The Bramble’s Secret

by Gael

After resettling in Tarn, I took some time to consider my situation. One option of course was to move back in with my parents for a while. But while I love them dearly, doing so would only have reinforced a lingering sense of failure that I felt. No, I needed somewhere else to go. Somewhere I could rebuild and heal.

That place became the Bramble.

The old tower had long stood abandoned and in disrepair for years, which suited me well enough. Recent reports also claimed that the Lorewood had grown more dangerous than before. So occupying it would allow me to keep watch over the forest and, in due time, train a handful of my remaining soldiers into proper rangers.

So it was, on an otherwise ordinary day, that I began clearing the area around the tower with the help of the De La Roost twins. Their aid was invaluable, as the work was far too much for any one person alone.

While clearing rubble near the tower’s base, we uncovered a suspicious looking stone. A faded Sylvan rune carved into its surface that began to glow when struck by sunlight. After digging it free, we found it to be a perfectly square slab, roughly five feet across. The rune itself, by my reconning, holding the meaning of light and shadow, or sun and moon.

Curiosity got the better of us. Together, we lifted the slab. It resisted at first only to suddenly give way. A rush of cold wind surged up from beneath, sending chills down our spines. We set the stone aside and inspected what had been revealed.
The pit beneath was shallow, about five feet deep. So I climbed down to investigate. The walls were etched with more runes and the floor was scattered with small trinkets. Jewelry, bits of cutlery, and an old cloak fastened with a clasp. Shiny objects, that clearly were meant as offerings. Fey offerings to something we had just released.

Alistan and Liliana soon confirmed my suspicions. They spotted a trail of shimmering footprints leading away from the pit and toward the Lorewood. Whatever had been sealed beneath the tower was now free.
Normally, we would have informed the others before pursuing it. However, everyone was occupied with their own tasks, and I will admit that I had little patience left for further lectures on the dangers of the Fey. So we chose to follow the trail ourselves.

The footprints were easy enough to track. Glowing faintly whenever sunlight touched them. Their path however, was erratic to say the least. Zigzagging between trees and doubling back without logic. A chaos that only made sense once we realized we had crossed into the boundary between worlds and found ourselves in the Feywild.

The forest opened into a small clearing. At its center stood a flat stone bearing a finely carved statue of a sleeping female elf. The craftsmanship was so lifelike that we briefly feared that it was in fact a petrified victim, but we found no immediate evidence of this. In front of the stone also stood a large golden mushroom. Nearly waist-high and softly radiant.

Unsure on how to proceed, as the footsteps had vanished, we searched for clues. Liliana even calmly collected some of the mushroom’s falling spores before turning to us and saying with a smile: “for my garden”.. Eventually, Alistan recalled that in old fairy tales an old gnome often appeared, sitting on a golden mushroom, and thus decided to act. Sitting down atop of the golden mushroom.

The statue’s eyes opened at once as it extended its hand and spoke a riddle: “It has a golden head and a golden tail, but no body.”

Confidently, Alistan pulled out a golden coin and placed it in her hand. With a slight pop, he vanished and the statue closed her hand and returned to sleep. Liliana and I followed, each offering a coin of our own.

When we opened our eyes, we stood in a similar clearing, yet altered in key ways. It was now the middle of the night. The temperature had dropped significantly and a strong wind blew through barren branches stripped of every leaf. It felt unmistakably like winter. The stone meanwhile remained the same, but the mushroom and statue were gone, leaving us to wonder as to how we might find our way home.

Still, not all was lost. A fresh set of glowing tracks shimmered in the distance, leading deeper into the woods—now far less hospitable than before. The trees were devoid of life, and the only sounds were our breath and footsteps. Shadows played tricks on our eyes, and the sole signs of vitality were small sprouts of grass emerging where the tracks passed.

We were not alone for long. Movement in the darkness betrayed several figures lumbering toward us. As they closed in, we saw they were vaguely humanoid plant creatures, which made me regret not asking Luke and his fire magic to accompany us.

The battle was mercifully brief. The De La Roost twins quickly formed a shield wall that proved impervious to the creatures’ assault, allowing me to safely pick them off from a distance. Victorious, we pressed on.

About an hour later, we stood before a large burial mound. The tracks leading into a tunnel within it. We followed and after a steep descent the passage opened into a small chamber. Carved into the far wall was a large triangle resembling a mountain, containing three small circles. Beside each was a line of Sylvan text:

“When I release my power, it grows fast and wild. Sharp as a needle and unbothered by the cold, I stand tall, if only for a short while."

“Slow and steady wins the race. I take my time, but my strength and longevity are unmatched.”

“I guard my treasure, which is sought after by many. Don’t confuse me with my evil twin, for it might cost your life.”

Looking through the room, Liliana also discovered several small chests. Each bearing the symbol of a seed and containing a bell. Understanding the riddle, we grabbed the bells from the chests with a pinecone, an acorn, and a chestnut and rang them in order. Which opened a secret door, revealing a new tunnel that descended even deeper.

