Chapter 3: Hermit or Witch?

As you go deeper into the forest the ground gets soggy and you realize you have entered a bog or swamp.

Up ahead of you stands a tall tree in a clearing with a small shack built up on the lower branches. A dim light shines in the windows.

Kenna just sort of looks as it as you enter and nods as if to say "this is it"

Leif looked around. The atmosphere certainly didn't help the reputation of this supposed witch. He wanted to be careful and err on the side of caution, but at the same time he didn't want to give off a wrong first impression. He sighed.

"Hello!" He yelled as he walked toward the small shack. "Anyone home? We're here on business, just want to talk." He approached to knock on the door.

Charun accompanies the other looking around curious and ready to leap to defend any from attack

Standing at the rear of the group, Sherry holds her cute nose in the wind and sniffs of there is something hidden from plain view, that they should be careful about.

Just to be on the safe side she pulls out her wand and begins the sixty second ritual that will allow her to detect magic. Sure, she could waste her energies and do the same thing in a few seconds, but she figures a minute won’t hurt anything.

As the group approaches shuffling from inside the cottage is heard. The sounds stop as you approach.

Scylla can feel some Divination and Conjuration magic coming from the house.

She wrinkles her nose, "Looks like conjuration and divination are happening. I'll give it a knock and hopefully we don't mess up her spell casting."

She gently taps the door.

"Helloooo! We just want to talk. We heard that the townsfolk have been bothering you, and we want to make sure everything is okay."

As she can see nothing worth her while, Sherry skips from one leg to the other and keeps her mouth shut for the moment.

Charun accompanies the leaders of the group to greet the homes owner. She is probably simple observing her guests and divining their intent.

The silence of the moment inside the little cottage is cut short as the door swings open quickly and a hedge woman sticks out her head.

Who are you?

The woman's face seems wild and spastic and you can see a beetle on her shoulder chittering away...

No...no..no it would be rude to close the door on them she says to the beetle then she stares at the group in front of her

Charun greets the woman formally I am Charun Silvercrest. We are on a mission to Alderheart to alert them of recent events near the scorched grove. While passing through we were asked to help the local as our path would take us by your home.

Have you been having difficulty interacting with your neighbors? Some of them have become frightened sought our in in mitigating their fears.

The grove?!? what events have happened? she turns around leaving the door open and walking into her place over to a cauldron whispering to her beetle.

It has already happened...that was quick....I know that!....we must finish...we must finish...only hope...must know She begins throwing some ingredients into the cauldron. Then stops for a bit while looking through some vials.

Well come in, you will catch a cold being out there for too long.

She follows the others in and watches the other woman work. She’s fascinated by the magic as usual

Scylla sees the auras surrounding the Hedge seeming to be the Divination she was sensing earlier and the aura surrounding the cauldron to be the conjuration.

Leif shuddered at the woman's strange behavior, uncertain how to respond. As she walked back inside, he looked over to his companions, then shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"Hope it's alright that we step in?" He said as he followed her in. "Nice, um... well, this is quite cozy. I um, I love the... warmth of the hearth. So... um, what are you trying to finish? Did you know the events at the grove was going to happen? If you've visions of the future, perhaps you could help us."

Or we can help you?

"She’s working on conjuring something. It may be best to wait some time else we will disturb her spell to potentially bad results for us all." She keeps concentrating while she speaks wondering just what the woman is bringing into the world.

Help? Me? No...no...visions yes. The Wood is in danger. Fire. Spirits. The woman continues to ramble a bit.

She then looks at Scylla magic yes. Conjuring for answers but...out of ingrediants. Toad hearts. Find some will you?

Hearing the witches reply he looks around for a small wizened green figure with a walking stick. Then shaking his head he sighs, another mission. Still if she is to be believed then this may help save Humblewood.

Looking to his companions he asks can any of you identity that plant and point is where you search?