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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Tests and Trials (Manzanita Judging)
- Thread starter Rae ArdGaoth
- Start date
Rae ArdGaoth
Explorer
The day passes uneventfully, the adult wolves are mostly out hunting, probably preparing for the ‘Ritual’. Several wolves stay behind, patrolling the borders of the clearing, and the older wolves, though few, are scattered about the large clearing as well. The leader wolf (to be referred to from here on as “Alpha”) stays sitting in front of the entrance to the great rock at the center of the clearing, eyes closed most of the time, head turned toward the sky. Every now and then, the old black and grey wolf will come over and rasp something in Alpha’s ear.
The sun finally reaches the horizon, and as though on cue, the adult wolves return from the hunt, every one carrying some kind of animal, be it a rabbit or a deer flank or, in one case, four wolves are dragging a brown bear’s carcass. Alpha nods at each catch, and touches each bear-bearing wolf on the forehead with his nose. All the animals are deposited in a circle around the stack of wood that the group has made.
The sun is gone from the sky, now, and the stars give the only light. All the wolves have gathered in a circle around the pile of sticks, even the cubs from inside of the crevice are present, albeit protected by a small group of wolves, probably female. All present and accounted for, there are about twenty adult wolves and five elder wolves, give or take in either category.
After he makes a ‘speech’ of howls, barks, and yips, greeted by a chorus of howls, Alpha strides purposefully to Luthiel and touches his leg. Luthiel, getting the idea, takes his tindertwig and strikes up a small fire in some kindling. The others in the group add to the fire and finally get the great stack of wood to light. The massive bonfire emits a flame that showcases the eerie circle of intelligent forest creatures, sitting in silence. Then, as though on another unheard, unseen cue, all the wolves begin howling. The howls almost seem to be a strange kind of music, like Nature herself were composing a song through the voices of this unique clan. The sound is so intoxicating and alluring that Malen and Devlin begin to hum along softly. Luthiel and Cryndo are so dazed and drawn by the haunting melody that they drop to their hands and knees and begin to howl loudly and wildly, Luthiel’s fair elven voice cracking in and out of an inhuman falsetto. Only Garrit and Jasper are able to keep from joining in the song, though they both feel the pull.
Inexplicably, the bonfire blazes higher and hotter, the night lights up brighter, and the wolves sing louder. There is movement now, and the wolves, joined by Luthiel and Cryndo, are swaying back and forth in unison, slowly at first, but now wildly, quickly, grey-black heads and skinny arms flailing about in a frenzied dance.
Now the rock at the center of the clearing is surrounded by a strange fog. The crevice is no longer visible, now the fog surrounds the whole rock, and only the tip of a few jagged shards can be seen penetrating the fog. Within the fog, a vague shape can be made out, a tall, shrouded figure. It becomes clearer and comes closer, away from the rock and towards the fire. All eyes are suddenly fixed on the figure, the flailing ends quickly, and the howling subsides to a low hum. Of the group, only Garrit and Jasper can resist looking at the figure, and even they aren’t sure that they don’t want to.
Almost as fast as it appeared, the fog recedes back into the great rock, revealing the figure. It is a tall, skinny elf, with a cape made of autumn leaves and clothes of hide. The elf is clearly an ancient fellow, his long white hair, tangled with leaves and dirt, falls down past his shoulders, and his beard reaches his knees. Though he is hunched over, leaning on a long, thick, gnarled staff, he is at least six feet tall, probably seven at full height. His skin is a tan brown, and his elven ears are extremely long. What can be seen of his arms and legs isn’t much, it’s all skin and bones. He radiates a sort of ancient, yet tired, power.
The Master walks slowly to Alpha and then stops in front of the wolf, head bowed. He then touches Alpha on the head with his gnarled hand and strokes the mighty wolf’s great coat of fur. Where his hand touches, a dark black streak is left behind. Alpha seems to shudder with religious rapture. The Master walks to several other wolves and engages in the same rite, touching them in different places, always leaving his black mark. He reaches Gar the Dreamer last. Pausing for a long moment, he reaches out and touches Gar on one of the few grey patches left on his coat. It turns dark black, and Gar seems infused with the vigor of a youngling, his four legs standing straighter, his head rising higher, his eyes shining brighter.
