We have decided to investigate after Anthronin who have set out into the forest in search of his friend. He has been gone overlong on his trip. In the forest, we came across several needlefolk, shambling mounds and a tendriculos, all behaving in ways quite unlike plants – they were attacking us as though egged on by an unseen force. The fact that any creature was anywhere near a tendriculos alone is a surprise – the giant creatures are shunned by all manners of animals and plants.
We were forced to do battle. Our little gnome wizard, completely ignoring the surroundings he is in, threw a fireball at the needlefolk in an area completely covered with undergrowth. How typical of these city dwelling folk! Needless to say, he set the forest on fire. In a fit of rage, I believe I almost attacked him before I came to my senses. Magic used to ravage nature! The very thought is against everything I have been taught! The fire began to spread, and we had to dig a trench around it to prevent it from spreading. Our efforts were interrupted by other plant creatures, but we finally managed to contain the blaze. He did not offer an apology, however it did not appear as though he intended it either. I chose not to pursue the matter.
We later came face to face with a druid we can only guess is Anthronin’s brother druid in a small clearing. At first I held out hope that this fellow servant of nature could be made to see the error of his ways. After hearing his ongoing rambling about how even allowing a human to step foot in the forest is an affront to nature, I realize that he is too far gone. He has allowed his own personal grudges and opinions on obviously elven issues to mix up with his loyalties to the forest. As he proudly declared the ‘thing’ he called forth next as Elore herself rising up against intrusion, I knew he was no longer in touch with the serenity that surrounds him.
The tendriculos that shambled forth at his command was unnatural. It appeared to be some kind of cross between the repellent creature, and a shambling mound, with some other plants mixed in for good measure. We fought both aberration and master and the dwarf got swallowed for the second time to his chagrin. I must say however that it was rather amusing watching the dwarf fume over the indignity of sliding out of a wound in the creature’s stomach, especially under the threat of being swallowed yet again. The druid went down first under the assault of our blades and spells, and the aberration picked him up and swallowed him – an ironic but just act of nature.
Anthronin arrived after we dispatched of the tendriculos, with two treants in tow. He had been searching the forest for signs of his brother’s acts, and finally came upon us after the battle was done. Although saddened, he agreed there was likely no other option. Maple and Oak, the two ancient forest spirits spoke of uncommon creatures moving through the forests – trolls among other things.
After we parted ways with Anthronin and the treants, we tracked the mutated tendriculos’ brief path through the forest to a small lean-to constructed from druid-guided plants. Searching the small hut revealed nothing. We were shortly after accosted by two armored trolls quite intent on slaughtering elves. It proved to be a tough battle, but we prevailed. Ashyra’s dire wolverine was beaten senseless by the trolls. Healing the animal proved to earn its gratitude. It seems likes ferocious around me now.
The trolls interestingly, were carrying a letter from Risen. Apparently these creatures had been freed from the dungeons of Risen in exchange for their service. For what cause though?
