body to the native spirit of the forest, and to evoke in listeners nearly real images of the events told. The first words of the song are:
“Life is a dream that has found its form. I sing these dreams, these tales, these legends that they might be born.” You also continue to hear about the line Tiljann told you earlier:
"So as we were born from the First Tree, so as from our homeland’s breast was cut a living blade, as this our lives are bound to thee, the forest’s heart in Timbre’s glade." Lastly, you also hear a line about another individual, a water nymph by the name of Gwenvere who
"dwelled in the lake where the Seela live", who
"loved the hero Anyariel, whose heart belonged to Timbre" and who
"lost the will to love and care and fell, twisted into a pool of madness." The lyrics in the verses can change, and indeed each singer usually personalizes it to his own favorite tales, but the singer must use a particular rhythm and pitch, something like a extemporaneous choral composition. Additionally, a series of eight refrains must be repeated as the song is continued.[/sblock]
[sblock="for Kirio"]Kirio, you listen to a few variations of the Song of Forms throughout the evening. You spend a few hours pondering it and fiddling with your flute. While it is a vocal song, and indeed the lyrics are in a language you do not understand, you do know that a particular rhythm and pitch must be used, something like a extemporaneous choral composition. Additionally, a series of eight refrains must be repeated as the song is continued. You're confidant that you could probably modify the song to be performed on your flute to closely match the pitch, rhythm and structure. While it may be more difficult to perform, you could likely replicate the effects of the Seela's song.[/sblock]
[sblock="for Lars"]Lars, perhaps it is the Seela's song, but part of your dreams are suddenly clear. Once again you see the great flaming stag, shackled to the earth and rearing in frustration. You blink and suddenly you can see a draconic-looking spirit writhing in the shell of the animal, screaming silent yells of rage. You lock eyes with it and feel something akin to sadness or regret. Your connection with this spirit seems almost familial. You do not fear in your dream, even when a pair of hands are placed on your shoulders from behind. You can't turn around to face the person behind you as your feet are stuck in what appears to be a wet, muddy lake bed. A mouth leans close to your ear and it feels cold, empty and almost ethereal.
"You see now ... don't you?" it hisses ,
"We must help each other. We must be free. We are family."[/sblock]
When dawn breaks, the party stirs and despite the tumultuous dreams, most of you awake renewed and refreshed. Torrent looks ghastly and grey in the morning, with a sheen of cold sweat on her brow. She sips from Hrimr's concoction and seems to recover slightly after it sits in her stomach for a time. The Dwarf looks similar, and he clutches at his sour belly in obvious discomfort.
You spend some time undergoing your morning rituals, such as reviewing spellbooks and giving prayers to your gods before a slightly revitalized Torrent straps on her breastplate and asks:
"Well, where to? Do we chat with this Vuhl fellow, gather information in the community or blaze a trail to the dryad?"
| GM: | Feel free to take the initiative and head out to any particular destination. |
|
