Woodland Storm! - IC

[Ninja_Prawn]

Everyone looks at Sean.

<Sylvan> "I am hardly an expert, you know," he chides, before continuing: "the drow are elves, just as much as the copper elves of Semberholme*, but somehow they have become twisted and evil. They do not love the forests - or any other part of the surface world - and even the humans in their walled cities fear the drow." He thinks for a moment. "I have heard that not all drow are evil, but I have never met any such. All I know is that they came and destroyed the Old Elven Court, many years ago, and left it the monster-infested ruin that it is today. Of the Underdark, I know even less. It is a series of caverns, underneath the world, filled with terrible, evil things."

<Sylvan> "So, what you're saying is, you have no idea why they've come back," Maefydia summarises.

Spoiler: *

Show

Semberholme is an old elven nation not far from your current location.

[Gwendol]

"It's not that this Ettercap gave us the slip. We tried to goad them into attacking, but instead they tried to weave a web to trap us. We decided to make a run for it instead, and by following a stream we were eventually able to shake them off."
Gonff explains what happened in the forest.

[JNAProductions]

<Sylvan> I still propose we gather some druids to help control the flames and burn the whole damn section of the forest down. The ashes will help the new growths, and it'll solve the issue. Ferb says.

[Ninja_Prawn]

<Sylvan> "Ah, yes. I have heard of this happening before. No doubt those foul monsters planned to eat you once you had become trapped in their webs and rendered helpless to resist." The sprite's face is grim and you get the impression that he is thinking. "Though if they would not attack you head-on, at night and in their own lair... perhaps they are yet weak. There may be some hope still."

<Sylvan> "Ferb does have a point," Sean offers. "Fire would drive them out. But where would we find so many druids? I doubt those sycophants in the enclave* would help us, so you would have to go among the big folk to seek their help." He clucks his tongue. "If anything they do deserves to be called 'help'. They can be as dangerous as forest fires, sometimes."

*By this he means the Secret Enclave where King Soren's faerie palace is hidden.

[Lank]

"I think you aren't giving the big folk a fair go. Sure there is evil among them but look at me. Dragons have terrorized the wilds all over the world, yet I am not evil. With a bit of diplomacy I am sure we can get their help and save the forest".

[Gwendol]

"Agreed" Gonff nods. "The druids will likely not take kindly to risk having the forest realm overrun by dark elves and spider creatures. Where do we find these druids?"

[JNAProductions]

Ferb smiles contentedly, glad to see his plan coming together.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Sean spreads a map before you. <Sylvan> "Last time I checked, there was a circle of druids living near the stone circle at Corarael. I only dealt with them once: they seemed a young group, with many acolytes that were... perhaps not cut out for the way of the druid. I was rather hoping they would dissolve by themselves in time, but in the meantime, we may be able to use them."

<Sylvan> "There is another option," suggests Maefydia. "The Silver Hermit will know where to find help, and we know we can trust her."

Sean glares at the dryad. <Sylvan> "And how would we get to her? The Thorny Ridge is too dangerous for these four."

She shrugs. <Sylvan> "At least they won't have to deal with any more spiders for a while."

[JNAProductions]

<Sylvan> Here's what I propose we do-send the stealthy members through the Thorny Ridge. Move fast, move quietly, and don't stand and fight. The rest go to Corarael.

[Lank]

"Isn't splitting up at a time like this a bad idea? Perhaps we should move has one group to both places. It would take longer but it will be a whole lot safer for us if we travel in a larger group".

[Gwendol]

"Hm, not if we don't believe we'll survive the Thorny Ridge unless travelling undetected. How long is that trek? Also, I can be sneaky, but not undetectable. What kind of dangers do we expect on the way?"

Gonff asks in return.

[Ninja_Prawn]

<Sylvan> "It's not that long, two or three days maybe, depending on what you run into..." Sean begins, before the dryad interrupts.

<Sylvan> "The Ridge is cursed," she says, "all sorts of strange things happen there."

There is a brief pause while the druid makes sure that he has the floor. <Sylvan> "We don't know that it's 'cursed', per se. It could be a result of natural wild magic, or any number of other things. What we do know is that it attracts strange and evil monsters. Blights and night twists, trolls and displacer beasts... that's why the Silver Hermit lives there; she lives amongst them as some kind of test or trial." He shakes his head disapprovingly.

[Gwendol]

Gonff looks worried. "You really think we should go there? It sounds almost safer to head back to the village and face the spiders. Are there no other ways of reaching the Silver Hermit, by sending a kind of message?"

[Ninja_Prawn]

<Sylvan> "Alas, but I am no wizard. Any messenger I could send would surely fall foul of the Ridge's monsters."

[Gwendol]

"I say we avoid splitting the group. Can we get some help travelling undetected?" Gonff pleads.