The Master now walks slowly over to where the group is observing. Garrit grows tense, Jasper looks on with excited curiosity, but the other four just stare into the eyes of the old, old elf. Luthiel and Cryndo look almost euphoric, huge grins on their faces, eyes half closed. The old elf smiles faintly and waves his hand across each of the four caught in his spell. One by one, they snap out of the dreamlike state, and now stare, with a slightly frightened look on some faces, waiting for… something.
The bonfire has receded some. Turning from the six towards the wolves, the Master stands silent and motionless for a moment. Then he speaks. His voice is low and gravelly, and rather soft, but every word can be heard and understood perfectly. He says, “My People… Your Master comes to you now in a time of dire crisis. Our Forest, our Home… is in danger. The Untouched two-footers are beginning to encroach on the borders of the Forest, and it has been so long since a Renewal that I cannot hold them off by myself. These six here… they are the first of many… many aggressors who have been sent here, to our Forest, to our Home… to kill us.” At this, all eyes turn to the group and low, angry growls come from the throats of the riled wolves. “But fear not, my People! They have been deceived, and though their greed brought them here, their new faith will save us.”
He turns to the six, now. “You were sent to kill us. But now you will help us win our Home back. The two in the Tower of the Clearing, they are Untouched and must be cast out. Powerful magic, spells that I cast in my stronger, younger days, keeps the clearing free of the animals, but my Tower has been taken by the two-footers, and I cannot Renew myself!”
He speaks with fervor now. “I must Renew myself, lest this beautiful, ancient Forest fall to the hands of your careless, greedy kin! You must kill them, as you were sent to kill me and my People! And that is not all. You must atone for your sins against Nature not just by undoing the wrong you have done, but also by righting another. To the far east, two-footers are hacking at our Forest, felling trees that have stood for a thousand years. And you must kill them all. Kill them all as you were sent to kill us. Do not deny it! For I know of the Touched two-footers you massacred. Without cause, without provocation, you killed them. And you must atone. I may seem weak to you, old and frail. And you are right, I am ancient, and my powers are no longer what they were. But my People trust me, and they will follow me. And if I were to Renew myself, my powers could return to me, and once again I could protect this fair Wood to the best of my ability. But first you must get those two-footers out of my Tower, and you must get those loggers out of my Forest. Do this, or my and my People’s wrath shall fall on you.” He pauses and waits, probably for a response. Every wolf present looks at the six, expectantly, and in some, angrily.
[sblock]OOG: Sorry that took so long, and sorry that's such a long post. But I'm a sucker for narratives. And don't apologize, Scout, it's my bad...
OOC: Malen's detect magic reveals several magical auras. First, the bonfire is made brighter by a first-level evocation. The fog is created by a first-level conjuration. The effect which seems to take control of his mind interrupts his concentration, thus he knows nothing of its power.[/sblock]
The sun finally reaches the horizon, and as though on cue, the adult wolves return from the hunt, every one carrying some kind of animal, be it a rabbit or a deer flank or, in one case, four wolves are dragging a brown bear’s carcass. Alpha nods at each catch, and touches each bear-bearing wolf on the forehead with his nose. All the animals are deposited in a circle around the stack of wood that the group has made.
The sun is gone from the sky, now, and the stars give the only light. All the wolves have gathered in a circle around the pile of sticks, even the cubs from inside of the crevice are present, albeit protected by a small group of wolves, probably female. All present and accounted for, there are about twenty adult wolves and five elder wolves, give or take in either category.
After he makes a ‘speech’ of howls, barks, and yips, greeted by a chorus of howls, Alpha strides purposefully to Luthiel and touches his leg. Luthiel, getting the idea, takes his tindertwig and strikes up a small fire in some kindling. The others in the group add to the fire and finally get the great stack of wood to light. The massive bonfire emits a flame that showcases the eerie circle of intelligent forest creatures, sitting in silence. Then, as though on another unheard, unseen cue, all the wolves begin howling. The howls almost seem to be a strange kind of music, like Nature herself were composing a song through the voices of this unique clan. The sound is so intoxicating and alluring that Malen and Devlin begin to hum along softly. Luthiel and Cryndo are so dazed and drawn by the haunting melody that they drop to their hands and knees and begin to howl loudly and wildly, Luthiel’s fair elven voice cracking in and out of an inhuman falsetto. Only Garrit and Jasper are able to keep from joining in the song, though they both feel the pull.
