The forest seems normal
for the first few steps
Darkness and chill drift out from the open arms of the gnarled trees ahead, their heavy, twisted branches curling up into the fading light. Broad leaves help to cast an eternal shade onto the dark soil below, earthy smells coming from its rich humus. Vines and creepers cover much of the ground around the bumpy roots of the ancient timbers, winding up rough and chipped bark or stretching out a sprig of leafy stem on the worn path the travelers walk on. The only animal sounds seem to come far and few between, often an insect or lone bird.
Welcome to Agarwaen Taure
or to better suit your tongues, The Blood-Stained Forest. The elves we will soon meet can tell you why it has such a depressing title, he points straight ahead to a copse. Wood nymphs ahead
do not touch the trees. The dryads are very persuasive wenches once youve made contact with them. And while Im sure any man would enjoy a fae lover
they tend to expect too much and use you as compost for their homes once you wear out.
He glances at Tamrissa as she makes a small sound of amusement.
Was your mother of such stock, Willem? You tend to treat your lovers the same
fertilizer to feed your ego, she speaks lowly to him, walking closer to him than the others.
And you remind me of what one would call a harpy, Roshan
a shrew who will forever tell the tales of those whove done you wrong and cry for their blood to be spilt, he mumbles back to her with his lovely mouth lifting in a baseless smile.
I do not forgive those who have not asked for it, she snaps back.
I do not apologize for what had to be, he replies calmly and continues walking, giving no explanation as to what it was and why it had to be.
The trees are as he told them they would be. The shapes of buxom female forms reach out from the trees, their torsos very flesh-like, but ending in the trunks of the trees, legs curled like sculpted growths around the base. Their fingers beckon, their voices call in foreign words. Brown wavy hair, golden curls
large green and brown eyes
lightly tanned and shimmering skin
One sings, voice enchanting like the feel of sunshine on the face and the tender moistness of green moss beneath bare feet. Like the fragile float of dandelion fluff in falls cool breeze and the
abruptly, the spell is broken as cold slaps each party member in the face as if doused in ice water.
Persuasive, Willem mentions again and waves them on.
The nymphs continue to reach, their voices lifting in desperate pleadings. Some even go so far as to weep at the loss of perfectly good company.
There are more through out these woods, but that is the only cluster near the road, the tall sidhe explains more thoroughly. Now we are heading into the less friendly areas
I was not hoping to travel this late.
Even he seems slightly nervous, but he continues.
For your protection I offer the following advice for traveling here after dark
or mostly anytime. First, take nothing from the forest floors, stay on the path
the gnomes guard these premises with hawk eyes, literally. And this goes along with it
do not follow the lights in the distance. Will o wisps are marvelous to look at, but are not always employed by equally enchanting employers. Also, spirits of the dead are said to haunt the woods at night, do not let them touch you
you will become as cold as they are
unless you are already dead, which accounts for only one of us, he warns, ticking the directions off on his fingers. On a lighter note, brownies are harmless
until you give them your full attention, then they drop nets on you and feed you to their pets. Notice them, but do not look directly at them or stare. Oh my
what else
hmm. When we reach the bog passage youll notice that the night insects here
bite
hard. But hurt them and we deal with my first warning.
He sighs as he notices the first set of beady black eyes peering out from behind a tree, a figure no bigger than a mans hand. Its frizzled, dirty hair stands up on end as it sees the five coming down the path, small antennae twitching in the cloud of puffed brown. A clicking noise sounds as it zips back behind the tree and disappears.
Kemen protect us, Willem whispers the ward as he puts all five fingers of one hand to his forehead, and then continues his warnings. Next and most obvious, do not fall behind, the lagging are easy prey. Trolls enjoy not only lagging prey, but also are attracted to loud voices and noises. Do not kick or throw anything into the darkness
youll need a weapon or a good escape plan if you do
and a battle usually ends up with all of the above happening at once. And finally
His steps freeze and he pivots around to look at them all, his still dripping robe swinging with him.
if you see dark shapes seeming to cut themselves from the night, do not cry out or draw your sword, simply run. Well know to follow.
He closes his eyes with another frustrated sigh as two brownies toddle with tiny muttered voices across the path behind his guests.
Brownies have noted our presence
they will do anything to catch your attention for more than a second. I repeat
notice, but do not stare. They cannot harm you, only annoy, without the rudeness of staring first, he shrugs at Tamrissas raised eyebrow. Brownie etiquette.
Tam looks away with widened eyes, wondering if this is actually where her bloodlines lie. She lifts her gaze back at where the dryads were, remembering their haunting eyes and feeling the sting of Willems words all over again and the message from the waterfall's guardian. This is what she came here for? To be thrust into politics, old vendettas and all around silly creatures?? Her incredulous expression returns to the sidhe and he shrugs again before moving onwards