Episode 25 - A New Friend

In the clearing around the massive pine tree, hundreds of orcs, elves, and humans assemble. Hagstone explains that the tree is Oalian. He stands about 210 feet tall and about 50 feet in diameter. Oalian is over 4,000 years old.

Immediately before Oalian stand a row of figures. Hagstone points out Wren, Hagstone's master. They all wear long, flowing green robes.

Wren raises a horn to his lips and blows one long note that echoes and reverberates through the woods. He then lowers the horn to his side and shouts, “Ta muid anseo leis na deithe a adhradh!” (We are here to honor the spirits). The crowd chants together, “Go raibh deithe agat!” (We thank the spirits). Wren shouts again, “Ta muid anseo De na an doras.” (We are here to seek council). “Go raibh deithe agat!” Wren shouts a third time, “Ta muid anseo An dairire ata tu.” (We are here to protect the Dragon Between).

Then Wren raises his hands and cries out, “Anam chara!” (Make ready). Two of the eldest druids near Wren take up burning branches and walk all the way around the clearing, waving smoke about them. When the old men finally return, Wren lowers his arms and says, “Adh mor!” (Let's begin). He then chants the following:

We all come from the Dragon Between

And to Her we have returned;

As our ancestors Worshipped Her

Air, land and sea.

Hoof and horn, hoof and horn,

All that dies shall be reborn.

Corn and grain, corn and grain,

All that falls shall rise again

The crowd chants together, “Go raibh deithe agat!” Then everyone sits on the ground.

Oalian's branches begin to sway and shake. Then he is still. A low, rumbling voice sounds from a great knot in his trunk.

“Hrum! Hoom! As Vvaraak and the ancient gatekeepers taught us, we assemble to fight against the abominations that threaten the Dragon Between. The abominations are rising again, and I have seen a vision. Monsters stir in Droaam. An unnatural winter descends from the Shadowcrags. Eyes watch from the deep. Eyes that seek out a coat of eyes, for only the wearer can see. Eyes that look for a crown of ancient lords, for only a lord may enter. Eyes that look for a gem of perfect blue, for only it will show the truth. Eyes that look for the Sword of Waila, for only his sword will slay. Eyes that look for the crystal ball, for only through the past do we know the future.”

The druids then discuss what to do about the threats to nature. They decide to search the borders of the Demon Wastes, especially near the Shadowcrags. Our heroes and Hagstone are commanded to look for the source of the storms, if they can find one. Bring the good inhabitants to the south. The party will go the Baleful Forest, a stretch of forest in the north-west, nestled

against the Shadowcrags. They should visit the villages of Gibs and Fallcrest and tell the inhabitants to flee to the Towering Wood.

Small bands of worgs, werewolves, and ogres have been sighted far outside of Droaam. This is very strange, since the worgs and werewolves are normally found in the southern part of Droaam. They seem not to fear the druids, as they once did. The worgs and werewolves seem to have some new power over the wolves of the Eldeen Reaches. They start to follow the worgs.

The hags, the Daughters of Sora Kell, don't seem to be behind this. In fact, a group of druid scouts saw a servants of the hags, a heavily armed band of goblins, fighting with worgs and werewolves. Strange things seem to be going on in Droaam.

Most of the Rangers and Wardens are to assemble with Wren and guard the border with Droaam.

Oalian speaks with the group and wonders if Fie's coat is the coat from his vision. He says to the party, “The whisps of prophecy are about you. It is a mist that is almost visible to the eye. I feel now every tree in the forest bends a branch in your direction. Even the faerie are called from Thelanis. I can feel their presence about you. I know not if your next step will snap the living world or defy the aberrations that threaten us.”

To Fie he says, “You are reckless. The forces of chaos swirl about you. Yet these others need you.”

To Hammer he says, “Machine. Soldier of a dead land. All living things tremble before your mechanical power. But you are not like most of your kind. You are dead but living. Metal but wooden. Is it possible to be more than a machine?”

To Brugdush he says, “You are of the woods and true to your people. I feel your father's hand on your shoulder, guiding you to a destiny. Is it his destiny or yours? I cannot tell. Will you choose it?”

To Folan he says, “Your lord is wise and good. He will always provide for you, in this world and the next.”

To Thorn he says, “Something wicked has touched you. A great magic is upon you, a magic greater even than my power. This is the work of a god. Did you see some terrible evil? I know not its nature, but I am sure that you are changing.” (Thorn feels the itching sensation strongly now).

The party departs that afternoon and heads toward the Shadowcrags in the direction of the Baleful Forest. As they reach the forest and make their way near the mountains, they see a tiny village, the village of Gibs. The heroes speak with the mayor of Gibs, a man named Elwood. Elwood and the village guards are discussing the fate of a drow elf that is tied and gagged at their feet.

Brugdush and the heroes speak with drow, who called himself Darakas. He claims to have killed a spider in the Underdark and to have been sentenced to death. He escaped to the world above and says he hates Lolth, the evil queen of the drow.

Then the heroes hear booming footsteps approaching from the north and then the sound of timbers breaking. Brugdush releases the drow, and the party runs outside to see an awful sight: a hill giant, nearly fourteen feet tall and wielding a tree trunk as a club, has just smashed a house at the edge of the village and is heading straight for the center of the village.