Inexplicably, the bonfire blazes higher and hotter, the night lights up brighter, and the wolves sing louder. There is movement now, and the wolves, joined by Luthiel and Cryndo, are swaying back and forth in unison, slowly at first, but now wildly, quickly, grey-black heads and skinny arms flailing about in a frenzied dance.
Now the rock at the center of the clearing is surrounded by a strange fog. The crevice is no longer visible, now the fog surrounds the whole rock, and only the tip of a few jagged shards can be seen penetrating the fog. Within the fog, a vague shape can be made out, a tall, shrouded figure. It becomes clearer and comes closer, away from the rock and towards the fire. All eyes are suddenly fixed on the figure, the flailing ends quickly, and the howling subsides to a low hum. Of the group, only Garrit and Jasper can resist looking at the figure, and even they aren’t sure that they don’t want to.
Almost as fast as it appeared, the fog recedes back into the great rock, revealing the figure. It is a tall, skinny elf, with a cape made of autumn leaves and clothes of hide. The elf is clearly an ancient fellow, his long white hair, tangled with leaves and dirt, falls down past his shoulders, and his beard reaches his knees. Though he is hunched over, leaning on a long, thick, gnarled staff, he is at least six feet tall, probably seven at full height. His skin is a tan brown, and his elven ears are extremely long. What can be seen of his arms and legs isn’t much, it’s all skin and bones. He radiates a sort of ancient, yet tired, power.
The Master walks slowly to Alpha and then stops in front of the wolf, head bowed. He then touches Alpha on the head with his gnarled hand and strokes the mighty wolf’s great coat of fur. Where his hand touches, a dark black streak is left behind. Alpha seems to shudder with religious rapture. The Master walks to several other wolves and engages in the same rite, touching them in different places, always leaving his black mark. He reaches Gar the Dreamer last. Pausing for a long moment, he reaches out and touches Gar on one of the few grey patches left on his coat. It turns dark black, and Gar seems infused with the vigor of a youngling, his four legs standing straighter, his head rising higher, his eyes shining brighter.
The Master now walks slowly over to where the group is observing. Garrit grows tense, Jasper looks on with excited curiosity, but the other four just stare into the eyes of the old, old elf. Luthiel and Cryndo look almost euphoric, huge grins on their faces, eyes half closed. The old elf smiles faintly and waves his hand across each of the four caught in his spell. One by one, they snap out of the dreamlike state, and now stare, with a slightly frightened look on some faces, waiting for… something.
The bonfire has receded some. Turning from the six towards the wolves, the Master stands silent and motionless for a moment. Then he speaks. His voice is low and gravelly, and rather soft, but every word can be heard and understood perfectly. He says, “My People… Your Master comes to you now in a time of dire crisis. Our Forest, our Home… is in danger. The Untouched two-footers are beginning to encroach on the borders of the Forest, and it has been so long since a Renewal that I cannot hold them off by myself. These six here… they are the first of many… many aggressors who have been sent here, to our Forest, to our Home… to kill us.” At this, all eyes turn to the group and low, angry growls come from the throats of the riled wolves. “But fear not, my People! They have been deceived, and though their greed brought them here, their new faith will save us.”
He turns to the six, now. “You were sent to kill us. But now you will help us win our Home back. The two in the Tower of the Clearing, they are Untouched and must be cast out. Powerful magic, spells that I cast in my stronger, younger days, keeps the clearing free of the animals, but my Tower has been taken by the two-footers, and I cannot Renew myself!”
