Curing Eldergrove

Dec 5, 2023 9:25 am

avylazyboy Inactive for 8 months

Barley sets his teeth and follows Vaun's instructions to the letter.

Rolls

Surgery roll - (2d6)

(66) = 12

Psionics - (2d6)

(61) = 7

Dec 5, 2023 10:21 am

OOC:

Nice work - Go Team!

~TinyGM~

Dec 5, 2023 1:50 pm

Date&Time(Beta): 1@11:30
The process takes many minutes and the biggest problem ends up being Rhidons squeamishness about touching the thrashing fellow as the gnome and plant interface causes the thing to react violently. Luckily Vaun and Barley are able to safely extricate the majority of the invasive plant and use their ability to flush out the tiny remnants and heal the residual damage.

At the end of the procedure Barley, Vaun, and the gnome are all exhausted as Barley hold the still living and slowly writhing mass of vegetation. Rhidon and Beruga refused to "hold it out of the way".

However Barley and Vaun can both tell that though they have "cured"the gnome of the plants invasive presence he is still dying beyond what they can do. Vaun estimates the gnome has a couple hours to a couple of days.

Gnome

After resting a few minutes he regains consciousness and looks around in confusion Thank you for releasing me he faintly whispers. Glancing around he sighs The Treeheart tried to save me but it can only do so much without the direction of a Mortal Warden. Are they all dead, or like me? The rest of Eldergrove's people? he asks with an intense look of sorrow in his tired eyes.

Dec 6, 2023 6:09 am

Vaun came close to the gnome and helped him lie down on the floor. As the realisation dawned in him that the gnome was alive because of the plant parasitism, it saddened him.

He spoke mentally, "Master Barley, the plant parasite was keeping this gnome alive even though it was overtaking it's mind and soul. We may have freed the gnome, but we have robbed him of life force and sustenance. We are indirectly responsible for his death."

Vaun calmly said, "Don't strain yourself, good sir. What is this Treeheart that you mention? Is it the heart of Eldergrove? A long time has passed, and we see Eldergrove in ruins, taken over by nature. Was there a Mortal Warden? Unfortunately, we haven't met any people from Eldergrove while exploring your city."

He spoke mentally to everyone, "Unfortunately he will slowly die and I don't know if it will be painful. However, I have something that will induce a deep coma by painlessly euthanizing him. What do you want me to do?"

Dec 6, 2023 11:13 am

"It is the gnome's choice. If you need help. I can give him a vision of a happier time before we send him to greener hills." Barley thinks directly to Vaun.

He bows his head and gets down on one knee so he is level with the gnome.

"Sir, my friend speaks true. You are the only one we have encountered while exploring the city. The city itself has been recently rediscover. It is overcome with unnatural vinegrowth and vegetation. What happened to you that you needed saved?"

Gnome

Dec 6, 2023 2:37 pm

CurtFactor Inactive for 5 months

Gnome

Vaun says:

"Don't strain yourself, good sir. What is this Treeheart that you mention? Is it the heart of Eldergrove? A long time has passed, and we see Eldergrove in ruins, taken over by nature. Was there a Mortal Warden? Unfortunately, we haven't met any people from Eldergrove while exploring your city."

The Treeheart is the keystone of the city. It is what allows us to live in and with nature without having to harm it to shape it as it shapes us. The wardens ar e the keepers of the Heart. Their leader is a great druid that found and polished the heart to help it allow us into it's embrace.

Barley says:

"Sir, my friend speaks true. You are the only one we have encountered while exploring the city. The city itself has been recently rediscover. It is overcome with unnatural vine growth and vegetation. What happened to you that you needed saved?"

The city was under attack by the Immortal warriors. I had been severely wounded and applied a seed of life to the wound as I could not find a healer and the chaos of the attack caused the others to flee without me. The seed should only have bound the wound till a healer could help me but as I was getting ready to flee with the others it suddenly pulsed and began growing much bigger. It then gets all jumbled and you were pulling the seed from me.

It seems something has happened to the Treeheart to cause all of this. Do not hurt it, it does not really understand people. That is why Artenia Lien called the wardens to look over it and help teach it. Something must have frightened it to cause it to so far step beyond the teachings of the wardens.

Rhidon Axehorn

Dec 6, 2023 3:56 pm

"We fear that there may be some sort of corruption afoot. Is this Artenia Lien someone trustworthy?"

Gnome

Dec 6, 2023 9:39 pm

Gnome

Artenia Lien is ancient and learned. She founded Eldergrove with others and has always been benevolent and wise. cough . . . cough However she passed some years before the attack. Several of the wardens were her students but none had her gifts or power. All were selected for their peaceful disposition and harmony with nature. I can think of no reason why any would do this to our city. Perhaps they were slain and the Immortals corrupted the Treehear? The topic of one of the cities guardians being a traitor obviously disturbs the old gnome and uncertainty and sorrow fill his face and eyes.

Dec 7, 2023 1:28 pm

"Would all of the wardens have been present at the heart when whatever happened happened? Do you know if they worked in shifts?", Barley asks the Gnome.

