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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Softwind" data-source="post: 1317621" data-attributes="member: 13893">Hybsils & treantsTwenty-ninth Session (Aug 03)  Being surrounded by green, growing, healthy forest proves a boon to the party members of the rangererly, druidic, or elvish persuation - even the halfling seems to enjoy the trip. The party notices something is different though, as the Forest sounds increase in volume for a short while, then hush. They spy the reason why as creatures emerge from the trees around them.  Looking like a small antelope, but with a humanoid torso arising from where the neck and head would usually be, the Hybsils (for that is what they name themselves) carry bows, but none threateningly. The largest (relatively speaking, they are only about 3 feet high) comes forward, curious as to these interlopers in *his* forest. After many questions, they seem mollified and relax somewhat. The leader of the band, named Aviril, offers to take the party to a wild elf settlement nearby, to ask after the treant Turlang.Questioned about the undead warrior, they party finds out only that it is a "bad place" that the hybsils avoid. At the other end of the forest is another "bad place", even worse than the small tainted one in their guarded area. The elves may know more, they state. And, indeed they do. It takes some time - two days in fact - to reach "Trees Whispering", the wild elvish settlement, comprised of scarcely a handful of trees and a few score of distrustful elves. Only one, the leader Turil, was willing to talk with the party - the Hybsil Aviril's presence being the main reason. Topics discussed included where to locate Turlang, or another who would know how to contact him. The party is directed northward, to where another treant, Duthroan, was known to last be. The party sets off, with dried foods and elvish waybread gifted upon them by the settlement, to seek out this Treant. Along the way, they muse upon what was told to them of the history of a place called Hellgate Keep, to the far east of the forest. Perhaps it is that musing that prevents them from realizing the danger, or perhaps the foes were really stealthy, who can say. All that is known is that during Genoa and Athena's watch, enemies came upon them quickly, bringing darkness to part of the camp. Genoa's warning wakes the party to the conflict to begin. Ogres and gnolls close in to attack, while some invisible foe beleaguers the sleep fogged adventurers.  Tombit, his attention focused on seeking out his hidden foe, comes under attack several times, being pelted by alternating freezing frost and burning fire. A Lightning Bolt comes near to ending his life, and he decides discretion is the better part of valor, as he slips into the shadows and tall grasses. His companions are busy with the ogres, as the gnolls harry them from the trees nearby. Brynn is in his element, as these near-giants fall somewhat easily before his blades. Genoa calls upon the Forest itself to hold fast their opponents, causing the plants to entwine them, and grow thorns to pierce them as they struggle. The areas of impenetrable darkness do little to hinder them, having experienced that very thing within the Silverhall Mines. The same cannot be said of their foes, as ogres stagger about, lost in the inky blackness. Athena busily runs from party member to another, bringing healing touches and supportive words. She seems to strengthen the group with her presence, as her team mates recover and press the attack. She lends her mace to the fray occasionally, providing a much-needed distraction for foes hard-pressing her companions. Skylar, bow comfortably in hand, puts it to good use, providing distraction, and being responsible for the single-handed slaying of a gnoll or ogre that had yet to engaged her group.  The conflict comes to an end abruptly, with all other opponents dead, as they seek out the last remaining attacker - the mysterious invisible foe - and hear him disappear into the night, laughing. Athena spends a few worried moments looking for her Halfling friend, until the very injured Tombit crawls from his hiding spot beneath a bush. She tsks at him for taking such risks, but her hand is gentle as healing warmth treats burns, and closes wounds.</blockquote>

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