He speaks with fervor now. “I must Renew myself, lest this beautiful, ancient Forest fall to the hands of your careless, greedy kin! You must kill them, as you were sent to kill me and my People! And that is not all. You must atone for your sins against Nature not just by undoing the wrong you have done, but also by righting another. To the far east, two-footers are hacking at our Forest, felling trees that have stood for a thousand years. And you must kill them all. Kill them all as you were sent to kill us. Do not deny it! For I know of the Touched two-footers you massacred. Without cause, without provocation, you killed them. And you must atone. I may seem weak to you, old and frail. And you are right, I am ancient, and my powers are no longer what they were. But my People trust me, and they will follow me. And if I were to Renew myself, my powers could return to me, and once again I could protect this fair Wood to the best of my ability. But first you must get those two-footers out of my Tower, and you must get those loggers out of my Forest. Do this, or my and my People’s wrath shall fall on you.” He pauses and waits, probably for a response. Every wolf present looks at the six, expectantly, and in some, angrily.
[sblock]OOG: Sorry that took so long, and sorry that's such a long post. But I'm a sucker for narratives. And don't apologize, Scout, it's my bad...
OOC: Malen's detect magic reveals several magical auras. First, the bonfire is made brighter by a first-level evocation. The fog is created by a first-level conjuration. The effect which seems to take control of his mind interrupts his concentration, thus he knows nothing of its power.[/sblock]
Rae ArdGaoth
Explorer
OOC: Oh yeah, I forgot, I'm NPCing 3 guys... Is it really 3? Yeesh.
Jasper cowers as the old elf turns his way. He *eeps!* every now and then, when the Master's voice raises. And when he hears that he must kill loggers, who are probably humans, and the two in the tower, who are definitely humans, he says, "B-b-but... I can't kill them! That's... that's evil...and I-" But the Master cuts him off. "NO! Little two-footer, you know nothing of good and evil. The two-footers in the Tower and those cutting down our mighty trees are the evil ones. And you must kill them all, for the good of the Forest!" Jasper *eeps!* again and nods.
The responses of Cryndo and Garret are similar. They both say something along the lines of. "Only one may command me, and he reigns from above. I will kill these evil-doers only if my god judges them to be evil. I promise you nothing more." The tall elf only nods.
Jasper cowers as the old elf turns his way. He *eeps!* every now and then, when the Master's voice raises. And when he hears that he must kill loggers, who are probably humans, and the two in the tower, who are definitely humans, he says, "B-b-but... I can't kill them! That's... that's evil...and I-" But the Master cuts him off. "NO! Little two-footer, you know nothing of good and evil. The two-footers in the Tower and those cutting down our mighty trees are the evil ones. And you must kill them all, for the good of the Forest!" Jasper *eeps!* again and nods.
The responses of Cryndo and Garret are similar. They both say something along the lines of. "Only one may command me, and he reigns from above. I will kill these evil-doers only if my god judges them to be evil. I promise you nothing more." The tall elf only nods.
Dungannon
First Post
Devlin Magruder, human rogue 3
Devlin picks up on the apparent change in attitude of the wolves. "Perhaps we should be heading back to our camp now, to discuss our future course of action."
Devlin then stands up and begins cautiously moving toward the exit of the clearing, looking back at his fellow adventurers and hoping they will follow his lead.
Devlin picks up on the apparent change in attitude of the wolves. "Perhaps we should be heading back to our camp now, to discuss our future course of action."
Devlin then stands up and begins cautiously moving toward the exit of the clearing, looking back at his fellow adventurers and hoping they will follow his lead.
Rae ArdGaoth
Explorer
Jasper, Garrit, and Cryndo all nod and follow Devlin. The ancient elf calls after them, "You have only one course of action, and that is to atone for your sins and save our Forest! Know this, two-footers! And trust in me!" With that, the elf turns back to the wolves and begins speaking in barks and yips. To the party, it seems as though he had always been speaking in barks and yips, only they never noticed it because they could understand him perfectly. Now his 'words' are incomprehensible.
Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1
Luthiel falls into step beside Devlin, still shivering a bit in fright. When they are a few hundred feet out of the clearing, he says "I wasn't too sure about whether we would make it out of there alive! So what do you think, is our 'new job' one that we can survive?" Though he is walking beside Devlin, he is asking everyone in the group.
Luthiel falls into step beside Devlin, still shivering a bit in fright. When they are a few hundred feet out of the clearing, he says "I wasn't too sure about whether we would make it out of there alive! So what do you think, is our 'new job' one that we can survive?" Though he is walking beside Devlin, he is asking everyone in the group.
