A Gardener's Secrets

 

Objective

The Jims’ efforts to create a teleportation system across the isle have proven fruitful so far, but there is more work to be done to ensure their further success. The recipe for the paint used in their teleportation circles has been lost to time, and supply is short. Command has identified a man who may be able to make or locate more and requests a group find him and seek his aid with the matter. Please see Lt. Ambrose for more details.      

Acquire the paint or learn how to make it.

    Looking for a person - Varis  

no description

arcanist of sorts -- might have stash or be able to create some...

    Believe he currently is on a demi plane.   Called "Gardens of Ikaryn"    

Observations

Kobold council requires a performance or acceptable gift to allow us to pass to the "Gardens of Ikaryn'

Maples and Oak trees to darker blueish colored leaf trees -- weeping Willow trees.

- See a dark iron cage hanging from one of the larger trees; cylindrical in nature.   - twisted figure of wood and vines inside -- humanoid in nature, but made of wood; frozen in place      

heard stories of a person who is still alive in one of these cages... in the center of forest where the trees get more gnarly... as if to hide this "failure"

    Continued toward too much thicker and less kept area near the center of the forest      

found a small green girl, large bright green eyes, ratty dress, flowers woven into her hair after fighting some sort of plant monsters (Rosalie)

   

Varis was the one who created this place. Intended to give a merciful end to those who were sentenced to death

Also creates a beautiful scene

trees got a mind of their own, and decided they didn't like to be brought back alive

unable to turn him since he's still able to control them to some degree

   

Varis, much of my power is reduced while in here. But I might have a way to get me out.... the only method I can think of is to get someone to switch places with me.

   

Aceso did inform Rosalie of what was going on, including asking about what her plans/desires are for her life.

She decided she wanted to help, and became very intent on helping out by switching with Varis.

   

We initially left the area with Varis... come across an old man on the way back.

After that we noticed Rosalie was still struggling

Asking her if she wanted to come with us... she did not want to leave this place... she wanted to stay

Asked her what she would do if we left and left her behind... she would likely do it anyway

talked to Lt Ambrose and she said to expressly not to bring a child back to the war camp

   

We followed her back to area with Varis.

Ultimately Rosalie sacrificed herself, and Varis and Rosalie switched places.

Varis promised to do everything in his power to free her

   

After a period of somber reflection... we decided it was time to go. Varis teleported us to a workshop, where he provided Ayula the vials of the magic paint.

Follow up

Ayula is able to communicate with Varis

Work with Varis to free Rosalie

Preparation Details

Believe he currently is on a demi plane.   Called "Gardens of Ikaryn"       There is a "Council of Kobolds" in the woods. They have a habit of appearing to lost soldiers.   If you manage to find them, they should be able to get you into the garden if you present them with this.       A small medal medallion with flowers carved into it -- seems like Lilies or something similar.       Only way to find the Kobold council is to get lost... so pick a direction and get lost.       If that fails... then make your way back and we'll try something else.       These kobolds often require a performance or a gift in return for entering their territory.  

Operation Details

We decided to try to get lost to the north-west. Avoid south due to enemy. Avoid east since we know the area decently well and would eventually hit Cobh.           We only meandered around 20 minutes, before coming to a clearing...  

find 3 kobolds

welcome to the glade

present each of yourself to the council

seem to be sitting at a table

   

asked how they are... they respond => "We are antiquate"

each must do a presentation or provide a gift

    Ayula -- they didn't like her gift... she did a presentation instead, and they accepted it.   Riton -- presented the gift from Lt. Ambrose -- accepted   Faye - did a presentation   Falyer -- did a presentation   Aceso -- did a mix of a gift and a presentation       We follow the path that they presented to us.  

we hear them talking in draconic (none of us understand)

        The environment and the plant life around us is shifting.   Maples and Oak trees to darker blueish colored leaf trees -- weeping Willow trees.       Strange fungus and flowers... fireflies despite being early morning.  

Ayula popped detect magic, and there is magic EVERYWHERE

   

Ayula picked a few magic flowers with Mage hand; without ever touching them

   

No real clearing

meandering trails through the beautiful woods

too dense with magic to find any concentrated areas (Ayula with detect magic)

couldn't see any concentrations of fireflies

   

