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The Scourge of the Ratmen [Scarred Lands] - Updated 1/26
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<blockquote data-quote="Amaroq" data-source="post: 1884168" data-attributes="member: 15470"><p><strong>Issue #17: Interludes and Intermissions - Episode 4 of 13</strong></p><p></p><p>At the site of the ruined temple, the five druids sit in a circle. The half-elf, the one who had arrived as an eagle, says in the secret tongue of the druids, “This is a very good thing, for you to have called us together. The earth has taken a grievous wound here, and it will stretch all of our abilities to heal this rift.”</p><p></p><p>The half-elf begins leading them in a ritual, chanting and meditating. As they work, the sun crosses the sky. Sweat begins to drip down their faces, as there is no shade. Goldpetal can tell it will take them well into the night to cleanse this area. </p><p></p><p>There are many aspects of the ritual. For some time, they sit in silent meditation. Then they begin to chant and sing, sometimes together, sometimes individually. The elf has brought wooden pan-pipes, while the lizard-man and the human have each brought drums. In the late afternoon, they have a bonfire, and dance wildly around it to the beat of the drums, the melody of the pipes, and the strength of their song. </p><p></p><p>Around sunset, the ritual reaches a crescendo of power. The five druids stand on their feet, chanting loudly, and a great rending noise, as though of rock splitting, echoes up from the rocky ground beneath them. The earth settles beneath their feet, as the last remnants of the evil temple are ground into fine, untainted rock.</p><p></p><p>Through the early part of the evening, the ritual continues, softer and quiet, with a subtle hint of joy and spring, as the five druids bring plants to life across the barren rubble. First one blade of grass, then another, peers through the rocky earth. As though finding sunlight, they thrive and grow in the darkness. Roots, growing swiftly, permeate the remnants of the standing stones, breaking them down as well. The soft chant swells to become a raucous celebration of life. By mid-evening, the rough circle which had been a mound of rock and rubble has become a smooth meadow with grass and flowers. It looks and smells like springtime, although all around it is the dry grass of autumn.</p><p></p><p>The chant quiets, then drops to a whisper, and then to silence. After a few minutes, Goldpetal opens his eyes. He looks around the circle, where the female wood elf and the half-elf have opened their eyes as well, and greet him with smiles. The lizard man and the human are both still meditating; the human opens his eyes a minute later, while another ten minutes pass in silence before the lizard man finishes. </p><p></p><p>When they have both finished, the half-elf speaks. “It is done. A great wound to the earth has been healed here, and even more damage prevented. The earth thanks you, Goldpetal.”</p><p></p><p>The young elf bows his head in gracious acknowledgement. Through the course of the ritual, he has learned more about the Mysteries than he had yet been taught, and has learned a great deal about ritual casting.</p><p></p><p>“This Circle is finished,” the half-elf says formally. After a moment, he motions to the two elves, and adds “You two should remain, and speak with Strength of the Willow.” With that, he seems to blur and shift, and turns into the eagle, already stretching its wings in flight. In moments, the eagle disappears into the night sky. The human druid, once again a ferret, has already slipped off into the new-grown grass.</p><p></p><p>The lizard man, Strength of the Willow, remains with the two elves. He speaks the druidic tongue fluently, with only a hint of a Draconic accent. “You have learned much, both tonight, and in your experiences these past three months. You have, tonight, learned Mysteries known only to an Initiate of the Third Circle. However, there is more that you need to learn.” </p><p></p><p>“You,” he says sharply, turning to peer at Goldpetal, “Must learn to control your spells. Many times, in my swamp, you have cast a spell without intent. This is dangerous, very dangerous. A mere wizard does as much, trying things he does not comprehend until one achieves an effect that he desires. Often, they see not the consequences of their power, and that will inevitably destroy them. Of a druid, I expected more. Your powers must come at your will, and stay bound to your will, or you would be better off without.”</p><p></p><p>Goldpetal looks abashed, but the lizard man turns his attentions to the wood elf. “And you,” he says, with a similar sharpness to his voice, “Must learn to control your passions. Your anger has nearly destroyed you once, and your love for a companion not of the Circle may yet destroy you. You must rule your actions with your head, not your heart, or you will one day use your powers in a way which you will keenly regret.”