After another long descent, we entered a larger room. This time, we were not alone however. Three other figures, adventurers based on their gear, stood frozen in place. As we approached, the speed of our movements began to drain away, growing worse the closer we came to the door at the far end.

Drawing on his inner strength, Alistan forced his way forward and reached the door, breaking the effect on himself. Liliana was less fortunate. The slowing magic overtaking her until she stood completely still, like a statue. I nearly shared her fate, but at the last moment I shifted into mist and slipped through the door.

Unwilling to risk the effect again, I pulled out my rope, one of the three vital tools of any adventurer and fashioned a lasso. After several attempts, I managed to snag Liliana and pull her free, releasing her from the enchantment. We tried the same with the other three, but when time caught up to them once more, they quickly aged into dust. At least they were finally free to rest in peace.

Venturing deeper still, we emerged into a natural cavern and beheld a disturbing sight. At its centre stood a massive tree, with several cadavers hanging from its branches as though by suicide. As we moved toward the exit, the tree began to shake. Bodies falling to the ground as it uprooted itself and charged us.

Alistan stood firm, absorbing the heavy blows on his shield before delivering a mighty shove that toppled the creature. A giant mushroom came to its aid, but Liliana prevented it from reaching him. And together, we made short work of them and continued onward.

By then, I estimated we were nearly a hundred feet below the surface. At last, we reached what seemed to be the end of our journey. A vast chamber with a throne at its centre. Upon which slept a figure best described as an oversized gnome clad in tattered clothes.

He soon awoke and welcomed us to his domain, apologizing for its state of disrepair after his long absence as he introduced himself as Puck.

When we explained that we had followed the tracks of something that escaped near our home, he laughed and admitted it had indeed been him. And thanked us for freeing him. Explaining that after a prank was poorly received by the tower’s previous owner, he had been imprisoned beneath it. And once freed, simple wished to return home.

As we talked, he asked for advice on what to do next. As while he wished to rebuild his domain, he was uncertain what shape it should take this time. After some thought, I suggested the name Mirrorveil. To add to the prankster motive that he preferred. mulling it over, he smiled and agreed. Even beginning to ponder where he would find enough mirrors.

Wanting to return the favor, Puck asked what we desired in return. Knowing we would eventually need to infiltrate both Neverhold and Keralon, I asked for his aid in this. He did refuse to risk the High King’s wrath by helping with the former, but agreed to assist us with Keralon. Gifting us a powder that, when dissolved in water, would transform us into a flock of geese for an hour. Allowing us to fly over the city walls.

And with that, our adventure with Puck came to an end. A most agreeable fellow, and one I am certain we will encounter again. Especially following a rather unfortunate turn of phrase that was uttered. But that, I am certain, is a tale for another time.

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A day of celebrations and beginnings
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

A trial of brambles
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

Departure
1st of Lug, 121, Era of the Tree

Dreams and Peril
2-5 Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

City of Strife and Secrets
5th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

A complicated situation
6th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Onwards towards the west
7th & 8th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Strangers in the mist
8-11th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

For now I am the hunted
11th of Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

Hunted no more
12th of Lug, Year 121 Era of the Tree

Trial by fire
13th - 14th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Keralon at last
15th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Has it truly been five years?
1st - 2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Escorting the envoy
2nd of Nuan, Year 126, Era of the Tree

Heart of fire
3rd - 4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

A festive day
10th Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Shadow of Ravenfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Tomb of Hollow Hill
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The battle for Ravensfield part 1
16th of Nuan, 126 Year of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

The battle for Ravensfield part 2
16th - 17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Return to Keralon
18th - 21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Embassy ball
22nd - 23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Searching for Norgar
23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The fall of Robert Talespinner
23rd of Nuan, Y126 E.O.T.

Intermission: Letter home

The Journal Entry’s title

An Audience With The King
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

A new beginning
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Breaking and making deals
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Nightly intrusions
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

Dinner for Seven
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Graduation Day
25th of Aran, Y126 EOT

A love for the ages
24th of Aran, Y126 EOT

The festival
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Battle of the bards
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Fire in the night
2nd of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Lord Quinn I presume
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Departure for Latebra Velora
5th - 6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Wurms and Dragons
6th - 8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Gold in the dark
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Heart of Acid
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Meeting Grandmother
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

A shadowy evening
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Latebra Velora
16th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

A dragon's fate
16th - 17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

A royal summons
17th - 20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Planning ahead
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

A Rabbit and a Mole
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Hall
Hopefully 22th - 25th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Into the Warg's den
I think 25th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

On feathered wing
No clue

A Rose at Twilight
7th of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Whitewail
still no idea

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29th of Gobu, 128 Era of the Tree

A day in the library
30th of Gobu 126 Era of the Tree

The Tournament
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Wolf and the Knight
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Fey Dance
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Home at last
2nd of Madan, 126 Year of the Tree

Getting back on track
4th - 10th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

Entering the King' Tomb
11th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

A key challenge
11th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

The First King
11th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

Secrets of Sister Willow
14th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Luke's Rebellion
15th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Two shadows, one truth
15th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

The Bramble’s Secret
18th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

The Bramble’s Secret

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