Session 31: The Heartwood Report

General Summary

Attempting to tip toe their way into the room, the Fae wolves would inhale their scent and let forth a baleful howl. Isenara was struck with fear to her core and fled the scene while the others steeled their nerves and joined the battle. As they fought the Cu Sith the effect of the pollen wore off and they were soon beset by the twigjacks. Teeth and steel ripped while splinters and magic flew. It was a short but fierce fight before the guardians of the heartwood were put down. Isenara would slink back in hoping to be unnoticed in her panic as the rest set about to crossing the chasm ahead. Daereth and Malakar would simply step thru Shadow, those who could once do such would mutter some curse. Fixing ropes in a pully system the quickly navigated across the chasm and descended into the heartwood.  

Here the stench of rot filled the air. Leshys corrupted in undeath beset them. The battle was fierce and turning against the expedition as each Leshy seemed to rise up after being struck down. Malakar would watch as Daereth and Zaelith were beset, held down and fed upon by the plant creatures, as if they were vampires. Looking to the downed leshy beside him, his wooden hand would take the shape of a stake as he drove it thru the creatures heart. The leshy would scream and turn to dust. Realizing this the expedition pushed forward with fervor, staking their foes as they went, freeing the heartwood from this corruption.  

As the last Vampirc Leshy turned to ash, a heaviness would lift from the heartwood and small blossoms would emerge along the vines, at the rooms center vines which had wrapped and cocooned the Dryad began to give way. Malakar would stand straight, shaking his left arm as the wood reshaped itself into the appearance of a hand. The wounds he had left began to close and heal as he moved closer towards the cocoon. Stopping a few steps away from it, he'd just watch as the dryad began to emerge. Aria would simply stand back for now, given the dryad had called out to Malakar, she would allow him to lead this next step. With a stretching yawn, slender arms would emerge, the skin pale with the faintest hint of green to it, the dark haired dryads brilliant green eyes would blink to life as she sat up, drawing her legs beneath her looking about, "Tyranicus....and friends...." she would nod to the others behind him "Thank you for driving out the remnants of that blight...." Malakar would study her, his eyes flashing briefly as his brow furrowed. "I don't know you. But, you call me by an old name." She would frown and draw herself to her feet slowly, attempting to move with grace, but with her legs weak, a wobbling stride would bring her to Malakar. Circling him slowly, before she would poke and prod at him a bit, "You do seems a bit less....the blight must have took its toll on many," her tone was not harsh but more matter of fact from her perspective, "I am Sivalarien, I was mother to the Western Sylvan Forest of Velthanor once....now but Winters Dream....I can not say we were close once, but you were known to me in your service to the Queen" "Much was taken from me when I was bound to this mortal form and imprisoned." Malakar would reply as he watched her inspect him. "Much of my power. Much of my memory. If not for my Lady," He'd continue, turning to look towards Aria. "I'd still be locked away in shadow and ice." The Dryad would nod stepping back, "Your fate a prison forced, mine one of choice at the very least...it seemed better for me then the alternative....whatever you did to the mortal soil of my tree set things in motion here....if you are to be thanked for that as well" she will look to Aria, "Allow me to offer a reward....while my forest grows once more in the West of Velthanor, you may travel here to harvest from the spiritual forest" Aria would raise a brow slightly but bow her head respectfully and in thanks to such an offer to the Dryad. Sivalarien would close her eyes and reach out into her tree sighing some and then turning to the others, "It seems much of my court remains....tho my Guardian seems to have long fallen to the blight...." moving over to where she had rested the plant matter will move and produce a golden Acorn, "As my rescuer, I would offer to you Tyranicus, if you wished to take the mantle to safeguard the Western Forest to be?" "I have sworn an oath to my Lady Aria for freeing me. To serve and help her rebuild what was lost. She would need to be willing to allow me to serve such a role. " Malakar respond, once again looking to the ruler of Hithfaer. Aria would smirk some and nod to him, "It will add some purpose for you in the mortal realms now..." The Dryad would smile, "I cant imagine my little forest will be in all that much conflict with your city, I am sure their defense will be one in the same!" Malakar would nod his head to Aria and in thanks, turning back to the dryad. "Then I shall take this mantle Lady Sivalarien. To safeguard these lands on both sides of the veil. To help restore the bond between Winter and its Children." With a satisfied nod and a smile she would offer him the acorn. Malakar reach out and take it and without much of a pause, he'd bring his hand up his mouth and swallow the acorn. With a singular clap the Dryad would nod "It is done then....I have much to do....wrangling my court back into some semblance of order and preparing to restore a forest....you all may call upon my tree whenever you have need, and what is left of my court will be at Tyranicus call if you need it"