</p><p></p><p>The wood elf looks defensive, but stares at her feet without response.</p><p>After a moment, the lizard man says, “You must both practice self-discipline. But,” and with this his voice lightens. “There is also something else you must practice.</p><p></p><p>“You have noticed by now that you can pass without a trace, if you so desire?” They both nod. “This is because your experiences have made you more attuned with both the earth and the plants. They respect and accept your presence, in a way that they resist the presence of others. Similarly, thorns will turn aside, and briars will not grasp you, allowing you to move without pause through heavy foliage.</p><p></p><p>“There are also new spells and rituals which are available to you, which I must teach you.”</p><p></p><p>He spends several hours teaching them the new spells and rituals. There are many rites, too many to list, but amongst them the two elves learn to both <em>cause</em> and <em>neutralize poison</em>, as well as how to <em>cause </em> and <em>remove disease</em>. They are also able to cast a spell to breathe underwater, to merge with or sculpt stone, and to call lightning.</p><p></p><p>When these spells are all taught, the lizard man concludes, “You can see why self-discipline is so important. With these spells, both great good and great evil can be wrought. If you are not disciplined, much ill can come of this knowledge.</p><p></p><p>“Far more important, however, is what I must teach you next. For you will learn to assume the form of an animal. I know not which; you saw that I become a lizard, while others take other forms. You must discover for yourself which animal you possess in your heart. But again I must warn you: Discipline and thought must rule your mind. There are ever stories of the unwary, both of young Initiates trying to learn the Mysteries without guidance, or of elder Druids whose self-control lapses. Those unfortunates forget how to change, forget even that they were once an elf, or a lizard man, or a human. They are trapped, forever, in the body of the beast.”</p><p></p><p>The two elves draw a deep breath and square their shoulders, and the lizard man teaches them the way. With a ripple, a great black panther occupies the space that Goldpetal had stood in. The panther turns its head, and finds beside it a lithe reddish-brown fox. Another ripple, and the two elves are standing in the clearing again, with awe on their faces. “Go,” says the lizard man. “Play. Feel the joy of the animal form, but forget not who you are.”</p><p></p><p>Again, the ripple, and panther and fox stand side by side. With a flounce of her bushy tail, the fox turns and darts across the plain, and the panther runs with it. However, though they play together for a brief moment, after some time the fox turns north to head into the hills, while the panther works his west across the plains. </p><p></p><p>Goldpetal learns the joy of running as a panther, his sure paws beneath him finding every foothold, his gait both effortless yet faster than he has ever run before. His eyesight is keener even than an elf’s, and the night air carries many stories to his nose. Finally, he recognizes the scent of an apple orchard, and remembers what he is, and where he needs to go. He turns towards the orchard.</p><p></p><p>Before he can reach the edge of the trees, however, a great eagle swoops down in front of him. The cat-like instinct leads him rushing towards it, prepared to pounce. As he coils himself to spring, the eagle ripples and becomes the half-elven druid, standing tall and stern before him.</p><p></p><p>The panther tries to stop, but tumbles over its paws, clumsily sliding to a halt at the druid's feet. As the dust settles, Goldpetal lies there, in elven form. He picks himself up, and so does not see the hint of a smile which fleetingly crosses the older druid’s face.</p><p></p><p>“You should not approach them so,” the half-elf advises. “For they would not recognize you. It is best that you introduce them to the concept gently, should you find it necessary to do so at all.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” Goldpetal says, with a hint of a smile, which any observer might have thought similar to the older druid’s. “I can see that.”</p><p></p><p>“I wished to speak with you alone,” the half-elf says. “Walk with me.”