Riton climbed a tree to look for any signs of life or a clearing

- no buildings or clearings   - towards center of this place; a way in the distance -- trees get a little taller and thicker; more scraggily -- less kept   - scattered about in a bunch of places -- a glint of something metallic beneath the trees.       Aceso is looking for humanoid tracks   - some newer; some older   - some heading the way we came, and some are heading inwards   - there are a variety of sizes - some human, some child       Continue down the path - curves slightly to the left.   - Incredibly beautiful place   - See a dark iron cage hanging from one of the larger trees; cylindrical in nature.   - twisted figure of wood and vines inside -- humanoid in nature, but made of wood; frozen in place     - staring up at it was a women   - vaguely resemble a tiefling   - blue with horns; scaly texture; golden in color       - didn't know anyone by the name of Varis   - asked what the thing in change were   - they used to be corrupt people - murders / traitors   - turned into plants   - there are many who employ this location for this purpose   - groups on your plane   - certain courts on the fey   - many bring their condemned here   - the forest takes them.   - just a visitor to the Gardens of Ikaryn   - she's from the feywild       - asked what's the best way to find someone   - rumour that most of the permanent residence here are long past   - heard stories of a person who is still alive in one of these cages... in the center of forest where the trees get more gnarly... as if to hide this "failure"   - hidden since he couldn't be "turned"   - but emphasized it is a myth       - asked for our names... which we declined, but thanks her for her help           Continued toward too much thicker and less kept area near the center of the forest   - hear footsteps or see people at a distance, but don't really run into anyone directly       Emerge into a bit of a clearing.   - see a shift in the bushes on the right side... one of them would slowly start to move in place...   - not sure if something is inside it - Riton sneaks up on the bush   - slowly re-arranging itself, as the branches are shifting and getting taller   - loosely taking on a humanoid form -- a bushman of sorts: grows to 7-8 feet tall       - when Riton gets past, it attacked. Then 4 other little plants appeared   - we destroyed the little plants quickly   - we destroyed the large plant as well       - Aceso sprouted the 5 bodies   - took a short rest   - see glowing green eyes in one of the bushes       - Ayula points it out, and it disappeared   - with about 5 minutes left, they appeared again   - Aceso would throw some food for it -- it would get closer but stay hidden       - Faye uses a whistle as a shiny item   - small green girl, large bright green eyes, ratty dress, flowers woven into her hair   - would nibble some of the food   - Ayula would slowly hand her the flowers; smiles   - doesn't understand Ayula   - Faye is able to translate   - name is Rosalie   - big man everywhere...   - didn't know of anyone in the cage that is alive   - doesn't know how long she's been here. My Mama was here, but I lost her. The trees talk to her, but they don't listen to her.   - Ayula asked her to hang out with us.   - told her to stay near Ayula if anything dangerous appears       Continue our way deeper  

path would disappear entirely

no food steps

fewer fireflies, but enough to light your way

another 10 minutes before you would spot, a break in the trees

in the middle is an absolute MASSIVE tree

hanging from this central tree is a dark iron / cylindrical cage

instead you would spot a man of Elven decent inside, who is obviously not a tree

tattoos of swirling vines and leaves; eyes would be closed until we enter the tree line

raise an eyebrow, give a little bit of a smile

   

been sometime since he's seen any others

gave him Aceso's name

Varis was the one who created this place. Intended to give a merciful end to those who were sentenced to death

Also creates a beautiful scene

trees got a mind of their own, and decided they didn't like to be brought back alive

unable to turn him since he's still able to control them to some degree

   

doesn't know exactly how to create it

mage who knew how to create it passed away, and the knowledge is lost

   

Varis would leave this forest, and leave the forest to it's own devices... it can take care of itself.

Ayula tried to convince him to help the camp, but he wasn't all that interested in being tied down given his predicament.

   

Varis, much of my power is reduced while in here. But I might have a way to get me out.... the only method I can think of is to get someone to switch places with me.

       

Riton did volunteer at one point, but losing a soldier would be too high...

   

Aceso did inform Rosalie of what was going on, including asking about what her plans/desires are for her life.

She decided she wanted to help, and became very intent on helping out by switching with Varis.

We talked about letting Rosalie doing it, but the thoughts of sacrificing a child was too much for the party… We did spend a significant amount of time debating and trying to come up with other alternatives/options.

   

We initially left the area with Varis... come across an old man on the way back.

Talked with him briefly... but as expected he wasn't looking to become a tree

There was debate within some of the members about kidnapping him, and forcing him to switch with Varis… Aceso didn’t want to be part of it and walked away.

   

After that we noticed Rosalie was still struggling

Asking her if she wanted to come with us... she did not want to leave this place... she wanted to stay

Asked her what she would do if we left and left her behind... she would likely do it anyway

talked to Lt Ambrose and she said to expressly not to bring a child back to the war camp

   

there was much moral discussion, and back and forth.

We cannot kidnap a child (and effectively imprison her against her will)… better to just let her choose… even if she is only a child.

She may not truly understand, but it’s still her choice…

Aceso didn't like the idea of kidnapping the child... she should be able to choose... even if she is a child.

   

We followed her back to area with Varis.

Riton started taking off his stuff obviously to try to charge, but Falyer talked him down, and got him to walk away with him

   

Ultimately Rosalie sacrificed herself, and Varis and Rosalie switched places.

He then used his power to accelerate her transformation into a tree... with no pain

   

We spent some time laying offerings, marking the tree with her name, and paying our respects.

Varis said he owed her an immense debt, and would spend his days trying to free her once he got us the paint.

   

After a period of somber reflection... we decided it was time to go. Varis teleported us to a workshop, where he provided Ayula the vials of the magic paint.

   

Asked us to describe the location of the camp to teleport us back... mentioned west of the tree of storms (tree forever surrounded by a localized thunderstorm). He landed us near the tree, and we walked back to the camp without issue.

    The entire party returned to the fire, provided the paint to Lt Ambrose, and gave her the rundown.   The entire reward was donated to the field hospital since no one wanted the reward.           "Life is about choices. Some we regret, some were proud of. Some will haunt us forever."   .... ((the rest just sort of trails off.))