"There maybe a chance one may have escaped or was far enough away they are un a similar condition to this person. We might be able to free one of their minds long enough to teach us how to communicate with the Tree Heart.", he thinks to his entire group.

Gnome

Dec 7, 2023 1:40 pm

Gnome

I do not know their inner working, but they do not all stay with the heart. I've seen some out and about but only ever seen all of them when they bring out the Treeheart for ceremonies. I think only one or two would be on hand?

Mostly the Treeheart just IS. It rarely does things so either a Warden prompted it or it acted on its own. It isn't really alive but it sort of is. Artenia Lien and the wardens were teaching it. And as part of the city and forrest it feels what happens and reacts as a plant or animal. The Immortal attack would likely have scared it. Especially without a warden to comfort it. The long conversation tires the gnome and he falls asleep, breathing peacefully and a slight smile creases his lips but a tear falls out of the corner of one eye.

Dec 7, 2023 2:40 pm

avylazyboy Inactive for 8 months

Vaun listened to the entire conversation and then spoke, "I think we have to explore more and try to find out where this Treeheart is. Master Barley can talk through telepathy and can try to communicate with this Treeheart? We need to find out more about this; maybe there will be more information in Eldergrove. A library perhaps?" He then looked down at the Gnome, "What will you do with him?"

Beruga

Dec 8, 2023 5:13 am

I don't know if it is safer for him to stay here and rest, or travel on my back with us to seek out a warden. Beruga said. I have never met an Immortal, but if their name is to be believed, then they could be in this city, and more than likely close to the tree heart. If they did in fact cause this, then I presume they would be less than friendly to meet. Still, I don't see any other choice. We need answers, and all our leads are pointing forward. Vaun Kaiser, what is your medical opinion of the Gnome. Is it safe for him to travel?

Dec 8, 2023 6:19 am

avylazyboy Inactive for 8 months

Vaun wanted to give an easy answer to this, but there was none. "Actually, my diagnosis indicates that he will eventually perish. Maybe in a day or even in hours. His body was meant to wither away, but the parasitic plant life kept him alive. Unfortunately, at this moment, my skills are not competent enough, and I have done what I can. Beyond this, only the arcane arts will probably work. I think we can carry him, but he will ultimately die."

Beruga

Dec 8, 2023 9:51 am

Beruga's ears drop behind her head as she digests the somber news. Well, if there is no way to save him... I don't think he would want to wake up alone. Would you mind helping me lift him?

Beruga tries her best to situate the fallen Gnome in the most comfortable position on her back, then secures its limbs with some utility straps on her harness usually reserved for extra luggage but can also come in handy during mountain rescues.

OOC:

When the group is ready to move on, Beruga will follow the pack by ~15ft to avoid springing any traps on her frail companion. Psybermagi, let me know if Beruga suffers any encumbrance effects.

Dec 8, 2023 2:25 pm

"That is a sound plan, Beruga. I can try to talk to it if it's willing. However, my attempts to reach the intelligence behind these plants have been less than stellar. I think we should try to find a temple or library. What does everyone think? Rhidon, what say you?"

"Malachi, please keep our gnome friend company."

Malachi chirrups, circles Barley's legs and then jumps on top of the gnome. Barley smiles as he watches the little spirit pretend to have weight.

~TinyGM~

Dec 8, 2023 2:34 pm

CurtFactor Inactive for 5 months

As you move to lift the gnome a slight chill runs down all of your backs as the vines and branches that permeate the entire city lift the gnome halfway up so that you can easily grab him. Pausing only a moment, to ensure they do nothing else, you take the gnome and the plant life returns to its former state as if it never happened. A bit confused at the "helpful?" plants you quickly position the gnome and Beruga's harness to secure him in place. Beruga is comforted by the warmth of the little body and it steady breathing on her back.

Making your way back outside you head towards the massive tree. The plants seem oddly still and the hissing rutle of plant movement is only heard in the distance. You pass a couple of blocks and are almost to the tree when you come upon an intersection with a tile mosaic of arcane patterns. On a nearby wall to the north someone has scrawled "Riffin Hane fell here, his sword sundered" in what look to be scorch marks from flame.

As you look over the scene you hear a scrabbling noise, first from one of the nearby houses, then from another on the other side of the way. Looking around you note that the plants covering these buildings are mostly dead and dry with only a few small plants showing any green. Then you see a small head poke through a window, and another other there, and another. You are surrounded.

Minor Demon

Rhidon Axehorn

Dec 8, 2023 3:17 pm

Rhidon is somber listening to the gnome's story, and prognosis, but agrees with the others that some research is needed. This city is unlike any I've seen, too many surprises already. He thinks to his peers.
---
Outside, Rhidon sees the demons and abruptly stops walking. He thinks to all, We're surrounded! Barley, are you able to detect if they have hostile intentions?

Minor Demon

Dec 8, 2023 4:21 pm

Minor Demon

the creatures, resembling stories of Imps, a minor immortal demon. bare their fangs and hiss in open hostility as they creep out of various buildings. You count 8 and more are coming out into the open.

Dec 9, 2023 5:52 am