</p><p></p><p>They walk together through the apple orchard, and wherever the half-elf passes, apples almost ripe ripen, and green ones begin to turn red. “This is not over, yet,” the half-elf says. “You should go with your companions, northward to Lave, for your task is yet undone. But be cautious. The way of Madriel is not the same as the way of Denev, though they may lie together for a time. I see in your future a difficult choice, for a day will come when you must choose between your companions and Denev.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Amaroq, post: 1884168, member: 15470"] [b]Issue #17: Interludes and Intermissions - Episode 4 of 13[/b] At the site of the ruined temple, the five druids sit in a circle. The half-elf, the one who had arrived as an eagle, says in the secret tongue of the druids, “This is a very good thing, for you to have called us together. The earth has taken a grievous wound here, and it will stretch all of our abilities to heal this rift.” The half-elf begins leading them in a ritual, chanting and meditating. As they work, the sun crosses the sky. Sweat begins to drip down their faces, as there is no shade. Goldpetal can tell it will take them well into the night to cleanse this area. There are many aspects of the ritual. For some time, they sit in silent meditation. Then they begin to chant and sing, sometimes together, sometimes individually. The elf has brought wooden pan-pipes, while the lizard-man and the human have each brought drums. In the late afternoon, they have a bonfire, and dance wildly around it to the beat of the drums, the melody of the pipes, and the strength of their song. Around sunset, the ritual reaches a crescendo of power. The five druids stand on their feet, chanting loudly, and a great rending noise, as though of rock splitting, echoes up from the rocky ground beneath them. The earth settles beneath their feet, as the last remnants of the evil temple are ground into fine, untainted rock. Through the early part of the evening, the ritual continues, softer and quiet, with a subtle hint of joy and spring, as the five druids bring plants to life across the barren rubble. First one blade of grass, then another, peers through the rocky earth. As though finding sunlight, they thrive and grow in the darkness. Roots, growing swiftly, permeate the remnants of the standing stones, breaking them down as well. The soft chant swells to become a raucous celebration of life. By mid-evening, the rough circle which had been a mound of rock and rubble has become a smooth meadow with grass and flowers. It looks and smells like springtime, although all around it is the dry grass of autumn. The chant quiets, then drops to a whisper, and then to silence. After a few minutes, Goldpetal opens his eyes. He looks around the circle, where the female wood elf and the half-elf have opened their eyes as well, and greet him with smiles. The lizard man and the human are both still meditating; the human opens his eyes a minute later, while another ten minutes pass in silence before the lizard man finishes. When they have both finished, the half-elf speaks. “It is done. A great wound to the earth has been healed here, and even more damage prevented. The earth thanks you, Goldpetal.” The young elf bows his head in gracious acknowledgement. Through the course of the ritual, he has learned more about the Mysteries than he had yet been taught, and has learned a great deal about ritual casting. “This Circle is finished,” the half-elf says formally. After a moment, he motions to the two elves, and adds “You two should remain, and speak with Strength of the Willow.” With that, he seems to blur and shift, and turns into the eagle, already stretching its wings in flight. In moments, the eagle disappears into the night sky. The human druid, once again a ferret, has already slipped off into the new-grown grass. The lizard man, Strength of the Willow, remains with the two elves. He speaks the druidic tongue fluently, with only a hint of a Draconic accent. “You have learned much, both tonight, and in your experiences these past three months. You have, tonight, learned Mysteries known only to an Initiate of the Third Circle. However, there is more that you need to learn.” “You,” he says sharply, turning to peer at Goldpetal, “Must learn to control your spells. Many times, in my swamp, you have cast a spell without intent. This is dangerous, very dangerous. A mere wizard does as much, trying things he does not comprehend until one achieves an effect that he desires. Often, they see not the consequences of their power, and that will inevitably destroy them. Of a druid, I expected more. Your powers must come at your will, and stay bound to your will, or you would be better off without.” Goldpetal looks abashed, but the lizard man turns his attentions to the wood elf. “And you,” he says, with a similar sharpness to his voice, “Must learn to control your passions. Your anger has nearly destroyed you once, and your love for a companion not of the Circle may yet destroy you. You must rule your actions with your head, not your heart, or you will one day use your powers in a way which you will keenly regret.” The wood elf looks defensive, but stares at her feet without response. After a moment, the lizard man says, “You must both practice self-discipline. But,” and with this his voice lightens. “There is also something else you must practice. “You have noticed by now that you can pass without a trace, if you so desire?” They both nod. “This is because your experiences have made you more attuned with both the earth and the plants. They respect and accept your presence, in a way that they resist the presence of others. Similarly, thorns will turn aside, and briars will not grasp you, allowing you to move without pause through heavy foliage. “There are also new spells and rituals which are available to you, which I must teach you.” He spends several hours teaching them the new spells and rituals. There are many rites, too many to list, but amongst them the two elves learn to both [I]cause[/I] and [I]neutralize poison[/I], as well as how to [I]cause [/I] and [I]remove disease[/I]. They are also able to cast a spell to breathe underwater, to merge with or sculpt stone, and to call lightning. When these spells are all taught, the lizard man concludes, “You can see why self-discipline is so important. With these spells, both great good and great evil can be wrought. If you are not disciplined, much ill can come of this knowledge. “Far more important, however, is what I must teach you next. For you will learn to assume the form of an animal. I know not which; you saw that I become a lizard, while others take other forms. You must discover for yourself which animal you possess in your heart. But again I must warn you: Discipline and thought must rule your mind. There are ever stories of the unwary, both of young Initiates trying to learn the Mysteries without guidance, or of elder Druids whose self-control lapses. Those unfortunates forget how to change, forget even that they were once an elf, or a lizard man, or a human. They are trapped, forever, in the body of the beast.” The two elves draw a deep breath and square their shoulders, and the lizard man teaches them the way. With a ripple, a great black panther occupies the space that Goldpetal had stood in. The panther turns its head, and finds beside it a lithe reddish-brown fox. Another ripple, and the two elves are standing in the clearing again, with awe on their faces. “Go,” says the lizard man. “Play. Feel the joy of the animal form, but forget not who you are.” Again, the ripple, and panther and fox stand side by side. With a flounce of her bushy tail, the fox turns and darts across the plain, and the panther runs with it. However, though they play together for a brief moment, after some time the fox turns north to head into the hills, while the panther works his west across the plains. Goldpetal learns the joy of running as a panther, his sure paws beneath him finding every foothold, his gait both effortless yet faster than he has ever run before. His eyesight is keener even than an elf’s, and the night air carries many stories to his nose. Finally, he recognizes the scent of an apple orchard, and remembers what he is, and where he needs to go. He turns towards the orchard. Before he can reach the edge of the trees, however, a great eagle swoops down in front of him. The cat-like instinct leads him rushing towards it, prepared to pounce. As he coils himself to spring, the eagle ripples and becomes the half-elven druid, standing tall and stern before him. The panther tries to stop, but tumbles over its paws, clumsily sliding to a halt at the druid's feet. As the dust settles, Goldpetal lies there, in elven form. He picks himself up, and so does not see the hint of a smile which fleetingly crosses the older druid’s face. “You should not approach them so,” the half-elf advises. “For they would not recognize you. It is best that you introduce them to the concept gently, should you find it necessary to do so at all.” “Yes,” Goldpetal says, with a hint of a smile, which any observer might have thought similar to the older druid’s. “I can see that.” “I wished to speak with you alone,” the half-elf says. “Walk with me.” They walk together through the apple orchard, and wherever the half-elf passes, apples almost ripe ripen, and green ones begin to turn red. “This is not over, yet,” the half-elf says. “You should go with your companions, northward to Lave, for your task is yet undone. But be cautious. The way of Madriel is not the same as the way of Denev, though they may lie together for a time. I see in your future a difficult choice, for a day will come when you must choose between your companions and Denev.” [/QUOTE]
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